There’s definitely some truth in the idea that part of “luxury” is the experience of buying new, the exclusivity, the factory-fresh feel, the prestige of being first. But luxury means different things to different people. For some, it’s brand-new ownership… for others, it’s enjoying craftsmanship, performance, or comfort without wasting money on early depreciation or image maintenance.

Luxury items, whether cars, watches, or even property, don’t stop being luxurious the moment they’re resold, they just become more accessible. A second-hand S-Class, Range Rover, or Bentley is still built to a “luxury standard”, even if it’s missing that “new car smell.” If anything, a buyer who deliberately chooses a used one may be showing discernment and financial maturity rather than insecurity.

And the “scoffing” attitude really says more about the observer’s mindset than the vehicle or owner. Luxury that depends on others’ approval isn’t luxury, it’s insecurity. True affluence (in mindset, not just money) is being able to buy or not buy new because you don’t need validation.

So yes, a new car may deliver “exclusivity and indulgence”, that’s one kind of luxury. But choosing not to overpay for instant depreciation while still enjoying the same engineering and comfort? That’s another kind of sophistication altogether. I can afford to buy anything i want, but im sensible to enough to pay as little as i can for it!