[silverct9a]

This is my experience as well…Tons of entry level “striver” luxury cars everywhere. Depending on the part of town you’re in it’s more common to see luxury vehicles than mainstream brands.

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

Most people I see driving Mercedes are those who supposedly “can’t afford” Mercedes. You know, those who have $800 car payments, drive a nice car, but live in a house with a bunch of roommates.

I’d say most Floridians, including those who technically “can’t afford” Mercedes, can, and do, in fact buy and drive Mercedes, as anyone with a pair of eyes can easily see driving around any of Florida’s cities. Scours a Publix parking lot, or any apartment complex, or any college campus, etc.

Bunch of CLA and C-Class Mercedes everywhere.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by silverct9a

Can’t say I blame you, but that’s certainly where the industry is heading through consolidation - small dealers simply can’t compete infrastructure and inventory wise. Funny you mention AutoNation as they’re based here in South Florida (Lauderdale) they’ve tried to poach my wife a few times.

Gettle is another one I hate! Palm auto group in pg wqs great until gettle bought it. Screwed oil change and tire rotation up on my camaro lol. Oil change could cost me an engine. Camaro ss staggered wheel set up and they put the larger wheels on the front! Then wouldn't fix it same day!

Up in st. Louis my hometown most of the major makers are locally owned.

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by MOforthewin

Middle class retired folks, and I would think more from the upper south, and midwest versus orlando on south where I see a lot more from New England, Chicago.

The New England people seem to be the Keeping up with the Jones type. Like to have their luxury cars. Midwest more trucks, GM, etc.

I'm from New England. I drive a 2010 Scion XD. And a golf cart. The people across the street from me are from New Jersey. They have a Chevy Equinox, pretty sure it's a 2019 or 2020 model. The woman next door to me is from Buffalo - she had a Kia but it died on her, and now she uses a rental car to get from the airport to here every few months and uses her golf cart to get around. Most of the people on my block are from the general New England/Northeastern States area, and none of them have a Mercedes, or a Lexus, or BMW, or even a Cadillac or Lincoln.

There are multi-million-dollar homes in The Villages, and many Villagers still work for a living. There are doctors - active and retired, lawyers - active and retired - retired career military officers, retired police. The median income of the Villages is just short of $70k/year, and the median home costs around $300k.

So no - The Villages isn't "middle class retired folks" any more than Miami is "wealthy cubans."

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by Ghaati

I'm from New England. I drive a 2010 Scion XD. And a golf cart. The people across the street from me are from New Jersey. They have a Chevy Equinox, pretty sure it's a 2019 or 2020 model. The woman next door to me is from Buffalo - she had a Kia but it died on her, and now she uses a rental car to get from the airport to here every few months and uses her golf cart to get around. Most of the people on my block are from the general New England/Northeastern States area, and none of them have a Mercedes, or a Lexus, or BMW, or even a Cadillac or Lincoln.

There are multi-million-dollar homes in The Villages, and many Villagers still work for a living. There are doctors - active and retired, lawyers - active and retired - retired career military officers, retired police. The median income of the Villages is just short of $70k/year, and the median home costs around $300k.

So no - The Villages isn't "middle class retired folks" any more than Miami is "wealthy cubans."

Median home cost of 300k isn't bad at all for FL standards. Sounds more affordable in your area.

[Thundarr457]

As they say on The Price is Right:

https://www.google.com/search?q=come...gmQsw3d4I,st:0

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

https://www.cbtnews.com/nick-sabans-...ve-to-florida/

Nick Saban, the Alabama football coach, is part owner of a large car dealer group called Dream Motors, who owns mostly Mercedes dealerships.

They just invested $700M here in Florida, & cite Florida's franchise friendly laws for the investment...says more to follow.

Florida winning!

With more below the national average paying McJobs....yay!!! FL is still losing the battle for living wage jobs to states like GA, AL and SC where manufacturing especially has found new locations.

[beach43ofus]

More winning for Florida:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/legali...ch-2023-11-22/

High paying legal jobs moving to Florida.

quote from the link above:

"The state of Florida is rapidly attracting new companies and entrepreneurs that want to put down roots where business is thriving," Joshua Lorentz, Dinsmore's chair and managing partner, said in a statement.

[beach43ofus]

Great article explaining why the big names (Billionaires in this case) are moving to Florida, & particularly Miami:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/je...naires-buzzing

In a nutshell...better lifestyle, and lower taxes, for themselves & their employees.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

Great article explaining why the big names (Billionaires in this case) are moving to Florida, & particularly Miami:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/je...naires-buzzing

In a nutshell...better lifestyle, and lower taxes, for themselves & their employees.

Well for someone like myself I'd hate it because I don't have a driver and I hate traffic! I assume those billionaires dont have to drive. Just sit back.