[More Car Advice] To buy or not?

not true. flaunting means you could get exactly the same value but are paying the higher price for more prestige. Without a doubt, a Camry, prestige or not, has more value than a Kia, and both likely hold more value than a bus pass.

The question is, if a decked out Camry and a Lexus are basically the same exact car, is getting the Lexus flaunting? I'd say yes, but also note that a new LS460 is not the same as a decked out Camry...and ES probably is, though.

Except your house, unlike your car, is probably appreciating, and those extra bedrooms, though unused, may be a smart investment.

again, having a nice looking mouth is more than just aesthetics. I had braces as a child, too, primarily because it would actually benefit me in define-able ways other than looks.

Agreed. At the end of the day, there really isn't a lot extra a Lexus will give you that a cheaper, comparable car (Toyota) can't. Though, there are some differences that are worth paying extra for, for the most part, you are buying the prestige. But what's wrong with that....I own a Lexus!

I think unless it is a complete no-no based on your work environment, I'd get whatever you want. If people give you some grief, there is an easy answer: "Yes, its a little over-the-top, but it has excellent reliability, will hold its value as good as any other car for resale, and gives me a piece of mind a Toyota or Honda wouldn't."