Owning a good car is a dream for many, as it is often seen as a status symbol. However, if one does not put enough thought into it, a car can become a serious financial burden.
Recently, a viral post on Threads highlighted a tense exchange between a recon car sales advisor (SA) named Paan and a potential buyer over a loan eligibility inquiry.
‘Don’t ask so many questions!’
The conversation shown in the image begins with Paan trying to confirm if the man’s salary was RM5,400 a month, adding that he might need a guarantor if that was the case.
The man then replied by asking whether his wife could be his guarantor, prompting Paan to inquire about his wife’s income as it was the standard procedure,
However, this seemed to irk the man, who retorted:
You don’t need to ask me so many questions. It’s okay, I’ll just find another dealer.”
Though taken aback by the man’s reaction, Paan reassured him that he was merely trying to assist him in securing a viable financing option for the vehicle.
Paan later shared that the man didn’t reply to his message after this and revealed that he was looking for a recon (re-conditioned) Mercedes GLA.
“The man in this case earns RM5,400 monthly, yet he wanted a 2021 Mercedes GLA. Do you know how much that costs? The body price alone is over RM260,000!
Sales advisors should not push for sales blindly, and customers should not be driven purely by desire,” he wrote.
He added that some individuals experience a sudden increase in income—from RM1,800 to RM5,400, for example—and assume they can afford anything.
However, financial planning is crucial to avoid unnecessary financial strain.
If a person like this meets a sales advisor who only cares about making a sale, they’ll be thrilled. But in reality, it could lead to financial struggles in the future.”
Netizens’ reaction
Many netizens commented on the post, sharing their opinions, with the majority saying that even with a higher salary, they were hesitant when it came to buying a car.
“I earn RM35k, and I drive a Honda. This is like one of my closest friends. He makes RM2k (net RM1.8k) but stays in an upscale condo, paying RM1.7k in rent. No additional income. Crazy, bro.”
“Even with a RM15k salary, I still think twice before upgrading to a Mercedes. My husband even said he would pay a RM50k down payment before I agreed to buy it. Kids these days really don’t know how to save money.”
“Or bro can try another way… If he wants a car that costs RM260k+, instead of asking for his salary, just tell him the minimum salary required to apply for a loan along with the required down payment.”
