Different people different opinion la.

Some people buy nice car to impress themselves and their friend, because car is being driven out and seen by many others.
They do not care much about their living place as no one even bother that much about it.

Some other people buy better housing to enjoy and better living lifestyle. They do not care much about impressing others of their cars and luxury product, as long as they live happy and lack of nothing is more than enough.

I'd say that car does make me look rich. Ahem, a nice car like Accord.
By first impression, people will sees how expensive the product is and you had it in your hands. Although you're loaning it, but who cares about that, people talks about what they see in the current state.

In my own opinion, car is a needy tool in current days at KL. No car, means you got a hectic life with KTMs Buses or LRTs.
It does bring much advantages as it became my travelling tool. Talk about travelling, any car can do the job.

To buy a better car. I will do that when I have extra cash money which is really 'extra' and flexible enough to be spend to upgrade my vehicles. As long as the sum of money doesn't affect my lifestyle even if I spend it, it is all good