Why do people buy expensive cars with mediocre performance and then drive them themselves? Why not buy a cheap car and pay someone to drive you everywhere?

Singapore's low-cost labor market (due to open immigration) and 100 percent import tax on cars means the latter seems feasible. People here say that chauffeurs remain uncommon because people spend all their money on branded status symbols.

As we earn more, time becomes an increasingly more expensive resource, so it seems like people in SG should start with public transport, then upgrade to taking taxis more often, then upgrade to a car either driven by computer or someone else. Free up your time for more fun things.

if you're an angry driver, you're definitely right. at the same time, having suffered many days in gridlock in Seattle, and less so in the bay area, I'll attest to the fact that sitting in a car that's far to big for a single person can be a pleasant environment in which to transit. when traffic flows, with the right music, so my mind flows. when the traffic stops, with the right music, so my mind stops. and i can think. the worst is when it's almost-gridlock but not quite, falling short by two or three grades. So you're going slow enough to lack flow, and fast enough that you can't stop to write notes that's the worst. but I found value in controlling my environment. I only commuted via BART for a few months (10 min walk + 30 min train + 10 min walk, +/-) and did enjoy the time on the train, once I got used to it. Learned to read or write or produce music, and it was quite enjoyable.