Too much of a generalization. Many men drive “status” cars because in their career they’re expected to “keep up with the Jones”~ so they do. Most VPs or upper level execs at major corporations would dare be seen driving a “cheap” car. Noe allow their wives to be seen in one. They’re not all “monster” although many are.

Even decades ago, (when I was decades younger) :) men were judged by other men (some other men- the shallow thinkers, imo) by the car they drove. I couldn’t have cared less and I love cars, especially sporty ones. But I didn’t need one to prove my manhood as so many others did. I could never have afforded a Mercedes or BMW or an Audi but I could admire them from a distance or while riding in a friend’s luxury car. The closest I ever came to owning a “sports car” was when, as a teen, my older brother gave me his ’68 Camaro convertible- I absolutely loved that car! A few years later I bought an used ’74 Camaro hardtop, bright red, chrome “moon” hubcaps and a huge V8 engine. Another car I loved but didn’t own it to prove my ‘manhood’ but because I loved driving fast, good-looking cars.

A friend owned a ’74 Porsche with the California “Chevlon” (I think that’s the correct spelling/name) kit added and I had fun driving that, too, except it was a bit too tight a fit for a six-footer like me.

But I’d never spend as much on any car as what a modest home sells for (in my area, at least).