Is driving a crappy car a huge no no?

Fuc* em. I'd rather be rich and look poor than to be poor and look rich. What would you rather be - in debt up to your eye because you spent 30K you didn't have on a BMW, or drive your p.o.s., that I ume is paid for, until you can afford something a little nicer? I'd go with plan B. Next time someone gives you flack about your car, ask them how much they still owe on their Mercedes.