Same, I'm the "rich guy" picking up my son at school in an old Porsche I got cheap on Craigslist and maintain myself, despite the fact that its a school my kid was transferred to in a wealthy neighborhood we can't afford to live in. It cost me way way less than a newer economy car would.

It's funny the general reactions I get- young men try to race me at stoplights, and strangers on the street will often give me a defiant fist or middle finger, as if I represent the wealthy exploitative class, in what is likely the cheapest car that has driven by in half an hour.

I enjoy working on cars, so that helps make it cheap.

The street race invitations are funny. I get that a lot in my Esprit and, apart from it being incredibly stupid and dangerous, new cars are so absurdly fast in a straight line that everyone knows who would win.

It was uncomfortable at first having people oogle over the car and make assumptions, but the number of conversations it has started with people genuinely interested in it definitely outweighs the awkwardness.

I've always loved the Lotus Esprit- sounds like a really fun car!

I got a lovely note left on my car for parking in a handicap spot (with a tag!). The person assumed I was a rich guy flaunting the rules. My little miata was so proud of being called a "rich man's" car it practically pranced out of the parking lot.

People just assume that anything sporty looking is ruinously expensive.