Grand Piano Vs. A New Car

[classicarts]

  Hello again, Peeps!!  For those of you who are just a bit older and more responsible age in your life, this question is to you.  Was a purchase of a new grand piano worth it over a new car??  Like most of us, most people can't afford to spend over a fifty thousand on a grand piano and let alone buy a new car.     Have you every wonder "what the heck I'm doing here in a Steinway Hall" spending over sixth-five thousand on a grand piano?  Or, can you possibly image yourself in brand new BMW or Mercedez, topless, going down a stretch of highway, with a high fidelity sound of Beethoven "Fur Elise?"  Give me your experience here.   

[leahcim]

I've bought neither.

But let's say I won the lottery or something.

I'd hire the flash car and get it out my system or mebbe just nip down the road to Silverstone and book a week's racing driver course or something like that - if the bug bit, I'd throw the money at that - drive as fast as you like, in a car designed for it, and keep your license. Then buy a 3 or 4 year old, cheap to run car to sit at 12mph in the stream of traffic and rust outside in the rain

The piano on the other hand, well the older and more responsible you are, the more likely you're not going to need more than one brand new piano - so it may as well be one good one if you've got the money.

[allthumbs]

At my age and stage in life, a quality grand piano wins hands down over a new car without a doubt!

[gfiore]

 Work hard save your money. I bought a new Bösendorfer model 214 last year at age 40. This was my fifth piano since I was 22 years old, and my ultimate goal. Cars really did'nt matter. I have driven the same MB since it was new in 1989. This past Saturday, I decided to bid it farewall, and bought a new MB C280. Get your priorities straight and you can eventually have whatever you desire.
 Of course, the piano has always taken precedent over everything else in my life, so now I'm happy that I could also get a new car as well.

[ada]

Car versus grand piano? I'd trade my children in for the latter

[classicarts]

Well, I got my Ferrari today!!  All I need is a hot girl.   

[leahcim]

Well, I got my Ferrari today!!  All I need is a hot girl.   

I think that answers the other thread

What colour did you get?

[rc]

If I had neither, I'd get a cheap car so's I could gets to work and earn my monies to afford a nice piano.

Besides, I'm far too cheap to spend a lot of money for a shiney status symbol, just give me something that'll get me around and I'm happy.

[donjuan]

The question is very subjective - How bad do I need a car? How bad do I need a piano?

I must say, the piano has the infinite advantage over the car in how we dont have to shell out thousands and thousands of dollars every year to corrupt insurance companies, and I wont ever die from using the piano (unless there's some freak accident and it crushes you from falling through the floor).

However..... if you need a car for work and living, then well, the question only has a single answer.
donjuan

[llamaman]

And I wont ever die from using the piano (unless there's some freak accident and it crushes you from falling through the floor).

That's what Alkan thought, and look what happened to him 

[donjuan]

That's what Alkan thought, and look what happened to him 

yeah, well thats what he gets for being smart and using his bookshelf

[quantum]

When I was a teenager I was never really into the car thing.  It was always the piano.  I'd look at pianos the same way my friends looked at fancy sports cars. 

Today now that I have my grand,  I still think I'd prefer a piano over a car.  Well, actually I really want an organ in my house so I can learn some cool organ music. 

Thankfully I live in a city where you can go almost anywere on public transit. 

[kghayesh]

I think on the opposite of all of u guys here. Definitely, a brand new car is better and will cause you more pleasure than a grand.

Just imagine sitting in the new car and driving smoothly with the new sensation of a new car.
You can say that a grand to has its special feeling, but it just goes away after the first week and you end up dealing with it as just a practice tool.

[classicarts]

If i wasn't so much into learning the piano lately, I would say it's crazy for someone to spend anything over ten thousand on a piano.  And we all know there are plenty of people out there who are spending well over fifity thousand on a grand.  Some of these people I might add neglect other responsiblities by doing so.     For instace, why would people drive an old junk, knowing they need a new car, but instead buy a grand piano? Or, pay off their debts, etc. After all, doesn't a car do alot more for you than a piano?   

[leahcim]

It's no more "crazy" than buying a new car or spending a significant amount on a particular car - it wouldn't say much for cars if there's a significant difference in driving them, after a few years compared with new one would it?

Obviously cars have much legislation w.r.t their condition on the road that pianos don't have. But outside of that, there's nothing particularly wrong with an old, well maintained car for everyday, practical journeys or for learning to drive.

Similarly, there's nothing wrong with an old, well maintained piano for playing or learning to play.

But, there no doubt comes a time when folk want to buy an instrument to make music on from someone who isn't famous for making cheap, fast motorbikes [j/k] or, because of the pose factor - which is probably where most Steinways go.

It's no different from someone buying a fast car to race on a track, or a car to pose around London in.

[prometheus]

Cars pollute. Pianos create art. Not a very hard choice.

[leahcim]

Yep, pianos use special non-tree wood and metal from asteroids, magic plastics and finishes that don't use oil or chemicals, and the manufacturing process creates no waste, pollution or environmental effects whatsoever.

They, along with all the materials and people who work on them are transported around by 6 people who eat a strict, environmentally friendly vegetarian diet, that each grab a corner and work without heating, lighting or powered tools.

[prometheus]

Thank you for another personal insult.

Does anyone know if there are FSC pianos? I know there are FSC guitars, but very rare.

Ooh, cars also kill people. Not to mention all the birds and bugs.

[leahcim]

Thank you for another personal insult.

I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were a piano....

People dying in car accidents is bad, but simply put, there would simply not be pianos and many other things in the quanities and prices there are, let alone people who could afford them, if it weren't for motor vehicles and industry. Even being capable of adopting a position in modern society with a pseudo religious / moral eco-warrier lifestyle is highly dependant upon the very things the adoptees seek to criticise and despise.

"I'll just nip out to the shops so I can get back and post how bad modern industrialised society is"

[gfiore]

 Most people who need and can afford an expensive piano, don't have debt, and can also afford to buy an expensive car. It's all about how you manange your priorities.
 Try to keep an open mind about human nature. Some people earn a living as musicians, and need a good , often great instrument to satisfy their musical needs. Many of my clients work very hard, and make some serious money. They have nice homes, and cars. The one thing that many don't have is the debt incured by having a husband/wife and children, so they can afford the expensive things in their lives.
 There are some very affluent clients I have, who just need to have the best sitting in their living rooms. Many of these pianos are for show only. They don't get played much, and they don't get maintained as often as needed.
 

[allthumbs]

There are some very affluent clients I have, who just need to have the best sitting in their living rooms. Many of these pianos are for show only. They don't get played much, and they don't get maintained as often as needed.
 

Sad but true.

[classicarts]

Look, folks! Next time buy a car that would help you more in a long run to become a productive citizen, or think about paying off your debt!  Instead of being a moron buying a Steinway or Bosie you can't afford!   Learning a piano is a expensive hobby.