Maybe.

If I needed a new vehicle (I do), I could see a better ROI over a 10 year period (my current vehicle is 10.5 years old) than for others makes and models, and if the quality justified the price, then yes, I might purchase a "luxury" vehicle instead of the usual utility vehicle I would normally buy. It would ultimately come down to long-term cost of ownership and operation.

On my current vehicle, I have 230,000 miles with no major engine overhauls and "normal" maintenance (oil changes every 3-5K miles, 2 water pump and drive belt changes in 10 years, two clutch replacements in 10 years, tires about every 60K miles). I currently get 28-32 mpg (city/hwy). If I can get similar or better gas mileage, it's a contender. Mercedes, in particular, used to offer full maintenance service (and roadside assistance?) for the life of the car (first owner) for free. If that policy is still in effect and if I believed that I could get the same sort of utility from a Mercedes (or other luxury vehicle) as from my current vehicle, I might buy one (if I could find one I liked - I know, luxury vehicle, status symbol, I'm supposed to like them... sigh).

That being said, my vehicle is a "work" vehicle. I don't baby it. I can't tell you the last time it was washed or waxed. I take far better care of the engine and interior than the exterior (and yet, the paint job on it still looks pretty good; oxidized, but no rust). I drive a lot in less than ideal conditions (Houston/Galveston traffic - I've been rear-ended three times in my current vehicle, so cost of repair and insurance is also an issue - more expensive car=more expensive insurance). I haul things with it. I'm not sure a Mercedes (or other luxury brands) would have me as an owner!

Still, Travis McGee has Miss Agnes (a vintage Rolls Royce converted to a pickup truck and painted blue). Maybe I could own a luxury vehicle...
http://www.innersongs.com/Images/TMcGee%20Covers/MissAgnes.gif

Nope. All I need from a car is economic gas usage and reliability. (I drive a VW Cabrio and it pulls that off while being adorable)

Personally I'd rather all the car companies go under or the government ban cars. We were better off with horses and feet. Seeing as that will likely never happen.. I'll settle with not spending more than I do on groceries a month on a vehicle just so others can go OoooOoo, Ahhhh pretty she must be doing well.

Heck yea! The bigger the better. I want all the options, too. In fact, I am fixing up my old Plymouth Fury very soon! With the built big-block, it should net me 15 MPG. Comfortable? You bet! It can seat like 23 lol.

I am not into tiny cars. Life is too short to sacrifice comfort :).