(Source: 暴走员工 Boom Go Employee | 123rf)
A Malaysian insurance agent, who was driving a Myvi, recently decided to purchase a secondhand Mercedes-Benz to "invest" in his image, a decision he now regrets deeply.
According to a Facebook post 暴走员工 Boom Go Employee that’s been making rounds online, an anonymous man shared how his friend had joined the insurance industry in December 2024, and earns between RM4,000 and RM5,000 per month. In just 3 months into the job, he was told by his team leader that buying a luxury car would help him gain more trust from clients and boost his sales. Wanting to fit in and not fall behind in the industry, he decided to buy a secondhand Mercedes-Benz C200 for RM120,000 in April 2025.
The friend even tried advising him on the cost to maintain an expensive car, and the conversation went something like this:
Him: “Do you think a 2017 C200 is okay? It’s only RM120k, and I just got it.”
Me: “I think your Myvi is perfectly fine. Why change cars?”
Him: “I meet clients a lot, I need to give them confidence.”
Me: “Is your insurance income stable already? Isn't it too soon to get a new car?”
Him: “I’m averaging about RM4 to RM5k a month. Not bad, right?” (I honestly didn’t know what to say)
Me: “Just your loan and fuel would be around RM2k already, not even including maintenance.”
Him: “I’m staying at home with my family, it’s fine. The car is a tool to make money!”
The excitement didn’t last long
Not long after he bought the car, it began showing signs of trouble. He received a quotation for repair work that would cost him a jaw-dropping RM4,398. For someone earning what he does, that bill alone would wipe out nearly his entire monthly income. What’s worse is that in merely a month after he purchased the car, his team leader left the company to join a real estate company.
(Source: 暴走员工 Boom Go Employee)
He resorted to borrowing money from his friend
Unable to afford the repair cost, the poor insurance agent contacted his friend (who posted this story online) to borrow money. The friend initially thought it was a casual meet up. It is unknown if the friend agreed to lend the money.
His story struck a chord with many netizens, especially those in commission-based industries like insurance and property. It served as a cautionary reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that no job is worth going broke for the sake of impressing others.
In the end, the friend urged others not to fall into the same trap. Just because someone tells you to “invest” in your image, doesn’t mean you should ignore your bank balance in the process.
The friend via the post also provided some sound advice:
“When it comes to buying a car, I always suggest this simple formula: Car price < Your annual income – If your annual income is RM60,000, then buy a car within RM60k. That way, you can afford it, maintain it and your lifestyle won’t suffer.”
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