Keeping up with the Jones's was a familiar phrase in the 70s and 80s. The scene was a typically green well watered lawn suburban estate with identical cars adorning the respective driveways.
The sheep like aspiration for status amongst peers.
Today this is the domain of Audi driving tech savvy ikea and faded antique chic types. Every generation has its equivalent and it's roots come from the dawn of easy credit consumerism.
I like cars, still have all my old matchbox corgi dinky models from childhood in the loft. Being someone who likes cars I like owning fairly sporty ones, this does not make me an idiot just an anorak.
However there will always be those who aspire to be kings of their peer group by exuding an advantage. People like that bore me, I just let them jolly on in there knob extension on wheels.
Enthusiastic drivers will always want to aspire with regards performance or handling. They are not idiots at all, just enjoying a hobby.