A Malaysian man has sparked discussion online after sharing an awkward exchange with his mother-in-law, who allegedly suggested that he replace his current car with a larger vehicle.
In a post shared on Threads, the man said his mother-in-law suggested he get a Toyota Vellfire because she found his current Toyota Vios too cramped when sitting in the back with her grandchildren.
“Vellfire lah, you should change your car already. Surely you don’t want to keep using a Vios. There’s barely enough space for me at the back with the grandchildren,” he recalled her saying.
However, the suggestion was reportedly far beyond what the man could comfortably afford. He said he earns around RM5,000 a month and already has several financial commitments, including supporting his wife’s family.
“Mak, Naim’s salary isn’t enough for the car you want. Even buying a secondhand Alza might not get approved, especially when I’m already supporting all your children,” he reportedly replied.
His post subsequently attracted reactions from other Malaysians, with several sharing similar experiences involving relatives who encouraged them to buy more expensive cars despite their financial circumstances.
One netizen recalled a friend earning RM1,700 who was pressured to buy a Honda or Toyota, but opted for a Perodua Viva because it was more affordable while he was supporting his siblings.
Another said a friend had faced similar pressure from his mother-in-law to buy a Chevrolet Trax so he would appear financially well-off, prompting him to ask who would be paying the monthly instalments.
A third commenter questioned whether people should buy expensive cars simply to satisfy relatives, suggesting that family members should instead consider whether such purchases would genuinely make life easier for the couple.
The original post reflects the man’s personal account of the conversation, while the mother-in-law’s perspective was not included.
