Etc.
Etc.
A $10k used car could cart them around just fine for a couple years - the equivalent of $400/month - 3 years would be $277/month.
If the 'high status' jobs require a 'high status' car, let the employer pay for it.
Much as I'd like to agree with you here, this just isn't correct. In many high paying jobs you do need to engage in some status seeking. Women with bad hair (read: $150 hair cut/assorted chemicals every 2 months) and men with cheap shoes (read: $100) are simply less likely to be promoted.
It's not an official policy and your employer won't pay for it. It's just what happens.
(Incidentally, I'm not talking about media or fashion.)
[edit: I have no idea how much the necessary status seeking actually costs, and I'm not claiming this article focuses only on that. I'm just pointing out that it exists and is probably bigger than you think.]
Also, it is quite possible that the 600/mo is a three year lease on a new Mercedes/BMW so at the end of the term you don't even own the car.