I too have one and certainly am not a social climber. What a sweeping statement to make about people you don't even know!
I have had mine for over twenty years and didn't cost much money. I saw the plate and it had my initials and date of birth, it appealed to my quirky side.
A few years ago after being unable to drive for six months, I went to visit my DIL in my new car. I had to change cars, as I couldn't get in an out easily, but it had been sitting in my drive for months, so I decided to ease myself back into driving.
As I was leaving, DIL asked if I had changed my car registration, which I hadn't. The numbers and letters were all mixed up on the plate and I hadn't even noticed.
It caused great hilarity in the garage, when I took the car back to rectify it. It was my own fault, (being slightly dyslexic) I had mixed up the numbers and letters when getting the plates made.