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More Than 1 in 5 New Car Buyers in the U.S. Are Taking Out Loans of 84 Months or Longer
(www.roadandtrack.com)
this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2026
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People buy new cars?
Sometimes they’re cheaper than used cars now. Covid really fucked with used car prices.
Used car? $3000
New car? Sell three children and keep a monthly payment plan.
Where are you finding a used car for $3000 that's running?
You're kidding. I have never paid more than $3300 for a used car.
Where can you find a used car for $3k?
Craigslist. Local auction. Random crap for sale at the curb in neighborhoods.
Apparently not. Apparently they rent them, just like their homes.
I’m nursing a 23 year old VW along. 1.8T 5mt Jetta; it’s still fun to drive, though I really do need to go through it when I have time and replace all the ancient rubber components. But it still runs fine. Fantastic city car too, because it’s easy to park because it’s so small, and old enough that I don’t really care if someone bumps into it a little bit.
You need to have the tapered oil plug re-drilled and replaced.
Please trust me on this advice, as VW totally fucked up when they designed tapered oil plugs.
I bought my current car new - over 20 years ago.
Got me beat 2008 bought new (Toyota Tundra) still love it. It was the first new car I ever bought and it has been great. Also been nice not having a payment since 2011!
2008? Information for your vehicle should be available in Operation CHARM manuals actually..
https://charm.li/
Wow, I never run across that !
If you have the means to archive that site, hit up their about page.
It really needs to be archived!
How many years did it take you to pay it off?
Buy a used car, it's yours, no bills.
Not everyone has several thousands in cash to buy a used car outright. Most Americans don't even have $1,000 in emergency savings.
And I grew up on a junkyard. Nobody ever signed up for a payment plan, they just paid straight cash.
Have you seen the prices of used cars these days? Who has that kind of money in cash and isn't in the financial position to buy new?
Well, that's no time to tale a loan for a new car.
New cars are more reliable than used and while it’s not a good idea to take loans when you’re broke, sometimes it’s the only option.