The last decade has forced many Americans, including myself, to accept the REALITY of vehicle economics.
For a good number of Americans, their vehicles are making them POOR.
I no longer take any form of pride in driving a new vehicle/debt off the lot. My wife’s 2000 Mitsubishi and my 2003 Acura run fine, and a couple hundred $ worth of annual maintenance, tires, etc. actually feels like a money-maker compared to the alternative.
Wife has a 2003 Acura. She didn’t believe me when I said she would drive it for at least 15 yrs. Zero problems to date.