Buying a new car is DUMB. My wife and I clear over $175k a year. Not trying to brag. I drive a 2001 Toyota Tacoma that I bought used. The family car is a 2013 Honda Pilot we bought in 2016. It had about 34k miles on it. Paid cash, vehicle is basically as good as new. Haven’t had a car payment since 1997.
I have funny conversations with my neighbor. They were getting some major improvements done to their house and are also looking at schools for their oldest child who will be a senior in HS next year. She was complaining about how expensive everything is, money was tight, hoping their kid can get a scholarship, etc. I just chuckle and shake my head as I look at their cars in their driveway : a Lexus SUV, and a Range Rover. Dumb.
Sounds a little braggy. As long as we're pulling out and measuring, I'm in the same tax bracket and my daily driver is a 1997 Plymouth Neon. Our cars are from 1967, 1992, 1997, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2008, and the aforementioned 2016 Honda CR-V. Not counting the motorcycles.
So, with me, my wife,and four kids, we have six drivers in the household. Add two fun cars, and a Ford Expedition that has proven invaluable for crossing mountain passes, and I, uh...need to buy another car.