Cars are exactly desires. People choose to live beyond their means, which is why leases are so popular. Leases are stupid, but yet people can't sign them fast enough because it gives them a chance to drive a car that is far out of their price range.
Unfortunately, most people choose to live paycheck to paycheck and buy things that aren't within their means. If people can't afford a $400 a month car payment (high!), then don't buy an Infiniti or BMW or whatever. Buy a Ford Focus. Buy a Chevy Cavalier (or whatever it is they call the Cavalier now) or a Honda Civic. Problem solved.
And why exactly is the purchase of a new midsize sedan at a four year term out of the price range of more Americans now than in 1964 ?
Cars are a necessity here unless you live in some housing project and can walk to a store and the welfare office --- otherwise it would be quite difficult for most people to work --- mass transportation wouldn't cut it --- too many long waits at the housing projects and then the malls and free clinics where all the bus routes and stops seem to be.
Also --- what of the price of other essentials? Property taxes --- what were those in the 60's or 70's compared with today, home-heating, electricity --- or food ---- milk is running something like $3.50 a gallon --- even more than gasoline.