More than 80% of Americans can't afford a new car

[SC Maintenance]

The topic only interests me from a macro economic standpoint. On an individual basis I don't care who buys a new car or how they go about it, but its clearly different than 20 years ago. Since were a consumer driven economy new car sales are a pretty good barometer of consumers I think?

I have only bought cheap new cars for the last while. Transportation from A to B is all I consider them. I have never gotten the vibe around here of jealousy, but possibly that part is over my head.

Every new car I see now has a huge dent or has been keyed or whatever, so that part would make me sick. Rather just drive a relic and not care.

I work with a bunch of people that trust me can afford to buy whatever they want. Most buy a new F150 every ten years or so. They tell me I should buy an F150 and I tell them to bring theirs and park it in downtown Charleston once and get back to me. My neighbors all seem the same. Most drive whatever basic family car until it becomes too expensive to maintain. Its a pretty upscale neighborhood, for our area at least.

 

[cptbarkey]

The US loves its superhighways and now regularly drive 85+. Texas started it, and the nation followed. With that comes folks dying in new and inventive ways expressed by math and physics. Woe to those who have a malfunctioning TPMS system at 85mph+. You also have a much bigger population of careless drivers who absolutely NEED reverse cameras which are now also federally mandated.

If you dont understand these things, I urge you to move somewhere else. Not many other countries have the luxury of driving so fast because their roads arent to US standards. Because they dont drive anywhere as fast, hence they dont need as many safety mechanisms, they do not die in graphic ways as Americans are so fond of.

 

[SC Maintenance]

The US loves its superhighways and now regularly drive 85+. Texas started it, and the nation followed. With that comes folks dying in new and inventive ways expressed by math and physics. Woe to those who have a malfunctioning TPMS system at 85mph+. You also have a much bigger population of careless drivers who absolutely NEED reverse cameras which are now also federally mandated.

If you dont understand these things, I urge you to move somewhere else. Not many other countries have the luxury of driving so fast because their roads arent to US standards. Because they dont drive anywhere as fast, hence they dont need as many safety mechanisms, they do not die in graphic ways as Americans are so fond of.

Except the data hasn't born that out. More people die now than before. Its been discussed here before - I think this thread further up?

FWIW I like the nannies. Except the ones that track you.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Except the data hasn't born that out. More people die now than before. Its been discussed here before - I think this thread further up?

FWIW I like the nannies. Except the ones that track you.

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/historical-fatality-trends/deaths-and-rates/

Looking pretty good with the new technology.

 

[JeffKeryk]

His quote:

“
So does that include all Federally mandated items? Such as ABS, Air bags, Collapsible steering columns, energy absorbing bumpers, seat belts, safety glass, Child seat anchors, crash standards, etc.?

Let's see how ludicrous your position is.
Does it?”

I used hyperbole just like he did. Yes it is inflammatory, but his response was just “you’re a hater.” Not the same thing.

You gotta take responses in stride around here. Don't ask me how I know... Ha!

 

[gfh77665]

The US loves its superhighways and now regularly drive 85+. Texas started it, and the nation followed. With that comes folks dying in new and inventive ways expressed by math and physics. Woe to those who have a malfunctioning TPMS system at 85mph+. You also have a much bigger population of careless drivers who absolutely NEED reverse cameras which are now also federally mandated.

If you dont understand these things, I urge you to move somewhere else. Not many other countries have the luxury of driving so fast because their roads arent to US standards. Because they dont drive anywhere as fast, hence they dont need as many safety mechanisms, they do not die in graphic ways as Americans are so fond of.

Driving 85 on an open, well designed wide highway is safer than driving 65 thirty or forty years ago. Think back to 1980 for example, you had lots of 1960 and 1970 era vehicles on the road, without things like airbags, ABS, etc, with sloppy suspensions riding on old bias ply tires. I will take 85 today over 65 then any day of the week. Besides, the 85 mph highways comprise only a very small percent of the total roads.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Edit: You worked at Mobil, I worked at Texaco. When we answered the phone we used to say "Testixxx" We thought we were so clever...

"Pump Ethyl?"

 

[CKN]

Except the data hasn't born that out. More people die now than before. Its been discussed here before - I think this thread further up?

FWIW I like the nannies. Except the ones that track you.

More people die now is correct. But that's got more to do with flaunting laws and thinking speed limits, caution signs, general highway rules/laws and norms don't apply to me because I'm special. It's the general degradation of society-and to delve deeper in to that subject is another thread in another forum somewhere....

 

[jeepman3071]

More people die now is correct. But that's got more to do with flaunting laws and thinking speed limits, caution signs, general highway rules/laws and norms don't apply to me because I'm special. It's the general degradation of society-and to delve deeper in to that subject is another thread in another forum somewhere....

Cars are safer than they have ever been. The last couple traffic deaths that have hit my circle close to home have all been a result of distracted or impaired drivers. Back when I had a 100+ mile round trip daily commute, I would have a "close call" about 2-3 times per week, and they usually involved someone in the oncoming lane crossing over the double yellow into my lane, or running a red light, sometimes several seconds after it had turned green on my side. In each instance the offending driver was clearly looking down at a device.

 

[CKN]

Cars are safer than they have ever been. The last couple traffic deaths that have hit my circle close to home have all been a result of distracted or impaired drivers. Back when I had a 100+ mile round trip daily commute, I would have a "close call" about 2-3 times per week, and they usually involved someone in the oncoming lane crossing over the double yellow into my lane, or running a red light, sometimes several seconds after it had turned green on my side. In each instance the offending driver was clearly looking down at a device.

Yes-I forgot to mention distracted driving. Distracted driving (cell phones) and red light running have caused numerous deaths in Utah. It's a study in opposites-Utah has the highest volunteer percentages in the Country, high Church attendance, etc., but some turn in to demons or idiots (or both) behind the wheel.

Mommy will hover outside the mens rest room for her little boy-and then put them in a mini van and (greatly) exceed the speed limits when they drive down the street.

 

[CKN]

You gotta take responses in stride around here. Don't ask me how I know... Ha!

Is that evil EV you drive Jeff made by the evil guy who wants to take over the universe......

 

[grampi]

More people die now is correct. But that's got more to do with flaunting laws and thinking speed limits, caution signs, general highway rules/laws and norms don't apply to me because I'm special. It's the general degradation of society-and to delve deeper in to that subject is another thread in another forum somewhere....

Not to mention people WILL NOT stay off of their phones while driving, even when it's the law, which is more dangerous than drunk drivers...

 

[edyvw]

The US loves its superhighways and now regularly drive 85+. Texas started it, and the nation followed. With that comes folks dying in new and inventive ways expressed by math and physics. Woe to those who have a malfunctioning TPMS system at 85mph+. You also have a much bigger population of careless drivers who absolutely NEED reverse cameras which are now also federally mandated.

If you dont understand these things, I urge you to move somewhere else. Not many other countries have the luxury of driving so fast because their roads arent to US standards. Because they dont drive anywhere as fast, hence they dont need as many safety mechanisms, they do not die in graphic ways as Americans are so fond of.

Tell us you don’t travel, by not telling us you don’t travel.

 

[CKN]

Tell us you don’t travel, by not telling us you don’t travel.

Yep-in Mexico you can still buy NEW penalty boxes without airbags.....

 

[edyvw]

Yep-in Mexico you can still buy NEW penalty boxes without airbags.....

Mexico is just one country. Just so I know where this is going, are we comparing data to developed countries or third world countries? Which category does US belongs to?

 

[JustN89]

Auto loan delinquencies are at 13 year highs. Credit card delinquencies are at 12 year highs. Total auto loan debt hit a new all-time high of 1.62 trillion dollars. Credit card debt is at 1.12 trillion dollars. U.S. household debt is now at 17.69 trillion.

Through near zero interest rates and financial engineering, we created an economic environment that grew almost entirely on leverage. Now that rates are high(er), the stress fractures are starting to show. Many Americans are underwater in their cars, straddled with credit card debt, and with rates up, no real tools at their disposal to get out from under it all.

 

[cptbarkey]

Tell us you don’t travel, by not telling us you don’t travel.

I travel and I pay particular attention to how other countries travel.

 

[CKN]

Mexico is just one country. Just so I know where this is going, are we comparing data to developed countries or third world countries? Which category does US belongs to?

My only point was you can buy unsafe cars in Mexico . That's all.

 

[edyvw]

I travel and I pay particular attention to how other countries travel.

So by your measurements the US has really good interstates and highways, and 85+mph is fast?
Yes, comparing to Sierra Leone, the US has really good highways. Comparing to EU etc. no it doesn’t. In Germany they love to drive MUCH faster than 85+ but they have far stricter regulations and requirements.
The rear view cameras are not indicative of skill. The rear view cameras and sensors are there bcs. attempt to lower accidental deaths in driveways. But reason why in Germany is safer to drive 150mph than here 70mph is that a. Rules of the road are strictly enforced. B. Technical inspections are strictly enforced, meaning when one doesn’t change brake fluid 2 years he/she is out and argument “I drove My Chevy 15yrs without changing fluid,” doesn’t work. Etc, etc, etc.
And, besides that, many countries, what we would call third world countries, have similar emissions and other standards, mostly based on EU Norms.

 

[slo town]

Auto loan delinquencies are at 13 year highs. Credit card delinquencies are at 12 year highs. Total auto loan debt hit a new all-time high of 1.62 trillion dollars. Credit card debt is at 1.12 trillion dollars. U.S. household debt is now at 17.69 trillion.

Through near zero interest rates and financial engineering, we created an economic environment that grew almost entirely on leverage. Now that rates are high(er), the stress fractures are starting to show. Many Americans are underwater in their cars, straddled with credit card debt, and with rates up, no real tools at their disposal to get out from under it all.

Indebted people, as long as they're paying their bills, usually have very high credit scores. Because Sue and I are older and retired, both of us fortunate to have well paying careers, we own everything and haven't had any debt in well over a decade. The irony is that our credit score is at its lowest point ever. I've been told this is the way the system works - having no debt is a credit score liability.

Weird,

Scott