The average car loan today is $48,000

[BMWTurboDzl]

CNN is reporting March as a record month.

 

[rijndael]

CNN is reporting March as a record month.

People are scared of the tariffs coming on cars.

 

[John105]

I recently bought a new 2025 Subaru BRZ with zero payments….. paid cash.
Not bragging but I can easily pay cash for this type of vehicle.

BRZ really not an expensive vehicle like a fully loaded premium brand Make / Model vehicle.

When I got my 335 in 12/06 it was 46.4 with tax out the door and I put about 30k down. Borrowed 16,400 over 36 mos.

The funny part of this story is I asked for 3 cashiers checks of $9,999.99. It took like 40 min because the bank filed a SAR

I have done so many stupid and illogical things in my life. I know at the time I was into “Without a Trace” so maybe that’s why

Flash forward to to 2016 when I paid cash for the LS430. I needed a cashiers check for $13k. It took less than 5 min. No SAR

 

[John105]

People are scared of the tariffs coming on cars.

It’s hard to explain but so is my brain lol

I don’t want to expend the money on a new car to avoid tariffs. Spending a lot to avoid some. If I end up needing a new car it would have been unplanned, something happened. I remember in laws rushing to do their hvac before tax credits ran out. I bet they paid more because demand spiked.

At the same time, if my grocery points worth $4 are expiring on 4/1/25, I run out 3/31/25 to spend them. Go figure.

Another example we are 4 days in office and 18 bridge trips get a $18 discount. If it ends up being 17 for work, and 1 short, we’ll cross the bridge on a weekend day and go to one of our favorite restaurants. I’ll spend $6 to get $18. Even though it makes sense math wise, I won’t spend $12 to get $18. It’s the time not the money….