But as things stand, cars are still really expensive for many Americans. Just 10 percent of new car listings are currently priced below $30,000, according to CoPilot. Things are not much better in the used car market, where only 28 percent of listings are currently priced below $20,000.

According to an October report by Market Watch, Americans needed an annual income of at least $100,000 to afford a car, at least if they're following standard budgeting advice, which says you shouldn't spend more than 10 percent of your monthly income on car-related expenses.

That means that more than 60 percent of American households currently cannot afford to buy a new car, based on Census data. For individuals, the numbers are even worse, with 82 percent of people below the $100,000 line.

$100k to afford a car! Wtf.

      • RoabeArt [he/him]
        hexbear
        7
        5 months ago

        Same. Which doesn't make sense because a majority of this city is mostly flat urban landscape, narrow streets that were mainly laid out in the 1910s when horses and streetcars were still the primary modes of travel, and the only "offroad" area suitable for these vehicles is a metropark that is in the jurisdiction of county rangers anyway.

        • wopazoo [he/him]
          hexbear
          7
          edit-2
          5 months ago

          cop cars have to grow in size because it's difficult to PIT a Suburban with a Fiesta

    • Dr_Gabriel_Aby [none/use name]
      hexbear
      10
      5 months ago

      And making every car “smart.” My app fails or my key fab battery gets to cold and I can’t start my car. It’s so fucking stupid, but I had to lease a new car instead of buying a used one because it’s a smaller down payment and I was technically unemployed, but needed a car for the job I was starting.

      I hate America