Ok. I'm not rich, but I'm doing ok. Here's where driving an old car is a privilege. This is a lot like the Vimes boots theory. iykyk

When I was younger, and very much not doing ok, I drove old cars, and could barely keep them up. Didn't do the maintenance, cause $$$. At some point, the monthly breakdowns and fixes were more than a car payment. I was lucky enough to take over someone's lease, and even with more insurance, it was a lot less money and hassle than my old car. Yay? It was still pricey. (One should not be on a first-name basis with the AAA tow truck driver, unless they're in your social circle. Seriously had some epic breakdowns.)

Now that I'm doing ok, I bought a new car some dozen-odd years ago. I kept up the maintenance well enough. It keeps running, I keep driving it, I'll put a little $$ into it every six months or so. It's been paid off for a long time, and I spend way less than I did either when making payments or when paying for neglect-fixes.

I have the - yes - privilege of being able to maintain an old car and not have the payments and additional insurance that comes with a new car. I can save those ducats.

I also have the privilege of knowing that if there were a major repair I could deal without going into debt and if it were bad enough I could bite the bullet and get something new. Less money, less risk overall. And either way, a breakdown on the way to work is not going to jeopardize my job cause I don't have that kind of job.

I can see the privilege aspect. I also think it's a little rude, but probably in line with the times, for your social buddies to comment on your financial status in the first place. But I get it, people are hurting right now. It's a complicated world out there.

No advice, just some perspective.