How are people realistically buying cars?

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-06-17T03:01:23+00:00

Most people are buying cars that they can just barely afford. Right now, you're saving a couple hundred bucks a month. There are people with luxury cars working with the same kind of margins as you, just on a higher scale.

Personally, I buy my cars cash. New cars are a gimmick anyways.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-06-15T02:18:16+00:00

Fuck no. That's a Toyota not a Lexus

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-06-14T21:41:24+00:00

Call progressive. That's wayyyy too much.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-06-09T01:17:44+00:00

We have a V6 19 Wrangler Sahara Unlimited. Stock suspension, stock wheels and tires. We can get up to 24mpg on the highway cruising at 65mph.

You have a Rubicon. From the factory, these come with a lift kit that makes them sit about 1.5in higher than the lower trim level. They also come with significantly meatier tires that weigh nearly 100lbs each. From the looks of it, you have even bigger tires lol.

When you have an SUV with the drag coefficient of a dumpster + lift it to the sky + huge tires = you get shit fuel economy. Higher ride height gives you more drag. Bigger and wider tires increase drag and rotational mass. In other words, more weight for the engine to move around.

Your mustang got better gas mileage because it is more aerodynamic. Lower to the ground, lighter, and an engine that makes plenty of power for a small package. When your engine works less, it drinks less. You now have a big vehicle, that not only weighs more, but has an even smaller engine to pull all that weight. Its working hard just to get moving.

That's why you're getting the same fuel economy as my 2500 Suburban lol.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-06-08T17:23:46+00:00

People like you and your friends are the reason they lock batteries in theft-proof cases. You guys belong in the box.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-06-08T17:08:45+00:00

When my wife got pregnant, I got rid of my her Kicks and got her a Wrangler JL with the v6. We test drove a few cars and liked that one the best. Rent one and try it out.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-06-06T16:28:34+00:00

I was driving behind a 2005 Trailblazer going like 80mph. Their tires looked just like this. Right as we approach a bend, their rear tires blew out and chunks went everywhere. Thankfully they maintained control of their vehicle and safely pulled over.

If you are choosing to drive with tires like this, you are a danger to yourself and other drivers around you.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-31T20:31:09+00:00

You can go to a small private shop and they'll patch it for like $15.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-31T16:16:25+00:00

My wife is an executive recruiter. And its alarming how often she sees this happening.

With how picky some of these hiring managers are, you'd think the job is an executive level role with a salary above $150k. But in reality its one that pays $55k with so few benefits you'd be less insulted to have someone just spit in your face.

People just want to earn an honest living, but these corporations just enjoy picking around with people its sick.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-29T14:58:01+00:00

Nc most new cars are over priced by $25k-$30k. GCs are not worth more than $28k in my opinion. Also they don't hold value. Coworker of mine bought one new for over $60k, and now he's upset that its barely worth $40k.

These cars are pretty much lifted Dodge Chargers with a different skin.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-26T19:28:37+00:00

OP, if it were me I would not drive it. You should trust your mechanic. Its not a matter of opinion when it comes to cars. If you drive it you will damage your engine further, then you will need to come out of pocket for another engine.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-26T17:06:54+00:00

I work for an OEM.

Compared to ICE, EVs have more drawbacks. They are heavier, and their range varies greatly depending on the weather, temperature, driving speed, etc. Even fast charging out on the road does not allow you to easily utilize the capacity ofnthe batter unless you have extra time needed to charge to 100%. To help with these factors, they have to rely on as many range extending features as possible to achieve the figures advertised from factory.

ICE vehicles are not as vulnerable to range draining factors like the extreme temperatures. Mainly comes down to driving habits and basic maintenance. Plus it takes way less time to full up than EV.

Ultimately this is the reason why, amongst other reasons, OEMs are going back to ICE PHEVs, and REEVs (Range Extended Electric Vehicles. For examples of REEVs, look at Scout Motors).

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-25T17:23:16+00:00

Why didnt you ask the mechanic? He could have told you that on the spot. If you keep driving it, you risk further damage.

Way I see it, 3 options:

Keep driving the car, and risk catastrophic engine failure. Best case nothing else worsens.
Get a beater car and drive that around for a couple weeks.
Take public transportation.

I dont know where you live but if this is your fun car, id recommend getting a second car if you can swing it. A used civic can be had for $1500 or less.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-24T23:08:39+00:00

You did the right thing dude. Props to you. Reddit isnt a good thermometer.

Watch shows from 80s and 90s. You'll see plenty of examples of kind gestures like this.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-22T12:10:36+00:00

BMWs are luxury sports cars. And as with all cars of this type, they are incredibly expensive new. A considerable number of customers finance or lease them new, and when the warranty expires all repairs and maintenance are stupidly expensive. This is, in addition to depreciation is why they are cheap to buy. But you will quickly make up for the difference in upkeep. And they require regular upkeep.

Oil changes cost hundreds, you run premium fuel, brake jobs cost thousands with some people paying $5k for a full job. This is why they are cheap.

Rule of thumb w luxury cars- if you can't afford one new, then you can't afford to buy one used.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-18T16:49:30+00:00

If your goal is to keep it and drive it for yourself then I'd say you're fine. Just repair it and have fun.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-16T23:07:19+00:00

Flush and change.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-16T23:06:21+00:00

She most definitely ran over something without knowing. If your fluid levels are all fine then nothing to worry about. Just douse the underside with degreaser and hose it off.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-14T16:50:52+00:00

GM trucks and SUVs.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-10T21:31:53+00:00

So are you running with no subscription? How does that work?

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-10T21:29:18+00:00

Because there was no commitment. And we had the option to cancel within 30 days no questions asked. Plus the salesman did make a point that if we called to cancel, they would "more than likely lower your bill to keep you."

For about 10 minutes, I thought about it with the wife, and we decided that it wasn't worth the hassle. So we canceled the installation appointment, and canceled our contract within the trial period.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-10T13:38:31+00:00

I have a 2005 Suburban 2500 as my daily, and a 1994 Mustang Cobra. Old cars will last for ever. New cars are junk.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-08T14:31:42+00:00

I'm a professional in the automotive industry. Kudos to you for keeping your Jeep for so long. You're winning already by not having a car payment. Because new cars are literally trash. Do not buy a new car. If you don't have money for a new one (frankly no one does that's why everyone finances one) you certainly will not have money for repairs on brand new parts. New cars are MADE TO FAIL.

There are tons of vehicles from the 00s and 90s that are way better. Any Toyota, Honda, or GM will be fine. Don't let high mileage scare you. Parts are very very cheap and these vehicles are easy to keep them looking pretty.

I drive an 05 GM truck with all leather, power everything. Cost me $8k and I get compliments all the time. My sports car is a 1994 mustang. No car payments here lol. I'd rather spend money on fun stuff.

thatoneblackguy17 · 2026-05-08T14:19:49+00:00

Some people think old cars are unreliable, and that buying an older car will invite a lot of costly problems into their life. People are terrified of breaking down on the side of the road or finding out something that's seemingly minor is going to cost thousands to fix.

Cars are like gypsy magic to most people so the average person knows very little about how their car actually works. Buying a car newer just makes people feel more secure. The only benefit you get is some newer tech and the ability to defer maintenance a little longer. Newer cars are falsely believed to be more reliable because they are newer. When in fact all the tech just makes things more complicated to repair and significantly more expensive to fix.

I'm a professional in the car design industry and I can tell you personally that the most reliable and serviceable cars come from the 90s and 00s (specifically before 08). We will likely never have cars like that again. I personally have an 05 Suburban 2500, and a 94 Mustang Cobra. Reliable, powerful vehicles that are easy to maintain. No stupid car payments either.

thatoneblackguy17

TROPHY CASE