re: How are you frickers affording 70k+ Ford Expeditions and Chevy Tahoes?

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Believe it or not, some people make more money than you.

I've had this conversation with friends and my wife on a few different occasions. I think there are multiple factors to it. One factor is your bubble. My wife and I are in a very good financial situation compared to everyone who lives in our state or even our city, but when you get down to our bubble (i.e. social circle, places we hang out, kids school, etc...) we are probably average, maybe a bit above average. Just something to keep in mind.

Another big factor is that a lot of idiots are not saving money for retirement.

There are also people who are not sending their kids to private school. A monthly private school tuition payment for one kid is roughly equal to the car note on a 50k+ vehicle.

For every person who you see driving a 75k vehicle who is overleveraged, there is probably another person who just makes good money, or sacrifices elsewhere in their life to have that vehicle.

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A big factor is that a lot of people are still paying mortgages on a 30 year from 2018 - 2020 or so in the 2 - 4% range, so there is a shitload of disposable income still floating around for a lot of couples. What they aren't spending in real estate they are spending on things like vehicles, vacations, etc., and that's partially why inflation has been so damn high in those particular segments over the last few years.

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My oldest son and his wife tried to get me to loan them money for a down payment last year so that they could get a "safe SUV" for the baby they were expecting.
After prying it out of him, I discovered that they wanted to go way upside down on one of those giant Infinity SUVs.
I said hell no, but I would buy them a used Sequoia outright.
They declined and are still pouting about it.

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And you just explained why the constant whining from the younger generation against the "Boomers" is unwarranted.

I get that the Boomers were spoiled and entitled compared to their parents (they were the hippie generation, after all), but they were hardnosed tough guys compared to today's young people who say they can't afford to live when in reality what they really mean is that they can't afford a new Infinity SUV when a used Sequoia would do just fine.

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80%+ of people who drive trucks do not need trucks.

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Until you do. Who gives a frick? Worry about yourself.

Agreed.

I don't tow my boat every day, but I damn sure can't launch it with a 3200# rear-engine sports car.

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Who gives a frick?

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apparenlty the person I replied to cares as he said get a truck. Its a message board gfy

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I was browsing the other day and the terms were 8.99% for 20 years. A 100k motorhome ends up costing 250k

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I think boats are pretty similar. People finance them for 10-20 years.

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I have no idea how that determination could be made.

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If you are just driving to work and back (not using truck for work), hauling kids to school/ball, buying groceries then you dont need a truck.

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I think boats are pretty similar.

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This explains a lot.

Glad I'm not the jealous/keep up with the jones type.

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People seem to forget that a lot of people buying $75K Tahoes are trading in paid off 5-6 year old Tahoes.

They aren't stroking a check for $75K or taking a 7 year loan.


A lot of them are leased as well and the payments are generally reasonable as the resale is so good on them.