You need a car to get around in most of the country. But having an existing paid off car makes buying a new one (without trying to trade in the old) odd.

Vast majority of American cities are a joke when it comes to public transportation, and a lot of people live where they have little to no access to public transportation. It also doesn't help that not having a car is looked down upon, especially in car centric cities. I am know several people that have access to buses but are far too proud of themselves to be using public transportation, even if that means being constantly in debt for car loans. That's the depressing reality.

Everyone doesn't.

But a lot of them are motivated to post.

I mean is it a surprise that people who are irresponsible with money have money problems? Kind of a self selecting thing. Why a 22yr old living with his parents needs 2 cars is beyond me but that kind of mentality is why they're in this mess in the first place.

Because the popular mindset is a an older car you pay cash for isnt reliable. And/or it is more expensive to repair an older car than just buying something newer.

The reality is people judge each other for the cars they drive and your average person is scared to be seen as the broke ass they are driving a beater. So they make terrible financial decisions buying cars they can't afford and find ways to justify it.

Cars are a status symbol so people frequently buy beyond what they can afford.