Like others here, we hold and drive our vehicles for many years. Generally, proper maintenance keeps trouble away, barring manufacturer problems; of which, there have been many in recent years.
Current monthly auto payment and lease
For an auto loan, the average monthly payment in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2025 was $745 for new cars and $521 for used cars. For a new lease, the average monthly payment was $595. These figures can vary significantly depending on several factors, including your credit score, the loan amount, interest rate, and the loan or lease term.
Here's a breakdown of average auto payments and leases by credit score range (Q1 2025 data from Experian):
Superprime (781-850):
New car payment: $727
New lease payment: $595
Prime (661-780):
New car payment: $753
New lease payment: $590
Nonprime (601-660):
New car payment: $784
New lease payment: $610
Subprime (501-600):
New car payment: $762
New lease payment: (Data unavailable for this specific range and category)
Deep Subprime (300-500):
New car payment: $736
New lease payment: (Data unavailable for this specific range and category)
Comments
I would routinely run into peoples who's total car/toy payments were 2X what they paid in rent/mortgage. mind boggling.
Then again, not everybody cares about things like savings and a cushy retirement.
Spending over $800/mo. per vehicle is insane. Spending $1,000/mo. for health insurance is also insane, but more often than not, people are forced to pony up.
What is FPU?
We all have our indulgences I suppose. If I had to finance or lease (I don’t) my autos would be bare bones basic. Good used ones are an alternative, but I’ve been burned enough times with “crème-puffs” that I stick with new.
Ya. F**k y**. AND the asshole that designed things that way. And I need to be reminded every time I start the car, not to drive distracted????? Bite me.
Is it any wonder these things are so expensive to buy these days?
Something can be said about the older generations where they manage to live within their means while save for retirement and send their kids to college.
The highest inflation in the last 4 decades by the previous administration.
Smart people buy Toyota vehicles and hold them for 15+ years.
"administrationm"
Dummy!
"New York Fed researchers said credit card delinquency rates for Americans under 40 have been "unusually elevated," adding they are keeping a "close eye" on the trend. The rate of balances transitioning into serious delinquency for 18-29-year-olds has hovered around the 10% mark since 2023."
I almost feel bad for the younger gens. I don't think they have a clue as to what we are up against these next few years. Elevated car prices won't even be the worst of it.
The American dream might become a nightmare.
Already. Then, more's the pity. What a sucked-up buncha rat feces.
I posted this is another thread.
Auto Industry Takes $12 Billion Hit From Trade War
"President Trump’s tariff war has inflicted almost $12 billion of losses on global automakers,
the biggest hit they have faced since the pandemic.
The scary reality: This may be just the beginning."
"For the world’s 10 largest automakers, not including those in China,
net profit is currently forecast to fall by roughly a quarter this calendar year
to its lowest level since 2020, when the pandemic led to cash-draining factory shutdowns."
https://msn.com/en-us/autos/electric-cars/auto-industry-takes-12-billion-hit-from-trade-war/ar-AA1K4ODX
We had Camry V6 250,000 miles but totaled in accident. Body shop guy did minor fix and gave to his mom.
Another Toyota we had for 18 years with 175,000 miles and sold for $3,000 this year. We have another 22 year old Lexus V8 still running strong with 235,000 miles.
Had coworker who retired with same car he drive on in first day of work - 1990 Sentra with 300,000 miles. Another guy’s Corolla only lasted 400,000 miles.
But the pièce de résistance goes to guy who has 800,000 plus miles on his 1999 Tundra 4.7 L V8 - I rode it in a few years back and rode well. Of course everything but engine and transmission were replaced - axles, etc.
"New car prices are at a record.
People looking for a deal on a used car in the U.S. are having to pay up too.
The average price of a 3-year-old used car rose above the $30,000 mark
again earlier this year, and has trended upward since."
Can they really afford them is a different question.