# ‘Lower-Income Americans Are Missing Car Payments’ **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [October 20, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289 "2025-10-20T22:25:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 1:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/264 "2025-11-07T13:34:46Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > if they think you’re going to finance with them they give you a lower price, that you can lead them on then pay cash. Their offer is contingent upon an agreed upon commitment from either side. If you change the conditions on your side, they are free to adjust the price from their side. When you sit down in the F&I office and announce at the last minute your are changing the conditions, so will they. These guys are not novices and won’t be “tricked” by such shenanigans. Put the shoe on the other foot. When you sit down to consummate the deal and they change the price, would you just accept it? Or resume negotiations? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/265 "2025-11-07T14:38:56Z")
> [@Old-Days-Rick](#): > > I believe it served as a warning to a couple walking the lot to be wary of those fools Whenever I see a customer anywhere do something like that, I always think, what a dumba$$… as do most everybody else… I’ve been around a crowd and or just a few customers when someone would do something adolescent like “barking the tires” and everyone just laughs and says what an idiot… It’s called, showing your a$$ and it never makes a point other than you are throwing a temper tantrum like a 3 year old not getting there way, and NOBODY wants to deal with that… I can bet any sales person that you sent that text to, opened it and laughed their butts off and then showed it to everyone around and they all talked about that idiot that was in there the other day and that threw that tantrum, and they all got a good laugh over it… Trust me, I have seen it and been involved in the laughter side of it… So nooo, it did NOT serve as a warning as everyone around customers & employees alike, all thought you were the fool at that time… I will go way back to a much earlier post I made and say, Sir you need professional help… ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/266 "2025-11-07T16:02:50Z")
In order to try to return to the original theme of this thread, I think that the latest employment data indicates that this problem may soon get worse. [https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/layoffs-us-october-surge-two-decade-high-challenger-data-shows-2025-11-06/](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/layoffs-us-october-surge-two-decade-high-challenger-data-shows-2025-11-06/) ---
**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/267 "2025-11-07T16:09:10Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > I can bet any sales person that you sent that text to, opened it and laughed their butts off and then showed it to everyone around and they all talked about that idiot that was in there the other day and that threw that tantrum, and they all got a good laugh over it… And that’s perfectly fine, they can laugh all they want but I was 500 dollars ahead and they didn’t make a sale. They probably were complaining come payday about the light check. ---
**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 4:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/268 "2025-11-07T16:10:05Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > In order to try to return to the original theme of this thread, I think that the latest employment data indicates that this problem may soon get worse. > > [https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/layoffs-us-october-surge-two-decade-high-challenger-data-shows-2025-11-06/](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/layoffs-us-october-surge-two-decade-high-challenger-data-shows-2025-11-06/) We are in a free fall thanks to our Conman, I mean Commander…never mind. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/269 "2025-11-07T16:24:42Z")
> [@Old-Days-Rick](#): > > And that’s perfectly fine, they can laugh all they want but I was 500 dollars ahead and they didn’t make a sale. They probably were complaining come payday about the light check You do realize the chance of you or anyone buying a vehicle is just a statistic and they know that…As someone that delt with the public, people like you w/ bad attitudes are never worth the money, ya just move on and look for the next customer… ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/270 "2025-11-07T21:53:10Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > You’ve never bought a car? Not a new one, not one I had to finance. > [@TwinTurbo](#): > > Their offer is contingent upon an agreed upon commitment from either side… That makes sense. I was only repeating what I read somewhere that seemed knowledgeable - it was also 40-50 years ago. In the good old days one could pay off a debt at any time. ---
**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/271 "2025-11-07T22:34:55Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > it was also 40-50 years ago. In the good old days one could pay off a debt at any time. Can you not do so now? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/272 "2025-11-07T22:48:58Z")
Just to show my privilege, I paid $125 cash for my first car. I financed my second car at th3 bank for $500. My third car was paid in cash for $175. My fourth car I financed for $2000 at the bank. And finally my first new car for $4000 was financed at the bank. All down hill or up hill after that depending on how you look at it. Never missed a due date though. ---
**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/273 "2025-11-07T23:41:36Z")
> [@bing](#): > > And finally my first new car for $4000 was financed at the bank. What was your first new car Bing? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/274 "2025-11-08T01:14:47Z")
74 Ollds cutlass, special order. Colonial gold. Beautiful car. $4276 Put 240,000 on it. ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 3:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/275 "2025-11-08T03:00:52Z")
> [@Old-Days-Rick](#): > > Can you not do so now? Apparently not. Especially with home loans - people figured out that, since interest is deductible they could lower the price but raise the interest rate, get the same payment but a larger tax deduction. If they turned around and paid off the loan immediately that shenanigan doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 6:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/276 "2025-11-08T06:23:29Z")
Acura would match a competing interest rate which was 1.9% from the credit union. Kinda made it a no brainer. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/277 "2025-11-08T12:05:16Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Acura would match a competing interest rate which was 1.9% from the credit union. Kinda made it a no brainer A lot of the dealers around here have relationships with Banks or Credit unions. When my son bought his first new car the dealer offered low interest through the Credit Union we use (DCU). Very convenient. ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/278 "2025-11-08T12:47:57Z")
> [@bing](#): > > 74 Ollds cutlass, special order. Colonial gold. Beautiful car. $4276 Put 240,000 on it. Bing, now I know your picture is not a current one! ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 12:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/279 "2025-11-08T12:52:32Z")
Back when I was still in HS my folks bought a brand new VW microbus. $4500! I learned to drive in that car. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 2:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/280 "2025-11-08T14:10:15Z")
> [@bing](#): > > 74 Ollds cutlass, special order. Colonial gold. Beautiful car. $4276 Put 240,000 on it. And for that price today ($30,000) one can get a Camry SE. Sounds about right. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/281 "2025-11-08T14:24:08Z")
I would take Bing’s ‘colonnade’ Cutlass over that brand new Camry in one tenth of a heart beat! ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/282 "2025-11-08T14:30:45Z")
> [@bing](#): > > 74 Ollds cutlass, special order. Colonial gold. Beautiful car. $4276 That sounds about right. My first car was a brandy-new '71 Charger SE, and I paid somewhere in the mid-$3k range. When I made the **huge** mistake of trading it in on a new '74 Volvo, that POS cost a bit more than $4k. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/283 "2025-11-08T15:32:41Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > I would take Bing’s ‘colonnade’ Cutlass over that brand new Camry in one tenth of a heart beat! But my Camry is roomy, reliable, has all the latest safety features, gets excellent fuel economy and finding parts and service would be no problem whatsoever, imo You’re stuck in the past Life is passing you by, @ChrisTheTireWhisperer [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289.md?page=13) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289.md?page=15)