# ‘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:** 5
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 12:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/81 "2025-10-25T12:09:56Z")
There’s no dollar sign in front of mine. It’s a number representing units not dollars but I agree with your position if the car costs me $25k to build. Not so good if it costs $440k 😉 ---
**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:** [October 25, 2025, 12:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/82 "2025-10-25T12:11:00Z")
It’s still early… lol ---
**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:** [October 25, 2025, 2:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/83 "2025-10-25T14:37:45Z")
Isn’t the Kicks a Nissan . . . ? I think it would be wiser to spend a little more and buy a far more substantial car . . . and a higher-quality and more reliable one . . . built by a different manufacturer ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/84 "2025-10-25T15:42:20Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > I think it would be wiser to spend a little more and buy a far more substantial car . . . and a higher-quality and more reliable one . . . built by a different manufacturer I wholeheartedly agree… but many consumers don’t! There are lots of Kias and Hyundais sold in my area. Seemingly far more than Toyotas or Hondas. People buy them because they can buy a bigger car with more features for the same money. Kia dollars go farther than Toyota dollars. We all know they have issues… like Nissans have issues…but people buy them anyway. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2025, 3:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/85 "2025-10-25T15:51:00Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > We all know they have issues… like Nissans have issues…but people buy them anyway That is the problem, **we know** , but most do not, they just see a “great deal” and go for it… ---
**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:** [October 25, 2025, 3:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/86 "2025-10-25T15:58:42Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > That is the problem, **we know** , but most do not, they just see a “great deal” and go for it That was the exact situation that buyers of the ill-fated Sterling automobiles found themselves in, back in late '80s-early '90s. The engines and transmissions were made by Honda, but the electrical/electronic components were a disaster. I recall that many/most people complained that the power windows stopped working right around the same time that the warranty expired. The Sterling cars looked nice, and dealers were deeply discounting them in order to move them off the lot, and… the rest is history. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/87 "2025-10-25T18:37:19Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > There are lots of Kias and Hyundais sold in my area. Seemingly far more than Toyotas or Hondas Same here. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/88 "2025-10-25T19:24:09Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > ill-fated Sterling automobiles Who would have ever guessed a Japanese powertrain in a Rover with British styling and built by the same Brits that assembled the Austin Allegro would have quality problems?? 😆💩🤣 ---
**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:** [October 25, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/89 "2025-10-25T19:28:23Z")
I saw a Kia the other day, not sure what model, a 4 or 5 maybe, but it had exceptional styling. Looked great. Too bad it is such a risk with the drive trains. Maybe I misheard the ad but seems to me one metro dealer is offering a one million mile warranty. About 70 miles away though. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/90 "2025-10-25T20:04:19Z")
Looks like Safford Kia? Dealer almost 1hr away has lifetime powertrain warranty good ar any ASE certified shop. Kia and Mitsubishi on the same lot. ---
**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:** [October 26, 2025, 1:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/91 "2025-10-26T01:52:16Z")
Kia and Mitsubishi on the same lot . . . ?! That place won’t get my business anytime soon😂 ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/92 "2025-10-26T02:38:09Z")
Closest Mitsubishi dealer to here, used to be 3 others when the Mirage was a $8,000 car. Dealer group has a good reputation but you pass sevetal Toyota dealers among others to get to Auburn ---
**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:** [October 26, 2025, 3:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/93 "2025-10-26T03:35:49Z")
Only a foolishly desperate person would drive past2 Toyota dealers to buy a Mitsubishi ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 4:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/94 "2025-10-26T04:19:21Z")
Counting the one next door its actually 4. ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 11:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/95 "2025-10-26T11:52:41Z")
Back to reality, when the cost of a clean used Corolla or Civic is approaching the cost of a new car, the “Lower Income Americans who are Missing Car Payments” aren’t your Toyota or Honda buyers. These are basically your workers, employed in low paying Retail, Manufacturing, Service or Entry Level jobs, living paycheck to paycheck, in an economic environment where a common “cutback” or “layoff” can have serious implications. We immediately think of low paid Unskilled Workers but that also includes all of us who went through “Our First Real Job” period. No savings, no credit history and pay that barely covered our student loans, rent and living expenses. My point is that with the economy producing fewer than necessary new jobs and government layoffs, these “Missing Car Payments” are a cause for concern. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/96 "2025-10-26T14:02:13Z")
A friend at work bought a Gen 3 Outlander when it was the only model available. He understood the risk in buying a Mitsubishi at the time but got a terrific deal. He thought the great price offset the risks in reliability and the possible exit from the US market. ---
**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:** [October 26, 2025, 2:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/97 "2025-10-26T14:12:17Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > He thought the great price offset the risks in reliability and the possible exit from the US market. Even in Europe, where they are stronger than in The US, it appears that Mitsu isn’t doing very well. In the US, they are now reduced to selling rebadged Nissans, but in Europe, they’re selling rebadged Renaults! 😱 > **[Mitsubishi Floods Europe With Rebadged Renaults But Something's Missing |...](https://www.carscoops.com/2025/07/mitsubishi-floods-europe-with-rebadged-renaults-but-somethings-missing/)** > > The collaboration has allowed Mitsubishi to stay in Europe and gradually expand its electrified lineup, but will it be enough? ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/98 "2025-10-26T14:17:28Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > In the US, they are now reduced to selling rebadged Nissans Probably why Nissan doesn’t want to merge with Honda. Yet. ---
**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:** [October 26, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/99 "2025-10-26T14:22:32Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > Probably why Nissan doesn’t want to merge with Honda. Yet. I thought it was Honda that decided against that “marriage”. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289/100 "2025-10-26T15:03:40Z")
In Tulsa, OK a dealer has Volvo - Lincoln - Mitsubishi which seems strange . Most of the Mitsubishi inventory are left over 2024 models and don’t really have that good of a discount. Maybe someone will see they can’t afford a Volvo or Lincoln and fall for the lower priced vehicles. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289.md?page=4) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lower-income-americans-are-missing-car-payments/204289.md?page=6)