It's really kind of sad. Today, we routinely spend on a vehicle what a nice house went for not too long ago. The investment in such a huge depreciation loss seems insane on the surface! Add to that, we spend multi thousands on warranties to hedge against a certain fate.....mechanical failure/ breakdown. Over a 40+ year working career, a person typically spends way north of half a million on cars, all expenses germane thereto included!
Then, to add insult to financial injury, we must dance the dance of "which cup is the pea under" with warranty/insurance.
Is it just possible that a person might benefit from a combination of frugal savings and self pay for repairs and being extremely diligent with maintenance/repairs?
One of my friends who has advanced degrees and a very prestigious job drives a very old clunker to and from work, and has the new mega buck vehicle for his wife. He loves to brag that he bought the clunker for 800 dollars 23 years ago, and has spent literally scant amounts on upkeep and repairs to date.
Not all of us can reasonably do this of course, but it does make for interesting conversation!