Likewise - it's funny to me that $25,000 is cited as an "affordable" price for a car, when that's almost double what I spent on the most expensive car I've ever owned (a Land Rover Discovery II, which was a lovely machine). I cannot imagine what it would feel like to look at a $60,000 price tag and think, "yes, this would be a sensible use of money".

Weren't they almost 60k in 2025 dollars when they were new?

I suppose they were, but mine was a 2001 model and I bought it in 2007.

Man I felt bad spending $5k to swap out my used corolla for a used highlander.

i am still fine in my used 2012 12k prius.

$60,000 is a sensible use of money because the car company investors want their ever-increasing profits.

I've done the math a few times and it just makes no sense to own a car for me. Public transport is the fastest way to get to work, and for everything else I can uber every time PT isn't the best option and still come out cheaper than buying the most budget new car.