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Gen Z is choosing not to drive
(www.newsweek.com)
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this post was submitted on 20 Jan 2024
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My first car cost $900 in the 90's. It was a '91 bronco 2 that had the driver's-side door replaced and spray painted the approximate colors of the rest of the car. Bought it from some dude selling it along the road. My theory is that gen z'ers are just too picky to live like we did "back in the day" so they say they can't afford things like cars when the real problem is that they can't afford the cars they WANT
"Less Gen Z Americans own a driver's license than previous generations"
This isn't about cars they want.
This is more of a general response to all the "YeaH, cHooSe..." comments
Nobody today is selling a 9 year old car for $900 or the inflation equivalent unless it was turned into a cube at the scrap yard.
Cars are on average more expensive today, new or used. Gas is more expensive, and it's likely more expensive to insure a young driver, which has always been expensive.
If they choose "don't drive" over "pour much of what little money I have into propping up a falling apart beater," that's still a choice. Why rag on them for it?
That's a bit under $1800 by today's rates and a 30 second search turned this up: https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ctd/d/indianapolis-2006-ford-f150/7709051628.html
Put in the effort and you can find a good deal. I've done it before and I'll do it again. Buying a new car is a scam, found that one out myself too. I also pay for the same gas and insurance so that's moot
Not ragging on the choice, I'm ragging on the rationale. "EverYtHinG iS sO 'sPensive" is just "I don't want to be seen driving/living in/wearing that" in disguise. There are cheaper choices or ones that are more effort, but they are there.
I do get that prices are way out of control but I just saw a sign at McDonald's for a starting wage of $15/hr. When I worked there, I made $4.25/hr which would be about $9/hr today. I bought my car to start working there so this shit is not impossible today.
Bring the downvotes z'ers, the truth hurts
So in the 90s you bought a couple of years old at most 9 years old, and your comparison is buying a car now in 2024 that is 18 years old, for twice what you bought your car in the 90s.