Owning a vehicle has long been a cornerstone of American independence, a rite of passage tied to personal freedom, mobility, and identity. Yet, today, that once-reliable symbol of the open road has become a financial trap for millions.
A new study from Big Bear Engine Company provides one of the most comprehensive examinations yet of the financial burden of modern vehicle ownership. Surveying 1,000 drivers across various age, income, and geographic lines, the research reveals a country in automotive crisis: maintenance is skipped, purchases are delayed, and second jobs are taken, all in the name of keeping a car on the road.
The Auto Affordability Squeeze
The headline numbers are startling:
Thirty-eight percent of drivers have skipped routine maintenance, such as oil changes or tire rotations, due to strained budgets.
Eighty-six percent of Americans say they cannot afford a new car within the following year.
45% want to replace their current vehicle, but can’t afford to.
Nearly one in three drivers has taken on a second job to cover their car expenses. Among Gen Z, that number soars to 55%.
That’s before you factor in geopolitical uncertainty. With Trump-era tariffs potentially returning and inflation still looming, even a $500 price hike would render car ownership unaffordable for 67% of drivers, according to the study.
Used car prices, once the refuge of budget-conscious buyers, haven’t fully recovered from pandemic-era spikes. The average cost of a new car has climbed from $30,000 in 2012 to over $47,000 in 2025 — far outpacing wage growth.
Maintenance Deferred, Risk Increased
The economic pinch isn’t just hurting wallets; it’s leading to dangerous decisions on the road:
Only 25% of drivers would stop driving a damaged vehicle until they could afford a repair.
30% say they’d continue driving a damaged car for up to a month.
10% admit they would keep driving until it breaks down completely.
Gen Z and millennials are disproportionately affected. More than half of Gen Z drivers have delayed routine service, and 40% have put off major repairs altogether. Nearly 1 in 5 have borrowed money from friends or family to keep their car running.
One of the more telling statistics is that 84% of drivers now operate vehicles older than three years, and nearly one-third are behind the wheel of a car more than a decade old.
Tech Over Tools: A New Kind of Risk
To cut corners, younger drivers are increasingly turning to unconventional, and sometimes unreliable, sources for help.
The Big Bear study found that 23% of Gen Z drivers are already utilizing AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to diagnose car issues. Another 11% plan to do the same. That figure pairs uncomfortably with prior reporting from Guessing Headlights, where we reported that 57% of Gen Z drivers admit to making mistakes when attempting DIY car repairs, despite high confidence levels.
Platforms like Google’s AI Overviews have also drawn criticism in recent months for confidently sharing factually incorrect or even dangerous car advice, often lifted from poorly vetted online forums or auto-influencer videos. Inexperienced drivers may not be equipped to spot these inaccuracies, especially when they sound authoritative.
Drivers Forced to Choose: Debt, Delay, or Desperation
The affordability crisis is forcing Americans to rethink not only how they care for their cars, but how they budget for them at all:
44% of drivers have made personal financial sacrifices to afford their car, including skipping groceries, deferring utility bills, or borrowing from loved ones.
58% of respondents report that their vehicle-related expenses have increased over the past year, with gas, insurance, and repairs topping the list.
66% say they would delay a new vehicle purchase if interest rates remain high, though Gen Z is more likely to push forward anyway, often without the resources to do so safely.
The study also found that nearly one in three drivers earning over $150,000 are delaying car purchases due to cost, indicating that this issue transcends class lines.
Holding Onto Old Cars, Holding Out Hope
Americans are keeping cars longer, driving older vehicles, and making compromises. However, despite all this, three in five drivers still hope to upgrade their vehicle within three years. Only 14% believe that’s realistic within the next 12 months.
In the meantime, many are taking creative, even extreme, measures to stay on the road. From couch surfing and skipping showers to side gigs and ramen dinners, the study shows a country that still values mobility, but increasingly struggles to afford it.
A Car, or a Crisis?
The study’s most sobering insight: 44% of Americans have already made difficult financial sacrifices due to car costs, including skipping groceries, missing utility bills, or borrowing money from family.
The pain isn’t limited to low-income households. Even among those earning over $150,000 a year, 32% say they’re delaying a vehicle purchase, and 17% are considering buying sooner, not out of want, but uncertainty regarding tariffs.
Car ownership is not the milestone it once was, but rather a high-stakes calculation. For many, the decision isn’t about what to drive next, but whether they can afford to drive at all. Debt, delay, or risk: those are the choices. None of them feels like freedom
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