Drivers are divided after a seemingly simple question puts plans buying a new car into jeopardy

The most prevalent experience of the 21st century is thinking something is only happening to you, then logging onto social media and discovering everyone else is complaining about the same thing. There’s no better place for that than TikTok. Recently, a user on the app simply asked, “How much is your car payment?” — and all hell broke loose. More than 2.6 million views later, people are still chiming in about how unaffordable new cars are starting to feel.

TikTok creator @thee_secretbakup wondered out loud whether an older model that’s fully paid off might actually be the true sign of luxury. After all, what is luxury if not attainable excellence? For most people, a new car simply isn’t attainable anymore, especially with recent price hikes affecting everything from gasoline to groceries. Add to that the ever-growing complexity and cost of keeping a car on the road.

She was shocked to learn that some people are driving around with $700 monthly car payments — and that’s before adding insurance, maintenance, oil changes, and other routine costs. The influencer explained that her original plan had been simple: pay off her current car and, once it was close to the payoff date, trade it in for a new model and start the process all over again.

In theory, it makes sense. If the payments are comfortable enough, you’ll never truly have an old car. But in practice, it chips away at your income and effectively makes you a business partner with whoever extended the credit for the vehicle. The TikToker explained, “The moment I hit that last car payment, I said, ‘No ma’am.’” She now has a new plan: “Drive this [expletive] till the engine falls out.”

Many users in the comments shared similar experiences. One person expressed regret for not following that approach, writing, “I’m so stupid. I’m six months from paying off my first car and I got another.” Another added, “What’s crazy to me is a $700 car payment is for just a regular degular car… nothing special or luxury or anything.” A third user wrote, “Finding out my $500 car payment is on the low end nowadays is unfathomable to me.”

According to reporting from CNBC, the average monthly payment for a new car reached $748 in the second half of 2025 and ended the year at $772. At this pace, it wouldn’t be surprising if the average payment climbs to $800 — or even closer to $1,000 — within the next few years. Some Americans are already there. Roughly one in five drivers is now paying close to $1,000 per month for a car.

Some financial analysts predict this trend will eventually push buyers away from dealerships altogether, as car payments begin to resemble a second mortgage. If you’re considering buying a new car, the general rule of thumb is to avoid payments that exceed 36% of your gross income. Unfortunately, with the rising cost of vehicles, that guideline may push many consumers toward the used-car market.

All in all, the influencer may have stumbled onto something important. It’s rare for influencers to encourage people to spend less. But when things get this expensive, it might be worth listening.