For generations, buying a first new car has been a rite of passage in the US, the clearest sign of a young person responsibly striking out on their own.

Fucking no it hasn't...

Idiots buying brand new cars did it because they thought it impressed people, and some idiots were impressed

But a bunch of people never cared.

Like, the article talks about people buying a decade old car like it's some huge statement and not a practical decision large parts of society has always made.

New cars have been poverty traps for generations, nothings changed.

This article seems so out of touch it's funny to read. Young people never bought new cars. Who's supposedly giving these people "so much crap" for not driving a new car? Then they attend an enthusiast car meet and think this represents every young person in the country.

It reminds me of when some 60 year old dude who works for a newspaper tries to write about what's popular with teenagers despite not knowing a single teenager.

My 19 year old truck has all the features I need and none that I don't need. It also looks great. I could technically afford a newer or even a new one but I don't want one.

My dad has a 2022 E-serier Mercedes Benz and I wouldn't trade my truck for it. That thing is stuffed to the brim with all kinds of features which are distracting, prone to breaking and extremely expensive to repair. I almost even hit a cyclist once as it wouldn't let me cross the centre line to give them some space.