I wonder how many Americans are actually in the lowest economic group that have cars. This is a good question because the motorcar left me living right on the edge. Seriously. Making 20K and driving a new car in any major metropolitan city, you probably have the same descretionary income as someone in the lowest economic group. At 30K a year, a new car would put you right on the edge.

Since it costs 7K a year to own a new vehicle, somone making 12K a year (poverty level) is one the same economic level as someone who owns a brand new Honda at 20K!