I'm actually shocked at learning how many people are imprisoned in car ownership. I didn't even know the term "upside-down" until I learned it recently on BF. I have owned only a few cars, paid the bulk of the cost up front, and kept them forever, 10 years at least, long after any loans were paid off. I actually don't own my own car right now and my wife drives a car her disabled sister still owns but can no longer drive.
All the more reason to promote car-free living, to free people from the tyranny of car loanership.