GasBuddy Blog

GasBuddy News Article

votes

Why Don't Young Americans Buy Cars?

theAtlantic -- Kids these days. They don't get married. They don't buy homes. And, much to the dismay of the world's auto makers, they apparently don't feel a deep and abiding urge to own a car.

This week, the New York Times pulled back the curtain on General Motors' recent, slightly bewildered efforts to connect with the Millennials -- that giant generational cohort born in the 1980s and 1990s whose growing consumer power is reshaping the way corporate America markets its wares. Unfortunately for car companies, today's teens and twenty-somethings don't seem all that interested in buying a set of wheels. They're not even particularly keen on driving.

The Times notes that less than half of potential drivers age 19 or younger had a license in 2008, down from nearly two-thirds in 1998.

Read the Full Article

Submitted Mar 26, 2012 By: RickythePilot

Back To News

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics

Author	Topic: Why Don't Young Americans Buy Cars?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

KarateDude Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,490 Points:838,245 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 29, 2012 2:06:21 PM Ignore KarateDude Report Abuse Maybe if the economy wasn't so bad, and they had jobs, them they might actually buy a car...!!!
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,356,940 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 5:32:31 PM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse that is funny
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,008 Points:599,685 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 10:23:50 AM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse No motivation.
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,453 Points:2,231,815 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 10:06:26 AM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse aquarinut - "Not very many kids that go to school, living a life of their own can afford a $28K to $145K car while trying to build a life!!!" Heck, just about all I do is work and I can't afford a $28K to $145K car! [Edited by: rjhenn at 3/27/2012 1:06:56 PM EST]
puinsai808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,554 Points:729,255 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 7:54:11 AM Ignore puinsai808 Report Abuse The future of America.
mrtruth2011 Rookie Author Tampa Posts:23 Points:725 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 6:50:28 AM Ignore mrtruth2011 Report Abuse All you aging boomers better hope yourselves to be so lucky as to have a kid who wants to live at home. What with the trajectory of health care costs, you are going to need someone to spoon feed you your mushed peas and change your diapers someday.
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,356,940 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 3:50:37 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse I think we have done too much for them - drive them around when they need something, or even given them a car they dont appreciate.
gmenfan66 Champion Author Allentown Posts:1,295 Points:756,620 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 2:42:22 AM Ignore gmenfan66 Report Abuse The slacker generation. It's easier to live at home and mooch of your parents.
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:8,399 Points:2,305,665 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 10:34:23 PM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse Kids are lazy these days.
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:6,870 Points:1,358,700 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 10:22:37 PM Ignore comprof Report Abuse How can they buy hobs when they can not find jobs? In addition, they can not legally work until they are 16. Just stupid. I started working at 8 after school and had enough money to buy a car by the time I was 16. Great experience for any yough person.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,735 Points:1,583,400 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:36:48 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse I don't know too many who don't want a drivers licence or vehicle.
kcboy Champion Author Utah Posts:3,978 Points:1,509,750 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:17:33 PM Ignore kcboy Report Abuse Most of them are useing transit to get around or using bycles.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,998 Points:1,114,340 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:14:59 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse All three of our kids paid for their own vehicle, they all started out with beater trucks for $500 or less each... Then they would use the truck haul a lawn mower, sell scrap metal, and pick up walnuts... The girls would buy and sell chickens, rabbits, goats, calves...
calypso93 Champion Author Scranton Posts:11,213 Points:1,292,835 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:14:51 PM Ignore calypso93 Report Abuse Maybe they are just happy without a car.
aquarinut Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,628 Points:436,855 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:10:59 PM Ignore aquarinut Report Abuse Post how much the "young" American can afford!! Wages vs cost of NEW car payments, INSURANCE PAYMENTS, college/university tuition, food (rising with gas prices), heat, light, etc... Not very many kids that go to school, living a life of their own can afford a $28K to $145K car while trying to build a life!!! LOL!! Is Government Motors that is so wraped around odumma's policies that they, A GOVT SPONSERED, GREEN WILLING, ECONOMY SUPPRESSING administration CANNOT SEE the common American segment of society that pads their pockets??? AND could spell their demise come Nov 2012??? Post something relevant..... HOW MUCH DO THESE kids make annually???? I would think that the head up their cheeks manufactures and the current "all of the above" administration is going to put our sons and daughters into a life that WE/I would not want!!!
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,965 Points:834,655 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:06:52 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse They don't have money, no money no candy.
Manwe Champion Author Maryland Posts:19,712 Points:2,768,860 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:06:44 PM Ignore Manwe Report Abuse At least in Maryland where I live, it's become much harder to get one's driver's license since I got mine nearly 35 years ago. I got my learner's permit, took a course, drove around for a couple of weeks, practiced my parallel parking, took the test and failed the parallel parking. Practiced parallel parking some more, took the test again, got my license. Start to finish - six weeks. My son got his license going on two years ago. Had to keep a journal to demonstrate driving 60 hours in all sorts of conditions. Harder than it sounds. Had to take a rather rigorous, expensive driver's ed course. Now, the actual driver's test includes significant real-world driving, and if you mess up even a little bit, you fail. As well, you need to make an appointment to come take the test, and you need to plan on spending the better part of the day waiting to take the test and then taking the test. It's a much, much higher hurdle than in the past.
emptypockets2008 Champion Author Michigan Posts:14,648 Points:1,307,715 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:05:24 PM Ignore emptypockets2008 Report Abuse NO MONEY
yakstar Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,430 Points:480,845 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:05:15 PM Ignore yakstar Report Abuse they like to ride the hot, crowded buses?
miser709 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,268 Points:1,071,675 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:03:54 PM Ignore miser709 Report Abuse They're smart!
umitb Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,681 Points:844,415 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:03:12 PM Ignore umitb Report Abuse ok
TheeRedRam Champion Author Hartford Posts:3,173 Points:674,585 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:02:42 PM Ignore TheeRedRam Report Abuse NO MONEY
tampacrvdriver Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,361 Points:713,410 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:02:19 PM Ignore tampacrvdriver Report Abuse They're broke!
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,150 Points:1,884,645 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:01:38 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse New cars are to expensive.
WinderGuy Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,874 Points:934,330 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:58:20 PM Ignore WinderGuy Report Abuse don't have jobs
armey Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,296 Points:310,255 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:57:41 PM Ignore armey Report Abuse Yeah caues everything cost so much these days!
BMWer Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,078 Points:1,667,110 Joined:Dec 2003	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:57:38 PM Ignore BMWer Report Abuse No money...equals...no car
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,271 Points:590,335 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:56:42 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse The need a good income first!!!!
BluWahoo Champion Author Pensacola Posts:3,119 Points:380,665 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:54:49 PM Ignore BluWahoo Report Abuse Totally agree with MidNJ. Young adults (those between 18-20) are lazy and expect their parents to pay for everything. If the parents are stupid enough to buy them a car, or even buy their cigarettes...then they shouldn't mind feeding their lazy asses at 45 years old. Get a job and stop expecting those that work to fund the free programs.
txkrb Champion Author Texas Posts:1,563 Points:639,965 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:52:40 PM Ignore txkrb Report Abuse This must only be true in large cities where public transportation etc is available
jessek Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,657 Points:1,280,490 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:49:26 PM Ignore jessek Report Abuse Different generation with different needs, wants, ideals, etc.
woburnspotter2 Veteran Author Boston Posts:480 Points:172,405 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:48:04 PM Ignore woburnspotter2 Report Abuse How many have a job? . . Are they still living at home? Lots of folks that age are, but I don't know percentages.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,630 Points:3,496,655 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:47:29 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Can't afford them. New cars are pricey and many young people struggle trying to get a job.
LaVonneK Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,955 Points:628,700 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:45:08 PM Ignore LaVonneK Report Abuse Has anyone asked them why?
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,086 Points:2,471,790 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:40:49 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse And with the exception of those who live rurally... most have access to mass transit or are getting jobs in areas where a car is a budget liability... not a means to an end. Many I suspect also simply do not have the funds to afford a car of the kind they want.
gatekeepertwo Veteran Author Wilmington Posts:389 Points:187,120 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:39:36 PM Ignore gatekeepertwo Report Abuse One possible explanation is that there is uncertainty in what technology will be required in the near future so they don't want to get stuck with something that may be mandated away
wonderlander Veteran Author Illinois Posts:393 Points:49,600 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:39:19 PM Ignore wonderlander Report Abuse because they're expensive.
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,559 Points:1,173,100 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:38:59 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse OWG - OMG??? To the Question "Why Don't Young Americans Buy Cars?" You responded; "They are also the laziest generation that has come of age in this century so don't expect much out of them. They think the world owes them a living. What they really need is a good kick in the ass." ???????????????????????????? WTF?? and, OMG!
Hoporrene Veteran Author Mississippi Posts:312 Points:206,970 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:36:46 PM Ignore Hoporrene Report Abuse money
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:23,683 Points:2,083,290 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:36:30 PM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse Wait a minute... Let me get this correct... Average cars cost $20+K, average homes cost $150+K, and average marriages cost $200,000+K over the duration, and you wonder why young kids are not buying homes, cars or marrying? DUH!!!
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,075 Points:1,733,165 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:34:29 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse lack of jobs
NotmeuQc Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,651 Points:1,134,800 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:33:37 PM Ignore NotmeuQc Report Abuse I wont be buying a car either if the gas prices keep going up. The trend could be true here because about 2/3 of the passengers on public transit are between 18 and 24.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,863 Points:1,614,950 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:32:58 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “Too busy texting and laying [sic] on the couch!” “They're too lazy to get a job? Can't afford gas if they did have a car?” “They are also the laziest generation that has come of age in this century . . .” I see a lot of truth in these statements but I’ve had two of the best teenagers I’ve ever known working for me the last few years. The have been prompt, diligent, courteous and hard working. Both have had their own vehicle since they were 16 or 17. One is now 20, the other 21 and getting married in a couple months. There are good and bad kids in every generation.
egd Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,105 Points:2,121,225 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:32:45 PM Ignore egd Report Abuse good luck
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,932 Points:1,576,930 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:32:43 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse a sign of the economic times
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,574 Points:1,514,080 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:31:46 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse No $
Agarre Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,335 Points:263,785 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:25:18 PM Ignore Agarre Report Abuse ok
gimp73 Champion Author Boston Posts:8,794 Points:1,769,980 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:22:08 PM Ignore gimp73 Report Abuse they spend money on iphones and video games . Probably live in mom and dads basement
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,303 Points:1,561,240 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:17:36 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Heck, Their parents are out of work and the youth can't get jobs either...
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,329 Points:1,532,975 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:16:48 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse They are also the laziest generation that has come of age in this century so don't expect much out of them. They think the world owes them a living. What they really need is a good kick in the ass.