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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.

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Submitted Mar 26, 2012 By: RickythePilot

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feistyfella All-Star Author Georgia Posts:881 Points:195,345 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:54:12 PM Ignore feistyfella Report Abuse Same Reason Old Americans Don't Buy Cars.
cheap59 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,240 Points:963,020 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:53:58 PM Ignore cheap59 Report Abuse They can't afford both the payment and insurance.
sammy1364 Rookie Author Indiana Posts:1 Points:420 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:51:03 PM Ignore sammy1364 Report Abuse jobs
mmproteus Veteran Author Ohio Posts:430 Points:903,215 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:50:26 PM Ignore mmproteus Report Abuse Americans have way too many cars. Cutting back on cars will get us back to a stable equilibrium.
BKool Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,268 Points:1,901,280 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:49:48 PM Ignore BKool Report Abuse Cars are expensive.
Goatroper Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,604 Points:1,295,435 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:47:22 PM Ignore Goatroper Report Abuse Getting them out of the house is a major undertaking.
fuelsaverMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,282 Points:559,080 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:47:06 PM Ignore fuelsaverMN Report Abuse "NOBAMA MUST GO DOWN"
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,906 Points:2,133,555 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:46:41 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse Trouble is that cars are over priced and the new kids know that. They see a car as an expensive proposition even when bought used especially with the high insurance rates and restricted licenses they are now forced to get.
ILoveGoldens All-Star Author Kentucky Posts:901 Points:378,880 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:41:43 PM Ignore ILoveGoldens Report Abuse theschmuck is SO right!!
Pramodsharma Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,974 Points:388,140 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:39:40 PM Ignore Pramodsharma Report Abuse Young ones drive in dreams and have more intelligence, trust me
woodeye55 Champion Author Gary Posts:7,371 Points:1,858,705 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:39:20 PM Ignore woodeye55 Report Abuse It's obummer's fault.
FuelishGuy All-Star Author Edmonton Posts:798 Points:927,225 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:38:58 PM Ignore FuelishGuy Report Abuse When you add up the cost to own, operate, maintain and insure a vehicle for a young person, who can blame them. The alternative i.e. borrowing mom & dad's wheels is much more cost effective. Social media doesn't help the car makers' cause either. Who needs to go anywhere these days?
DancingDee Champion Author Gary Posts:4,384 Points:1,056,765 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:38:10 PM Ignore DancingDee Report Abuse Too expensive!
IUVidiot Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,595 Points:710,410 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:34:47 PM Ignore IUVidiot Report Abuse lol
blk911 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:2,923 Points:771,115 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:33:52 PM Ignore blk911 Report Abuse Texting is much more important.
boborobot All-Star Author Michigan Posts:501 Points:418,425 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:32:37 PM Ignore boborobot Report Abuse They can't get good jobs
theschmuck Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,927 Points:1,513,575 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:31:32 PM Ignore theschmuck Report Abuse It wouldn't take a person with half a brain to figure this one out. The cost of them trying to get a college education and going asshole deep in debt doing it, credit cards to live on, trying to work a part-time job that doesn't pay that well and no benefits, the insurance they would have to pay even if it was a used car is out of this world, the cost of food and clothes etc,etc,etc and then you ask a question 'why aren't they buying vehicles'??????? A lot of their parents are helping out as much as they can an even some are 'stretched to the max' themselves. I can state all of this from 'personal' experience, we made it though, it was rough and can feel for them.
shea33 Champion Author Pensacola Posts:2,378 Points:544,890 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:28:29 PM Ignore shea33 Report Abuse too busy texting
rawdog1313 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,309 Points:1,644,755 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:25:40 PM Ignore rawdog1313 Report Abuse OK......?
sillywagon Champion Author New York Posts:14,899 Points:1,442,320 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:25:13 PM Ignore sillywagon Report Abuse ol
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:8,385 Points:1,897,035 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:20:07 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse I think they are smarter today & don't want to mess with foriegn oil
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,315 Points:1,639,895 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:15:13 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse TODAYS' YOUNG GENERATION MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE AMERICAN ECONOMY!
RoLleRKoaSTeR All-Star Author Louisville Posts:973 Points:468,660 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:14:35 PM Ignore RoLleRKoaSTeR Report Abuse Even a cheap "econobox" these days costs well over 20k. Wages have been stagnant for over 15 years, and these "Millenials" have to pay 30k or more in college debt (not including other debts: credit card, marriage (who can afford that either), etc...).
pagenutt Sophomore Author Ohio Posts:153 Points:328,750 Joined:Nov 2002	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:13:58 PM Ignore pagenutt Report Abuse Just try to insure a new one after you buy it! That payment is more than the car payment! UNREAL! My son just tried it. No can do if you are young.
pickledude72 Champion Author California Posts:1,120 Points:837,095 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:11:06 PM Ignore pickledude72 Report Abuse They can't afford it
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,702 Points:539,995 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:08:27 PM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse Pretty hard,, when there's no decent paying work.
zachnorn Rookie Author Los Angeles Posts:1 Points:18,845 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:07:51 PM Ignore zachnorn Report Abuse I was going to name a Baby Boomer stereotype to show how stupid the Millennial stereotypes are, but I decided to not worsen the generational war in this topic. I will say that it is clear that a lot of people from every generation knows a lot less about other generations than they think they do. I am saying this as a 22 year old Millennial.
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,210 Points:1,574,060 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:07:23 PM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse NO JOBS. MINIMUM WAGE PART TIME JOBS WITH NO BENEFITS. PLUS OUT OF SIGHT PRICES ON EVERYTHING. THANK YOU AGAIN obummer.
kymechanic All-Star Author Kentucky Posts:909 Points:574,745 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:06:06 PM Ignore kymechanic Report Abuse Don't fool yourself cicio2000 if they could afford it, they would be driving them too!
hcivic Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,859 Points:2,266,690 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:03:58 PM Ignore hcivic Report Abuse maybe they cant afford them
adr47 Champion Author Saskatchewan Posts:5,667 Points:1,178,750 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:03:40 PM Ignore adr47 Report Abuse Short on Cash.
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,075 Points:1,629,095 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:02:12 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse Have modem or wi-fi, will not travel
jdc17327 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,560 Points:198,015 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:01:14 PM Ignore jdc17327 Report Abuse they don't have any money!1 Did you think of that!
pbug101 Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,469 Points:581,850 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:00:56 PM Ignore pbug101 Report Abuse Ok
ShutRBug Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,529 Points:654,440 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:00:31 PM Ignore ShutRBug Report Abuse They need jobs
nobodyMO Champion Author Kansas City Posts:2,251 Points:554,305 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 9:00:27 PM Ignore nobodyMO Report Abuse everything is too expensive
swrestler Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:6,145 Points:1,573,025 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:58:37 PM Ignore swrestler Report Abuse Because There To Expensive For Them...
TDIdave Champion Author California Posts:5,068 Points:1,226,690 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:54:06 PM Ignore TDIdave Report Abuse Good for them! I wish we were all like them!
amearly Champion Author Michigan Posts:12,129 Points:2,469,560 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:51:59 PM Ignore amearly Report Abuse I know its not the way Obama likes it but you have to have a job normally to be able to buy a car .
cicio2000 Sophomore Author Chicago Posts:214 Points:374,880 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:51:47 PM Ignore cicio2000 Report Abuse Here's a concept: perhaps unlike the baby boomers, millenials don't feel an overwhelming need to destroy the environment, hollow out cities, and create death on the highways just to "feel cool." Take a closer look (and refrain from name calling for 5 seconds), and realize that this generation has taken more of an interest in living in cities (with public transit) and doing other things with their lives than suping up a hemi. And before you rag on these kids, remember they're the ones who are paying for YOUR social security and medicare benefits.
Benz98 Veteran Author Modesto Posts:370 Points:21,285 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:46:45 PM Ignore Benz98 Report Abuse Everybody: Don't pump gas on April 15th!
RetFireLT Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,660 Points:171,185 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:45:52 PM Ignore RetFireLT Report Abuse They don't have a job so no car.
GAC1Shirt Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,360 Points:751,160 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:45:36 PM Ignore GAC1Shirt Report Abuse Young American's
MotoDad Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,106 Points:812,765 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:44:21 PM Ignore MotoDad Report Abuse Because the economy sucks, Thanks Obama.
McMutt Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,148 Points:1,311,145 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:42:56 PM Ignore McMutt Report Abuse I think they're driving their mom and dads?
hptd All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:888 Points:499,745 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:38:11 PM Ignore hptd Report Abuse no job no Money. Hope and change at work.
DanMtz Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,360 Points:1,244,300 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:36:11 PM Ignore DanMtz Report Abuse Let's see, they can't find jobs, used cars are in high demand, and most don't have a lot of money in the bank.
northerntruckgu Veteran Author Ontario Posts:495 Points:130,910 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:36:04 PM Ignore northerntruckgu Report Abuse They stay at home till mid 40s what do u expect no good paying jobs hard to buy a car working for Mac's
humancry Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,618 Points:1,002,455 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:35:52 PM Ignore humancry Report Abuse No money and most of them with no jobs turn to crime period.
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:8,919 Points:1,734,785 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:33:53 PM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Sinking economy and high jobless = NO MONEY.
warlord1 Champion Author Georgia Posts:5,255 Points:1,035,950 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:32:31 PM Ignore warlord1 Report Abuse ok
murph777 Veteran Author New Jersey Posts:328 Points:65,180 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 8:32:13 PM Ignore murph777 Report Abuse They can't afford it.