As others are pointing out, there's a general problem with financial literacy in the USA population, exacerbated by a culture that values flashy signs of wealth

As others are pointing out, there's a general problem with financial literacy in the USA population, exacerbated by a culture that values flashy signs of wealth. But it's not the whole story. There's a macro problem that that cars often are necessary to function in USA cities. With limited public transit, especially in the suburbs/exurbs where below median earners are forced to live, getting to a job requires a car. And cars are expensive, no matter how you slice it. Our city designs make it doubly hard to be poor. I feel for low income earners - They're least able to afford extra expenses, have the least ability to devote mental/time resources to rate/price shopping, and get hit with the highest rates due to low income / low credit. Even if you want to make a good choice, the finances are stacked against you.