The whole notion of a car being a "rite of passage" in America has always seemed odd to me, even as an American. In many cases, I have friends with loads of col

The whole notion of a car being a "rite of passage" in America has always seemed odd to me, even as an American. In many cases, I have friends with loads of college debt taking on an equal amount of debt for a new car upon graduation. It seems to me to be a throwback idea that has lived on. I don't think a new car can really be seen as a rite of passage in the current culture of tuition inflation/stagnating wages. It is more like a luxury you are lucky to be able to truly afford (I'm not talking a 72 month payment plan, no down payment afford here) a year or less out of college.