Considering that the $36k loan (assuming that's principal) indicates he's rolling in some negative equity it sounds like he traded down to something far less ex

Considering that the $36k loan (assuming that's principal) indicates he's rolling in some negative equity it sounds like he traded down to something far less expensive (therefore lower monthly payments). Overall that transaction was probably a sound financial decision as far as new cars go (whatever he traded in was probably a less sound decision).