I think we're looking at things in a similar way. The key point of differences I think are: 1. Car repairs are capex, even if their exact timing is unexpected.

I think we're looking at things in a similar way. The key point of differences I think are: 1. Car repairs are capex, even if their exact timing is unexpected. 2. When it comes time for a car repair, you may not have time to apply for a loan specifically for that purpose. In that case, a credit card is a reasonable choice. Perhaps car repair costs are predictable over 1 year, but not over 1 month. It's sad that: - many people can't distinguish between using debt to fund an investment in the future, and using it to fund current expenditure - many people in the US live in places that aren't dense enough to make public transport viable