In an age where new cars have surpassed the $50,000 threshold, more and more Americans are becoming priced out of buying brand new without having to take a second mortgage to pay off their vehicles.
But buying a used car isn’t the worst thing in the world. Often a bit rough around the edges, a used car can have a long and rewarding lifespan if maintained properly. A woman with a background in personal finance claims on her TikTok account she’s saved $107,712 in car payments after owning a paid-off 2006 Toyota Camry during the 12 years she’s had it.
Her story has caught the attention of viewers online who are increasingly questioning whether newer cars are really worth the cost. For many drivers, holding onto an older, reliable vehicle may be a much smarter financial move in the long run.
$107,712 is a Lot
@imperfecttaylor $107,712 saved… #toyotaclub According to Nerd Wallet, the average car payment in the U.S. was $748 for new vehicles and $532 for used ones. Also tell me why this song popped into my mind as I was editing this video 🤣 I canttttttt #grandpacar ♬ original sound – Imperfect Taylor
Taylor, who posts on TikTok under the account Imperfect Taylor (@imperfecttaylor) and has built a following of more than 200,000 across her platforms, drew significant attention with the post. While the video itself simply shows her driving, the caption explains how she calculated the money she believes she saved by sticking with her paid-off car.
In the post, she cites data from NerdWallet showing that the average car payment in the United States is $748 per month for a new vehicle and $532 for a used one. Using those figures, Taylor estimated her savings by assuming she would have financed a new car every six years instead of continuing to drive her Toyota Camry.
Based on that calculation, $748 multiplied by 144 months comes to $107,712 — the total amount she would have paid over 12 years in monthly car payments. However, that number represents the total payments rather than interest alone, and it assumes she would have chosen a new vehicle at the average price point each time.
If she had instead financed used vehicles during that period, the estimated savings would drop to about $76,608 over the same 12-year span.
Is an Old Paid-Off Car the Key to Better Personal Finance? 
Image Credit: Shutterstock.There’s no way to know the full picture of Taylor’s finances unless she has shared those details publicly on her TikTok account. Still, the post sparked plenty of debate in the comment section, with many viewers questioning where the money she claims she saved has actually gone.
Some commenters wondered whether those avoided car payments had been redirected into savings, investments, or other financial goals. Without more information, it’s impossible to know how that money may have been used.
What the discussion does highlight, however, is the ongoing trade-off many drivers face: balancing the affordability of keeping an older car with the appeal and potential reliability of buying something newer.
Troy89301 shared a similar experience in the replies, writing: “I can’t answer for her but I have had Toyotas with no car payments since 1995. Most driven about 300k miles. Yes I Invested my savings and my retierment account is looking good.”
Commenter JG added: “My 1999 Camry has 400,000 plus miles on it and is still going. I’m amazed.” User ojbewe wrote, “Driving my 1994 Toyota pickup truck with 398,000 miles on it is saving me a lot of money.”
Petrolheads Will Beg to Differ
Not everyone was convinced by the argument, though. Petrolheads in particular tend to see things differently, especially with so many options available on the road. While the Toyota Camry is widely known for its reliability, durability, and consistency, some drivers are willing to pay higher car payments simply to enjoy the vehicle they drive every day.
In a country as car-centric as the United States, driving is often more than just a practical necessity. It is a major part of daily life. For many people, the time spent on the road is significant, whether commuting to work, running errands, or traveling long distances. Because of that, some drivers believe it is worth spending more money to ensure they enjoy the experience behind the wheel.
One commenter, TJHolmes99, recognized the financial reasoning behind it but said personal enjoyment of driving mattered more, writing, “This is the flex you think it is… as a car enthusiast though, I gotta love what I drive.”