Well now, we are talking about basic economics 101 here. Expenses rise to meet income. The is the classic saying in economics. Basically the more you make the more you are going to spend. I agree anything under $15/hr is poverty level or a least hovering there. Here in CT average cost of one bedroom apartment is $800. Then add in utilities, taxes, car payments, food, insurance, etc, etc, and thats leaves someone with nothing. My first new mustang was my 93 Cobra, it bought for $20,859.76 out the door. Then when I finished that I bought my 97 Cobra for $24,367.91 out the door. I paid that off and considered an 04 Cobra, but the best deal I could get was $31K. I'm doing pretty well, but with a mortgage and all other expenses, a $500-600 car payment is not practical. My daily driver is an 85 audi 4000 and I also have a 94 Toyota p/u. We just bought a new Passat wagon for the wife to use and as family car. I could afford a new mustang but I think its overpriced. The first one I bought when I was younger and still single, the second I bought after getting house and all the responsilities and making less money, but the price was still affordable. Today, its affordable, but not practical for the price, at least not my situation. The big picture here is the the middle class is disappearing. The are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. This is a big problem happening in the U.S. as week speak. The rich have to worry about nothing, there rich, aside from those with personal issues, they have it made. The poor have it made also. Welfare, food drives, charity, etc. I not saying people don't deserve help, but the middle class is the ones paying for it.