Economy Talk

Unpopular opinion: fixing your old car is almost always cheaper than "upgrading"

I'm a mechanic in Daejeon, so yes, I'm biased. But every week someone comes in with a 9-year-old car, a small repair quote, and a brochure for a new model in their bag.

The math rarely works for the new car. Insurance goes up, the loan interest eats you, and the value drops the second you drive it out. A timing belt or new brakes is a few hundred thousand won, not 40 million.

I'm not saying never buy new. If the frame is rusted or it's a safety thing, sure. But a lot of people want a new car and call it a financial decision. Am I wrong? Tell me where my logic breaks.