Podcast Summary: "Reacting to the Internet’s Dumbest Car Loans"

Host: George Kamel (Ramsey Network)
Date: December 3, 2025

Main Theme

In this episode, George Kamel digs into the world of outrageous car loans, reacting to viral social media clips featuring eye-popping car payments. With humor, snark, and solid financial principles, George highlights the hidden pitfalls of car financing, busts money myths, and offers practical alternatives for anyone tempted by a flashy ride with a hefty monthly payment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Outrageous Car Payments on Social Media

[00:05–03:23]

• George reacts to TikTok videos highlighting extreme car loans and monthly payments, introducing a humorous “buzzer” for especially bad cases.
• Example: A 19-year-old paying $658/month for a Kia, with only $3,000 down. George slams not just the payment, but the editing of the video itself.
• Community Reactions: Social media comments criticize the long-term waste, one user noting she’ll pay triple the car’s value in seven years.
• George does the math:
  • If the payment were invested in the S&P 500 from age 19 to 40, it could grow to $560,000–$643,000, underscoring the massive opportunity cost.

Notable Quote:
"Maybe next time, before you spend all that money on the car, maybe you should think about the wealth that you're missing out on."
— George [02:53]

2. What’s the Highest Car Payment You’ve Seen?

[03:23–04:18]

• George polls car dealership staff for the highest car payment they’ve ever seen; responses range from $1,400 to $3,200/month.
• George uses the Ramsey Auto Loan Calculator to reverse-engineer a $3,200 payment:
  • Buying a $105,000 car, $1,000 down, 36-month loan at 8.43% interest.
• Fun Fact:
  • As of Q1 2025, the average new car payment is $745/month, and used is $521/month.

Notable Quote:
"These people are the worst. They're like proud of it. Like it's a badge of honor to get people into a $2,500 car payment."
— George [04:18]

3. Social Pressure, Bad Decisions, and Depreciation

[04:18–08:10]

• George mocks TikTok users proudly overspending for features like “rose gold trim.”
• User stories:
  • Mercedes owners lament expensive payments and rapid depreciation.
  • Not just the monthly cost—high-end cars bring repair, maintenance, and premium gas expenses.
• Jokes about social media handles as predictors of “sad lives” due to bad car loans.

Memorable Moment:
George does the “two for Brianna with two I’s” buzzer, poking fun at social media culture. [07:58]

4. Car Dealership Staff Reveal Their Own Payments

[08:10–12:07]

• Various dealership staff reveal their cars/payments:
  • Some have high-end cars and won’t disclose payments.
  • Some pay nothing, having paid off cars or driving beaters.
  • George calls out what he suspects are false or exaggerated claims (e.g., $699/mo on a 2004 PT Cruiser, $850/mo for a Nissan Altima).
• Skepticism about car dealerships’ trustworthiness, with George riffing on the classic “Let me check with my manager” sales routine.

Notable Quote:
"I think that guy was trolling and he was just a really good actor. But also, the other guy paying 850 a month for an Altima. I don't really buy that either."
— George [10:12]

5. More Car Payment Confessions & Surprising Stories

[12:07–13:27]

• More dealership employees share car/payment pairs:
  • $945/mo for an RX500 hybrid, $325/mo for a 1982 Toyota Celica (which George doubts).
  • Some have no payments; best deal: BMW M340i for $250/mo.
• George suspects some people exaggerate for viral content.

6. The $2,000 Car Payment: Financial Pitfalls

[13:27–16:19]

• A TikToker pays $2,000 extra principal on a 2023 Honda Civic to pay off a $750/mo loan faster.
• George does the math: saving $750/mo for 24 months could buy a $18,000 car in cash; delaying gratification avoids paying for the past.
• Advice: If you can't pay off a car in two years, it's time to sell. If a car is more than half your annual income, it’s a financial red flag.

Notable Quote:
"We're busy paying for the past instead of building wealth for the future."
— George [14:41]

7. Paid-Off Cars Are a Blessing, Not a Beater

[16:19–17:05]

• Guest John weighs in: not having a car payment is true freedom.
• Reminds listeners: comparison is the thief of joy—the fanciest new model won't make you happier once the novelty wears off.

Notable Quote:
"You do not realize how freeing not having a car payment is until you don't have one."
— John [16:38]

8. George’s Core Lessons & Action Steps

[17:05–End (~18:30)]

• Cars are Depreciating Assets: Financing a car means paying extra for something losing value.
• Life Without Payments = Freedom: Money formerly spent on car loans can go to any dream or priority—vacations, retirement, etc.
• Cash is King: Paying cash, especially for used cars, saves thousands in depreciation. Waiting 5 years = 60%+ discount over new.
• Save up, budget, and only buy what you can actually afford. If that means a beater, so be it—upgrade later.

Notable Quote:
"At the end of the day, it's just something going down in value. It's a liability in your life that is just costing you money. And so be wise with it. Pay cash what you can afford and just upgrade later."
— George [17:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I've seen some scary money stuff over the years, but some of your car payments, they deserve their own horror movie soundtrack." — George [00:05]
• "It's going to cost you that just per month in fees at the service center, let alone your car payment." — George, on luxury cars [05:25]
• "Your 2024 fancy car a decade from now is gonna be a decade old car that you hate." — George [17:07]
• "A new car loses 60% of its value in the first five years. So think about it. You could get a 60% off discount if you just wait five years." — George [17:52]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment |
|-----------|---------|
| 00:05–03:23 | TikTok car payment horror stories & first financial breakdowns |
| 03:23–04:18 | Dealership staff reveal highest payments encountered |
| 04:18–08:10 | Social media flexing, luxury cars, and depreciation |
| 08:10–12:07 | Dealership employees reveal personal car payments |
| 12:07–13:27 | More car payment confessions, skepticism |
| 13:27–16:19 | The $2,000 Honda Civic payment/fast payoff math |
| 16:19–17:05 | Guest segment: John on the blessing of paid-off cars |
| 17:05–End | George’s closing lessons and action steps for smart car buying |

Tone & Style

George’s delivery is fast-paced, humorous, and tinged with disbelief at the car-crazy spending habits on display. He mixes real numbers with financial wisdom and a dash of pop culture snark, making serious points feel approachable and relatable.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Car payments are often financial traps; avoid debt on depreciating assets.
• Don’t measure your self-worth by your ride—coveting the “latest and greatest” leads to an endless cycle of debt.
• Pay cash if possible; wait, save, buy used, and consider the true cost of keeping up with the Joneses.
• A paid-off, reliable car is a financial blessing—don’t let comparison rob you of peace.

For more resources or to learn how to buy a car the Ramsey Way, check out the Ramsey Car Guide (link in episode description).