Podcast Summary: "Reacting to the Internetās 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
[00:05ā03:23]
- George reacts to TikTok videos highlighting extreme car loans and monthly payments, introducing a humorous ābuzzerā 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 sheāll pay triple the carās 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 $560,000ā$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."
ā George [02:53]
2. Whatās the Highest Car Payment Youāve Seen?
[03:23ā04:18]
- George polls car dealership staff for the highest car payment theyāve 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."
ā George [04:18]
3. Social Pressure, Bad Decisions, and Depreciation
[04:18ā08:10]
- George mocks TikTok users proudly overspending for features like ārose gold trim.ā
- User stories:
- Mercedes owners lament expensive payments and rapid depreciation.
- Not just the monthly costāhigh-end cars bring repair, maintenance, and premium gas expenses.
- Jokes about social media handles as predictors of āsad livesā due to bad car loans.
Memorable Moment:
George does the ātwo for Brianna with two Iāsā buzzer, poking fun at social media culture. [07:58]
4. Car Dealership Staff Reveal Their Own Payments
[08:10ā12:07]
- Various dealership staff reveal their cars/payments:
- Some have high-end cars and wonāt 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 dealershipsā trustworthiness, with George riffing on the classic āLet me check with my managerā 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."
ā George [10:12]
5. More Car Payment Confessions & Surprising Stories
[12:07ā13:27]
- 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
[13:27ā16:19]
- 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, itās a financial red flag.
Notable Quote:
"We're busy paying for the past instead of building wealth for the future."
ā George [14:41]
7. Paid-Off Cars Are a Blessing, Not a Beater
[16:19ā17:05]
- Guest John weighs in: not having a car payment is true freedom.
- Reminds listeners: comparison is the thief of joyāthe 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."
ā John [16:38]
8. Georgeās Core Lessons & Action Steps
[17:05āEnd (~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 priorityāvacations, 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 itāupgrade 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."
ā 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." ā George [00:05]
- "It's going to cost you that just per month in fees at the service center, let alone your car payment." ā George, on luxury cars [05:25]
- "Your 2024 fancy car a decade from now is gonna be a decade old car that you hate." ā 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." ā George [17:52]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment |
|-----------|---------|
| 00:05ā03:23 | TikTok car payment horror stories & first financial breakdowns |
| 03:23ā04:18 | Dealership staff reveal highest payments encountered |
| 04:18ā08:10 | Social media flexing, luxury cars, and depreciation |
| 08:10ā12:07 | Dealership employees reveal personal car payments |
| 12:07ā13:27 | More car payment confessions, skepticism |
| 13:27ā16:19 | The $2,000 Honda Civic payment/fast payoff math |
| 16:19ā17:05 | Guest segment: John on the blessing of paid-off cars |
| 17:05āEnd | Georgeās closing lessons and action steps for smart car buying |
Tone & Style
Georgeās 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.
- Donāt measure your self-worth by your rideācoveting the ālatest and greatestā 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 blessingādonāt 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).
