The 5 Best (And Worst) Cars You Could Ever Buy (Financially Speaking, Of Course)

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And on to the show notes!

The average American spends roughly $12,000 per year on their car.

For many people, that’s more than they invest.

In this episode, Tyler breaks down the real cost of car ownership — not just the sticker price, but the hidden financial drag of depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.

Because most people buy cars emotionally… and only look at the math afterward.

In this episode, Tyler covers:

• Why the monthly payment is the least important number in a car purchase
• The true long-term cost of luxury cars, trucks, and financed EVs
• Why used Toyotas and Hondas dominate on total cost of ownership
• The financial trap of buying older German luxury cars out of warranty
• Why a financed Tesla can be far more expensive than people realize
• The surprising math behind the Toyota Prius and Corolla
• Why “boring” cars quietly create wealth over time
• The difference between a vehicle as a tool vs. a lifestyle purchase

Tyler also explains why he believes people should stop optimizing every dollar purely for efficiency.

Because personal finance isn’t about removing joy from your life.

It’s about being intentional enough to know which things are genuinely worth spending on — and cutting ruthlessly everywhere else.

The episode ends with Tyler revealing the one category where he knowingly ignores his own financial advice:

A brand-new GMC Sierra Denali.

Not because it’s the best financial decision.
Because it’s the thing he genuinely loves.

The core idea:

Don’t spend blindly. But don’t optimize the humanity out of your life either.

Know your “no’s.”
Then spend unapologetically on your “yes.”

If the show’s been helpful, leaving a quick review on Apple or Spotify genuinely helps.

Hope this gives you something to think about this week.