Is it truly better to glide down the road in a brand-new 2025 Honda Civic, or is there wisdom in steering a well-aged 2009 Mercedes-Benz with no monthly strings attached? For Melissa—known as @baklavaamami on TikTok—the answer resounds with the chime of financial independence. Her story isn’t merely about the machine she drives; it’s a declaration of value over vanity, and sustainability over societal pressure.
Mindset Shift in the Driver’s Seat
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Melissa challenges the cultural blueprint that equates adulthood success with new possessions. As she cruises past thirty, she doesn’t chase the next luxury lease or showroom shine. Instead, she embraces her 15-year-old Mercedes-Benz, untouched by the burdens of a $500+ monthly car note. She doesn’t drive for clout—she drives for clarity.
The world around her buzzes with flashy cars and filtered lifestyles, but she’s peeled back the glossy layer. What she sees is different: mounting debt, financial anxiety, and a need to impress strangers on social media. That’s not the race she wants to run.
Social Media’s Hidden Costs
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Scrolling through Instagram or TikTok can often feel like window-shopping in a world you can’t afford. Melissa knows this illusion well. Behind every sleek Civic or trendy SUV is often a consumer stretched thin by car payments, credit card balances, and the weight of debt.
She states with no hesitation, “Everyone I know with these new cars is drowning in credit card debt. Buying a new car is the worst financial decision you can make.”
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This isn’t conjecture—it’s observation. The quest for social standing through new wheels often comes with long-term regret, masked behind smiling selfies and shiny dashboards.
Maintenance Myths and the Mercedes Reality
“But don’t older cars come with sky-high repair costs?” you might ask. Melissa counters this skepticism with lived experience. Her 2009 Benz has rolled along smoothly for a year and a half—no horror stories, no bank-breaking bills. She acknowledges luck may play a part but adds, “I’d still rather drive a paid-off car than sink half a grand monthly into something I won’t even own in five years.”
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Owning your car outright is a quiet kind of luxury—the kind that doesn’t announce itself but pays dividends in peace of mind.
What the Crowd Really Thinks
Online commentary about Melissa’s choice isn’t all supportive. Critics call her out for rejecting modernity and favoring outdated vehicles. But she holds her ground, unshaken and undeterred.
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“I have nothing against Hondas,” she clarifies. “I just love being debt-free and driving a car I adore.” Others echo her sentiment. One user, Miss.irenaa, shares, “My 2014 Benz has been flawless. I’m holding onto it instead of upgrading to something newer.”
This isn’t about brand loyalty—it’s about financial literacy.
The Illusion of New Equals Better
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Stories like Melissa’s are often dismissed as rare exceptions. But they’re not alone. Financial advisors like Michael Rusli have made similar choices. Despite a high income, Michael drives a ten-year-old Honda CR-V. He sold a slightly older model at a profit, and reinvested in another used CR-V. His reasoning? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Michael lives by the rule: don’t pay for things you don’t need. His CR-V runs efficiently, asks for little, and gives him control over his finances. No payment, no pressure.
Hidden Costs of That New Car Smell
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A new car may come with technological flourishes, cutting-edge safety features, and pristine leather, but the price tag is steep—and it lingers long after the novelty wears off. According to Bankrate’s 2025 report, here’s what most drivers are facing today:
| Car Type | Average Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| New Vehicle | $737 |
| Used Vehicle | $520 |
That’s money you could pour into travel, investments, or simply breathing room in your monthly budget.
The True Cost of Ownership
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New cars carry a cocktail of hidden expenses. Beyond the payment, you’re staring down:
- Elevated insurance premiums
- Expensive license registration and taxes
- Depreciation—up to 20% in the first year alone
In contrast, an older vehicle like Melissa’s depreciates at a slower pace, is cheaper to insure, and offers financial flexibility.
Case Against the “Upgrade Mentality”
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There’s a tendency to upgrade simply because we can. Reddit user herrniemand gives this sage advice: “If you’re not making car payments, think of that money as an automatic raise.”
He continues, “Use that money to build savings. Don’t fall into the trap of trading in your paid-off car just because it’s still worth something. Hold onto it. That’s where the true financial win lies.”
Is a New Car Safer?
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Safety is a valid concern. But Melissa offers a counterpoint: “If you know anything about a Benz, you know it’s built like a vault. More people have died in Civics than in Benzes in major collisions.”
While new cars may have enhanced safety tech, older premium vehicles often feature robust crash engineering and can still rival modern counterparts when properly maintained.
Choose Memories Over Monthly Bills
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Melissa closes with a thought that resonates beyond the car conversation: “Without a car payment, I can buy a plane ticket and see the world. I’ll remember those experiences forever—but that overpriced handbag or car payment? Not so much.”
For her, it’s not about driving a relic—it’s about living richly in ways that matter. Freedom, not financing, fuels her journey.
The Final Lap
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Whether you’re team Civic or team classic Benz, the question isn’t just what you drive—but what drives you. Is it societal pressure? The lure of newness? Or the calm assurance that comes with financial clarity?
Melissa and Michael offer a refreshing roadmap: spend with intention, not impulse. Their decisions may not be glamorous, but they are grounded—and in a world increasingly driven by debt, that’s a revolution worth joining.
FAQs
Is a used Mercedes-Benz really more cost-effective than a new Honda Civic?
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Yes, while a used Mercedes might carry the stereotype of high maintenance, many owners, like Melissa, report minimal repair issues. The absence of a monthly car payment offers significant long-term savings over a new Civic.
Do older vehicles compromise on safety compared to newer models?
Not necessarily. Brands like Mercedes-Benz are known for high safety standards. Older premium models often retain solid structural integrity and robust safety features that can rival modern mainstream vehicles.
What are the downsides of buying a used car instead of a new one?
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Used cars may have higher maintenance needs, fewer modern tech features, and limited warranty coverage. However, these are often outweighed by savings in depreciation, insurance, and purchase price.
Is the average car payment really over $700 for a new vehicle?
Yes. According to Bankrate’s 2025 data, the average monthly payment for a new vehicle has risen to $737, making used cars a more financially strategic choice for many drivers.
Can driving a paid-off car improve your financial well-being?
Absolutely. Without the burden of monthly payments, drivers often experience reduced financial stress, improved savings, and more disposable income for travel or investments.
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