So how do you
like your new car, Boomer? Did you get a good lease on the wheels of your
dreams?
Yes, I’m just
guessing that you’re driving a new car, or at least thinking about it
seriously. It’s an educated guess.
A new study by
J.D. Power and AARP shows that three of every five new vehicles purchased or
leased recently have been by people age 50 and older. For the Detroit Three,
Boomers account for 67 percent of all new sales.
What’s with this?
Sure, your retirement account may have taken a hit during the financial
downturn. Your inheritances may have been on hold because your parents are
living longer. But still, you’re doing better financially than almost anybody
else. Your median income is $67,537, compared
with $55,856 for the 18-34 demographic. Boomers are about the only group that
can afford new rides these days. Here’s how it goes:
Millennials, the
generation born after the late 1970s, are nervous about holding onto or even
getting jobs. They’re not sure if they’re ever going to be able to retire. So
they’re hanging onto the cars they have and driving them until the wheels fall
off.
Boomers, you cats
with cash, are mostly leasing cars for two years. If things still look good for
you at the end of that period, you’ll be back for maybe another two years on a
newer car.
And
my generation, the elders on fixed incomes? We bought our new cars a while ago.
We’re planning on driving them until our wheels
off.
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