@creamqueen @deprecated_ii @Binkle You are right, they do not afford it properly. They justify it with all sorts of excuses, but the real reason is to put up appearances for other people, as almost nobody actually needs a new car every 4 years.
It is even worse if it is a finacially illiterate wife demanding a new car, because she will make an even bigger deal out of having the latest car than the average person. Or the young man who thinks he should have a new car to attract women.