Woman Claims 12-Year-Old Camry Saved Her $107,000—Netizens Debate If It’s Really Worth It

Imperfect Taylor, a personal finance influencer with 160,000 Instagram followers, recently went viral after revealing she has driven a fully paid-off 2006 Toyota Camry for 12 years—saving approximately $107,712 in car payments. Her video garnered over 480,000 views and sparked widespread discussion. According to NerdWallet data, financing a new car every six years (at a monthly payment of $748) would indeed cost about $107,000 over 12 years; opting for a used car (at $532 per month) would save roughly $76,000. The Camry is renowned for its reliability and low maintenance costs, with many owners reporting it easily surpasses 200,000—and even 400,000—kilometers. However, some commenters pointed out that older vehicles lack modern safety features, and questioned whether the money saved was actually invested wisely. Nonetheless, being "car-payment-free" is emerging as a new form of "flexing," especially among consumers who prioritize practicality and long-term savings.