SageBrush
REJECT Fascism
I wrote a starting analysis above. Depending on filing status and dependents it takes as little as $61,000 wages to reach $7,500 federal tax, and mid $70's with the cost of up to two dependents. After tax income can be as low as $4,000 a month and not much more than $5,000 a month with two dependents.I was spitting out an off the cuff thought. Frankly I don't have a clue how each person will fall and I can't claim to know that. If you have a counter thought I would be more than happy to read it.
It does not surprise me at all to hear that loads of people with $7,500+ tax liability may decide that a $27k car is the most they are able to pay. It actually comes down to discretionary income and priorities. This marginal group could easily have less than $500 a month of discretionary income, and the price difference people here are quick to dismiss is about $140 a month in payments.