A Mercedes saleswoman has a blunt PSA for young buyers: Don’t buy cars you can’t actually afford. Stacey Allen (@staceyabneyallen) says dealership protocol prevents her from telling customers not to sign papers, even when she knows the deal isn’t in their budget or the buyer has never owned a luxury vehicle before. That, she admits, is the hardest part of her job. “One of the hardest things for me to do as a salesperson is to sit back when I’m selling a car to somebody that could easily be my niece or nephew,” Allen says. She says too many young buyers get dazzled by a Mercedes that looks like a steal—because it’s much cheaper now than when it rolled off the lot years ago—without realizing what they’re signing up for. Watching that happen over and over, she says, is frustrating when she has no real power to intervene. As of Sunday, her video had pulled in more than 90,000 views. What Are The Mistakes She Sees? Allen says young buyers often jump at a Mercedes that’s been “well taken care of” by its previous owner, only to end up in over their heads. “I cannot stop you,” she says. “I’m at work, my job is to sell cars.” FROM THE TRENDING NEWS DESK Viral bits from across the social media landscape Our team of experts tracks what's trending so you don't have to—from viral videos to online debates that have everyone talking. However, many of these deals, she explains, involve used cars in the $20,000 range, paired with a 20% interest rate, no warranty, and buyers who are unaware of the risks. She warns that needing a hefty down payment is usually a sign of bad credit—another red flag that may suggest you should walk away. Since she can’t stop anyone, Allen says she slips in subtle warnings. “If I ask you questions like if you researched the maintenance,” she says, "that’s my way of telling you, you’re making a mistake.” For instance, Allen says she’ll ask if a customer understands the cost of brakes or what happens during an oil leak. “I can see the future. I know what the future brings,” Allen says. “Just learn to read my eyes.” Are Young People Buying More Luxury Cars? Some data suggests young people are leaning more toward luxury cars lately—and it tracks with what Allen sees every day in the showroom. Reports indicate that Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to purchase a luxury vehicle than any previous generation, even when their budgets are tighter. The trend is real. Part of it’s image: owning a luxury car is a statement. It signals success whether or not you’ve really “made it.” And in the age of social media, that kind of flex carries weight. But there’s also a financial tilt behind it. Easy financing, “zero down” deals, and aggressive leasing offers are making high-end cars feel more “affordable” on paper than they really are. Add in upgrades and maintenance costs, and suddenly that $20,000 “steal” is closer to $30,000—or more. Allen’s warnings make a lot more sense when you see this pattern play out: young people chase luxury brands without fully accounting for what comes after buying. She knows firsthand how many walk out excited about their car, only to get blindsided by maintenance costs, warranties, or crippling interest rates. So yes—young buyers are gravitating toward luxury. However, that doesn’t mean it’s wise or sustainable, especially if you’re buying based on image rather than numbers. The real danger is that you’ll love the car until you realize the payments, repairs, and stress are a lot less glamorous. Make Smart Financial Decisions People who watched Allen’s clip say they’ve seen young people buying luxury cars they can’t really afford. Many argued it’s just not worth it. “I’ll take a Honda or Toyota with all the bells and whistles over a luxury brand ANY day,” one woman said. “It’s just so hard to beat a Honda, Toyota, or Lexus,” another added. “I had to snap out of it and say to myself, ‘my Honda is fine,’” a third person wrote. Others pointed out that the upkeep alone makes luxury cars a nightmare. “She’s so right,” one person wrote. “You have to be prepared for upkeep with luxury cars. I will never forget my E350 requiring a service B AND an auxiliary battery to the tune of $1,200. The battery had gone bad after two months of purchase.” (A Service B entails routine maintenance, including an oil change, replacing the cabin filter, brake fluid change, as well as checking fluids, tires, and brakes.) “When I see my younger friends buying 2015 C300s, I’m like, whyyyyyy? The tires and brakes alone cost $2,800! Never-ending service and B lights every 6 months [and] $250 oil changes,” another added. “Amen! Service B starts at a ‘minimum’ $700 dealer or independent shop,” a third said. “Luxury car = luxury maintenance,” added a fourth. Even some dealership employees say they’ve seen the same pattern but felt powerless to intervene. “It’s hard being a salesperson with a heart,” one person said. “I’m a sales manager at a car dealership,” another shared. “The less money people make, the more expensive the car they want. SMH, it’s unbelievable to me.” Motor1 has reached out to Allen via a direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this if she responds.
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