Americans love cars. Driving a car is synonymous with the American dream – being behind the wheel of a car represents freedom, mobility, independence, travel, new horizons, adventure… everything that makes America great. Whether it’s driving to the prom, getting your kicks on Route 66, stopping by a fast food drive-through or a drive-in movie, most of America’s cultural memory involves cars.

But as much as Americans love their cars, our cars do not always love us. Cars are expensive – more expensive than most people might realize.