The real estate market is pretty screwed up. Back in the day one could generally make the monthly payment with a decent job and 20 percent down.
I've paid cash for my last three cars, going back 24 years, but I only buy used cars. I may have carried a small loan on others before that.
1996 Grand Marquis LS, $15,000, bought in 1998 (junked at 465,000 miles).
2005 Grand Marquis GS, $11,000, bought in 2007 (junked at 425,000 miles).
2003 Grand Marquis LS, $7,000, bought in 2022 (with 111,000 miles on it).
Love that car.