As I've stated before, ins cos are the worst thing we have as a society. You live at risk, risk of health issues, risk of psychological issues (including divorce), risk of financial issues (including divorce) and, finally (I'm sure my list is incomplete), loss of material possessions.
Buy a nice car and you enter another realm. I think all those folks driving beaters know something we don't.
Oh, BTW, I've turned the tide and have let my 20 YO truck become a beater. I bought a cheap, high mileage 911. Good thing as some air head girl smacked it in the back.
We used to have a '90 Cadillac that was a throw away. Good thing, as it died one day in the middle of an intersection and I walked away letting the tow guy take the pink slip. (It wasn't the first time it died, just the last time.
)
This is how to own cars in this day and age.