@Eggie You know your strengths and weaknesses best. If you are terrible at saving, but will leave your savings alone and not spend it, then because of your money personality you might be better putting the money into savings.
It’s unlikely your car loan is the same interest as a bank savings rate, so not paying the loan and putting the money in savings you are likely losing money, but if you won’t save money otherwise then you are just being realistic and that’s fine.
I have chosen to pay off loans, but I’m a very good saver, but I’m not a big risk taker when it comes to investing. People criticize me for keeping so much in savings, but I know my money personality is to not take a lot of risk.
Maybe you want to put $25k in a CD? If you are prone to spending. Lock up the money so you don’t touch it.
Do you have part of your paycheck for automatically to a savings or retirement account? Maybe you need that so you have automatic savings. $50 a week (I don’t know how often you are paid) is $2,600 at the end of the year plus interest.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to save money. Money is freedom. It has nothing to do with buying things, it has to do with not panicking if you lose your job, being able to afford an emergency that pops up, affording a vacation opportunity without going into your savings, retiring early and having fun.
Next car go cheaper. Sacrifice a little for the huge pay off later.