It really depends on what "substantial" and "easily" mean.
If you're truly living paycheck to paycheck, then you are actually in danger, because paychecks can easily stop, e.g., layoffs, and then you won't be able to "easily" afford your car payment.
This is not even mentioning other unexpected expenses that can arise and suddenly make your easy car payments not so easy.
If I borrow money to buy a car, and I have no substantial savings, then for sure my net worth is negative because a car is a depreciating asset.