Googling, I find that the median new car price 2 years ago was $32K. Last year, the average used car cost $16K. I assume both numbers are higher this year.
Seems like a lot.
Seems like a lot.
Cars Cost Too Damn Much
- Thread starter What Would Jesus Do?
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That's our penance for A) Trying to "save" the steel industry in America, and B) Spending too much money.
The best way to drop prices is to say 'screw the unions, let the market decide.' American cars would then be made exclusively by immigrants, or overseas, and we'd have cheaper cars. There's some give and take there obviously.
The other option: Keep everything as is regarding the industry, and raise taxes to make cars more affordable.
Cars are a lot more complicated and refined than they used to be, from safety aspects to fuel efficiency and emissions aspects to amenities/luxuries. Some of those are mandated by law/regulation and some are just market-driven. Over all, cars are a much better product now than in the past. It's not your dad's car, or even the car of your youth, any more.
Add in other factors, including substantial labor and marketing costs, and that's why cars are priced where they are right now.
Add in other factors, including substantial labor and marketing costs, and that's why cars are priced where they are right now.
You'd think there would be more inexpensive options. I mean you can find a few new models for under $15K. The Nissan Versa starts around $12K, I think (before the usual add-ons and tax).
But apparently the market supports the higher priced models. We've all heard that the bigger, more expensive models have higher profit margins. So it's easy to understand why the car makers would want to stick to those models. But if there isn't collusion, why haven't a couple of manufacturers stepped in with more inexpensive cars?
I wonder what it would do to the used car segment if there were several decent new cars in the $10K range?
Got some bad news on my truck the other day so I've started looking hard core. It seems it's going to be harder than I thought finding what I want/need for a decent price.
I heard a while back that Ford was blowing out its older models. Don't know if that was true or if any are left. Apparently the new models use a lot of aluminum or something and cost more, so they wanted to move the older ones quickly.
I've always been a Chevy guy but after talking to my mechanic, I might have to check out an F-150 or two.
I always buy slightly used that have a warranty from a whole saler. Have owned three cars since 2007, one new and 2 slightly used and the new one had mechanical problems. Therefore...
Because materials are going up and pensions aren't going away. If you wanted prices to go down, you should have allowed the companies to go bankrupt and get out from under the pensions.
I also like the offering of financing for up to 75 months that they show during the car commercials. That is a hell of a long time to stretch yourself into making a car payment.
Cars and Trucks are getting so expensive mostly over the years because of ...WAIT .......Government regulations. Everything from Emmission and mileage requirements to other safety measures such as TPMS. Not that that is all bad in some cases. Newer vehicles today drive great and handle well. The prices however are clear out of hand. But hey go buy that $65k Silverado.
How often do new car buyers normally trade in for their next new car? A long time ago, I understood it was around 3 years.
I ask because I wonder about those 5 and 6 year loan periods if people are trading in after 3 years.
That's on tap soon. They still make the Ranger in other countries, just not here in the USA. You can buy a new one in Mexico. However, it's a redesigned truck, not the Ranger that was phased out.
All I need is a relible car with stick shift, AC, AWD and the mandatory safety stuff. How much can that cost?
Used Subaru Outback with 70k miles will run you between $9,000-$13,000.
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anon_4v8fwjfqmw9bi
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with everything that goes into designing, producing and distributing cars I can't believe they aren't more expensive.
same thing for airline tickets.
same thing for airline tickets.
I absolutely hate the process of buying a car so I buy new and drive the car until the wheels fall off.
Throughout my life, the average number of years I owned a car is nearly five, but I used to wreck cars a lot when I was young, so that drives the average down a lot. I also turned one in during "cash for clunkers" and I would have driven that SUV for a long time had I not needed an economy car for my new job and the government money being dangled.
Throughout my life, the average number of years I owned a car is nearly five, but I used to wreck cars a lot when I was young, so that drives the average down a lot. I also turned one in during "cash for clunkers" and I would have driven that SUV for a long time had I not needed an economy car for my new job and the government money being dangled.
That's what I'm thinking about replacing. Mine is getting to the point where the needed repairs in the next year or 2 will cost double what the car is worth.
Thinking about a Forester.
Subaru vehicles are awesome. When I lived in the NE part of this country, they were all over the place. Excellent vehicles for snowy weather without being huge.
Yeah, when my dad, a stout Republican, had a mountain cabin in North Carolina, he had a Subaru.
Exactly. Although with global warming, the AWD will probably be of more use in mudslides and such.
Not sure what this means. Aren't all Subarus sold in the US made in the US except their little Impreza?
The primary reason for the 72/84 month financing is obviously to make the monthly payment lower. The under 3% rates offered seem reasonable to me. Some people simply like "new".
Personally, at my age, losing the value as you drive the "new" off the lot isn't a big deal. I've worked hard my entire life and I think I can waste a little money once in a while. Can always make it back playing the slots... right???
Subaru owners are stereotyped as tree-hugging liberals. My dad was about as far away from that description as you could possibly get.
That's going to be my next ride. Subaru's are incredible for the money you spend on them.
