Average new car price is $50K ? Insanity.

[missingcurlybracket]

I’m sure there’s some upfront cost savings to be found but I doubt it’ll be dramatic as the drive towards infinite growth marches forward and especially if it’s a 1:1 car to subscriber ratio.

You Don't Need to Own a Car (If You Don't Drive to Work) | Not Just Bikes

But here’s something I found quite interesting talking about car-sharing services.

I know it won’t apply in a rural area, may be suboptimal for North America suburban living and there’s always the “but what about…” factor and yes, I personally enjoy owning a vehicle and the spontaneity it offers in my car-dependent suburb, but it’s neat how this alternative method of hiring a car when needed can fit in when it’s not the only way of getting around.

 

[DirtyGary]

I said no more new cars after buying a new Focus ST in 2016. Last year I got a great deal on a new BRZ that made me break my own rule so I have no idea what the future holds for me and my buying.

That said, the $50k average new car transaction doesn't bother me that much. You can still get good, new transportation for under $25k (Corolla, 3, Civic) and there's still fun new things for $35k (GR86, Elantra N, GTI).

 

[AlphaOmega]

Last year I got a great deal on a new BRZ

How could you get a great deal if you weren’t shopping for a new car?

Also: nearly everyone who buys a new car and talks about it gets a “great deal”. Makes them rather regular deals, no?

 

[DirtyGary]

How could you get a great deal if you weren’t shopping for a new car?

Also: nearly everyone who buys a new car and talks about it gets a “great deal”. Makes them rather regular deals, no?

Saw trade in values were absurd and decided to cut bait on the Ford while it was worth so much.

Paid 21,500 for the ST in 2016. Got 19,500 in trade 6 years & 45k later. Paid 28,955 for the BRZ. Couldn't pass it up.

 

[SatinSilver]

We went shopping this past weekend for a Rav4 XLE Hybrid and the Toyota salesperson pulled a vehicle from some Gulf Toyota (largest distributor of cars in the south) a price of $43K. My jaw dropped, this is an SUV no one would buy back in the days and somehow it seems to be the pick for teens who are into driving these days. Anyway, I told my daughter why would I spend $20K in gas (keep the car for 10 yrs) when I can pay $50K for a Model3. Cars are being sold at MSRP and salt to the wound, the wait time is 6-8 months. Bull ****, I can get an Tesla in 3 months what nonsense are these dealerships talking about.

We dropped the whole idea of buying a new car and told my daughter drive the Highlander to the ground and will get a electric when ready in college.

Ex-Hertz '22 Maxima loaded with 27k miles for 25k. Many available in Arizona and CA.

 

[AlphaOmega]

Saw trade in values were absurd and decided to cut bait on the Ford while it was worth so much.

Paid 21,500 for the ST in 2016. Got 19,500 in trade 6 years & 45k later. Paid 28,955 for the BRZ. Couldn't pass it up.

What was the MSRP on the BRZ?

 

[AlphaOmega]

Not long. The oil can wick pretty quickly. It is usually the cam sensors that "leak" and are often the origin of this issue.

Hard to say, but you might want to consider replacing the cam sensors proactively.

I looked at the paperwork: only camshaft magnet seals were replaced - not the sensors themselves:

And. I just looked at the sensor connectors and they are dry and not misty at all, after 8 years and nearly 100k mi. Will keep monitoring from time to time, but perhaps only a minority of cars are affected by the leaking sensors rather it being an omnipresent issue?

I should add that it was about 6-8 month and 6-8k mi between my noticing oil misting and taking care of it. Plus the time misting took place without me noticing it - so perhaps a year and 10-12k mi that the misting was ongoing. That was nearly 2 years ago and no wire harness consequences.

I guess the sensor don’t mist, but gush oil?

 

[The Critic]

I looked at the paperwork: only camshaft magnet seals were replaced - not the sensors themselves:
View attachment 149769

And. I just looked at the sensor connectors and they are dry and not misty at all, after 8 years and nearly 100k mi. Will keep monitoring from time to time, but perhaps only a minority of cars are affected by the leaking sensors rather it being an omnipresent issue?

View attachment 149771View attachment 149772

I should add that it was about 6-8 month and 6-8k mi between my noticing oil misting and taking care of it. Plus the time misting took place without me noticing it - so perhaps a year and 10-12k mi that the misting was ongoing. That was nearly 2 years ago and no wire harness consequences.

I guess the sensor don’t mist, but gush oil?

This thread discusses the issue as well:
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/o...-how-to-fix-it-permanently-for-cheap.3111556/

There are also cam sensors - but those require removing the intake to replace, iirc.

 

[CKN]

How could you get a great deal if you weren’t shopping for a new car?

Also: nearly everyone who buys a new car and talks about it gets a “great deal”. Makes them rather regular deals, no?

I paid $3,000.00 under high bluebook for my latest purchase-with no add ons by the dealer. And then $1,500.00 more than I was expecting on the trade-in. These days that's as good as it gets.

 

[AlphaOmega]

I paid $3,000.00 under high bluebook for my latest purchase-with no add ons by the dealer. And then $1,500.00 more than I was expecting on the trade-in. These days that's as good as it gets.

True!

 

[edyvw]

Not far from where I live, there are ENTIRE TOWNS where the average home price is barely $50k. This bubble is going to be worse than the housing bubble, and in some ways I think it’s being encouraged by certain groups of people on purpose. When people lose their modes of transportation due to repossession and have that huge remaining balance hanging over their heads, the only way they can get around is public transportation. And that means moving into the city. Which means you’re dependent on “public” services for your existence…

In this, let's say, argument, is there anywhere personal responsibility or "certain groups" came to their house, took them by hand and went to the dealership to get that $50k vehicle?

 

[AlphaOmega]

This thread discusses the issue as well:
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/o...-how-to-fix-it-permanently-for-cheap.3111556/

There are also cam sensors - but those require removing the intake to replace, iirc.

thanks for this link! FCPeuro (the OP fro the link) says the seals are more common culprits and the sensors are rare culprits. Which was in my case. I just ordered these mentioned sacrificial pigtails.

When you noticed oil leak from the sensors on your clients car that lead to wire harness damage, how bad was it visually ? Like, was the whole front of the engine sort of covers in oil grime or just the harness that plugged into said sensors?

Was the oil leak not there during his previous visit and 10-15k mikes (4-6months) later there?

Thanks

 

[The Critic]

thanks for this link! FCPeuro (the OP fro the link) says the seals are more common culprits and the sensors are rare culprits. Which was in my case. I just ordered these mentioned sacrificial pigtails.

When you noticed oil leak from the sensors on your clients car that lead to wire harness damage, how bad was it visually ? Like, was the whole front of the engine sort of covers in oil grime or just the harness that plugged into said sensors?

Was the oil leak not there during his previous visit and 10-15k mikes (4-6months) later there?

Thanks

I only noticed the issue because the ME was removed for spark plug replacement. There were no active issues.

The prior spark plug service was performed by the dealer when the cylinder head was replaced, and that was 50k prior.

 

[AlphaOmega]

View attachment 149856
I only noticed the issue because the ME was removed for spark plug replacement. There were no active issues.

The prior spark plug service was performed by the dealer when the cylinder head was replaced, and that was 50k prior.

I see! So that was his first ever service visit with you, correct?

 

[The Critic]

I see! So that was his first ever service visit with you, correct?

PM sent.

 

[AlphaOmega]

View attachment 149856
I only noticed the issue because the ME was removed for spark plug replacement. There were no active issues.

The prior spark plug service was performed by the dealer when the cylinder head was replaced, and that was 50k prior.

Today I removed both ECU plugs and inside, pins - everything is as dry as can be. Even the dust/ sediment found inside looked like it came from driving through an unkept California forrest that hasn’t seen rain in years. Phew….

On the other hand, read some wittily written horror stories about! For example, amongst others, 5 year old S class with 65k miles - without warranty - needed same amount of work as your client’s car .

 

[zzyzzx]

I just heard that 10 year auto loans are available. Not necessarily believing it, I did an internet search, and yes it's real...
Like this one:
https://www.ubccu.org/borrow/auto-loans

Up to 120 months

8.64%

 

[AlphaOmega]

I just heard that 10 year auto loans are available. Not necessarily believing it, I did an internet search, and yes it's real...
Like this one:
https://www.ubccu.org/borrow/auto-loans

Up to 120 months

8.64%

Considering cars last that and longer now, without needing much work - perhaps fin industry is adjusting/catching up to this fact?

 

[fdcg27]

A Toyota exec feels average new cars prices could exceed $50,000 this year. How can anyone afford this?
The 1st new car I ever bought was my strippie 1993 Toyota 4wd PU for $14,000 all in. And that scared the heck outta me.

A quick search shows that bottom dollar new cars can still be had for 17K. The average impecunious buyer is probably better off with a new base Versa, Spark, Mirage, Kia or Hyundai that has a known history and comes with a warranty than something used for the same money. Of course, these models now cost thousands more than was the case in 2019.

 

[The Critic]

Considering cars last that and longer now, without needing much work...

Most German cars disagree with you...