Average new car price is $50K ? Insanity.

[CKN]

the newest car I’ve owned is 2002. So I’m in the beater crowd. I do complain about newer cars a lot, mostly criticizing the excessive tech. I think what justifies my complaints is that we aren’t even given the option. For all the differing myriad of reasons why simple, low tech, economy boxes are not made, they just aren’t.

I’d love to see the Toyota Corolla remain low tech with minimal features so I can buy a used one down the line. But they’re just not going that way. More electronics, gizmos, gadgets, and creature comforts. If you’re not a beater loving cheapskate, then you have nothing to complain about, unlike us. So our complaints have a reason behind them, because our ideal cars are fading into oblivion. Your preferences are not being taken away.

I just don’t think a 2023 Toyota Camry will be easier/cheaper to maintain than a 2003 Camry today vs in 20 years when the 2023 Camry is also 20 years old.

Imagine if the case was reversed. The beater crowd got their way and manufacturers only built the cheapest, easiest to maintain, and most robust economy boxes ever. You would surely complain about this wouldn’t you?

Your argument is the most sound of all the "anti new car" posts on here. However-there is yet another thread that just popped up (again) about an hour ago. It's getting tiring....really.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/the-lender-reaction-to-your-new-car-loan-approval.367232/

 

[redhat]

With the amount of snow I get, my dream vehicle is the 2022 JD 1025 on your list.

It is a good unit. I plan to buy one of the newer 3-point Heavy Duty "Green" snowblowers this year or next and use that to move my lake effect droppings!

 

[MaximaGuy]

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.

 

[mobilnissan1991]

Looks like Ill be keeping my 2012 F150 for a while.

Im only 31, but I’ve noticed how times have changed and have heard many stories from my dad and grandparents.

My dad (76 now) in 1972 at the age of 26 built a NICE 3500 sq ft brick house move in ready for $49,000. He told me back in the 50’s as a kid his mom would give him 50 cents and he would have a ton of fun with his friends. Some older cousins of mine bought 815 acres of land in Mississippi in 1963 for $125 an acre. Worth at least $10,000 an acre now

 

[AlphaOmega]

Check the trans mount for saggage, that is usually when techs know to upsell all 3.

A question, if I may: is not not better to replace all 3 mounts (engine and transmission) together to maintain geometry of the drivetrain *better* or am I asking an imbecilic question? Sorry

 

[AlphaOmega]

Looks like Ill be keeping my 2012 F150 for a while.

Im only 31, but I’ve noticed how times have changed and have heard many stories from my dad and grandparents.

My dad (76 now) in 1972 at the age of 26 built a NICE 3500 sq ft brick house move in ready for $49,000. He told me back in the 50’s as a kid his mom would give him 50 cents and he would have a ton of fun with his friends. Some older cousins of mine bought 815 acres of land in Mississippi in 1963 for $125 an acre. Worth at least $10,000 an acre now

And russians sold Alaska with all it oil and other resources for $187 million dollars in todays dollars. Probably worth trillions today. What’s your point mate?

 

[The Critic]

A question, if I may: is not not better to replace all 3 mounts (engine and transmission) together to maintain geometry of the drivetrain *better* or am I asking an imbecilic question? Sorry

They are typically sold together, if that’s what you’re asking.

 

[AlphaOmega]

They are typically sold together, if that’s what you’re asking.

You mentioned a sagging transmission mount - which I understood is that that one tends to fail sooner than the engine mounts? And if that’s the case, is replacing only a transmission mount, but leaving worn but not spent engine mounts in a proper way to do this, or all mounts should be replaced at the same time to marination drivetrain geometry? Or is my question illiterate?

 

[The Critic]

You mentioned a sagging transmission mount - which I understood is that that one tends to fail sooner than the engine mounts? And if that’s the case, is replacing only a transmission mount, but leaving worn but not spent engine mounts in a proper way to do this, or all mounts should be replaced at the same time to marination drivetrain geometry? Or is my question illiterate?

They are typically sold together, but I’m guessing there is no technical reason to replace them together if the engine mounts are still fine?

 

[mobilnissan1991]

And russians sold Alaska with all it oil and other resources for $187 million dollars in todays dollars. Probably worth trillions today. What’s your point mate?

No point, just reflecting on prices of things in my elders time compared to now.

 

[demarpaint]

You mispelled "If banks are willing to lend money/give loans for vehicles at or above sticker....."

True, but there are people willing to make up the difference with cash if the bank doesn't approve the loan. Bottom line if people are willing to pay the nonsensical prices the prices will remain high.

 

[SC Maintenance]

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.

Because a model 3 is a mid sized sedan at best in size, and electricity isn't free - especially in Texas where it seems you all have trouble keeping that on at some times.

A Rav4 Hybrid current gen has as much interior space as a 10 year old Highlander. I have one (ICE model)

Not knocking Tesla at all, but I don't think your comparison is accurate.

 

[KrisZ]

True, but there are people willing to make up the difference with cash if the bank doesn't approve the loan. Bottom line if people are willing to pay the nonsensical prices the prices will remain high.

Amen.

 

[TiGeo]

True, but there are people willing to make up the difference with cash if the bank doesn't approve the loan. Bottom line if people are willing to pay the nonsensical prices the prices will remain high.

That cash is just the trade in. Few people are cutting checks. Longer loan terms and creative financing is what is allowing it.

 

[dogememe]

It is a good unit. I plan to buy one of the newer 3-point Heavy Duty "Green" snowblowers this year or next and use that to move my lake effect droppings!

After learning about their huge efforts against right of repair don’t support JD. Look up Louis Rossman on YouTube if you’re curious.

 

[demarpaint]

That cash is just the trade in. Few people are cutting checks. Longer loan terms and creative financing is what is allowing it.

Yep, I'm quite familiar with the business and the nonsense that goes on in it. You can only be so creative with financing, and there are people who can/will kick in cash to make a deal happen. In any event as long as there is demand driving prices higher prices will stay higher.

 

[AlphaOmega]

I’m guessing there is no technical reason to replace them together

Are you not sure or are you ambiguously hinting, but there is only one way to correctly interpret the hinting?

 

[AlphaOmega]

No point, just reflecting on prices of things in my elders time compared to now.

You have to take account of inflation. That $49k house your father build translates into $353k today. It’s not that simple in life.

 

[odie]

Oil : $80.36 . Gas will likely hit $3.60+. Saudi Arabia cutting production . Good to have no auto loan payments and vehicles that get 36+ miles per gallon . Last payment was in 2019 (?) or was that '20 ?

Took us around 30 years to wise up and stop buying on impulse . Were buying car(s) every few years . Also bought HONDAs and TOYOTAs that kept better book value . Bank account has become larger which inspires unnecessary purchases of things .

 

[saberz]

We will own nothing and be happy. Subscriptions for everything!!

I think this is the general consensus. I believe it was touched on a few times by a few automotive C-levels in the news. Almost a subscription based service (TaaS - Transportation as a Service), especially as AD (Autonomous Driving) becomes standardized. The rationale is that this vehicle a customer owns is sitting and continuously depreciating most of the time. Basically - you use the car to goto work (say it's 30 minutes each way, 1 hour a day). Outside of that you run a few errands maybe another hour. That's 2 hours. The rest of the 22 hours it's sitting.

Their logic, you could use your phone or setup a subscription to have a vehicle come and pick you up like Uber, without a driver and get you from point to point. Supposedly incurring less cost for the consumer...(I don't believe it...but hey...)

Older articles touching on this very topic
https://www.businessinsider.com/no-one-will-own-a-car-in-the-future-2017-5

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4506568/By-2030-won-t-car-death-spiral-oblivion.html