More than 80% of Americans can't afford a new car

Because you'll die in a crash without a backup camera or TPMS sensors, or a problematic goofy turbo engine to ekk an extra .8mpg for CAFE standards.
Here we go again-
Turbos are reliable FACT . TPMS prevents tires from being ruined and from blow outs-FACT. Backup cameras will/do save kids lives-FACT.

Of all the things to pick out-you picked two that add tremendous safety factors-FACT.

Why in the world wouldn't you want TPMS to save a tire from being ruined -being how expensive tires are these days?
I know-you are such a great driver (how old are you?) you don't need them.
 
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Because you'll die in a crash without a backup camera or TPMS sensors, or a problematic goofy turbo engine to ekk an extra .8mpg for CAFE standards.
Backup cameras were required after kids on tricycles were being run over by people backing out of their driveways and couldn't see them in the rearview mirror.

TPMS were required after the Ford Explorer rollover crashes when people didn't realize their tires were underinflated.
 
Are you going to do a "hit and run" post or elaborate?
OK-it came with them and you uninstalled.....
You don't need tire pressure sensors in a TPMS system.
Like atikovi said, some cars like late-model Hondas use the ABS sensors to feed data to the TPM System in lieu of using conventional TPM (Air Pressure) Sensors. These are commonly referred to as "indirect" vs. "direct" monitoring of the tire's inflation status.
 
Like atikovi said, some cars like late-model Hondas use the ABS sensors to feed data to the TPM System in lieu of using conventional TPM (Air Pressure) Sensors. These are commonly referred to as "indirect" vs. "direct" monitoring of the tire's inflation status.
This is what the poster could have said. I have an "indirect system"it doesn't require sensors-but the end result is the same.
 
I admittedly didn't. I been through quite a few vehicles in recent years-they all had TPMS sensors .
I have a VW like Skyactiv with the ABS TPMS. Pros and cons...everyone on here is afraid of premature battery death on the wheels sensors but I've owned multiple 10+ year old vehicles with them without an issue. After owning both I'd prefer valve stem sensors to get an actual pressure readout on the dash instead of having to check with a gauge. That's the only part I miss on the VW's system.
 
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Even though I am also in the simpler is better camp, the problem with high costs is not because of excessive tech. It's the public's buying obsessions with big trucks and SUVs that's the bigger issue. Manufacturer's make the most money from those, so they cater to masculine egos and feminine cravings for safety. It's fine when someone who can afford it buys those things, but for some reason, everyone else feels the need to keep up with the Joneses. If people started buying cheap economy cars again, manufacturers would make more of them. But people don't want those "unsafe or sissy" little things.
 
Let's just save all theses "new cars are expensive-people are stupid for buying them threads" and just copy and paste the replies. It would save a lot of time.......

These threads are the new "Thick vs. Thin" threads that have thankfully pretty much gone away.
Who won?
 
If people started buying cheap economy cars again, manufacturers would make more of them. But people don't want those "unsafe or sissy" little things.
Have you tried to buy one of the cheaper cars new lately? A lot of them have the largest market adjustment, as a percentage of MSRP.

The biggest problem we have is a lack of public transportation. I know everyone here will roll their eyes, but its true. When we try we don't just buy more busses like they do in functional countries - we spend big bucks on rapid transit, and EV buses. Easier to hide the grift I suppose?

They also don't put transit routes where normal working people live. They stop at places that provide the highest optics for photo ops in ribbon cutting ceremonies.
 
80% seems like a high ratio. This number seems like it may reflect people who can't afford the car they want, versus affording the car they need..

I paid right around $13,000 for a 1993 Plymouth Sundance off the showroom floor in 1993. I had zero cash to my name at that time in my life, but had no problem making payments. I think that situation describes a lot of car buyers in America. I guarantee the below is a better and safer car, available right now for the same price I paid in 1993.

Are people really that much worse off now than a warehouse worker making $6.50 an hour in 1993, or is this a case of everyone wanting a huge SUV or an entry-level Mercedes instead of an affordable car?

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80% seems like a high ratio. This number seems like it may reflect people who can't afford the car they want, versus affording the car they need..

I paid right around $13,000 for a 1993 Plymouth Sundance off the showroom floor in 1993. I had zero cash to my name at that time in my life, but had no problem making payments. I think that situation describes a lot of car buyers in America. I guarantee the below is a better and safer car, available right now for the same price I paid in 1993.

Are people really that much worse off now than a warehouse worker making $6.50 an hour in 1993, or is this a case of everyone wanting a huge SUV or an entry-level Mercedes instead of an affordable car?

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$13k? they seem to be like $19k up here for Mirages. Maybe $18k. Too bad they dropped the manual... although I'm slowly warming up to CVT.

I'm "worse off" but I have two kids who are college age. So while I'm high(er) income I am high(er) outgo. Expensive part of life.
 
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