Are newcars getting too expensive to afford?

[bronsin]

My Toyota dealer keep sending me flyers saying they want my used 2009 Yaris. I’m thinking with all the safety features, anti pollution features, Plus styling changes colors have gotten so expensive only a few people can afford them. :eek:

[sunsanvil]

My understanding is the exact opposite: its a very simple gimmick to coax you in so they can sell YOU a brand new car: they make you feel like the old car is somehow in demand and will thus garner a respectable trade-in allowance (which they can inflate instead of discounting the new car, citing the usual "margins are tight" line etc).

[bronsin]

Interesting! I know for a fact I will never pay $20,000 for a new Yaris unless I hit the lottery and I never play the lottery. I know where I went to college they are about to fall because they kept raising tuition. They have so few people interested in going there they’re in a lot of trouble.

[WeeYari]

Gimmick. I still get those letters stating my 2006 is a high demand vehicle.

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[bronsin]

Maybe it’s just me Who can’t afford a new one! :thumbup:

[WeeYari]

You're not alone. Last vehicle I purchased new was a 1999 Dodge Dakota.

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[tmontague]

I agree with the above posts. I don't buy new cars regardless of my income. I'm in the market now for a new family car and I'm searching for one with a blown head gasket that I can fix myself and save thousands they are so herd to sell.

My rational brain cannot wrap my head around the extra you pay simply because it was new. I had the same mentality when I used to race mountain bikes and road bikes only ever rode new bikes when I had a sponsorship deal

A car becomes used as soon as you drive it and therefore takes a huge loss to its value. Then again this thinking is the same reason I also do not buy lottery tickets.

[ern-diz]

Same experience; I've gotten several of those letters and assume they're just bait. They probably wouldn't even buy my car back given how modified it is at this point.

In respect to new car pricing, if someone totaled my Yaris, I don't think I'd buy a spanking brand new car either. The cost of new cars is steep and drive-off is a mother. I think I'd rather spend a fraction of the cost of a new car and get something a little older and possibly more fun. You're always going to be able to buy more car when you go used over new.

[kimona]

Just a strategy to get customers into the dealership. I got a flyer in the mail yesterday offering me "up to 120% of book value" for my 2014 Yaris... and guaranteeing I'm a winner of no less than a $10 Target gift card.

[toad]

yes, just getting you in the dealership is the biggest hurdle. once you're in-for any reason- that's an opportunity to sell. it doesn't matter whether it's recall repairs, oil change/tire rotation, etc. it's all a game. why do you think the waiting areas are basically in the showrooms?

[M4One]

Everything is going up. But, for the price, you are getting a lot of stuff that might have been options in the past. In the end, it might just end up the same if you added up all those options compared to a semi/fully loaded model these days.

[Kalispel]

The average person spends $34K on a new car - cars/SUVs that I consider total crap. :laugh: I consider $19-20K on a new Yaris SE to be fine, as long as it has most of what I want in a small car (which it does). I am not adverse to used cars, but I am picky about what type of used car I would accept. It would have to be low mileage (less than 50K), in great cosmetic shape, and all the proper documented services done (including changing transmission fluid every 40K). Most people don't treat their cars well, so it pays to be paranoid/OCD when checking them out.

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[Runethecursed]

The funniest part is that i got a call today from a dealer saying theyll cut me a cash check for my car, I said, uhh are you sure? its.. highly specialized and the woman was like. yes we saw your ad and it seems fun.

took it down there

they wouldnt buy it. couldnt offer me even scrap pricing on it. I packed up and said dont call me again.

[SirDigby]

the worst thing about a new car is the tax and the plates! i think new plates and tax ran me like +$600 in 02. (45 days after dropping thousands down payment)

[Dodge Aries K]

I bought a new Yaris because I needed to get out of my shit Hyundai for one and I wanted to own a new car once... be the only person to ever drive it and stuff (I know it's been driven plenty being moved around, loaded, unloaded, etc) but once was enough. I don't even drive the poor thing myself almost ever... I think I put 2400 miles on it now and I've owned it over a year and a half.

[kevinj93]

Prices need to be judged relative to income.

In 1990 I bought a new Corolla AWD wagon. It compares in size to the Yaris now. Paid $25000 back then for OPTIONAL air conditioning and power steering. A new base model Yaris is better equipped, more economical and has more power. The current advertised price here is from $15990 drive away foir the base model, and from $26200 for the top of the line model . In the same time frame, my income has nearly tripled...

[mrpj]

The dealer from whom I purchased my Yaris often sends invitations to view their new and used car stock. Special deals for our existing, valued customers. This is "by invitation only and our doors will close at x time on y date for z days to the general public"."
I would assume, from that, that any member of "the general public" without an invitation will be turned away.:bellyroll:
"You wish to buy a car?", "sorry it's invitation only." :rolleyes:

[Kalispel]

Paying premium prices for crappy (to me) styling & added 'safety' & 'convenience' tech-bloat that I don't want or need, while leaving out things that I am actually interested in having, is what turns me off from car shopping today. Also, my personal tastes differ too much from the mainstream in this country, so new cars that appeal to me are now slim to none. Literally the only new car that I would consider purchasing currently would be a black 2018-2019 Yaris SE hatch - and I would have to drive at least 600-700 miles (one way) to find one. On the bright side, it being so far away keeps my new-car buying impulses in-check. :laugh:

[Runethecursed]

Bob Lutz had an article about this, more angled towards why full size trucks where starting to encroach 100k for top of the line rigs and to summarize

because people will pay for it

that's why. As long as there's money to be made by buying cars at higher and higher prices, companies will keep selling them, we already know companies can produce and sell stuff for under 20k and you take a "hit" on commodities, but they aren't really hits. 10 years ago no one had back up cameras, 20 years ago multiport injection was still brand new and relatively wonky.
technology has grown exponentially since then (30 years ago was almost the 90s. and we still had carburetors back then) but as such prices kept creeping up because sales where to be had

UNTIL RECENTLY
as we are seeing companies like Ford duck out of certain segments because it's a wash.


id love to be part of Subaru right now...


If you are so inclined follow the link to the article about the 100k dollar truck
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a22511439/how-the-dollar100000-pickup-came-to-be/

[mirapatec]

New cars are expensive, I agree. However, knowing you are the first owner, as well as knowing every fuel up was made with quality gasoline, and periodic maintenance appointments were made with qualified mechanics, have provided me with peace of mind over the years.

I also receive the offers in the mail about buying my car and paying less per month than I do now... blah, blah... All that is just generic marketing from corporate. Ignore it and keep enjoying your Yaris.

My dealership knows I service both my Toyota vehicles with them as scheduled. I even drop by every few weeks to drink coffee and even test drive a vehicle for fun. They are really nice folks at Franklin Toyota.

If it is allowed, here is their website: https://www.franklintoyota.com/

[2008RedHatch]

Buyers have been complaining about new car prices since the 70's/80's recessions. Once $10,000 was considered "too high"!.

Main reason costs are up is demands from wealthier buyers. They want the "latest and greatest" features, and stripped new cars with only a CD player [once a luxury] don't sell well. Why buy a stripped one for same price as well equipped used one?

[Runethecursed]

that therein is the fallacy of modern car buying prices

you CAN buy a striped out for around 15k, that will get you a warrenty, good gas milage, a dry safe place to operate, and will last a while

consumerism dictates people don't WANT that, which is why we are seeing a rise in sport compact UV's and CUV's (which are just lifted hatchbacks, prove me wrong) and they start from 20-40k depending which.

like I mentioned Lutz wrote an article about the 100,000 dollar pickup truck and why it exists

I think its just consumer selfish intent saying I Deserve to have a car that farts whatever scent I want so i will pay the 50k cost over 8 years and then complain about the cost of cars.


i think I'm more bitter about the lack of sporty wagons...

Link takes you to an article I wrote about car ownership

https://wheelwell.com/posts/7s4e/

[sherlockholmes]

The funniest part is that i got a call today from a dealer saying theyll cut me a cash check for my car, I said, uhh are you sure? its.. highly specialized and the woman was like. yes we saw your ad and it seems fun.

took it down there

they wouldnt buy it. couldnt offer me even scrap pricing on it. I packed up and said dont call me again.

From where I live, that 09 Yaris price is above 8k. Yes, dollars.

[jayeh]

the worst thing about a new car is the tax and the plates! i think new plates and tax ran me like +$600 in 02. (45 days after dropping thousands down payment)

Try paying 12% on a new car up here!