Ford is on a roll...$650 car!!!!!!!!!

MovingTarget

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2003
9,002
115
106
The next car company that comes up with a true 'people's car' for the American market will hit the jackpot. Add an extra zero to that price and you have the perfect price point.
 

Malak

Lifer
Dec 4, 2004
14,696
2
0
The next car company that comes up with a true 'people's car' for the American market will hit the jackpot. Add an extra zero to that price and you have the perfect price point.

Hyuandai Accent? They were selling those brand new for less than $7k.
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
Oh c'mon, my 93 taurus wasn't all beat up looking like that. Just a tad rusty :p

Very reliable car though, up until the very end of its life (but that's expected).
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
The next car company that comes up with a true 'people's car' for the American market will hit the jackpot. Add an extra zero to that price and you have the perfect price point.

I honestly can't believe that no car company has come up with a sub $8k bare bones vehicle.

No carpet on the interior, maybe vinyl or some coating on the floor, no stereo, power nothing, small and light with an engine that could be best described as 'adequate' (maybe in the 80 hp range or less).

I'd consider buying one. I keep my cars forever and the more bells and whistles a car has the more stuff can break.
 

LOUISSSSS

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2005
8,770
54
91
i agree with ^^, i'd like a cheap new car also, maybe with just a working fan blower (no ac/heat), an AM/FM + 1 speaker, and super light, with a nice body.

i def would get that over some beat up used car, you never know what other people did to their cars when you're buying used.
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
Issue is, how many people would really buy a car like that? AC I could do without (I always have really) but no heat?

I highly doubt there is much of a market for something like that. The geo metro was basically what you are talking about (though it did have a heater and carpet :p) and it was discontinued partly because of sales.
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
Issue is, how many people would really buy a car like that? AC I could do without (I always have really) but no heat?

I highly doubt there is much of a market for something like that. The geo metro was basically what you are talking about (though it did have a heater and carpet :p) and it was discontinued partly because of sales.

Honestly the Geo Metro wasn't that cheap for what you got. I'm seeing that the MSRP for the '95 hatchback was $8400.
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
Honestly the Geo Metro wasn't that cheap for what you got. I'm seeing that the MSRP for the '95 hatchback was $8400.

Only $400 more than what you were talking about in a cheap car. And it did have a heater, radio, and carpet in it to make up that extra bit :biggrin:
 

thepd7

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2005
9,423
0
0
I honestly can't believe that no car company has come up with a sub $8k bare bones vehicle.

No carpet on the interior, maybe vinyl or some coating on the floor, no stereo, power nothing, small and light with an engine that could be best described as 'adequate' (maybe in the 80 hp range or less).

I'd consider buying one. I keep my cars forever and the more bells and whistles a car has the more stuff can break.

I can't imagine who would pay $8k for a new car which didn't have any of that. I would much rather get a used car that's still reliable.
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
I can't imagine who would pay $8k for a new car which didn't have any of that. I would much rather get a used car that's still reliable.

I personally don't care too much for things that aren't necessities in the car I use for commuting and running errands. That car is just to get from point A to point B. A brand new car with a warranty and no previous owner to abuse it would be pretty attractive.
 
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LOUISSSSS

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2005
8,770
54
91
i agree, way too many used cars have unknown problems and searching months for a good one still doesn't guarantee you anything, and theres till 50% change theres shit wrong with the car.
 

l0cke

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2005
3,790
0
0
i agree with ^^, i'd like a cheap new car also, maybe with just a working fan blower (no ac/heat), an AM/FM + 1 speaker, and super light, with a nice body.

i def would get that over some beat up used car, you never know what other people did to their cars when you're buying used.

They made VW Beetles in Mexico until 2004, maybe they should have never stopped? Sounds exactly like what you are describing.
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
The biggest problem with super-cheap cars are the regulations and expectations they have to meet. A new car these days with no air bags? Probably not going to fly. No heat / defrost? Not going to be sold in the Northern states. Super-cheap, possible unreliable drivetrain? Might end up costing more in the end than the car's worth.

And then there are the small conveniences that need to be weighed against the extra cost. Power locks, power windows, etc. - even on a super-cheap car, they should still be offered as options to attract more potential buyers.

By the time you get done, you'll end up with something that looks similar to a bare bones Hyundai Accent, basic Chevy Cobalt, no-frills Ford Focus, etc. Sure, they all have some completely unnecessary creature comforts here and there (radios, speakers, AC, floor mats, etc.), but even if you removed all of them and changed the price to reflect the savings, I'd bet you still wouldn't be all that amazed at the price. And once again, a used car that's much nicer can still be found for similar cash.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
I honestly can't believe that no car company has come up with a sub $8k bare bones vehicle.

No carpet on the interior, maybe vinyl or some coating on the floor, no stereo, power nothing, small and light with an engine that could be best described as 'adequate' (maybe in the 80 hp range or less).

I'd consider buying one. I keep my cars forever and the more bells and whistles a car has the more stuff can break.
None in their right minds would buy something like that when there are billions of used cars on the market with plenty of life left.
i def would get that over some beat up used car, you never know what other people did to their cars when you're buying used.
Generally I have found that they drive them, just like you do. People who are overly fearful of used cars are why the rest of us can get such nice ones at a great price.
i agree, way too many used cars have unknown problems and searching months for a good one still doesn't guarantee you anything, and theres till 50% change theres shit wrong with the car.
No there isn't, but keep spreading the fear. It lets me buy a car with few miles at a huge discount off MSRP with lots of factory warranty left. Thus not only is it unlikely there is anything wrong with the car but if there is it will be fixed under warranty anyway.