New car prices are out of control

[OverVolt]

I agree with the 'people buy more than they can afford' sentiment. But I think most logical people do...

However, car prices are not 'out of control.' If you think that, IMO, you demands are out of control. I'm pretty sure car prices have been moving down, not up.

If you go back and adjust for inflation, I don't think you're going to see decent, reliable cars with power windows, locks, anti-theft, 6 airbags, A/C, 4+ speaker AM/FM/CD/aux-in stereos...things we all accept as 'standard'...for what they cost now. I paid 14k for a 2011 Versa (before someone crashed into it and totaled it...) that had all that stuff. There were also Hyundais and Kias available. Toyotas and Hondas were a tad more.

Go look at some 90's cars and be stunned by the shitheap you could waste 15-20k on.

You haven't been to a dealership lately lol.

Its hard to get something below MSRP.

 

[Capt Caveman]

You haven't been to a dealership lately lol.

Its hard to get something below MSRP.

For select popular models. Majority of vehicles, you can get them below MSRP.

 

[rh71]

You haven't been to a dealership lately lol.

Its hard to get something below MSRP.

what? what brand?

 

[Naeeldar]

You haven't been to a dealership lately lol.

Its hard to get something below MSRP.

2013 Audi S4. $450 above invoice...

 

[TheSlamma]

I don't know what you are saying OP.. everyone should sink huge money into depreciating assets

 

[PhoKingGuy]

2013 Audi S4. $450 above invoice...

Echo that

2011 BMW 335i (in 2011)

600 below invoice.

 

[OverVolt]

Hmm, they were trying for ~$1k above MSRP on Hyundai. This was around 6 months ago. Just my experience I guess.

Most people I know have the "want a new car" itch. You NEVER cave in :awe: The best deals are had when no one else is buying and the worst deals are had when everyone else is buying. Its just a rule. I feel like buying a car right now is a bit of a ripoff.

 

[rh71]

Hmm, they were trying for ~$1k above MSRP on Hyundai. This was around 6 months ago. Just my experience I guess.

Most people I know have the "want a new car" itch. You NEVER cave in :awe: The best deals are had when no one else is buying and the worst deals are had when everyone else is buying. Its just a rule. I feel like buying a car right now is a bit of a ripoff.

Hyundai tried to pull that crap on us too citing color rarity (white) on an Elantra that they had to search the east coast for. Either that or wait till they got more in stock. Such BS. We got the Sonata available immediately under MSRP instead. The price difference was neglible between the 2 cars.

Truecar.com says some have gotten an Elantra under MSRP though most are close.

 

[z1ggy]

Even used cars are still expensive! I was looking for a lightly used WRX, 2011... and I found some that were MORE expensive than brand new 2013's in some places around here. Talk about price gouging!

And I think about the ratio of income to $$ spent on a car is relative. For a person like me who makes about $70k/yr, but has a mortgage and student loans still, I could probably only afford $300/month as a max car payment. I could probably afford a car worth $30k, but only if I sold my current car and then put about 3-4k down as well. I think if you spend a lot of time in your car, maybe it's worth it to splurge a bit if you know you plan on keeping the car for 7-10 yrs. But if you don't drive it a lot, or don't spend much time in it in general...I'd take my money and spend it on upgrades and renovations to one's house.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Even used cars are still expensive! I was looking for a lightly used WRX, 2011... and I found some that were MORE expensive than brand new 2013's in some places around here. Talk about price gouging!

Used car market has been and is currently very hot (thanks to recession).

I am surprised how well new car market is doing though.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Heh, 19 years, 203k miles...does that count?

14 years 150k
13 years 110k
12 years 100k

It sure does.

 

[cliftonite]

Still driving my 2004 Civic DX with roll down windows lol. Will probably get the Ford escape later this year.

 

[highland145]

14 years 150k
13 years 110k
12 years 100k

It sure does.

IIRC, paid $17K for the Prelude in 1990. That's .08/mile. Only got rid of it because the AC died and I wasn't spending $900 to have it replaced. Best car I ever had.

 

[dbk]

Still driving my 07 Honda Fit with 70k miles (zero problems). I bought it used with 16k miles for $12.5k back in 09 (tremendous deal). KBB say $9k (so high). Really want to switch up to a TL SH-AWD or a G37x. Maybe a used 09 model around $23k with like 50k mi.. Can't justify the purchase since my Fit has been paid off already. Gas, insurance, car payment - my expenses would go up too much. I could prob drive the Fit for 2-3 more years. EWWW

 

[Fritzo]

what? what brand?

Try to get a Ford Focus ST, a Subaru BRZ, a VW GTI, or any of the hot hatches below MSRP and the salesman will show you the door.

Things like minivans or SUV's probably wouldn't be a problem though.

 

[Fritzo]

Used car market has been and is currently very hot (thanks to recession).

I am surprised how well new car market is doing though.

8 year loans are driving the new car market. It's the new lease bubble.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Try to get a Ford Focus ST, a Subaru BRZ, a VW GTI, or any of the hot hatches below MSRP and the salesman will show you the door.

Things like minivans or SUV's probably wouldn't be a problem though.

When I got my GTI in 08 it was about 1k below invoice.

Friend just priced out a GTI out last week in SoCal right at invoice. He said Ford was offering about 500 above invoice on the ST as well.

When we bought our 2012 ML350 about 2-3 months after they were released it was about 300 above invoice.

It depends all on how you shop.

 

[SSSnail]

Try to get a Ford Focus ST, a Subaru BRZ, a VW GTI, or any of the hot hatches below MSRP and the salesman will show you the door.

Things like minivans or SUV's probably wouldn't be a problem though.

What? You didn't know ATOT is full of people that can buy cars at half of MSRP? While getting money back from financing at -1.5%?

 

[IronWing]

Show me yours.

1988, 279K

 

[PricklyPete]

14 years 150k
13 years 110k
12 years 100k

It sure does.

Holly crap grandpa... ;-)

 

[ShawnD1]

What? You didn't know ATOT is full of people that can buy cars at half of MSRP? While getting money back from financing at -1.5%?

I bought my car with Midas Muffler Points

 

[IronWing]

I bought my car with Midas Muffler Points

^^This is so full of win.

 

[lxskllr]

^^This is so full of win.

I'm using this to keep from quoting a picture... What are you gonna do when your car dies; Minivan? AFAIK, they don't make decent wagons anymore. When I was looking for one used, everything I saw had too much cancer, so I settled on a Cherokee. Almost as good as a wagon(better in some ways), but loading takes a lot more thought.

 

[Fritzo]

When I got my GTI in 08 it was about 1k below invoice.

Friend just priced out a GTI out last week in SoCal right at invoice. He said Ford was offering about 500 above invoice on the ST as well.

When we bought our 2012 ML350 about 2-3 months after they were released it was about 300 above invoice.

It depends all on how you shop.

All of the new models can't be kept in stock. Pretty much if they have to order it, you're paying full price.

 

[DrPizza]

To each their own - whatever makes them happy. But in my opinion, if you can't pay it off comfortably in 3 years, you shouldn't be buying it. (Though, with 0-2% financing, it may make sense to finance it for a longer time.)