Why is the Can Am Spyder so expensive?

[nexus5rocks]

It has no roof, doors, cage and other niceties which even the most basic economy car offers for about the same price ($18k).
Only 3 wheels so one less axle/brake/rotor/wheel/tire. The engine is under 1000cc, smaller than just about every car sold today in NA.

And on top of that, you look like a huge dork riding one (see Bieber). But apparently they're selling pretty well which is surprising given the price.

 

[rommelrommel]

Low production, low part interchangeability, etc. Can't compare to a econocar, I would look more to the motorcycle world for pricing relevance.

 

[MiataNC]

It's priced like a premium brand (BMW, Ducati, Aprillia, etc.). It isn't that much more expensive than bigger Japanese bikes (Sport or Cruiser), and it is a hell of a lot cheaper than the typical Harley.

 

[WT]

I'm curious to see how this Polaris Slingshot compares to the Can Am once they are available. I see the retail price has risen from it's mid 17's early intro to almost 20k now that it's closer to release:

http://www.polaris.com/en-us/slingshot

 

[JulesMaximus]

I guess they handle well and are fun to ride but I've never tried one out.

I'll keep my far less expensive Ducati.

 

[xBiffx]

Why are Apple products so expensive? There are much cheaper alternatives.

Basically, it's all about what people are willing to pay.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I guess they handle well and are fun to ride but I've never tried one out.

Pretty fun, reminds me of a snowmobile. They are priced way too high for what you get though.

 

[BoberFett]

I took a Harley Street Glide out for a test ride a month or two ago. $25K and that thing only had two wheels. That's $12.5K per wheel. The Can Am has three wheels, so that's only $6K per wheel. The Can Am is a steal.

Or maybe you need to compare apples to apples.

 

[Jumpem]

Toys are expensive. You can spend $13k on a Can-AM ATV, and $21k on a Can-Am side by side.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I took a Harley Street Glide out for a test ride a month or two ago. $25K and that thing only had two wheels. That's $12.5K per wheel. The Can Am has three wheels, so that's only $6K per wheel. The Can Am is a steal.

Or maybe you need to compare apples to apples.

I can't honestly compare it to a motorcycle because I've never ridden the Can Am or any three wheeler for that matter but just speaking from vehicle dynamics it is a lot heavier than a motorcycle and they don't make a whole lot of power so I'd bet that it isn't anywhere near as fast as my bike but it probably does handle reasonably well. Still, nothing compares to leaning a bike over on a fast sweeping turn.

I don't really compare Harleys to anything. They are heavy, they are slow, they are ugly and they are ridiculously expensive. I wouldn't buy a Can Am and I definitely wouldn't buy a Harley.

 

[andylawcc]

Low production

low volume means less Can Ams out there to absorb the fixed Overhead and R&D cost.