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Also is it just inflation, or are cars more expensive now? A Camry is in the mid-20s? Why not buy a 5 year old 5 series or Lexus at that price?
Even two year old Camry's are over 20K, so even used is expensive:
2009 Toyota Camry 4dr Car XLE (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/2201515240.html - broken link)
Part of it is inflation, part is simply the level of equipment considered to be "basic" anymore. We want cars that are more powerful AND more fuel efficient AND more emissions friendly, as well as protecting us from everyone else around us AND still be comfortable. And the gap between a "luxury" car and a middle of the road sedan has narrowed, as far as equipment and standard features is concerned. The smaller and smaller differnces come at a greater and greater cost to make. so what may be an incremental improvement from one car to the next will have an exponentially greater cost of manufacture.
Part of it is inflation, part is simply the level of equipment considered to be "basic" anymore. We want cars that are more powerful AND more fuel efficient AND more emissions friendly, as well as protecting us from everyone else around us AND still be comfortable. And the gap between a "luxury" car and a middle of the road sedan has narrowed, as far as equipment and standard features is concerned. The smaller and smaller differnces come at a greater and greater cost to make. so what may be an incremental improvement from one car to the next will have an exponentially greater cost of manufacture.
"we want"? I have never seen a poll or been asked what I'd like in a car...
With an MSRP of $122, 875 I'll pass on this car, rather have this for 100 grand
"we want"? I have never seen a poll or been asked what I'd like in a car...
you are one of millions, who all vote with our wallets.
Quote:
Originally Posted by superseiyan
Also is it just inflation, or are cars more expensive now
i don't know. it is a good question. In the 2000's boom, we had inflation of pretty much anything that is bought with borrowed money, like real estate and college tuitions. a lot of new cars are bought with borrowed money, and so demand for cars grew strongly.
it is hard to expand the capacity of schools and build new houses, so the prices rose. With cars we can just crank out more of them, and we did. Automakers expanded capacity during the 2000's boom, which brought more cars to market which kept the prices from skyrocketing like they did in other items.
"we want"? I have never seen a poll or been asked what I'd like in a car...
Sure you have, it's called "what sells." People buy what they want, and if they don't want it, it wont' sell (see, Aztek or modern station wagons). Annual sales figures ARE the poll asking what "we want." Sorry, but that's how it goes. Since cars have to be designed and developed up to 5 years before they go on sale, ASKING you directly woudl mean the manufacturers are 5 years behind the curve, as the public is reactionary, and the manufacturer has to be pro-active. Thus they study buying habits and trends to get ahead of the curve, and so they know what you want before you do. They have to, otherwise it's a costly mistake (again, see the Aztek).
Also is it just inflation, or are cars more expensive now? A Camry is in the mid-20s? Why not buy a 5 year old 5 series or Lexus at that price?
Even two year old Camry's are over 20K, so even used is expensive:
2009 Toyota Camry 4dr Car XLE (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/2201515240.html - broken link)
That '09 Camry XLE seems a little overpriced with that kind of mileage (51K). Then again, it's in the DC area, so I can't be too surprised. I could skip the leather and navigation system and settle for that '07 SE on the bottom (with the SAME engine as the XLE) for a little less money (and miles).
I could also get this '08 XLE for $1.5 less with 33K miles
That '09 Camry XLE seems a little overpriced with that kind of mileage (51K). Then again, it's in the DC area, so I can't be too surprised. I could skip the leather and navigation system and settle for that '07 SE on the bottom (with the SAME engine as the XLE) for a little less money (and miles).
I could also get this '08 XLE for $1.5 less with 33K miles
Merc made a good point though, that basically even Camrys (midsized sedans) have parts and "amenities" that cost $$$ that are expected to be standard now, that used to be only for luxury vehicles.
Are GPSs standard on midsized cars yet? (Fusion, Camry, Accord, Maxima, et al).
Merc made a good point though, that basically even Camrys (midsized sedans) have parts and "amenities" that cost $$$ that are expected to be standard now, that used to be only for luxury vehicles.
Are GPSs standard on midsized cars yet? (Fusion, Camry, Accord, Maxima, et al).
While the XLE trim if the highest you can possibly get for a Camry, that price does seem high. (I guess you're paying extra for the leather trim and the GPS/Navigation....)
A four year-old LE trim Camry, on the other hand, can be had for less than $18K.
I have to say, $18-20K still seems high for a 7-9 year old E65 7-series, or a 6-8 year old E60 5-series. Not to mention, there's a '91 E31 8-series for almost $19k--Really?!
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