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Are We Witnessing The Demise Of The Affordable Car?

R_Willis

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Its sad $55-75k is the new $15-35k.
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LaBalbe

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So it is doable. I haven't really checked out car/EV prices in a while now mostly just trucks. I guess good is subjective but anything that isn't like one of those ugly Cubes. They look like a clown car. lol

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My sister was looking at the Juke back in 2012, and they had a Cube in the showroom, so we sat in it just to see what it was like. Comfiest damn seats I've ever experienced in a car; they were more comfortable than any couch either of us have ever owned. We both agreed that they were just too comfy! We'd be genuinely worried about falling asleep on longer trips.
 
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AzScorpion

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My sister was looking at the Juke back in 2012, and they had a Cube in the showroom, so we sat in it just to see what it was like. Comfiest damn seats I've ever experienced in a car; they were more comfortable than any couch either of us have ever owned. We both agreed that they were just too comfy! We'd be genuinely worried about falling asleep on longer trips.
Well they had to add something to attract buyers. The outside alone sure wouldn't do it for me. lol
 
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AzScorpion

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This just came up on my homepage. $1,000/month car payments are becoming the new normal because of higher auto prices and also higher interest rates. It's only going to get worse as the Fed continues to raise rates at the next 3 meetings. This is also going to lead to many defaults over the next several months to a year.

https://www.barrons.com/articles/car-prices-loans-auto-stocks-gm-ford-5aa102cd?siteid=yhoof2

The result of all that: More than 15% of consumers that financed a vehicle in the fourth quarter are paying more than $1,000 a month for their car loan, according to automotive data provider Edmunds. That’s the highest that percentage has ever been.

“Our sense remains that U.S. real consumption growth is going to meaningfully disappoint into the sharpest Fed tightening cycle in more than 40 years,” adds Senyek. “The recent rise in auto and subprime delinquencies is a troubling early warning sign.”

The struggles for car buyers and owners likely won’t end soon, either, as interest rates for new and used car loans are ramping higher. The average interest rate for a used car loan is approaching 14%, according to automotive data provider Cox Automotive. The average interest rate for a new-car loan is now north of 8%.
 


MXGOLF

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This just came up on my homepage. $1,000/month car payments are becoming the new normal because of higher auto prices and also higher interest rates. It's only going to get worse as the Fed continues to raise rates at the next 3 meetings. This is also going to lead to many defaults over the next several months to a year.

https://www.barrons.com/articles/car-prices-loans-auto-stocks-gm-ford-5aa102cd?siteid=yhoof2
Shit my house payment is way less than that even with the taxes. How can anyone afford vehicles, houses, apartments now days. I am glad I am pretty well set. I have my Ranger, 1999 Taco and Yamaha FZ6 and my awesome tent trailer all paid off and a great house that I still owe on but not a big deal. I guess the only thing I need is a woman but then again maybe not. LOL
 

Trigganometry

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I always looked at vehicles as a way to get from point A to B. It’s absolutely the worst investment you can make. In some cases, “ahem guilty” a money pit. I’ve been in a Ranger for decades and they’ve been good to me. Fits my needs and easier on the wallet. Would I like nicer? ? Sure but not for what they’re asking.
 

D Fresh

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Mazda CX-5 - great AWD affordable car and you can get a NA engine with more than enough power and a nice 6 speed tranny that is bullet proof. Very nicely equipped in the 36-37 range, not cheap but lower trims certainly are in the low 30s.
We have a NA 2.5L CX-5.

"More than enough" is a lie. That thing is a slug. It suffices for the wife, but anybody getting a CX-5 should definitely go turbo. It was not available when we bought ours or I would have.
 

Clank

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But you have airbags all over the place in newer vehicles. And pre-collision, not sure if that's an option or not.
A lot of cars have it as standard, but not all. It should be though, items that decrease deaths should not be an option. I know that brings some increase in price, but not the 30K increase that we have seen over the recent years
 
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AzScorpion

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Shit my house payment is way less than that even with the taxes. How can anyone afford vehicles, houses, apartments now days. I am glad I am pretty well set. I have my Ranger, 1999 Taco and Yamaha FZ6 and my awesome tent trailer all paid off and a great house that I still owe on but not a big deal.
When I had a mortgage mine was too Mark! Heck even my truck payment now is under $300 and that's without putting anything extra down. They gave me a great deal on the Ranger and also had 0% plus I traded in my Tacoma. Only darn thing it was good for was holding a high trade in value and that's why kept my payments low. lol


I guess the only thing I need is a woman but then again maybe not. LOL
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Clank

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We have a NA 2.5L CX-5.

"More than enough" is a lie. That thing is a slug. It suffices for the wife, but anybody getting a CX-5 should definitely go turbo. It was not available when we bought ours or I would have.
My dad has a turbo CX 5 and I had a CX 3. Mazdas are a terrific bang for your buck car. They might not have the best 0-60 times but the experience of driving them is just so much more fun than their competitors. The steering is precise and quick, you get a lot of feedback through the wheel, and the engines have a decent amount of low end power to get you going.
 

D Fresh

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My dad has a turbo CX 5 and I had a CX 3. Mazdas are a terrific bang for your buck car. They might not have the best 0-60 times but the experience of driving them is just so much more fun than their competitors. The steering is precise and quick, you get a lot of feedback through the wheel, and the engines have a decent amount of low end power to get you going.
I agree completely.

We are very happy with our CX-5. It's my wife's daily and meets her needs We've had it for over 6 years now. But I couldn't drive it on the regular. It's okay off the line, but drop the hammer on the freeway and it's gonna be a bit.

Their transmission tuning makes it bearable. But 185 hp is not "more than enough" in my book.
 

Clank

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I agree completely.

We are very happy with our CX-5. It's my wife's daily and meets her needs We've had it for over 6 years now. But I couldn't drive it on the regular. It's okay off the line, but drop the hammer on the freeway and it's gonna be a bit.

Their transmission tuning makes it bearable. But 185 hp is not "more than enough" in my book.
Definitely not “ more”. It reminds of driving the Acura RSX. From 0-40 in an instant but 40-60 was leisurely.
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