Yeah, there are definitely more entry level models now, but I feel like that hasn't really brought prices down that much taking inflation into account. Another

Yeah, there are definitely more entry level models now, but I feel like that hasn't really brought prices down that much taking inflation into account. Another issue not mentioned is that new cars have grown in complexity (electronics) immensely and have therefore become less easy for one to repair and less reliable at the same time. Anecdotally, a friend of mine had an early '10s Fiesta that was a total lemon (transmission issues were widespread with these).