4 ms·

It's annoying that most cars today start in the 40's, what happened to basic budget cars? Personally, I just want a reliable and safe car, not a flashy one, and

It's annoying that most cars today start in the 40's, what happened to basic budget cars? Personally, I just want a reliable and safe car, not a flashy one, and given the CA mortgage I carry, I have no interest in indulging in frivolous expenditures.

somerandomqaguy 2y ago
If I had a guess? A lot of people asking, "Why buy a new cheap car when you can spend the same money on one that's off a 2 year lease that is much nicer equipped?"
bagels 2y ago
Margins were too low and were not made up by sales, so most of the cheap (small) cars are simply not made. People want large cars.
- anovikov 2y ago
  This. U.S. car market is saturated. Everyone has a car. There is no way to (sustainably, over a period comparable to a car's lifetime) sell more cars. So only way to increase revenue is to sell more expensive cars. This is also why homes keep getting bigger. There is no way to sell (many) more homes, so to make more, bigger ones have to be built.
  - 8n4vidtmkvmk 2y ago
    Wat? There isn't enough housing as is. Cars I can believe you on, but not housing. Give me a 2000 sqft home for under a million, I'll buy it
itsoktocry 2y ago
There are tons of cars under $40k, what do you mean? Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, Subaru, Nissan, GM, VW all make safe, basic cars well under $40k. The Honda Accord is a perennial "10 best" selection, stars under $30k. Most cars in Consumer Reports cars of the year start under $25k.
- SubiculumCode 2y ago
  Apologies. I meant plug in hybrids and evs
glimshe 2y ago
I bought a brand new Mazda CX-5 last year for 29K - and not the most basic model. Very reliable and safe. Given our safety requirements nowadays (cameras, crash resistance, air bags), and technology expectations (CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB chargers), it will be hard to make a car for a lot less than that while remaining appealing for the average buyer. Some people would be fine with a tiny barebones car, but that's a minority. I used to have one of these when living abroad and let tell you... It SUCKED. Uncomfortable and was not safe when compared even with a small sedan like the Jetta.

somerandomqaguy 2y ago

If I had a guess? A lot of people asking, "Why buy a new cheap car when you can spend the same money on one that's off a 2 year lease that is much nicer equipped?"

bagels 2y ago

Margins were too low and were not made up by sales, so most of the cheap (small) cars are simply not made. People want large cars.

anovikov 2y ago
This. U.S. car market is saturated. Everyone has a car. There is no way to (sustainably, over a period comparable to a car's lifetime) sell more cars. So only way to increase revenue is to sell more expensive cars. This is also why homes keep getting bigger. There is no way to sell (many) more homes, so to make more, bigger ones have to be built.
- 8n4vidtmkvmk 2y ago
  Wat? There isn't enough housing as is. Cars I can believe you on, but not housing. Give me a 2000 sqft home for under a million, I'll buy it

itsoktocry 2y ago

There are tons of cars under $40k, what do you mean? Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, Subaru, Nissan, GM, VW all make safe, basic cars well under $40k. The Honda Accord is a perennial "10 best" selection, stars under $30k. Most cars in Consumer Reports cars of the year start under $25k.

SubiculumCode 2y ago
Apologies. I meant plug in hybrids and evs

glimshe 2y ago

I bought a brand new Mazda CX-5 last year for 29K - and not the most basic model. Very reliable and safe. Given our safety requirements nowadays (cameras, crash resistance, air bags), and technology expectations (CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB chargers), it will be hard to make a car for a lot less than that while remaining appealing for the average buyer. Some people would be fine with a tiny barebones car, but that's a minority. I used to have one of these when living abroad and let tell you... It SUCKED. Uncomfortable and was not safe when compared even with a small sedan like the Jetta.