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What a weird critique. American or not, if you don't have a car you're probably not in the target market for a CarThing I purchased mine without any intent on

What a weird critique. American or not, if you don't have a car you're probably not in the target market for a CarThing I purchased mine without any intent on using it in a car, and in fact I never did, but it was clear that I was engaging in out-of-bounds behavior in doing so.

Macha 2y ago
The American assumption is that cars are purchased new, and are recent enough to have integrated android auto/carplay.
- bmelton 2y ago
  Or it means that the people who can afford fast phones and expensive internet are capable of buying a $300 car stereo with AA/CP capability. My 2001 Jeep Wrangler has both
  - yareal 2y ago
    My phone plan costs $14/month and could power music indefinitely at high speeds. Notably, it's something I already have and already pay for. $300 more for a new stereo is still a lot to many people. Plus, if I buy beater cars but put a nice stereo in them I'm at risk of theft. And I have to pay install fees again if I buy my next beater.
    - bmelton 2y ago
      This just further illustrates OP's point, of how very limited this market segment must be The buyers of this product are people who: - spend enough time in their car to want streaming audio - spend money on phone and internet - have a desire to improve their car to have streaming audio - but not enough to replace the car - and also not enough to replace the stereo - but definitely enough to pay money to add it - and are willing to remove the item they are paying for every time they leave the car to prevent its attractiveness to thieves
yareal 2y ago
The parent didn't say "no car" they said "cheap car". Most people can't afford to buy new cars.
- bmelton 2y ago
  I was recently looking at starter cars for my daughter as a college graduation present, and I think you'd be surprised how far down-market those features have moved. A brand new Toyota Corolla is $22k and comes with both. For older cars, you can get a nice stereo for $300. If you aren't an audiophile, probably $100.
  - devilbunny 2y ago
    I drive a 20+ year old SUV, mostly just for commute. It’s too noisy to bother with a good stereo. You can get a Bluetooth-capable stereo with hands-free microphone for around $100, and while I haven’t yet installed it, I just bought a 7” screen double-DIN stereo for under $300 that has (wired) CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus a backup camera. It even has ports for a front camera if you want one, though you’ll have to buy it separately. That’s a huge capability upgrade for very little money, and not at a discount retailer either. I got it from Crutchfield, whose value proposition is extensive installation advice and lifetime tech support from actual experts based in the US.
    - Aaargh20318 2y ago
      > I just bought a 7” screen double-DIN stereo for under $300 that has (wired) CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus a backup camera $300 is more than I spend on gas each year. Not worth it.
      - fragmede 2y ago
        What does the price of gasoline have to do with whether or not it's worth it. You have to spend that on gas regardless, so why not have a nice screen while you're doing that driving that you have to do anyway for?
Aaargh20318 2y ago
> What a weird critique. American or not, if you don't have a car you're probably not in the target market for a CarThing It wasn't about having a car or not. It was the assumption that if you have a higher income you are automatically willing to spend a sizeable chunk on it on a car. Not all people are as obsessed with cars as the average American. I do pretty well for myself and I can think of a thousand things I'd rather spend my money on than on a car.

Macha 2y ago

The American assumption is that cars are purchased new, and are recent enough to have integrated android auto/carplay.

bmelton 2y ago
Or it means that the people who can afford fast phones and expensive internet are capable of buying a $300 car stereo with AA/CP capability. My 2001 Jeep Wrangler has both
- yareal 2y ago
  My phone plan costs $14/month and could power music indefinitely at high speeds. Notably, it's something I already have and already pay for. $300 more for a new stereo is still a lot to many people. Plus, if I buy beater cars but put a nice stereo in them I'm at risk of theft. And I have to pay install fees again if I buy my next beater.
  - bmelton 2y ago
    This just further illustrates OP's point, of how very limited this market segment must be The buyers of this product are people who: - spend enough time in their car to want streaming audio - spend money on phone and internet - have a desire to improve their car to have streaming audio - but not enough to replace the car - and also not enough to replace the stereo - but definitely enough to pay money to add it - and are willing to remove the item they are paying for every time they leave the car to prevent its attractiveness to thieves

yareal 2y ago

The parent didn't say "no car" they said "cheap car". Most people can't afford to buy new cars.

bmelton 2y ago
I was recently looking at starter cars for my daughter as a college graduation present, and I think you'd be surprised how far down-market those features have moved. A brand new Toyota Corolla is $22k and comes with both. For older cars, you can get a nice stereo for $300. If you aren't an audiophile, probably $100.
- devilbunny 2y ago
  I drive a 20+ year old SUV, mostly just for commute. It’s too noisy to bother with a good stereo. You can get a Bluetooth-capable stereo with hands-free microphone for around $100, and while I haven’t yet installed it, I just bought a 7” screen double-DIN stereo for under $300 that has (wired) CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus a backup camera. It even has ports for a front camera if you want one, though you’ll have to buy it separately. That’s a huge capability upgrade for very little money, and not at a discount retailer either. I got it from Crutchfield, whose value proposition is extensive installation advice and lifetime tech support from actual experts based in the US.
  - Aaargh20318 2y ago
    > I just bought a 7” screen double-DIN stereo for under $300 that has (wired) CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus a backup camera $300 is more than I spend on gas each year. Not worth it.
    - fragmede 2y ago
      What does the price of gasoline have to do with whether or not it's worth it. You have to spend that on gas regardless, so why not have a nice screen while you're doing that driving that you have to do anyway for?

Aaargh20318 2y ago

> What a weird critique. American or not, if you don't have a car you're probably not in the target market for a CarThing It wasn't about having a car or not. It was the assumption that if you have a higher income you are automatically willing to spend a sizeable chunk on it on a car. Not all people are as obsessed with cars as the average American. I do pretty well for myself and I can think of a thousand things I'd rather spend my money on than on a car.