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I don't even own a car but probably would buy one that cheap. The problem is that we're on Hacker News and aren't representative of the general car buying popul

I don't even own a car but probably would buy one that cheap. The problem is that we're on Hacker News and aren't representative of the general car buying populace. Many people spend more than 50% of their gross salary on cars because it makes them happy. Manufacturers are giving the public what they want and what people want is bigger cars with more amenities, hence the change in price [1]. Also, as somebody else pointed out, if you value transportation more than signaling then you buy used. > "It's one banana, Michael. What could it cost, $10?" I didn't buy a new car until I was well into my 20s and have driven multiple vehicles that were worth no more than their scrap value. That line would probably work better on somebody else, that is, somebody that hasn't apprehensively poured K-Seal into their leaking radiator when they had $600 in their checking account. [1] https://www.newsweek.com/americans-can-no-longer-afford-their-cars-1859929 https://www.newsweek.com/americans-can-no-longer-afford-thei...

bluGill 1y ago
Why buy a basic cheap car when you can get a not very old luxury car for the same price?
- RandomBacon 1y ago
  Because it's probably going to be a lot cheaper to fix basic cars than luxury brand cars (part costs, availability of mechanics that work on those cars)
- Glyptodon 1y ago
  Is there a used luxury model that you can highlight a low TCO for? IE < $20k, won't gulp gas, won't need to see the mechanic except for regular oil change type stuff, won't cost arm and a leg if you do need repairs? Or a $20-$25k used model that will compare favorably to something like a new Corolla? Can't tell if I'm missing something or not, but I've never seriously thought that some random used BMW would seriously be cheaper to operate than a boring car unless cars were my hobby.
  - dzonga 1y ago
    a used lexus. but there's a premium for used lexuses. but they still go on forever with little maintenance i.e just oil change. e.g https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/JTHAA1D2XM5117028/2021-lexus-is/?position=0&returnTo=%2Fused-cars-for-sale%2Flistings%2Flexus%2Fis%2F&sourceType=marketplace&sponsored=true https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/JTHAA1D2X...
    - Glyptodon 1y ago
      Interesting - just a cursory search but it looks like excepting two listings almost every used Lexus > 2019 model year in my area is above $29k, and mostly > $30k. What is going to be noticeably better from a Lexus like this as compared to a new Corolla? (Like I don't doubt that they're nicer, but is it just less obviously plastic and more faux leather?)
Glyptodon 1y ago
I hate dealing with cars and I hate status signalling, and car maintainence, and buying used and buying new are both miserable IMO, and don't have a clear front runner for comfortable low risk purchase that doesn't look like it's way too expensive (anchored by my concept of what cars should cost relative to median income). My current >13 year old purchased new car has done better than my previous used car. But it's probably not because it was new, so much as because my previous Used car had high mileage and succumbed to the environment. And buying new felt super weird. But now I look at the market and no matter which you buy it seems miserable.

bluGill 1y ago

Why buy a basic cheap car when you can get a not very old luxury car for the same price?

RandomBacon 1y ago
Because it's probably going to be a lot cheaper to fix basic cars than luxury brand cars (part costs, availability of mechanics that work on those cars)
Glyptodon 1y ago
Is there a used luxury model that you can highlight a low TCO for? IE < $20k, won't gulp gas, won't need to see the mechanic except for regular oil change type stuff, won't cost arm and a leg if you do need repairs? Or a $20-$25k used model that will compare favorably to something like a new Corolla? Can't tell if I'm missing something or not, but I've never seriously thought that some random used BMW would seriously be cheaper to operate than a boring car unless cars were my hobby.
- dzonga 1y ago
  a used lexus. but there's a premium for used lexuses. but they still go on forever with little maintenance i.e just oil change. e.g https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/JTHAA1D2XM5117028/2021-lexus-is/?position=0&returnTo=%2Fused-cars-for-sale%2Flistings%2Flexus%2Fis%2F&sourceType=marketplace&sponsored=true https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/JTHAA1D2X...
  - Glyptodon 1y ago
    Interesting - just a cursory search but it looks like excepting two listings almost every used Lexus > 2019 model year in my area is above $29k, and mostly > $30k. What is going to be noticeably better from a Lexus like this as compared to a new Corolla? (Like I don't doubt that they're nicer, but is it just less obviously plastic and more faux leather?)

Glyptodon 1y ago

I hate dealing with cars and I hate status signalling, and car maintainence, and buying used and buying new are both miserable IMO, and don't have a clear front runner for comfortable low risk purchase that doesn't look like it's way too expensive (anchored by my concept of what cars should cost relative to median income). My current >13 year old purchased new car has done better than my previous used car. But it's probably not because it was new, so much as because my previous Used car had high mileage and succumbed to the environment. And buying new felt super weird. But now I look at the market and no matter which you buy it seems miserable.