Frank: You slay me sometimes!
Christ: I see your side too, and it opens up a whole new vantage of looking at things. Just a few minutes ago I left my Dentist office and parked next to my Cobalt XFE was a Pontiac G5 (the "brother" of the Cobalt). These cars really are that common here, but I fully understand they are NOT to be seen on the roads in other parts of the country, and I guess our personal perceptions feed debate. Thus the debate here. But I see no need to take it any further, I just do not see where anything could be won, nor any real points be made at this point. (imho)- it has came time for a close.
Note: BTW- When speaking of $40,000 I was speaking in terms of cash OR credit. It's fairly poor region here, and most people are happy to be able to get a down payment on a used car that's over 5 years old, they do this not because they do not want a new car but because they do not have enough money nor credit to swing it (for the most part).