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user removed · 07-15-2013, 07:06 PM

The car companies have been pushing options for so long they aren't even options anymore. All that crap falls apart and you toss out a decent car because it is not worth the cost of replacing a power window regulator on the drivers door (required for inspection).

They make 100% profit on options, about 20% on the most basic vehicle as an average, maybe even less these days.

I think there is a transformation coming and the company that builds basic transportation may actually be ahead of the optionaholics. I always told my customers when you buy an older car the fewer options the better.

Look at the price of a used Toyota Echo, the most basic transportation you could get from Toyota from 2000-05, even manual steeering, windows, and God help us, NO AC.
They couldn't sell them in 2005, but oh have times changed since then. Maybe they need to reconsider the low priced basic transportation vehicle, if they want young customers.

There may be a niche in the 3 wheel tadpole trike market for commuters. That's one reason I am building one, also it is considered a motorcyle instead of falling into the car category which would require crash testing which would be cost prohibitive for any small fry wanting to build a vehicle.

regards
Mech

07-15-2013, 07:06 PM	#34 (permalink)
user removed Master EcoModder Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,927 Thanks: 877 Thanked 2,024 Times in 1,304 Posts	The car companies have been pushing options for so long they aren't even options anymore. All that crap falls apart and you toss out a decent car because it is not worth the cost of replacing a power window regulator on the drivers door (required for inspection). They make 100% profit on options, about 20% on the most basic vehicle as an average, maybe even less these days. I think there is a transformation coming and the company that builds basic transportation may actually be ahead of the optionaholics. I always told my customers when you buy an older car the fewer options the better. Look at the price of a used Toyota Echo, the most basic transportation you could get from Toyota from 2000-05, even manual steeering, windows, and God help us, NO AC. They couldn't sell them in 2005, but oh have times changed since then. Maybe they need to reconsider the low priced basic transportation vehicle, if they want young customers. There may be a niche in the 3 wheel tadpole trike market for commuters. That's one reason I am building one, also it is considered a motorcyle instead of falling into the car category which would require crash testing which would be cost prohibitive for any small fry wanting to build a vehicle. regards Mech Last edited by user removed; 07-15-2013 at 10:10 PM.. Reason: wife yakking "DINNER IS READY"