Small / economy car deathwatch: we've passed "peak econobox" again

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Why buy new? From what I understand:

1) Easier financing. (I've never financed anything, but I understand banks are more amenable to loaning $ for new vs. used?)

2) Security of a full manufacturer's warranty.

3) Commodity selection (pick whatever colour you like).

4) Not wanting to sit on a seat that someone else has farted in. That used car smell!

You may find some conservative Latino (other than me) to tell you a brand-new smaller car makes more sense than a previously-owned slightly bigger model, not only due to an usually lower operating cost but also as a more practical daily-driver in a space-constrained region such as big metropolitan areas with traffic jams and lack of parking spots in a crowded CBD.

[bwilson4web]

Just a purchase data point for our 2019 Model 3 Tesla:

• $41,000 Monroney sticker
• - - $1,500 blue paint, option
• - - $2,000 Autopilot, option
• $18,300 trade-in of 2017 Prius Prime
• $24,000 total cost after trade-in

The 2017 Prius Prime was a disappointment. The TSSP driver assistance would nudge back to the lane but the third 'nudge' would leave the lane with vigor. The 25 mile EV range made it a '3 stop' car in town so the '10 stop', 72 mi 2014 BMW i3-REx became the preferred car. Worse, below 55 F the control laws would force the engine to run even with plenty of battery that really pissed me off.

Today, the Tesla backlog is measured in months. Newer ones have better control laws and improved efficiency. They come with a significantly improved AutoPilot standard. Ordering from a free Tesla account, you can see what trade-in value Tesla will give for a car. In Alabama, the trade-in reduces some of the sales tax.

GOOD LUCK!

Bob Wilson

[JSH]

Buick Encore and Chevy Trax are dead after the 2022 model year

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...-discontinued/

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

The smallest new "car" available in Brazil nowadays, more accurately a light-truck according to American standards.


Looks cool enough to be sold for someone who would feel embarassed being seen driving a "normal" car of the same size...

Now let's look at a previous-generation econobox-based truck


These used to be practical workhorses for the city, and the lower TCO compared to larger trucks actually rendered them quite practical even for some rural jobs.

Nowadays a Fiat Strada is not much smaller than a 2nd-generation S10 Blazer.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

GM is scheduling a phaseout of the Chevrolet Onix at the San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico to source it from Yantai, China. The declared intention is to use the site to make the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain for export there, which is more profitable from the business standpoint.

Odd enough, after the phaseout of some previous-generation Spark derivatives in India in 2020 and the scheduled phaseout of the current-generation Spark in South Korea, there is hope coming from an unlikely place. The Chevrolet Joy, a previous-generation Onix rebadge, will have its production transfered from the São Caetano do Sul plant in Brazil to the GM Colmotores in Bogotá, Colombia. I wouldn't hold my breath for it to make its way into the United States despite a free-trade agreement with Colombia though, but it might be useful for GM to keep a strong foothold in other regions where an econobox would remain needed even after the Spark gets phased out.

https://engineeringworkarounds.blogs...-transfer.html

[JSH]

Already dead in Japan - US execution date set for 2025:

The Japanese automaker will halt U.S. sales of the Mirage, available as a four-door hatchback and a sedan, by mid-decade and exit the sedan market altogether, sources told Automotive News.

With a starting price of $17,340 including shipping, the subcompact has a singular selling point: efficient transportation at a bargain-basement price.

Cox Automotive said the Mirage was the only vehicle in the U.S. that transacted under $20,000 in July.

https://www.autonews.com/cars-concep...drop-mirage-us

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by JSH

Buick Encore and Chevy Trax are dead after the 2022 model year

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...-discontinued/

That article aged poorly

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

Already dead in Japan - US execution date set for 2025

And now the only Mitsubishi car is a rebadged Renault Clio, and exclusive to Europe AFAIK. Maybe that new SUV released in Indonesia will be somewhat of an indirect replacement for the Mirage, kinda like the Nissan Kicks was for the Versa Note?

[Isaac Zachary]

Good bye Mitsubishi Mirage!

Now good bye Kia Rio!!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news...0k/ar-AA1fG9BG

It's only a matter of time for when the Nissan Versa will be axed.

Personally I'm depressed about the situation. I don't care what people say anymore. I no longer trust clunkers. I no longer trust used cars. I no longer trust nor can afford semi-used cars. And I sure don't have the money for a new car!

[freebeard]

Personally I'm depressed about the situation. I don't care what people say anymore. I no longer trust clunkers. I no longer trust used cars. I no longer trust nor can afford semi-used cars. And I sure don't have the money for a new car!

Didn't you used to have a Beetle? They are still out there. Mine in a carport under a car cover.

I'm having pretty good luck with a 1990 Metro, even if it's like a UFO under the hood. Thousand dollar car with 200 in tires. All it needs is tie rods ends and a cat-back exhaust system. I favor a passenger side pipe so I can smoothen the underbody.

Looking forward, the only company that is cutting prices and preserving margins is Tesla. I heard it said that doubling the production numbers reduces selling price by 15%. ....each time.

Who will be first with a sub$20K bullet-proof paintless hot hatchback out of Mexico?