So why do you think there are no cheap basic cars being sold new?

[jray3]

Originally Posted by ThePrudentNinja

Never seen a $20K vehicle sell for $5K within a few years. Usually seems to take a decade unless something is SERIOUSLY wrong with it.

That's where the market is seriously screwed up with respect to electric cars. The best deal out there is a used 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV for $6500-$8500. These cars were as high as $35000 three years ago, but since then Nissan has pushed a race to the bottom on EV MSRP and new buyers are incentivized by the $7500 federal tax credit, which makes most EVs cash-flow positive in year one, and crazy $99/$199 lease deals are now flooding the market with late model used EVs.
A LEAF can be had for barely more than $12k. Mitsu has a smaller battery capacity with superior design and longevity, though Nissan has largely made up for their engineering shortcomings with a guaranteed $5k battery replacement offer that Mitsu remains mum on.

We're talking about near zero maintenance vehicles that are the most efficient cars ever and are more fun to drive daily than anything with an engine, but most buyers are too dim to realize that an EV could work for them.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

$5000 seems to be a hard target, but $7000 seems more achievable if there was a federalized version of, let's say, the Fiat Palio

[ksa8907]

Personally, i would not buy a primary vehicle that was not comfortable and safe (no im not getting into that debate again, we all have opinions). And honestly, why would you buy a brand new stripped down car when you could get a 5 year old car with some nice options for the same price?

Here's a good question, would you buy a $5k sport bike brand new or 3 years old for $3k? Seems if your goal is to save money, new is not your best choice.

[SDMCF]

Originally Posted by ksa8907

Seems if your goal is to save money, new is not your best choice.

Most people have multiple goals, one of which may be to save money. After all, if saving money were your only goal you would walk. In reality we all compromise to try and meet goals involving cost, comfort, reliability, utility, style or whatever else we consider to be important.

I have bought new cars and I have bought used cars, depending on what best met my needs at the time. When I bought my current car I intended to buy new but found a 1-year old car which had only been driven 5,000 km so I bought that. I would't buy a mega-cheap car as primary transport because I need a car that can be comfortable and reliable for high milages in fairly adverse conditions and I don't believe that is possible on the cheap.

[2000mc]

Originally Posted by ThePrudentNinja

Never seen a $20K vehicle sell for $5K within a few years. Usually seems to take a decade unless something is SERIOUSLY wrong with it.

2012 Chevrolet Impala LS 3.6L FWD Auto White $3895
Of course, 1/4 million miles probably has a lot to do with it. Think msrp would of been around 25k

[wdb]

Originally Posted by freebeard

The dollar buys 1/10th what it did in the 40s and 1/5th what it did in the 60s, when the Beetle was 'under $2000 again'

Two thousand 1965 dollars will buy you a 2015 Nissan Versa at the very least today, possibly much more.

Measuring Worth - Relative Value of the US Dollar.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by ksa8907

Personally, i would not buy a primary vehicle that was not comfortable and safe (no im not getting into that debate again, we all have opinions). And honestly, why would you buy a brand new stripped down car when you could get a 5 year old car with some nice options for the same price?

It's a matter of priority. Some people would rather buy a random no-frills car with less features because they associate it to a lower maintenance cost, cheaper replacement parts, some positive influence in the fuel-efficiency, whatever are their priorities. Others also object the reliability of an older vehicle.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by wdb

Two thousand 1965 dollars will buy you a 2015 Nissan Versa at the very least today, possibly much more.

Measuring Worth - Relative Value of the US Dollar.

Last time I checked a silver 1964 US quarter was bringing 14 times face value for the silver content which was 75% of face value when minted.

I think silver price has collapsed since then but still about 10 times face value for 3/4 of that value in silver.

regards
mech

[whatmaycome14]

I don't think it would sell. The majority of consumers WANT something more expensive.
The only argument I can make that I feel supports this (I'm exhausted and can't think...) is by asking this question:

Why aren't the majority of motorcycle riders flocking to buy 250cc motorcycles?

I think most people want to feel like they're getting something special/valuable. Heck, even my own wife says that she would like to have a "brand new car" someday...

Where I have never spent more than $6500 on a car EVER.

[Xist]

I cannot imagine ever purchasing a new car. People who insist they need to buy new often claim that if you get a used car, you end up paying for a new one with repairs. Well, fifteen years of repairs may have totaled the MSRP of my Civic.

Learning can be expensive.