We all know that "creature comfort" for vehicles has increased drastically over the last few years. However along with those comforts has came a huge price hike. It is common to now see full size trucks, SUV's and luxury vehicles topping the 80K price range. So would you rather have vehicles with less "creature comforts" like there used to be and pay 1/2 the price or are you okay with paying the exorbitant prices for new cars to get the bells and whistles?
I have a would you rather scenario that I am curious to find out the answer to.
- Thread starter Ryan Lemonds Hair
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I guess I don’t understand your question. You say full size trucks, SUVS, and luxury vehicles. Although all cars are more expensive you can still get cars on the cheaper end. So it seems to me you’re asking people that are spending lots of money on large luxury vehicles if they are ok spending it or if they want to go cheaper, but if they wanted to go cheaper wouldn’t they be doing that anyway?
No I was just using those as an example as they are over $80K but even a midsize car such as a Camry XSE can exceed 40K and a midsize SUV such as a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander can exceed 50K. Heck a Toyota Corolla is around 30K now. I was just curious, no matter your price range, if you prefer to pay more to have amenities or if you would be okay without so much technology and cheaper prices. I guess I am referring to cars more along the lines of Pre 90's stuff when computer chips and everything power become prevalent.
Cars = huge waste of money.
I have never paid more than $34K for a car, and my last two were a Lexus and a Mercedes (A220 model), i.e., pretty nice cars. Plenty of bells and whistles, gets me from point A to point B, XM radio, bluetooth, etc. I don't work out of my vehicle, like some folks do, e.g., Construction, which could change the equation, but for the average Joe, I would 10 to 1 rather have the extra money invested in other things.
I have never paid more than $34K for a car, and my last two were a Lexus and a Mercedes (A220 model), i.e., pretty nice cars. Plenty of bells and whistles, gets me from point A to point B, XM radio, bluetooth, etc. I don't work out of my vehicle, like some folks do, e.g., Construction, which could change the equation, but for the average Joe, I would 10 to 1 rather have the extra money invested in other things.
I’ve driven fully loaded cars and cars with manual windows and locks. Give me the lower price.
The only features I must have are AC and Bluetooth capability. Everything else is an unneeded bonus.
The only features I must have are AC and Bluetooth capability. Everything else is an unneeded bonus.
I saw the other day that the new Kia mini van has an option for power reclining 2nd row seats.
I saw the other day that the new Kia mini van has an option for power reclining 2nd row seats.
Living in a Kia van down by the river might not be so bad.
AC and a stereo system are all I need.
And my stereo is completely dead in my car, so currently I have a little bluetooth speaker in my passenger seat that I use for music
And my stereo is completely dead in my car, so currently I have a little bluetooth speaker in my passenger seat that I use for music
Most of my adult life I could only afford used cars or cars with no extras. That was mostly due to prioritizing spending on raising two daughters and paying a mortgage. I’m an empty-nester now and am living in a house that paid for. I totally enjoy having a new vehicle with all the extras.
My current SUV and my previous one had heated seats, heated steering wheel, navigation, backup camera, blind spot monitoring, voice activated infotainment synced to my phone, heads-up display, selectable drive modes. Love these options, and not sure I could ever go back to a car without those.
My current SUV and my previous one had heated seats, heated steering wheel, navigation, backup camera, blind spot monitoring, voice activated infotainment synced to my phone, heads-up display, selectable drive modes. Love these options, and not sure I could ever go back to a car without those.
They only thing that I pay up for is the engine. My current car is an Audi A6. I got the six cylinder 330 horsepower engine over the standard four cylinder. It was an extra $6,500 but it also came with more standard items like backup camera, navigation, etc. I generally keep a car for 10 years to spread out the cost as cars are terrible investments..
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I have never paid more than $4,000 for a car, and never owned a car with fewer than 140,000 miles. I don't need all the bells and whistles. I have driven vehicles with them and while they're nice, they don't move the needle for me.
I was a valet driver for a few months in 2019. I saw some pretty bad *** cars. But honestly the only feature that was really like "HOLY CRAP I WANT IT!" was an SUV that had an overhead view when you were backing out. The parking garage we were using was not meant to be used as a parking garage (Embassy Suites in downtown louisville. The parking garage is private and beneath the building. 100+years old). Everything space was super tight and a few inches from a column. Got into a gigantic Escalade and had no idea how I was gonna get it out of there. Started it up and then all of a sudden on the dashboard I had an overhead view of the SUV and it showed every other car and poll in that place. It showed how far away I was and what way to turn the wheel to avoid such things. It was awesome
Wish I had it in that van I totally f&$ed up a few weeks before...
I've got both a fully loaded and a minimalist vehicle.
Under the current plan, in a few years we'll all be driving EVs full of Chinese chips and rare earth elements. You'll then drive as you are allowed.
Under the current plan, in a few years we'll all be driving EVs full of Chinese chips and rare earth elements. You'll then drive as you are allowed.
Man, was really hoping this was the "**** your dad or **** your mother" kind of Would You Rather question.. kind of let down, honestly.
Back to the topic:
Driving has changed for us, so it's hard to say. We both work from home and that likely isn't changing anytime soon. I've been itching for a new car as I've been off payments for about 3 years. Was close to pulling the trigger on an XC60 or XC90.. but just can't justify it. I'm in the car for about 30 minutes a week. Driving maybe 20 miles. Why have a $500+/month car payment.
I also only need a decently new interior. Been with the same Mazda interior for 8 years and I'm fine with it. It's the safety features I love: backup camera, blind spot monitoring, etc. As long as I have those and can hook up my phone with ease.. im good.
Driving has changed for us, so it's hard to say. We both work from home and that likely isn't changing anytime soon. I've been itching for a new car as I've been off payments for about 3 years. Was close to pulling the trigger on an XC60 or XC90.. but just can't justify it. I'm in the car for about 30 minutes a week. Driving maybe 20 miles. Why have a $500+/month car payment.
I also only need a decently new interior. Been with the same Mazda interior for 8 years and I'm fine with it. It's the safety features I love: backup camera, blind spot monitoring, etc. As long as I have those and can hook up my phone with ease.. im good.
I want a few bells and whistles, but at some point it's parked 23 hours or so per day, so price matters.
Great question, we are looking to trade in our 11 year old vehicle for a new SUV. I got some sticker shock for sure. We usually put quite a few miles on a car in a year visiting my wife's family and doing a few trips a year. Traditionally we have bought more of a base model without all the bells and whistles. I've always said that I'd love to splurge on a top of the line vehicle at some point, but its just not my nature.
My 10-year old self (noted car guy) would be pissed off about how little I care about cars today. I want t a loaded Ford Expedition, but at $70K I can't justify it. And I could make $1M a year and still feel that way.
I'd PREFER hand cranked windows.
A/C and hand cranked windows are literally all I need/want.
(I haven't had a car payment in over 12 years. Yes, I drive cheap/crappy cars, but not paying each month for them makes it all worth while, and is one of several reasons, that, now retired, I don't have to get another job unless I want to.)
A/C and hand cranked windows are literally all I need/want.
(I haven't had a car payment in over 12 years. Yes, I drive cheap/crappy cars, but not paying each month for them makes it all worth while, and is one of several reasons, that, now retired, I don't have to get another job unless I want to.)
I looked the other day and it was like $72K... but I guess once they get you on all the extras it will be around $80K.
It hasn't been that long ago that in my small town you could buy a decent house for that much money.
I agree with this sentiment. It's those who buy more car than they can really afford just to "show off" that are getting burned.
My situation allows me to buy any car I want and I own (or my business owns) 6 vehicles, but my everyday is an 8 year old car with 94K miles on it. I keep saying I want to upgrade, but must not be serious because I haven't done it yet.
Not having a car payment is absolutely amazing. Almost like a piece of financial stress is completely lifted.
Yes. I make more money now than I ever have. But I still feel broker than I was 5 years ago because I wasn't making any car payments
I don't want to go back to my youth sitting on a vinyl bench seat and having poor air conditioning......however, I really dislike loaded out vehicles. Leather is either hot/sticky.....or it's cold/slippery......it's never comfortable. Most uber luxuries I'll never use nor can stand. Maybe it's my blue collar upbringing, but I don't want super luxury.......and I can afford it.
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Only comfort I have to have is A/C. The vehicle I drive now doesn't have power windows or locks.
What's even more a shame is people who look at the monthly payment only. Put as much as you can down and pay more monthly with the extra going to principal. I chose the less amenities option btw. Wife has a nice 2017 truck. My 04 is still kicking. Will drive it until the next big repair, then will sell it and get me an older well taken care of Tundra.
I do like newer things like heated seats, bluetooth and back up cameras but really nothing in the last 5 years makes me think I have to have that item. I can't see myself spending extra for any of those new things so just give me an older car with limited items and I'm good.
The vast majority of my driving is too and from work, which is like a 5-minute commute. I'm not in it enough to even really use fancy stuff. Though, it would be nice to have the ability to start it from my phone so I can warm it up or cool it down before I get in.
Bluetooth and backup cams have been nice.
Bluetooth and backup cams have been nice.