The ever constant rising cost

[DEADLY FORCE]

I know the technology, hp, quality, style, safety and inflation have all gone way up in the last decade. The rise of car prices in the last 10 years have doubled. If you look at the avg annual inflation of 4%, then it makes sense. Although I'm fortunate enough to say that my pay has also doubled, I still can't justify the pricing on the top of the line cars these days, as for me, ten years ago wasn't that long ago and I remember buying that brand new 2004 SVT Cobra below MSRP for 32 grand.

I won't be getting with the times. I would rather fatten up on my investments for retirement. I will enjoy my MMR built forged engine, Roushcharged 2011 base model GT that I paid 26 grand for brand new in 2010 which I slowly modded to my liking and will have fun beating/chasing the new Hellcats and such.

Weird being somewhat the old guy now. I'm only 32, but I've been in the muscle car game for the last 15 years. I do think of all the money I could have better spent/invested. It was hell of a lot fun though!

How does everyone justify it these days, paying such high prices? I know financing helps...

 

[Mr. Mach-ete]

As much as I drool over some of the new cars hitting the street I can never justify spending the coin they want.

 

[SLVRBLT]

As much as I drool over some of the new cars hitting the street I can never justify spending the coin they want.

+1 I will stick to used cars for a long time.

 

[Crimson2v]

All of our cars are paid for and I do not intend on getting into another car payment for a long time. I would love to get a truck but the prices on even used ones are ridiculous, looking at 20-25k for a truck with 60k on them insane. The new trucks are way overpriced. Hopefully prices will come down one day, because my pay has not increased as much as prices of items has.

 

[STAMPEDE3]

^^Agree with all of the above.

 

[hoamskilet]

Yeah, I've pretty much gotten to the point I'm gonna drive my truck until it starts nickel and diming me to death

 

[HEMIHUNTER]

+65,000 for me too

 

[Double"O"]

I cant get over the 40k price tag on 1/2 ton pickup trucks...silly. then there are loaded ones for near 60k! For a damn half ton!!!
F that

 

[spitin venom]

Vehicles will continue to go up. Especially with all the regulations and technology people want in them. Honda Civic starts at almost $20,000. That's cray.

 

[crfrider16]

All of our cars are paid for and I do not intend on getting into another car payment for a long time. I would love to get a truck but the prices on even used ones are ridiculous, looking at 20-25k for a truck with 60k on them insane. The new trucks are way overpriced. Hopefully prices will come down one day, because my pay has not increased as much as prices of items has.

I'm in the same boat. Have an 05 Silverado that I want to replace in a year or so. Been looking at rams and f150's. They are just out of control. My plan is to just find the best deal I can on a sub 50k, few year old lease return or trade in.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

My work took away scheduled overtime and I may never equal my 2008 income again. I have to keep the cars I have and pay off my house. Im 50 so financial stability is the most important that it has ever been.

 

[snakedoctor]

I bought a new raptor last year at under sticker and that will be the last new vehicle that I buy. Prices are out of hand. I can get a 2000 Cobra R, and a 87 Grand national to add to my collection for the price of a new top of the line Truck or 14 Shelby

 

[OhIIICobra]

Vehicles will continue to go up. Especially with all the regulations and technology people want in them. Honda Civic starts at almost $20,000. That's cray.

Actually government regulation can take much of the thanks for higher costs.

The people didn't hit up the manufacturers to install airbags, TPMS, Electronic Stability Control, glow in the dark trunk handles, EPA mandates, & whatever else the nanny state determines a vehicle needs to protect you from you.

 

[CobraRed01]

Actually government regulation can take much of the thanks for higher costs.

The people didn't hit up the manufacturers to install airbags, TPMS, Electronic Stability Control, glow in the dark trunk handles, EPA mandates, & whatever else the nanny state determines a vehicle needs to protect you from you.

Sure...but the government hasn't required:
Multipurpose LED displays and electronics packages
Automated parking, braking, and accident avoidance modes
Heated leather seats and mirrors
400 to 600hp
etc, etc, etc...

PLUS....
Large screen TV.. and the cable cost required to run them
Smartphones and the 4G data package required to run them
Bigger homes, grills, kitchens, appliances.......
Astronomical increases in health care (even before the ACA), and the cost of college, energy to run all the cool stuff
etc, etc, etc, etc...

Point is, we have sooo much extra sh-- in our lives you didn't need 20 to 30 years ago...which includes the cost of ownership. Call it "budget creep". It is significant....especially if your wages/income is flat. It is so seductive to want stuff we may have afforded once, but can't replace.. and worse..now have to do without. It feels like your losing. Ever notice how food package portions are getting small...and then they tell you less is better for you? As long as you are willing to pay more for less.

As a note, prices double in 10 years @ 7%.. but remember the compounding factor.

 

[01GTB]

With age comes wisdom. And for the kid in you, unfortunately maturity brings responsibility. Dad always had nice cars, but nothing over the top. Some might have said he spent too much on automobiles. But I could never understand why he didn't buy a 68 Shelby or Corvette before I was born. Looking at it from my 20 year-old eyes it seemed like an opportunity missed. A few years later it made perfect sense as I purchased a F350 XL for $26500 instead of the King Ranch. And the 2013 GT base model instead of the GT500.

 

[Givens]

Being responsible sucks sometimes, I've got to buy my wife a new car in May when she graduates from nursing school. It wont be new something low mileage under 25k. There all expensive!!

 

[01Jes]

How does everyone justify it these days, paying such high prices? I know financing helps...

Because some people are like fish, they want the new shiny sparkly led loaded vehicle. Finance it for 7~8 yrs and do it all over again in 3.
Not me I'm a cheap whore now.

 

[Steve@TF]

i cringe when i hear people paying $1k a month, for one vehicle. im sure that's a mortgage payment for many folks here.

i finally saw a 2015 5.0 vert on the road yesterday. i just kept thinking, that car may have cost $50k! :uh oh:

by the time my son is old enough to drive a focus will be $50k

but it will probably protect you in case you drive off a cliff so....

 

[RedRocketMike]

Some cars have maintained reasonable prices. I have the window sticker for a 95 Accord LX Sedan and it is $17,700, an equivalent Accord 20 years later has an MSRP of 22,800. The destination charge has doubled though, and that 95 was built in Japan.

 

[OhIIICobra]

Sure...but the government hasn't required:
Multipurpose LED displays and electronics packages
Automated parking, braking, and accident avoidance modes
Heated leather seats and mirrors
400 to 600hp
etc, etc, etc...

PLUS....
Large screen TV.. and the cable cost required to run them
Smartphones and the 4G data package required to run them
Bigger homes, grills, kitchens, appliances.......
Astronomical increases in health care (even before the ACA), and the cost of college, energy to run all the cool stuff
etc, etc, etc, etc...

Point is, we have sooo much extra sh-- in our lives you didn't need 20 to 30 years ago...which includes the cost of ownership. Call it "budget creep". It is significant....especially if your wages/income is flat. It is so seductive to want stuff we may have afforded once, but can't replace.. and worse..now have to do without. It feels like your losing. Ever notice how food package portions are getting small...and then they tell you less is better for you? As long as you are willing to pay more for less.

As a note, prices double in 10 years @ 7%.. but remember the compounding factor.

And I would argue that nobody needs any of that other stuff you mentioned, just as they didn't need it 30+ years ago. It's called people love to live beyond their means. I mentioned the specific government mandated parts in my previous post because they drive up the cost of the most stripped out base model car.