The $25k car is going extinct?

Post by smeej » Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:36 PM UTC

Ray20 wrote: post #499

AnthonyMouse wrote: post #429

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I am surprised no one mentioned the 'SUV loophole' of US regulations that effectively boosted the SUVs (off-road vehicles are classified as non-passenger automobiles with everything that entails, notably much less stringent emission standards) and made the small cars unprofitable to make in comparison. This has become the irrelevant part because "does it have an electric motor in the powertrain" has become more imp…

>People who can do the math realize that paying more up front for a hybrid or full electric is paying less long-term. Can they? In long term maintainability decides. And hybrids usually has it with maintainability pretty bad. Large area of potential breaking, expansive spare parts usually with strong vendor-lock. Hybrids are very costly in maintainability, even if you are privileged elite that buys hybrid and in two…

Post by thijson » Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:37 PM UTC

a_c wrote: post #431

BanterTrouble wrote: post #382

I work on my own cars now (as a hobby really) and one of the reasons the new cars are so expensive is they are much more complicated. A lot of this seems to be over-engineering IMO. This is alluded to in the article, but not explicitly stated. The cars I work on are from the early 90s and everything is very simple to understand. e.g. Electronics are normally simple circuits that aren't much more complicated than what…

Any recommendation how to start learning repairing a car? I have absolutely zero experience. A friend of mine said just learn to change a tyre first and I have been procrastinating since.

Post by criddell » Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:38 PM UTC

oblio wrote: post #291

xyzzy123 wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the way most people rationalise it, it's a pre-requisite for having a job. So it's income-generating and therefore morally ok to take out a loan for it.

Which is just so many degrees of insane that it's even hard to list all of them.

Post by tuna74 » Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:42 PM UTC

DanielHB wrote: post #370

jcmeyrignac wrote: post #266

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Europe, the average age for buying a new car is 50. This means that most of the cars sold are second-hand. Most people think that the car is a luxury and prefer to focus on their home first, then their family, and after that, their car.

I am from Brazil and although most cities are 100% built around cars, public transportation IS an option and mostly works and is (somewhat) affordable. Unlike the US, if a place is 1km away as the eagle flies you can get there by walking ~1.5km max. And there are bus services and although often overcrowded or with low service, they do run and you can plan your life around them. Yet everyone still buys a car as soon a…

Post by dominicrose » Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:43 PM UTC

mxfh wrote: post #371

A_D_E_P_T wrote: post #328

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's true that affordable European models are disappearing. The average mid-range offering from, say, Volkswagen, has become quite surprisingly expensive. But this is why Chinese cars are taking over in Europe. Half the new cars I see are from Geely, BYD, Chery, etc. These average about 20,000-25,000 EUR new. My own opinion, having looked into the matter a bit, is that you'd have to be insane to buy a Volkswagen or B…

Just because they are not heavily advertised, doesnt mean they don't exist. Dacia Sandero/Duster/Spring exist. (Renault) Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 108, (VW up!.) Considering Volkswagen Group: With a choice of Skoda Fabia/Seat Ibiza/VW Polo you would go for Skoda or Seat, not the VW brand itself if you dont care about marque but price. But prestige is a huge factor still, so people would still go for an overpri…