Average Transaction Price Soaring

Quote: AZDuffman

Few cars even sticker below $20. The Mirage is for those who just need a reliable car.

There are at least three models whose base trim is under $15K but the Mirage is particularly underpowered even among those three. Yes, I would worry about entering a limited access highway.

2021 Mitsubishi Mirage/MSRP From $14,295 has 76 horsepower 0-60 MPH 12.6 sec
2022 Chevrolet Spark/MSRP From $13,600 has 98 horsepower 0-60 MPH 10.7 sec
2021 Nissan Versa/MSRP From $14,980 has 122 horsepower 0-60 MPH 9.7 sec

30 years ago there were a lot of underpowered vehicles and I think drivers were more cautius. Nowadays nobody expects a car that can't get up to speed.

Sales in first 6 months of 2021
41,321 Nissan Versa
19,260 Chevrolet Spark
13,723 Mitsubishi Mirage

Compare to the most popular compact cars (in 2021)
155,531 Toyota Corolla
152,956 Honda Civic

Exports to the United States of the Toyota Corolla began in March 1968 at about US$1,700 ($13,500 today) with a 60 hp or 65 hp engine. The Corolla would end up surpassing the Volkswagon Beetle for the title of Best selling Car in the world). The 44 million milestone was reached in 2016. However, the model type has been different over the years.

Quote: rxwine

I’ve never owned more than mid-range priced cars and some econo models. But I have yet to get one I’d label a “ lemon”.

I’m not a car guy AT ALL. Give me a decently priced mid-size sedan that is reliable and I’ll be happy for years.

Quote: ams288

I’m not a car guy AT ALL. Give me a decently priced mid-size sedan that is reliable and I’ll be happy for years.

Same, except I prefer a large SUV mostly for safety reasons.

Quote: gamerfreak

That’s the other thing with these MSRPs

For economy cars, the base model MSRP will often not include things like automatic transmission, air conditioning, power locks, etc.

They never actually carry any inventory without those basic features, but they can still advertise the barebones MSRP.

For years a dealer near me advertised dirt cheap cars. $6800 for a Cavalier back in the day, something like that.

They would have ONE on the lot. The ad had the VIN and a disclaimer in like 2 point type for a few seconds on the screen.

Eventually the AG made them stop.

I'm at a Ford dealership in North Dakota.
They only have 2 unsold brand new cars on the entire lot
Both small cars in the indoor showroom
Amazing
Nothing outside brand new
I looked over the used trucks available
All 4 wheel drive and high trim levels
What I don't want
If interested, 2 wheel drive, low trim level

Quote: gamerfreak

Same, except I prefer a large SUV mostly for safety reasons.

When you say "large" which category would you put your preference? The industry terns seem over-inflated to me.

What they call
Subcompact seems like a smallish SUV
Compact seems like a regular size SUV
Mid-size seems large
Full size is like a truck with seats


May 2021 Average Transaction Price for non-luxury brands.
$27,351 Subcompact SUV/Crossover
2021 Mazda CX-30
2021 Hyundai Kona
2021 Kia Soul
2021 Hyundai Venue
2021 Honda HR-V
2021 MINI Cooper Countryman
2021 Nissan Kicks
2021 Subaru Crosstrek
2021 Jeep Renegade
2021 Buick Encore
2021 Chevrolet Trax
2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
2021 Toyota C-HR
2021 Ford EcoSport
2021 Buick Encore GX
2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer
2021 FIAT 500X
2022 Kia Seltos
2021 Mazda CX-3
2022 Volkswagen Taos

$31,580 Compact SUV/Crossover ranked in order of sales
2021 Toyota RAV4
2021 Honda CR-V
2021 Nissan Rogue
2021 Chevrolet Equinox
2021 Jeep Wrangler
2021 Subaru Forester
2021 Mazda CX-5
2021 Ford Escape
2022 Hyundai Tucson
2021 Jeep Cherokee
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
2021 Ford Bronco Sport
2021 Kia Sportage
2021 Jeep Compass
2021 GMC Terrain
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander
2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
2021 Ford Bronco

$43,095 Mid-size SUV/Crossover
2021 Kia Telluride
2021 Chevrolet Traverse
2021 Honda Pilot
2021 Hyundai Palisade
2021 Mazda CX-9
2021 Honda Passport
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
2021 Kia Sorento
2021 Dodge Durango
2021 Toyota Highlander
2021 Buick Enclave
2022 Subaru Ascent
2021 Ford Edge
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2021 GMC Acadia
2021 Nissan Murano
2021 Ford Explorer
2022 Chevrolet Blazer
2021 Toyota 4Runner
2020 Nissan Pathfinder
2020 Dodge Journey
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
2022 Nissan Pathfinder
2021 Volkswagen Atlas

$68,970 Full-size SUV/Crossover
2021 Ford Expedition#1
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 Nissan Armada
2021 Toyota Sequoia

Quote: Pacomartin

When you say "large" which category would you put your preference? The industry terns seem over-inflated to me.

Mid-sized SUV’s. My last 2 cars have been used highlanders.

Pretty much the only cars I would ever consider driving (at my current level of income) would be a Toyota Highlander/4Runner, Ford Explorer, or Mazda CX-9.

I could probably be convinced to go with something smaller if money is tight (and the market still crazy) next time I go to purchase. My fiancé has a Jeep Compass that I like more than I expected. I have also rented a RAV4 and a CX5 and loved both.

If money was no object, I’d probably get a full size SUV.

The only 2 brand new cars unsold at the dealer i am at
Ford Ecosport

Quote: gamerfreak

If money was no object, I’d probably get a full size SUV.

That seems insane. A Toyota Sequia is basically a modified Toyota Tundra pickup truck with a 5.7 liter V-8 and 13 mpg for city driving.

Who needs that unless you are rescuing a group of children in a post apocalyptic city full of zombies.

Somebody is buying them however. First 6 months of 2021 sales
61,460 Chevrolet Suburban
50,935 Chevrolet Tahoe
47,508 Ford Expedition
42,317 GMC Yukon
14,894 Nissan Armada
4,338 Toyota Sequoia

US News and World Report picks the American brands in this category over the Japanese brands.

Quote: Pacomartin

That seems insane. A Toyota Sequia is basically a modified Toyota Tundra pickup truck with a 5.7 liter V-8 and 13 mpg for city driving.

Who needs that unless you are rescuing a group of children in a post apocalyptic city full of zombies.

I’ve written about it a bunch of times, but I am overly anxious about car travel and perceive bigger to be better in terms of safety.

I say perceive because crash test data between the categories you listed is not evaluated. People also try to argue that SUV’s are less safe than sedans because of the increased rollover risk, but I am not really buying that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_safety#Transport_comparisons

The fact that bus travel is almost as safe as air travel is really convincing to me that bigger/heavier = safer.