Ok, so I know I am getting older, but WOW . . . I am outta touch for prices of cars. . . I mean used to be you could find something "nice" you could drive and fix little things on, for about $10k . . . not anymore ! YIKES . . . when did A bodies get so expensive ?!?!?! . . . And do you "drive" em with that much $$$ invested ??? I mean for the price of a "nice used" modern (say 5yr old??) rig, you might be able to find something "nice" in the old machines . . . Guess BJ & Mecum have taken the bar way up ????

Just my old brain ramblings . . .

Cheers,

Mark

A gallon of milk doesn't cost a nickel anymore either.

You can find 99-04 Ford mustangs and 98-02 Camaros pretty easily these days

I agree with the op
I found myself needing to buy another one that could haul 2 kids in car seats, and I still can't get over having to pay $3500 for what is now a 20 yo Durango when 10 years ago I bought one just as nice for $2200 which at the time was only 12 years old.

Then to add insult to injury the miserable state of Illinois bent me over big time on license and title.... I'm still steaming about that aspect. I never imagined that would skyrocket to the extent it did.
It "only" cost me $416 to license and title a 2003... Fuckers...

Money is being devalued so people are putting it into other things as investments. Even average parts are way up. Guys now want $100 for a dirty SB Mopar timing chain cover. Used 350 Chevy core engines that used to sell for the standard $150 now guys are asking $300-400 for them. There is no supply and demand at play with these parts as they are easy to get. I can still get this stuff in the junkyards with a little digging at the old days prices with a return/exhange warranty if I wanted to.

I doubt this is some sort of muscle car resurgence as before Covid disrupted the economy the older people in the hobby were slowly ditching their old cars and buying new Challengers ect ,or just getting out of old cars altogether. I think people are just buying these projects and parts and plan to flip it later for more money down the road. I wonder if any of them have a clue what metal replacement and a new paint job costs? If they did they might not be paying so much for some of these projects you see for sale.

Before we moved across country, I was buying 2003 to 2005 Neons all needing some work. And never paid over $1000 for anyone. Fix and flip them in the $25-2800 range all day every day

Ive looked out here the past year or 2 and the only ones I can find are 200k mile cars that are junk. Still needing work and asking $1000-1500

Bought one this spring for $2200 put maybe 4-500 into it. Sold it in a day for $3000 to the 1st one that looked at it. Deep down I could have got the $3250 I had it listed for.
Finding good ones is tough .

All used vehicles are expensive unless I try to sell one, still can't figure that out...

Inflation is a thing.

A brand new 1969 Charger went for $3,600 or so sticker price back in the day. That's the equivalent of about $30K in 2023 calculating for inflation.

Sure the auction hype has the really nice ones much higher than that, but you can find nice B-Bodies for $30-$45K. So not too far off.

Prices are definitely insane.

I was contemplating selling one or two cars to offset the cost of finishing another one but I'm afraid to let go of anything because I'd never be able to get another at these prices. It's also why I put money into repairing my 2004 Dodge Ram several years ago. When I bought it new it was heavily discounted to $23,000 with a sticker of $36,000. I was looking at used at the time & found it in the paper for less money than 2 to 3 year old trucks with about 30,000 miles. I never saw anything ever again with that price discount.

When my son was in his last year of high school my truck was starting to rust in the typical places & also in need of a few expensive mechanical repairs so I started looking at new ones. I changed my mind because I wasn't going to take on a truck mortgage with college tuition at the same time. I bought cheap body parts off ebay, had my body guy repair the rust & paint the back of my truck, got the mechanicals done & spent around $6000 total. Now, 5 years later it still runs great & looks presentable for a 20 year old truck. I'm going to keep driving it until I can't because prices now are even worse.

Tell me about it. Looking at a new job, Ill have to supply the work vehicle if I go that route.

Wow, stuff is expensive. Though I did hunt up a Caddy CUV that would do the job for a reasonable price. Not sure what insurance would cost though.

I still have my 92 D150 I bought new back in 92 , I still have the window sticker it listed for $14,900 with rebates and discounts I paid around $12,000... my 21 Ram 1500 listed for over $50,000 , I paid around $45,000 ! now they are well over $60,000 equipped about the same .

30 years quadrupled the cost? Sounds about right.

Oh my gosh so true, and parts too!!!!

Have you seen the “meme” where someone went to a store and bought the same things that were bought for $20 in the old 1990 movie “Home Alone”?

Today that list of stuff costs $79 or more.

A Milky Way candy bar cost 5 cents in 1952.
Check today’s price.

A bet some here remember the billboards with $ 1999 for a Ford Maverick

Seems things went up a lot starting August 15th, 1971.

When I sat down with my co-signing dad to order a '69 Road Runner hardtop RM23 at our local "hometown" Plymouth dealer in the early spring of 1969 the base price was $3083 for the CAR. That $3083 wouldn't get you a "Preferred Option Package" in most vehicles today, go figure.

It is only “temporary”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/briand...ich-has-lived-in-infamy/?sh=511a9794581a

Would MAYBE pay the tax.

Median income for men in 1969 was about $6,430. Guys buying Road Runners were probably making significantly less than that. Big purchase.

They figure a 1969 dollar today is the equivalent of $8.20. So that car would be $25,281.00 today. Still cannot buy much today for that money.

I am shocked no one has mentioned the equipment that is now standard that used to be optional. PS, PB, cruise, PW, PL, A/C, carpet, styled wheels, all of that used to be options. The "stripper" of today was the "loaded" version of yesterday. All of that has driven the cost up.

I kinda started this thread, in regards to "old iron" . . .thinking how you could find something for $5k and it would be ok to drive as is, and then with a little bit of $$ and work, it would be "nice' . . . . seems like all you would find for $5k today, is a total project starting from scratch . . .

Prices have gone up with diminishing supply. They'll fall again with diminishing demand as those of us from that era die off.

A 5k car in January 69 was a Cadillac. Today it should be 43,100. That’s using the government bs inflation rate, so really it should be less than that. Little bit of tech can be factored in, so the new car is “worth” more in some sense, just not what they cost today. Since 1980 companies have increased their profit margin by 65% average on all products. I saw that just a few years ago. Personally I blame all the consolidation that has been allowed for that, it harms consumers, but we dispensed with antitrust regs long ago.

Very true.

I agree .. very true! my 92 is pretty stripped , roll up windows, no carpeting , does have a/c ... my 21 1500 has electronic stuff I still haven't figured out !.. I really like the back up camera though .. makes hooking up the trailer so easy !

Stripped. lol My 51 Plymouth is stripped. Manual brakes, manual steering, manual transmission, roll up windows, no radio, no AC (does have the OPTIONAL heater), no outside mirrors, no seat belts, no airbags.

Let's not forget no radial tires, no gas shocks, no halogen head lights, no rear window defroster, no windshield defroster, no multi-speed or intermittent wipers, no collapsible steering column, no safety glass, no 4-wheel discs, no tinted glass, no emergency 4-way flashers, no side door reinforcement bars, and no 12v battery or do you?

Lots of frippery it doesn't have.

Only issue I have is that I am not sure what the smartest thing in the car is, me or my smartphone, lol.

True. And to make matters worse, there's no such thing as a stripper unless you get some bare bones subcompact.

Why not a nice basic midsize car? Anybody tried to buy a basic work truck lately?

I'm not into all the power accessories and ac. So I'm out of the new car market because nothing appeals to me anymore.

Dealers don't stock bare bones vehicles so if you want one you generally have to order it. Business still buy batches of all white pickups with vinyl floors and roll up windows, but Joe Public typically wants their new pickup to be loaded up with all the trash. If you want a new stripped down model it's best to find the fleet salesman first and see what they can locate. Regular sales guy is going to talk you into the ones with the most gizmos if they can.

I'm not even sure you can order a basic no option car at all. Trucks and vans it's still possible.

That's how I bought my 2010 V6 Silverado. Shortbed, regular cab, 4x4 with roll up windows and manual locks. Yes it had a radio, lol. No choice but it was the base model.

I don't think you can get anything without AC these days, some regulation the feds have about window defogging times, IIRC.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-571/subpart-B/section-571.103

I have not bought a new vehicle since 2014, doubt I will again.

🤔 HMM, We resumed diplomatic relations with an Asian country in 1972 and resumed trade with them in 1979. I'm sure all those cost savings were passed onto the American consumers

Chicken or egg? Does the public buy the loaded versions because they want them or because they're all that's available?

How many people know fleet buyers?

In the early 2000s you could still get budget priced small cars and larger with roll up windows- and no frills= low price. But the people who SHOULD have been buying these low cost versions are the ones that complained about entry level cars having no bells and whistles. Poor people wanted all the nice stuff even though they couldn't afford it. Financers oblige by extending the loan to get the monthly payment down with little to no $$ down required. Soon bare bones common sense vehicles sat stagnant on the lots while the much higher priced optioned out versions were the ones being sold. Consumers need protection from themselves. A new car loan should be to people of worthy credit and a down payment should be mandatory. Loans should not exceed 5 years as well. The car market is a mess right now and its a mess for the consumer. Used car dealers are complaining that all the auctions have are repos and these repos are all neglected intentionally abused JUNK. People having no business buying a new car bought one- knowing once the Covid money ran out they would let it be repossessed. When the repo driver comes for that car (FYI -Shortage of repo drivers in the US) that vehicle is JUNK. All this makes the new and used car market un affordable.

I don't think that type of rugged utilitarianism exists in a sufficient numbers to justify keeping stripper cars on the lot anymore. Maybe with the Jeep crowd?

I wonder what a large fleet buyer like Duke Power or TVA can order deleted in a large “stripper” pickup truck order?

Wonder what Fastenal knows about
“stripped down initial cost”
versus
“added value capture % when selling off used.”

The rental companies seem to think highly optioned vehicles create a better $ return on investment.

I just walked into my local Chevy dealership, told them what I wanted and the sales guy took me over to their fleet guy to get me taken care of. I didn't "know" anyone. If your dealership doesn't do that find another dealership.

The larger dealers should have a fleet sales guy who does nothing but that. It's typically a one person job, and they stay in their office most of the time so you have to seek them out.

The normal salesman are easy to spot as they swarm you the moment you enter the parking lot.

Also what you want may exist already, but it maybe at another dealer hours away. The fleet guy can search the inventory and arrange to have a trade made or whatever is needed to get that vehicle brought over in a day or two. If they want the sale they'll do their best to locate it.

For new cars being over optioned it has alot to do with profit. Profits are usually a percentage of the cost so if you own a lot and you have 100 spots to park cars do you park 50 that will net you 5k profit and 50 that will net you 10k profit or 100 that will net you 10k profit and tell the buyer if you want cheaper its a special order.

As for the old stuff I think inflation took hold. I bought my first car in 1980 for $650. It was a 73 400 magnum charger rally with a spare 71 440 hp in the trunk. It needed a timing chain but that was a normal price for a 7 year old non running car then.

My sons were paying 500 to 1000 for similar in the early 2000's.
Now its about $1500 for a decent car that needs work to run.

Could just be my view though.

The old stuff is crazy wild prices. One guy wants 1,500 for something someone else wants 15,000 for.
I think there are a lot of dreamers looking for a quick buck mixed with old school prices.

Somewhere along the way the GOT TO HAVE IT NOW mentality emerged which is also a bit responsible for the LOADED versions on the lot's. A few sales guys I knew said many were more concerned with getting in immediately that with what their payments would be

i don't ever remember a gallon of milk costing 5cents

as scott martin would say.... its easy to buy, not so easy to sell....

i sure do, and i remember the screams when it wen to 8 cents !!!
i also remember new HUGO's being dumped for $395.99 back around 1985 [?] or so.

My 2011 Ram 1500 was $39,975 brand new in 2011. I paid less, that's the sticker price.
Quad Cab, 4x4, Hemi, Lonestar (Big Horn) trim.
A new one, similar options? $60K plus...

JS

I wouldn't mind getting a new truck. Problem is I cannot even order one still. An in town dealer has been trying to buy my truck for a year, They just made me an offer a couple weeks ago of $92,000. So I asked again if I could order a new one and how long. I was informed no new orders and they are not making them in my equivalent trim level still. FWIW I paid $80K for it three years ago.

I ALMOST grabbed a FOUR DOLLAR bag of M&Ms at Home Depot the other day. I could "afford" them but couldn't JUSTIFY them. FOUR DOLLARS!

Sometime around the Great Depression I needed a new cheap vehicle. I bought a brand new, 4cyl, manual window, auto Ranger for $15,000 out the door.

2017 I paid $42,000 out the door for a crew cab 2500. Only option, chrome bumpers. Has 122,000 miles now. I'll probably keep it till I drop.

Talking pickups I'm pissed that nobody makes a reg cab long bed any more. These more door with worthlessly short beds are ridiculous. And if you do find one it's always white.

Plenty of posts in this thread say
“I am really irked about the automobile buying experience.”

Article in Wall Street Journal Monday says
Amazon knows its customers are unsatisfied with vehicle buying and plans to spend big bucks to capture part of the (huge $) market.

I have never bought a vehicle through USAA but family members have and told me there was less BS.

My thought after reading the WSJ article was: If Amazon studies USAA Auto and applies “economy of scale” they might succeed.

Amazon has failed at several of their past experiments.

One “failure flag” in my opinion:
Amazon is starting only with Hyundai.

I believe Ram still makes a regular cab / long bed I saw them when I was looking for a new truck back in 21, same can be said for a short bed / regular cab. I had one on order back in 21 , they stopped making them year or so before 21 and after 21 I waited over 5 months for mine but purchased similarly equipped quad cab that came in instead. The one I ordered finally came in and sold pretty quickly. What is strange is how the options and colors vary from one model truck to another. I like green its my favorite color but I couldn't get it on my short bed / regular cab it was only available on a 8 foot bed truck. It is just amazing how truck prices just keep going up and up ! When I was going to order my short bed/ regular cab I went to a dealer I purchased other vehicles from because of covid I made an appointment with a sales guy, he never showed up , another salesman told me he didn't know anything about trucks and the third just went on the Ram website { which I already did at home for pricing ) talk about clueless ... I went to walk out and the salesman yells don't bother going to such and such a dealer as we own them too !! great customer service !!!

I paid $59k for a used 17 3500 crew single wheel 2yrs ago. About choked, but it was time to step up fron the 01 2500 that served me well (198k). 17 just rolled 30k miles

If you live where I do you learn to appreciate a white truck...Of course mine also has four REAL doors and a long bed.

I have a friend who is your typical P/U owner today. He just uses it as a daily driver. He is in sales.
Never tows and rarely carries anything that requires a truck. He bought a new one this year.F150 4dr $77k.I told him that is nuts. Out of curiosity I started looking at f250 reg cab 4x4 with 7.3 they were $55K for a nice one. Told my buddy he says it rides too rough.

Are there any numbers about how much longer white paint can withstand sunlight?