OT: sportwagen

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by martl

..i sometimes wonder if humankind isn't shooting itself in the foot that way, in a long term/evolution type of meaning. Making stupid people survive while removing any accountability for own actions may not be the wisest strategy

Or we could feel better that cars are more efficient and continually getting safer - death rates have dropped by more than half or as much as 2/3 depending on which metric you're looking at (per capita or per miles driven).

[palincss]

Originally Posted by martl

Are you comparing the Outback to the 5 series touring and the A6 Avant?

Volume behind back seats/with back row folded
5 Series 570l / 1700l
A6 Avant 565l/ 1680l
Outback: 560l/1820l

Some comparison, considering the only 5 series wagon that will be on sale in the US next year is the M5 Touring, and the Audi is the RS6 Avant, not exactly apples to bananas.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by palincss

Some comparison, considering the only 5 series wagon that will be on sale in the US next year is the M5 Touring, and the Audi is the RS6 Avant, not exactly apples to bananas.

Audi is still offering the A4 & A6 avants (allroad) in 2025.

[AngryScientist]

I just dont understand how people are bearing new car prices. $47k is the average? oye!

Americans paid a whopping $47,612 on average for a new car in October, according to data from Edmunds. That’s a jump of almost $10,000 from October 2019, ahead of the pandemic. That means new car prices have risen much faster than most goods and services.

[ChainNoise]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

I just dont understand how people are bearing new car prices. $47k is the average? oye!

I couldn't agree with this more. New truck prices make me want to throw up. Used truck prices make me want to throw up. Even OBS Chevys in somewhat decent shape are going for 8 - 10k. I've want to get rid of my GSW for something a bit more appropriate for my needs but I just can't stomach paying the price for it.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

I just dont understand how people are bearing new car prices. $47k is the average? oye!

Its rough out there with inflation AND higher interest rates - and for states that property tax cars, there's no relief there either as the values keep going up.

Occasionally I'll poke around at new cars and I'm seeing some discounts coming back, like $5-7k off of a new Colorado/Canyon. Of course thats still nearly a $50k truck out the door - which would be $37k in 2015 money. The world has changed.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by ChainNoise

I couldn't agree with this more. New truck prices make me want to throw up. Used truck prices make me want to throw up. Even ONS Chevys in somewhat decent shape are going for 8 - 10k. I've want to get rid of my GSW for something a bit more appropriate for my needs but I just can't stomach paying the price for it.

I look around my own neighborhood and I just dont understand it.

I'm not judging anyone, I'm genuinely dumbfounded. New folks just moved in around the corner and I was chitchatting with them when walking my dog the other night. Just bought the house (that I know sold for around $850k...because Zillo), husband drives a brand new 2500 Silverado, Wifey drives a brand new X5. Both are employed as elementary school teachers in NJ.

Someone, please tell me the secret of how that works....

(sorry for the thread drift...)

[red7]

Generational wealth

[mattsbeers]

Massive debt

[mass_biker]

Originally Posted by echappist

I like how the abbreviation can mean two things in this context.

Just to confirm, is that a sport wagon/ estate shown in your photo? The close-up shot kinda distorted the height of the hatch window (and made it look taller than it actually it).

Interestingly enough, the fanciest MB SUVs are known as the G-Wagen, wagen being the generic German word for any road-travelling vehicle. Which is also why renn wagen just means sports car, as opposed to sport wagon.

- Yes, it is. Odd close up shot that made it look taller than it actually is. It’s a proper wagon. I’ll repost another photo when I dig one up. It’s just dandy for hauling bikes. And hauling other stuff too.

[dmitrik4]

Wow, that is a weird perspective. I assumed that was one of their crossovers, like a GL- whatever. The E63 wagon is very choice.

[Marvinlungwitz]

There are plenty of nice new vehicles available for far less than 47k: Hondas, Mazdas, Kias, Hyundais, all with more standard features on base models than ever before.

They’re not the monster sized pickups nor SUVs that everyone thinks they need nowadays, but don’t mix consumer choices with a lack of excellent and reasonably priced options.

[ChainNoise]

Originally Posted by Marvinlungwitz

There are plenty of nice new vehicles available for far less than 47k: Hondas, Mazdas, Kias, Hyundais, all with more standard features on base models than ever before.

They’re not the monster sized pickups nor SUVs that everyone thinks they need nowadays, but don’t mix consumer choices with a lack of excellent and reasonably priced options.

See, that right there is the **** I don't want, and that's exactly what drives the price up. I went down the rabbit hole a little bit with pricing. Base model MSRP starting prices per their websites...

Honda Civic $24,250
Mazda 3 sedan $23,950
Hyundai Elantra $21,625 (2024)
Kia Forte $19,990

Base Tahoe starts at $56k...Corado $30k...

Dodge/Chrysler chepeast vehicle is a Hornet starting at $31,400...

A stripped F150 regular cab short bed with 4x4 as the only option checked is $44,270...

Nick, totally agreed about walking around and picking out all the high dollar 'average' cars nowadays. It has to be either generational wealth or debt. I'd imagine most is debt.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by mattsbeers

Massive debt

Yup..a car dealer will go out of their way to 'get you into' that new, BIG BUX car. 7-8-9 year financing..and of course, whoever finances it makes BIG BUX too. BUT, 15k per year, 150,000mile/10 year old car isn't unusual...still works.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by ChainNoise

See, that right there is the **** I don't want, and that's exactly what drives the price up.

Honestly, which features do you not want in a new car? All the safety stuff is by mandate but the rest? Its all pretty nice?

Also there's a bit of irony with all the firefly, pegoretti, etc bikes floating around this forum and calling out someone that wants to drive a nice car as making poor choices.