How much do cars cost in America? [Archive]

Da_Rude_Baboon

23rd May 2005, 11:04

When i was in NY there was a guy sitting at the table next to us in a restaraunt talking about cars with his friends. They were all late teens early twenties and he was boasting how everyone elses cars cost $1500 and his cost $2200 and how fast it was. We were thinking $2200 is about £1300 and that equals pretty crappy car over here.

I didnt really think anything of it until Zer0 posted his thread about what car to get and it appears second hand cars are pretty cheap in the US as he had some nice options. To put it in perspective my Type-R cost the equivalent of $30000 so what would i get in the US for that kind of money?

scopEDog

23rd May 2005, 11:50

Yeah your not going to get much for $2200. I purchased my car new for $32000(rx-8) and it seems all new cars with decent speed/options/etc go for around that amount. For used, in my opinion, you would have to spend at least $6000 to get something in good shape and reliable. Of course YMMV and you'll get different answers from different parts of the US.

Delirious

23rd May 2005, 15:24

yah i paid a little over $5000 for my '98 corolla le, had 60,000 on it. Its not the fastest thing by far but its reliable and gets great gas mileage.

Knipex

23rd May 2005, 16:13

32K for an RX8 :eek: :eek: and $32K at that....:eek: :eek:

I paid €26.5K for my 1.9TDI Toledo.. thats a little over $32K

An RX8 would cost well over 32k in Euro's....

Thats cheap.

But then we pay VRT on all cars here (25% up to 2ltr and 30 over 2ltr) and then pay 21% VAT on the price including VRT.... Thats right a tax on a tax...:rant:

That along with our crazy road tax (I pay 570 euros a year for my 1.9) and insurance (780 Euro last year) makes motoring very very expencive here.:rant: :rant:

Delirious

23rd May 2005, 16:18

fillip

23rd May 2005, 16:33

Unfortunately we also lack anything close to a decent public transport system.

Da_Rude_Baboon

23rd May 2005, 16:38

I dont know about Eire but in the UK unless you live in a city its not really an option. In the part of Scotland i live in public transport is so expensive, unrealiable and infrequent that its not really an option.

When i went to college it would take me roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours each way on the bus depending on traffic and cost £8. thats coming up to nearly 8 years ago now too. By car it would take at the most 40 minutes and the fuel certainly would not have cost £8.

iir an RX-8 is around £25k here? Thats about $46k.

Arctirus

23rd May 2005, 16:39

Mine was about $600. I hate paying more for a car than a computer or camera.

2JSC

23rd May 2005, 17:03

I didnt really think anything of it until Zer0 posted his thread about what car to get and it appears second hand cars are pretty cheap in the US as he had some nice options. To put it in perspective my Type-R cost the equivalent of $30000 so what would i get in the US for that kind of money? $30,000 USD? Hmm...

2004 Nissan 350Z = ~$28,000
2004 Honda S2000 = ~$25,000
2005 Infinity G35 = ~$30,000
1998 Toyota Supra Turbo = ~$27,000 <- incredibly stupid
2005 Dodge Ram w/Hemi = ~$28,000

But for an actual used car here in the US, I'd say anywhere from $4,000-$7,000 would be the price range for a highschool student to college student. My Jeep Cherokee only cost me about $3000 with just under 100K miles on it, but a few mods already on it, plus I knew the guy.

Delirious

23rd May 2005, 17:03

Mine was about $600. I hate paying more for a car than a computer or camera.
yah ill never buy another new car. Its nice to not have payments and it frees cash for all my hobbies.

fillip

23rd May 2005, 17:09

1998 Toyota Supra Turbo = ~$27,000 <- incredibly stupid
What do you mean? Stupidly high?

I s'pose it's not great but if it's in really good condition you can expect to pay aroun £13,000 - £15,000 for a low mileage TT over here, esp. if it's a rare UK spec

2JSC

23rd May 2005, 17:16

What do you mean? Stupidly high?

I s'pose it's not great but if it's in really good condition you can expect to pay aroun £13,000 - £15,000 for a low mileage TT over here, esp. if it's a rare UK spec Reason I say "Incredibly Stupid" is because I cant see how a car that cost nearly $30K 10 years ago can still cost about $30k today. And I've seen numerous Supra TT's with over 100K miles on them sell for over $25K Its just dumb.:rant: and £15,000 is about $18K USD which is still pretty damn high for a 7+year old car(to me anyway)... I'd rather drop that $18k a new STi.

fillip

23rd May 2005, 17:29

I think you mean $28,000 not $18,000 dont you? http://wizdforums.co.uk/images/smilies/huh.gif

2JSC

23rd May 2005, 17:31

I think you mean $28,000 not $18,000 dont you? http://wizdforums.co.uk/images/smilies/huh.gif heh^_^ - wrong country used in the convertor lol - yeah, about $28k... which would buy me a new STi.

But I guess it also had to do with popularity - and seeing as how I dont like ths Supra MK4, I couldn't see spending that much on one.

mnpctech

24th May 2005, 02:33

For you guys across the pond, try out this used car search engine for researching the U.S. market.

cars.com (http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp)

You can use my zip, 55417 and work out from there if ya want... Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, North/South Dakota are popular regions for rust free collector vehicles.

btw: I worked part time for a used car wholesaler for couple years. It was a great learning experience. I've driven and tinkered on them all ^_^

2JSC

24th May 2005, 03:19

For you guys across the pond, try out this used car search engine for researching the U.S. market.

cars.com (http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp)

You can use my zip, 55417 and work out from there if ya want... Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, North/South Dakota are popular regions for rust free collector vehicles.
If you want an Arizona zip code, use mine 85206 - PLenty of rustfree cars from here^_^

jaguarking11

24th May 2005, 03:28

Well most college students and high school students who buy cars on their own pay about 1500-3500bux.

I myself have looked at cheeper cars.

I came up with a list of cars I would like to own.
1. 89 lincoln town car- can be picked up for less than a grand with a litle over 100k miles and will last and is a realy reliable car

2. 88camaro I can pick up for 1500bux in realy good shape

3. 91-95 v6 camaro or firebird can be had for 3000-3500bux

4. 93-97 probe gt can be had for about 3 grand in relay good shape and can be a reliable car.

5. 96-97 ford explorer can be had for about 3500bux

5. Chevy tahoe 96-99 is about 7-9grand ( I would love to own one of these)

6. cadillac devile from 93 or so can be had for about 4-5grand depending on miliage or shape.

Those are the cars i am mainly looking at but I am focusing on the tahoe with its lovely LT1. All those cars can be realy reliable and easy to fix if anything went wrong.

zer0

24th May 2005, 05:21

im sorry but you want a ford probe! i would bever buy a car with a name that sounds like its ment to be stuck up your butt...

but most of those cars sound good to me... besides the suvs but thats just because im not a fan of big heavy trucks driven by socker moms with one kid when the car is ment to seat 60. (sorry been tailgated by too many suvs...)

2JSC

24th May 2005, 06:12

im sorry but you want a ford probe! i would bever buy a car with a name that sounds like its ment to be stuck up your butt...
The Probe GT is actually a somewhat respectable car, seen as its a Ford/Mazda product. With a 2.5L 165Hp/160ftlb V6... it can do some damage with the right mods. And having a V6 is a plus for the torque side... adding a supercharger will boost it somewhere to the 240Hp range with about the same in torque.

Da_Rude_Baboon

24th May 2005, 09:16

heh^_^ - wrong country used in the convertor lol - yeah, about $28k... which would buy me a new STi.

:blink: A new STi here would cost £26,400.

http://www.subaru.co.uk/IMGGB/WWW/Subaru_co_uk.nsf/NULL/0C5E9A648C6868E780256FD60038414C?Opendocument

2JSC

24th May 2005, 09:27

:blink: A new STi here would cost £26,400.

http://www.subaru.co.uk/IMGGB/WWW/Subaru_co_uk.nsf/NULL/0C5E9A648C6868E780256FD60038414C?Opendocument
Thats GBP right? Then damn - that a hell of a lot more!:blink::eek:

Knipex

24th May 2005, 19:31

you cna check out Irish prices here.

http://www.cbg.ie/new_search.asp

Rx8 comes in at 48,600 Euro or approx $61,000 US

Almost twice the US price :rant: :rant:

fillip

24th May 2005, 19:52

you cna check out Irish prices here.

http://www.cbg.ie/new_search.asp

Rx8 comes in at 48,600 Euro or approx $61,000 US

Almost twice the US price :rant: :rant: Sweet jesus I feel for you buddy, considering you're all of a 30 mins (if that) plane flight from mainland UK it's an absolute joke.

Arctirus

24th May 2005, 19:54

you cna check out Irish prices here.

http://www.cbg.ie/new_search.asp

Rx8 comes in at 48,600 Euro or approx $61,000 US

Almost twice the US price :rant: :rant:
Damn, as much as I complain about US government and stupid Americans I'd hate to pay what other countries do for things.

dutchcedar

24th May 2005, 20:14

Damn, as much as I complain about US government and stupid Americans I'd hate to pay what other countries do for things.We'll have you wearing conservative Libertarian shoes sooner than I thought... :lol:

Checklist:
Got married... done.
Upset with taxes... in progress.
Eating too much red meat... done.

You ain't far off, Arctirus... <_<

Looking at the prices of cars these days, its no small wonder that many of us have switched to driving trucks. B)

Arctirus

25th May 2005, 19:14

2JSC

25th May 2005, 23:18

Yeah, a Tahoe is soooo much cheaper than a Corolla.... :p
MSRP or the amount of gas you put into it? :D

jaguarking11

26th May 2005, 02:55

The Probe GT is actually a somewhat respectable car, seen as its a Ford/Mazda product. With a 2.5L 165Hp/160ftlb V6... it can do some damage with the right mods. And having a V6 is a plus for the torque side... adding a supercharger will boost it somewhere to the 240Hp range with about the same in torque.
The probe can be supercharged to 240hp but the fun is puting in a large turbo and tuning it properly (no premature blow off valves or even hearing a blow off valve) I have seen a probe run 12's 1/4mile and for a fwd car thats awsome. The only thing that keeps me from looking hard for a probe is the fact that is fwd. A sport cupe with fwd is a sin.

Now the taho is a car I like and dutchcedar is completly rite, If a car cost as mutch as a truck ill take the truck over it everyday. And if you complain about gass you should looks at prices in britan, those guys pay something like 7bux+ a gallon. We pay 30-40% of their price so we should be happy.

As far as the enviroment is concerned, I realy dont care.

Highperf15

28th May 2005, 18:31

You can always just buy a new Mustang V6 for $18,000..........
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/highperf15/631black2_copy.jpg
then yank the V6 and put this in............ http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=6188
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/highperf15/520cid.jpg
520cid......625hp Big Block Ford crate motor.........for $7,995:D

fillip

28th May 2005, 18:34

That car costs less than £10,000?!?! :eek: :rant:

I really hate the Uk sometimes. <_<

though in saying that the insurance would probably be half as much again...

Arctirus

28th May 2005, 21:36

Well for $18,000 I think you get the 4 cylinder version with no AC.

Highperf15

28th May 2005, 21:55

Well for $18,000 I think you get the 4 cylinder version with no AC.
V6 or V8 only......

jaguarking11

29th May 2005, 05:51

The new v6 motor on the new stang is actualy pretty large. I belive its somewere around 4L but also is a motor that can be modified.

As for droping in a crate motor in it, it would be very dificult. Modern cars simple cant handle the tourque put out by those motors. You would need a chasi stifening, if it can be called a chasi, all unibody construction on most modern cars. That mustang would look like a pretzel if you hit the throtle too hard.

It would cost more than people think. On older cars these sort of swaps are allot easier, as the cars are build on chasi designs and all you do to stifen it up is remove body work and get barebone chasi at that point you would box in the frame and off you go.

jaguarking11

29th May 2005, 05:51

Well for $18,000 I think you get the 4 cylinder version with no AC.
They havent made 4banger mustangs since the 80's and those things were turd buckets.

Highperf15

29th May 2005, 06:26

It can handle it........Ford engineers really did their homework on the new Mustang................especially when the new Shelby that will sold next year will be sporting a 450 hp engine.........and it is the same chassis (spoke with a buddy of mine that works for Ford Engineering in Dearborn, MI).

Psykotik

29th May 2005, 20:44

Arctirus

29th May 2005, 21:16

They havent made 4banger mustangs since the 80's and those things were turd buckets.
Yeah, one of my friends owned one...

Highperf15

29th May 2005, 21:56

$7,282 <---That's the cheapest INSURANCE quote I got for the Peugeot 406 Coupe parked in my mates garage (which is mine, but its gonna be there until a few things have been added)

The car itself cost me £2000 ($3,646) How bad does THAT suck?Damn........how old are you???

See in the States here.....once your over 35 yrs old and have a good driving record.........your rates are only about a quarter of that.......heh

EDIT: and that's for full coverage on a brand new car......heh

jaguarking11

30th May 2005, 02:24

$7,282 <---That's the cheapest INSURANCE quote I got for the Peugeot 406 Coupe parked in my mates garage (which is mine, but its gonna be there until a few things have been added)

The car itself cost me £2000 ($3,646) How bad does THAT suck?
Not as bad as the quote a buddy of myne got when he wanted a last gen rx7. He even found a beutifull sample selling for about 9grand versus the insurance would have cost him about 8grand alone. Then again he was a teen who had just goten his licence when he turned 18.

And my buddy got a quote for about 10-12 grand for a corvette he wanted to buy witch worked to about 1/2 the price of the used corvette he wanted to buy.

Highperf15

30th May 2005, 02:43

Not as bad as the quote a buddy of myne got when he wanted a last gen rx7. He even found a beutifull sample selling for about 9grand versus the insurance would have cost him about 8grand alone. Then again he was a teen who had just goten his licence when he turned 18.

And my buddy got a quote for about 10-12 grand for a corvette he wanted to buy witch worked to about 1/2 the price of the used corvette he wanted to buy.
LMAO..........I can insure a BRAND new Corvette for $1200 a yr.......full coverage........heh

Duffman

30th May 2005, 05:11

You can make a TON of HP with 2000 if you play your cards right.....

And dont have anyhting silly like seatbelts or headlights or windshield whipers...Imagine being in a old el camino with a built 350 and posi going 125 down a 2 lane highway at 2 in the morning and its hailing out.

Ahhh to be young agian....

jaguarking11

7th June 2005, 22:58

LMAO..........I can insure a BRAND new Corvette for $1200 a yr.......full coverage........heh

Well then you must be over 45 you gezer.:D We are young and corvettes are a large liability for a male @ 20 years old. :duh:

I my insurance will probly be 3500 a year when I finaly get that tahoe.
Insurance sucks but so does walking.

Highperf15

8th June 2005, 00:16

Heh........44 actually........but, remember it'll go down when you hit 25 (damn, that was a long time ago for me.....geeze)............heh

Da_Rude_Baboon

8th June 2005, 09:29

2JSC my buddy bought a subaru sportwagon turbo with prodrive performance pack last night. I went out for a quick spin in it and damn the things fast. I'll get a drive of it at the weekend. :D

It wont let me link to the page on autotrader though!:rant:

drazkeavi

28th June 2005, 16:01

I'm independent Dutch, not a democrat.

I've still got checkmarks next to anti-war and pro-choice, for minimum wage increase and I pick environment over economy; could go either way on death penalty but you can put a "done" next to anti gun law too.

sorry, need to make a comment on the minimum wage increase. You do realize that this accomplishes nothing, increasing the minimum wage? All that does is make products more expensive to produce, which means more expensive to buy, which puts us right back in the same hole we where in in the first place. So minimum wage increase wouldnt do any good. If anything, it would do more hurt, by giving companies excuses to raise prices higher than they need to be. /rant

oh.. and my 95 grand am v6 sport edition would sell for about 3500 with <100k miles on it. and i only pay 70 a month for insurance (im 18) 70x12... 840/yr