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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(136,184 posts)
Sat Apr 11, 2026, 02:57 PM Saturday

Buyers fret as the average cost of a new car nears $50K [View all]

DETROIT (AP) — After a few years of sharing a 2019 Chevrolet Trax, Dana Eble and Tyler Marcus are finally looking for a second car. But as they jump into the market, the young married couple isn't sure what they can afford.

“I just keep seeing a lot of different aspects of life getting more expensive, and it’s harder,” said Eble, an account manager for a public relations agency.

Car ownership has long been integral to the American dream. But as automakers slash the production of inexpensive models to cater to customers who can afford oversized pickups and sport utility vehicles, buyers find themselves facing sticker shock at the same time they are already frustrated by the lingering effects of high inflation.

-snip-

New vehicles now sell for an average of nearly $50,000, up 30% in six years, and average monthly payments — based on 10% down and a 6-year note — recently hit $775. Looking for something on the cheap end? The share of vehicles listing for less than $30,000 is about 13% — down from 40% five years ago, per the car review site CarGurus.

https://autos.yahoo.com/deals-and-buying-guides/articles/buyers-fret-average-cost-car-040755329.html

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For vehicles with many plastic engine parts. Nope. SheltieLover Saturday #1
I'm starting to wish when I bought my Rav4 in 2012, I'd bought 2 and stored one. It's insane. Vinca Saturday #2
I bought m RAV4 in 2012. I have 163k miles on it. It's been entirely problem free. $30k when I bought it. Dave says Saturday #13
I think the cheapest 2026 is about $40,000. Mine only has about 60,000 miles on it because I just drive it around town. Vinca Saturday #18
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Limited has a starting MSRP of $43,300 Celerity Saturday #19
They're not sure Greg_In_SF Saturday #3
It looks like the new car market is almost as bad as the job market ck4829 Saturday #27
I'll never buy new. They lose 30% of their value in the first 2 years. CousinIT Saturday #4
Looks like a huge savings in buying a year old one. multigraincracker Saturday #8
It's why the cars we are driving are five or more years old. mwmisses4289 Saturday #5
I always buy new and drive it until the wheels fall off Dave says Saturday #14
I'm driving an almost 20-year old car. CousinIT Saturday #35
'Auto Loan Delinquencies Surge to 32-Year Record -- The Average Monthly Payment + Insurance Will Shock You' sop Saturday #6
"10 year car loans" flvegan Saturday #34
Add another 5K in interest. multigraincracker Saturday #7
I'm pushing 60 and I've owned 5 cars in my entire life. AZJonnie Saturday #9
I have a 95 Integra with 300k miles on it. Can't blow'em up lol. I'm about done restoring the body. Vroom Vroom! lol n/t Cheezoholic Saturday #11
I had an Integra from the 1980s, gave it to my ex-wife at 180k miles Dave says Saturday #17
Bought mine for 500 about 7 years ago because the timing belt busted on it, pretty easy fix as long as they're high Cheezoholic Saturday #20
My cars included Dave says Monday #40
One of those 5 was a '91 Integra AZJonnie Saturday #23
Michael J Fox did Integra commercials in Japan oregonjen Saturday #36
I have never bought a new car in my life. I bought a year old Escape in 2003 for 15k dollars with 8k miles on it Cheezoholic Saturday #10
I miss my 2002 Volvo that I bought in 2010 for $6K musette_sf Saturday #15
You bring up a great point about good used cars becoming more and more rare. They just aren't built Cheezoholic Saturday #21
The world is changing quickly. For people who own a home or are somewhat long-term renters, Bluetus Saturday #12
Never thought I'd live long enough to see $50k for just regular cars Mysterian Saturday #16
I shopped for new cars recently and don't know $50K would be a regular car from what I saw. I ended up buying a GoodRaisin Sunday #38
its obscene the costs for a new car... unaffordable for many RT Atlanta Saturday #22
I bought a new car once, about forty years ago. hunter Saturday #24
Same here. The Madcap Saturday #29
I would imagine the OEMs are fretting a bit more . . . hatrack Saturday #25
... Golden Age! ck4829 Saturday #26
A car salesman told me years ago bucolic_frolic Saturday #28
Done buying cars. OC375 Saturday #30
You can buy a new Toyota Corolla for under 25k Bluestocking Saturday #31
The average is distorted by the small number of sales of very expensive luxury cars DBoon Saturday #32
I wish a basic car and truck were still avaible. Woodwizard Saturday #33
I got a mid trim elantra hybrid dsc Saturday #37
I'm looking at the K5 for my next car. Initech Monday #41
I loved my K5 but I went for mileage dsc Monday #42
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Sunday #39
I got a 2024 Maverick pickup new for 27K NickB79 Monday #43
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