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Stripper cars going extinct? Blame the seven-year loan
Motoramic/yahoo ^ | 6-30-14 | Steven Lang

Posted on 06/21/2014 10:04:44 AM PDT by TurboZamboni

The days when a bare-bones "stripper" car came with vinyl seats, rubber floor mats and no air conditioning are long gone.

Today, convenience and cold air come standard for all models, along with a long list of niceties that were once the sole domain of the loaded vehicle. A base Chevy Spark, as one example, offers aluminum wheels, ten standard airbags, power windows — even six months of OnStar service, in case you lock your keys in the car. On the surface, the new car market is offering better values than ever.

There is just one small problem with nearly all entry-level models of the modern day: You can't ever find em', and when you do, they usually come loaded with surprises. We may learn about that teaser of a price from the manufacturer's advertising, or the dealer supposedly suffering a bone-headed overstocking whose pain can be your gain. But actually finding that car is another matter entirely.

Recently, I searched for an absolute bare bones 2014 Nissan Versa S, base model. How many were there for the genuine manufacturer's drive-out price of under $13,000 in metro Atlanta? One. Just a single car to serve a metropolitan population of six million people.

Two weeks ago I walked over to a Mitsubishi dealer near Myrtle Beach, S.C. There were 20 Mirages on the lot, and out of those 20, there was one basic car with that ever so rare five-speed manual. The price: $12,500, before a whopping $1,995 surcharge for window tint. The old days of stain guards for carpeting and VIN etchings on the windows have been replaced with $700 processing fees, $800 destination charges, and $2,000 aftermarket trim packages with low-quality leather and fake wood made out of real plastic.

(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: base; carloans; cars; model; newcars; transportation; usedcars
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To: moose07

LOL! Yep, a wire shirt hanger was all ya needed.


41 posted on 06/21/2014 10:28:07 AM PDT by deoetdoctrinae (Gun-free zones are playgrounds for felons.)
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To: yarddog
The black car gangsta style thing is the result of universal car AC.

But look at the bright side. On a hot day in Texas, you can use your sharp black gangsta car for a bread oven.

42 posted on 06/21/2014 10:28:13 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (The GOP is dying. What do we do now?)
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To: cripplecreek

That’s the Hi-Low beam switch.


43 posted on 06/21/2014 10:29:01 AM PDT by puppypusher ( The World is going to the dogs.)
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To: advertising guy
So when this new "cheap" FIAT hit the market here, I thought it was going to come in at under 10Gs, with aforesaid roll-ups, rubber mats (which are really best, you know?) Manual trans, IOW, a "basic model." But "options," thanks to the bank, ain't optional.

O No! How wrong can a man be? It's starts atlike 16 large with every known accessory package ... and goes up into the mid twenties for converts and speed models.

The Wal-Mart crowd shelling out 16 grand for KIAs, 25 G for Hyundais ... power windows, Power locks, AC, Stereo USB Ports, 26 airbags, yadda yadda yadda.

Blame Jimmy Carter and that dipshiite Joan Claybrook. And BTW, there will soon be a derivative based on car loans ... just like those bad mortgages on houses of a few years back. Stick a guy with a 27 thousand, 7-year car loan, then move the plant where he works to China ... bingo!

At least the stupid SOB can live in it for a week or two before he's foreclosed.

But, thank you God, this is still ... briefly ... America, where you can actually buy a good used car for $2500 ... really good ... just 10 years old and needing some slight attention of that rare American who still knows a wrench from a stench.

44 posted on 06/21/2014 10:29:02 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (The GOP is dying. What do we do now?)
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To: mcshot

I loved the little indian head high beam indicator in the old Pontiacs.


45 posted on 06/21/2014 10:29:54 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin.)
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To: Kenny Bunk

one thing you overlook it 2500 dollars cars are G O N E .....the public drove em in the ditch.....had to....39 percent of America ain’t workin and 38 percent went to 30 hour work weeks......no money to buy or replace or hell, fix the car.

a car today that works, paint is solid and sheet metal is straight has a 6 to 8 k car now


46 posted on 06/21/2014 10:30:49 AM PDT by advertising guy ( <------------- lotta white in here ------------>)
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To: TurboZamboni

How about when the spark advance was on the steering wheel?


47 posted on 06/21/2014 10:30:54 AM PDT by Born to Conserve
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To: Kenny Bunk
But, thank you God, this is still ... briefly ... America, where you can actually buy a good used car for $2500 ... really good ... just 10 years old and needing some slight attention of that rare American who still knows a wrench from a stench.

That was done some damage a while back with "Cash for Clunkers", which took a lot of decent used cars out of circulation and forced a lot of people into spending more than they would like on a newer vehicle. And lots of those people probably still voted for its architect a second time.
48 posted on 06/21/2014 10:31:21 AM PDT by LostInBayport (When there are more people riding in the cart than there are pulling it, the cart stops moving...)
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To: Born to Conserve

never had one of those.


49 posted on 06/21/2014 10:31:25 AM PDT by TurboZamboni (Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.-JFK)
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To: deoetdoctrinae

I had a ‘68 Barracuda with those and large under dash vents. It also had a white interior and white terrycloth seat covers. On a hot day with those open, the side windows up and the rears down I never missed having AC out on the road. It wasnt even noisy.


50 posted on 06/21/2014 10:31:39 AM PDT by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hovercraft accident.)
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To: PGR88

I have a 2006 Corolla with 30,000 miles on it.

:-)

.


51 posted on 06/21/2014 10:31:41 AM PDT by Mears
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To: LostInBayport

more loans for GMAC so you could buy a new car and have it recalled.


52 posted on 06/21/2014 10:32:44 AM PDT by TurboZamboni (Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.-JFK)
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To: TurboZamboni

I bought a 2013 jeep Patriot in Dec of 13, it’s a basic car no power locks or power seats or power windows and basic radio and ac, cost me 19k before the lo-jack system and a life time warrenty up it to 25k.


53 posted on 06/21/2014 10:33:13 AM PDT by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
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To: TurboZamboni

My Uncle had a 55 Buick in which the starter was in the accelerator. You turned on the key then pressed on the accelerator. About half way down the starter kicked in.

Not a particularly good idea imo.


54 posted on 06/21/2014 10:33:15 AM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8: verses 38 and 39. "For I am persuaded".)
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To: Mears
wow, only car i ever had with a bench seat was my 62 Impala
55 posted on 06/21/2014 10:35:05 AM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -vvv- NO Pity for the LAZY - 86-44)
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To: TurboZamboni

“never had one of those.”

Okay, that was on my grampa’s 1921 limo. That limo came with shock absorbers, which were an “extra”, heck, they may have even been after market.


56 posted on 06/21/2014 10:35:15 AM PDT by Born to Conserve
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To: cripplecreek

the dimmer button


57 posted on 06/21/2014 10:35:46 AM PDT by gbscott1954 (Please come back Sarah!!!)
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To: cripplecreek

Brights

Now, what is the small pedal to the left of the brake pedal?


58 posted on 06/21/2014 10:35:52 AM PDT by freedumb2003 (AGW "Scientific method:" Draw your lines first, then plot your points)
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To: TurboZamboni

Airbags aren’t a luxury item anymore. Standard equipment. And if you need to replace one expect to pay out the nose. My horn went out and the whole damn airbag (never deployed) had to be replaced for $800 to pay inspection.

Been in numerous accidents over the years (side impact, rear impact) most times the cars are totaled. Air bags never have deployed.

Never been at fault in those accidents either.


59 posted on 06/21/2014 10:36:05 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (The new witchhunt: "Do you NOW, . . . or have you EVER , . . supported traditional marriage?")
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To: Born to Conserve

“Advance the spark, Biggles! We’ve a Hun on our tail!”


60 posted on 06/21/2014 10:37:23 AM PDT by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hovercraft accident.)
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