New car prices today, why so expensive?

[Onceler]

I would assume it's cheaper for the manufacturers to include AC as standard. 1. More volume equals lower per unit cost. 2. The costs involved for changing between non- AC and AC along with the costs to design both, maybe minimal, but still. Who wants a car without AC unless it has vent Windows as mentioned. And even then , it's not like it's cutting edge technology
_________________
1972 Karmann Ghia

[oprn]

My AC is only used for maybe 2 weeks out of a full year and then only in the early to mid afternoon. Mornings are generally not warm enough. The down side is the cost of maintenance and mileage loss for those few days that it is used.

[cbeck]

Some of my customers have sick money. His fancy imported European car had the European radio frequencies in the homelink. Took it to the dealer to have the american version installed. Cost him over 1k because he just couldn't use a big ugly remote control.
_________________
My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[ach60]

[Onceler]

[awreed]

Why do you need a new car? You still have your Ghia. Easy to work on. Cheap and plentiful parts. Join the elite fraternity of insane idiots who daily drive 50/60/70 year-old technology.

[Onceler]

[Glenn]

I "have" to have this $1200 washing machine because it's WiFi connected and i can control it from a app on my $1000 iPhone X.

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[Zundfolge1432]

[EverettB]

WiFi... Great, now it'll get hacked and your clothes won't be washed right
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

Simply because society now can't be 'disconnected' or 'inconvienced' in any way shape or form.

There are cheap cars, but people don't like them. Not enough power, too small, not enough gadgets, etc.

A few examples of decent, cheap cars. Several of which are on the chopping block to stop being sold in the USA because everybody wants some gigantic SUV that could be mounted with a 50 cal chain gun and used in a warzone.

https://www.mitsubishicars.com/mirage/2018 (13k)
https://www.ford.com/cars/fiesta/ (14k)
http://www.chevrolet.com/cars/spark-city-car (13k)
https://www.toyota.com/yaris/ (15k)
http://shop.honda.com/civics.aspx (18K)
_________________
1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

[KTPhil]

Modern cars are designed aerodynamically to be low drag with windows closed. But with a window open, these cars have a deafening pulsating boom at freeway speeds, rendering them unusable without A/C. I've seen this in a dozen new cars. I think it goes hand-in-hand with the aerodynamics of new car design. This ends up making A/C mandatory for driver comfort and safety.

Best value is a used car, maybe a certified used car from a dealer, which have new car-like warranties.

These new "compact SUVs" are practical, but heaven forbid they get called "station wagons" which they truly ARE now... built on car chassis.

[Helfen]

[oprn]

We have 6 cars in the yard now with AC (you can't pick the options on a used car) and 2 of them the AC works. I have been quoted $1000 each just for a recharge, more if they need parts. That's $4000 for something I might use 6 times in a year.

Perhaps using them more often would help, most often they just lose their coolant charge. I suspect it happens in the winter when the cold shrinks the seals.

[79SuperVert]

...
_________________
Central Jersey VW Society

Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt.

[Helfen]

[79SuperVert]

[Helfen]

[EverettB]