Are expensive cars worth it?

[hbarcat]

Those differences aren't well known, or made available. If you read a review of a car its generalities with subjective feelings. The big car magazines don't nerd out on the details. I wish they would.

This is kind of a an ambiguous area because of the fact that printed magazines are halfway out the door and most people now get their information from specialized internet sites. Some very detailed (and often objective) information is readily available and it's pretty easy to compare cars for their specific technological differences and other differences.

Unfortunately, there is also a lot of disinformation taking up space online and it's easy to be fooled by inaccurate or irrelevant information.

 

[hbarcat]

If your desired performance is met at 20k then it's all status after that.

I said that earlier but I used a lot more words than you did.

If all you want is basic transportation that's safe and reliable, then expensive cars are not worth it. For $20,000 you can go into any major dealership and purchase a new car that will not only safe and reliable, but will be reasonably comfortable, perform well, have a nice stereo and navigation and other modern useful features, and also last well over 200,000 miles, if you take care of it.

Modern automotive technology is so far advanced from what it was a generation ago that it's not even comparable. Not only does the technology keep moving ahead, but the quality does too. The days are long gone when a cheap car was a disposable car that was miserable to drive even when it was new.

But lots of people want more than basic transportation. More performance, luxury or utility are essential for some drivers and getting that comes at a price.

If you want a car that is your daily driver but also is capable of dominating the amateur autocross course on weekends, then $40,000 or more is the price of admission. The same goes for excess luxury or utility. If thats what you want, then lots of money is the only way to get it. .

 

[Downunderwonder]

While the expensive brands may be more reliable (on paper, at least) the owners tend to be the cheapest people alive. Can't tell you how many luxury car owners I've had in the shop that insist that whatever problem they're having shouldn't be happening, or should be covered under warranty because the car/SUV is a (insert overpriced brand here). Even something as simple as a nail in a tire, Luxury car owners flip out like it's my fault.

Also, I'm a bit surprised to see Subaru so far down the list. Other than head gasket issues that were common on pre 2010 models, they're a pretty much bulletproof vehicle. In fact, I own two of them.... an 04 and 13 Forester.

I think that data is for some period like 1 or 2 years from new.

The spread is tiny. The absolute most reliable has near as dammitt one failure per vehicle and the worst has a little over two.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I said that earlier but I used a lot more words than you did.

Maybe I should work in advertising.

Toyota have a fun advert on TV presently. "Get rid of the car buying bovvers" ( bothers). A series of vignettes with prospective new Toyota buyers being pestered by CG car buying monsters that are supposedly no longer part if the Toyota buying process. They are only visible to the buyers.

"Can't get out of the office bother" hangs off the ladys purse so she can't leave, creating office scene.
"Buyer remorse bother" appears crying and slobbering all over the sportscar roof as midlife crisis man rocks up to wife and kids.
"Test driver bother" has six arms and sets off all the wipers indicators stereo on full as dude is trying to back out of forecourt with everyone watching.
"You have to learn how to haggle bother" is a real piece of work, he sets up lady to attempt to aggressively pay half price on the coffee she ordered, then cave to a dollar off
"Buy if now bother" sits behind dude on bus who is surfing his phone for new Toyota. He is repeatedly poking him to the top of the head and saying "buy it, buy it, buy...". Dude is looking very strange saying to himself "not ready'' to each "buy it".

So apparently Toyota lets everyone take home a new car for piece of mind about buying it and it's no haggle pricing, no pressure selling.

 

[socialleper]

This is kind of a an ambiguous area because of the fact that printed magazines are halfway out the door and most people now get their information from specialized internet sites. Some very detailed (and often objective) information is readily available and it's pretty easy to compare cars for their specific technological differences and other differences.

Unfortunately, there is also a lot of disinformation taking up space online and it's easy to be fooled by inaccurate or irrelevant information.

I mean "magazines" in a the broad sense. Their reviews are online. We still say Bass Player magazine, right? When I read the reviews they are positive or negative in very general ways.

 

[fhm555]

buy you a good basic Honda, break it in right and service as required and it should last you a very long time.

 

[Alkali Ike]

So apparently Toyota lets everyone take home a new car for piece of mind about buying it and it's no haggle pricing, no pressure selling.

Maybe that’s a Toyota of New Zealand thing? Havent heard anything like that here.

Hertz Used Cars will give you 3 days to “rent” the car you’re interested in. If you buy, the rental goes toward purchase.

The VW dealer I work with will let me take anything on the lot, new or used, for an overnight test or whatever else I want to do, within reason.