same thing for the park break
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 ...
He found me one three weeks later with crank windows but no cruise control. The dealership was located about ten miles from GM headquarters in Detroit, and the car was manufactured across the river in Ontario. GM didn't care then, why would it care now?
Notice how these front-wheel cars really grind down the fronts?
I’d gladly trade the “Entertainment System” for rear wheel drive and a real engine annunciator panel.
I can remember when a heater was optional.
I have seen something recently which is a new one on me.
A couple, maybe 3 different vehicles which are all black. I mean black trim, black wheels, black wall tires. Everything is all black.
At first I assumed they were unmarked police cars but I don’t think they are and like I said, two or three different brands but done the same way.
Easy...the dimmer. I wish it was still on the floor.
same thing for the park break
tried..when it was fact it wasn’t gonna sell all rebates and dealer help vanished
prolly gonna use it for internal needs
Mine is under the hood and they’re fuses like you’ve never seen before.
Light dimmer switch.
I seem to recall reading that hand-crank windows weren’t eliminated because electrics were more luxurious but because the mechanism was simpler and cut down on weight. Helped the manufacturers meet their idiotic CAFE standards.
Rear wheel drive cars now are mostly in the luxury or luxury/performance classes and are priced accordingly. Probably the best deal is the 300 hp “base” Ford Mustang at around $25,000.
I remember a push button starter like that. Don’t recall the make or year though. My dad had a push button transmission in his Fury (early 60s).
Oh yes, but a security nightmare. :)
Remember the car seat which hooked over the regular seat? If you were lucky, your had a steering wheel as well. :)
I like bench seats and ashtrays.
.
I am not sure about that but I remember the steering wheel which hooked over the front seat so the kid could pretend he was driving.
Remember when bumpers were “extras” on pickups?
The used-car market is really tight.
People can’t afford new cars, so they are turning to used cars, and they are in short supply and prices for a low-mileage used car are not a great amount lower than the price of new
My wife’s new Jeep Wrangler has power windows and door locks. Heresy!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.