←back to thread

The $25k car is going extinct?

(media.hubspot.com)
319 points pseudolus | 4 comments | 29 Jun 25 15:59 UTC | HN request time: 0.662s | source
Show context
999900000999 ◴[29 Jun 25 17:00 UTC] No.44414566[source]▶
We don't want affordable Chinese EVs.

That's the answer here. They can build cars better, cheaper, faster than we can.

Instead Ford wants to sell a 80k SUPER F-250 BIG MANN TRUCK. All for what, you to drive 10 minutes to Walmart, buy groceries and drive back.

The best car is the one you don't own. No payments, insurance, parking tickets.

Unfortunately most American cities are centered around driving. So much money , and space wasted on these multi ton metal boxes. In many places most(much) of the city is literally just parking spaces.

replies(14): >>44414787 #>>44414789 #>>44414808 #>>44414838 #>>44414841 #>>44415356 #>>44415422 #>>44415479 #>>44415535 #>>44416053 #>>44418159 #>>44418189 #>>44418326 #>>44421070 #
iancmceachern ◴[29 Jun 25 20:16 UTC] No.44416053[source]▶
We drive an F250, and live in San Francisco.

We hardly put any miles on it (maybe 15k a year). To get around locally we ride our bikes mostly here in the city.

We do use it for our small business (essential) and also to to a large RV trailer which we use to live in 2-4 months a year visiting loved ones and just decompressing.

The things people don't usually talk about is the total cost of ownership.

One can buy a new F250 diesel for $80k, drive it for 6 years towing heavy loads and working hard. And sellnit for more than half what they paid for it. During that time the only costs are routine maintenance, no major repair bills.

One can also buy a luxury car or SUV, say a BMW, for the same price and 6 years later it is most certainly not worth half what they paid for it, and they typically paid tens of thousands in repair costs.

The next argument people make is that a big truck is inefficient. The simple fact is my F250 diesel gets the same as your BMW M3. But it can be used for work, and is.

Financially, I would argue that it makes no sense to buy a new vehicle above $50k that isn't a diesel pickup.

replies(5): >>44416549 #>>44416839 #>>44418199 #>>44418440 #>>44419429 #
soganess ◴[29 Jun 25 21:23 UTC] No.44416549[source]▶
[flagged]
replies(2): >>44417429 #>>44419626 #
1. iancmceachern ◴[29 Jun 25 23:04 UTC] No.44417429[source]▶
>>"absolutely prat"

Why the personal insult? Mods is this ok per HN policy?

I use and need it for work, yes big heavy things also need to be done in cities too. I noted this in my original comment. It's very tacky to personally insult a working person for the tools of their trade. You don't like the fact that a plumber needs a plumbing truck? How would a window installer get the windows to the jobsite? How do you bring diesel engines to install in their final locations?

And you are absolutely wrong on the repair of BMWs and especially Audis. Just look at used cars for those brands from a few years ago. You are right on maintenance, but I'm talking about repairs. Things breaking and needing replacement or repair. Anyone who has owned those brands will tell you. Also part prices are a big difference.

If you want a small car buy a Carolla, Camry or a Lexus. I'm not saying buy a big truck.

I'm saying it makes no sense to buy a vehicle over $50k that isn't a diesel pickup, except for "comfort" or "status".

If you don't need one for work, then buy a Camry. They're really nice.

replies(2): >>44418211 #>>44419981 #
2. margalabargala ◴[30 Jun 25 01:15 UTC] No.44418211[source]▶
They weren't personally insulting you, they were describing antisocial behavior generally, and reasons why people might be prejudiced against drivers of large trucks.

Prior to that comment, you hadn't said anything indicating you personally partook in that antisocial behavior.

replies(1): >>44418358 #
3. FpUser ◴[30 Jun 25 01:39 UTC] No.44418358[source]▶
>"they were describing antisocial behavior generally"

Well if they're so fucking social, they should start with rich who waste and pollute way way more and buy governments outright.

4. soganess ◴[30 Jun 25 06:11 UTC] No.44419981[source]▶
You know what, I was out of line with that language. My apologies.

Others are right, I intended to imply "the vibe of the person" you expect when you see an F-250 in a city where even Civic park up on the curb to avoid being clipped. And that being a social cost that any Joe/Jane/Jordan pays in that situation.

Regardless, I'm not really trying to defend myself, just apologize. It was wrong of me and that choice of language was dumb, careless, inflammatory, and just plain rude.