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The $25k car is going extinct?

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319 points pseudolus | 7 comments | 29 Jun 25 15:59 UTC | HN request time: 0.369s | source | bottom
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puzzlingcaptcha ◴[30 Jun 25 06:20 UTC] No.44420041[source]▶
You can still buy a new subcompact car (like a Renault Clio or Skoda Fabia) in Europe for under 20k EUR.

The more interesting question is why these cars disappeared in the US. And while many of the factors discussed here are true for both EU and US (inflation, interest rates, manufacturer profit margins etc) I am surprised no one mentioned the 'SUV loophole' of US regulations that effectively boosted the SUVs (off-road vehicles are classified as non-passenger automobiles with everything that entails, notably much less stringent emission standards) and made the small cars unprofitable to make in comparison.

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1. epolanski ◴[30 Jun 25 07:46 UTC] No.44420555[source]▶
> like a Renault Clio or Skoda Fabia

Few caveats:

- those are generally promotional prices

- those prices are generally tied to financing (you really can't buy it cash at those prices, you need to finance it through them at crazy 7/8%+ rates)

- you can wait for the car even 10 months

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2. svacko ◴[30 Jun 25 08:18 UTC] No.44420762[source]▶
This depends on the EU country, I've just checked official Skoda site for our country and I found brand new 157 Skoda Fabia models available for the same day pickup below 20k without any special financing (from these 85 below 18k, and 22 below 16k)
3. benhurmarcel ◴[30 Jun 25 08:21 UTC] No.44420783[source]▶
> (you really can't buy it cash at those prices, you need to finance it through them at crazy 7/8%+ rates)

Often the case, but then you can get the loan and pay it off immediately for a fee.

4. mrweasel ◴[30 Jun 25 08:21 UTC] No.44420786[source]▶
Looking up the Clio and it's $31,500 / €27,000, but that's partly due to the taxes on cars where. I'd guess however that you almost can't buy it.

The pricing is meant to hit a price point, in this case just below 200.000DKK. That's a promotional price, chance are that very few cars, if any, with that base package, have ever been made or imported. You can probably get it, but you'd have to wait a few months for it.

5. haspok ◴[30 Jun 25 09:10 UTC] No.44421097[source]▶
Don't forget about Dacia, which is Renault's cheaper brand. You can even buy a Spring EV for under 20k - quality is what you'd expect, but for many people it is not an issue.
6. OtherShrezzing ◴[30 Jun 25 09:29 UTC] No.44421210[source]▶
> those prices are generally tied to financing (you really can't buy it cash at those prices, you need to finance it through them at crazy 7/8%+ rates)

I can't talk for the rest of the continent, but in the UK we've got "price on the road" advertising laws here. So if you turn up to a dealership with £20k and ask for a new car that's advertised at £20k, you'll be sold a car for £20k in cash. The dealer might try to up-sell you for financing, but you can just say "I'm paying in cash, and I don't want any extras", and they'll complete the payment & paperwork in record time so that they're able to move onto a more profitable financed sale elsewhere.

7. cbg0 ◴[30 Jun 25 09:55 UTC] No.44421361[source]▶
Not really, there's 43 brand new Clios available for pickup in Romania right now, starts at €17100, with the full hybrid €21000 before incentives.

14 Skoda Fabias in stock starting at €17625; €20500 if you want a few options and an automatic gearbox.