2016 taurus

[sticks1680]

If you ignore increased government regulations, inflation, and what the advanced in technology actually do, I'm sure it does seem ridiculous. The increase in price is not all their fault, and I question whether prices actually have increased.

You can get an Extended cab 4x4 F150 for under $35,000 still - and really your $33,000 in 2004 is $41,000 today. If you had a 4.6L in the 2004, a 2015 V6 is going to have more power and save you money on fuel too.

Oh im sure you can get a bare bones truck for under 40. But the point is cars, trucks are being priced out of reach for a normal family. ****, look at the incentives they are offering now. They blame it on the apparent over estimating of the publics desire for the new f150. On the contrary. Its the high prices keeping people away, not the lack of desire.

 

[rcryniak]

Considering that typical families buy used cars, I'm not sure that's 100%. Sure, someone *could* opt for a new car but even at half the price is still a big deal for "typical" families. If the median US household income is around 52k a year then even a cheap 26k car is half a years gross salary for the entire family. As such, the so called "typical family"is far more likely to go used... errr... preowned. As such I'm inclined to believe that new car prices are more geared towards those with a little more wiggle room. If they price too high, the market will bark right back.

 

[sticks1680]

Considering that typical families buy used cars, I'm not sure that's 100%. Sure, someone *could* opt for a new car but even at half the price is still a big deal for "typical" families. If the median US household income is around 52k a year then even a cheap 26k car is half a years gross salary for the entire family. As such, the so called "typical family"is far more likely to go used... errr... preowned. As such I'm inclined to believe that new car prices are more geared towards those with a little more wiggle room. If they price too high, the market will bark right back.

I agree and more to my point even. You would think these manufacturers would know by now there are more normal families out there under the median income than those above it with extra cash.

 

[rcryniak]

I agree and more to my point even. You would think these manufacturers would know by now there are more normal families out there under the median income than those above it with extra cash.

I agree... I certainly wish they'd price cars to be within range of the median income at least. But my point I suppose is that I don't think they ever really have done so. (At least not within my lifetime.) Bottom line... as long as the market will bear the prices as given, it will never change. It is what it is.

 

[sticks1680]

I agree... I certainly wish they'd price cars to be within range of the median income at least. But my point I suppose is that I don't think they ever really have done so. (At least not within my lifetime.) Bottom line... as long as the market will bear the prices as given, it will never change. It is what it is.

Sad but true

 

[sperold]

There is always lots of talk about how cars have never been cheaper.... when compared to your income. Although I hear that talk, and buy into it to some degree, I can't help remembering when, even in my rural, somewhat depressed area, a lot of people bought new cars every 3 years, and some every year. I don't know anyone who does that now, even though it is reported they are the best deal in all history.

But remember, I am going back to a time when you did not have a phone plan that cost $100.00 per month and houses were in the $40 to $80,000.00 range.

For my own situation, I owned and drove a newer car when I was in high school and had no regular income, but I am not typical by any means. Just bears noting when the great value and affordability issue comes up.

 

[SHOnUup4]

Gas is cheaper today than 30+ years ago if compared against something like silver and what you could buy in fuel then with an ounce of silver vs today with an ounce of silver.

Rich

 

[sperold]

Yea, I have silver as an investment, and it is selling today for less than the cost to mine and process it.
The metals (all) are in a depressed market.
Scrap metal, a few years ago, was around $300.00 per ton, today it is $78.00.
Anyone wanting to make a point about how cheap things are today, are bound to use silver as their benchmark.

 

[SHOnUup4]

Silver has took a hit over last 2 years...was almost $40 an ounce then to $15 now...at $15 it still sits more than triple what it was worth 40 years ago.

Man...at 15 it makes me want to buy some now

Rich

 

[roland]

just to clarify, people realize these Taurus prices being thrown out are for China, not the US right? The $45,000 base price is Chinese Market after 20% tax and any other fees thrown at Ford by the Black Audi A6L party.

I doubt the base Taurus in US will be over 27-28 in the US. If that sounds expensive, then how much was a 265-280hp full six sedan in 2005- around 27-28k for a Buick Lucerne 4.6 and Chrysler 300 3.5l. Which one do you think is a better car, a brand new 2006 Lucerne or a brand new 2015 Taurus?

I'm not sure where this 40k for a barebones f150 is coming from...the base msrp on a 4wd is 30k-32kish, if you're paying 40k then its the dealer screwing you not the factory.

 

[rcryniak]

I'm pretty sure everyone understands that China prices do not represent US prices, especially with a model that doesn't pertain to the US market at all... I think the speculation has come from online sources which are "claiming" the base price for the US model is going to go up quite a bit (I've seen it once or twice, but can't remember where)... so the outcry is in response to that speculation. As far as I'm concerned, I'm well, not concerned... I'm sure the powers that be at Ford are smart enough to not invest in the manufacture of a product that they can't sell because they've overpriced it.

Point I think is that NEW cars absolutely are not cheap to own, and most folks (based on median income) are less likely to buy a new one due to the price. I was contending that such has been generally true for a very long time. I'm not complaining... people still DO the new every 3... in either lease form (much more affordable from a monthly perspective if you care for your cars, and keep within mileage), or they get some other incentive (e.g. employer discounts, etc.) and/or are OK with shelling out for a new one the first time, and work hard at keeping the value of their cars up for the impending trade in. Some people are ok with that, even in the median income range. It depends on your other expenses; how big is your family, how big is your mortgage, utilities cost, are you still paying back student loans, etc., etc., the list goes on and on. Bottom line, it's by no means a trivial investment (especially for typical families) ...a $50,000 vehicle's monthly (non-lease) payments are going to be well over $800/month even with a generous down payment, so most "average" folks are far more likely to buy a pre-owned vehicle that's as low on mileage as they can afford. (Considering the "average" US family's household income is $52k... which is about $38k after taxes, etc. (ball park)... so $800/month is 25% of their spendable monthly income. That's huge - especially also considering that many families need more than one car!)

So, yeah, it'd be nice if great cars could be had brand new for far less - on the other hand if they were priced in the "consumable" range, they'd be treated as such, so there's a flip side too. Honestly, my family is... better off than the average... and even then, my SHO is pre-owned... and I really don't care. It was a reasonably good deal, reasonably low miles, mint condition, and I love my car. I don't care if someone else drove it before I did. It wouldn't be worth twice the payment to have it brand new just to say I have a "brand new car".

 

[RichInMich]

Just read that the new F150 Raptor is coming with our twin turbo V6 instead of a V8 - and it's estimated to have 500hp. With an estimated weight (including going light with aluminum) of 6100 pounds. Wow. So anyway, it's looking like anything is possible with our twin turbo V6 power plant.

 

[zoomlater]

I wonder what they would price this version if ever got made

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/ford-taurus-rs-could-sho-big-bad-brother-120030891.html

 

[shaker281]

There is always lots of talk about how cars have never been cheaper.... when compared to your income. Although I hear that talk, and buy into it to some degree, I can't help remembering when, even in my rural, somewhat depressed area, a lot of people bought new cars every 3 years, and some every year. I don't know anyone who does that now, even though it is reported they are the best deal in all history.

...

Those cars had no safety features whatsoever, got 13 MPG, AM radios, no A/C and fell apart after 3 years. I bought my SHO used with 18K miles for $30K and it still drives like new 5 years later. No rust and loaded with features that were unimaginable back "in the day". It used to be rare when a car hit 100K miles, today it is relatively common.

You can still buy a new car for around $20K and nicely equipped with standard features too. The complaint people seem to make is that high end, fully equipped new vehicles are not being given away to anyone with a lower middle class income. Which is true. The SHO is top of the line as far as Ford sedans are concerned.

That said, a new fully loaded SHO will not be cheap. They are almost $50k now. Add the latest tech, safety features and creature comforts, inflation...

 

[sticks1680]

Those cars had no safety features whatsoever, got 13 MPG, AM radios, no A/C and fell apart after 3 years. I bought my SHO used with 18K miles for $30K and it still drives like new 5 years later. No rust and loaded with features that were unimaginable back "in the day". It used to be rare when a car hit 100K miles, today it is relatively common.

You can still buy a new car for around $20K and nicely equipped with standard features too. The complaint people seem to make is that high end, fully equipped new vehicles are not being given away to anyone with a lower middle class income. Which is true. The SHO is top of the line as far as Ford sedans are concerned.

That said, a new fully loaded SHO will not be cheap. They are almost $50k now. Add the latest tech, safety features and creature comforts, inflation...

Yes, but im not talking 30 yrs ago. Im using the last decade as an example. The price increase over that time is mindblowing. Inflation is just a small part.

Pohnz-1

 

[roland]

I'm pretty sure everyone understands that China prices do not represent US prices, especially with a model that doesn't pertain to the US market at all... I think the speculation has come from online sources which are "claiming" the base price for the US model is going to go up quite a bit (I've seen it once or twice, but can't remember where)... so the outcry is in response to that speculation. As far as I'm concerned, I'm well, not concerned... I'm sure the powers that be at Ford are smart enough to not invest in the manufacture of a product that they can't sell because they've overpriced it.

Ahh makes sense, I hadn't heard the rumors.

I think it will be the same as when the EU Focus/Mondeo came here, everyone said the price would be too high, and of course if you load it up with options the 2013 Fusion could be almost 10k more than the 2012....but base price I think stayed around the same.

Since the new Taurus will be based on the Mondeo chassis, I'm hopeful it will lose some weight. I think what Cadillac did with that new...CT6? or whatever their new luxury sedan is, is pretty amazing. Almost the same weight as an ATS. A 3800lb Taurus SHO -even with the 2.7 V6 TT -would be pretty awesome.

 

[rcryniak]

A 3800lb Taurus SHO -even with the 2.7 V6 TT -would be pretty awesome.

Only if I could drop my 3.5 V6 TT into it and call it a day hahahha

 

[SHOnUup4]

Only if I could drop my 3.5 V6 TT into it and call it a day hahahha

GT swap...lol

Rich

 

[markathome]

Interesting, the @FordTaurus twitter account has been deleted. Sign of things to come, or just a social media reset by Ford marketing.....

Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk

 

[SHOdded]

I hope it's a good sign rather than a bad omen, Mark!