The Arteon pricing post on FP got me thinking. What is the most overpriced mainstream vehicle?

"KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time" (kngt) 03/28/2019 at 17:40 • Filed to: ask oppo, pricing, overpriced

0

74

Not talking high end exotic Porsche/Lambos/Ferraris etc. with their exorbitant options. Regular everyday new vehicles whose MSRP makes you go “Nah that’s not worth it”?

Jeep Wrangler is an obvious choice but I nominate the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. Starts at $35,970, goes up to $38,470. You do get a $4502 federal tax credit, but still not worth it for reduced space, performance and meager gains in efficiency and end of the day it’s still a Crosstrek. Another one is the top of the line new Rav4 Limited at $40k. No way it’s worth that. I’d rather get a loaded Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature model.

Oh, in case you wanted to know the Arteon pricing, The Arteon SE FWD starts at $35,845 + 995 Destination : !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Nibby > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:33

2

all cars. everything should be free

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Nibby 03/28/2019 at 17:34

0

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Nibby 03/28/2019 at 17:36

0

sounds great for the economy

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:39

1

I recently found out Kia Optima’s can be optioned to over 40k, does that count? Chrysler 300’s can have absolutely bonkers stickers too

AestheticsInMotion > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:39

6

Any pickup. Now sure, they get hit with pretty crazy discounts, but have you seen the MSRP on these things?? 

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:40

5

Anything made by Lincoln. 

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 03/28/2019 at 17:41

3

Sure. And yeah, I’m not paying $ 45-$ 50K for a 300 even with a V8 while one year old used loaded ones can be had for $ 28K. Plus you could get a Charger 6.4 offering a lot more performance and pretty much same tech and comfort features new for $40K

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > AestheticsInMotion 03/28/2019 at 17:42

2

Ranger. Lariat @$45K? GTFO, $35K XLT- OK fine.

Honeybunchesofgoats > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:42

1

You’d have to really go all-in on dumb options to get a RAV4 up to $40k; it starts at $33k.

Plus, it’s a RAV4, an extra $7k is meaningless when you hand it off to you kid in 20 years. 

Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No > Nibby 03/28/2019 at 17:43

4

promoted by the color red > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:43

0

A Ford Flex tops out at nearly $46k USD with the EcoBoost V6, AWD, and leather options.

CB > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:43

1

Pickups in general are stupid expensive.

The Challenger and Mustang can both get stupid expensive.

Really, everything is too expensive, or I’m not making enough money. One of the two.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 03/28/2019 at 17:43

7

Buick as well. It’s like they intentionally price them $ 5 to $ 15K higher expecting dealers to discount them as much after they’ve been sitting on the lot for 6 months.

gettingoldercarguy > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:44

1

Ford explorer - 62k http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1e0e84ce

A little bit fancier, but on e I've  always considered everyday. BMW m3: 130000

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1c41bcb5

Spanfeller is a twat > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:45

2

The Stinger GT2. 52k is way, WAY too much.

In Mexico it sells for 42,000 USD, mine was 35,000 since it was not selling that well at the very begining. Sure, we don’t get adaptive cruise or lane departure warning, but those features aren’t (and weren’t) worth 10 ,000 dollars (or 17,000 in my case).

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:45

1

$88k for the E450 4Matic and $77k for the GLE 350 seemed a bit excessive. The GLE was definitely the worse offender considering how boring it looked . http://www.rightfootdown.com/cars/reviews/cars-reviews/2019-mercedes-benz-e450-wagon-4matic-the-mom-car-every-dad-should-want-to-drive/

AestheticsInMotion > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:47

0

Eh.... Still not great. Looking back I'm still amazed I got a new Silverado for $19.5k

Nibby > Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No 03/28/2019 at 17:49

5

PS9 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:49

0

Isn’t the arteon just an A5 sportback reskin? You get something almost as good as an Audi with slightly more power for $10k less. How is that overpriced? 

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Honeybunchesofgoats 03/28/2019 at 17:49

4

One example: A Limited trim represents the highest spec for the 2019 RAV4 and starts at a heady $33,500. Adding the new torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system carries a $1,400 premium, while our test car also features the $1,015 Limited Grade Weather Package (heated steering wheel; heated and vented front seats; reclining, heated rear seats; and rain-sensing wipers), the $580 Entune navigation system and JBL audio package, and a $1,025 Limited Grade Advanced Technology Package (proximity key, foot-activated liftgate, 360-degree camera, and a wireless charge pad). Along with a very reasonably priced panoramic sunroof ($200) and a $269 set of floor mats, this RAV4 Limited’s as-tested price sits at $39,034

Almost all the features that are “dumb options” here standard on a CX-5 signature trim @$38K, plus you get the 2.5 Turbo, Plus Android Auto, plus it looks much better inside and out, PLUS is drives much better than the Rav-4. Sure if you’re looking at only resale, and considering handing it down to your kids 20 years down the line but when compare one on one today the Rav4 is not compelling at that price.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 03/28/2019 at 17:51

0

$88K?! Crackpipe even if it is an excellent wagon

PS9 > Nibby 03/28/2019 at 17:52

0

BlueMazda2 YOU CAME BACK WELCOME BACK MA-...

... Oh. Nevermind. :(

PS9 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 17:54

1

They know we have no choice if we want new german wagons. No competition + small volume + market exclusively made of enthusiasts = bend over and bite the pillow, we're going in raw. 

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > PS9 03/28/2019 at 17:56

1

I t’s not an A5 Sportback reskinned. I’d pay extra for the better interiors, Quattro, better design and arguably better resale value.

Spanfeller is a twat > PS9 03/28/2019 at 17:58

2

No, the A5 has the MLB architecture (Longitudinal engine and permanent awd ), the Arteon has MQB architecture (transverse and haldex coupling AWD)

CompactLuxuryFan > PS9 03/28/2019 at 18:00

1

It’s not. It’s on the euro Passat platform which in turn is MQB-based I’m guessing. (i.e. transverse FWD with optional Haldex AWD, not longitudinal like that A5 )

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:02

0

I think it was nearly 30k in options on a 60k car.  Article details them all.

fintail > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 03/28/2019 at 18:02

1

Designo always seems to add a bit . An ordinary nice E450 wagon off the lot is closer to 75-80K, still not cheap, but where else you gonna go?  IIRC, for some time, the MB model that has attracted the wealthiest buyers hasn’t been something like an S65 or Maybach, rather, the E wagon.  

Read your piece, nice, but I have to be that guy, it’s “Burmester” :)

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > fintail 03/28/2019 at 18:03

1

Whoopppsss spelling is hard 

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Spanfeller is a twat 03/28/2019 at 18:03

1

Agreed. GT1 trim is the sweet spot for me on car per $ but in the US dealers were taking $10K off all Stinger GT trims last year so I doubt many bought it at MSRP except the very early adopters.

AMC/Renauledge > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:05

5

The Mini. A Cooper S 4-door hardtop can easily hit $40k. Not Clubman. Not a convertible. Not a Countryman. A simple 4-door hardtop. I just spec’d one up to $39,750 without adding any accessories.

Also, one of my favorite mainstream cars - but an extremely unloved one for the vast majority of car buyers and enthusiasts - is also one of the most overpriced. A loaded Fiat 500L Lounge will run $27,575 for what basically amounts to a subcompact tall wagon. Of course, you’ll never find one on a lot without a big stack of cash on the hood to get it out the door.

Last October, when my partner and I went car shopping, we nearly got a 500L Lounge that the dealer was advertising at $19,995... $6,500 off MSRP. We went with a very gently used 2018 Fit EX-L with about 4k miles on the clock instead. The Fit was a much better business decision.

But I still loved the 500L’s character and its massive panoramic sunroof.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > AMC/Renauledge 03/28/2019 at 18:06

0

Man, why are Mini’s SO expensive?!

PS9 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:06

0

I don’t think the difference between the interiors will be that great. There’s lots of things VW gets wrong, but interior quality (of some of their cars, not all) is one of the reason s people put up with them.

Some people are saying it's not actually an A5 under the sheet metal, but I still think for a $10k discount it's close enough. 

Tapas > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:07

2

The fucking  Miata RF is $40k in Canada!

Spanfeller is a twat > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:08

0

But the GT1 doesn’t get the fancy diff....

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:09

2

the kia stinger gt is a hundred grand car here...

puts it in the same class just about as the audi a8 and 7 series bimmers

not far off the rs5 and m4 either....

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > PS9 03/28/2019 at 18:10

3

There’s a lot of difference in the interior quality, I have driven the new A4 . You should read comments on FP and everywhere else on the internet. Everyone unanimously says it’s overpriced. There are much better options out there especially if you go into the upper trim pricing hitting $45K.

AMC/Renauledge > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:10

0

Because people will pay that kind of money for them, I guess.

I looked at a gently used Mini Cooper 4-door hardtop a few months ago. It felt extremely claustrophobic inside. I walked away from an attractive deal because I felt like we weren’t getting much car for the money.

The original Mini was much smaller, but felt huge inside. I don’t understand why BMW can’t figure out how to make a modern Mini that is anything like the legendary original... at least, beyond its increasingly distorted styling cues.

Honeybunchesofgoats > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:11

1

I don’t think that qualifies as being overpriced in its segment, though. They’re both ~$ 38k and both have aspects that justify that price. Overpriced would be cross-shopping them with a GLA. 

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Spanfeller is a twat 03/28/2019 at 18:12

0

How much difference does it make? on the street?

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:17

0

German Engineering bro!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:17

4

Inspired by today’s round up: Trucks.

Base F150 2WD, standard cab, 2WD, steel wheels, cloth seats, no cruise control, no floor mats, no tow hitch, no bluetooth, 3.3L V6 (cheapest), 6-speed auto (cheapest), 6' bed, basic... everything: $29,750 MSRP . Basically $30k for an economy vehicle . A base Kia has more stuff on it.

Configured as I’d want it (4WD, heated seas, folding mirrors, trailer brakes, tow package, 8' bed, extended cab (for the doggos), AT tires, 5L V8, etc.... $53,370!

Most expensive one I could manage to build was $76,195, which I could “get” for only $737/mo!*

*With $7,620 down, 39 month lease with 10.5k mile allowance

That was fun!

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/28/2019 at 18:17

3

Psssh!

CompactLuxuryFan > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:19

0

Every “midsize” SUV, whether luxury or not. Cannot get anything remotely nicely equipped under $40k. This includes the Pilot/Passport, Blazer, X5, GLE, etc. They hardly offer anything over “compact” SUVs and cost like 1.5x more!

Same goes for midsize luxury sedans. You can hardly get a four banger 5-series for less than a loaded 340. Makes no sense!

Spasoje > PS9 03/28/2019 at 18:22

1

I sat in an Arteon last week at the auto show. There’s a huuuuuuge difference b/w that and an Audi interior.

The materials in the Arteon felt a n d s m e l l e d surprisingly cheap , t o t h e p o i n t t h a t I h a d a m u c h b etter impres s i o n o f that c a r b e f o r e I ever got in it. I l a t e r s a t i n a n A 6 ; o n ce I got out, I r e a l i z e d I h a d b e e n i n t h e r e f o r a g o o d ten minutes . I t ’ s t h a t n i c e i n t h e r e .

gmctavish needs more space > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:27

0

After looking at a ranger, and then an f150, and comparing prices, I don’t understand why anyone would buy a ranger unless they absolutely need a slightly narrower truck

My bird IS the word > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:28

0

+1 for the wrangler. I just want to get my mom an unlimited so she can have a fun car, is that too much to ask?

Future next gen S2000 owner > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:29

1

350/3500 series trucks. A buddy of mine just threw down on a new ‘18 Ram 2500. MSRP was just shy of $ 70. They gave him $ 10 off and 30K for his older 3500, so his loan isn’t actually that much.

But 70K. For a fullsize truck. Granted it’s nice, but......

Future next gen S2000 owner > AMC/Renauledge 03/28/2019 at 18:29

1

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Crash standards.

gettingoldercarguy > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 18:40

2

Holy crap, this is political post  level of commenting, good job!

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > gettingoldercarguy 03/28/2019 at 18:53

1

I try. 

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > AMC/Renauledge 03/28/2019 at 18:58

0

Auto or manual? 3 cylinder? Except for inside space what did you think? It seems they can’t give used ones away which makes the prices interesting to say the least.

bob and john > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 19:08

2

ford focus RS.

here, in canada, the BASE MSRP was 62K CAD. a fully loaded Golf R was 47K.

no one in their right MIND would buy the focus. 

Maxima Speed > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 19:26

1

2019 Dodge Journey; because 22 grand is entirely too much money for a 10 year old car. Take that back. Any money  is too much money for this affront to civilization.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > bob and john 03/28/2019 at 19:29

0

I was going to say that as well. You could get a very nice mustang GT for the price of an RS when they came out.

Now the mustang is off in crazy land. you can hit mid 50's (freedom bucks) and not be at a gt350

Spanfeller is a twat > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 19:58

0

I’m yet to drive it without an LSD.

The Vibe Guy, Apparently > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/28/2019 at 20:05

1

FWIW, I’m pretty sure that’s how GM decides MSRP.... Builds in room for discounts and haggling.

AMC/Renauledge > Future next gen S2000 owner 03/28/2019 at 21:14

0

I don’t buy that at all.

Smart cars are 2 feet shorter than the original Mini. They do fine.

The Honda Fit is the same basic size as the Mini 4-door hardtop. The Mini has 93cuft of interior volume. The Fit has 113cuft. It does just fine in crashes.

The Fiat 500 is smaller than the Mini 3-door  and has more interior space. It meets crash standards, too.

So did the Scion iQ.

BMW is bad at interior packaging, which was the Mini’s whole original reason for existing in the first place.

AMC/Renauledge > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 03/28/2019 at 21:17

0

It was just a Cooper, so it had the turbo triple. The one I tested was an auto.

I found the interior to be cheap, the feature content to be sparse, and NVH issues to be pronounced.

The Fit isn’t as fun to drive, but it’s not bad, it’s way more refined, and it’s way more useful. Ours has leather, a sunroof, and the full HondaSense suite of active safety features. Good luck finding a year-old  Mini with those for $20k.

hike > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 03/28/2019 at 21:27

1

Mercedes knows they can get that much for the wagon because some of their wealthiest buyers choose the wagon, for whatever reason. 

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 03/28/2019 at 22:34

0

Yeah, I found it funny about the trucks being too expensive and then the Arteon debuted essentially in that same range.

When trucks start under $30k but go above $70k, that’s the most overpriced. Does any other segment more than double in price in options and trim?

Longtime Lurker > CB 03/28/2019 at 22:36

1

Both

CB > Longtime Lurker 03/28/2019 at 22:48

0

You're right.

You know, we should probably meet up in Stoon at some point if you’re up for it.

Longtime Lurker > CB 03/28/2019 at 23:23

0

Yes we should. anytime after 5:30pm during weekday, or anytime on the weekend. You can email me if you want kinja.longtime.lurker@gmail.com

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 03/28/2019 at 23:49

0

Other than the XC90, which is a bit of an edge care, no. I thought maybe the Yukon XL, but nope. Most expensive I could make it was $ 82k.

I don't mind the variability in configurations but $30k for such a bare bones model...

i86hotdogs > Maxima Speed 03/29/2019 at 07:18

0

That’t a small price to pay for three rows of seats. It comes with a 4 speed auto as its base transmission. I did not know those existed still. I’m not sure why but I want to buy a CPO one and beat the ever living hell out of it.   

ST80MND > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/29/2019 at 12:19

0

ANY of those damned ‘SUV’ bloated, useless, “hey look at me, i don’t know a single thing about vehicles’ cars, short of a Unimog, or a Vehicross.

ST80MND > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/29/2019 at 12:22

0

Also, i wanted to drive a miata. So I went to a local Mazda stealership for a test drive. It was some sort of special gt package. It was used. Had 75 000 km. It was 3 years old. T hey wanted.......wait for it.........$48 900! I literally laughed at the sales person, and walked out.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > ST80MND 03/29/2019 at 12:25

0

LOL

RPM esq. > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/29/2019 at 14:38

0

Every American pickup in the luxury/ “ special” trims. And the Wrangler.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/29/2019 at 15:34

0

Most one off overprice markup, or MSRP overprice?

The Honda Crosstour was a great example of MSRP overprice, but it’s not sold any longer pretty much for that main reason , that and its looks.

$35,290 was the 2015 MSRP for a EX-L V6 AWD trim, which is pretty much every package you can get, but by the time dealers put on the sticker , that sticker pretty much said $ 40k.

$40k for a Honda Wagon was a hard sell when it wasn’t a looker to begin with, and the Outback got all the praise because it is, to be frank, a better Crossover.

I don’t know what would be on the market now that’s MSRP overpriced, but I suspect that small Volvos would be good candidates. Dealer markup is always asinine and rarely works (see Focus RS) so I’m kind of shelving that. 

imadick > ST80MND 03/29/2019 at 21:45

0

What? They don’t even cost that new?!?!?1

imadick > Spanfeller is a twat 03/29/2019 at 21:48

0

That’s way too much. In Canuckistan it’s 52K Trudeau Pesos, which is like 20K USD.

ST80MND > imadick 03/29/2019 at 23:08

0

That’s why I laughed. As soon as he said it, literally laughed in his face and walked out.