JD Power also backs it up as the average amount financed on a new vehicle is over $50k. This figure is actually more alarming than the average selling price.
I just looked at what our 2015 Impreza goes for now, it's pretty much 10k more, and a pretty similar vehicle, so a decent benchmark. $1k a year isn't too crazy.
My pickup is $20,000 more than 5 years ago.
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I bought an Accord Sport in 2020, and the same 2025 one is 15k North of what we paid. The new one would be a hybrid so that's part of it....it also has a CVT...I have a 6 speed manual...to me that undoes any good the hybrid adds. Although the price is coming back a bit as 50k for an Accord is like gas being$2 a litre in Alberta.
That said, people can afford these SUV's...it's not like there's lots full of repossessed ones being liquidated. As others note the demographic of the new car buyer is the people who are buying that one last nice vehicle while they can still enjoy it. Retired or soon to retire boomers with lots of money.
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So I'm pretty much painted into a corner where I either let my spouse get a new full size SUV. Or I live in my old truck for the rest of my life.
She thinks we need one with 3 row seating. It will be terribly misused with like one road trip a year in the summer. Than some driving in winter in the Edmonton area.
Is the vehicle market going to crash in the next few months? I really don't want to buy anything if I could avoid it. But I'll likely be able to survive a new vehicle one way or the other. The alternative not so much.
So I know Hyundsi and Kia are the greatest things ever in the eyes of most on this form. But I don't like direct injection turbo 4's and excess tech in a vehicle. Would prefer 5000 pound towing capacity at minimum. Towing with a hybrid isn't really something I'm too keen on either. Any recommendations for under 70 thousand? Which honestly seems absurd...but again much cheaper than divorce and more comfortable than living by myself in a 20 year old Silverado.
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I think it'll probably get worse if anything, the tariffs being threatened would raise new car prices and that drives used demand up.
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You should buy a minivan. You won't, but you should.
Had one before, albeit one of the trashy Chysler products. But if you want to haul stuff...van is hard to beat. But I think Sienna only comes with a hybrid now. Although I have not looked too hard at them because as you say....should But won't. Although the van would be easier to live in.
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A van is almost always the right answer for families, but unfortunately van's are a total no-go for many women (my wife among them). They don't want to be seen driving a mom-mobile, yet apparently driving a blobby 3-row SUV that every other mom drives too does not count.
70K is a pretty healthy budget to work with, but don't expect a crash in car prices...from all accounts, they may be going up a bit.
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I found that people road rage against a minivan trying to pass them. Had many people either gun it to try and prevent me from passing them, or suddenly decide they needed to drive 25km faster immediately after being passed. I did find it a bit amusing.
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That's just standard Calgary/Alberta drivers, I get that constantly.
I recently was in LA and spent a lot of time driving as one does and I was kinda shocked at how much nicer and less confrontational drivers in general were.
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A van is almost always the right answer for families, but unfortunately van's are a total no-go for many women (my wife among them). They don't want to be seen driving a mom-mobile, yet apparently driving a blobby 3-row SUV that every other mom drives too does not count.
Definitely agree. Back in like 2005 before we had kids, but had two bigger dogs I was in the dealership and decided to sit in the Sienna. I was shocked at home much better that would be for traveling with the dogs. The seats come out, the floor is nice and low. My wife thought that was a terrible idea. Eventually after trying to load an infant into the middle of a Rav 4 a few years later she caved to the idea of a van. But now that the kids are older and we have maybe 3 more that the older one will be seen in pulic with his family...she has SUV retribution in her sights.
Buddy of mine his kids are like 16 and 19 and has two dogs. So his future is wife and the two dogs...she insists they get a loaded SUV that she drives. Again the SUV retribution rearing it's head. Oddly he's the one who's driving their old van while she gets the better vehicle right now.
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Siennas are so bomb proof, too. We still have a bunch in our fleet approaching 500,000km. Maintain them and they run forever.
Those all likely have the 3.5 V6 and the 6 speed auto. Both of those are about as reliable longterm as you can get. Im not sure if the new 2.5 with the hybrid will be as durable.
But the power output of that unit isnt crazy. I'd bet on the 2.5 hybrid with 245 horse and 177lb-ft torque holding up long term than their new iforce max which is 2 4 litres putting out 326hp and 465lb-ft of torque. Maybe I should look for an 08 Sienna with 200000k on it and live in that.
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From what it sounds like the hybrids are pretty reliable...but if you want a bulletproof Toyota with a NA engine that will outlast all of us, that can technically qualify as a 3-row SUV, and has decent (5000 lbs) towing capability...you may want to look at the outgoing 4Runner in the Limited trim. Or if you need more cache/luxury/towing capacity, the outgoing Lexus GX with an even more awesome NA V8. I find the GX to be especially wife-friendly...my wife is not a fan of the 4Runner, yet the GX shot to the top of her wishlist during out last round of car shopping (and no she was not aware they are the same basic car). They are not huge inside, so if you need to up the ante even more, the 200-series LC/LX is in my totally biased opinion the best made SUV on the planet regardless of brand. All 3 are made in Japan, which is always a step up in quality compared to the US/Mexican counterparts (ie. Tacoma/Sienna).
Neither of them will wow you with gadgets like a Hyundai/Kia, but if you're looking for long-term value, I would bet that any decently maintained 2-10 year old 4Runner/GX/200 will outlast whatever Korean techmobile (or sadly the new turbo Toyotas) you buy new today... maybe twice. The fuel economy will totally suck, but you will more than make it up the difference with reliability and longevity (and/or resale value when you go to sell). It's like buying a really well made pair of leather boots that will outlast all the other junk you need to replace every season.
Last edited by Table 5; 12-29-2024 at 11:01 AM.
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So I'm pretty much painted into a corner where I either let my spouse get a new full size SUV. Or I live in my old truck for the rest of my life.
She thinks we need one with 3 row seating. It will be terribly misused with like one road trip a year in the summer. Than some driving in winter in the Edmonton area.
Is the vehicle market going to crash in the next few months? I really don't want to buy anything if I could avoid it. But I'll likely be able to survive a new vehicle one way or the other. The alternative not so much.
So I know Hyundsi and Kia are the greatest things ever in the eyes of most on this form. But I don't like direct injection turbo 4's and excess tech in a vehicle. Would prefer 5000 pound towing capacity at minimum. Towing with a hybrid isn't really something I'm too keen on either. Any recommendations for under 70 thousand? Which honestly seems absurd...but again much cheaper than divorce and more comfortable than living by myself in a 20 year old Silverado.
Honda Pilot
3.5L v6
5000lb towing capacity
can go as cheap as $55,000, full load Black Edition is $66,000
I have a 25 BE Pilot and it is an amazing vehicle, reliable, great for 2 kids and looks sharp.
Last edited by 3thirty; 12-29-2024 at 10:03 AM.
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The Palisade/Telluride are much better choices in this trading space IMO. Way better aesthetics inside and out and next level fit and finish, plus the 3.8 is a good drivetrain. I'd likely choose a Grand Highlander and CX-90 (a little less space) over the Pilot as well. Honda used to be class leaders in virtually every category of vehicle they built on a variety of levels, the Civic would be the only current offering that meets that criteria. I have owned 10 Honda's over the years and there isn't a vehicle (Acura included) in their current lineup that I'd want to own, sadly.
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Kia/Hyundai have taken a pretty big hit on their I.C.E powerplants recently. I know all automakers go through it but they're the most recent to take a massive hit.
Having owned a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, I can say I'd prefer a Honda. They feel better quality wise and drive better.
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