By Jeff Glucker
The average new car transaction price is sky high at the moment, and thanks to several factors, it’s not going to let up anytime soon. Lately, it feels like any vehicle we cover here has an untouchable price tag. But there are still affordable vehicles for sale today. Take the Ford Maverick, for example. I’ve seen lease deals under $200 per month, and if you build one out a bit, you can get a good one in the mid to low $30,000 range.
Of course, that’s a far cry from what a $30k used to be, but in today’s market, it’s a deal. There are always deals to be found used, too. But I want to know if there are any new cars or trucks currently on sale (or coming out soon) that pique your interest.
Or perhaps there’s something you’d like to pick up on the CPO market, let us hear about that as well.
the overseas crackerbox pickups selling for 3-8k are perfect for most utility work.
if Ford built something like their original Courrier, i would buy one, but it better be cheap, then maybe i would buy 3.
Unfortunately, there’s not much that piques my interest. I miss my old Ranger pickup, but the Maverick is FWD and automatic-only, which are two big negatives for me. Ideally, I want a small-to-medium manual-shift, RWD wagon (or pickup, or SUV). The RWD qualification rules out most affordable options, and the manual transmission requirement many others. I would also consider AWD, opening the door to the Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek, though I’m not wowed by either. It’d be great if the WRX was a hatchback rather than a sedan.
Sticking with the limitation that it must be a new 2025 model:
I’ve had my eye on a Mazda3 hatchback for a while now. I like the styling, and the reviews I’ve seen are all pretty positive. Given current prices on used 3’s in my area and the scarcity of manuals, I’d probably spring for a new one with a stick and no AWD, though I am a little annoyed that you have to go with the high zoot trim to get a turbo.
The Slate pickup (or something like it) looks pretty compelling. A two-seat runabout with a frunk and a bed would work really well for my needs. My hope is that we’ll start to see similar products from other marques.
Now, this might get me thrown out of the room, but a Mitsubishi Mirage makes a pretty strong argument for an economy car. $16K, brand spanking new with a warranty? Seems like it would be hard to go wrong there. Slow car fast, man.
In far, far left field, a Mustang Ecoboost would be a real hoot. Seems unlikely, but not out of the realm of possibility. Stylish, comfy, RWD and just fast enough to get you into trouble… I like it.
Weird answer, maybe, but I’ve selected an absolutely base RCSB Silverado 1500. The only “option” I’ve added – I use quotation marks because it’s a zero-dollar option – is a cloth bench to replace the standard vinyl.