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Gap between luxury, mainstream cars shrinks

USA Today -- The day could be fast-arriving when a new breed of car buyer considers a new generation of cars, and wrestles with a choice something like: "Hmmm, $30,000. Should I get that loaded Ford Focus, or this new mini-size entry BMW?"

Absurd? Not necessarily.

Luxury auto brands already are making a living in the U.S. on their smaller models — BMW's 3-series is the best example. Now, they're easing more into the compact- and even subcompact-size market segments and have begun to show teaser versions of remarkably small cars on the auto show circuit.

At the same time, mainstream automakers are adding equipment to their smaller cars and trying to boost the prices.

Ford says its redesigned, 2013 Fusion midsize sedan, for example, has been luring a notable number of trade-ins from Acura, BMW and Au

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Submitted Nov 28, 2012 By: DellDude2

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 6:33:18 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Where are the $15k or less cars that people could still afford? A diesel truck now costs almost as much as a family home (and that's not even decked out). Where are the wages to buy these vehicles? Oh, wait, we're all buying this on credit, right? Anyone say WorldComm? Enron....? Madoff?
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,540 Points:746,095 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Nov 29, 2012 6:14:59 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse and so is the cost. Getting harder and harder to find a cheap new car.
EvergreenON All-Star Author Ontario Posts:933 Points:481,740 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 29, 2012 5:26:02 AM Ignore EvergreenON Report Abuse Good
ropegun11 Veteran Author Illinois Posts:427 Points:441,565 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 29, 2012 12:32:11 AM Ignore ropegun11 Report Abuse ...and used/"pre-owned" cars are becoming more expensive as well.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,475 Points:1,554,825 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 11:46:29 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Some lower cost mainstream cars are perfectly good choices for the money.
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,458 Points:660,250 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 10:06:55 PM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Don't have an extra $30,000 in chump change laying around.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,790 Points:816,385 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:56:53 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Hmmm...
OOXXFF Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,048 Points:1,076,480 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:56:51 PM Ignore OOXXFF Report Abuse Gas efficient cars are on the rise.
SavALot Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,459 Points:1,709,660 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:52:41 PM Ignore SavALot Report Abuse luxury just isn't the same anymore
davenles Champion Author Texas Posts:3,186 Points:716,710 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:51:24 PM Ignore davenles Report Abuse They are getting better.
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,260 Points:2,264,665 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:49:11 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse competition is great and achieves many beneficial things
nwsynthetics Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,014 Points:345,075 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:46:48 PM Ignore nwsynthetics Report Abuse Bring the Pinto's back
CiVX Champion Author Oakland Posts:7,050 Points:1,357,860 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:42:57 PM Ignore CiVX Report Abuse Mostly a money gap.
preacherjohn Champion Author Modesto Posts:3,978 Points:1,916,895 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:42:16 PM Ignore preacherjohn Report Abuse As long as it gets you from here to there w/out breaking down..OK.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,055 Points:1,729,430 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:40:04 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse where is this from Mars?
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,794 Points:1,841,500 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:37:32 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse I agree with this statement. I've seen this at the auto shows I've attended. Its hard to find any good vehicle under $30,000 anyway.
Ebaz Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,236 Points:713,360 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:37:31 PM Ignore Ebaz Report Abuse Interesting
oldiesman Champion Author New York Posts:6,417 Points:2,192,010 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:35:45 PM Ignore oldiesman Report Abuse Can't afford?
Harry813 Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,990 Points:658,940 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:32:57 PM Ignore Harry813 Report Abuse Hmmmm....... I think I'll just keep driving my paid for car ...
melvindale Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,438 Points:351,230 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:32:03 PM Ignore melvindale Report Abuse I've been making that observation for the last 40 years, but I'm not going to say 'old news' because I find that super annoying when other people do so.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,978 Points:1,110,400 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:29:07 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse Just another reason to buy a Ford...
ItsMorph Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:33,415 Points:3,183,230 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:28:09 PM Ignore ItsMorph Report Abuse Wow, $30K for a Focus? :D
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,554 Points:1,510,180 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:27:11 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse All about the almighty $$$$
Mowerman08 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:4,745 Points:1,215,070 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:25:45 PM Ignore Mowerman08 Report Abuse More "high end" features as standard will attract more buyers.
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,199 Points:515,825 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:24:43 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Buy American.
hpow Rookie Author Vancouver Posts:85 Points:18,850 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:22:31 PM Ignore hpow Report Abuse ok
WIWalt Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,716 Points:413,595 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:20:59 PM Ignore WIWalt Report Abuse Interesting
Palantas All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:803 Points:412,345 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:19:53 PM Ignore Palantas Report Abuse It's nice that basic features, like power everything, cruise, and decent and sound, that were once luxury options, are now generally present in midrange cars. American manufacturers finally stopped rationing convenience.
MG_Sputnik Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:7,295 Points:1,958,455 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:18:44 PM Ignore MG_Sputnik Report Abuse We're all doomed!
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,324 Points:1,529,650 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:18:05 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Soon we won't be able to afford a mainstream car or the gas for them. The luxury car prices are not coming down but the junker prices are sure going up!
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,912 Points:1,573,030 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:17:32 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse we need more basic cars
naspa Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,261 Points:350,200 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:12:40 PM Ignore naspa Report Abuse Small cars for everyone!
flyfast Champion Author Kansas City Posts:9,238 Points:1,823,860 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:11:42 PM Ignore flyfast Report Abuse ok
gsayeg1 All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:774 Points:139,140 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:04:38 PM Ignore gsayeg1 Report Abuse What?
tdc007 Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,104 Points:380,925 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:03:30 PM Ignore tdc007 Report Abuse Ok
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,610 Points:3,492,755 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:03:17 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Cars made by the UAW are overpriced much more so than non-UAW shops.
grandamgt1 Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,331 Points:1,237,400 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:57:35 PM Ignore grandamgt1 Report Abuse To me this means "mainstream" cars are overpriced.
kbierley Champion Author Dayton Posts:10,730 Points:1,415,690 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:54:45 PM Ignore kbierley Report Abuse Why do I have to buy the $30K Car when a can get a 2 year old one for half the price?
billwho All-Star Author El Paso Posts:509 Points:250,065 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:52:36 PM Ignore billwho Report Abuse Hint ! Buy what you need, not what you want ! If the repubs get what they want, all your extra $$ will be spent on medical and rx bills.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,211 Points:870,220 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:52:24 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse It seems hard for the average person to afford this kind of car, I would think a lot of people never get free of car loans.
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,067 Points:794,450 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:52:17 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse Small cars with big prices. I think they will miss the market if our economy and employment doesn't improve.
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,840 Points:1,469,095 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:52:01 PM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse How 'bout my Focus?
Alfied Champion Author Riverside Posts:7,925 Points:1,753,335 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:49:45 PM Ignore Alfied Report Abuse Name's not important any more.
CCLighthouse All-Star Author Hartford Posts:993 Points:211,080 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:45:59 PM Ignore CCLighthouse Report Abuse I would have to agree with the end of this article. I would prefer a larger vehicle if I could get really great mileage and few Lux add ons (heated bucket seats and a nice symphony sound system). I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited now and I would love it even more if I could get much better mileage. : )
bojiway1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,034 Points:476,010 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:42:48 PM Ignore bojiway1 Report Abuse Ok
kzrooster Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:2,370 Points:514,575 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:42:45 PM Ignore kzrooster Report Abuse It's true, lots of cars are SELLING at the mid to high 20k. This is not a surprise to me.
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,007 Points:1,484,930 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:40:35 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Gap getting bigger between new car prices and average Joe's wallet.
VanIsleLes All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:898 Points:275,345 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:35:05 PM Ignore VanIsleLes Report Abuse I don't know that the average person can afford that right now
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,554 Points:1,770,090 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:34:40 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse At $30K they must be dreaming or smoking funny stuff. Not gonna happen. Have they seen the economic reality? I'm talking about mass production models not boutique cars.
mrbee Champion Author Little Rock Posts:3,744 Points:2,464,030 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:33:17 PM Ignore mrbee Report Abuse Ok