So, what types of NEW cars are young adults buying/getting nowadays?
06-10-15, 10:02 PM
#16
Out of Warranty
Well, many high school kids today actually show little interest in driving, period. They are so wrapped up in their cell-phones, textng, I-Pods, MP-3, downloading music, etc......that they are content to just sit in the back seat of Mom's minivan and get driven wherever they need to go. In my days in high school, that would have been unthinkable....one would have been laughed right out the front door. Most of us, back then, especially in the Great Age of American Muscle Cars when I went to high school, couldn't wait to get our licenses. Unfortunately, a number of us back then, when we DID get our licenses, drove like idiots (and, yes, there were some casualties)
Me and my closest friend were two of the exceptions....we loved cars and driving (and once in a while did something not too smart), but generally drove with common sense.
Me and my closest friend were two of the exceptions....we loved cars and driving (and once in a while did something not too smart), but generally drove with common sense.
06-10-15, 10:06 PM
#17
when I was in that age range I didn't buy a new car. I paid $6K for a 97 V8 Dakota sport from the chevy dealership I worked at as a driver during college. The $6k included a two thousand dollar extended warranty they gave me for $800, which I used to put about $1500 worth of repairs into in the first couple months. Once those repairs were done she drove like a champ (except for drinking gas) for 2 years till it was totaled when some ******* hit my sister when she borrowed it.
06-11-15, 12:21 AM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
So many variables to the equation. One that pops up often for that age range is what mom and dad contribute for high school graduation, college graduation, birthdays, and Christmas. If the parents have spendable money, they often contribute to their kid's car buying purchase.
I live near two high schools and one major university. The younger have the compact Hondas, Hyundais, Nissans, Toyotas, VW's, Kias, and Scions. These are all modern, affordable, and efficient cars. College students also drive those, but then there's a fair mix of Accords, Jettas, IS's, 3-series, C-classes, A4's, newer Mustangs, and newer Camaros. Not too a huge amount of SUV's or trucks for these two groups. Those are still mostly a parent thing. Some exceptions would be the high school son who inherits the father's pickup or the mom's Suburban or Explorer.
Great post and subject. I hope car companies study this exact thing in person and not rely solely on clinics and numbers.
And yes, there is a large downturn in kids wanting to drive or driving right when they turn the legal age. Times have changed and being connected to the outside world is achieved through electronic devices.
I live near two high schools and one major university. The younger have the compact Hondas, Hyundais, Nissans, Toyotas, VW's, Kias, and Scions. These are all modern, affordable, and efficient cars. College students also drive those, but then there's a fair mix of Accords, Jettas, IS's, 3-series, C-classes, A4's, newer Mustangs, and newer Camaros. Not too a huge amount of SUV's or trucks for these two groups. Those are still mostly a parent thing. Some exceptions would be the high school son who inherits the father's pickup or the mom's Suburban or Explorer.
Great post and subject. I hope car companies study this exact thing in person and not rely solely on clinics and numbers.
And yes, there is a large downturn in kids wanting to drive or driving right when they turn the legal age. Times have changed and being connected to the outside world is achieved through electronic devices.
Last edited by Fizzboy7; 06-11-15 at 01:51 PM.
06-11-15, 06:05 AM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Well, many high school kids today actually show little interest in driving, period. They are so wrapped up in their cell-phones, textng, I-Pods, MP-3, downloading music, etc......that they are content to just sit in the back seat of Mom's minivan and get driven wherever they need to go.
06-11-15, 06:16 AM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
SCENARIO: Typical 18-24 year old needs a car.
Most likely, this individual has a job that pays for basic necessities, but pretty much living paycheck to paycheck. Has enough good credit to puchase a new car on their own. Has enough knowledge (thank you internet) about what's out there, but as much as they want the fastest car from a luxury brand, they're more concerned about technology (phone connectivity, sound system) and cost savings (fuel efficiency, low insurance premiums, little/no maintenance costs).
Initial reliability may be considered, but this is not a long term car, and will most likely be upgraded in the future, perhaps to something more family appropriate, but for now, a little frivolous ride would be more appropriate.
Most likely, this individual has a job that pays for basic necessities, but pretty much living paycheck to paycheck. Has enough good credit to puchase a new car on their own. Has enough knowledge (thank you internet) about what's out there, but as much as they want the fastest car from a luxury brand, they're more concerned about technology (phone connectivity, sound system) and cost savings (fuel efficiency, low insurance premiums, little/no maintenance costs).
Initial reliability may be considered, but this is not a long term car, and will most likely be upgraded in the future, perhaps to something more family appropriate, but for now, a little frivolous ride would be more appropriate.
as far as new cars, what i see is tons of civics, corollas, elantras, fortes, and more funky small 'box' cars like souls, fits, low end jeeps, etc. wealthier kids have a small bmw (1, 2), audi (3, 5), or mercedes (GLA, C).
the rest all have used, from real old beaters to pick up trucks, boring sedans, jeeps, suvs, etc.
And then consider this: do sales figures match the needs/wants of this target market?
Last edited by bitkahuna; 06-11-15 at 06:43 AM.
06-11-15, 06:25 AM
#21
Out of Warranty
I'd guess that the desire for a car may be linked to the availability of alternate transportation. In the South, Midwest, and even the West Coast, no matter where you are, you're miles from where you want to be. We're kinda spread out around here, and public transit is minimal to non-existent. The car culture wasn't that strong in the Northeast, particularly in crowded urban areas. Public transit was cheap and readily available - but that didn't mean every teen didn't want a car - it was sorta the pinnacle of the social ziggurat; ownership of a car was a guarantee of feminine companionship.
Today, techno-toys have largely replaced cars in that position for a whole generation. While cars are still important, there are plenty of kids who buy (correction: whose parents buy) every new smartphone weeks before its introduction - secondary to a car. Maybe two or three times a year junior has to have a new phone - it's a status symbol . . . just like a muscle car was back in the day.
There may be an upside to all of this - with gas prices having all but eliminated cruising as a Friday night pastime, maybe texting and social media are a cheaper and safer alternative.
Today, techno-toys have largely replaced cars in that position for a whole generation. While cars are still important, there are plenty of kids who buy (correction: whose parents buy) every new smartphone weeks before its introduction - secondary to a car. Maybe two or three times a year junior has to have a new phone - it's a status symbol . . . just like a muscle car was back in the day.
There may be an upside to all of this - with gas prices having all but eliminated cruising as a Friday night pastime, maybe texting and social media are a cheaper and safer alternative.
06-11-15, 07:04 AM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by Lil4X
+1 That's my understanding of the market right now. HS kids, unless they are blessed with generous or guilty parents are not buying cars, certainly not new ones, but would rather have the latest phone, tablet, and other technology. They'll even bum a ride with the parents rather than deplete their phone budget. Evidently smartphones and other gadgets are replacing automobiles as teen status items.
06-11-15, 07:30 AM
#23
Lexus Champion
I do not doubt that it also has to do with where and what jobs our young people work. My niece works as a bank teller (not a very good job for a university graduate) and would not drive if her father had not insisted on buying her my old 2010 Corolla. She does not even live very close to the bank branch where she works. She was commuting by bus before she got my old car.
Yet a young lady of my niece's age, who works as a project manager for my aerospace employer, drives a new MB CLA.
If we want our young people to be able to contribute to the economy, which includes the economic power to purchase (or lease) cars, we need to ensure they have good jobs. Unfortunately, too many are working at under-paying jobs as bank tellers or at other McJobs.
Yet a young lady of my niece's age, who works as a project manager for my aerospace employer, drives a new MB CLA.
If we want our young people to be able to contribute to the economy, which includes the economic power to purchase (or lease) cars, we need to ensure they have good jobs. Unfortunately, too many are working at under-paying jobs as bank tellers or at other McJobs.
06-11-15, 07:50 AM
#25
not sure how you mean sales figures matching (it is what it is) - maybe you mean availability / selection, but anyway, most young working people can't afford a whole lot (between health insurance or co-pays, paying back student debt, and just living) but obviously those who decide to get a new vehicle have tons of choices and financing options.
When I ask about sales figures, I am asking if auto manufacturers are doing their marketing correctly with sales to prove it.
For example, Scion caters as a youth brand, but it doesn't get the youth demographic. Somehow, the youth market ends up with Honda Fits and Toyota Corollas. Kia does a better job with hamsters.
It's challenging to determine how much of sales percentages are for this demographic, and if anyone is actually looking out for them. I think that if these young buyers purchase a car, a car manufacturer needs to provide something desirable (for cheap) to maintain brand loyalty. It helps ensure a brands evolution in the future.
06-11-15, 07:54 AM
#26
Some young people don't have the option to stay with parents because even older adults have a hard time caring for themselved nowadays. Most young people have to "pay rent" to their parents to stay; and one might choose to move out & pay extra to have their privacy and freedom.
God knows how much I'd suffer if I have to move back in with my parents.
06-11-15, 07:56 AM
#28
Base is $23k, but with options, most of the ones on a dealer's lot are $27k. Even with negotiating, it's in the mid $20k's. Add taxes, license, registration, and fees, and it's scratching $30k before financing. After 10% down, that could be about $500-600 a month for a five-year financing contract for a young buyer.
06-11-15, 08:02 AM
#29
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Not all households are privileged.
Some young people don't have the option to stay with parents because even older adults have a hard time caring for themselved nowadays. Most young people have to "pay rent" to their parents to stay; and one might choose to move out & pay extra to have their privacy and freedom.
God knows how much I'd suffer if I have to move back in with my parents.
Some young people don't have the option to stay with parents because even older adults have a hard time caring for themselved nowadays. Most young people have to "pay rent" to their parents to stay; and one might choose to move out & pay extra to have their privacy and freedom.
God knows how much I'd suffer if I have to move back in with my parents.
From financial stand point, I'd rather help paying bills and keep saving up. Though most young people could careless about saving, they want convenience.
My sister lives with me, and she helps paying the bills, get herself a brand new car. Not that hard as long as you compromise. There are always trade offs, do what makes you happy, I guess.
06-11-15, 08:51 AM
#30
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As a young person. the ability to have the higher end cars that our parents have is almost impossible because a good percentage of young adults right out of college aren't making enough to afford it... all of my friends (22-26) have 10 year old kias and suv's because they dont have the credit or money to afford 500-700 car payments.
