Are we really that stupid

oldtin wrote: Right before the bust I was wondering if I had been wrong for not leveraging more rather than having 60-70% equity in our home. The thing with the bust - it was a big pyramid scheme. Last one out gets screwed. My neighbor's son was investing in real estate and highly leveraged. Tried hiding the losses from his family - eventually borrowed from a group of Russians to try to float things until the market turned around. The Russians were not pleased when he couldn't pay. They suggested some family members' health might be in jeopardy. So he cuts his own throat (he survived after a 2 month hospital stay). Moral of the story - people do stupid E36 M3 all the time. On the face of it, they look like intelligent, successful people. He drove one of those. Many are an instant away from disaster.

Is this a true story?! Who would ever think borrowing money from the Russian Mob would be a good idea? Those Russkies make the Italian Mafia look like boy scouts.

Is this a good time to drop the prices we paid for our last vehicle?

Wow that's aimed at the hardcore "more money than sense" demographic. Hard to believe GM failed while selling those things at those prices!

I figured those things went for $30k and cost about $25k to build. It's just a big stupid truck with no fancy tech in it.

But now that I look even the Suburbans are in the $40k-$50k range

GameboyRMH wrote: Wow that's aimed at the hardcore "more money than sense" demographic. Hard to believe GM failed while selling those things at those prices! I figured those things went for $30k and cost about $25k to build. It's just a big stupid truck with no fancy tech in it. But now that I look even the Suburbans are in the $40k-$50k range

Caddy isn't why GM has issues. It's great when you can sell a product for $70k when it cost $40k to make.

It really sucks when you sell a product for $30k that cost $27k to make.

(which then starts a whole thread on it's own...)

N Sperlo wrote: Is this a good time to drop the prices we paid for our last vehicle?

Put all mine together and it's less than a new (non-Italian) sportbike.

I'm both stunned and impressed that they can do it.

Base model Silverado = $22k.
Loaded up Escalade = $88k.

If they can figure out how to add enough leather, sound deadening, and doodads to convince people to pay 4 times as much for the same basic vehicle, then more power to them.

Only $80K? Bargain!

In reply to pinchvalve:

Until very recently, my son had a pearl white Escalade as a company car. All the bells and whistles. Hand me down from Big Boss, but still a very nice free car. Took it back last month, got him a little thing I didn't even recognize.

GameboyRMH wrote:

N Sperlo wrote: Is this a good time to drop the prices we paid for our last vehicle?

Put all mine together and it's less than a new (non-Italian) sportbike.

I think I'm at around 16k. That includes the off-the-dealer-lot price of the focus brand new. 5 cars in all.

16K for my Integra ('01 ) when it was new, 4K for the CRX ( already built to STS level), and 3.5k for the F150 4x4 ... so 23.5k spread over 13 yrs

wbjones wrote: 16K for my Integra ('01 ) when it was new,

$16k for my Colorado when it was new in 2011

To answer the initial question on the title: Yes, we as a society are that stupid. If you have to ask, you already know the answer.

Zomby Woof wrote:

wbjones wrote: 16K for my Integra ('01 ) when it was new,

$16k for my Colorado when it was new in 2011

yeah, and I'm looking at a new Fit in a yr maybe 2 .... base ( would suit me fine... 15" tires) = 17k

paid $19k for our Sierra new in '06. Stickered for $26k.

We just paid $10k for our '10 Forte SX.

insert snarky/sour grapes comment about how i'm superior for not buying nice vehicles/driving crap cans

aircooled wrote: It's like wearing a expensive jewelry. It serves no real purpose, but what it implies is: "I have sooooo much money coming out of my butt, I can blow huge amounts of it on crap like this" But more commonly it is: "I want people to think I have soooo much money coming out of my butt that I can blow huge amounts of it on crap like this"

Next step up in that game: Mercedes G-wagen. Next step after that: AMG G-wagen.

z31maniac wrote: *insert snarky/sour grapes comment about how i'm superior for not buying nice vehicles/driving crap cans*

Yeah, I'm waiting for it. We keep a couple of "nice" vehicle so I don't have to fix E36 M3 constantly. That and we keep them forever. The Sierra, we'll have it until it rusts in two. Considering how well it's holding up, that will probably be in another 15 years. The Forte, I'll keep it for a good 8-10 years.

Buying new is smart for someone that keeps it and gets their money out of it longterm.

In reply to Duke:

AMG G-wagen is freaking sweet.

No, not really.

Duke wrote: No, not really.

IF I was stupid rich, I would have one of those and an Overfinch Defender in my garage.

Yes, yes really.

1) Take capable off-roader.
2) Double the price failing to turn it into a GT car, while destroying off-road capablility.
3) ????????
4) Profit!!!1!1!!

Perhaps I'm jaded by the number of bleach-blonde aging trophy wives I see driving them. I'm also completely unconvinced by the irony of pretending anyone is actually going to take a $100k vehicle anywhere rougher than the mall parking lot.

What ancient ancestor of the Escalade was ever a capable offroader?

N Sperlo wrote: Is this a good time to drop the prices we paid for our last vehicle?

I'm just under $6000 for 5 vehicles......$1500 for the last two.