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Comment on Ask HN: When will car prices normalize?

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I am currently sitting at a Honda dealership in Los Angeles, just talked to a salesman.

Info:

- ~25 new cars on the lot compared to 200+ before shortages. He said they have a good amount of used cars. Funny enough 15 minutes after they took my car they call me and ask if I want to sell my car to them!

- Lease prices are double what they were 2 years ago when I looked. Specifically Civic sedans were ~$250/month with $3k down but now are closer to $600!

- $5k over MSRP on everything which they say "can be worked on" but that seems to be the current standard. I went to Subaru few months back and it was the same.

- For financing, manager said around 3.9% interest is around the lowest they do in-house (assuming max perfect credit). Not sure what auto loans are like with big banks at the moment.

So until shortages normalize buying a new car is just not a wise financial decision (at least for me). $30k+ for a Honda is just pretty bad. With $700/month to finance I'd rather get a Model 3. With gas prices and the $800 maintenance I'm paying just for today it's looking like a good option.

If anyone is interested in current maintenance cost breakdown on my car I will update this post when i get my bill in an hour or so ballpark $800 total.

Maintenance in terms of something being broken/fixed, or is this is suggested work by the dealership?

Curious what scheduled $800 maintenance would be on a civic, I've had several hondas and they haven't needed much more than gas, fluid, tire and brake changes.

No repairs just maintenance. $300 is just for two new tires + $100 for alignment check. Around $125 each for transmission check and brake fluid. $60 for oil change but you can buy a $120 package for 2 additional ones in the future so I did that. Cabin and engine filters as well not sure what those cost yet, still waiting!

I definitely waited a bit too long so all this stacks up but their prices are actually pretty comparable with independent mechanics (would love to be corrected if anyone gets better in LA :). I should probably replace the air filters myself next time though.

I thought transmissions in newer vehicles were sealed shut now and didn’t need fluid top ups?

You paid $350 for checks? They didn’t adjust the alignment or change the fluids?

They did align and change fluids. But just the check is probably that price as well.

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