Is the gambler 500 dead now? (hexbear.net)

submitted 7 months ago by EmmaGoldman@hexbear.net to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net

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Seriously, I've spent like an hour searching and there appear to be absolutely no used cars in the US or Canada priced at or under $500. In fact, they're not even really close. I can only find a handful of cars under $1000, and they all seem to be parts cars that have major issues that are insurmountable for all but experienced mechanics who happen to have a spare engine laying around.

Am I just searching in the wrong places or what? Where have all the cheap-ass cars gone in this car-mandatory society?

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[-] Frank@hexbear.net 16 points 7 months ago

I think Obummer's Cash for Clunkers thing somehow permanently fucked up the used car market. But i haven't ever looked in to it in detail.

[-] hexaflexagonbear@hexbear.net 9 points 7 months ago

I think the two shocks from covid and subsequent "return to normal" probably had a bigger effect. On the one end there's fewer cars that entered the used market and the ones that did had a higher sticker price, followed by a sudden spike in demand.

[-] Cummunism@hexbear.net 7 points 7 months ago

maybe, i think a big factor is the simple fact that new cars are way more. Even a certified Honda Civic, which was $14k when i bought mine in 2017, is now at least $20k.