This is why I try to get my grandparents to consult me before buying a new car. They'll end up paying around MSRP for a crappy Caddilac or Lincoln. Luckily one set has bought Cadillacs for the past decade or so (DeVille/DTS one) and the other set has always had pickups and a car of sort, now they've up-graded to a RXus.
You could change the title of the article to "The Top 10 Used Vehicle Values". Part of the reason why the MSRP is too high is because these depreciate VERY fast, and therefore are some of the very best used car values. You could probably save 50% off the MSRP by getting a one-year-old used one.
@techstar25: It depends on what you are trying to say. Your statement and the article are opposites of each other. The article uses market value as the reference value and determines if a vehicle is overpriced by comparing it to MSRP (what the companies say it is worth). You are using MSRP as the reference value and determining which is highly discounted by looking at market value.
Also, if I am interpreting the article correctly, the market value refers to the price of a new vehicle, not a used one.
You forgot the chief advantage of a Grand Marquis is that it does look like a squad car and police have a tendency to ignore them on the highway. It is the the perfect stealth vehicle when combining comfort and touring ability with factor that you can set the cruise on any interstate highway at 13 MPH above the posted speed limit and not worry about a thing.
Don't like the handling, put on a set of P71 shocks and a set of Adco sway bars (front and rear). If you can stand a bit of engine noise, swap out the baffled intake for a P71 zip tube and install dual exhausts to get a little more from the car. Need even a bit more, swap out the MAF for the larger one on the P71 and flash the computer to make sure the car is not confused.
My new 2009 GrandMa is a wonderful car. In fact, it has such a presence on the highway that I have speeding cops in marked cruisers slow down when passing me. I don't care what Forbes says, this car is impressive and it commands respect. My 2003 Grand Marquis never had this kind of presence although it was equally as stealthy and ultimately ignored by police. It is a shame when the editors of Jalopnik do not understand the concept of driving a car that has nothing to prove to make a statement.
@cgarison: I have been arguing this for years. I have a 1997. It is just invisible--except at night, when it does cause traffic to slow down. At one point I wanted to get grille lights that said (backwards of course) "Not A Cop"
@cgarison: I've always thought they'd be the best I-95 car. Just pick one up at an estate sale for cheap and add wheels, tires, shocks, exhaust, and a nice stereo. You're good to go or, since you are on I-95, you'd good not to go. The only problem for me would be the crappy front seat.
@shmendo: What is the problem with a proper bench seat? It only took one trip to paradise with my girlfriend to convince her that I made a good decision by getting another land yacht. Just don't get carried away with the Armor All before heading out through the Poconos or Smokey Mountains using the back roads. (Bit of experience speaking there.)
@cgarison: That's what the back seat is for! Or, you could put 3 buckets across the front like, what was the car?, a late 70's Simca or Matra?. She could sit right next to you, or you could put a chaperone in the middle
@shmendo: Back seat???? That is for those to be incarcerated and children in the SWB Panthers. Backseats are only usable in the LWB Crown Vic (Taxi Package) LWB Grand Marquis (Middle East only) Towncar and Towncar L (Ford factory stretch with 9" rear differential).
MSRP is so irrelevant in most new car-buying situations it should stand for Man Someone Really Paidthatmuch? Take the emotion out of buying a new car and you'll never approach MSRP.
This brings to mind my plan to attempt to profit from the cash for clunkers program. The Feds say the dealer will give me $4500 for my 88 F-150 that is worth about $1500. I'm trying to find a car that gets the mileage required for the $4500 and will allow me to sell it right after purchase for about $2000 less than I paid= $2500 profit for another old, but slightly better truck The bigger the rebates the better. Any suggestions?
@P161911 now with M POWER!: Actually, you forgot to factor in the value of your F-150, so 4500 - 2000 depreciation - 1500 truck value = $1000 profit = may not be worth the hassle (especially since that 2000 depreciation will have to contain the TTL and any temporary insurance costs)
@P161911 now with M POWER!: My suggestion is to do more research. For example, unless you can prove you've owned the car for a full year (as I recall), it's not eligible.
@nataku8_e30: I was factoring that in, but forgot to do the math right in the post. The insurance is no problem, you get a 30 day pass from State Farm, title isn't too bad, tag tax is fairly cheap in GA too, maybe $200. The deal killer might be the sales tax, guess I could do it at an out of state dealer.
@P161911 now with M POWER!: I'd be impressed if you can get a title in under 30 days. I think it's normally 4-6 weeks for me in TX, but I've had it take quite a bit longer when I lived in NY. You're basically going to have to buy something that barely sees any depreciation... I would guess Fit or Mini, and would lean toward Fit since it's an overall better car and is cheaper.
How could they forget the Kia Amanti, with its are-you-kidding-me $26,000 base price? OK, I'll admit it's tough enough to remember that these mock-LeSabres are still for sale. When was the last time you saw a new one?
@QuadraBog: Getting to 20 wouldn't be a problem, but coming up with the contrived formula to exclude all imports might prove too onerous for it to be worth the effort.
Hyundai Genesis 2.0T Track With floor mats, wheel locks, and an iPod cable (ie the stuff you actually want) totals out to an MSRP of $27,675 and that's really the only other thing in the market.
Edited by something_unique_and_descriptive at 07/14/09 4:12 PM
something_unique_and_descriptive was starred
something_unique_and_descriptive was unstarred
See, this is why I think Forbes automotive lists are about as well-composed and relevant as a medieval court jester at a Metallica concert. Two Pontiac G6s? The Colorado AND the Canyon? A pair of archaic Fords that haven't been sold new since the Reagan administration? A niche-market Wrangler? They still build the GMC Envoy? Some Dodge trucks that are so crappy they're considered overpriced if they actually have price tags on them?
I'd insult the Forbes automotive editors some more, but it's not nice to pick on the mentally challenged.
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You got taken.
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Also, if I am interpreting the article correctly, the market value refers to the price of a new vehicle, not a used one.
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Don't like the handling, put on a set of P71 shocks and a set of Adco sway bars (front and rear). If you can stand a bit of engine noise, swap out the baffled intake for a P71 zip tube and install dual exhausts to get a little more from the car. Need even a bit more, swap out the MAF for the larger one on the P71 and flash the computer to make sure the car is not confused.
My new 2009 GrandMa is a wonderful car. In fact, it has such a presence on the highway that I have speeding cops in marked cruisers slow down when passing me. I don't care what Forbes says, this car is impressive and it commands respect. My 2003 Grand Marquis never had this kind of presence although it was equally as stealthy and ultimately ignored by police. It is a shame when the editors of Jalopnik do not understand the concept of driving a car that has nothing to prove to make a statement.
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in other words:
Cop shocks.
Cop exhaust.
does it run good on regular gas Elwood?
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Seems getting this list to 20 wouldn't be a problem.
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Hyundai Genesis 2.0T Track With floor mats, wheel locks, and an iPod cable (ie the stuff you actually want) totals out to an MSRP of $27,675 and that's really the only other thing in the market.
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I'd insult the Forbes automotive editors some more, but it's not nice to pick on the mentally challenged.
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And I'm just waiting for the great deal on a Wrangler....come on Jeep.....get desperate...
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And I read a lot.
I mean, really, what does MSRP have to do with anything?
I want my 10 minutes back.