Buick offers some fine cars, but their marketing strategies suggest a combination of frustration and desperation. For most of their models Buick now offers: 1. A 1SV trim level 2. A “Sport Touring” trim level The 1SV model lacks only a few features than the next level up, but costs far less. To take the most extreme example, in terms… More →
Category: Car Prices
Car Prices
Fiat 124 Spider vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata Pricing
Fiat has released full pricing and features information for the new Miata-based 124 Spider roadster, and many people are surprised that they priced it very close to the Mazda. At the bottom of the ranges, the 124 Spider starts $255 higher than the MX-5 Miata, $25,990 vs. $25,735. Note, though, that the Fiat is a 2017 while the Mazda is… More →
2017 Chrysler minivan: price up about $2,000
The new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica promises to be a very good minivan. But don’t let the $29,590 starting price, $1,400 lower than the 2016 Town & Country’s, lead you to think it’s also a less expensive minivan. The base 2016 Town & Country includes about $3,600 in features that are not standard on the base 2017 Pacifica. Adjust for this,… More →
Avoid configuration mistakes with our pricing tool
A funny thing happened when I configured two recent press cars using TrueDelta’s pricing tool: it turned out that both press fleet cars were configured in a way that they cost more for less content. With Jaguar’s midsize sedan, if you add two items standard on the 380-horsepower XF S to the 340-horsepower XF R Sport, 20-inch wheels and adaptive… More →
Chevrolet Volt: twice as much as the Cruze, or not?
Chevrolet has redesigned the Volt, so car reviewers are once again writing about the Volt. Some will note that the Volt’s base price ($33,995) is twice as much as that of the Cruze ($16,995), though they share a platform and are about the same size. This seems like far too much to pay for the Volt’s raison d’ĂȘtre: the ability… More →
Explaining the Cadillac ELR’s $75,995 starting price
Cadillac has announced that its ELR electric + range extender coupe will start at $75,995. The most common reaction: what are they smoking? Personally, I had expected the ELR to have a starting price of $49,995 if they were smart, $59,995 tops. After all, the related Chevrolet Volt has a $34,995 base price. The ELR is more stylish than the… More →
Can anyone help me with Jaguar math?
In my rush to enter as much 2014 pricing and features data before we begin another round of the survey (139 models entered so far), I took a moment to ponder Jaguar math. On the XKR, Jaguar offers a few overlapping special packages: Black Pack $2,400 Performance Pack: $3,400 Dynamic Pack: $5,500 Because these overlap, if you order two or… More →
Is GM asking too much for the 2014 Cadillac CTS?
I hope to drive the all-new, third generation Cadillac CTS before the end of the month. My expectations are high, both because of the related ATS and because of how they’ve priced it. Even after a price increase to open up room for the smaller ATS, the 2013 CTS started at $39,990. The 2014 starts at $46,025, a $6,035 bump.… More →
2014 Jeep Cherokee Price Analysis
Jeep is introducing a new Jeep Cherokee. Not a GRAND Cherokee, though that model also continues. The new vehicle is a replacement for the Liberty that replaced the original Cherokee a dozen years ago. Unlike its predecessors, though, it’s based on a car platform, specifically the one that also underpins the Dodge Dart. This should improve handling. It should also… More →
Mercedes-Benz CLA: how affordable is it, really?
This month I’ll have entered over 40 2014 models into TrueDelta’s car prices and features database, for a total of over 50. (This is well ahead of where I usually am this time of year.) When a model is new, I’ll try to comment on it here, using our comparison tool’s unique ability to equip two cars similarly then adjust… More →