Because many Quebecers have to tighten their belts more than ever, I had the idea some time ago to carry out a comparative match that would bring together most of the vehicles offered here at less than $25,000 before taxes. A sum with which it was possible a few years ago to get a small SUV or even a Dodge Grand Caravan, but which today is barely enough to get your hands on a new vehicle, whatever it is.
In total, ten vehicles are currently offered on the market at less than $25,000, including the new 2024 Chevrolet Trax, which will arrive in Canada in early June.
Two Hyundais (Elantra and Venue), two Kias (Forte and Rio), the Mazda3 with manual transmission, the Mitsubishi Mirage and three Nissans (Versa, Sentra and Kicks) complete the offer.
And of this number, it’s a safe bet that certain models, such as the Rio, will not be renewed, while others approaching the $25,000 line could see their price increase and thus be eliminated from this “category”. “.
Interestingly, the Mitsubishi Mirage – which currently claims to be the cheapest car in the country and the only remaining subcompact if the Rio disappears – will be back for 2024.
Mitsubishi Motors of Canada plans to import about 2,000 units of this model, sales of which are doing well.
It must be said that with the disappearance of the Chevrolet Spark, the Mirage takes advantage of the non-competition to reach a clientele who, sometimes, will choose it by default.
The comparative match bringing together several of these models was to be organized in the coming weeks, but will ultimately not take place.
And for good reason, the unavailability of these vehicles. Initially, the loan request had been made to car manufacturers via public relations.
Quickly, they told us that the only way to access these models was to accept a compromise with more equipped versions.
Borrowing a $38,000 Mazda3 GT Turbo was of course out of the question for me, when the goal is to compare vehicles in the context of a shoestring budget!
I finally turned to a group of dealers, who kindly agreed to find several of these models.
Basic versions of each of the aforementioned sedans, considering that this group has at least one banner for each of the brands.
Unfortunately, after weeks of hard work including overtime for some employees, I was told that it would be impossible to find these vehicles in time.
“Some have been ordered for a long time and are slow to arrive while others are simply unobtainable,” I was told.
I was even told that in the case of one model, the number of units available in the country in real time was zero.
Not a single basic car from this brand, despite advertising a more attractive entry price than that of many competitors…
It’s true, sales of compact sedans are mostly made with mid-range models.
Because people see the point of shelling out an additional $2,000 or $3,000 to get more complete equipment, but also because the terms of financing or leasing can be to the advantage of plush models.
Now, understand that if many manufacturers allow themselves to display more attractive entry prices, the conclusion of this short study clearly proves that between the proposal and the actual availability, there is a very deep gap.
In truth, today’s buyer who wants a vehicle for less than $25,000 (or less than $350 per month on an 84-month term!) has practically nothing to put in their mouths.
Don’t be surprised to see on the second-hand market 2018-2019 Toyota Yaris with 100,000 km sold for more or less $20,000, when they were paid around that price when new…
So here it is, the new reality of the Canadian market, with an average price per vehicle that exceeded – in 2022 – the only psychological price of $50,000.