Topic: Auto sales likely to dip in 06?

[Jack Morris]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060211/ap_on_bi_ge/auto_sales_outlook

I love this part:

New vehicle sales will total 16.8 million in 2006, down from 16.947 million last year, because it will cost consumers more to finance their vehicles, economist Paul Taylor said on the opening day of the NADA's annual four-day convention.

How do they know how many vehicles they will sell? HELLO, Toyota and Honda are eating you for lunch guys! Slight downturn after last year's fiasco? I foresee a much larger drop in American auto sales.

[Jack Morris]

The average transaction price for a new vehicle in 2006 will be $28,000,

Hmmmmmm. Stephen rode in what used to be part mine 03 Toyota Camry, Jerry saw it. Silver Camry LE fully loaded with leather, badarse stereo, mudguard body moldings, the works. The price in 03? 22k and it would not have been that high but I told Leda to get the extended warranty which was almost a grand more after tax (A tranny R&R can go over 2k easy, so it's best to be prepared). 22k with 3 yr 0% interest (We paid it off in less than a year, Toyota loves us, even sent us a 50 dollar gas card after we paid it off, thanking us for choosing them).

Ok, now flash forward to today. 6k more average? WTF? In the past 3 years how many of you peeps can say your salaries or wages went up to 6k or more total? I sure as heck cannot! Neither can Leda.