The FnF is NOT the reason. I think it was hit with the baby boomer comment. Baby Boomer's kids are now in their early 20's etc and able to buy cars, lots of baby boomers have $$$ and buy cars for their kids because most weren't very priviledge with 10 kids in the family.

Car manufacturers aren't stupid, they know this, they are developing cars for this group. TEchnology is also a big factor in cool cars, it's cheaper/faster to create/build these cars now.

 

sweet thanks guys! I will def do some more research and analyzing data on baby boomers and kids, seems like a bullseye answer.

 

i think if you took a look at the actual owners' age of those cars you listed, you'll see that the age groups those car companies target represent a minority. even though many young people in their late teens/early 20s have parents who are well off enough to get them cars that are less than 30k, an even greater number of young people cannot afford it.

i was lucky: my first car was a 1992 Nissan Sentra XE Coupe. at the time, it had 110HP 1.6L engine, 5 speed, and was plenty fast for me. my parents paid the down payment ($2k), and i paid the monthly payment working at toy stores in the mall, or at pizza joints.

 

True I'm sure most kids who are 18-25 still can't afford those cars, but the car companies still target it towards that audience and I need to find out why and so far we have some good answers. Its the babyboomer parents who are helping out their kids. I knew a guy at my old job who was set to get a $5000 civic from his bro. Then his dad was like I'll help you for the loan if you get a new saturn Ion. Which he did, and the payment a month for that new car is like what $140 bucks? so damn low. Forgot to add that to the list, Saturn Ion (the new performance model edition), and Celica GTs and GTS. I think those celicas are the most comoon with young kids. I constantly see girls 18-20 and guys in the same range in them all the time. Car is designed nice, decently fast also, low 15 stock and can hit 14s with some bolt ons all for under $20k or so.

 

I remember when the big cars were Integras and Eclipses/Talons/Lasers. If you were poor, you had a civic. If you had money you had an Intgera or Eclipse. If you were 30 you had a 3000GT, 300ZX, or Supra.