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Thread: The 2015 Nissan Micra is cheaper to buy than a 1984 Hyundai Pony

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    Administrator MetroMPG's Avatar
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    The 2015 Nissan Micra is cheaper to buy than a 1984 Hyundai Pony

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    Probably just about the last thing Nissan wants right now is for its new Micra to be mentioned in the same breath as the Hyundai Pony. (Sorry, Nissan!)

    But I just did a quick bit of research and uncovered something kind of hilarious: a base 2015 Micra costs less to buy today than the dirt cheap Pony did 30 years ago.

    Huh? Explain, please!

    OK, but first some background: In 1983, Hyundai landed in the Canadian market with the Pony, a car remembered as cheap to buy, ubiquitous and of, uh, questionable quality. Yet thanks to its bargain basement price, sales exploded: within a year, it was the country's best-selling car, moving 900% more units than the company originally predicted. (Source)

    The price? In 1984 you could get a Pony for $5,795. (Source)

    Here's the kicker: Adjust the Pony's price for inflation and the base 2015 Micra at $9,998 is actually cheaper to buy... and by a significant margin. Don't take my word for it: that's what the Bank of Canada's inflation calculator says. (Doesn't get any more official than that, eh?)

    Consumer item 1984 price 2014 price
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    1984 Hyundai Pony

    $5,795

    $12,006*
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    2015 Nissan Micra

    -

    $9,998
    * Inflation adjusted price courtesy of the Bank of Canada

    It'd be interesting to see how the Micra stacks up against other iconic cheap cars of the past.

    Come to think of it, the last "just under $10k" new car I can think of was another Hyundai -- the last generation Accent. Inflation adjusted, the Micra is cheaper than that one, too.

    Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the new Micra is actually cheaper today than the original K10 Micra last sold here in the early 90's.

    ---

    For fun: a pair of Canadian Hyundai Pony ads from the 80's. Click to zoom.

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    Source: digitalpostercollection.com

    Idea for this thread sparked by: Which cars are endangered species on our roads? Driving.ca


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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.5 mpg (Imp) ... 20.0 km/L ... 47.0 mpg (US) ...


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    I wondered if there are any Hyundai Ponies left, so I used a UK website to see how many are still registered over here. There are 50-odd, covering all years of manufacture, which I guess goes to show something. One of my neighbours has a Volvo 343 which he cherishes for some reason, for example!

    Is Hyundai selling small cars in Canada at the moment? Their current range has come on a long way...

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    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    Haha, funny find Darin. In 1984 I don't think I'd have touched a Hyundai with a 10ft pole! That, and the fact that I was only 1 year old at the time...

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    Administrator MetroMPG's Avatar
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    Yes, after the Pony, it's a wonder people bought anything ever again from Hyundai! And now look how well they're doing.

    Quote Originally Posted by markweatherill View Post
    I wondered if there are any Hyundai Ponies left, so I used a UK website to see how many are still registered over here. There are 50-odd, covering all years of manufacture, which I guess goes to show something. One of my neighbours has a Volvo 343 which he cherishes for some reason, for example!

    Is Hyundai selling small cars in Canada at the moment? Their current range has come on a long way...
    Mark, very cool. I wish we had the similar ability to search records here. And, yes, Hyundai is still in Canada and doing rather well. The last few years they've battled Honda for the 1 & 2 position for best selling passenger car (Civic sedan vs. Elantra sedan).

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.5 mpg (Imp) ... 20.0 km/L ... 47.0 mpg (US) ...


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    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    Whats even more funny is the Pony isn't a little more, its quite a bit more than the Micra haha.

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    Administrator MetroMPG's Avatar
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    Ha - the Driving.ca website has taken this story and expanded it for even more fun! Surprisingly, there were a couple of cars that were even cheaper than today's $10k Micra...

    The history of the most affordable car in North America
    We put famously cheap cars against the inflation calculator to see how they rank

    Car
    Orig price
    2014 price
    1914 Ford Model T $825 $17,063.75
    1964 Volkswagen Beetle $1,600 $12,181.60
    1973 Honda Civic $2,200 $11,974.56
    1984 Hyundai Pony $5,795 $12,006.00
    1987 Yugo GV $3,995 $7,366.71
    1989 Hyundai Excel $5,499 $9,322.76

    Read the full article & see photos: http://driving.ca/nissan/micra/auto-...north-america/

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.5 mpg (Imp) ... 20.0 km/L ... 47.0 mpg (US) ...


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    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    I think I'll take a Micra, thank you.

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    Administrator MetroMPG's Avatar
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    I dunno - I'd like a few of those cars!

    Yugo, baby!

    Kidding. (Sort of.) But I'd love to drive a Model T. And a nice clean Beetle and 1st gen. Civic would make great collector cars too.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Micra S manual: 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.5 mpg (Imp) ... 20.0 km/L ... 47.0 mpg (US) ...


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    Administrator Daox's Avatar
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    Collectors cars yeah, but not daily drivers.

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    I did my driving exam in a Hyundai pony, and I owned a pimped up excel. almost like the micra we are getting. ha ha. the sport model. Mine had white bumpers, grill mirrors wheel caps, louvers on the rear and a spoiler. the car was actually quite cool at the time and only issues were the trans loosing 3rd gear and my cat converter plugging up. other than that it was quite reliable.



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