PCG Article Welcome to microtransaction hell: Buy a BMW, pay monthly for the car's features

[ZedClampet]

Talk about cut cartent.

It's $18/mo if you want your seat warmers to work.

I'm not a violent person, but if the CEO of BMW walked through my door right now, we'd be tussling.

 

[Frag Maniac]

Talk about cut cartent.

It's $18/mo if you want your seat warmers to work.

I'm not a violent person, but if the CEO of BMW walked through my door right now, we'd be tussling.

LOL, at that price they should ship you an actual seat warming pad for your gaming chair that's interactive, and a quality one at that.

These kind of absurd things are why I always ignore microtransactions. Thankfully though, most games I play at best only have little microtrans things that you can easily get in game just by taking your time and playing through it normally. Like the scav bots and resources they collect in Dead Space 3. I kept thinking, why would anyone want to buy this stuff when it's so easy and fun to get on your own? Unless you live in a remote shack in Alaska and play SnowRunner and actually GET a chair warmer though, screw the $18/mo!

Honestly though, this is not really the same as the gaming industry doing this. BMW has always been known as a luxury car brand for rich people, so it's kind of apropos they would have this silly interactive app to lure buyers toward their cars, especially after COVID has left people homebound and click happy. I'm also sure it's intended more to show potential buyers how to control the heated seats, than for immersion, so they aren't embarrassed not knowing how to use them the first time trying it while giving their rich friends a ride.

I could even see how a feature synced app would make sense if it allows owners to remotely lock unlocked doors, start the car on cold days to warm it up, preheat the seats, and maybe even monitor the car's interior via installed cameras to check for possible tampering, maybe even spy on valet employees. The possibilities are endless, but I'm sure the more features tied to it might up the monthly fee.

"Benevolent Microtransaction Wizardry, come be amazed!"

 

[WoodenSaucer]

That's just nuts. Seems like I might have heard Tesla is going to some subscription model, too. I might be wrong about that. I really hate this trend with a passion. We went to buy a treadmill earlier this year, and almost every one of them requires some kind of software monthly subscription. You pay a bunch of money for the device, then have to keep paying every month, or it's worthless.

 

[ZedClampet]

We went to buy a treadmill earlier this year, and almost every one of them requires some kind of software monthly subscription.

Jokes on them. I don't even use my treadmill.

 

[Pifanjr]

It reminds me of those printer subscriptions, but worse. Let's just hope nobody is willing to pay for this crap.

 

[Zloth]

Seems like I might have heard Tesla is going to some subscription model, too.

There's a flat rate one. $2000 to make the car accelerate faster. I can get it via their app right now if I wanted. But, as I posted in Disqus, it's a really terrible deal. I've had a Tesla now for over a year and half and I don't think I've ever pushed the "gas" pedal down more than halfway. I'm not sure if I could even keep my foot on the pedal if I pushed it down all the way!

 

[ZedClampet]

There's a flat rate one. $2000 to make the car accelerate faster. I can get it via their app right now if I wanted. But, as I posted in Disqus, it's a really terrible deal. I've had a Tesla now for over a year and half and I don't think I've ever pushed the "gas" pedal down more than halfway. I'm not sure if I could even keep my foot on the pedal if I pushed it down all the way!

They seriously charge you for that? What kind of dystopian hell hole are we living in?

Gamers have kept things in some sort of almost reasonable check by complaining loudly at every opportunity, but the average consumer is probably just going to perpetuate this practice by subscribing to all these things.

 

[Zloth]

They seriously charge you for that? What kind of dystopian hell hole are we living in?

One designed to trap people for whom "knowing you could is awesome" actually works in an advertisement? Now, how much are you willing to pay for your car's color?

 

[Frag Maniac]

They seriously charge you for that? What kind of dystopian hell hole are we living in?

Gamers have kept things in some sort of almost reasonable check by complaining loudly at every opportunity, but the average consumer is probably just going to perpetuate this practice by subscribing to all these things.

"Average" consumer? I've always thought consumers whom can fork out what it takes to buy a BMW or Tesla are if anything very above average in salaries. Average consumers don't follow such trends either, because they simply can't afford to, especially now with food and gas prices so high. In a nutshell, jet setting and trend setting are 2 different things entirely.

 

[ZedClampet]

"Average" consumer? I've always thought consumers whom can fork out what it takes to buy a BMW or Tesla are if anything very above average in salaries. Average consumers don't follow such trends either, because they simply can't afford to, especially now with food and gas prices so high. In a nutshell, jet setting and trend setting are 2 different things entirely.

Well, I disagree on "average". There are different tiers of average, maybe, but you don't have to be wealthy to own a BMW or Tesla. Some very average income people put high priorities on cars or lease them, for instance. But the middle class, which is generally considered average, makes up a wide range of folks.

 

[ZedClampet]

One designed to trap people for whom "knowing you could is awesome" actually works in an advertisement? Now, how much are you willing to pay for your car's color?

I guess part of my problem is I don't really care about cars, so I haven't been paying attention. I've had mine for 12 years, although I'm thinking about giving it to my son and getting a new one if there are any available these days...

 

[WoodenSaucer]

There's a flat rate one. $2000 to make the car accelerate faster. I can get it via their app right now if I wanted. But, as I posted in Disqus, it's a really terrible deal. I've had a Tesla now for over a year and half and I don't think I've ever pushed the "gas" pedal down more than halfway. I'm not sure if I could even keep my foot on the pedal if I pushed it down all the way!

That means the car is already physically capable of accelerating faster, but they hold it hostage until you pay them to unlock it. Very greedy.

 

[Frag Maniac]

Well, I disagree on "average". There are different tiers of average, maybe, but you don't have to be wealthy to own a BMW or Tesla. Some very average income people put high priorities on cars or lease them, for instance. But the middle class, which is generally considered average, makes up a wide range of folks.

Can't say I agree, especially when talking new prices, and the cost of maintaining them. German parts and boutique American brand parts are not cheap, nor is labor from those certified to work on them. We aren't talking Volkswagen Beetles and Dodge Darts after all. I mean the topic of the thread alone makes it obvious. BMW's idea of an economy car is something that starts at $30,000 (if not more now), vs cars from other brands that start at half that or less.

I think what it comes down to is whether you consider that there's just one huge middle class, or segregating it into upper middle class, and lower middle class, the latter of which is continually increasing in numbers. To me, the bigger of the two is what defines average for all but the wealthy.

 

[Colif]

So how much are they going to charge owners of cars that can change color with a button press, for the right to use certain colors?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqhM4vlZ2Qw


BMW in both cases. Trial Microtransactions on 1 car and if people don't complain, expect it everywhere... why is everything being charged like this now.

They could make one model and basically charge people to turn on all the features that are there now, just off. I think I would feel ripped off if you pay for a car and they can select what features do and don't work after you have it. Seems its more a rental at that point. You don't really own it. can't change it.

This costs approximately $18 a month (thanks, the Verge (opens in new tab)), or you can opt to pay for 'unlimited' access for a one-off payment of $415.

At least you can buy it in 1 hit. Who would take the $18? Unless they live in a warm area, then it might make sense to get it for just a few months a year... depends on how quickly they can enable it, and how flexible the plans are.

Waiting for "accidental" computer glitch that disables it on all people who did pay up front.

 

[WoodenSaucer]

Won't be long before we're paying subscription fees to have heat and air conditioning in our vehicles. You can go without it if you don't want to pay the subscription.

BMW's idea of an economy car is something that starts at $30,000 (if not more now), vs cars from other brands that start at half that or less.

When was the last time you bought a vehicle? It's tough now to find anything at all under $20k. The handful you can find are basically just good enough to have something to drive. My mom bought a Chevy Spark because of its price. If it was for more than just her, alone, it wouldn't work out too well.

 

[Frag Maniac]

Won't be long before we're paying subscription fees to have heat and air conditioning in our vehicles. You can go without it if you don't want to pay the subscription.


When was the last time you bought a vehicle? It's tough now to find anything at all under $20k. The handful you can find are basically just good enough to have something to drive. My mom bought a Chevy Spark because of its price. If it was for more than just her, alone, it wouldn't work out too well.

You must understand two things about me, one, I have always been a very frugal person of modest income. I like to think my resourcefulness somewhat makes up for my income though. Two, in vehicles I value reliability and simplicity and affordability of maintenance far more than conveniences I don't need.

This is why I drive an 82 Toyota pickup. I bought it with a little over 242,000 miles on it over a decade ago, and it's in great shape. It was the last year they made them with a double row timing chain that lasts the life of the engine. It also has a simple torsion bar suspension in the front end, and no rack and pinion steering, meaning it is easy and cheap to align, and actually stays that way. I call her my beater, but in reality, she's a good looker that often turns heads. Truth be told, I actually call her Lil Red, as in Little Red Engine That Could. I've gotten tons of compliments on her when I'm out washing and waxing her, and some have tried to buy her, and she even got stolen, but recovered by the police meter maid camera reporting tech. I now keep a sturdy pedal lock on her and haven't had any such problems since.

I have zero interest in vehicles with timing belts, CV joints, rack and pinion steering, and fuel injection. So why would I bother looking at today's new car prices? Besides, I thought I pretty much covered entry level prices by saying "if not more now". Besides that, I know I wasn't actually wrong. Here's a site showing not a few, but THIRTY vehicles in 2022 that start at under $30,000, including a Chevy Camaro for only $25,000, and you can even upgrade to the V6 335 Hp model with auto trans still under $30,000. However I DID put it in the context of the "economy car" segment, so those would be even cheaper. So who's out of the loop, me, or you?

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-under-30000

That said, I did say vs ones that start under $15,000, and here you go, https://www.carsdirect.com/deals-articles/cheapest-new-cars-you-can-buy
None of those are anywhere near $20,000, one in fact actually IS under $15,000. And as far as the Chevy Spark goes, I doubt it's junk since Domino's bought a fleet of them and went to the extent of customizing them with a pizza warming hatch on the side.

I maintain that smart car shoppers buy used though, it's really the better way to go. https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/best-used-cars-under-15000/

This all also makes me think those whom do not have modest incomes either don't know how to be frugal, don't have the time to be, or just don't want to be. It's really a simple matter of timing and how you source such deals. It's also very easy now a days, especially for cell phone addicts, because there are a ton of apps that literally do the work for you. However that convenience costs more, because they tend to only source dealers. I bought my truck on Craigslist, which is safe if you know how to do it. Of course you also need to know how to inspect a vehicle thoroughly and dicker when some things are not quite as claimed.

So how much are they going to charge owners of cars that can change color with a button press, for the right to use certain colors?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqhM4vlZ2Qw


BMW in both cases. Trial Microtransactions on 1 car and if people don't complain, expect it everywhere... why is everything being charged like this now.

They could make one model and basically charge people to turn on all the features that are there now, just off. I think I would feel ripped off if you pay for a car and they can select what features do and don't work after you have it. Seems its more a rental at that point. You don't really own it. can't change it.



At least you can buy it in 1 hit. Who would take the $18? Unless they live in a warm area, then it might make sense to get it for just a few months a year... depends on how quickly they can enable it, and how flexible the plans are.

Waiting for "accidental" computer glitch that disables it on all people who did pay up front.

Well, we saw this coming when COVID ruined retail and drove business owners to go online. It's not like auto manufacturers are the only ones taking advantage. What about all the food delivery services that have seriously cut into the profits of restaurants?

 

[WoodenSaucer]

@Frag Maniac It's not about being frugal or not. It's just that I've been a part of trying to buy vehicles in this pandemic age, and it's a lot harder than it used to be.

For one thing, you can look at numbers on websites, but if you go to car lots, it's a different story. Part of that is that it's been tough to even find cars for sale. A lot of car lots have been empty, and you take what you can get. Because of supply and demand issues, and the whole shipping issues, sometimes prices get jacked up just like they did with GPUs being scalped. Sometimes you can get a car that you want at MSRP, but you might have to wait months for it to get here. The actual market doesn't always look like numbers you see on the internet.

Plus about the Chevy Spark, you can look at reviews and descriptions, and read articles about it. But have you ever ridden in one? I have. I'm a decent sized guy. I'm 6'2" and 250 pounds. I don't care if I have to be frugal or not, that car is not for me. My mom is happy with hers, though. But it's not for me. I'm about to turn 50, and I've purchased many cars over the years, new and used. One thing I learned early on is that it's good to do your research before you buy, but there are a lot of times when something looks perfect on paper, but then it's not when you go sit in one. I learned that lesson the hard way when I was younger, and I was stubborn about buying what I researched.

Personally if I have to stick to a frugal budget, I'd rather buy a better car with more features used than get a cheap, low-end car brand new. But now that brings up the used car market in this age. My oldest son is a year and a half older than his cousin. When we bought him his first used car, we were able to get something dependable for a certain price that was acceptable to us. Now his cousin is in the market for a used vehicle, and she can't find anything dependable for even twice what similar used cars cost a couple of years ago.

The market is much different now than it was even two years ago, which is why I asked when the last time you bought a car was. I'm not looking down on you; I'm just pointing out that things are much different right now.

 

[Frag Maniac]

It IS about being frugal though, and you're not going to come anywhere close to being that if you stick to dealers and convenience features. The market is different since COVID yes, but the non market channels like Craigslist, Nickle Want Ads, eBay, etc, are still mostly consumer vs dealer driven (less so eBay because it's mostly dealers, but still worth mentioning because they are great for hard to find parts at a good price). Does it take a bit more time? Sure, but not if you're familiar with how to do it effectively and safely. I bought my truck on Craigslist, and don't regret it a bit. I know how to inspect a vehicle thoroughly, yes, but it doesn't take much to learn how to do that. And don't think used car dealers don't try to deceive customers. My guess is there's even more of them doing that since COVID, and only so many states protect against it, and even if you do have such laws, courts are backlogged and less likely to want to deal with such things anymore.

So yes, things are different right now for those whom buy new or use 3rd party channels which take a cut, but direct from seller is still fairly untouched. It's just a matter of deciding whether you want to make the effort to buy that way. It really comes down to whether you actually HAVE to be frugal or not, and it sounds like you are of an income level where you don't have to be. I question that though given how many people are complaining about high prices. The economy is hard to predict right now.

Keep in mind that while dealers have little stock, COVID has also forced many to sell what they have to get buy, and they know full well they aren't going to get nearly as much from a dealer. Some whom have lost their jobs due to COVID have even started up their own successful eBay businesses. I know you weren't looking down on me, I would never accuse you, or pretty much anyone here, of that. I do know though that some whom think being overly frugal is something more of desperation than practicality are actually wondering in the backs of their minds if things will get worse than they're expecting. In times like this, it's best to prepare for the worst. Many consumers are not fully aware that they can actually set aside a small nest egg just by cutting out all their unnecessary spending. Times like this require adapting to survive, including how one buys vehicles, and what vehicles one considers. (I'm not trying to put you in a Chevy Spark btw, that was just one example for price sake.)

 

[WoodenSaucer]

It really comes down to whether you actually HAVE to be frugal or not, and it sounds like you are of an income level where you don't have to be. I question that though given how many people are complaining about high prices. The economy is hard to predict right now.

You're not wrong. My wife and I make enough money that we aren't forced to be extremely frugal. But part of the reason we're comfortable is because we've always been good at creating budgets and sticking to them. Not a cent of our income goes somewhere that we don't know where it's going. But you're right that our income level makes that easier, especially in a time like this. And I also know that you end up adjusting your habits to your current income level, too.

But we definitely haven't always been this way. My wife grew up poor. I grew up in a middle class family that was in a lot of debt because my dad wasn't good with budgets (which is one reason I learned the importance of them). There were some tough times, but overall, not too bad for us.

But when I was a young adult just out of college in the early 90s, there was about a year that I was bringing home $650/month and living on my own with no roommates. Let me tell ya, brother, I learned how to be frugal. I'd cook up some kind of rice and hamburger concoction I made that I called "Hogslop Souffle," and I'd eat on it until it started growing mold. I couldn't afford any kind of computer, so I scratched out a budget on a scrap of paper towel. I drove an old beat-up Ford Escort and prayed that nothing would happen to it because I had no money to even fix it.

Good times, Lol! I do have it pretty easy now, but my past experiences are part of what keeps me from getting into a financial mess today. Speaking of cars, in 2017, I bought a Toyota Sienna new, and I'm finally about to pay it off in December. I don't intend to get into another car loan just because that's paid off. It's going to free up another good chunk in our budget. Good thing, because we're having a lot of medical bills this year.

 

[DXCHASE]

Not reading a lot of the replies above (sorry!). But having this type of set up is not suprising to me and im sure BMW will make a killing doing this. Just gotta wait for the pirate bay of vehicle subscriptions to land because there will surely be a way to circumnavigate things like this.

 

[Frag Maniac]

Speaking of cars, in 2017, I bought a Toyota Sienna new, and I'm finally about to pay it off in December. I don't intend to get into another car loan just because that's paid off. It's going to free up another good chunk in our budget. Good thing, because we're having a lot of medical bills this year.

I bet there's times you wish you had a 36 mpg 2021 Sienna Hybrid though, with these high gas prices. I'm kind of surprised it took Toyota that long to make a Sienna Hybrid. I'm sure in real world testing though the mpg is not quite that good and the acceleration likely suffers.

 

[Slasken]

I want to spend as little on cars as possible.

I had a hybrid 2017 Mercedez. Great car and it was a joy to drive. I traded it in this year, and bought a 2004 Passat. I paid about $1000 for it, cash. Sure, there's a bit of rust here and there, but not having to worry about dents is freedom in its own right. The Mercedez was 55 times more expensive, and with it came the OCD of always keeping it 100% clean, worry about others denting it in parking spots, driving very carefully on gravel because you don't want to scratch the paint of an expensive car.

I have a company car for my job that I take home. Never use this one for anything other than work though, but I get to and from work for free.

 

[WoodenSaucer]

I bet there's times you wish you had a 36 mpg 2021 Sienna Hybrid though, with these high gas prices. I'm kind of surprised it took Toyota that long to make a Sienna Hybrid. I'm sure in real world testing though the mpg is not quite that good and the acceleration likely suffers.

I think they're getting now to where acceleration is much better than it was in the old days of hybrids. My wife used to have an old Honda Civic hybrid, and it was one of the early models. Even back then, its acceleration was better than what I expected. I think it used gas for accelerating. The mileage was nice on that thing, but it ended up crapping out on us, and we traded it for a non-hybrid Malibu, which is now my oldest son's car. My wife sold him the Malibu (which was a 2015, I think), and she bought herself a Trailblazer, which was the car I was referring to that we had to wait like a month to get. She knew what she wanted, and waited for it. Its mpg is probably similar to the Malibu. Definitely better than my van. I don't intend to get into two car payments again if I can help it.

Before I got the van, I had a Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 truck. Definitely glad I don't have that with these gas prices. But I miss being able to haul stuff. I ended up putting a hitch on my van, and I have a small trailer to haul stuff if I need to. It has come in handy several times.

 

[Frag Maniac]

I think they're getting now to where acceleration is much better than it was in the old days of hybrids. My wife used to have an old Honda Civic hybrid, and it was one of the early models. Even back then, its acceleration was better than what I expected. I think it used gas for accelerating. The mileage was nice on that thing, but it ended up crapping out on us, and we traded it for a non-hybrid Malibu, which is now my oldest son's car. My wife sold him the Malibu (which was a 2015, I think), and she bought herself a Trailblazer, which was the car I was referring to that we had to wait like a month to get. She knew what she wanted, and waited for it. Its mpg is probably similar to the Malibu. Definitely better than my van. I don't intend to get into two car payments again if I can help it.

Before I got the van, I had a Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 truck. Definitely glad I don't have that with these gas prices. But I miss being able to haul stuff. I ended up putting a hitch on my van, and I have a small trailer to haul stuff if I need to. It has come in handy several times.

I think the 2022 Sienna is probably better on both mileage and acceleration. I think I read the 2021 debut model was 29 mpg, near 8 sec 0-60, and over 15 sec 1/4 mile, not too great. Then again, we're talking a fairly large capacity van here for a hybrid, but I'm sure they test such stats for best case scenario, with only a driver. I can only image how horribly slow and gas guzzling it would be on a family vacation going up grades. Forget trying to pass people.

 

[WoodenSaucer]

I think the 2022 Sienna is probably better on both mileage and acceleration. I think I read the 2021 debut model was 29 mpg, near 8 sec 0-60, and over 15 sec 1/4 mile, not too great. Then again, we're talking a fairly large capacity van here for a hybrid, but I'm sure they test such stats for best case scenario, with only a driver. I can only image how horribly slow and gas guzzling it would be on a family vacation going up grades. Forget trying to pass people.

I'm not sure what it is for my 2017. I'd say probably around 24-25mpg. But the acceleration is decent if I don't care about burning fuel. Plus it has this mode I can change in the settings where it's less fuel efficient, but accelerates very fast for a van. The only issue with that setting is that it defaults back to economy every time you turn the van off.