Vehicles are fetching record average prices of $30,748, up 6.9 percent from a year ago, according to the Detroit Free Press. Part of that increase is tied to consumers piling on the accessories, but there's more to it than that. Car manufacturers are making fewer cars and there are fewer dealerships selling them. Welcome to the new world where car buyers are in a seller’s market. A couple years back you could wander into a car dealer and get a great deal, now you must do your research.