It's American consumerism fueled by available credit.
What's really fascinating is that what you said applies to McMansions, and ... private aircraft too.
Cessna cancelled their basic $300,000 new 172 because people were only ordering the $400,000 glass panel model. The price is so high they took it off the website for the first time. (And older pilots were expecting it come in at $80,000. lol.)
Cubcrafters makes composite Cubs(!) that are priced starting in the $190,000 range for LSA and $317,000 for Part 23, and again, mainly sell the maxed out versions.
What's really fascinating is that what you said applies to McMansions, and ... private aircraft too.
Cessna cancelled their basic $300,000 new 172 because people were only ordering the $400,000 glass panel model. The price is so high they took it off the website for the first time. (And older pilots were expecting it come in at $80,000. lol.)
Cubcrafters makes composite Cubs(!) that are priced starting in the $190,000 range for LSA and $317,000 for Part 23, and again, mainly sell the maxed out versions.
http://cubcrafters.com/compare