My theory is that the PCC was invented here and what we're buying now wasn't. Which is good for the makers because the heavy work can be done offshore for less then finished here to meet the minimum level of Buy America. OK, a little harsh, but there's probably a grain of truth in it.

The LRV concept used here since the 1970s-80s is basically a European/German one originally focused on maximum capacity with minimum mechanical gear -- all they could afford to get things moving again after WW2 using recycled parts from wrecked streetcars. PCCs were the ultimate streetcar (not LRV, though some LRVs overseas and subway cars were derived from it) though some of the newer designs (low floor etc.) are starting to look interesting as successors. There's at least one company (Brookville? probably somebody else...) that has occasionally advertised a line of business in rebuilding and converting PCCs to meet ADA and other current standards, so in principle if a source for the carbody and trucks could be found new cars could be built. As far as cost is concerned, though, I don't think a new PCC would be less expensive than any other new streetcar; even with relatively "free" major parts the price tag for rebuilds isn't small, and the custom work for a new carbody and major mechanicals would raise the price even more. Rebuild cost is equivalent to several buses at least, and a fully new car would be much higher.

Remember, the rail transit vehicle business is not mass production. It's actually custom or semi-custom, in small lots with long periods between buys and different specs each time (ADA and other laws/regs change over the 10-20 or more years between buys). So the price will never be "reasonable" compared even to buses that are bought more often in larger numbers.