Great time to buy a new car!

2011G6E · 18-01-2013, 12:59 PM

By god, the car dealers are really going all out this year with their "last years model run out deals".
The TV and internet is saturated with advertisements for 2012 plate run out deals.
I've been looking around a few dealerships as we are looking for a four wheel drive at the moment, and the dealers are unbelievably eager to get you in and do a deal. I was virtually dragged into the Nissan dealer when I was walking past and paused briefly to look at a 2012 plate Patrol they had out the front...the eager beaver salesman started wheeling out the spiel about how it was a 2012 model ("But made really late last year!") and how it was probably four to five grand less than list price...the implication was that if you twisted his arm (slightly) he would go lower. Same with other vehicles on the lot.

The local Ford, Holden, Toyota, Mazda, and everyone-else dealers are all really pushing hard the fact that they want to shift everything with a 2012 compliance plate...and quickly. After all, it won't be long at it'll be February...and anything with 2012 on it will be seen as "old" in some buyers eyes.

It's also affecting relatively new second hand cars we've noticed. We looked at a Prado made in late 2010...November to be precise...and I even found myself saying to the car guy a week or so back "It's three years old", when in fact it's two years and a couple of months old...but as I learned in a marketing course I did, numbers mean everything when it comes to buyers perception. That's why prices are psychologically set to "appear" cheap...$19,990 instead of $20,000 for example.
Same with the year a car is made. The public sees that year number and that's that...doesn't matter if it was made on the night of 31st December, it's "last years model"...

turbodewd · 18-01-2013, 01:46 PM

There is a post GFC global supply glut. Youve got factories closing in Europe. US automakers were bailed out and the Aussie dollar is crazy high.

It is indeed the time to buy a car. After all you cant park your money in a bank or property or shares - your return will be ordinary. May as well buy a G6E Turbo with all the bells n whistles I tells ya!

jphanna · 18-01-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbodewd

There is a post GFC global supply glut. Youve got factories closing in Europe. US automakers were bailed out and the Aussie dollar is crazy high.

It is indeed the time to buy a car. After all you cant park your money in a bank or property or shares - your return will be ordinary. May as well buy a G6E Turbo with all the bells n whistles I tells ya!

i know this is a perfomance based forum, but even if you dont buy a big ballsy brute of a car like the G6Turbo, the small cars are just as good to drive THESE DAYS.... as runabouts. the euro tuned fiesta for example makes my VE (always renowned as a good handler) feel like a horse chariot now.

it is a good time to buy for sure.

csv8 · 18-01-2013, 02:18 PM

Except trade ins are crap !! I was offered $9k for my Ghia on a Tezza Titanium. When Red Book dealers trade in is $12k at Red Books lowest value. $14k is Red Books highest trade in.
I couldn't be bothered with the hassles of selling privately.
Dealers excuse was " we have to offer warranty etc " didn't convince me. They would have had a sale if they matched Red Books lowest valuation. It was one of Brisbane's biggest dealers.
So, to cover the 2.9% interest , dealers partially cover the "loss" with crap trade ins ???
Ghia will be around for a bit longer.....

RedHotGT · 18-01-2013, 02:20 PM

Not just in cars - but every industry - it's the best time to buy right now (if you can afford).

My in-laws just bought a 2012 Holden Captiva 7 (with Sunroof, Sidesteps, Parking Assist, etc) for $27,500. And - the dealer even gave them $2,500 off THAT price for their tired old AU Forte that had issues.... (A car that I told them they'd struggle to get $1500 for).
So for $25,000 they have a brand new car that has 5 year warranty - capped servicing... They are very happy. (Read: Not the car that I would have personally bought - but it suits them very well).

Even the old cars - its a super time to buy. There are some true bargains out there if you're realistic (and not insulting) with your buying...

I could reel of probably 6-12 classics that you'd definetly want to own... that have been bought in the past 3 months (not just things i've heard about - things i've SEEN)

And don't get me started on real-estate! I scored a killer bargain mid last year - if I had have held out - probably would have got something better right now!!! But - I also needed to live somewhere....

If you've got the money - now is the time to spend it...... For so many reasons....

RedHotGT · 18-01-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Except trade ins are crap !! I was offered $9k for my Ghia on a Tezza Titanium. When Red Book dealers trade in is $12k at Red Books lowest value. $14k is Red Books highest trade in.
I couldn't be bothered with the hassles of selling privately.
Dealers excuse was " we have to offer warranty etc " didn't convince me. They would have had a sale if they matched Red Books lowest valuation. It was one of Brisbane's biggest dealers.
So, to cover the 2.9% interest , dealers partially cover the "loss" with crap trade ins ???
Ghia will be around for a bit longer.....

For the $5,000 difference between the dealer offer - and the likely private sale price.... i'd be bothered selling privately.....

2011G6E · 18-01-2013, 05:16 PM

True...trade-ins are in a dire state. Brand new cars are so cheap now that cars even a couple of years old are worth bugger all unless you're buying something high-end.
The Holden (sorry) Captiva (sorry again) is stunning value...even an all wheel drive one with all sorts of stuff like sat nav and parking assist can be had for stupid prices. Ford told us there's a six month wait on Rangers if you order something other than what's sitting on the lot, and other makers have said there are waits for even some ordinary cars.

We're doing a bit of preliminary window shopping and test driving tomorrow morning, and will let you know what sort of trade in they'll offer on our G6E at various dealerships...should be interesting...

Nic85 · 18-01-2013, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loftie

For the $5,000 difference between the dealer offer - and the likely private sale price.... i'd be bothered selling privately.....

Agreed... We sold our last car privately and made an extra $3k over what the dealer would give for a trade ($22k dealer, got $25k private).

Bossxr8 · 18-01-2013, 09:20 PM

Euro manufacturers are using us as a dumping ground for excess stock. I saw a report that showed Skoda have half as many cars unsold as registered demo, than they actually sold for the year. So 50% of the total number of cars bought into Oz are sitting on the dealer lots.

For Ford it's about 10%.

Smoke Pursuit · 18-01-2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Except trade ins are crap !! I was offered $9k for my Ghia on a Tezza Titanium. When Red Book dealers trade in is $12k at Red Books lowest value. $14k is Red Books highest trade in.
I couldn't be bothered with the hassles of selling privately.
Dealers excuse was " we have to offer warranty etc " didn't convince me. They would have had a sale if they matched Red Books lowest valuation. It was one of Brisbane's biggest dealers.
So, to cover the 2.9% interest , dealers partially cover the "loss" with crap trade ins ???
Ghia will be around for a bit longer.....

Are you sure? My red book says 10,300 for a 2007 BFII Ghia 4 litre. They are worthless now.

How much was the titanium? 54k? For an Awd that books for 64k. Sounds to me like your trying to find excuses not to buy. Try Denmac, Bbf and q ford.

Nic85 · 19-01-2013, 08:48 AM

Redbook isn't what dealers use anyway. Dealers use the Glassguide as far as I'm aware.

302 XC · 19-01-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

True...trade-ins are in a dire state. Brand new cars are so cheap now that cars even a couple of years old are worth bugger all unless you're buying something high-end.

Trade ins even a few years old, have never been anything flash,regardless of low end or high end
Its all relevant to the deal on the day
People are just more savvy with their money than they were 3,5,or 7 years ago

The interest rate deals alone offered for new, 2nd hand wouldnt get a look in, if borrowing wasnt an issue
There wouldnt be much in it monthly payment wise for a 2nd hand car at 9,10 % , Vs a newie at 2 %,even tho there could be 20,25 grand difference on the price

XBROO · 19-01-2013, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loftie

Not just in cars - but every industry - it's the best time to buy right now (if you can afford).

My in-laws just bought a 2012 Holden Captiva 7 (with Sunroof, Sidesteps, Parking Assist, etc) for $27,500. And - the dealer even gave them $2,500 off THAT price for their tired old AU Forte that had issues.... (A car that I told them they'd struggle to get $1500 for).
So for $25,000 they have a brand new car that has 5 year warranty - capped servicing... They are very happy. (Read: Not the car that I would have personally bought - but it suits them very well).

Even the old cars - its a super time to buy. There are some true bargains out there if you're realistic (and not insulting) with your buying...

I could reel of probably 6-12 classics that you'd definetly want to own... that have been bought in the past 3 months (not just things i've heard about - things i've SEEN)

And don't get me started on real-estate! I scored a killer bargain mid last year - if I had have held out - probably would have got something better right now!!! But - I also needed to live somewhere....

If you've got the money - now is the time to spend it...... For so many reasons....

You're right Loftie I know of a few bargains at the moment. Not just Ford classics, but some other brands as well. But no good to me because I'm broke as well.

Smoke Pursuit · 19-01-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic85

Redbook isn't what dealers use anyway. Dealers use the Glassguide as far as I'm aware.

Depends on dealership... They dont rely heavily on either... Most wholesalers confer with each other with respect to what mainstream cars are worth.

So many factors will determine what they put on them...

csv8 · 19-01-2013, 12:48 PM

Dealer quoted Redbook and sent me a the link..Thats how I know the trade in value.
DASH GT When I checked Red Book after your post, it is as you said. Seems odd the link sent by dealer is different ???
Going to Briz in March and look around.....

Smoke Pursuit · 19-01-2013, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Dealer quoted Redbook and sent me a the link..Thats how I know the trade in value.
DASH GT When I checked Red Book after your post, it is as you said. Seems odd the link sent by dealer is different ???
Going to Briz in March and look around.....

So they quoted you a price without seeing the car? What do you expect. They are always going to give you a VERY low number without inspecting it.

csv8 · 19-01-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

So they quoted you a price without seeing the car? What do you expect. They are always going to give you a VERY low number without inspecting it.

They know the car, bought from them ,regularly serviced by them !!!!

kevino · 19-01-2013, 03:36 PM

In process of trading wifes 2006 Focus for 2012 Fiesta sedan. Trade in price for Focus $500 under minimum red book. Not unhappy..scratches and small dents all over it, due for a service, due for wheel alignment, tyres well worn.

But!

That was last Saturday.Still waiting for the finance deal to be finalised/approved such is the demand on Ford and its credit partner. The rep told me they usually sell 2 or 3 cars a day but with the deals on offer and low finance rate its 11 or 12 a day putting the whole process into delay mode.

2 points .
1-The finance rate is actually 2% but there is a $750 and $350 fee at start up which supposedly only pushes it up to 2.9%. So the higher value the car the better the finance as
the perentage of the sign up fees of the cars value drops.
2- Ford sales will be above normal for a January-I have never seen a car dealer so busy.