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Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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The bigger the purchase, the more people care about how much they're spending. And automobiles definitely cost more than washers & dryers....
Do I have this right, or are the clearance specials really still the best time to get a new car if you're going to get one? I even went to the Honda site and there wasn't anything on Civics.
I think I rather just get a used anyway. At least I get more options with it. But the thought of having a brand new car sounds good too along with warranty.
Some models do get extra incentives put on them at that time.. (Pilot and Ridgeline, this year)... Other models already have pretty good incentives from previous months, and other models get no new incentives, at all...
Civics have incentives, but they are basically the same ones they have had all summer.. Generally, this is a good time of year to buy a car, but the "Honda Clearance" is mostly just advertising (that works).
regards,
kyfdx
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In this case, just fill in the blanks ........
BMW, Lexus, Chevy, Audi, Pontiac, Benz, Jeep etc, etc, etc ..............
Terry.
I believe I predicated my statement with regard to Civic demand to that before gas prices spiked. Until gas hit $2.00 per gallon, Accord and Civic sales were waning. Odyssey and Pilot sales were carrying the company.
In March of 2005, Honda sales declined 8.3 percent in the first two months of the year. According to the Detroit Free Press, "The blame for Honda Motor's performance this year largely falls on the flagship Honda brand, its resistance to offering big rebates, and the fast-declining popularity of its two best-selling vehicles-- the long-dependable Accord and Civic cars..."
The article went on to note that--at the time--Honda car sales were down 20.7% (Honda trucks were up 4%), with Accord sales off 15% and sales of Civic down 26.9% from the same period in 2004.
Among other reasons, the article cited the Civic's sales slump to its aging design, as well as suspension changes that were rejected by young buyers who like to customize their vehicles.
Understandably, the Detroit Free Press covers the automotive industry quite closely. Also there was a similar article in Automotive News at the time. Maybe they were lying....
Body styles on the Accord, I'm sure .. I called that over 2 years ago ..... but customizers are only 1% of the entire market and that includes Yota, Nissan, Honda, etc, etc ........
Editors don't necessarily print the proper news with the proper information ..... lets be honest, it's a job that they get paid for .. just look at the difference between the LA Times and other newspapers and different editors like Dan Rather .. it's the news -- but it's "their" view of the news ...... the biggest issue with Civics is the price, they are probably in one of the most competitive markets in that $15/$19,0 range and price immediately converts to payments .... 90% of those buyers are buying a "payment", not a car.
Terry :shades:
Usually someone will be a bit less than excited but not this time!
Seriously, I think the 2005 Civic sedans are one of the best looking cars on the road and the 2006 models look even better according to the pictures.
Did you see the article about the Civic in the September 9th edition of The Wall Street Journal?
The headline read: "Honda, in a Funk, Tries to Revive the Civic's Virtues."
A quote from the article: "As the Civic became more civilized, loyal buyers fled. Despite profit-sapping discounts, Civic sales are off 8% since their 1998 peak."
I suppose the 2006 Civics could be a flop, but I really don't think so. I finally drove one today and I was shocked at the improvements on an already great car.
They definatly were overdue for a change but I had no idea they would be changing this radically.
I don't know the actual numbers, but i'm guessing here... so, instead of 200K units, they sold 184K? Yeah, I don't think that necessarily represents a problem. There are a dozen other manufacturers who would kill for those sales.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I, too, think the dealership should receive a fair but not excessive profit.
Sticker Price... between MSRP and invoice... invoice... under invoice???
Obviously, it depends on the vehicle and the current market situation. Rebates and incentives help dealers sell more and consumers buy more. Both sides will gladly accept more from their respected positions( more profit to the dealer VS more discount to the consumer). Where is the middle road? When can both sides be satisfied and happy?
As a consumer, the question "Just what is a good deal?" is appropriate. You've researched,shopped, test driven, then researched, shopped, and test driven again. You narrowed down what you want and maybe even made some compromises along the way. You even have an idea concerning real-world trade values and what type of APR you might qualify for, if applicable. What will it truly take to really make you feel you're getting a good deal and pull the trigger?
The dealer side, the question "Just what is a fair deal?" is appropriate. Truly realistic offers, within reason, will usually be accepted. Concessions can possibly be made, also within reason, to try and assist the transaction. Unfortunately, these scenarios don't always come to a head. In my opinion, it seems that a large percentage of consumers in todays marketplace feel that dealerships should make only holdback... if that. Of course I'm biased to a certain degree, since it's also my livelihood, but I'm also a consumer too.
WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE CONSUMER ISN'T ALWAYS FAIR TO THE DEALER!
WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE DEALER ISN'T ALWAYS FAIR TO THE CONSUMER!
Give and take is a two way street. Any productive thoughts and feedback on this will be greatly appreciated.
ZOOM ZOOM
As a consumer, my goal is to pay the lowest price possible. I'm going to assume that the dealer is intelligent enough to agree to a deal that works for him.
Unless the dealership hires me to serve as its consultant, it's not my job to worry about how "fair" a deal is for the dealership. Why would I possibly care about making the dealership "satisfied and happy"? The dealer is responsible for its own emotional wellbeing, not me.
Every dollar I pay to the dealer is a dollar that I'm taking away from myself, my family or another merchant who would also like my money. I see no reason to find new and creative arguments for leaving more of it with a car dealer, I'll leave that to the dealership's employees to worry about.
Based off of this, I figured out what I was willing to pay for the vehicle, and also set it in my mind that if the dealer couldn't get below this, I would walk. I didn't really consider what was fair to the dealer - as I figured the dealer wouldn't sell me the car if he wasn't going to make any money off of it.
My point is that I think the dealer is in a better position of knowing what is and isn't fair for both parties than the consumer is.
Most customers believe they must object to the MSRP and so begins the "process" we all dislike. The whole thing comes around full circle again to "Dealers should just put a price on the vehicle and everyone pays that price". The never-ending story.
If you've ever held a garage sale you're in the same position as a car dealer. You've priced your products and if someone makes an offer at less than that you may, accept it, decline it or attempt to get a higher price from your customer.
What makes you different than the dealer?
Perhaps this is just a difference in semantics, but the dealer isn't going to be particularly interested in ensuring that the customer pays a "fair" price (whatever that means.) The dealer's concern is to obtain as much profit as possible, and whether that's fair to you isn't really of his concern.
It's safest to go into the dealership with assumptions that make sense in any business situation:
-The dealer has a range of prices that it will find acceptable. The lower part of that range may not be immediately obvious, and it may take some finesse for you to find it, but there is likely a price that will be acceptable that is not offered during the early stages of the negotiation.
-As a buyer, your job is to find the bottom of the range, and to not pay more than that.
-The negotiation methods that you use, combined with your research, will help you to find the lower part of that range.
I don't expect the dealer to determine what's "fair" for me, but to make as much money for his side of the house as he can get away with. My goal is to pay as little as possible and keep money for my side. The most realistic and reasonable position to take is to accept that the dealer is not there to be your consumer advocate. It's not a matter of what's "fair", but what is achievable.
I am wanting to get everyone opinion on how to get the best deal on a car. Should I look for an Older Car with Low Miles or a Newer Car with High Miles? Both affect the resale value of the car.
For example I am looking at a 99 Pathfinder 4WD SE with Leather, Moonroof, Premium Sound, Running Boards and ect with only 47K miles on it. The interior is in excellent condition and the exterior is in fair condition. One dent but some scratches on it. They are asking 10K for it.
OR--
I would possibly find a 2001 Pathfinder for about the same price but with twice as many miles on it...
What is the best deal???
1. If you don't drive too much, the '01 might be better, because in your lack of driving, a high miler might become an 'average miler' in a couple of years, with the better resale of a two-year newer model, or 2. If you drive a lot, are reasonably confident that the older has been well kept, and plan on 'driving it into the ground' (resale be damned, model year inconsequential), then the older with lower miles might be a better option. Also, some stores and/or banks only finance a vehicle up to five model years old, so if you're not a 'cash' buyer, the '99 might not be an option.
Mackabee
Welcome back, Mac!
So, have you figured out what makes a deal a good one yet?
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
And it only took us 703 posts to realize that!
Please welcome Mack back.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Not really. While necessary to make a sale, this agreement wouldn't nessesarily be a "good deal" for either party.
A good deal for me is when the dealership makes very little profit. A good deal for you would be when you make a lot of profit off the jipster... which ain't gonna happen. :shades:
-thene :sick:
Shoo... you guys(sales/former) are always scanning these discussions aren't ya?
Nahh, I wouldn't suggest half of the salesperson commission check. That would go beyond the topic of this discussion, and into the realm of "great deals".
I would prefer to make a fair profit and sell you cars for a life time then make a big profit one time.
oh, and jipster...we're EVERYWHERE!!! BWHAHAHAHAA!!
-thene :shades:
yup! a genuine do gooder you are!
-thene :shades:
Your little idea of a "good deal" will probably work on cars that are in high supply and low demand. Cars few people want. These same cars are the ones that nobody wants later down the road as used cars.
So, yeah, if one of these cars appeals to you, you can certainly buy one and feel good all over!
So, yeah, if one of these cars appeals to you, you can certainly buy one and feel good all over!
Which is perfectly fine if you are going to keep the car forever but don't plan to trade it in two years later.
however, i really want this car....
is there any way to save face short of just walking back in and paying their asking price....
Should i even ask for a reduction considering, that Edmunds, Kelly, and NADA all show that the price is actually a good one????
please advise