Car Buying Advice-Will small SUV's get big discounts like compact sedans? E.g. Kia Sportage vs Forte

tomtulinsky

Right now you can get big discounts on compact sedans like Kia Forte Ex with Premium Plus ($5k off $26k) and Honda Civic Ex with Sensing ($3k off $26k) and Mazda3.
Discounts are from Truecar and Edmunds.
In contrast the similar small SUVs like Kia Sportage, Honda CRV, Mazda Cx3 are getting NO DISCOUNT, selling for MSRP, and in similar loaded trims go for $28k-$30k.

I'd rather get the small SUV but not $5k more. Will they get discounts like that later in the year? Have they in the past?
And why such a disparity? I know SUVs are "sort of cool" , but not that much anymore.
Thanks for any insight you can give.

Mr_Shiftright

My opinion is that this trend is following the supply and demand equation that basically drives the price of any commodity. Small SUVs are in high demand and small sedans---not so much. So there is no reason for automakers to offer large rebates or to "sub-vent" (support) lease payments.

The only way I see the possibility right now of big discounts on small SUVs would be on any 2016 leftovers. When the 2016s and 2017s are both on the lot at the same time at a dealership, that's when you may see more attractive deals.

It's also possible you might see regional deals---some small SUVs might not sell as well in one part of the country as another, so you could have local discounting. You might also find a deal on a "base" SUV that doesn't have much in the way of optional equipment. This would be a "only one at this price" type of advertisement--but you have to move fast on these, as they are something of a "come-on".

isellhondas

Everybody wants a "deal"! The best deals are made on cars that need to move! Are these "good" cars? sre they are but they may not be the car you really want! At that point, it ceases being a good deal.

The worst thing a person can do is buy a car they really don't like simply because of the price. I used to see this all of the time.

Michaell

isellhondas said:

Everybody wants a "deal"! The best deals are made on cars that need to move! Are these "good" cars? sre they are but they may not be the car you really want! At that point, it ceases being a good deal.

The worst thing a person can do is buy a car they really don't like simply because of the price. I used to see this all of the time.

I'll add to that point. I see folks all the time asking for lease numbers (money factor and residual) on a bunch of different vehicles (sedans, coupes, SUV's, etc.) - trying to find the best deal.

I try to counsel them to test drive the ones they are really interested in. A great payment isn't so great when you don't like / aren't comfortable / spouse hates the chosen vehicle. And, you're generally stuck with it.

prospectivesuv

Michaell said:

Everybody wants a "deal"! The best deals are made on cars that need to move! Are these "good" cars? sre they are but they may not be the car you really want! At that point, it ceases being a good deal. The worst thing a person can do is buy a car they really don't like simply because of the price. I used to see this all of the time.

I'll add to that point. I see folks all the time asking for lease numbers (money factor and residual) on a bunch of different vehicles (sedans, coupes, SUV's, etc.) - trying to find the best deal. I try to counsel them to test drive the ones they are really interested in. A great payment isn't so great when you don't like / aren't comfortable / spouse hates the chosen vehicle. And, you're generally stuck with it.

See the Nissan Rogue.  It is nothing overly special. No one raves about it, but they discount it big time and it won sales a few months and has been a close second as well.  It is not at the top of the ratings, but it sells.  This is a good example of settling.   

[Deleted User]

I agree with @Mr_Shiftright. SUV sales have been setting records and the dealers know they don't have to discount them as much since demand is still high.

If gas prices rise significantly this summer (like some experts predict) this could shift demand to more fuel efficient vehicles. With gas prices being relatively low in most areas, a lot of people are forgetting about the times where we were paying $4.00+/gal.