Posted on 05/30/2013 12:49:52 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The U.S. used-car market is facing big supply shortages and unusually high prices these days, so consumers might as well buy certain models new instead of used, since there's little difference in price.
"We're in a bit of a strange situation right now in that there simply isn't a lot of used-car inventory out there," says Eric Lyman of market tracker TrueCar.com.
Dealers have few used cars to sell because not many people bought or leased new vehicles during the 2008-10 economic meltdown, so there's a dearth of 3- to 5-year-old automobiles entering the resale market right now.
That's resulting in higher-than-normal used-car prices, especially since plenty of Americans are still pinching pennies and opting to buy pre-owned vehicles instead of new ones.
At the same time, today's low interest rates mean automakers can offer customers who can afford new vehicles cheap loans and other enticements.
"The incentives that manufacturers are putting on new cars in terms of cut-rate financing or lease deals can actually make new cars more attainable than used ones," Lyman says.
Adding to the similarities between some new- and used-car prices, some models haven't undergone major redesigns in several years, so older versions sell for almost as much as 2013s do.
Here's a look at five vehicles TrueCar recommends consumers buy new instead of used, as you'll save less than 19% by getting 2010 or 2011 versions. (The typical 2- to 3-year-old car costs around 30% less than its new counterpart.)
All savings estimates refer to price differences between the average new car and that of comparable 2- and 3-year-old editions sold between Jan. 1 and May 17 at some 14,000 U.S. dealers that TrueCar tracks.
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
The article goes on to explain a unique similarity between these 5 cars. But - before reading the article - can YOU tell what these 5 cars have in common?
Unintended consequences of “Cash for Clunkers.”
If you have to finance, rates are always better (sometimes MUCH better) on new vs used, so another benefit.
“foreign” owned.
This article is about 15 grand and up stuff.
Clunkers impacted the bottom of the automotive food chain bigtime this is more the fact that new car sales were awful in 09/10.
The article points out that all these new cars have not been redesigned in serveral years. A 2009 model is the same as a 2013.
....before reading the article - can YOU tell what these 5 cars have in common?
(note the reordered list) They can be stacked one inside another, like Russian nesting dolls?
“We’re in a bit of a strange situation right now in that there simply isn’t a lot of used-car inventory out there,”...GEEEEZUS! They tore up 100,000,000 or more “Cash for Clunker Cars” and wonder why they can’t find any? Lord this government and the media is blatant in it’s deception (or stupidity).
Can agree with this. In the spring of 2011, I decided to trade my Ford Ranger for a user Chevy Silverado. Except there were no Silverados to be had. Anywhere. Several dealers told me the same story, “People really like their Silverado. They drive them till the wheels fall off or give them to a relative.” Others spoke of the artificial, but real, used vehicle crunch caused by Cash for Clunkers.
Finally, after eight months of looking, I found a 2004 model in cream puff condition. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned.
The reason there are no used cars for sale is that dealers do not offer a decent trade-in for your old car.
OH!!! They sell them for big bucks, but they don’t give you squat for your trade -in.
Better warranty coverage most likely on new vehicle also, forgot to add that.
It was quite intentional. Nothing unintentional about it.
The goal of Agenda 21/environmentalism is to make automobiles so expensive that the peasants give up and move into the government's high-rise containment facilities and use "public" transportation.
Eric Holder's people can't play Knockout King on people in cars.
They can only play Knockout King on people walking the streets and riding the subways.
We traded our 2001 GMC Sierra for a 2011 GMC with the same equipment. I wanted a Ford F-150 but the Ford dealer didn’t want my Gimmy with low miles. I don’t think the ‘11 is quite the same truck as the ‘01.
Lately I’ve thought to myself: “Take away the car ads from radio and TV and they are bankrupt”. It’s non stop here in NY.
>>The reason there are no used cars for sale is that dealers do not offer a decent trade-in for your old car.
>>OH!!! They sell them for big bucks, but they dont give you squat for your trade -in.
Exactly. Cars last a long time these days and when you bring your car in and the dealer acts like he’s doing you a favor for taking your trade, you reevaluate and decide to keep it for another year. After a couple more years, its paid off and then you get used to not making that payment and suddenly, your old car looks really good.
Until the A/C dies.
Yes, that too. After I said unintended I realized the error of my ways. Nothing these people do to tear down our country and its workings is unintended.
Mr. Kronenberg, I think you’re nuts. You seem to think people should be happy paying 10-20% more for new vs used? After you repeatedly stress that many of these cars haven’t been redesigned in several years and you can’t tell new from used.
You even admit in the article, “The typical 2- to 3-year-old car costs around 30% less than its new counterpart.”
Sorry, can’t understand your logic.
I have gotten at least a dozen pleas from local Ford dealers to trade in my 2010 F150 FX4 for a new one, with a much lower interest rate. It would drop by payments by $20-50 a month, but keep that loan going another 6 years, instead of 3. I’m halfway to (prayfully) never buying a new vehicle for myself again.
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