Looking for a great deal on a new car? Buying site iSeecars.com has some tips on what models to look for to save up to 52% off MSRP.
You’d be surprised at how many new cars from previous model years are still on dealers’ lots as the 2020 models start rolling into dealerships … and how much you can save by picking one.
Buying the previous model year is one of the best ways to get a deal on a new car, truck or SUV. Demand falls when the new models start arriving, and dealers’ inventory costs pile up to the point that the vehicles cost them money every day they sit on the lot.
The list of available vehicles includes popular and prestigious models like the Jeep Wrangler and Porsche Macan.
Here are the 10 vehicles with the largest proportions of inventory still made up of 2018 models as of August 2019:
- Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 19.5% of inventory
- Jeep Wrangler 16.8%
- Porsche Macan 15.3%
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 12.5%
- Dodge Durango 12.5%
- Chrysler Pacifica 9.6%
- Chevrolet Malibu 8.7%
- Ford EcoSport 8.4%
- Jeep Compass 7.7%
- Kia Optima 7.1%
If you’re looking for a good deal, start with that list. They all exceed the national average of 4% for dealers’ inventory of 2018s, based on iSeecars’ analysis of 2 million vehicle listings.
The Nos. 1 and 2 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Wrangler were probably victims of a big price jump on the all-new model, and increased production capacity.
ISeecars.com says a dealer — it won’t say where — was offering $7,000 off MSRP for its 2018 Wrangler Unlimited.
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Also on the list, the Porsche Macan was scheduled for updates including a new engine in MY19. Canny buyers held their fire for the improved model.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Ford Ecosport SUVs were new entries. Ford and Mitsubishi probably overestimated demand.
Others, like the Chrysler Pacifica, may have been victims of timing as tough competition hit the market like the Honda Odyssey, which was new for model year 2017. The Chevrolet Malibu was a victim of declining sedan sales, as well as strong competition with the arrival of new versions of the model year 2017 Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
“Consumers might not be aware that these cars are available. They can present great savings opportunities,” iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly said. “The Chrysler Pacifica earns praise as a top choice in the minivan segment. Its new 2018 version is priced $5,000 less than its 2020 version and shoppers can likely negotiate even larger discounts.”
Good sedans available
That’s nothing compared to what you may get for an unsold 2018 model of a vehicle that’s been discontinued, though.
There’s not a bad car among the top seven, most of which were victims of buyers’ shift from sedans to SUVs. Spotting one of these on the lot puts you in the driver’s seat.
The discontinued sedans with the highest inventory of 2018 models, according to iSeecars.com are:
- Ford Taurus 52.9% of inventory
- Cadillac ATS 22.3%
- Chevrolet Cruze 17%
- Chevrolet Volt 14.6%
- Ford Fiesta 6.6%
- Ford Fusion hybrid 6.1%
- Ford Fusion 4.6%
The Fusion hasn’t officially been discontinued at this writing, but it’s been a dead car rolling since Ford announced plans to stop building them in spring 2018, despite the fact that both the gasoline and hybrid models are very good midsize sedans.
You can find a new 2018 Taurus for as much as $10,000 off MSRP, according to Ly.
The Cadillac ATS sedan — production of the ATS coupe continued into 2019 — is a dynamite little sport sedan, with invigorating performance and excellent connectivity.
The Chevy Cruze and Volt are both terrific small cars. A 2018 Volt in particular could provide a rare chance to get into a very capable and efficient plug-in hybrid at a bargain price.
“It’s important that consumers be aware that 2018 new vehicles are still for sale and can provide them with significant savings off the sticker price,” Ly said. “Consumers who want a good deal on a new car should consider these vehicles… because dealers want to push their 2018 models off the lot and will be more open to negotiation.”
Contact Mark Phelan at 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter.
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