Car buying... is it getting better, worse, or about the same?

[Anonymous]

10:05 here - I randomly visited a few dealerships today to see cars in person. I needed to get an idea of how big things are (ex: the latest CRV is wayyyyyy longer than I anticipated, will probably need to go down to an HRV). Got a GREAT offer on my existing SUV but didn’t see anything I want to buy. I might just stick with what I got.

Will still need to buy my mom a car in the next few months though, so wish me luck.

[Anonymous]

Terrible, my car got totaled in a flood and nothing was available at my dealer except a floor model. Otherwise it would be months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just brought home a new Subaru this weekend. Paid a little less than MSRP. Found it on our local dealer’s website while it was in transit. Our previous Subaru was from this dealer too.

Our dealer said many others are charging above MSRP, but not all. Our dealer is supposedly having people come from all over the state since they’re not gauging. My advice is to call around.

This. We found one dealership within about 100 miles of us that wasn't adding $3000 on from the get go.

[Anonymous]

Got one at MSRP plus tax, tag, and processing fee of 500

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am having trouble seeing prices on websites. Right now I'm not set on a particular model so I'm browsing, but it's impossible to "sort by price" if there are no prices. For example on a Honda website sort from lowest to highest will have a LOADED Pilot next to a base model Civic; there's no way that's an accurate reflection.

I might be that odd demographic that's OK with a coupe OR a crossover SUV, so I'm not comparing apples to apples - but I still need a ballpark so I can begin selecting must have features and whittling down the field.

You won't see prices. The dealers are playing games with the aftermarket deal mark up. Some dealers claim that they don't add ADM but the force you to buy some clear coat and upholstery insurance for $2500. The games really make us not want to buy certain makes like Toyota. The localToyota dealers are crooks.

Agree. Highlander was our first choices based on several things but we have decided on principal we just can’t buy one. The Toyota dealers around here seem worse than the other brands. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

I've been in the market for a 2nd car for our family for 3 months. I have explored and researched almost every approach (craigslist beater / used 10 year old car / new purchase). I have test driven a bunch of used cars, and haggled with many dealers for an out the door price in 10-12 year old cars. They are still egregiously overpriced for what they are (been specifically looking at Toyota SUVS) and after all this time my husband and I have decided we can wait a little longer, get by with our 1 car, and watch and see what happens over the next 4 months as model years turn over/ the market shifts. I have so much data saved about pricing it will be easy for me to check back in November and see trends for the particular cars we've been looking at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to get a Honda Odyssey. Dealer is asking for a $5,000 markup that's non-negotiable.

Go to another dealer. I think the odyssey is now ranked third after Toyota and Kia.

Sienna has a 5K markup with 9-12 month wait. Carnival has a 3.5K markup with 1-2 month wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try calling dealerships in WV or Pennsylvania and take a day trip.

Won't the car be registered in PA so you have to pay twice for tax and tags?

Ummm no

[Anonymous]

We need to buy a new car pretty much right now. Preferably a hybrid SUV which was the plan for maybe next year, but the time has come. What can we expect ? Are there cars on lots to buy? Are they overpriced? Is there a long wait?

Or, do we lease for a year or 2?

[Anonymous]

You'll have better luck buying a 'new', lightly used car. Demand for used cars is slightly softening whereas demand for new cars is still through the roof (thanks to price-insensitive rich people!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll have better luck buying a 'new', lightly used car. Demand for used cars is slightly softening whereas demand for new cars is still through the roof (thanks to price-insensitive rich people!).

Quite the analysis. Maybe people need a vehicle now die to any number of circumstances and don’t want to buy a ten year old car priced as if it was new. People financing for 84 months don’t exactly fit the “rich” demographic — whatever that means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll have better luck buying a 'new', lightly used car. Demand for used cars is slightly softening whereas demand for new cars is still through the roof (thanks to price-insensitive rich people!).

Definitely don't want a used car. We've had serious issues getting repairs on simple things due to lack of staffing in auto repair shops, parts due to supply chain issues. Which is why we now have a bigger problem. Definitely want new and a hybrid if possible. Also want all thr new saftey technology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You'll have better luck buying a 'new', lightly used car. Demand for used cars is slightly softening whereas demand for new cars is still through the roof (thanks to price-insensitive rich people!).

Definitely don't want a used car. We've had serious issues getting repairs on simple things due to lack of staffing in auto repair shops, parts due to supply chain issues. Which is why we now have a bigger problem. Definitely want new and a hybrid if possible. Also want all thr new saftey technology.

I need to buy a car and I wouldn't be opposed to buying used. I've always bought certified used cars in the past but the savings were significant. I'm not willing to buy a 3 year old used car just to save a couple thousand dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We need to buy a new car pretty much right now. Preferably a hybrid SUV which was the plan for maybe next year, but the time has come. What can we expect ? Are there cars on lots to buy? Are they overpriced? Is there a long wait?

Or, do we lease for a year or 2?

Depends so much on which car specifically. Honda Pilots are easy to get right now for example. We need more info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You'll have better luck buying a 'new', lightly used car. Demand for used cars is slightly softening whereas demand for new cars is still through the roof (thanks to price-insensitive rich people!).

Definitely don't want a used car. We've had serious issues getting repairs on simple things due to lack of staffing in auto repair shops, parts due to supply chain issues. Which is why we now have a bigger problem. Definitely want new and a hybrid if possible. Also want all thr new saftey technology.

I need to buy a car and I wouldn't be opposed to buying used. I've always bought certified used cars in the past but the savings were significant. I'm not willing to buy a 3 year old used car just to save a couple thousand dollars.

A low mileage 3 year old used vehicle often sells for the MSRP or above of a new vehicle. Parts and supply chain issues are real and do not appear to be lessening much.