Best New Car Leftover Models for 2015

September is the month automakers and dealers begin to really focus on clearing out the current model year new cars to make room for the new and improved incoming models. This is also the perfect time for a new car shopper to get a great deal on a new car leftover.

Automakers do a great job advertising huge discounts by combining customer rebates, dealer incentives, and very attractive finance and lease programs to help dealers get these vehicles sold. However, no matter how well these vehicles are promoted, there always seems to be a few leftover models scattered around a dealer’s lot. As the end of the year draws near, sometimes dealers get stuck with too many leftover vehicles and begin to get desperate to sell them. This can be a bargain hunters dream when shopping for a new car.

Some of these leftover cars are due to be redesigned in the upcoming year or phased out completely. This information is not normally announced or advertised to the public beforehand because automakers don’t want to be left with thousands of unsold vehicles left on dealer’s lots. What they will do with these types of vehicles is discount them with larger, more generous new car rebates and incentives to entice car buyers into buying a leftover instead of a current year model.

Advantages and Disadvantages to Buying a Leftover Model

If you play your cards right and do your research, you can get a really good deal on a leftover model. The one thing you need to consider is automakers will stop making the current year model vehicles a few months before the new models start hitting the lot. This means the more popular models, or better equipped models, will sell first. Leaving only the less desirable models to pick from.

Pros to buying a leftover new car:

• Legally considered a brand new car (you get the new-car smell).
• Zero or very little miles on the odometer.
• Normally thousands of dollars less than the same car a year newer.
• You are covered by Lemon Law Protection.
• Full protection of a manufacturer’s full new car warranty.

Cons of buying a leftover new car:

• You may not get the exact options, features or color you want.
• As the end of the year draws near, your vehicle choices are more limited.
• If the vehicle is being phased out, it will depreciate very quickly.
• Some dealers may have many vehicles to choose from and some may only have a few.
• Many manufacturer’s extended warranties begin with the vehicles date of production.

Should I Buy a Leftover Model?

As it starts to get closer to the end of the year, automakers will normally increase the amount of discounts available on vehicles being phased out and leftover models. Make sure you do your research before making a choice. Some automakers will keep the price the same (or actually lower) the price of the newer vehicle to make it more appealing to car shoppers.

When a vehicle gets redesigned or phased out completely, it tends to depreciate much more quickly. If you’re intending on keeping it for only a few years, you may have a difficult time trying to trade it or sell it. If you plan on driving it until the wheels fall off, depreciation shouldn’t be much of a concern.

Who is the Perfect Leftover Model Buyer:

• Plan on keeping the car for five years or more.
• Flexible on colors, options and vehicles.
• Doesn’t really care what they drive as long as it’s reliable.
• Have the discipline to locate and research leftover vehicles.
• Does not need to purchase a vehicle right away.

Dealers have the mindset to maximize their profit on every single car deal, even on leftover models. Make sure you do your homework and check to see if the vehicle your considering has any rebates or incentives available before visiting a dealership.

Use the Internet to Get the Best New Car Price

When negotiating a new car’s price, it’s important to know the dealer invoice price and what other people are paying for the same vehicle in your local area. Otherwise, you won’t know what’s a good price to pay for the vehicle. I highly recommend using an online referral service such as Ryde Shopper and Motor Trend, their quotes will automatically include any discounts or cash-back incentives currently available.

In addition, the above sites will tell you which dealerships in your local area are currently the most flexible with their new car pricing. These sites provide valuable information for anyone thinking about buying or leasing a new car or truck.

Best Leftover Model New Car Deals for 2015

Source: Edmunds.com

2015 Model New Cars to Be Phased Out by the End of the Year

Source: Edmunds.com