On The Hunt For Bargains For Discontinued Models

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

It doesn't always have to be the brand new model. Discontinued models also offer top technology. Above all, vehicles such as the Audi A3 can be bought more cheaply before the model change.

If you want to save money when buying a car and don't necessarily want to drive the brand new model, you should definitely look at discontinued models. Here the car buyer can buy his new car at a significantly lower price. For example, at car dealerships you can regularly find vehicles that are about to be replaced by a successor and are therefore particularly cheap. Unlike in other industries, however, they are rarely specifically advertised. However, those who do their own research can find real bargains.

Discounts of 30 percent included

Depending on the negotiating skills and manufacturer, discounts or price advantages of 30 percent are possible. Although a discontinued model brings in slightly less when reselling than its younger successor, the bottom line is that the choice is usually financially worthwhile. And not only is the price hot, but also the quality. That is because it is fully developed by the end of the construction period. Teething troubles are no longer to be expected.

As a rule, car models are built for six to eight years. After three or four years there is usually a larger renewal program, which usually also involves visual changes. For retailers and manufacturers, these data always mean a turning point. Because after a model change or facelift, the old vehicles can hardly be sold anymore. You have to get out of the yard if possible before the successor drives up. The pressure is particularly great for Asian importers. Unlike German and most European manufacturers, they don't build their new cars to order, but rather to stock them.

Successor to Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class

The easiest way to see when a car becomes obsolete is at a trade fair. The innovations shown there usually come onto the market within the next six months. This year there are still model changes for popular models such as Audi A3 (June), VW Golf (end of year), Kia Ceed (June), Hyundai i30 (May), Ford Fusion / B-Max (end of year) or the Mercedes A-Class (September).

However, the individual manufacturers deal with the impending price drop in very different ways. Popular means of preventing high cash discounts are special models with equipment details that would otherwise cost high surcharges. Kia, for example, offers the Ceed as a special Dream Team model with extensive equipment in the form of air conditioning, reversing camera and 17-inch rims at prices starting at 16,260 euros.

So-called daily approvals are even more popular with dealers. A new car is registered for a short period of time and can then be sold as a new car at high discounts without the manufacturer's price structure becoming unrest. The Hyundai i30, for example, is currently available from individual dealers at prices starting at around 11,000 euros, since the successor is in the starting blocks. Similar offers from other brands can be found in the advertisements in the local daily newspaper.

Last but not least, tough negotiations with the dealer are also worthwhile in many cases. As soon as the first information about a model change is known, the customer has good arguments for a price reduction on the current vehicle. You don't necessarily have to be satisfied with the usual ten percent plus floor mats. Not least because of this, the manufacturers make a big secret out of every new model. If information reaches the public too early, the authorized dealers at the corporate headquarters regularly complain. (SP-X)