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Best car deal in 2009?

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  • Best car deal in 2009?

    Dear iTulip,

    I may find myself near the end of a lease and needing a different car (new or used) in 2009 and since a car can be a sizable investment I am looking for some good "strategery." I agree with EJ's "pay cash for cars" mantra so will be trying to keep the cost under about $10,000. My preference is a SUV or Jeep style vehicle.

    Any ideas of what companies might be most likely to have a fire sale? Timing?

    Regards,

    snip3r
    Dear sn1p3r,
    The Great American FIRE Economy Sale began in 2006 when the housing market rolled over. The asset price deflation spilled over into the Productive Economy in 2007, creating the recession we forecast. 2008 marked the start of debt deflation in the US, and the Debt Deflation Bear Market we forecast Dec. 27, 2007. The Consumer Goods Fire Sale of 2009 will follow on the FIRE Economy Sale in inflated assets that began in 2007.

    When it comes to cars specifically, the Consumer Goods Fire Sale will last for years.

    Here's an example of what's going on.
    Auto dealership troubles ripple across the region
    Dec. 22, 2008 (Boston Globe)

    Federal bailout expected to do little to stem local closings; state and municipal tax revenue will continue to feel pinch

    South Shore Buick is just one of more than 40 new-car dealerships in the state that have gone out of business this year, according to the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association. There are now 462, down from 533 at the beginning of 2007. Across the country, the National Automobile Dealers Association estimates, there will be 900 fewer dealerships this year than last, and a net loss of 1,100 in 2009.

    "It's the same phenomenon you see in almost everything else - there are too many car dealers, there are too many shopping malls, and there are too many hotels," said Michael E. McGrath, an author and business consultant based in Boston who has advised the automotive industry. "Dealers are trying to cope with the fact that people simply don't have any money."
    As unemployment rises, consumers will have even less money to spend on cars.

    Let's skip over the next few years and jump all the way to the bottom of the Depression:
    • The volume of unsold cars is now so large it is best measured in acres of lot space required for storage. Reuters reports that at the Long Beach, California port, "Toyota has leased an additional 23 acres of space while Mercedes-Benz has leased about 20 more acres." By the end of 2009, even though few new cars will be shipped to US ports, that inventory will hardly have been worked down at all, owing to the glut of good and very cheap used cars on the market.
    • Tens of thousands of companies will go out of business in 2009, putting thousands of used leased cars on the market.
    • Hundreds of thousands of households will be unable to make lease and loan payments, putting a few hundred thousand more used cars up for sale.

    All this spells big bargains in new and used cars next year. Look for two-for-one sales and absurd discounts.

    Even now, before the expected rise in unemployment, we have received a rash of anecdotal evidence of bargains, such as a friend of iTulip reporting yesterday that they purchased last week a two year old Mercedes off lease with less than 20,000 miles that sold new in 2006 for $85,000. What did our friend pay? Wait for it... $22,000.

    We bet that if you wait until next year, you will be able to get a wide range of very good cars for your $10,000. If you can wait, we recommend it.
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    Last edited by FRED; December 24, 2008, 09:32 AM.

  • #2
    Re: Best car deal in 2009?

    Bump to the top!
    Ed.

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    • #3
      Re: Best car deal in 2009?

      Here is a buy 1 get 1 free.

      Attached Files
      Last edited by FRED; December 23, 2008, 03:43 PM.

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      • #4
        Re: Best car deal in 2009?

        All dealers buy their vehicles at an auction. Find the local auction and take a day or even two or three to get your bearings. I always buy a car at auction. Unusual makes are less successful at auction and therefore go for a lower price than the more usual marks. Remember that the dealers are always trying to find a car that will sell easily for them to keep their turnover going. By the same token, they will have taken in a vehicle as a part exchange that they need to offload. Sharp eyes will spot many bargains. Often the bids will have stalled. Never bid before everyone else has stopped. yes, that makes for a need for VERY rapid decisions. That is why I advise you take a few days to get the feel for the way it all works. Make a few decisions about the car you want to buy and set a price. NEVER go above your price. There will ALWAYS be another chance for another, similar car. For example, sometimes you will get a string of vehicles, all very similar, the first ones go to the most enthusiastic bidders but by the time the urgent buyers have sated their desires, the whole thing can settle down such that the last of the string can go for a song....

        Enjoy.

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        • #5
          Re: Best car deal in 2009?

          Based on my experience in the Swedish financial crisis of the early 1990's, availability of cheap better used cars should peak about the same time as corporate bankruptcies, as that's when the leasing companies will have the most on their hands. This could drag out for some time, hard to say, as bankruptcies haven't really started up yet in most areas.

          If you want a new car direct from a dealer, that peak should come much earlier, probably already this winter or spring, as they are aready panic-dumping those, and will see no reason to hold anything back for better times.
          Justice is the cornerstone of the world

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          • #6
            Re: Best car deal in 2009?

            FRED, where can I get a $85K Mercedez for $22K? I might be convinced to trade in my bicycle at this price...

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            • #7
              Re: Best car deal in 2009?

              I haven't seen them go for 22k yet, but I have seen them go for 27k. FRED is right though there will be some absolutely stupid bargains on vehicles next year. IF you think the price are good now really you should just wait till unemployment peaks. At least historically anyways, car price bottom when unemployment peaks.

              Although, I am literally shocked on a daily basis how much cash people are putting down on their car purchases these days. 4k is not unusual the highest I've seen put down on a vehicle recently is 20k on a new Pontiac. I can't fathom a reason anyone would put 20k down on a new Pontiac, but it happens. Credit score seems to have taken a back seat in the underwriting criteria lately. Is is still important don't get me wrong, but DTI(Debt To Income) seems to be the overriding factor lately. It seems lately that high credit score + high DTI = turndown. Low Credit score+ high DTI and your credit application gets sent super express mail to the sun, to be properly filed:eek:. And wouldn't you know it SUV's/ Trucks are making a small come back, It's not surprising really, 50% off equals greater demand.

              Oh and forget about leasing a car next year. If you want to lease a vehicle better do it now, because most banks/lenders won't still be in the business next year. Especially after the have to take staggering losses on there lease portfolios. Not that I recommend that anyone lease, unless you are retired(don't drive a lot) and are a fanatic about upkeep on your car. If your that person, leasing might be good for you. Otherwise just buy a car you can damn well afford, which means either cash or your payment equals 10% of you take home pay.
              Last edited by jacobdcoates; December 24, 2008, 12:39 AM. Reason: spelling and grammar as always
              We are all little cockroaches running around guessing when the FED will turn OFF the Lights.

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              • #8
                Re: Best car deal in 2009?

                Originally posted by jacobdcoates View Post
                I haven't seen them go for 22k yet, but I have seen them go for 27k. FRED is right though there will be some absolutely stupid bargains on vehicles next year. IF you think the price are good now really you should just wait till unemployment peaks. At least historically anyways, car price bottom when unemployment peaks.

                Although, I am literally shocked on a daily basis how much cash people are putting down on their car purchases these days. 4k is not unusual the highest I've seen put down on a vehicle recently is 20k on a new Pontiac. I can't fathom a reason anyone would put 20k down on a new Pontiac, but it happens. Credit score seems to have taken a back seat in the underwriting criteria lately. Is is still important don't get me wrong, but DTI(Debt To Income) seems to be the overriding factor lately. It seems lately that high credit score + high DTI = turndown. Low Credit score+ high DTI and your credit application gets sent super express mail to the sun, to be properly filed:eek:. And wouldn't you know it SUV's/ Trucks are making a small come back, It's not surprising really, 50% off equals greater demand.

                Oh and forget about leasing a car next year. If you want to lease a vehicle better do it now, because most banks/lenders won't still be in the business next year. Especially after the have to take staggering losses on there lease portfolios. Not that I recommend that anyone lease, unless you are retired(don't drive a lot) and are a fanatic about upkeep on your car. If your that person, leasing might be good for you. Otherwise just buy a car you can damn well afford, which means either cash or your payment equals 10% of you take home pay.
                One, the car will depreciate about 20% in the first year and two, as all dealers buy at auction they get their stock at about another 20% off minimum. As long as you can accept the purchase of a second hand vehicle, it is a no brainer to buy at the auction. Oh! and remember, a Ex Hire vehicle is about six weeks old.....

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                • #9
                  Re: Best car deal in 2009?

                  Lotta locals have been buying 2008 Kia's for $3000-$4000 with under 5000miles at the public auctions. These have 100,000mile warranties. Thats a bargain! These Kia's are rejected in auction at about the same rate as Wall Street's Paper; almost always!

                  I'm into performance and will pick up an 08'-09 BMW M3 or Porsche 911 for 60% off; hopefully.

                  As a note, I've explained before that you can watch the M3 market and see just how rough the economy is. These cars have sequential transmissions and hand built engines. They usually sell at MSRP. or close. When buying used, there isn't much inventory and they hold their value exceptionally well. That was then, this is now. My local dealer is sitting on 8 2008's as of Dec. 24th, 2008. They'll have to pay taxes on the inventory soon. The 2009's are in route. What will they do? I think the salesmen will have to drive them for a week and sell them as demos!:eek:

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                  • #10
                    Re: Best car deal in 2009?

                    wow, I wasn't expecting this many great responses!

                    I have to turn my lease in June 2010 so I have plenty of time to watch the market until then and wait for a deal. I forgot about corp. leases affecting the market but can see how that will be a factor. Maybe I can get one of those Progressive SUV's for a few gold eagles

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                    • #11
                      Re: Best car deal in 2009?

                      If one is open to buying a regular/hybrid car, what would you recommend considering:

                      - Peak cheap oil is true
                      - Approx. how far are we from the crazy gas prices. Would it be feasible to buy a regular car right now and then switch to hybrid in few years ?

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                      • #12
                        Re: Best car deal in 2009?

                        Originally posted by vdhulla View Post
                        If one is open to buying a regular/hybrid car, what would you recommend considering:

                        - Peak cheap oil is true
                        - Approx. how far are we from the crazy gas prices. Would it be feasible to buy a regular car right now and then switch to hybrid in few years ?
                        mega posted this. i'm waiting for a Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition from Congressional Motors! yeh!

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                        • #13
                          Re: Best car deal in 2009?

                          Carl Weathers buys all his vehicles at police auctions. Here are a few of his other money saving tips for hard times.

                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75bDmEugcxk

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                          • #14
                            Re: Best car deal in 2009?

                            Yes, good advice. Car auctions are one of life's great educations. If you have not bought a car at auction I would absolutely recommend it. Pay attention to your own emotion as you swing from depression and boredom to excitement and euphoria and back.

                            Nothing bursts the bubble of cars being special like seeing them sold at a secondhand auction. You get to see what they are really worth.

                            One tip - identify who the dealers are and do not be afraid to out bid them - they have to buy a car they can resell at a profit so you know you are paying a fair price. If you do let something go too cheap a dealer will often onsell it to you in the car park for an extra $50 - $100 as it doesn't owe him anything.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Best car deal in 2009?

                              Originally posted by rchdenton View Post
                              Yes, good advice. Car auctions are one of life's great educations. If you have not bought a car at auction I would absolutely recommend it. Pay attention to your own emotion as you swing from depression and boredom to excitement and euphoria and back.

                              Nothing bursts the bubble of cars being special like seeing them sold at a secondhand auction. You get to see what they are really worth.

                              One tip - identify who the dealers are and do not be afraid to out bid them - they have to buy a car they can resell at a profit so you know you are paying a fair price. If you do let something go too cheap a dealer will often onsell it to you in the car park for an extra $50 - $100 as it doesn't owe him anything.
                              Again, on the other hand you may find the auctioneers coming back to you after the hammer falls saying something to the effect that the owner of the vehicle has set a reserve of.... whatever... always a higher price than you stopped bidding at. Tell them, politely, to get lost, the only price is that at the fall of the hammer or you walk away. If anyone gets the idea they can bamboozle you into accepting a higher price than at the fall of the hammer, from that moment you are lost. Stick firmly to your guns, the price is always at the fall of the hammer or walk away. With any car auction, there will always be more bargains...always; and from that moment they all know your metal.

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