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View Full Version : With Used-Car Prices Up 10 Percent Over 2009, Buyers Need Shopping Discipline


ALS
08-25-2010, 12:47 PM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg While prices are indeed very high now, last year's prices were low, making the gains even more dramatic. (http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2010/08/with-used-car-prices-up-10-percent-over-2009-buyers-need-shopping-discipline.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Cadillac_Escalade_2-Mode_Hybrid_Platinum.jpgCarroll Lachnit - EDMUNDS (http://blogs.edmunds.com) - August 25, 2010

Car buyers on average paid $1,800 more for a used vehicle in July than they paid a year ago at this time, according to Edmunds.com data. That's a 10.3 percent increase, bringing the average cost of a 3-year-old vehicle to $19,248. The price of a Cadillac Escalade spiked nearly 36 percent. "A lack of confidence in the economy is driving more people to used cars, putting upward pricing pressure on a limited supply of vehicles," said Joe Spina, a senior analyst for Edmunds.

There's a tricky aspect to this analysis, because last summer was marked by a used-car buying frenzy spawned by the Cash for Clunkers program. Spina said the effects of that program are hard to isolate precisely. "So many economic factors affect automobile sales and prices. It's believed that the program delayed purchases prior to the program and also pulled sales forward while in place," he said. "The program also eliminated inventory of older vehicles that were traded and then scrapped." After the jump, take a look at the vehicles whose prices moved the most this July. The model years have been averaged. You can also get some advice on how to proceed in a (relatively) pricey used-car market.

Spina said that at this time last year, a troubled economy had consumers buying less- expensive fuel-efficient vehicles and trading in "gas guzzlers" through Cash for Clunkers (more formally known as the Car Allowance Rebate System). "Now, those who need trucks and large SUVs are buying them and in many cases are turning to used vehicles as a way to save money," he said. "Prices are high because this demand comes at a time when inventory is low as a result of the current shortage of lease returns and trade-ins for vehicles of this type." And, he said, while prices are indeed very high now, last year's prices were low, making the gains even more dramatic.... http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2010/08/with-used-car-prices-up-10-percent-over-2009-buyers-need-shopping-discipline.html

WriConsult
08-25-2010, 01:22 PM
Used Prius prices are still down! My wife just talked to a friend who negotiated an '07 down to about $14k.

CORRECTION: $13k, not $14k. Wow.

ALS
08-25-2010, 02:04 PM
On PC a guy was asking whether a 08 Prius with 35K miles for around $12K-$13K was a good deal or should he just get a 2010. They may be a deal now but just wait until gas prices go back up.

There is a used car dealer called Blue Knob up by State College Pa. that is selling 09 Touring's for 16K to 16.5 with 30K -34K miles on them.

Blackbelt
08-26-2010, 09:22 AM
On PC a guy was asking whether a 08 Prius with 35K miles for around $12K-$13K was a good deal or should he just get a 2010. They may be a deal now but just wait until gas prices go back up.

There is a used car dealer called Blue Knob up by State College Pa. that is selling 09 Touring's for 16K to 16.5 with 30K -34K miles on them.

Blue knob always has smokin prices. Wheni mentioned that name to the used car manager at the dealer where my brother works, he started cursing. That just reaffirmed my opinion that they are a good place to check when looking for a used car. I bought my crossfire from them.

paratwa
08-26-2010, 03:41 PM
You can get a used HCH I in central ohio for $8k-$9k these days (higher milage). I saw a 2003 HCH I manual transmission a couple weeks ago selling at a Honda dealership for $7800.

To contrast this, last month I sold my 1996 Accord EX with 156k miles on it for $3400. What is this world coming to?!

MaxxMPG
08-26-2010, 04:03 PM
Evidently, the Edmunds TMV is keeping pace with real world transactions. My Chevy, which is supposedly cursed by pitiful GM residual value, still shows a TMV dealer trade-in value of about 45% of what I paid for it, even being 5 model years old. I would have expected something closer to 35% for a domestic car, especially from Gummint Motors. Maybe I should trade it in quick before the bottom falls out of the used car market? Quick, Hyundai, build the Sonata hybrid faster! Faster!

ItsNotAboutTheMoney
08-26-2010, 05:26 PM
Used car prices typically go up in a recession. People still need their cars but look to the used car market instead of the new car market.

The fact that used car prices fell so much was more indicative of the depth of the recession.

paratwa
08-27-2010, 07:30 AM
Used car prices typically go up in a recession. People still need their cars but look to the used car market instead of the new car market.

The fact that used car prices fell so much was more indicative of the depth of the recession.

And consumers personal relationship with credit too. In years past fantastic financing deals were common to those with all levels of credit score. Now the best deals seem to be reserved for only those with the highest credit scores. There've been lots of foreclosures and other credit destroying events in the US consumers lives that would make them ineligible.

peacefrog_0521
08-28-2010, 11:23 AM
To contrast this, last month I sold my 1996 Accord EX with 156k miles on it for $3400. What is this world coming to?!

Wow - I got that much for my 1996 Accord EX V6 when I traded it in...7 years ago...

-Raj

Blackbelt
08-28-2010, 12:41 PM
Wow - I got that much for my 1996 Accord EX V6 when I traded it in...7 years ago...

-Raj

It really does amaze me what some people will pay for a used up zillion mile honda...like they think the cars are immune from wearing out.:rolleyes::rolleyes:
Oh well, it's their money...LOL

WriConsult
09-02-2010, 02:10 AM
Couple years ago I sold my '96 Outback with just over 150k miles on it for, coincidentally, $3400.

Completely immune from wearing out? No. But at barely 150k, not even close. I've seen enough examples of Hondas, Subarus and Toyotas going past 200k, 250k and beyond to say that if decently maintained (which is usually EASY with these cars) they often have $3400 of life left in them at 150k.

Blackbelt
09-02-2010, 11:06 AM
Couple years ago I sold my '96 Outback with just over 150k miles on it for, coincidentally, $3400.

Completely immune from wearing out? No. But at barely 150k, not even close. I've seen enough examples of Hondas, Subarus and Toyotas going past 200k, 250k and beyond to say that if decently maintained (which is usually EASY with these cars) they often have $3400 of life left in them at 150k.

I would pay $3400 for a 150K mile outback with no reservations. No way would i pay that for a similar Accord.

xcel
09-16-2010, 06:17 PM
Hi All:

Regarding hybrid used car pricing, there has not been a better time to buy since late 04/early 05. We have seen the hybrid sale price cycle 3 times now and each time there was a low, the highs followed within 2 years. Not saying anything is going to happen but if you are interested in a used (or new) car, right now would be a good time to consider something really fuel efficient a $5.00 per may be a lot closer than some believe… Seeing 03 and 04 HCH-I’s for $5 to $8K is really cool. Too bad they do not have side curtains :( IIRC, there was an 06 HCH-II w/ NAVI w/ 80K on the clock going for $10K just a month or two ago.

Buying a used FSP is asking to get kicked between the legs in the not to distance future and it is not like we have not experienced stupid prices at least three times now

Wayne

GreenBlues
09-16-2010, 09:30 PM
05 HCHI's do have side bags.

xcel
09-16-2010, 10:04 PM
Hi Wayne:

Not side curtains.

Wayne

ALS
09-17-2010, 08:38 AM
I checked Auto Trader prices for 05-07 Honda Civic Hybrids by me.

05 47K miles $11K
06 70K miles $13K
06 56K miles $13K
07 17K miles $17K
07 62K miles $15K

I'm betting you could get $750 - $1,000 off those prices if you were willing to buy it today.



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