Used Car Prices Rise Compared to Last Year
Everything old is new again. Or at least as expensive.
According to Edmunds, the average price of a three-year old car is 11% higher than it was last year (typically, year-over-year increases are only 3.5 percent). In fact, used cars of all model years are 5.5% more expensive than 2009.
GM's used vehicles seem to have the highest increases, with used cars and trucks up 7.8 percent in the past year, a remarkable feat considering the brand recently emerged from bankruptcy.
For bargain hunters, buying a used car is still financially sound, but be aware that, given all the new car incentives, some new cars are now cheaper than used.
Though higher used car sticker prices may appear at the dealership, that doesn't mean you can't negotiate. Many dealerships price their used cars higher, allowing for haggling. How much dealers are willing to deal varies by vehicle and dealership.
My Recommendation for Car Shoppers
TrueCar, RydeShopper, and CarsDirect are the best way to see the lowest car prices in your area. These sites show you no-haggle prices from dealers closest to you - and the deals are usually really good. This should be the first step you take when negotiating your car price. Follow this up with my checklist to make sure you squeeze out every last bit of savings.- Gregg Fidan
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About: Gregg Fidan
Gregg Fidan is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.
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