SUV Prices May Drop Due to Gas Prices
Gas prices rose to $3.05 per gallon over the recent Christmas holiday. This is the highest price ever recorded during the holidays which is a very bad sign.
Overall, gas prices have almost doubled in the last 2 years, and the predictions for future prices don't look pretty.
The former president of Shell Oil believes gas prices are due to rise to record levels and some analysts think gas prices will reach at least $5 a gallon in the next few years.
So what does all this mean for car buyers?
It's likely there will be some huge price drops on SUVs and pickup trucks, while smaller cars will see price increases if gas continues to rise this year.
Back in 2008 when gas prices hit record highs, consumers turned away from larger vehicles and embraced more fuel-efficient, smaller cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
Some dealers, in desperation, were offering unbelievable discounts on large SUVs and pickup trucks - one even promoted a buy 1 get 1 free deal.
The reverse is also true - small and fuel-efficient cars, due to higher demand, will start seeing price increases, just as they did back in 2008.
If you're thinking of buying a large SUV or pickup truck, it may be worthwhile to wait. If you're thinking of buying a compact, fuel-efficient car, you may want to buy one soon to lock in the price.
My Recommendation for Car Shoppers
TrueCar No-Haggle, Edmunds Price Promise, and 1-800 Car Show are the quickest 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.California Residents - Important:
There is a new online car buying service called Roadster, available only to California residents, which I highly recommend you try - especially if you hate the stress of haggling with a car salesman. They provide an expert concierge who negotiates the price of the car and delivers it to your home with zero hassle - you never have to interact with a dealership. Here is my in-depth review of Roadster and why I recommend it.- Gregg Fidan
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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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