Which Model Year Should You Buy: 2011 or 2012?
The question at this point becomes: is it better to buy a 2012 model or a leftover 2011 model?
It depends on how long you intend to keep the vehicle and what kind of discounts you can get. A leftover model is technically considered to be a one year old vehicle, so if you're forced to sell it soon, you may take a big loss due to depreciation.
Therefore, if you intend to buy a leftover, you should be willing to hold onto it for at least 5 years. You should also negotiate a price that is at least 10 to 15% lower than the 2012 model.
Be aware that the colors and options you desire may no longer be available. Leftover vehicles are part of a diminishing supply, so the least desirable ones are left for last.
Use the free CarWoo negotiation tool to see what kind of deals you can get on both model years.
My Recommendation for Car Shoppers
TrueCar No-Haggle, CarsDirect, and NADAGuides 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.- Gregg Fidan
Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- 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 The Author
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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