8 Used Car Models To Buy in Fall Before Prices Rise in 2025
By David Nadelle,
2024-09-08
The period from September until the end of the year is always a great time to buy a new car as desperate dealers look to get rid of older models by offering deals. However, this year, it might be a better time to look for a used one.
Typically, new-car inventory drives used car prices. Still, even with stock levels rebounding to pre-pandemic times, prospective buyers are hesitant to shell out on a new model given current high sticker prices and interest rates.
As new dealers offer outstanding incentives and make way for 2025 models, it could deeply impact used car prices this fall. According to Consumer Reports (CR), used car prices have dropped 10% on average over the last year, and “older” models more than that. As Pat Ryan, CEO of CoPilot, told CR, prices for four- to seven-year-old used vehicles have declined by 19% and eight- to 13-year-old models by 18%.
When purchasing a new or used car, it is critical to understand not only how long a vehicle remains on dealer lots but also why it is a slow seller. Knowing why demand is low requires research, but if you put in a bit of time, you might end up with a bargain before new models take over or prices increase again .
The Kia Soul is a practical and reliable compact SUV that looks small from the outside but is deceivingly roomy inside. With a lower resale value compared to some competitors, it’s affordable now. The 2025 won’t be much more expensive than the 2024 model, so you might see some price movement while dealers try to shift inventory.
The Mirage won’t top any “best of” lists, but you might be able to get an already cheap car for a song this year. Apparently, Mitsubishi is discontinuing the much-maligned Mirage hatchback and sedan at the end of the year, but how much you’ll be able to save on a car that costs under $18,000 is anyone’s guess.
Chevrolet Malibu
As Chevy gets ready to unleash the new Bolt EV by 2025, the company promises it will be the most affordable on the market. While that will attract the fiscally responsible, you’ll surely find deals galore on its brand partner, the Malibu, as it will bow out this year. The current Malibu competed admirably against two heavyweights, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, for nine years.
As Kelley Blue Book (KBB) notes, “Our many owner reviews have a high opinion of the Malibu in general.” As Chevrolet concentrates on SUVs and EVs, the Malibu might prove to be an inexpensive, reliable purchase now.
Any Nissan
To see which vehicles lingered on dealer lots the longest, iSeeCars analyzed over 224,000 new and used cars sold in June. For new cars, they found the Lincoln Nautilus, the Limited Chevy Silverado 1500 and the Ford Ecosport to be the slowest selling. Strangely, nine out of the top 10 slowest selling used cars were Nissans, including the Titan XD, Titan, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, Armada, Pathfinder, Frontier and Versa.
Mini Clubman
While KBB listed the 2019-2023 Clubman as one of its best used car deals for August, the 5.49% APR financing expired on Sep. 3. Expect to see the Clubman discounted through 2024, however, as it is being discontinued (the “Final Edition” Clubman is available this year in a limited run of 100 units, per Motor1).
Ford Edge
The only slowest-selling car among iSeeCars’ latest top 10 that wasn’t a Nissan was the Ford Edge, which sold in an average of 64.2 days (the overall average was 52.1). The midsize two-row Edge is less popular than many in its class (Car and Driver ranked it #28 in Best Mid-Size SUVs), which includes the Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Passport, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Volvo S60
Another cancellation victim, the S60, had a 24-year run in the U.S. As Volvo turns its production attention toward the highly anticipated electric three-row, dual-motor EX90 SUV, expect sympathetic prices on leftover S60s by the end of 2024.
Genesis GV60
Back in March, iSeeCars’ slowest-selling 1- to 5-year old used cars list was dominated by premium brands. At #1 was Genesis GV60, confirming the site’s findings that electric vehicles sat on lots the longest of any vehicle. Although the stats are six months old, the GV60 had nearly double the average days on market (149.9) as the next model on the list (Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid [78.0]) and there’s no reason to believe there aren’t loads available at less than its average price of $53,986 now.
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