Car buyers are getting gouged by pandemic prices — try these 7 strategies to save
If you haven’t shopped for a car lately, be warned: Prices for new and used vehicles have surged to record highs.
Not only that, but the car you’re looking to buy might not even be available. The supply of new and used vehicles has plunged amid unrelenting supply chain backlogs and resurgent demand.
If you’re looking to replace your 20-year-old clunker, your lease is up or you’re just ready to upgrade your ride, try the following strategies on buying or leasing at today’s pandemic prices.
It may help you save some dough — and possibly your sanity.
Strangled supply meets booming demand
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The average sale price for a new car jumped for the seventh straight month in October to a record $46,036, according to a Kelley Blue Book report. That’s a 12.9% increase from a year earlier.
In this climate, buyers are no longer able to haggle down prices. In fact, they’re paying an average of $800 over the manufacturer’s recommended retail price, the report shows.
The upside-down situation for buyers has many venting their frustrations on social media.
“Shopping for a car right now is the WORST,” tweets Mary Coleman, a breaking news anchor in Arizona.
“Why am I fighting a stranger for a vehicle I’ll be paying $6,000 more for than it’s worth? Curse you, pandemic!”
Used cars not much of a refuge
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Used car prices have also revved up. The average list price on a used car was a record $26,971 in October, reports Cox Automotive. That’s 25% above year-ago levels and 38% above pre-pandemic levels.
“It is absolutely a seller’s market right now,” says Kayla Reynolds, analyst for Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelley Blue Book.
Buyers who are braving the market warn the experience is not for the faint of heart.
“Trying to buy a used car, sub-100k miles, sub-$15k is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Two years ago, a $15k budget was enough to get something from 2016 and less than 60k miles. I wouldn’t wish buying in this market on my worst enemy. It’s miserable,” tweets Lando_Calzone.
Why has car buying become so hard?
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Before the pandemic, people didn’t talk much about the microchips that run the electrical systems in most modern cars. Now they’re front and center.
Automakers closed down their factories when the pandemic hit, while Americans stayed home, increasing demand for consumer electronics like tablets, laptops and gaming devices.
When the economy started to revive, carmakers couldn’t get enough chips to meet their production demand. Microchip plant closures further restricted supply.
Some dealers are even cutting back on popular car features due to the chip shortage. General Motors is temporarily eliminating heated seats and steering wheels in many of its vehicles.
7 strategies for buying or leasing during the pandemic
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The days of stepping onto a car lot and having your pick of make, model and color are over — for the moment, at least. And discounts? You can forget about them. Industry experts say new-car inventory is expected to remain tight through at least the first half of 2022. But consumer car site Edmunds and other auto groups say there are strategies to cope:
Consider a used car. Even though used vehicles are also more expensive these days, you may luck into a good deal — or at least one you can live with — if you expand your search.
Be prepared. Know what you’re walking into so you don’t run screaming when you see the sticker price. And look at what other cars are selling for in your area so you have an idea of what you’ll be paying.
Shop outside your neighborhood. If you live in a city with a higher cost of living or your local dealership has a limited selection of cars, see what’s for sale in a nearby town or county.
Be flexible. Don’t head into the process with one car make or model in mind. Have backup brands in case you don’t find what you want.
Start, continue or buy out your lease. If you’ve been leasing and your contract is up this year, consider buying out or extending the lease. If you’re looking for a car, leasing may offer cheaper monthly payments. “And since a lease is a much shorter commitment than a purchase, you can explore makes or models that you might not have considered previously,” says Edmunds’ Ivan Drury, senior manager of insights.
Be patient. Nearly half of car shoppers are delaying their purchase, according to Kelley Blue Book research. While no one can say exactly when supply and demand will come back into balance, if you can wait to buy a car, it might serve you well in the long run should the market cool off.
Use your trade in to help offset the high prices. Leverage the rising value of your existing car to trade up into a new one.
Other ways to save this holiday season
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Whether or not you’re in the market for a car, you can look for other ways to save money or improve your finances in the months ahead.
Watch for deals and rewards to get the most for your dollar. You might download a free browser add-on that will automatically hunt for better prices and coupons whenever you shop online.
If you haven’t shopped for car insurance lately, you might be paying too much. Do some comparison shopping to lower your auto insurance premiums. Consider doing the same to find a cheaper rate on homeowners insurance.
If you’ve been relying heavily on credit cards during the pandemic, consider rolling your balances into a lower-interest debt consolidation loan to help pay off that debt more quickly and affordably.
Even if you don’t have a ton of cash to spare, it can be surprisingly easy to squeeze some income out of the stock market. A popular app lets you invest just your “spare change” from everyday purchases.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
