Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => General Fiero Discussion => Topic started by: GTRS Fiero on December 05, 2018, 05:47:16 pm

Title: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on December 05, 2018, 05:47:16 pm
Is a particular time of year the best time to buy a vehicle?
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: Fierofool on December 05, 2018, 09:46:11 pm
Some say that between Christmas and New Years days because the dealers have to pay taxes on the cars that are in their inventory.  Others say that the end of the model year or shortly after the new models come out.  Supposedly, in both cases, they are anxious to get rid of the cars. 
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on December 05, 2018, 10:11:34 pm
Suppose it's a used vehicle?
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: Fierofool on December 05, 2018, 10:21:47 pm
If I were looking for a used vehicle, I would look at the car rentals or dealers who have cars coming off lease.  When we bought Melanie's Grand Prix, we checked out a lot of Hertz, Budget and Enterprise sales offices.  They usually take good care of their rental vehicles, and replace them based upon a mileage or time setpoint, whichever comes first. 

We were specifically looking for a Grand Prix, but most of the rentals only had super charged ones, and with a performance engine, you could probably expect the renters to dog them.  We found a dealer that had just gotten one back from lease.  Two years old, just under 24,000 miles.  It was very well taken care of, had all the dealer service records, and we got a MSRP $25000 car for $14000.  The dealer replaced brakes and tires and did a full service on it before turning it over to us. 
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on December 05, 2018, 10:25:13 pm
I bought an Impala that way.

Maybe I should move this to a different board, but, if you were looking to buy or sell a Fiero, which month would you choose, any why?
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 08, 2019, 09:05:08 pm
LOL!  No one here buys Fieros?
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: Fierofool on July 08, 2019, 10:30:08 pm
Are there any Fieros left?  I thought they all caught fire and burned.

In reality, I don't know if there is any particular time that's better or worse to buy a used car.  But just theorizing that some folks buy a new car and keep their old one to sell for real money instead of phantom money.  If that's the case, maybe a good time would be right after new models come out, or after the first of the year.  In Georgia, whoever owns the car on January 1 is responsible for the taxes of that year. 

As for buying a Fiero.  Some would say that there isn't a good time to buy one.  :D
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 08, 2019, 10:32:23 pm
Only the green Fieros burned.
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: MikeMac on July 08, 2019, 10:41:21 pm
Only the green Fieros burned.

I have a green one that probably should be burned! After removing the wheels of course.
Ribbett Ribbett
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 08, 2019, 10:43:15 pm
Factory green.
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: TopNotch on July 09, 2019, 10:38:16 am
The best time to buy is when you get your income tax return.
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: PK on July 09, 2019, 11:59:57 am
1998 early afternoon.
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: Raydar on July 09, 2019, 01:40:28 pm
The best time to buy is when you get your income tax return.

My friend John says that's the best time to sell - when people have tax refund money that's burning a hole in their pockets.

Edit - I bought my most recent Fiero in April or May, I believe. I had been looking for many months, and just happened to find what I wanted, at that time.
Looking back, it seems like Tammy and my purchases are scattered all over the calendar. (Not like we buy tons of cars.)
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: scottb on July 09, 2019, 05:51:35 pm
When you have cash
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: Fierofool on July 09, 2019, 06:04:49 pm
I think Raydar's friend John and Scott have it right.  It seems that when tax time comes around, all the car dealers start offering 'deals' and my email is flooded with 'don't miss out on this bargain' sales.  They know that people who are suddenly flush with cash are less likely to spend it judiciously. 

I think it's best to wait for times like model change or end of year clearances if you're buying a new vehicle.  Wait until the seller is in need of selling. 
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 09, 2019, 06:25:54 pm
1998 early afternoon.

1998?
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 09, 2019, 06:28:29 pm
I think Raydar's friend John and Scott have it right.  It seems that when tax time comes around, all the car dealers start offering 'deals' and my email is flooded with 'don't miss out on this bargain' sales.  They know that people who are suddenly flush with cash are less likely to spend it judiciously. 

I think it's best to wait for times like model change or end of year clearances if you're buying a new vehicle.  Wait until the seller is in need of selling.

I dislike buying when it's cold outside, because then it is always cold out when changine plates and fixing things for renewal.
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: Raydar on July 09, 2019, 10:42:47 pm
IMHO, the best time to buy is when you are not in a hurry.
If you don't mind getting up and walking out, it can save you a ton.
Title: Re: When is the best time to buy?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 09, 2019, 10:59:04 pm
Agreed.  I have walked out of.many sales.

Years ago, I wanted to buy a particulat new car.  I was still in college, and was going to finance.  Knowing that most of the deprdciation comes as you drive the new car off the lot, I was not interested in losing money on that.  So, I told the dealer how much I was willing to pay, total, and how much for the monthly payment.  The dealer kept coming up with other numbers, so I left.  Later, the dealer called me, and claimed to have gotten  down to my numbers.  I stopped by.  They had lied, on the phone.  We continued this for about 2 weeks, until the dealer got down to my numbers, on the last day of the month.  Then, I used a lot of deals that were available (GM loyalty, GMAC earnings, manufacturer incentives, and a $1,000 rebate) to drop the price by another $10K.

I drove that car as a full-time courier for 14 months, and racked up some miles.  It got side-swiped on the highway by an inattentive teactor-trailer driver, who pushed me into the left guardrail.  I made the repairs myself.  I also backed into a low concrete pillar, putying a mark on the rear bumper.

Then I sold that car, for $3K more than I paid for it, and lived out of the country for a year.