People love to come across a great deal when vehicle shopping. There are few things in life as satisfying as getting something cheaper than everybody else. Not everyone gets lucky, but there are certain instances when you can come across a heavily discounted vehicle for sale. There are a few reasons why this might be the case. Here are the most likely ones:
1. Season
Depending on what the climate is like and what part of the country you’re in, some vehicles will be heavily discounted based on the demands of the season. For instance, you’re much more likely to find a discounted RWD sports car in the middle of the winter in New England. That same car would likely fetch more money during the spring and summer months when it’s more drivable. On the other hand, an all-wheel-drive vehicle will likely be priced higher.
2. Defunct automaker
You can still find many vehicles from automakers that are no longer in business, and they’re usually heavily discounted for this very reason. Some examples of brands that have been discontinued in recent years are Scion, SAAB, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, Mercury, Plymouth, Suzuki, and Hummer. So if you come across any of these brands, you’re likely to see a heavily discounted price.
3. Unpopular model, style, or color
There is a segment of cars out there that simply aren’t very popular, and are heavily discounted for this reason. Their unpopularity can be because of the vehicle’s aesthetic or design, an unpopular color, or simply a model that doesn’t sell very well. Of course, you might not like the vehicle for the same reasons that make it unpopular, but if you’re open-minded or not too picky, you can get a great deal on an unpopular ride.
4. Salvage title
In North America, a salvage title is a “form of vehicle title branding, which notes that the vehicle has been damaged and/or deemed a total loss by an insurance company that paid a claim on it.” This basically means that the car was in an accident, flood, or some other event and has since been rebuilt or refurbished for sale. You can get huge discounts by buying a car with a salvage title, but be wary of difficulties finding insurance, and potential difficulties when it comes time to sell the vehicle.
5. Dealership
There are any number of reasons why a dealership would heavily discount a vehicle. Some of those reasons involve incentives from a manufacturer, which can mean a great deal for a car shopper. Other reasons involve inventory, and the need to move certain vehicles off the lot as quickly as possible. In some cases, a vehicle simply isn’t selling quickly enough and the price gets slashed. In any of these cases, the end-user ends up reaping the rewards.
