Any opinions/experience buying this time of year?
I've come across a CPO '11 RL that may be what I want however, I'm wondering if a more aggressive price is negotiable this time of year, since car sales are generally flat around the holidays.

 

This is a great time to buy. Holidays coming this month and next, cold weather and you are the king. If you think it will still be there the week after Christmas that is a buyers paradise. I have a 2010 RL which replaced a 2007 RL. The 2007 had 170,000 miles with no problems. A Honda mechanic bought it for his wife on the spot first look. I will say it looked brand new. My 2010 has 74,000 miles. The 2007 I bought new and the 2010, I bought used with 20,000 miles. The RL is a rare bird. Like to consider it a cult car. Not many people know about it but those that have them love them. There is not a day that I regret my purchase. No matter where I am driving I get in and just enjoy driving it. With that being said I am looking for a used RLX. It could take me a year because I am looking for white or silver with light interior. Good luck and let us know what you get.

 

the used market is not like the new market.

used cars are on the lot 24/7 and will be replaced with another used car.

plus, you cant get special financing or incentives from a used car.

So, I dont think there are special holiday buying times for used cars. and whatever deal you get, was already on the table to begin with.


"Buy this $1000 TV for $600 and save $400!"
you didnt save 400, you spent 6.

 

It was a great time for me. Going to pick up a 2011 RL TECH tomorrow w/ 50k, one owner, for $23.5. I tried to buy nearly identical car in August with a higher offer and was laughed off the lot. Patience is a virtue in all things, especially car buying. This car was listed at another dealer in Mich for $27-28k all summer long. Current dealer picked it up at auction and was trying to move it at $26-27.

This will be our 3rd RL, we had a 96 that our daughter now has with 220k, our current 05 w/ 132k that we are selling to the same daughter for a replacement, and the 2011. These are really great cars that just don't get the recognition that they deserve. I know our two RLs have been bulletproof.

Good luck RL shopping.

 

^i dont think holiday buying had any influence on your deals.

its more likely that the car sat on the lot longer than expected, losing money.

remember, its still depreciating even if it sits.

then you came along with the 23k offer, and voila.
the deal was there all along, except you had more patience than the dealer did.

 

I have to agree with justn. Your best bet on a used car is to find one that has been on the lot for 30 days. That's the sweet spot regardless of the time of year.

If you really want to over think this, you could try to guess when people buy new cars the most as that will likely increase the trade-ins and used inventory. If you want to believe that, then wait a month after that time.

 

Try to hook up with one of the sales people about 20 days out.

 

i've actually seen financing specials for certified used cars from acura and dealers. 0.9%

 

Traditionally, "big ticket" purchases are down during holiday season. I know new sales are down from a family friend who's a MB GM, never discussed the used market. CU APRs are plentiful under 2%.
With an asking price of $29.5K, I'll offer $25K, on the lot 2 months. If they add splash guards and all weather trunk/floor mats, I'll spring for $25.3K
Final offer and I'll leave my number!
I'll buy extended AcuraCare myself.

 

You are correct plus most companies fiscal year end is December. They would rather have green in the cash drawer on Dec 31 than white, black or silver sitting on the lot with ice covering them.

 

I would generally agree, but I do think the dealers put a bit more effort into bringing traffic in during slow times. I know I sent an email to the dealer and talked to one salesman about the car. I never made any offer and they were unwilling to run our car through their books as a trade in. That's what the salesman said so that ended our discussion. 10 days later the GM of the dealership calls me as a followup to my email off of the Cars.com listing. We basically made the deal over the phone in an hour.

I would agree that the deal was there for anyone. On the other hand, when times are good and lots of people are hitting the lots I doubt I get a call from the GM from a two week old email. They are just working a bit harder to drum up some sales so I think the holidays play a part in that.