I'm seriously considering buying a TL SH-AWD. I test drove one last week and absolutely love it. I believe we're at a transition point for 2011 models being introduced. Anyone know when they'll be in show rooms? I think there's been some slight exterior changes but are there any other major differences between the 2010 and 2011 model? Would it be stupid to buy a 2010 model at this point or should I just wait for 2011 models?

Thanks

 

there has been no changes for 2011 vrs 2010, with exception of some color combos....

 

Our local dealers have some '11s on the lot now. They are about $250 more (for SH-AWD) than the '10s, but I don't know whether that will reflect in the actual selling price.

They are essentially unchanged from the '10s except for differences in availability of a few color combinations.

You can probably get a better deal on a '10 if you can find the car you want and still have it be "current" for another few months. Or you can be one of the first in your neighborhood with an '11, but likely pay a bit more.

 

The best deals and incentives are on the 2010 because the day you buy it, it is a 1-year old vehicle (in car years). If you lease the car, who cares what year it is. If you buy the car, the resell value is affected. The 2010 will depreciate more than a 2011, that is why you get all the incentives on a 2010 now.

 

Typically it makes absolutely no sense to lease a car at the end of the model year. The residuals are as low as they will ever be, meaning you are paying for more of the car.

You buy at year model year end, you lease at the beginning when the residuals are highest.

The $250 price increase on the 2011 is insignificant. The issue will be that the lack of incentives will force you to pay at least $2000 more for the car. There won't be any really great deals on 2011's until the 2010's are gone.

The other potential benefit to buying a year end car is that if you go to sell or trade it in after 3 years of use (as a 4 year old car) it may look like a very low mileage car being that it hadn't been driven for most of it's model year. If you drive average mileage of 12K per year when the car is technically 4 years old, it's still only has 36k on it.

 

Typically I would agree but I think it's best to wait till after January for the best of both worlds. That's also when the better incentives come out. Residuals are super low at year end for leasing but a better lease deal can still be had at that time as the price and money factor are the usually the lowest. Works best if you plan to purchase the vehicle after.

Too early in the model year, like right now for example, would have the highest residual for the 2011 and works best if you only plan to lease and turn in but the money factor is at it's highest in turn, which helps keep remaining 2010 models still seem like a good deal to further clear them out. It really all depends on a number off factors in todays market.

 

The 2010's have factory to dealer incentives and the 2011's do not. You should be able to get a much better deal on a 2010. They are trying to get them off the lot to make room for the 2011's. The dealership will not tell you about the incentives or "marketing support", but you can find this info at Edmunds.com.

Here is a link
After you choose the make and model, you need to click the link that says "incentives".

 

Bought a 2010 TL SH-AWD with tech for $37250 including destination plus TTL. Some could probably do better I feel it was a fair price and I love the car!

 

damn... AWD and tech package, sounds like a great deal to me

 

Nice. Where do you live? General area.

 

Wouldn't they also have incentives for the 2011 when 2012 models are due to come out?

 

Probably, but they are just now rolling out the 2011's, if you want to wait till next year. I have heard rumors that the 2012's are being released early, like April of 2011, but that is rumor and I doubt the incentives will come out much before that on the 2011's.

 

Not really a rumor anymore, it's pretty much confirmed. In regards to the 2011's, they are really only going to be built for about 4 more months before they need to re tool the factory for 2012's. With the incentives they currently have on the 2010 models, I doubt they will be producing 2011's in huge amounts. Acura doesn't want to have cash incentives on their cars so if they keep the production low on the 2011's, they can also minimize the incentives they will need to clear the lots when the 2012s's are on the way.

 

This is kind of funny since you can theoretically buy a new 2010 in December 2010/January 2011 and in a matter of 3-4 months have a "2 year old" model.

 

Speculations. When dealing with any product until it hits the shelf or pavement it's not actual or factual.