A Good Time to Buy SUVs

[GM-Joe]

Originally Posted by dindak

I am tempted to buy a slightly used (or new if the price is rite)Tahoe as I don't drive that much. They are giving them away and I love them. If my fill up costs an $20-$30, oh well. Given the discounts the gas is more than paid for.

I am in the same boat, I wouldn't mind having a Silverado, H3 Alpha or possibly a Tahoe. I have my freeway car, but don't have anything for snow, errands, and related city driving. To me an extra $50 a month wouldn't hurt much, especially when you save thousands when compared to some of these compacts today.

[GM-Joe]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

I got almost $9,000 off of MSRP when I bought my Armada new in 2006. How much are dealerships actually "dealing" on say a $49k MSRP SUV these days?

That's different, the Armada was not well received and Nissan had a heck of a time getting the production down in its first year. So even if gas prices were $2 a gallon, it had still been discounted heavily. In fact, Nissan is giving up on pickups in the U.S. and letting Dodge build them for them; though I believe the Armada's assembly will be reverted back to Japan.

[redimpss5]

With MY coming to an end, it may be a great time to buy a Tahoe. I will start watching the weekend ads more often.

[CadiEldo67]

Originally Posted by Ming

Noting the cars behind Mike Vanbrunt -- I do feel sorry for Pontiac dealers who have the G6 going up against the new Malibu or even Saturn Aura. There's really no comparison on the inside or out, and I wouldn't be surprised if the MSRP of a G6 wasn't significantly different or cheaper than the Malibu or Aura. Of course this kind of thing happens as GM "does the rounds", and one platform-mate lags years behind the other, but even the coupe and convertible don't mask the fact that the G6 is the least "rich" looking of the 3 - from the headlights to the bodywork to the interior....it just looks cheaper. And with gas prices where they are Pontiac dealers have no choice but to buy G6's for people looking for that class of car.

And they wonder why the G6 is the fleet king and dealers slap all sorts of incentives on the car, build a good car, and they will come...

[BigThreeForever]

Just bought a 1996 Silverado 1500 to complement the old Grand Marquis.

Out here in the country, it is essential to have a versatile hauler, irrespective of gas prices. Have you ever tried hauling a week's trash to the dump in a subcompact??

[mpsrent]

It relative to what and how you are buying. If you are trading in an older SUV or truck, the depreciation on your trade will be similar to the discount on the newer vehicle. As noted, the only real benefit will be for a straight cash purchase or someone trading in a fuel efficient car.

Personally, I believe the SUV market will only get worse as more 2 to 4 year old trades end up on the lots while new product continues to stockpile. Prospective buyers would do well by waiting for another few months before committing.

While I would like to replace my 4 year old Envoy, I've decided to wait things out, likely until next year to see how this market pans out. I'm not willing to make a large investment only to watch my equity wither away over a short 24 months. I'm also going to watch for low lease rates as it may make more sense to assume a short term lease and let the leasing companies own the risk as the market gets sorted.

Sitting on the buyer's sidelines.

[dindak]

Originally Posted by Ming

Noting the cars behind Mike Vanbrunt -- I do feel sorry for Pontiac dealers who have the G6 going up against the new Malibu or even Saturn Aura. There's really no comparison on the inside or out, and I wouldn't be surprised if the MSRP of a G6 wasn't significantly different or cheaper than the Malibu or Aura. Of course this kind of thing happens as GM "does the rounds", and one platform-mate lags years behind the other, but even the coupe and convertible don't mask the fact that the G6 is the least "rich" looking of the 3 - from the headlights to the bodywork to the interior....it just looks cheaper. And with gas prices where they are Pontiac dealers have no choice but to buy G6's for people looking for that class of car.

Pretty good deals on G6 though. They aren't that bad and locally (Ontario) they have 0% for 72 months and $1200 on the hood from GM compared to 3.9% and no cash on a Malibu. If you are on a budget, the G6 is a sweet deal with the same mileage numbers.

[Hurricane]

I absolutely agree - great time to buy an SUV, new or used!

I love my wife's 2007 Yukon XL Denali. I wouldn't mind owning a second one (Yukon, not the XL) - used ones are dropping in price like a rock. I don't worry so much about gas mileage for the same reason that I drive a Corvette and not a Prius - performance and fun to drive is more important to me. YMMV...

[Ming]

Originally Posted by dindak

Pretty good deals on G6 though. They aren't that bad and locally (Ontario) they have 0% for 72 months and $1200 on the hood from GM compared to 3.9% and no cash on a Malibu. If you are on a budget, the G6 is a sweet deal with the same mileage numbers.

I've wondered how that works for GM, though. Why build and sell G6's with big incentives on them when you can barely keep Malibus on the lots?

I mean, the styling and details look cheaper on the G6, but does it really cost GM significantly less to build a G6?

Perhaps there is a factory making G6's exclusively that I'm forgetting. Otherwise it seems like it would be worth GM refreshing the G6 so that it is an equally desireable-looking car (or at least something that comes close to the Malibu).

It's OK to have a Chevy that looks blander and cheaper than a Pontiac, but the other way around...?

[skylark68]

Interesting times. Too bad i'm saving up for a house right now. I think i'd be trying to find a VortecMax Sierra extended cab...

[Jesda]

I'm shopping for a mid to late 90s SUV. With the lack of cylinder deactivation and aerodynamic tweaks theyre especially thirsty and particularly cheap. $2k should get me a decent one now, compared to needing $3k a year ago.

[NfamousZ24]

Only if I wouldn't take a bath in my '06 Trailblazer I have 1.5 years left on my 4 year lease. I would lease an '08 Tahoe for 2 years. I am starting to get tired of the local dealerships calling me and sending me letters telling me that I can trade in for a Tahoe, Silverado, Yukon, Sierra. Only if GM would Pull me ahead, But that is normally only 6 months.