I am interested in buying a new 2014 Subaru Forester. For several reasons I’m concerned that if I buy the car now I will be paying more for the car then I would if I waited. I say that because the 2014 model is pretty new. Because of supply and demand there is a 2 week wait list for the model that I want. Consumer Reports just published a great review of the Forester.
Any thoughts?
If I do wait to buy the car when is a good time to buy it?
If I do wait will the price difference be that different?
Short supply + high demand = high prices. I’d wait.
Its like predicting the stock market or interest rates. Who is to know what the price and availability will be in 6 months? Normally, you get the best price on left-overs at the end of the model year. But who knows what will happen? Oil spikes, recalls, recession, could all drive the price down. Strikes, increased popularity, steady economy, could all drive the price up. I’ve never tried to squeeze the last nickel out of a deal and just bought according to my wants and needs. An extra thousand or two over the life of the car may not be that significant.
You might not get a better deal later on, but it’s unlikely you’ll get a worse one. I’d wait, if I could.
what are your long term plans for car? buy and sell in 5 yrs? keep it forever? maybe lease?
There are some advantages to buying a brand new car right as it comes off the assembly line. Your maintenance will be up to date, not six months late. The car won’t have 400 miles already on it. You can get a good or bad buy any time of year. Just try not to pay the most for it.
I got a great deal on my car by buying the previous year’s model, but there is a twist. I was looking for a stick shift, and it was that fact that led to it still being on the lot unsold. In order to save money like this, you have to be willing to buy what other people didn’t want, for whatever reason.
Here is an idea, check the lot for new unsold 2012 Foresters. If you can find one, you might be able to make a good deal.
best time to buy a 2014 Forester?
When the 2015 models start hitting the sales lot
I’d wait. In fact, I would wait at least 1 year. 2014 is a totally new model Forester. All redesigned cars are most likely to have problems the first year of production. By buying now, you are not only likely to pay full price, but you are also more much more likely to bring it back soon because something is wrong. If you want a reliable Forester at an attractive price, buy a 2013.
I bought my 2013 Subaru Forester in January. I got a 0% interest rate. I love my car, and even when the '14s were announced I was happy to have gotten the '13.
And I think the 2013 has the new engine- no timing belt and new block that eliminates the head gasket problem (finally).
Everyone thank you for your input. I plan on owning the car for the next 5-10 years. I am having a hard time finding a crossover without a HUGE blind spot. The Forester has more window than the other models. I’m not in a hurry to buy. I would just like to have it before it starts to snow. Since I live in Denver that means sometime in October.
The airiness of the Forester has always been notable. Too many makes don’t want their crossovers looking like vans (horrors!) so have weird rear corners and huge blind spots. The last generation of CR-V was especially stupid looking, with that rounded window in a squarish space. Good for Subaru! The Forester may not have much style, but it works.
If you want to be the first one to drive a new model, expect to pay top dollar. Wait until the next model year cars are in stock and look for a dealer with a large inventory of unsold last year’s models, you can make some great deals. Look on line at dealer inventories to find the best selection. check dealers in neighboring cities, you can make an offer on line or by phone. I have gotten more than 15% off sticker price this way. I paid $100 for a southwest airlines ticket and drove my new car home 600 miles and saved $3000.00 off the sticker on a new $15,600 car and still got exactly what I was looking for. They will usually even pick you up at the airport.
I can’t see waiting. The “base” configuration of a popular model willl generally be totally sold out when the new model comes out, and if there’s one left on the lot it’ll be loaded with expensive options, meaning you’ll save nothing. That’s been my personal experience. And if you’re financing, nobody can foresee interest rates anyway.
What’s left at the end of the year depends on on many things. A couple of years ago there was no shortage of whatever you wanted. If you want a popular model, selection may be limited. Late last year there were plenty of mid-level Mazda3 Tourings (with the popular SkyActiv engine) in all the common colors. We actually ended up buying a 2013 Hyundai for about the same price. Being one model year later was a minor factor in the decision. Both dealerships were very pleasant to deal with.