Car prices follow the cardinal rule of economics: Supply and Demand. Therefore, cars in huge demand can be over priced because they will sell regardless of price. Likewise, cars that sit on the lot for more than 60 days tend to be discounted heavily so the dealership can clear their inventory.
Cars with Greatest Demand (November 2006 Data)
Average Number of Days on Lot
10 Days: Nissan Versa
10 Days: Honda Fit
11 Days: Volvo C70
12 Days: Toyota Prius
13 Days: Toyota Yaris
14 Days: Lexus ES Series
15 Days: Scion xA
15 Days: Honda Civic Coupe
16 Days: Toyota RAV4
16 Days: Toyota Camry
16 Days: Mini Cooper
Smaller is the New Big
A few years ago the Big SUV cars used to fly off the lots. Now it’s the smaller cars racing to victory. Here is data broken down by car size.
29 Days: Compact Car
38 Days: Luxury Midsize Car
43 Days: Crossover Car
52 Days: Midsize Car
53 Days: Luxury Full Size SUV
65 Days: Average for All Vehicles
66 Days: Full Size SUV
68 Days: Minivan
71 Days: Compact SUV
97 Days: Trucks
99 Days: Midsize SUV
Therefore, the biggest deals on cars in December and January will be with the bigger sized cars. Like I said before on this blog, if you are considering a new truck, now is the best time (uneless you are waiting for the new 2008 models by all major car companies—then I would hold off until the new trucks are on the lot).
I do see great deals on the midsize SUV from Ford and Chevrolet.
Visit Autotropolis.com for additional savings on cars that need to get off the lot.