THE DATING GAME
With plenty of 2019 cars still to sell, it’s shaping up as a buyer’s market
Australians love a bargain and there’s no greater sniff of a ripper deal than an end of year run-out.
The prospect of snapping up a big discount on a new car that’s effectively aged a year overnight has many scrabbling for the chequebook.
The cars are usually no different, although having a build plate from the previous year means they’re worth less in the industry’s eyes.
The general manager of valuer Redbook, Ross Booth, says there is “still significant supply of 2019 vehicles”.
Some have discounts on the regular price, others are sweetened with free servicing or longer warranties. How much of a bargain you can snap up depends on how good a job head office and dealers have done in clearing stock.
January sales in Australia were down 12.5 per cent, reflecting the soft sales of the previous two years. Some brands have more 2019-plated cars to sell than is usual in the second week of February, so this month is shaping up as a buyer’s market.
The challenge is working out which models are going cheap. Start online — but you can also learn more by visiting dealerships, ready to negotiate.
Is the dealer pushing you towards a particular model? Are there numerous examples of the same car available? If the sales people have started sharpening their pencils before you’ve taken a test drive, there’s a good chance they’ll be ready for further sharpening.
Here are some of the best current deals.
TOYOTA KLUGER GX FWD $41,990 (ABOUT $7500 OFF)
It’s popular with good reason and now the Kluger’s entry price has been sharpened to the tune of $7500. Front-drive GXs are selling from $41,990, with metallic paint thrown in. There’s also a generous list of gear, including tinted windows and a suite of active safety gear.
HOLDEN COMMODORE LT HATCH $25,990 (ABOUT $10,000 OFF)
Some Perth dealers have new Commodore LTs listed below $24,000 but that’s without registration and stamp duty paid. Throw those in and pay about $800 to ship them east and you’re looking at closer to $26K, similar to prices at other dealerships. It’s a heck of a lot of large car for small car money.
FORD RANGER XLT DUAL-CAB $50,000 (ABOUT $11,000 OFF)
It’s the top-selling off-roader in the country and an accomplished ute that blends the work and play duties better than most. Deals on the XLT 4WD dual-cab auto take it to about $50K. There’s plenty for the money: alloy wheels, towbar, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and auto lights and wipers.
MAZDA CX-5 MAXX FWD $31,990 (ABOUT $5000 OFF)
Excess stock and the arrival of the CX-30 mean Mazda has plenty of CX-5s to move ahead of a minor update next month. And the most affordable Maxx grade, now at $31,990, doesn’t miss out on much in terms of core features. Radar cruise control and auto braking in forward and reverse are highlights. There’s also Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
NISSAN PATHFINDER ST $39,000 (ABOUT $8000 OFF)
The Pathfinder doesn’t land on shopping lists as often as some rivals, so Nissan is trying to fix that with sharp deals. There are 2019 examples going for about $39K, sometimes less — even cheaper are 2018 models and there is still a handful around. What the SUV lacks in driving flair, it makes up for with space and V6 performance.
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TRENDLINE $24,990 (ABOUT $3000 OFF)
There’s some excess stock of last year’s Golf and the model will be replaced later in the year, so it’s double-deal time for the popular small hatch. The official Volkswagen deal lists manual Trendlines at $24,990 but you don’t have to search long to find autos going for the same price. For that, you’re getting a classy and clever car.
FORD ESCAPE AMBIENTE $28,990 (ABOUT $5000 OFF)
You have to step up through the Escape grades for the active safety gear that’s fitted as standard on competitors but at $29K the Ambiente is solid buying. Its 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo is great around town or on the open road. It gets satnav and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
CHEVROLET CAMARO 2SS $78,000 (ABOUT $15,000 OFF)
It’s sleek and sexy but there’s no ignoring the price premium for the Chevrolet Camaro over its prime rival, the Ford Mustang, thanks to the expensive conversion to righthand drive (the Mustang leaves the factory with the steering on the right). But sub-$80K deals make things more appealing. There are some 2018 examples and 2019 cars with a new face. Deals on the supercharged ZL1 are just as sharp, with discounts bringing the price below $150,000.
MITSUBISHI PAJERO GLX $50,490 (ABOUT $7000 OFF)
Rumours are the Pajero (not to be confused with the smaller Pajero Sport) may not have much life left in it. For now, pick up a GLX for a smidgen over $50K with two free services included. It lacks such active safety kit as autonomous emergency braking. The Pajero is a proper off-roader ready for the Big Trip — take off around Australia with up to three tonnes of caravan in tow, knowing you have the backing of a seven-year warranty.
MERCEDES-BENZ X250d POWER 4MATIC $50,000 ($17,000 OFF)
Hefty pricing has hurt Benz’s first ute to the point where the brand will soon stop manufacturing. At about $50K for a mid-level Power auto, it makes more sense (some examples are 2018-plate, showing how tough a sell it’s been). The X was the first ute with auto emergency braking, so safety is strong. And it’s the quietest ute, a boon for long hauls. Shame about the substandard three-year warranty.
SUZUKI BALENO GL AUTO $16,990 (ABOUT $2500 OFF)
Among the larger city cars on the market, the Baleno suddenly looks a lot more appealing at $16,990 for an auto. The circa-$2500 saving represents a discount of 13 per cent. The 1.4-litre engine is nothing special but its reputation for longevity and respectable equipment list add to the appeal.