Best Deals?

What is the best time to buy? For instances, if I want a 2003
Accent, will they be significantly discounted when the 2004's show
up on the lots?

Gary

 

Given that Hyundai is selling cars right around invoice right now, with
$1500 or even more cash back rebates, I am dubious that you will save a
lot more money by trying to time your purchase. I believe that in any
case the end-of-year discounts (usually dealer incentives) are more a
domestic automaker practice.

 

Given that Hyundai is selling cars right around invoice right now, with $1500
or even more cash back rebates, I am dubious that you will save a lot more
money by trying to time your purchase.
Hyundai's overall strategy is different than the more established brands.

Your leverage is limited by: 1) the dealer's invoice, 2) the dealer's
"holdback" (about 2.5 percent on Hyundais; up to 5 percent on competitive
makes), and 3) rebates.

If the dealer made absolutely no money on the deal, he *could* sell you the car
for ( 0.975 * invoice - rebates ) .

 

Yeah ... my local dealer is offering 1000 dollar discount OR a 1.9
apr. Seems I remember better deals last Feb on the left over 2002's[/QUOTE]

Last January, when I bought my GT, the dealer I bought it from had
about three 2002 models. They were a bit cheaper but only because
Hyundai increased the sticker for 2003 -- there was no special price
break on the older models.

Most automakers have at least one mid-year price increase. They have
already increased the price of the 2003s by a couple hundred bucks this
year and could do so again before the 2004s arrive. So even if you get
a couple hundred bucks off, you might still be paying what you would
have paid if you bought now.

So I'd still say buy now if you want a 2003. Or if you want to wait
and see what they offer for 2004 (variable valve timing on the engine,
for one -- might be worth it if you can wait), then do that.

 

Last January, when I bought my GT, the dealer I bought it from had
about three 2002 models. They were a bit cheaper but only because
Hyundai increased the sticker for 2003 -- there was no special price
break on the older models.

Most automakers have at least one mid-year price increase. They have
already increased the price of the 2003s by a couple hundred bucks this
year and could do so again before the 2004s arrive. So even if you get
a couple hundred bucks off, you might still be paying what you would
have paid if you bought now.

So I'd still say buy now if you want a 2003. Or if you want to wait
and see what they offer for 2004 (variable valve timing on the engine,
for one -- might be worth it if you can wait), then do that.
[/QUOTE]


Thanks Jerry - What is variable valve timing and what is its
advantage?

Gary

 

Basically, they manipulate the timing of the intake and/or exhaust
valves, depending on conditions. There is no single timing that is
best for all conditions, so engines with fixed timing are a compromise
of sorts. The result of variable valve timing is better fuel economy
and/or more power, depending on how the system is tuned. I imagine
they are going for the "more MPG" tuning on the Elantra, but I happen
to think a little extra low-end torque wouldn't hurt.

Variable valve timing is one of the reasons a gas-powered 2003 Civic
gets 38 MPG highway while a gas-powered 2003 Elantra gets 33 MPG hwy.
There are other reasons, of course. For one, the Civic's engine has a
smaller displacement and generates less power. But the variable valve
timing is probably responsible for at least 3 MPG of that.

Hyundai's variable valve timing system is already on Elantras currently
being sold in Korea and I believe it is slated to appear on the 2004
models here in the US.

 

If you want more VTEC information (with pictures), go to:
<http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question229.htm>

S271

 

Thank you Jerry for the great explanation and thank you seahorse271
for the wonderful link !!!

Gary