Buying a New Car This Year or Next Year?

Hello,

I'm aware that there are still problems with shortages and no room for negotiation when it comes to buying a new car. However, does anyone know if the situation has improved, or is improving, or has it just been getting worse since the start of the year?

I am unsure whether I buy a car some time this year OR if I hold out for a year or end of next year and buy a car. I'm leaning towards buying one now because I'm concerned that maybe in a year's time stock shortages will be even worse and prices will have risen?

I can afford to wait a year because my current car is still going ok.

Looking at Hyundai i30 sedan and the other cars in this class.

Kicking myself for not buying early in 2020 lol.

Poll Options

  • 5
    Buy This Year
  • 37
    Buy Next Year

Comments

  • +8

    Everyone who says buy next year, likely would've said the same thing last year, and guess what… Cars are still at a shortage, and have only gotten more expensive since last year due to price rises.

    You think that after this sorta period that dealers will suddenly go back to being negotiable? Highly unlikely. They've learnt to stick to their price and won't change back overnight.

    If you want a car, just buy it, don't try to crystal ball at a time which no one can predict

    • +2

      "Everyone who says buy next year, likely would've said the same thing last year"

      This is what has had me sitting on the fence. Buying a car now feels like buying shares lol.

      • +1

        People will be like "buy next year to negotiate $1k off"… Yeah but meanwhile the manufacturer lifted the RRP by $1500 lol

  • +1

    Do you actually need a car? I would buy a car in current climate if I actually needed it e.g. it takes 10 minutes by car to go to work, or 1 hour by public transport.

  • +1

    While I do like the look of the new i30 sedan, why upgrade to what is otherwise a whitegood on wheels?

    If your current car is still going well, keep driving it unless you are looking to change style/size.

    • I've been putting a bit of money aside here and there for nearly the past 10 years so its at the stage now where I can splash it on a new car. Its just that I'm unsure where the market is going so undecided whether to wait a year or just bite the bullet now.

      Current car still goes alright. Its a 2002 Nissan Pulsar which I've had for about 12 years since uni. Got a bit of damage on the rear bumper which I've taped up. A/C and radio don't work anymore. So apart from some cosmetic issues and other fairly minor problems, mechanically it still runs like a champ. Would like to upgrade regardless.

      • +1

        OP my advise keep it. chip shortages + no discount at showrooms. use it till it dies imo.

        Old car work well if you service reguarly. give a nice service to the old gal.

  • +2

    Don't buy a new car for no reason. If your current car works fine, and you don't need a completely different style for some reason (eg you are having a baby soon and all you have is a tiny sportscar with no back seat) then wait until you actually need it. I don't think shortages will get any worse but they won't magically improve overnight

    • +1

      Cars are the epitome of our consumer culture.

      I don't change them that regularly but I drive them into the ground and don't look after them that well - probably also a (different) aspect of consumer culture.

    • I don't really need a new car, just feel like its time. Current car is a 2002 Pulsar which has a few cosmetic issues and a broken radio and A/C. Its still going strong mechanically though which is why I can afford to wait a little to see where the market is going.

      • Sounds like you have a good reason to upgrade, if comfort now rather than in a few years is worth a few thousand to you go ahead. Make sure it is what you want for the long term.

        Since this is like a special treat, the longer you wait and anticipate how nice it is going to be the more happiness you'll get from the purchase. Just for if you're leaning towards waiting (and are looking for more reason to wait).

        • +1

          Yeah definitely a long term thing, 10 years at the very least. Especially considering I've been driving the Pulsar for the past 12 years, and it was already nearly 10 years old when I bought it.

  • Do you need to buy a car this year or next year?

    • +1

      It's not all that urgent. If I don't buy it this year, then I'll just buy it next year. Just trying to predict whether the market will worsen or improve at this stage.

      • If next year's prices are the same/worse than now, can you continue to wait another year?

        • I probably could but I don't think I would want to. If I wait until next year and its even worse than this year then I'll just deal with it.

          • @jeremycm113: And that's the gamble. Personally, I would wait, but that's just my 2c.

  • when covid ends

  • FOMO is some what strong on this one.

  • Save the money, put it somewhere safe.
    Could be a storm on the horizon.

  • +4

    Don't listen to people on these boards.

    If you really want to find out if there is fish, go out fishing.

  • Already bought start of this year, got a discount and no supply issues. Protected for the next 5 years.

    • which one did you buy and how much you paid?

  • I can afford to wait a year because my current car is still going ok.

    If this is the case then why buy a car at all?

    Just drive your current car until it dies.

    • +2

      Only problem with that plan is that you’ll need a car at short notice which limits your options.

      Id probably be happy to pick up a $1500 car for 6months to wait for an order to come in or to find the right used car. Can usually sell them for little kids and transfer fees aren’t really that high compared to renting.

      • I agree have done this before myself… bought for $1700 sold for $1700. It cost me the rego for 1 year though but I owned it for a touch under a year and a half.

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