How To Save Money On A Car This Autumn
This time of year, people’s minds switch from the types of cars that they’ve enjoyed in the summer to those essential for the adverse change in the weather. Whilst this means that most buyers will look to purchase an SUV of some sort, it might be that purchasing anything but an SUV is the most sensible decision to make.
With the demand for SUV’s on the rise at this type of year, not only do the potential discounts at the dealerships increase for other types of vehicles, but there are also more non-SUV’s for sale on the pre-owned market. So, whilst an SUV makes more sense as we enter the Autumn months, you may be able to get a comparative steal on something that isn’t all-wheel drive.
Supercars
The Spring and Summer sunshine is the perfect time to enjoy the exotic looks and the abundance of power that a supercar can offer. Whether enjoying a weekend B-road blast or cruising through the city, a supercar is the perfect fair-weather vehicle for those who love their cars.
This time of year, however, a supercar is rarely taken out of the garage. The blend of cold slippery roads and excesses of power is not a great combination, especially when combined with darker evenings and chances of rain spoiling the drive.
What it does mean though is that many people don’t want to see their supercar housed in a garage for the next 6 months and there are an abundance of pre-owned examples coming to the used car market. At time of writing there were over 1,000 Ferrari models for sale on popular online car selling platform Auto Trader, just under 550 Lamborghini models and almost 280 McLarens.
Not only that but the abundance of examples of supercars for sale means that in order to stand out amongst the crowds, sellers are more likely to offer a lower price or be open to offers. Especially when faced with potentially having to pay finance payments for a car all Autumn and Winter that is just going to sit in the garage unused.
It is quite a common occurrence that a supercar that has been on sale for a few months has now been reduced maybe £5,000 or £10,000 over that time, with the owner or dealership looking for a sale especially now the weather is settling in for Autumn. Now could indeed be the perfect time to look at that dream car you always wished you had owned.
Classic Cars
Much like a supercar, classic cars are also primarily fair-weather vehicles. Though unlike a supercar it usually isn’t to do with the power and handling, more the reliability and the cold temperatures in general. With modern cars it is usually very unlikely that a spell of cold weather will mean it struggles to start in the morning, whereas with a classic car it is a very common worry.
Not only is it less likely to start on a morning thanks to the cold, it also presents a number of thanks to the time of year. Issues from keeping warm inside the car to the damp and rainy weather causing everything from severe condensation and steaming up of the windows to engines cutting out and electrics having a mind of their own. Driving a classic car at this time of year certainly requires a degree of mechanical knowledge mixed with wishful thinking.
What it does mean, however, is that those who don’t have enough garage space to house a classic car for the winter or will not find the time or the drive to work out in the cold whilst their fingers are getting numb, will often look to sell their pride and joy instead. With the expense of the Winter months also praying on their minds, having that extra bit of cashflow can be much more tempting than holding on to that ‘project’ you’ve been working on.
This means that this time of year is the perfect time to take advantage of those looking to sell a classic or future classic vehicle. Especially with many classic cars falling into the sports car bracket, the timing could not be better to get searching for that car from your childhood you admired or from the posters on your bedroom wall that you always wanted to own.
Choose the right make and model and you might even be able to take advantage of the seasonal price changes come the Springtime. Early demand for classic cars to use during the summer months, especially if it is a convertible or sports car, sees prices rising almost weekly, spurred on if the sun decides to make an appearance early on in Spring 2025.
Convertibles
The biggest increase in numbers of cars for sale during the Autumn months is understandably with convertibles. All the advantages of being able to take the roof off and the often less than perfect soundproofing and insulation properties of a convertible, become big disadvantages when the weather and temperatures takes a turn for the worse.
Obviously the more modern the convertible (and bigger the budget) the more chance that the quality, refinement and effectiveness of the fabric roof arrangement is less likely to be a factor. However, a coupe is always going to be a more desirable prospect come the Autumn and Winter months.
Whilst some may be prepared to hold on to their convertible in anticipation of the better weather returning in a few months’ time, the number of examples for sale at this time of year certainly increases quite considerably. Not only that, but if there are any convertible examples remaining for sale, initially listed to tempt buyers during the summer months, and subsequently were at their higher price during that time, their asking price will certainly be on its way down to try and sell before the Winter truly sets in.
So, whilst it may seem at odds to what the weather is telling you this time of year, buying a convertible in Autumn could actually end up saving you a considerable amount of money. Especially when compared to what that same make and model of car might have been priced at in the Spring or Summer. Besides, in 5- or 6-months’ time you’ll become the envy of everyone again once that sun makes an appearance once more.
Electric Vehicles
Not strictly related to a change in the weather, but it does have a part to play in the turbulent EV market right now. As if the appeal and demand of electric vehicles isn’t at its lowest for some time anyway, the return of the colder weather signals the addition of those with an EV complaining about the lack of range they are now seeing. Colder temperatures can affect the range potential of an EV by as much as 30% depending on the make and model, not an ideal situation especially if the worst of Winter arrives.
That in itself would be enough to cause sellers and dealerships of electric vehicles to need to persuade potential buyers a bit more than usual, though at the moment it is a continuing trend for EV motoring. The fall in demand and need for manufacturers to meet the ZEV Mandate before the end of the year means that potential EV discounts are greater than ever right now.
Not only that, but the depreciation even after 12 months or less in today’s market, means that there are many electric vehicle ‘bargains’ to be found. Whilst there are a few electric vehicles that buck the trend and manage to hold on to their value remarkably well so far, the general consensus is that the majority of models are seeing fairly substantial depreciation.
For current owners this may be seen as a negative, however for those looking to purchase a nearly new fully electric vehicle it can be seen as a considerable positive. Our previous article ‘can depreciation be a good thing’ highlighted the advantages for those looking at a pre-owned vehicles if the car is subject to lose its value quickly. A tempting prospect that this time of year, and with the used car market and the EV market the way it is currently, there are some considerable savings to be made if you are looking to purchase a fully electric vehicle.
Car Finance Any Time Of The Year
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