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Buying a "New" older model?

2K views 18 replies 11 participants last post by  Mighty Fast 
#1 ·
Hello, I'm car shopping and my Fiancee has her heart set on a particular make and model of car and I'm trying to find the best way to go about buying. I'm searching for 2013 Hyundai Sonatas and there's a dealer near me with several that never even left the lot from 2013. I contacted the dealership and apparently they are eager to unload these models, and are willing to heavily negotiate the price. I've contacted Hyundai USA about the warranty and they claim the warranty starts from the date of receiving the car, so despite these being 2013's I'd get the full 10 years. My only concern is how do I gauge the value of such a car? Is there anything I should look out for in a car that has sat on the lot for literally years?
 
#2 ·
Well IMO if the price is right I'd go for it! They SHOULD have had at least changed the oil a couple times. As far as concerns go I would be weary of the tires as depending on the miles they could have literally sat most of their life and really should probably be replaced with purchase. Another thing you would have to be weary of is the paint. Depending on the weather (Storms etc.) and also location of the dealership the paint of those cars could have some damage, from bugs, hail, sun, etc... I would tell them to give the car a full detail before you would look at it just to see what the paint looks like after a buff and wax. If the price is low enough I personally wouldn't care much about the paint as long as it looks presentable. The rest of the car should be pretty decent as they have barley moved which is good but also bad for certain things. If serious give them a THOURGH test drive and I'd give the engine a little workout. To gauge the value I would look at them as used cars with very low miles and see what some are going for certified used with maybe 10k on them but of course these are new.


These cars could literally have been for sale for 3+ years... :laugh:. There are 2015's around me already well over a year believe it or not!
 
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#3 ·
Should be somewhere in $13.500-14,500 range. If it's this or less, do it!

Everything is full warranty, tires I believe for a year, accessories, etc 5/60 and drivetrain 10/100. If you can get it for a good price you're basically getting a new car at a used car price.

I'm willing to bet the remainders are coupes?
 
#7 ·
Someone else will have to chime in on that.

My pricing is most likely off. All there is around here older than 2015 is Elantras, so I was pricing those. A Hybrid will likely be more. If it's not, do it! :D
 
#12 · (Edited)
The car is new but in reality its going to be almost 4 yrs old. How long will you keep the car? If you are going to drive it till the wheels fall off go for it. If you are going to trade off in five yrs or sooner I would purchase a new model so you have some equity still in the car when you trade. Also to consider with the vehicle sitting so long without be operated could cause some possible issues.
 
#15 ·
Actually, getting a crazy deal on a new old stock will likely yield a lesser cost of ownership than buying new at regular price'ish if owning both for 5 years or so. Presuming he gets a sizeable discount (20-30%), he avoids eating the "drive off the lot" depreciation which eats the largest chuck of "equity" over the first few years.
 
#13 ·
If the price is right go for it just keep in mind that there may be a few service visits in your near future. I would be wary of flat spots on the tires, dead battery, faded or dull paint or interior, damage from mice or rodents, old oil, old gas, rusted brakes, calipers, rotors from sitting.
 
#14 ·
There is likely a sizeable rebate from Hyundai USA due to it being new old stock and such. Make sure you know what their actual costs is and go down from there.

i.e.: Dealer cost less any open and hidden rebates from Hyundai USA. Whatever that number is represents their actual cost so haggle hard from there. I would ask for an oil change and draining of the gas tank as the fuel could also be several years old. If there is only a little in the tank it shouldn't matter as long as you fill it with new fuel right away and then run that tank dry before filling it again. As long as you get the full factory warranty, I wouldn't buy extra warranty. The dealer will likely suggest all kinds of extras including service packages, warranties and fees. Since you are getting "such a deal" they will implore you to take these. I would recommend lowballing them and then holding firm to "no doc fees.... And offer the price plus tax and freight/PDI, AC & tire tax only. Trust me, they are desperate to get rid of these. If you can go in pre-approved or as a cash buyer, and no trade in even better.

Good luck. Sounds like a great situation.
 
#16 ·
I noticed that you can still build the 2015 Sonata Hybrid on the US site. This will give you an indication of retail pricing last year. I would shoot for a $8K-$10K discount on whatever model you choose. Canadian dealers where giving a $5-$6,000 discount (Hyundai Canada Rebate) on 2015's for a cash deal last year when the 2016's were arriving.
 
#17 · (Edited)
I personally, see a lot of problems with this deal, even if the 10/100k warranty starts the day you drive it off the lot. I suspect you'll be in for NUMEROUS repairs and constant problems. Since this vehicle has been virtually sitting for 4 years or perhaps more, depending upon build date, you've got engine seal issues, gasket issues, rubber breakdown issues, tire dry-rot, all kinds of weather-related unknowns. Potential under-body rust, and who knows what else. Not to mention it's a hybrid, which means the batteries have been sitting unused for years, all electrical contacts and connections are suspect as well. It's just been sitting way too long.

If it was my car - I would rebuild the engine, replace the batteries, all hoses, all engine bearings rings & seals, new tires. Who knows how many times this car was even started in the last three years?? And, yet some are assuming oil changes were done. There is no way I personally would touch this car at any price. It's just opening up a can of worms, IMO.
 
#18 ·
If it was a crappy dealership as you mentioned, I guarantee the car went months at a time, or possibly longer without being started or even checked on. I would be leery of buying it. If you do, insist on new tires, battery, oil change, brakes & rotors. Good luck.
 
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