Edmunds names best 2012 leftovers for bargain-hunters

(September 19, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Several vehicles will be redesigned or dropped altogether in the 2013 model year, and that means car buyers can get an especially great deal on the outgoing 2012 models, reports Edmunds.com.

"If you're the pragmatic type whose decisions aren't driven by fashion, this is your chance to score a new set of wheels at a low price," says Edmunds.com Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed.


"This year there is a wide range of vehicles that will soon be updated significantly, from sedans, to sports cars to SUVs, and many of them rank among the best-selling models in America."

Edmunds.com has identified thirteen vehicles scheduled to be refreshed or redesigned in 2013 that are prime candidates for the biggest discounts in the coming weeks: 2012 Chevrolet Impala, Malibu and Traverse; 2012 Ford Escape, Fusion and Mustang; 2012 GMC Acadia; 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe; 2012 Lexus ES 350; 2012 Nissan Altima and Pathfinder; and 2012 Toyota Avalon.

    While Edmunds.com recommends that all new car shoppers consider any of these vehicles that may fit their families' needs, they are advised to consider these important factors before pulling the trigger:

    •  When carmakers introduce a model redesign, the prior model depreciates more quickly and reselling it might be more difficult. But if you're going to keep the car for a long time, this will have little effect on you.

    •  Remember to negotiate your lowest price first and then deduct any rebates and incentives.

    •  If there is a choice between low-interest financing and cash back, run the numbers to see which will save you the most.

More information on this year's leftover models and how car buyers can maximize their savings on these models can be found at Edmunds.com.