When car makers decide to discontinue a model, does it become a bargain? There can be many reasons for discontinuation, and some good car lines are no longer in production. Let’s find out more.
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Reasons For Cancellation
Sluggish sales performance is the most common reason for discontinued models. Other reasons can be company mergers, regulatory changes, or simply the whim of executives. No matter what the reason, some discontinued models offer much more value. But to find a deal you have to do a bit of homework.
Compare Apples To Apples
Except for rare, exotic vehicles, every car loses value over time. So how do you know if the Mercury Milan, which was discontinued in 2011, is a good deal? You do a sibling comparison.
Mercury, a Ford subsidiary, closed down in 2011. Meanwhile, the Ford Fusion continues to be available. The Fusion is very similar to the Milan in equipment and trim. This makes for a viable comparison. In this case, it turns out that a used Fusion costs about $1,300 more than a used Milan.
Other Good Buys
Here are other comparisons, reported by cars.com, that show an advantage to buying the discontinued model:
- Mazda Tribute (versus the Ford Escape)
- Pontiac G5 (versus the Chevrolet Cobalt coupe and Cruze)
- Pontiac Torrent (versus the Chevrolet Equinox)
- Saturn Outlook (versus the Chevrolet Traverse)
Not-So-Good Buys
Surprisingly, some discontinued models are actually more expensive than their siblings that are still in production. Among these are:
- Buick Lucerne (versus the Cadillac DTS and XTS)
- Chrysler Aspen (versus the Dodge Durango)
- Dodge Avenger (versus the Chrysler 200 sedan)
- Mercury Sable (versus the Ford Taurus)
2016 Forecast For Discontinuation
Here are models that won’t be seeing a 2017 version according to Forbes. Some might end up being a good bargain:
- Mercedes-Benz M Class
- Honda Crosstour
- Infiniti Q 40
- Jaguar XK
- Land Rover LR2
- Mini Cooper Coupe & Roadster
- Nissan Xterra
- Scion IQ
- Scion xB
- Toyota Venza
Discontinued Brands
Some brands have disappeared altogether, such as Pontiac, Saturn, and Mercury. These may be the best bargains of all. You might be worried about finding car parts, but since GM owned Pontiac and Saturn, parts can still be found with relative ease. The same goes for Mercury since it was owned by Ford.
Getting Repairs Done
No matter what discontinued model you choose, every car will break down sooner or later. If a brand or model has been canceled, you might have trouble with warranty claims. Older models will have an expired warranty.
Your best bet in these cases may be an extended vehicle protection plan commonly referred to as an extended warranty. Even though the model may be discontinued, extended warranty coverage is nearly identical to an original factory warranty.
Get a free extended vehicle protection quote from CARCHEX today.
