Dealers keen to flick bigger models
Now for more end-of-year specials, this time on cars over $20,000.
Terrific buying is the Hyundai i30 Special Edition auto, at $20,990 (drive away, like other prices quoted here).
Another tempter is the Ford Focus Trend auto, at $21,990, a saving of about $5000.
At the same price is the Toyota Corolla manual hatch while the Hyundai Elantra auto sedan is $20,990, though you should push even harder on this one.
A revamped Elantra will be in showrooms in a couple of weeks, so dealers will be keen to get superseded cars off their lots.
The Volkswagen Golf 90 TSI DSG is at $27,990, while Allpike Peugeot has a deal on the 308 Sportium, an up-spec 1.6-litre turbo auto model at $32,490.
Stepping up to bigger cars, Toyota has its Mr Reliable, the Camry, at $26,990. That's for an Altise auto - a saving of about $6000. You couldn't go wrong.
Other discounted sedans include the Volkswagen Jetta 118 TSI DSG at $28,490 and Ford Falcon XR6 at $33,990.
Thrown in with the XR6 - already slashed by $8000 - is a five-year, 200,000km warranty. Not bad.
SUVs, ragingly popular these days, are well represented in the sales.
Ford Kugas start at $26,999, the Hyundai ix35 auto is $27,990 and Toyota RAV4 AWD diesel $35,990.
Mitsubishi has the Challenger at $35,990 after a $4000 cash-back offer.
Rival family SUVs, the Ford Territory and Toyota Kluger, have discounted models at $39,990, the latter a seven-seat version.
The Mazda CX-9 seven-seater is $42,990.
Aussies, especially the male variety, are also enamoured with utes and, bewdy, deals abound.
Mitsubishi has the Triton GLX dual-cab at $29,990 after cash back.
For $37,990, Nissan has its Navara ST and Ford the Ranger XL - both dual-cabs.
For $39,990, Toyota has HiLux dual-cab cab-chassis utes with an aluminium tray.
A Mazda BT-50 XT dual-cab with the Boss Adventure Pack is $47,990.
Boss extras include a bull bar, sports bar, side steps and driving lights.
Range Ford has Falcon XR6 auto utes at $28,999, about $9000 under official pricing. Double bewdy.
Among luxury brands, Audi's Open Haus promo says "let's start the conversation" with free on-roads.
In other words: Buyers, we expect you to negotiate hard.
Lexus is in a similar mood, looking to shift excess CT200h, GS and RX stock.
In promoting its sale, I like the brand's catchline: don't spend another year wishing you had a Lexus.
BMW's Summer Sales Drive throws in free on-road costs on new cars and discounts on demonstrators.
For example, a 316i demo is at $46,790 drive away, a saving of more than $10,000.
As I've suggested, 2013-plated cars are just days away from being a year out of date.
So it would be naive to pay full price.
I think the best aspect of pre-new year deals is they offer many people the opportunity to get into a car they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.
Like a 316i, an XR6 ute, or even a Camry.
