Although you might think it’s better to wait to buy a new car in the new year when dealers heavily discount unsold previous year models, putting off this big purchase will inevitably cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).
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Between now and the end of 2024 is the best time to save on a new car, as noted by Justin Byrd, president of cutting-edge technology platform provider Team Velocity. “Q4 has always traditionally been a great time to purchase a vehicle because any excess units that either the dealer or the manufacturer has, they’re always trying to get rid of those before the end of the calendar year because as January approaches, you’re now gonna be into 2025 models.”
With the market firmly favoring the buyer (finally!), some models, like the Ford Escape and Volkswagen Jetta, are upping the game by offering 2025 models at lower starting prices than outgoing 2024 models.
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However, you’re most likely to find deals through dealer incentives over the next three months.
“Incentives are on the rebound,” said Byrd. “The days of no inventory and no incentives are long gone and never to return in the near future. The types of incentives out there now are prominently centered around a reduction in the interest rate or cash on the hood (cash on the hood is just your normal cash incentive, which can be $3500 off, $5500 off, etc.)”
Retirees with unlimited funds can afford to spend more on a new vehicle and can wait until the time is right to buy. However, many retirees on fixed incomes should look at one of the following eight 2025 before the year is out to potentially get a great deal.
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1. Toyota Corolla
Reliability is never in question with a Toyota, and the Corolla is a great option for any driver trying to cut costs, because of its surprising fuel efficiency and easy maintenance reputation. Despite buying trends towards SUVs and trucks, the Corolla remains a popular choice for Americans, especially older Americans, who love a no-nonsense, practical ride.
2. Honda Civic
It’s hard to beat Honda’s cheapest model as an all-around reliable and comfortable car. iSeeCars ranks the 2025 Civic high in loads of categories, including #1 out of 43 small cars with the most horsepower, and it’s the reigning Kelley Blue Book “Best Buy” compact car. For 2025, Honda is re-introducing the fuel-efficient Civic Hybrid model (MSRP: $29,945) that the company thinks will account for 40% of Civic sales, among them, many retirees who know a good revamp when they see one.
3. Kia Soul
With a large daylight opening and a roomy interior, the Soul is one of the easiest vehicles to get in and out of and a favorite among retirees with mobility issues. Available in five trim levels, the subcompact/hatchback is a stylish and practical option for those looking primarily for an affordable everyday drive.
4. Subaru Legacy
The Impreza is cheaper, but the Legacy is a smart buy for seniors in this, its last year of production. When the Legacy bites the dust, the only remaining sedans in Subaru’s lineup will be the WRX and the Impreza, but those purchasing a final Legacy will be getting value for money, acclaimed AWD traction and an impressive set of EyeSight driver assist and standard safety features.
5. Volkswagen Jetta
With an aging platform and difficult competition against the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla (and the Hyundai Elantra and the Mazda 3), the Jetta has always managed to provide drivers with something different during its long run. As mentioned above, Volkswagen has announced price cuts on the Jetta for 2025, with the base starting at $21,995, and new models have been upgraded with new treatments and features inside and out.
6. Buick Envista
Buick’s entry-level vehicle is a smallish, stylish bargain SUV that costs just over $23K and sits between the subcompact Encore GX and the larger Envision in size. “Stylish and value-priced, the subcompact Envista SUV feels like it should cost considerably more than it does,” says Car and Driver, who presented it with a 2024 Editors’ Choice award.
7. Chevrolet Trax
The 2025 model is part of Chevy’s second Trax generation and the cheapest model in its lineup. Not overly powerful, the Trax comes with plenty of features and interior space for a small SUV. However, as Edmunds notes, if you plan on doing a lot of winter driving, you might want a car that offers an all-wheel drive option.
8. Ford Escape
Another car casualty after 2025 will be the Escape, as Ford continues to look toward an EV-heavy future. Competing against a slew of compact SUVs such as the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Escape has a heftier price tag than you’d expect, but it stands apart from its rivals in fuel economy, looks, spacious interior and safety features that come standard as part of the Ford Co-Pilot package. According to CarEdge, Ford has announced lower pricing on 2025 models, including the popular Escape ST-Line, which will be $1,500 cheaper than the outgoing 2024s.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 New 2025 Car Models Retirees Should Buy Ahead of Christmas
