the cost of fuel.TIP: Don’t make knee-jerk buying or selling decisions based on^
WHEN TO BUY
When a new model debuts—especially if it is in demand—it usually sells ata higher transaction price (what consumers actually pay), often close to—or (^)
at—sticker. Incentives and rebates are lower as well. As a model goesthrough its life cycle, demand often slows, and better deals emerge.
TIP: The best value new cars are usually “face-lifted” models.
A facelift, also called a mid-cycle refresh, is a thorough updating of a car ortruck that has been around a few years, and is only a year or two away
from being replaced with a newer model. Outside, the bumpers and lightsare often different; inside there’ll be more standard equipment; and
underneath there might be more powerful and efficient engines andtransmissions. Most importantly, these vehicles have been in production (^)
long enough that they are generally more reliable than brand new models.They are also the ones that often carry the biggest rebates and incentives
—making them the best bang for your buck in new cars.