Top of the Line or Bottom Model of the Next?

[tom slick]

Hypothetical:
If you were looking for a new(er) car and you could afford the top of a particular model OR the bottom of the next model up which would you choose? Lets say either would fit your needs for space and comfort and costs are similar so it's not a major factor.

examples:
Ford Focus SEL or Fusion I4 S
Ford Fusion SEL or Taurus S

Chevy Cruze LTZ or Impala LS
Chevy Imapal LTZ or Malibu LS

could be any manuf.

 

[jmsjags]

well the loaded model will have all the tech goodies and comfort features and the other will be barebones but bigger in size. seems like an easy choice to me...

 

[addyguy]

I 'used' to be top-line of cheaper model, but I've changed my perspective - I'd most likely now take the bottom-line of the next model up.

 

[jmsjags]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
I 'used' to be top-line of cheaper model, but I've changed my perspective - I'd most likely now take the bottom-line of the next model up.


is there a reason for this? just curious. what are the benefits besides extra space (and maybe extra power)?

 

[Steve S]

It depends what you want and what the upgrade will give you. Myself I don't like bells and whistles. I bought my daughter a basic new Focus and got a super price end of the year $3000.00 below dealer cost sticker price . It has A/C/Auto trannie and a radio upgrade and a stupid anti theft system and it is all the car I could ever need . Bells and whistles don't get you down the road and they break and cost more than their worth to repair IMO. Drive them and compare it is your $$$$. I still haven't figured how sync will get me to work and back?

 

[eljefino]

I'd get the next model up because some of the options on the econobox come standard anyway, ie cruise, AC, power steering. Econobox options are where they make their money anyway.

Plus, you usually get a more sophisticated suspension with more travel and more wheelbase and track width. I'd take a corolla over a yaris anyday, for example, and they both pull about the same MPG.

 

[musicmanbass]

I like bells and whistles (ie: my heated and cooled seats, electric parking brake, power sunroof, leather, bigger engine, rain sensing wipers, and power EVERYTHING.) I enjoy comfort and nice things. I know its not "bang for the buck" but screw it! I gotta drive the thing for a few years; I want to enjoy it!

To help make that more affordable I usually buy a 1-2 yr old low miles luxury car for at or less than half its original sale price.

 

[PandaBear]

Depends on what is the change in next model year.

If it is a completely new architecture that's more efficient and drives nicer, the bottom of next year. If it is just a refresh with minor difference, top of previous year.

 

[fdcg27]

I don't think its quite that simple, since the various models a manufacturer offers are not on the same cycle.
A brand new design will likely be better in every way than an older one.
Having said that, I'd take a bottom model Accord over a Civic any day of the week, although I'd probably also take a Fit over a Civic.
There is also sometimes a compelling value in an old design.
For example, we paid about $2800.00 less for our Aerostar in 1997 than a Windstar would have cost, and while the Windy was a more modern design, I doubt that it would have offered any utility advantages, and I don't think it would have been as reliable and durable as the Aerostar proved to be.
In general, the next model up offers more car for the money, and will have more standard features.
If this is what the buyer is looking for, great.
At the extreme, no amount of content can make a Cobalt into a Malibu, just as you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, although you can make a pretty nice sow's ear.

 

[tom slick]

Using the Fusion Sport or Taurus SE example. That makes either car a fairly new design and not a huge difference in intended buyer.

Both:
MSRP at about $26k (Fusion just above, Taurus just below)
3.5l V6 6 speed auto
All powered accessories
AM/FM/CD/audio in

Fusion Sport:
Leather seats, 10-way adjustable
SYNC
Sirius radio
Sport suspension
Sport styling (monchrome, fog lights, etc)

Taurus
Cloth seats, 6-way adjustable
Rear heating ducts


I'd bet the Fusion is more fun to drive but the Taurus is more comfortable.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: tom slick

I'd bet the Fusion is more fun to drive but the Taurus is more comfortable.


IMO, Fusion is pretty spacious and comfortable, too. How big does one need to be to not feel comfortable in a Fusion???

 

[maximus]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
and got a super price end of the year $3000.00 below dealer cost sticker price


The dealer cost and sticker price are very different numbers. You can bet the dealer still made a profit off of you.

 

[flacoman]

If there's no profit in it ,he'll just say no... Of course they made money.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: maximus
Originally Posted By: Steve S
and got a super price end of the year $3000.00 below dealer cost sticker price


The dealer cost and sticker price are very different numbers. You can bet the dealer still made a profit off of you.


When I pay dealer cost "which I know the dealer pays less "is a good deal over the Monrovi sticker price.. $3000.00 below the dealer cost makes for a good deal!!!.

 

[CivicFan]

I would go bottom configuration of the next model up in the model lineup. Even though the base of the next model up will be stripped, there are qualities that are better - it's not only the size but the engine, comfort and noise level, etc.

 

[JHZR2]

Agree with CivicFan.

 

[The Critic]

There's one point that has not been brought up, and that is, resale value.

Vehicles that are heavily loaded with options will always depreciate more than a lightly optioned vehicle because options do not hold their value well. You will notice this with vehicle leases-- a base model vehicle usually has a slightly higher residual value than a loaded trim.

Personally, I would take a base model vehicle of the next grade. Chances are, the base model of the next vehicle up is going to have features standard, that were an option on the lower vehicle.

 

[Malo83]

I'll take the Steak over Hamburger

 

[Hokiefyd]

I just did this myself recently. I traded a pretty well loaded 2007 Corolla LE for a base model 2011 Camry. The point made earlier about the larger cars often containing features as standard that are optional on smaller cars is often true. The only thing my Camry doesn't have that the Corolla did is a 6-disc CD changer. The Camry has power everything, cruise, 1-touch up and down on ALL four windows, ABS/TCS/stability, etc.

Plus, it does have a much more refined suspension, sound-proofing, etc. If I have a choice in a loaded B-segment car or a base model C-segment car, I'll take the C-segment car every time now.

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: jmsjags
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I 'used' to be top-line of cheaper model, but I've changed my perspective - I'd most likely now take the bottom-line of the next model up.


is there a reason for this? just curious. what are the benefits besides extra space (and maybe extra power)?


Space...although I like the size of my Cavalier, the wife and I hit the cargo limits of it on a regular basis. With the winters we get, and mainly city driving, 'power' isn't a big concern of mine.

A Malibu, Fusion or Camry 4-cylinder would suit us just fine.