Fastest (and slowest) selling cars in March 2013

[AZhitman]

The fastest and slowest-selling cars list is based on the average number of days it takes to sell models from the day they arrive on the lot until the final paperwork is signed by a buyer.

Fastest Selling:
2014 Subaru Forester: 6 days
2013 Land Rover Range Rover: 6 days
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec: 7 days
2013 Nissan Leaf: 7 days
2013 Scion xB: 8 days
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 9 days
2013 Toyota RAV4: 11 days
2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek: 12 days
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450: 13 days
2014 Kia Sorento: 14 days
2013 Audi Q5: 14 days
2013 Buick Encore: 14 days
2013 Lincoln MKZ: 14 days
2013 Subaru BRZ: 14 days
2014 Ford Mustang coupe: 15 days
2013 Toyota Avalon: 15 days
2013 Toyota Prius c: 15 days

Slowest Selling:
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco: 211 days
2013 Smart ForTwo convertible: 186 days
2013 Acura ILX Hybrid: 157 days
2013 Infiniti EX37: 130 days
2013 Volkswagen Golf R two-door: 124 days
2013 Lexus GS 450h: 123 days
2013 Chevrolet Impala: 114 days
2013 Mercedes-Benz CL63: 113 days
2013 Jaguar XKR convertible: 112 days
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander: 111 days

[Jesda]

MKZ is due to demand that's pent up because of delays due to QA inspections. After a couple months we'll see it piling up like firewood in the summer.

A customer offered me an EX37 with 10k miles as a trade for our 2010 BMW X5 diesel. I'm glad I didn't take it because we'd be stuck with that bland turd for an eternity.

[frapjap]

MKZ is due to demand that's pent up because of delays due to QA inspections. After a couple months we'll see it piling up like firewood in the summer.

That new MKZ commercial is pretty cool though.

A customer offered me an EX37 with 10k miles as a trade for our 2010 BMW X5 diesel. I'm glad I didn't take it because we'd be stuck with that bland turd for an eternity

The lady's mom wanted an EX. The price is high on those and the dumbass dealer wouldn't budge on price even the slightest bit. Needless to say, it wasn't the vehicle that was purchased.

They ended up with the top seller on that list. Subaru is dominating that list; their deals and incentives on Foresters, Legacy, and Crosstrek models are fantastic. The BRZ sells itself. Other than the BRZ, the regular commuter cars are appointed with packages that make sense with more options available to the buyer. I'm convinced that these guys are doing it right. They're like an AWD Mazda.

[RicerX]

Cannot wait to see what happens with the next WRX. The concept at NYIAS was ridiculously cool.

Didn't realize that Subaru was killing it so hard with the rest of their lineup though (aside from the obvious BRZ of course).

Interesting the xB is still a hot item. Had no idea the Leaf flew off lots either.

Cool stats.

[Jesda]

The Malibu Eco is a pretty worthless car. The cost of the mild hybrid system doesn't really offset the fuel savings which are almost nonexistent. On top of that the regen brakes are sloppy and there's a significant weight gain and loss of trunk space.

Chevrolet is rushing through an early refresh of the Malibu, hopefully to address rear seat space, the somewhat vulgar (for this class) interior, and the goofy styling. They also need to slash the price.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Malibu Eco is a joke. Its a hybrid that gets poorer fuel economy than non-hybrids, yet still costs more, weighs more, and is more complex. I couldn't understand why GM launched the new model exclusively in Eco trim for the first while. A stupid, rushed move that had to have negative consequences add far as initial new-model interest from car buyers. All the would- have-been early Malibu buyers passed on the sad hybrid and forgot about the car thereafter.

Also: I wish Mitsubishi would hurry up and die already. Who's buying those turds?!

[Jesda]

The lady's mom wanted an EX. The price is high on those and the dumbass dealer wouldn't budge on price even the slightest bit. Needless to say, it wasn't the vehicle that was purchased.

It is, to me, the worst combination of everything.

--High price
--Poor cargo space
--Mediocre passenger space
--Forgettable styling

I don't know why anyone buys these things.

[Heavy]

the real question here is... who in the hell is buying murano cross cabriolets? i would of figured it to be on the top ten slowest selling vehicles

[Bubba1]

the real question here is... who in the hell is buying murano cross cabriolets? i would of figured it to be on the top ten slowest selling vehicles

I believe Nissan has temporarily stopped building them. But fear not, the Murano Cross [email protected] mean... Cabriolet should reclaim it's spot on the slow sell list when they resume production for the 2014 model year .

[elwesso]

The EX would probably make a decent used vehicle, maybe a nice alternative to the FX which hold their value something fierce...

[MinisterofDOOM]

I actually kinda like the EX. It's at least right-wheel-drive. I don't understand why Nissan stubbornly offered it with only the VQ35 for so long in the US, while the rest of the world got the VQ37.

I like the EX for the same reasons I like the FX: they're both wagons. Like the first-gen SRX, or Audi Allroads, or Subaru Foresters, or Ford Flex. They're really just slightly-raised stationwagons. They might be considered crossovers, but there's a whole lot more G and M in the EX and FX than there is Camry in the RX. They have footwells and sedan seating arrangements. No flat floors and no elevated "on top of the world" driving position. The EX and FX even have fairly carlike rooflines, with not a lot of added height. Because of all that, they drive nice, ride well, handle well, and have cozier, more intimate interiors than more minivanly RXalike.

[Jesda]

They're crossovers. A proper wagon would have a lower floor for more cargo space. You can hardly fit a stroller in the cargo area. It's best suited for shopping bags and small suitcases.



This is why the family that offered me their EX as a trade was interested in my X5 diesel, despite being older with more miles. This is why they're terrible sellers.

[elwesso]

I could see the EX being useful for me. I would like something that has higher ground clearance and AWD for winter, but I don't really need anything much bigger than the Q.. If the seats fold down, that amount of space would be adequate for me. After all, I have no need for a stroller, because as everyone knows, children are the worst STD known to man.

I'd like to find one with a blown engine and put a V8 and a manual in it.....

[elwesso]

On another note though, I do the SRX is more stylish and well appointed than the EX, so having driven neither of them, the initial "win" would go to the SRX.. In all honestly, having a slightly raised G37 is NOT a selling point for me.. A slightly raised CTS, *is* a selling point for me.

[Jesda]

After all, I have no need for a stroller, because as everyone knows, children are the worst STD known to man.

Well yeah... which is why you get a sports car instead of a rolling tampon.


I'm undecided on the new theta-based SRX/9-4. It's roomy enough but the old one was a proper sporty competitor to the Cayenne.

The 9-4 is prettier but harder to find.

[alms24sebring]

Im surpised Ford Fusion is no where on the fastest selling. I am seeing a million of them.

[AZhitman]

The lady's mom wanted an EX. The price is high on those and the dumbass dealer wouldn't budge on price even the slightest bit. Needless to say, it wasn't the vehicle that was purchased.

It is, to me, the worst combination of everything.

--High price
--Poor cargo space
--Mediocre passenger space
--Forgettable styling

I don't know why anyone buys these things.

However comma.

It IS a capable performer. I spent quite a bit of time on-track with one (and "playing tag" with my G Coupe) at a track day, and I can tell you, it's no slouch in the handling / acceleration department.

[Jesda]

However comma.

It IS a capable performer. I spent quite a bit of time on-track with one (and "playing tag" with my G Coupe) at a track day, and I can tell you, it's no slouch in the handling / acceleration department.

Which is an even stronger argument in favor of the G37 sedan. If the EX offers few practical gains, the G is better in every other way.

[nissangirl74]

I have a hard time believing that the Leaf is rolling out the door that quickly. Nissan has only sold 20,000 in the US since Day 1 of its release. I know the local dealer has had one for almost two months.

[Jesda]

I have a hard time believing that the Leaf is rolling out the door that quickly. Nissan has only sold 20,000 in the US since Day 1 of its release. I know the local dealer has had one for almost two months.

It did outsell the Volt last month by hundreds of units, so there's merit to it. Maybe the public is getting comfortable with pure electric power, or maybe it's the recent 18% price drop.

Nissan seems to have decided that its worth taking a bigger loss now to help "mainstream" what comes across to most as a science experiment rather than usable transportation.
Same strategy GM employed when it dropped prices on the Volt last year and bumped sales to 23,000 units for 2012.

[Bubba1]

I have a hard time believing that the Leaf is rolling out the door that quickly. Nissan has only sold 20,000 in the US since Day 1 of its release. I know the local dealer has had one for almost two months.

These numbers can be misleading. I think it could more be a case of how accurately manufacturers forecasted short term demand for a model rather than how well the car sells. There could be other reasons too. For example I suspect the new Fusion is sitting longer than expected at dealers because Ford built way too many of them. Another example, with the Audi Q5, (having a friend who owns an Audi dealership), Audi did not build enough of them for the US, so most were sold before they were delivered to the dealerships. The Q5 is not a gigantic seller, but that helped reduce dealer sitting time.

[frapjap]

On another note though, I do the SRX is more stylish and well appointed than the EX, so having driven neither of them, the initial "win" would go to the SRX.. In all honestly, having a slightly raised G37 is NOT a selling point for me.. A slightly raised CTS, *is* a selling point for me.

The new SRX is an AWFUL vehicle. I had one as a rental in TN. It accelerated decently, but the suspension is complete and utter garbage. Every railroad track, pot hole, and slightly bad road surface transmitted into the cabin in the worst way, very un-Cadillac like. Layout of the interior was equally poor. Gas mileage was terrible. Transmission lurched into and dropped gears very hard. When I got it from the rental counter I was really excited and the more driving I did over three days made me want to set it on fire. The first generation, however, is fantastic.

[AZhitman]

The SRX is Caddy's only turd.

It should have been left in the Chevy / Buick parts bin where it came from.

[Jesda]

The garish interior is my least favorite part. It's full of fake bright bits like something from a Chinese design studio. In person, it feels cheap.

[MinisterofDOOM]

My least favorite part is that it's a @&%$ing Equinox.