Car Shopping

TPD

TPD

the poor dad
I’m not in the market for a new car but the chip shortage just hit me last week. I was in Ashland and noticed the 2 GM dealers had almost empty lots. Looked like they were going out of business. Got thinking about it on the ride home when I realized the chip issue. So today as I’m hauling corn I start taking note of local dealerships. Yup looks like some dealerships are going out of business.

Anyone been new (or used) car shopping locally lately? What has been your experience with availability and pricing?
 
PrchJrkr

PrchJrkr

Long Haired Country Boy
Ad Free Experience
Patron
TPD said:
I’m not in the market for a new car but the chip shortage just hit me last week. I was in Ashland and noticed the 2 GM dealers had almost empty lots. Looked like they were going out of business. Got thinking about it on the ride home when I realized the chip issue. So today as I’m hauling corn I start taking note of local dealerships. Yup looks like some dealerships are going out of business.

Anyone been new (or used) car shopping locally lately? What has been your experience with availability and pricing?
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I haven't been new car shopping. I've got 3 vehicles that I'll be driving until they take my license, but I did notice a LOT of paper tags on vehicles over the weekend. These new car owners must know somebody in the business. I can't EVER remember seeing so may new cars on the road.

My son and nephew both work for major dealerships in Esperanza and said they're loading up on used cars because of the shortage in chips for new cars. They're trying to avoid empty lots. Even used cars are becoming scarce. Luckily, my son is employed in the service end of the dealership and my nephew just landed a gubment job. Son turned 21 hours on Tuesday, so his position seems safe.

Both stated that dealers are marking vehicles up more than usual because of the shortage, so if you're in the market, it will pay off to wait until the shortage subsides.
 
glhs837

glhs837

Power with Control
Yep, I just came back from an overnight to Philly area. Cruised down a three different auto rows. One thing I noticed was the technique of parking the front row diagonally to take up more space.... And that a lot of them were off brand used cars as Prch noted above.
 
R

rio

Well-Known Member
Winegardner's told a friend of ours that they have no 1500 or 2500 trucks in stock. They had 7(?) ordered and they sold them before they even came in. So glad I got my new vehicle back in October when they were giving great rebates and trying to unload stuff.
 
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L'Town.girl

L'Town.girl

Well-Known Member
I purchased a new Nissan over the weekend in Lexington Park. Oh the joys... Anyway, seemed like they were stocked well. I stopped at all of the local dealerships. More fun! Leonardtown Ford mentioned several times about a chip shortage. Their lot didn't have many vehicles. They tried to pressure me to buy now. You know... I didn't know what they were talking about, so I just nodded. Afterwards, a quick stop at Harris Teeter showed plenty of chips. I was just more confused at that point. I'm now a proud paper tag owner.
 
Grumpy

Grumpy

Well-Known Member
Got a couple calls in the past week from salesmen that I have dealt with in the past asking if I was interested in selling any of my cars, said they are paying top dollar for used cars.
 
Sneakers

Sneakers

Just sneakin' around....
Last year I debated whether to trade in my 2014 GMC 1500 and get a new one, just turned 80K miles. It's in really good shape, so I decided to keep it. Kind of glad I did. It might have been too soon to upgrade anyway based on EV models coming out soon, if they get past this chip business.
 
PrchJrkr

PrchJrkr

Long Haired Country Boy
Ad Free Experience
Patron
My trusty beater/commuter car just turned over a quarter million miles a couple weeks ago. I've found that if I drive it like I stole it, I get upwards of 45 mpg. I don't understand the reason for the jump in mileage, but I'm running with it. Zoom zoom!
 
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Clem72

Clem72

Well-Known Member
This "chip shortage" effect on cars seems artificial to me. The chips used in automobiles are not the newest processes, they are typically 3 or 4 generations old and are running on established lines with established customers. The only thing that could affect them is a shortage of silicon, which will basically never happen as it can be found literally everywhere.

This has to be some political BS.
 
glhs837

glhs837

Power with Control
Sneakers said:
Last year I debated whether to trade in my 2014 GMC 1500 and get a new one, just turned 80K miles. It's in really good shape, so I decided to keep it. Kind of glad I did. It might have been too soon to upgrade anyway based on EV models coming out soon, if they get past this chip business.
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You are at least a year or better out before any EV trucks hit enough distribution that you can just go buy one, I think. Rivians going to start shipping in a few months, but those are the top end reserved models, mass production going to be a while after that. And of course, I think the bottom priced one is still 67K. Lightning 150, next year. Lordstown, who knows. Cybertruck no numbers to speak of this year, and how fast they ramp and how many of the million plus $100 deposits actually turn into sales? No telling. Might be you can just buy one off the shelf next summer, maybe not.
 
glhs837

glhs837

Power with Control
Clem72 said:
This "chip shortage" effect on cars seems artificial to me. The chips used in automobiles are not the newest processes, they are typically 3 or 4 generations old and are running on established lines with established customers. The only thing that could affect them is a shortage of silicon, which will basically never happen as it can be found literally everywhere.

This has to be some political BS.
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Not at all, the issue is that most car makers cancelled a lot of orders last year, and as these are basic building blocks for computers, the digital equivalent of 2x4s, anyone can use them.. Once that inventory wasn't spoken for, chip customers with sales surges like videogame consoles and other home electronics snatched up that capacity.
 
Sneakers

Sneakers

Just sneakin' around....
glhs837 said:
You are at least a year or better out before any EV trucks hit enough distribution that you can just go buy one,
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Yeah, I'm expecting to wait a couple of years, between availability and just sitting back and watching. Old adage to never buy a first year first run model. I'm good with waiting.
 
B

BernieP

Resident PIA
Don't forget where most of the chips are actually made... No longer in the US, even if it's branded "Intel"
 
Sneakers

Sneakers

Just sneakin' around....
frequentflier said:
Could someone explain what a "chip" is? And why are they scarce?
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An electronic semi-conductor just like the CPU in your computer, but each 'chip' is tailored to a specific task, like adjusting fuel flow or selecting the radio station.
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They are getting scare for a number of reasons. COVID problems led to shipping issues. Manufactured overseas, primarily China and we are not on the best of terms with China right now.
 
glhs837

glhs837

Power with Control
Sneakers said:
Yeah, I'm expecting to wait a couple of years, between availability and just sitting back and watching. Old adage to never buy a first year first run model. I'm good with waiting.
Click to expand...

I've got a "reservation" on a Cybertruck, but in no rush to buy. I'll let them got the production process down. For me, its as simple as the charging network and never having to worry about the finish. No chips or scratches, just hit it with a scotch bright once in a while. Well, that and feeling a bit safer after dark in the Park... those guys are not usually going over 9mm :)
 
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