Do auto model years run for less than a year (12 months) sometimes?
I knew the 1997 Ford Windstar ran from October 1996 to January 1997 due to the updated 1998 model in January 1997.
I also knew that the 2014 Suburban/Yukon XL as well as the 2014 Tahoe/Yukon ran from June 2013 to February 2014 due to an updated 2015 model in February 2014.
Why do model years sometimes run for less than a year?
An auto manufacturer can stick any title they want on a car. The "early" model years trend started back in 1964 when Ford introduced the new "1964 1/2" Mustang in mid-year. Traditionally, the factories produce current model years from September through the next August and then shut down in August to retool for the next model year.
Manufacturers sometimes change the model year to get their cars into a group with special classifications, such as NASCAR racing. I believe there have been cases where the manufacturer even jumped a model year, introducing a newly designed "future" model instead of the current year.
I really don't know what's driving the current trend towards selling "2015" cars in the spring of 2014, but you can rest assured that they have NOT invented a time machine. It's all advertising hype.
- What's a good year to buy a used 4cyl Ford Ranger for around or less than $2000? I'm in the market for a used ford ranger. I'm looking for the extended cab with a 4cyc engine. I've got less than $2000 to spend, my question is what's a good year to look for with that engine, and maybe some bad years to avoid? Btw, I live in los angeles, CA. So I'm not worried about rust, or it being to old, if it was maintained well is the main thing. I know at that price range I can't expect much.
- Sporty cars with fwd for less than 15k? Does anyone know any good sporty cars, preferably coupe or convertible types that have fwd or awd for less that 15k. I like Ford Mustang, Subaru BRZ, Nissan 350z, Etc. But they're all rwd.
- Why does 2017 ford focus 1.0L has less mpg than 2017 honda civic? It has tiny engine as geo metro like it supposed to be 50 mpg? The manual focus has 30 city 40 hwy mpg which is average for an 4 cylinder subcompact, while the automatic 1.5L civic makes 2 gained mpg difference.
- Is it cheaper to keep a vehicle until you run it into the ground or to buy a new one every 2-5 years? I bought my used 2003 Ford Focus back in 2006. Owned until 2014. I started having to take it to the shop more often than I could afford. So I bought a newer Subaru Forester which I hope to keep for a good 10 years or more. I noticed that a lot of people buy new vehicles every few years. Is it so they don't have to worry about the cost of repairs you would have with keeping an aging car? Or is buying a new car every 10 or 15 years better?