It seems like there are a lot of Xs sitting on lots
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From: ATLANTA
MOst new car buyers with Over $35K to spend are NOT looking at mitsu anything... THat brand has no pull at all in the market right now... and mitsu is not doing anything about it.. MOst of mitsu's new cars end up on rental lots after sitting at dealers for a long time. Yes EVOS are great cars but the word "EVO" gets a more positive respoince than the word Mitsu!
The point is a car company in the position of mitsu cant expect to sell large numbers of anything costing more than $25K
The point is a car company in the position of mitsu cant expect to sell large numbers of anything costing more than $25K
The problem is they keep marking these damn things up trying to ride the hype wave and Evo shoppers aren't falling for it anymore.
Don't buy for mark-up! Be patient! They will crack.
Don't buy for mark-up! Be patient! They will crack.
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From: Glastonbury, CT / Boston, MA
Actually from what I've read thats not really true, also the 3g eclipse I remember reading was their best selling car that they've ever made. The evo always sells and the dealer in CT mentioned that the galants and outlanders have been selling really well too.
i have one for invoice here and have no takers.... but its an odd combo...nav and no SSS....
I think there are just alot of options now with the 135, 335, mazdaspeed, G8 GT, sti, used evo's.. etc etc...
I think there are just alot of options now with the 135, 335, mazdaspeed, G8 GT, sti, used evo's.. etc etc...
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From: SoCal
I think the economy is playing some role to some extent. But, historically sports cars sales typically don't dip/rise based on the economy's strength. Reason being, sports cars are an emotional purchase. Rational considerations (finances, gas mileages, etc) don't play much of a role. If you love the car and it's performance, you'll buy it regardless of some of the rational issues. If you're looking at rational aspects like fuel economy, a sports car might not be the right car for that person.
I think it's partially the car's pricing relative to the competition and other choices. It's priced dangerously close to luxury marques. You can actually lease a fully loaded A4, 335, G37, etc. for pretty much the same monthly payment as an Evo X. I'm not saying those cars are better than the Evo, but for the same coin out of your pocket each month, it's makes it a little harder to choose an Evo. That wasn't the case with previous gens.
I also think it's partially the car as well. We all know it's a departure from the previous generation. Mitsu did that for a reason to expand their net wider to capture more consumers. I think this car may have alienated some hardcore enthusiasts (many guys that own the VIII or IX have vowed to never own a X) in Mitsu's chase to broaden their audience. Then, when you look at the broader audience, these people know little (if anything) about the Evo X. So, to them, a luxury car might look more appealing if you can get it for the same monthly payment.
Mitsu is in a tough stretch that will define if this brand stays in the US or dissappears. The Evo X was viewed by Mitsu as the savior...and so far it's not panning out that way. There is still hope...
I think it's partially the car's pricing relative to the competition and other choices. It's priced dangerously close to luxury marques. You can actually lease a fully loaded A4, 335, G37, etc. for pretty much the same monthly payment as an Evo X. I'm not saying those cars are better than the Evo, but for the same coin out of your pocket each month, it's makes it a little harder to choose an Evo. That wasn't the case with previous gens.
I also think it's partially the car as well. We all know it's a departure from the previous generation. Mitsu did that for a reason to expand their net wider to capture more consumers. I think this car may have alienated some hardcore enthusiasts (many guys that own the VIII or IX have vowed to never own a X) in Mitsu's chase to broaden their audience. Then, when you look at the broader audience, these people know little (if anything) about the Evo X. So, to them, a luxury car might look more appealing if you can get it for the same monthly payment.
Mitsu is in a tough stretch that will define if this brand stays in the US or dissappears. The Evo X was viewed by Mitsu as the savior...and so far it's not panning out that way. There is still hope...
+1
VERY WELL PUT!
I want an Evo X, but next to the 135i numbers, stock for stock, price vs price, the Evo X doesn't look so hot. Plus I can get 6M in the 135i
Last edited by WHUP-S; Apr 1, 2008 at 12:31 PM.
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From: nc
It's the economy and market conditions. All new cars sales are suffering a bit. People are buying used more than new a lot of times.
And this time of year is tough around tax season. Traditionally, this always has been one of the slower times in the car business. Things always pick up in the spring and summer.
And as others have touched on, you can lease an Audi, BMW, MB at very competive terms right now. It's tought to expect people to pay over MSRP and markups for the X. The market just isn't that strong right now.
A 40k car is 800/month on a car note to finance it. You can buy many a 55-60k highline luxury cars for that on a lease payment.
And this time of year is tough around tax season. Traditionally, this always has been one of the slower times in the car business. Things always pick up in the spring and summer.
And as others have touched on, you can lease an Audi, BMW, MB at very competive terms right now. It's tought to expect people to pay over MSRP and markups for the X. The market just isn't that strong right now.
A 40k car is 800/month on a car note to finance it. You can buy many a 55-60k highline luxury cars for that on a lease payment.
Last edited by jperryrocks; Apr 1, 2008 at 12:36 PM.
whups the X is actually more than the lease prices of marquis brands like audi and bmw. if you go to bmw's site you can get a well equipped 3 for less than 500 per month.
500/month wouldnt buy or lease an X (its only about 25K of buying power).
Thats really extreme competition for a car looking to move up....
plus a honda accord v6 coupe, and altima will all run a 14 flat according to the rags. thats just way to close to the 13.5-13.8 times that we have been seeing.
500/month wouldnt buy or lease an X (its only about 25K of buying power).
Thats really extreme competition for a car looking to move up....
plus a honda accord v6 coupe, and altima will all run a 14 flat according to the rags. thats just way to close to the 13.5-13.8 times that we have been seeing.
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marquee brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc have been in the higher prices game for much longer. It's tough to compete for new comers such as Mitsu in the $40K+ range.
For instance, I leased my BMW 335i sedan for $500/mo with $3500 drive-off, a 24 mo lease too boot. Over 45% of the ppl lease their BMW's, because BMW financial is a well oil'd machine that knows how to get ppl into their bimmers, and retain them. My Bimmer has a ridiculously high residule of 74%, combined with a .0019 money factor, and $500 over invoice, explains why I was able to lease a $47000 BMW cheaper than a $35000 EVO (I haven't done any actual number comparisons, but I suspect the EVO will be higher for the same lease terms).
I haven't driven a EVO yet, but I'd suspect that the loaded 335i is a better car. That's why it'll be hard for EVO and STI's for that matter to compete in the higher price segment.
For instance, I leased my BMW 335i sedan for $500/mo with $3500 drive-off, a 24 mo lease too boot. Over 45% of the ppl lease their BMW's, because BMW financial is a well oil'd machine that knows how to get ppl into their bimmers, and retain them. My Bimmer has a ridiculously high residule of 74%, combined with a .0019 money factor, and $500 over invoice, explains why I was able to lease a $47000 BMW cheaper than a $35000 EVO (I haven't done any actual number comparisons, but I suspect the EVO will be higher for the same lease terms).
I haven't driven a EVO yet, but I'd suspect that the loaded 335i is a better car. That's why it'll be hard for EVO and STI's for that matter to compete in the higher price segment.
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From: ATLANTA