5 high inventory cars that are selling at a discount

The headlines are about the industry average (we know, we write them), but there are always some outliers that defy the norm.

In 2023, the headlines are about a shortage of new cars. But a handful of automakers still have an oversupply of some cars. In some cases, they are cars you may not have heard of or considered.

But the quality of the average new car has been improving for the better part of a decade. While studies like JD Power’s Initial Vehicle Quality Study dropped during last year’s microchip shortage, most people don’t buy cars every year. The odds are still good that almost every car you can buy today is built to a higher standard than the cars the last time you went shopping.

You find a lot by looking a little beyond the usual suspects. To find one, you need to know a general rule of thumb in the industry.

Car dealers measure their supply of new cars by a measure they call “inventory days”: how long it would take to sell each model at the current sales rate if they never bought any more. An old industry guideline tells dealers to keep about a 60-day supply of each model.

Month: Are high car prices the new normal? If you’re waiting to buy a car, hold firm, experts say, it could pay off.

Just enough, the rule says, to make sure they probably have the color combination and options you want in stock.

During the depths of the microchip crisis, some models dropped to single-digit inventory days.

Others, however, never came close.

Here are five car dealerships that still have too many and why they’re worth checking out.

1. Alfa Romeo Giulia – 146 days supply

The Alfa Romeo Giulia sports sedan may be the best-kept secret in the automotive world. It’s beautiful and rare enough to catch the eye in a parking lot full of BMWs and Lexus cars. It has luxury car styling, but the entry-level model still costs less than last month’s average new car. And the extraordinary Quadrifoglio model uses a Ferrari-derived V6 to emit one of the sexiest exhaust notes ever heard from a compact sedan.

However, Alfa Romeo dealers have more than twice as much in stock as they would like. This is the time to make them an offer.

Consider this instead: It is a more exciting alternative to the BMW 3 Series BMW,
+0.51%
or Audi A4.

Discount: Last month, the average Giulia sold for $3,316 below invoice.

reads: Buying a factory car may seem expensive, but it can actually save you money. Here’s how to do it.

2. Alfa Romeo Stelvio – 136 days supply

Today, more Americans buy SUVs than sedans. But the other Alfa Romeo product has them covered. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is one of the sportiest SUVs on the market, with the same Italian good looks.

Its nearly 50/50 weight distribution is absurd in an SUV, making it one of the best-handling crossovers on the market. It can hold its own against better-known models in the twisty stuff, and the 505-horsepower Quadrifoglio goes from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds.

I will see: 5 high-performance SUVs to liven up your life

However, dealers are sitting on more than double the usual supply. They are listening to reasonable offers.

Consider this instead: In a parking lot full of BMW X3 and Porsche POAHY,
-2.17%
The Macan SUV is the exotic option.

Discount: Last month, the average Stelvio sold for $3,988 below invoice.

Do not miss: This is now the cheapest new car in America and one of a dying breed

3. Jeep Grand Wagoneer: 122 days supply

Jeep has spent the past year trying to convince Americans that it can build a luxury full-size SUV to compete with offerings from luxury automakers.

It shouldn’t be necessary. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer has one of the most sumptuous interiors in the world. It’s overflowing with technology: seven screens in total is just short of claiming the record for most screen space in a new vehicle. But everything is arranged with taste. Designers might be struggling to convince Americans to spend up to six figures on a Jeep, but more buyers would take the plunge if they sat inside.

And by the standards of huge, torquey SUVs, it’s affordable to drive. Jeep got 510 hp from a turbocharged V6, giving the Grand Wagoneer a 20 mpg highway rating.

Consider this instead: The Grand Wagoneer is an excellent alternative to the Cadillac Escalade ESV or even European full-size trucks like the BMW X7.

Discount: Last month, the average Grand Wagoneer sold for $3,085 below invoice.

Take a look: The cars, trucks and SUVs with the best resale value

4. Jeep Gladiator: 103 days supply

The funky Jeep Gladiator is the most interesting midsize truck on the market. It’s basically a Jeep Wrangler with a 5-foot truck bed attached, but imagine the versatility it gives you. Gladiator drivers are capable of hauling pickup trucks, Wrangler off-roaders, and America’s only pickup truck where you can drop the top on a gorgeous day.

Interestingly, Jeep dealers can barely keep 35 days of Wrangler models in stock, but they have more than three times that number when it comes to the Gladiator.

Gladiators range from $38,775 to the mid-$50,000s—competitive prices for a pickup truck or SUV. And all gladiators are both.

Consider this instead: The Gladiator might be a more interesting midsize truck than the Toyota TM,
-0.97%
Tacoma or a more versatile SUV than the Wrangler.

Discount: Last month, Jeep dealers sold the midsize Gladiator for just $852 below invoice. But this month, they’re offering cash incentives in some cities, something almost unheard of last year.

5. Infiniti QX80: 77 days supply

The Infiniti QX80 is one of the more affordable options in the full-size luxury SUV class, with a starting price of $72,700. It’s a genuine workhorse, with pickup-style body construction and a 400-hp V8. But it’s also luxurious, with semi-aniline leather upholstery and an available 17-speaker Bose Performance Audio system.

What makes the QX80 a slow seller? It’s an older platform, unchanged since 2011. But while some luxury car buyers want the latest, others appreciate the value of proven performance. A decade of experience is not considered a drawback for all buyers.

Consider this instead: The QX80 is a muscular yet stylish alternative to the Lexus LX and Lincoln Navigator.

Discount: Last month, the average QX80 sold for $1,786 below MSRP.

This story was originally continued Autotrader.com.