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This Summer's Hard-to-Find Cars

Newly redesigned and fuel-efficient models top a new list of the most elusive cars on dealer lots.

By Claire_Martin Jun 25, 2012 3:05PM
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class photo by Mercedes-BenzWhat do the $105,500 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class hardtop roadster and the $18,950 2012 Toyota Prius c subcompact have in common? Both are among the most difficult cars to find on dealer lots right now, according to statistics compiled by TrueCar.com and reported by Forbes.

Until this year, the SL-Class hadn't seen a redesign in a decade -- a time lag that created enough anticipatory gusto to make it one of the most elusive vehicles of the summer. The SL-Class experienced "a pent-up demand among affluent aficionados," Forbes' Jim Gorzelany wrote. On the other end of the spectrum, the Prius c is a standout for its fuel efficiency at a time when gas prices are still high. 

The TrueCar.com research reflects the amount of time it takes an average dealership to sell out of its inventory of a certain model. For the SL-Class, that figure is eight days; for the Prius c, it's nine. The BMW X6, updated in 2013, also tends to disappear from dealer lots within nine days, and the 2012 Prius plug-in hybrid and the newly redesigned 2013 Lexus RX 350 vanish in 10 days. 

The industrywide average days’ supply for June 2012 across all makes and models is 51 days.

The list "is a combination of vehicles that are both in tight supply because of demand and 2013 model-year vehicles that are new to the market,” TrueCar.com analyst Kristen Andersson told Forbes. “Many of the fuel-efficient smaller vehicles are in tight supply due to demand and production limitations."
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77Comments
all-that
Jun 30, 2012 3:13AM
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Seriously?  Some of you bought a prius?    BWAAAAAHAAAAAHAAAAAA​!  You pretentious twits!

You do realize you overpaid to drive something that sane people laugh at....

insert random name
Jun 26, 2012 11:13AM
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Japanese cars are not 100% reliable.  Anyone who says otherwise is either ignorant, biased, blind, or possibly all three.

 

I agree that people want cars that are 100% reliable, but unfortunately, no model has ever met this criteria in the history of the automotive industry.

Frank R (joelem7)
Jun 30, 2012 3:39AM
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Have seen this before. Pay above retail sticker price, they will find you any thing.
Bad news boy
Jun 30, 2012 5:46AM
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a car hard to find/ a Yugo!
Someone
Jun 26, 2012 12:25PM
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In June 2011, I looked at the Prius, the Chevy Eco Cruze and HHR and consulted local and regional managers regarding maintenance and upkeep. For the distances I travel (134 mi each day) and the reliability I need, I purchased a 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TDI (diesel) for 26K out the door. It saves me 110 gallons of fuel each month and averages 53 - 58MPG in normal, civilized driving on Interstate 15 between Lake Elsinore and La Jolla California. While I groaned at spending 26K for a car, I now consume approximately 52 gallons vs 160 gallons each month. When I went to the Volkswagen lots, there were VERY FEW of these cars in stock. I lucked into a 5spd manual JETTA TDI by showing up quickly after reading reviews of the Jetta TDI and realizing that many many drivers around the world have kept their Jetta TDI's for hundred of thousands of miles. I buy and keep my vehicles. The average age of each vehicle I now own is 13 years. The Prius, the Eco, and the HHR each had their better points and I'm sure that for the right driver, each will serve them well. For unmatched durability, reliability, and low cost of ownership, few things beat a diesel. BTW How many 1980's vintage Mercedes diesels have you seen or been passed by while commuting?
insert random name
Jun 28, 2012 9:02AM
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So you admit to receiving a discount.  Fine.

 

However, if you are using the discounted price of the Prius, then you must compare that to the discounted price of its competitors.  Either that, or compare the sticker price between the two vehicles.

 

Either way, you must compare apples to apples.  Otherwise, it's just a waste of time.

Compression is the answer
Jun 26, 2012 11:47AM
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American public is so stupid they will buy anything.

Prius is 8K overpriced for what you get and that C model is like a Fiat 500 a small POS. 

Smart car for example is a near death machine and will cripple people from the knees down in a frontal accident.

Diesel = larger, safer and better cars with MPG that rival the hybrids and work in SUVs and minivans but NOOOO  the stupid USA keeps buying these tiny clown cars with mediocre power , bad handling , no room , no safety crumple zone cars.  

Wake up America and demand better

frostyross
Jun 26, 2012 4:59AM
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Actually, I don't consider the Prius a "nice" car, and I, of course, am a die hard Toyota fan since they have outperformed all of the many domestics that I have owned.
  I am quite sure that all of the people driving the #3 car in sales worldwide didn't buy it because it was "nice". They bought it because it was a smart buy that is reliable, holds its value well and gets great gas mileage. I have driven several of them and they are not related to luxury in any way shape or form.

Someone (CKTVT)
Jun 26, 2012 4:49AM
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What else do these two have in common?  Well, you'll never see either one parked in my driveway.  The SL would be great but my chances of getting promoted to vice president are slim and none (and Slim just left town).  Besides, if I had a 100K to blow on a car, I'm not sure it would be the SL - lots of other tasty choices for a king's ransom.  I'd probably get a maxed-out Cayman S and put the rest of the loot into a good investment (although I'm not sure there are any of those left).  And what about the Prius you ask?  Well, it's a lot to closer to my rung on life's ladder but even though I could probably swing the payments I would never own a Prius.  Yeah, I know, nice car, bla bla bla.  I just can't get over the feeling that it's the automotive equivalent of tofu, and I want steak dammit.  For Prius money I could get into a BRZ (poor man's Cayman) and still get decent mileage.  All of which has little or nothing to do with Claire's article.  Thanks for listening anyway   ;-)

Johnny J3
Jun 30, 2012 6:23AM
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Some folks just have tunnel vision.  The $100 k is worth it.
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