new vehicle inventories and such

[vacerator]

Had to choose a new one as current lease expires this month. Went in Monday afternoon to be told what we wanted they only had 3 available due to the parts shortages.
We like our 2018 Edge V6 awd, and wanted another. New ones are all 4 cylinders except the top level ST model.
We drove a 2021 Escape, but it was an SE trim level. Didn't even have Sirius radio, and the engine felt buzzy and you can hear the thuds of the firing orderin the cabin. Also too small. They did improve the A pillar and windshield rake so you're not as close to it as the former generation. We pulled up next to a Toyota Rav 4 and it sat up higher.
So we had a choice of a 4 cylnder Explorer, which is also limited to a 4 cylinder until the Platinum or ST trim level, or 2 Edge 4 bangers or a 2020 demo ST with 2,000 miles.
Thats the one we pick up in an hour or so. With my stepson's A plan, and a totoal of $11,000 in incentives, it is only a bit more per month than the 2018 was. It is tricked out to the max.
The Edge will be discontinued soon. Why does planned obsolescence make everything comfortable and substantial stop production?
I hope a replacement will be as nice. Many say it's dated, but I like it better than the Explorer until it get's it's first face lift. The dash looks like a 90's minivan, and the way the roof joins the C pillar looks choppy.
I was ready to eat the $400 non release penalty and walk away. A Chevy Blazer still has an available 3.6 litre V6 accross the lineup. So do Cherokees, and the grand. We can get employee pricing on anything from the US makers, but hubby didn't want to bother.
So I insisted on the Edge ST. It has 21 inch black wheel, 330 horses and 380 ft. pounds of torque from a twin turbo 2.7 V6. Panorama roof, Bang and Olufsuan 12 speaker audio, gps, memory power seats, liftgate, heated and cooled seats, heated power tilt steering wheel, theft system, and all the lane keeping and brake assist features with adaptive cruise control.
The awd is disengaged on dry roads to save gas. It doesn't have the brake package with includes larger rotors and vented rear ones, but summer only tires.
The tire warranty does not cover cracking which can occur at temps. below 40 degrees f., and they cost over $350 each to replace from Pirelli.
So, I'll enjoy it for 3 years, and try not leadfooting it too often.

 

[mattl]

Sounds like a nice vehicle.  A cousin is in a bad situation of his own making needs a new vehicle but none out there. If you don't mind, what kind of price range for the lease on the vehicle you got?

 

[vacerator]

Hi Matt;

Payment is $412 for 3 years. $825 due at signing.
We took the wheel and tire repair/replacement coverage for $12 per month. The wheels are black, and I occasionally graze a curb. The tires are lower profile, and any car I've had them on I got more flats. They ride the same as the higher profile Michelin's on the 2018.
Our son used this tire coverage the first week he had his new 2021 Escape. He had a blow out driving to work on the freeway to Dearborn.
There lower payments available on 4 cylinder Explorers (all 2.3 litre ecoboost). Even lower on SE, SEL, or Titanium Escapes. The Escape titanium has a 2.3 litre ecoboost 4. The SE only a 1.5 litre.
I was told that a 4 cylinder Chevy Blazer, not a smaller Trailblazer now, can be leased with Zero down for 2 years @ about $250 per month. So have him call Frank Graff or Wally Edgar Chevrolet to see what they have if he lives near you.

 

[mattl]

Thanks, not a bad deal. My cousin lives in Detroit proper, on the east side. He, like 98% of my family, gets a GM discount. He decided to  buy a '21 Terrain Denali- which never went into production as far as we can tell. At this point he's looking for a 2 year lease until he can get what he wants. He drags his feet at doing anything, never figured out how to motivate him, even an 18 year old car falling apart does not do it.  Vehicle supply is so tight there is little to choose from anywhere.