Get in while the buying's good: Cheap new, near-new or demo cars and SUVs that are set to rocket up in price, including Nissan Navara and Kia Cerato

We all do it. Look at new-car prices, think ‘maybe one day’… then that day arrives and the prices have leapt higher than toilet paper sales on the eve of yet another lockdown.

The thing is, the days of heavy discounting are over for now and aren’t likely to return for some time, not with continual global supply shortages, limited production, soaring new-vehicle demand, waiting lists that extend up to a year or more and improving economic conditions.

It’s a perfect storm for car buyers who are only seeking a quality new or demonstrator car.

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Never fear, though, because in these fading weeks of winter 2021, there are still some genuine bargains to be found out there. But be quick, because these won’t last as car makers start preparing for their MY22 updates and the inevitably higher prices that will accompany them.

If you’re in the market for a new car, there’s no time like the present.

MY21 Skoda Kamiq 85TSI

The Czech Republic version of the Volkswagen T-Cross lured buyers in with its sassy styling, chic interior, generous equipment and spirited performance. The Kamiq 85TSI proved to be a sleeper hit when it launched in the winter 2020.

But now it seems global pressures have caught up with the Kamiq, because the sweet little 85TSI package has had the equivalent of a Housewives of Prague makeover, with a heap of add-ons as well as a larger donk stuffed inside it, in return for more money. For MY22, the 110TSI Ambition lives up to its name with a $32,290 (before on-road costs) starting price. That’s a leap of $6K.

But don’t worry, readers. If you’re fast, you might find a new Kamiq from under $29,000 (for the superb manual) to a few bucks over $32k driveaway if it’s an auto you’re after. Do it. But don’t dilly dally, as there’s fewer than 30 left advertised nationally at last count!

MY20.75/21 Ford Focus Active

Fancy a slightly higher-riding hatch but can’t see yourself resorting to an SUV just yet?

The Focus Active from Germany is your answer. A tiny-bit taller than the regular hatch, it’s perfect for people who don’t want to lose the sharp handling and connected feel of a small car, but long for something a little easier to get in and out of. With quality engineering a hallmark of this generation Ford, this is definitely one for the enthusiast.

And value seeker, too, with around 10 new or demonstrator examples advertised from $31,500 driveaway this week, don’t pay $36,000 driveaway for this wildly underrated and sophisticated crossover. And if that’s still too steep for you, demos with about 5000km on the clock are selling from $29,500 driveaway right now. But, please, get your skates on.

MY20.75/21.25 Ford Puma

What’s been the best-selling Ford in Europe this year? Fiesta? Focus? Escape? Capri? No, no, no and definitely not. It’s Puma – a Fiesta-based, Mazda CX-3-sized crossover that’s struck a chord with consumers who’ve clearly responded to the baby-Aston SUV looks, agile handling, gutsy turbo powertrain and dynamic finesse. It’s one of our personal favourites here, too.

In Australia, people aren’t quite clamouring to Ford’s smallest SUV just yet, as it’s still relatively fresh on the scene, but as word gets out, maybe justice will prevail. In the meantime, that’s great news for bargain hunters, as the compact Euro represents excellent value.

From under $30,000 driveaway with sub-2000km mileage (and demos as low as $26,990 driveaway), you’re pocketing at least $4k on one of our stellar light SUV choices, which kicks off at just over $34,200 driveaway. At the time of writing, there were fewer than 40 new or near-new/demo examples left. Time to pounce on this Puma.

MY21 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

While more buyers concentrate on scoring themselves a cheap-as-chips ASX, the smart money is on the Eclipse Cross, with its stronger powertrain, far-more contemporary cabin and – as of late last year – sleeker styling.

Small SUVs are huge business, so any discounting should be considered a win in today’s climate, but a circa-$4k saving across the range means you can get into one of these spacious, smooth and swift crossovers as a low-kilometre demo for as little as $29,990 driveaway, or $30,490 new. And with a 10-year factory warranty included. Factor in Mitsubishi reliability, and that’s true peace of mind. Namaste.

MY21 Suzuki Swift

If you don’t mind a couple of thousand kilometres on the odometer of your demonstrator Swift, then you can save up to $2500 off the price of a new one, meaning you can pick up the sweet base manual for just over $20k driveaway, or about $1k more for the auto.

The Swift's been around for decades, but the current generation has been a high watermark since its release in mid-2017, offering distinctive design, a cracking little chassis, eager performance, exceptional fuel economy, a huge back seat (for a supermini) and exquisite engineering that the brand is famous for. Minor improvements arrived with a small facelift in late 2020.

Saving up to 15 per cent on the price of a supermini at the bottom end of the new-car market is quite an achievement in today right now, so don’t delay.

MY21 Kia Cerato

The just-facelifted MY22 Cerato is currently advertised for $26k-driveaway, and that does bring plenty of space, features and warranty for new-car money.

But if you’re not too fussed about driving the very latest look, then the earlier version (also from this year) represents outstanding small-car buying, with a handful left from about $22,500 driveaway. Essentially the same vehicle, with a huge wad of cash left in your pocket. You cannot go wrong. Hurry, though, as these are moving very fast.

MY21 Nissan Navara ST Dual Cab

The latest version of the D23 Navara that first saw the light of day in 2014 is a much better pick-up proposition as a result of its 2020 overhaul, with a butcher visage, better safety and upgraded cabin.

But that hasn’t stopped Nissan dealers from discounting the venerable series as it gets caught in the Ford Ranger/Toyota HiLux crossfire, with driveaway pricing saving upwards of $4000 over the regular MSRP, while we’ve spotted a few of the chunky mid-spec Dual Cab ST 4x2 auto demos with under 7000km on the odo for around $45k driveaway. And a handful of 4x4 demos for under $50k. These are massive savings. Get to it, folks, because these won’t hang around.