Tips on Buying Cars: Saving by buying new but leftover?, hyundai santa fe, saturn sw2

Question
We are in the market for a new car in RI.  We normally buy new every 5 years, financing for 5 years, and since we drive two vehicles, we drive each for 10 years.  When the newer car is paid up, the 10 year old car gets replaced. We are trading in a beat up Saturn SW2 with 165,000 miles.   We recently looked at the Hyundai Santa Fe, and the salesperson showed us a leftover 2004. Since the 2006 will be out soon, we thought we might get a good deal on this leftover.  The sticker price was $25,365 and their first price offer was $28,885.  We negotiated down to $20,000 plus our trade-in, but I still think it was high.  It was an LX trim without a sun roof, but with leather interior, heated seats; 6 cd changer. I didn't like the car well enough to buy it at that price, but is a leftover 2004 the way to save for us with our buying history? Thanks!

Answer
I find it hard to believe that there would be a leftover 2004 and I would be very suspicious of this vehicle.  To get actual cost, normal pricing and retail prices go to www.edmunds.com.  They will not have prices on new 2004 models but will have 2005 pricing and rebates.  The price you were quoted sounds very high to me.  For the price you are being quoted there are many models out there that are much better, much less maintenance and that have a much better record so I would suggest you do your homework on the models.  If you have any specific questions I would be more than happy to help.(prices in Florida where I live are much lower than what you are being quoted. Maybe you should take a little vacation and come down here and buy your car, we would love to have you.  Best of luck, Bud