are car prices going to drop

Short answer: likely, but think gentle slide rather than swan dive. New-car supply has largely unclogged since 2023, so wait times are shrinking and discounts are tiptoeing back onto the dance floor. Used prices in Australia have been easing from their 2022 highs, though popular utes, hybrids and off-road toys remain stubbornly proud of themselves. EVs are softening faster thanks to rapid tech turnover and sharper new-car deals.

Watch inventory levels, finance rates and end-of-financial-year or plate-clearance sales for the best timing. If you’re chasing a common spec, patience can pay; if you want a unicorn, don’t dither. In short: expect a steady softening, not a crash.