If I bid slightly high (15 cents a click, for example) in order to get ranked in say, position 4 or 5, and then I get a high click-through rate, will Google maintain my position at 4 or 5 and charge me less per click? Thanks
No, it will charge you more per click. You have a very right concept that if you have a better CTR due to a better position, your bid value will be less - but this is normally a small difference and this is obtained when you get a better CTR% using another technics like for example writing a more relevant ad. But if you increase you max bid and you are in a bellow position, this means that your competitors are bedding higher then you're now, so it will place you side by side them.
Thanks for your reply. I do have an effective ad. When I am in position 4 or 5 naturally, I get a very high CTR. But when I'm bidding on a more competitive keyword, if my ad is in position 13, isn't it likely to not get clicked no matter how effective my ad copy is? Am I better off lowering my maxbid and seeing how my ad fares in position 13 or so?