Whether you buy a new or used car, it can be stressful and expensive. Luckily, knowing the best time to buy a car can make both of those things easier. You can lower the stress and get a better deal on your next vehicle.
But when is the best time to buy a car? Keep reading to learn what to consider before you go car shopping.
Is There a Best Time to Buy?
The best time to buy a car can depend on a lot of factors. Of course, if you need to buy a car, the best time to buy is now, regardless of any sales or other trends.
But if you can wait it out, you can consider waiting for a specific month or part of a month to buy. You can then take advantage of sales or other factors that make it easier to get a good deal on a new or used car.
You should also consider what type of car you want. That way, you can make sure the model is in stock when you go shopping, and you can wait until it comes back in stock.
The Best Month to Buy a Car
The last month of the year is a much better time to buy a car than the beginning. December is the best month to buy a car because of all of the deals and holiday sales. October and November are also good months for buying a car because they offer some discounts.
The summer can be a great time to buy a newer model as the model year comes to a close. You can get a good deal on a relatively new vehicle. July, August, and September also have pretty good discounts available, especially if you shop around holidays like Labor Day.
But if you need or want a car earlier in the year, you can still buy it. You may also find some good sales when buying a car earlier in the year around certain holidays, like Presidents Day. However, if getting the best deal is your primary goal, you may want to wait a few months before buying.
Is December the Best Time of Year to Buy a Car?
Unless you need a car during a different month, December is the best time of year to buy a car. Sales associates have to meet their monthly or yearly quotas, and the dealership needs to clear out stock to make room for cars in the new year.
If you go shopping in December, you can get a good deal on a vehicle. However, the longer you wait, the more you risk not having much to choose from. So if you wait until the last week of December to shop, there may not be many choices for you.
You can go shopping earlier in December and take advantage of holiday season sales. You’ll have a bit more stock to choose from, so you can get the car you really want. Sure, waiting until the end may save you more money, but it’s not worth it if you don’t get a car you like.
The Best Day to Buy a Car
Mondays and Tuesdays are usually the best days of the week to buy a car. The dealership is typically less busy during the week than on weekends, so you can ask more questions of the sales associates. That way, you can choose the best car for you and get a good deal.
If a dealership is closed on Sundays, though, Mondays may be busier. In that case, you can’t go wrong shopping for a car on Tuesday or Wednesday after that rush is over.
If you’re considering when to go during the month, wait until the end. The end of the month is another popular time for sales and discounts. A salesperson may also be more willing to negotiate if they still need to hit their monthly sales quota.
Consider waiting until the last week and go car shopping on a Tuesday or Wednesday. You can save a bit of money and get the car you want, regardless of what month it is.
The Best Time of Day to Buy a Car
Once you settle on the best day to go car shopping, consider what time you should go. The morning is a great time to buy a car because the dealership employees aren’t going to be as tired. They just got into work, and you can beat the afternoon rush.
When you go in the morning, you also won’t have to worry as much about having to wait for help. There won’t be as many people there waiting, so you may be able to sit down and start filling out paperwork immediately.
The loan office won’t have as many loans to work on before getting to you. So if you want to get in and out quickly, try to go as early as you can. The early afternoon can be another option if you can’t get to the dealership in the morning, and it still may not be that busy.
Should I Purchase a Car During a Sale Event?
Dealerships have many car sales throughout the year. In some cases, it may be hard to buy a car that isn’t part of a big sale. Buying a car during a sale event can be a great way to save money on your next vehicle, but you may have some compromises.
A lot of people want to save money, so a sale event could be a much busier time at the dealership. If you have plenty of time to shop, go to a sale event and get a good deal on your next car.
But if you want to avoid a lot of crowds and do your shopping more quickly, you may want to wait until after the event ends. You can have more time with the salesperson, and you may still be able to negotiate a good rate, especially if they have leftover stock from the sale.
Other Important Factors
When considering the best time to buy a car, you should think about a few other factors. Some of these things may affect when you decide to buy a car. Others are just important to think about so that you can get the best car for you.
New vs. Used
Buying a new or used car can affect when you want to go shopping. If you want a new car, you may want to wait until the last part of the model year, or around the late summer. That way, you can still get the newest model but save a bit of money because the dealer wants to clear out those cars.
If you want to buy a used vehicle, you may have more flexibility. But you still have to consider if the car you want is in stock, the miles it has, and the general price. You may need to wait a bit or shop at multiple dealerships to find your dream car.
Amount Down
You should also consider how much you can afford to put down on a car. Some dealers may offer better financing terms during their sales or at the end of the year. Consider if you have a big down payment or if you’ll need to finance most of the cost.
If you need to finance a lot, you may want to wait until there’s a lower rate available. So even if it’s the last week of the month, it may not be the best time to buy a car for you.
Ability to Negotiate
If many people know the best time to buy a car, they will probably all try to buy one at the same time. That can make it harder to really talk with someone at the dealership. You may not be able to ask as many questions or do as much negotiating.
If negotiating is important to you, the best time to buy a car will be early on a weekday. That way, you don’t have to deal with crowds or spend a lot of time at the dealership.
Final Thoughts
The best time to buy a car may seem straightforward. “You should buy at 10 am on the last Tuesday of the year.” In some cases, that may be a perfect time to buy a new vehicle.
But depending on the car you want, your budget, and if you need a new car, you may want to buy it on a different day. That way, you don’t have to wait to get a good car, and you can still get a deal during a sale or by negotiating.