When Is The Best Time To Buy A Car?

First of all, anyone who is considering buying a car should think carefully about the purchase. The initial cost of the vehicle combined with maintenance and operating costs make this one of the largest purchases anyone will make in his or her life.

This is why it is important to recognize the best time to buy a car. Of course, if a person’s work or personal life depends on reliable transportation and that person has no “wheels” the best time to buy could be right now.

But for general purposes, there is a time when buying a car is less expensive or when the seller will be more willing to offer the car at a lower price than normal. For example, the middle-class, workingman buyer might consider approaching a dealer at the end of a calendar month. There are quotas for car salespeople and they may be more interested in lowering their costs when there are few days left to establish a good monthly report.

Even when shopping at the end of the month to find a good deal, the buyer should have a good idea what kind of car is needed, what a comfortable price range is and how he or she will dispose of the current family vehicle. Remember that cash deals without a trade-in usually result in the best price for a new car or good used car.

Another great time to buy is at the end of a model year. This is generally well known among car shoppers, since dealers feel pressure to dispose of the “old” models to make way for new cars. In the 1950s and 1960s this time of year (traditionally early fall) was not only a great buying time, it was a social event.

Other car buyers might want to try the month of December if they missed the model change earlier. Winter car sales numbers are generally lower than those in spring and summer. Dealership owners and sales people will be more anxious to sell at this time.

Smart car buyers also stay well informed so that they can take advantage of the manufacturer rebates and other incentives, such as low interest rates (even non interest for some buyers).

As with any purchase as large as an automobile, comparison shopping is very important. It’s not wise to act impulsively and walk into a car dealer to buy the most exciting car or the latest model just because you want it. Even if a buyer has the financial means to buy whatever he or she wants, the best strategy is to look at information on several cars, get a general idea of cost, then shop around for the best deal.

The car-selling world is a very competitive one, so the wise buyer will even try to get two or more dealers competing for business. This may take a bit more time than just wandering in a doing some comfortable negotiation before buying.

Choose your time wisely, do your homework and you will most likely find a great deal on the car you desire.

Written by Lucas Beaumont

Generalist. Wikipedia contributor. Elementary school teacher from Saskatchewan, Canada.

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