Best Time to Buy a Car

Knowing the best time to buy a car can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Car prices change throughout the year, depending on sales targets, new model releases, and dealership inventory. If you plan your purchase strategically, you’ll pay less and get better financing offers.

This guide lists the best time to buy a car based on market trends and dealer behavior.

You’ll learn which months, days, and situations give you the strongest negotiating power and what to look for when shopping.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Car?

The short answer is that the best time to buy a car is at the end of the month, the end of a quarter, or the end of the year.

That’s when dealerships push hardest to hit sales goals, making them more flexible on price.

Here’s a breakdown of the best timing options:

Timing	Why It’s Best	Expected Savings
End of the month	Dealers meet monthly sales targets	5-10% off MSRP
End of the quarter (March, June, September, December)	Bigger sales bonuses for dealers	10-15% off MSRP
End of the year (October–December)	Year-end clearance and old model discounts	15-20% off MSRP

What Month Do Cars Go on Sale?

You see sales in specific months. Dealers clear lots. Quotas drive discounts.

1. October. New models ship in. You buy last year’s versions cheaply. Incentives start.
2. November. Black Friday hits. You grab cash back. Financing drops low.
3. December. Year ends. Dealers push hard. You find top deals.
4. May. Memorial Day kicks off summer. You get lease offers.
5. September. Labor Day sales run. You clear the outgoing inventory.

✅ Big discounts on outgoing models.

✅ Holiday promotions and rebates.

✅ Sales staff eager to meet annual quotas.

Extra advantage: If you buy in late December, you can often combine end-of-month, end-of-quarter, and end-of-year savings.

Use this table for monthly highs:

Month	Why It Works	Average Savings
October	New model arrivals	5-10%
November	Black Friday, quotas	Up to 15%
December	Year-end push	10-20%
May	Memorial Day	5-8%
September	Labor Day	5-10%

Tip: Look for previous-year models with low mileage that dealers want to clear fast.

Best Day of the Week to Buy a Car

Weekdays, especially Monday and Tuesday, are ideal, because:

• Showrooms are quiet.
• Sales staff have more time for negotiations.
• You can test-drive without waiting.
• Dealers close deals fast.

Avoid weekends. That’s when dealerships are busiest, and you’ll have less leverage.

Best Time of the Day

Buy in the late afternoon or evening, especially near closing hours.

Salespeople are more likely to accept a reasonable offer instead of dragging negotiations into another day. They prefer finishing deals before they close.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a New Car?

You time new car buys for model changes. Fall works best.

New car prices drop most when dealerships receive new inventory. That usually happens around August to October, when the next model year launches.

1. Dealers make room for new models.
2. Manufacturers release rebates on outgoing versions.
3. Extra financing incentives become available.

If you’re not chasing the latest model, this is the best window to buy a new car.

Best Time of the Year to Buy a Used Car

Used car prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. The best time to buy a used car is late winter (October and November) or early spring (January to March).

1. Trade-ins flood in. New buyers swap old cars.
2. Winter slows sales. You negotiate down.
3. Dealers restock trade-ins from year-end new car sales.
4. Inventory levels rise, giving buyers more options.
5. Fewer shoppers in winter means more bargaining power.

Extra tip: Check certified pre-owned (CPO) programs. Dealers often discount them heavily after year-end clearances.

Best Holidays to Buy a Car

Holidays are popular for car deals, especially in the U.S. Dealers use them to move inventory quickly.

1. Best holiday sales events:
2. Presidents’ Day (February)
3. Memorial Day (May)
4. Fourth of July (July)
5. Labor Day (September)
6. Black Friday (November)
7. New Year’s Eve (December)

Manufacturers offer short-term financing and cashback deals. Dealers advertise aggressively to attract buyers.

Tip: Check deals online before visiting the lot. Many discounts apply only through online registration or financing.

When Not to Buy a Car

There are times when you’ll pay more for the same vehicle.

Avoid these periods:

1. Early spring: High demand and fewer deals.
2. New model launch months: Prices stay firm for new releases.
3. Tax refund season (February–April): Dealers see more buyers and offer fewer discounts.

Buying during these months limits your negotiating power.

Seasonal Car-Buying Trends

Season	Best For	Notes
Winter (Dec–Feb)	New cars, leftovers, clearance sales	Lowest prices but limited selection
Spring (Mar–May)	Used cars, convertibles	Higher demand after tax season
Summer (Jun–Aug)	SUVs, trucks	Prices peak; buyers shop for vacations
Fall (Sep–Nov)	New model discounts	Balanced prices and availability

Best Time to Buy by Car Type

Car Type	Best Time to Buy	Reason
SUVs and trucks	End of summer	Dealers clear inventory after high demand
Convertibles	Winter	Cold weather reduces demand
Electric vehicles	End of year	Incentives and tax credits renew
Luxury cars	December	Dealers close annual sales targets
Family sedans	Fall	Lower demand and better availability

Factors That Affect Car Prices

You consider many factors. Supply drives costs.

1. Inventory levels. High stock means low prices.
2. Demand shifts. Slow sellers drop fast.
3. Economic impacts. Rates affect financing.
4. Brand matters. Popular ones hold value.
5. Location varies. Urban areas compete more.
6. Seasonal changes. Winter hurts convertibles.
7. Monitor the news. Tariffs or chips alter prices.

Tips to Get the Best Deal on a Car

You follow tips for savings. Prep work counts.

1. Get pre-approved. Banks beat dealer rates.
2. Research values. Use online tools.
3. Negotiate the price first. Then trade-in.
4. Test drive multiple. Compare feels.
5. Ask for incentives. Cash back adds up.
6. Buy certified used. Warranties protect.
7. Shop online. Deals show up.
8. Time your visit. Quiet days help.
9. Avoid extras. Skip add-ons.
10. Walk away if needed. Better offers come.

How to Spot a Good Deal

Use these steps to know if the price is fair:

1. Research the market price: Check online listings and dealer sites for the car’s average sale price.
2. Check manufacturer incentives: Look for cashback offers or low-interest financing.
3. Compare multiple dealers: Contact three or more dealerships to compare quotes.
4. Look for last year’s models: Dealers are more flexible when moving old stock.
5. Negotiate trade-ins separately: Handle your car’s trade value apart from the new car deal.
6. Ask about fees upfront: Watch for hidden charges like documentation or preparation fees.

Online Car Buying Timing

If you buy online, timing still matters. Websites like Carvana, AutoTrader, or dealership portals adjust prices weekly.

Best timing for online car deals:

• Midweek updates often drop prices after weekends.
• Late in the month, online prices mirror dealer incentives.
• Around Black Friday and year-end, websites run special discounts.

Always check for financing offers, free delivery, or trade-in bonuses that stack with the listed price.

Financing and Interest Rates

Buying a car at the right time also affects your loan costs. Banks and automakers adjust interest rates throughout the year.

Best months for low-interest financing:

• March and December: Banks compete for year-end and Q1 lending goals.
• May and October: Automakers promote low-APR deals to clear stock.

If rates rise, consider manufacturer-backed financing. These often have fixed low APRs for select models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Knowing when is the best time to buy a car gives you control over price and timing.

If you want the biggest discounts, aim for the end of the year. If you can’t wait, the end of the month and the end of the quarter are strong alternatives.

For used cars, shop in late winter when supply is high.

Combine timing with solid research and negotiation, and you’ll drive away with a fair deal.

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