When’s the Best Time to Buy a Car?

Like any major purchase, car shopping can sometimes feel deeply overwhelming. One minute, you're casually scrolling through sedans online, and the next, you're in over your head and wondering what you've gotten yourself into. 

Mind-boggling price tags, complicated features, and the wide selection of options are intimidating, and the idea of committing to any one vehicle is undeniably daunting.

Scariest of all is questioning when to take the leap and buy a new car. Is it too soon? Too early? Are you missing out on some elusive deal waiting just around the corner?

If any of these questions have been plaguing your mind recently, take a few minutes to check out the list of tips below. We’ve compiled some key tidbits about when it’s best to purchase a new or used vehicle, so you can feel confident next time you walk through dealership doors. 

When the year is winding down

During the holiday season, it’s hard to watch TV without catching a Christmas-themed car commercial. Clips of huge vehicles with bright, red bows and advertisements where Santa surprises grateful families with minivans are constant and practically unavoidable. Cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs make excellent holiday gifts, and dealerships arrange their best deals accordingly.

When you realize it’s time to swap your current car for a new one, waiting for the holiday season can be beneficial. By taking advantage of end-of-year sales, you can likely snag your new ride for a much lower price than you would during any other month. In fact, between November and January, buyers can often get prices up to 5% lower than usual.

This doesn’t just come down to holiday cheer, either. Many times, salespeople have end-of-year initiatives to complete. Dealerships aim to start new years fresh with lots of sales and not so much inventory, so getting vehicles off the lot is as important to them as scoring a deal is to you.

This can be stressful for employees but great for buyers, because the desperation to empty the sales floor grows more pressing as each year comes to a close. 

This is the time to test out those bargaining tricks you’ve been practicing! If you don’t have any New Year's Eve plans, try finding an open dealership and jumping on those final deals to close out the year.

When there’s a holiday sale

Speaking of holidays, these circled spots on your calendar can also be good car-buying opportunities. Everyone loves a celebration, and car dealerships are no exception. When preparing to purchase a vehicle, think about which holidays are coming up.

Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day are all popular times for big sales. Scan lots for large signs boasting big sales, and keep an eye out for ads showcasing incredible deals. Grab hold of these deals while you can, so you can drive to the next holiday barbecue or pool party in a brand new car.

When it’s not too busy

Depending on the time and day, car dealerships can be extremely hectic. This may interfere with your shopping experience if salespeople are distracted or the environment is too chaotic for you to make a decision. 

To avoid this problem, try stopping by car dealerships at less popular times. Mondays and Tuesdays are sometimes more peaceful, so you can take your time strolling through the building and studying your options. 

This will also reduce wait times for asking questions and test drives, improving your shopping experience overall and increasing your chances of walking out with a new vehicle. 

When the money is right

Even the most outstanding holiday sales can’t cancel out insufficient funds. As you decide when to pounce on your next vehicle, make sure your bank account is prepared for the big commitment. Deals can be helpful, but proper budgeting is still a necessity.

Though sales can be tempting, don’t let them get in the way of logical thinking. Consider affordability carefully, and determine what you can afford not only for a down payment but for future monthly installments, maintenance costs, and eventually, repairs. 

Only when you’ve calculated what you can afford based on income should you take the next step to buying a vehicle. 

Shop simply at Transwest 

If you’re searching for a new car, there’s no better place to shop than Transwest. Our friendly, attentive staff is happy to answer all questions, so we can help you find a vehicle that suits your tastes. Browse our online inventory or swing by a location today to see what we have in stock.