When Is the Best Time to Buy a Car?

End of the Month

Car dealerships set monthly sales quotas for their sales staff. As a result, shopping during the final days of the month may give you leverage with salespeople who need to close additional deals to hit their targets.

However, this strategy has limitations. For example, if the salesperson has already met their monthly quota, they'll have less incentive to negotiate aggressively. You won't know their quota status upfront, so you'll need to gauge their willingness to negotiate through the conversation.

Pay attention to how flexible they are with pricing and whether they're pushing for a quick close: Both are signals that they may still be working toward their monthly goal.

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End of the Quarter or Year

In addition to monthly sales quotas, dealers may also set quarterly sales goals. This may give you an extra advantage at the end of March, June, September and December.

You may also have an easier time finding motivated salespeople at the end of the year, when monthly, quarterly and annual revenue goals converge. What's more, auto manufacturers and dealerships often offer special discounts around Christmas and New Year's Day, giving you more opportunities to save.

In fact, December has historically been the best month for discounts on new vehicles.

Note, however, that dealerships may be particularly busy during the end-of-year holiday season, and you may not get much leeway for consideration. In other words, you'll need to be fully prepared to either buy or walk away before you head to the dealership.

During Holidays

Dealerships regularly offer promotional discounts on holiday weekends, especially on their lineups of brand-new vehicles. You can usually find good deals around Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Black Friday and New Year's.

Each holiday has its own advantages. With Memorial Day, for instance, dealerships are kicking off the summer selling season, while Labor Day may include deals to get rid of old inventory and make way for new models.

Holiday promotions are especially nice because you can compare discounts offered by multiple dealers in your area and use them to negotiate better prices.

When a New Model Comes Out

Due to limited space on dealership lots, new models coming in usually means last year's models have to go, and you may have an advantage in negotiations with a dealer who needs to move inventory quickly. If you've had your eye on a 2026 model, for instance, waiting until the 2027 model hits the lot can save you money. This is particularly true if the vehicle is getting a major redesign.

Many car manufacturers release their latest models in the summer months or early fall, but there's no universal time of year to look forward to. You'll have to keep an eye on auto news or ask your local dealership to send you updates about when new models will be ready.

Earlier in the Week

Dealerships tend to be busier on the weekend when people aren't working, but that may simply mean more competition.

Instead, consider buying on a slower day like Tuesday or Wednesday. You'll likely face less pressure to agree to a deal, and you'll get more time to have your questions answered. You'll also have an easier time figuring out your financing since lenders are often closed over the weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

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