Timing can be everything when it comes to buying a new car. Sometimes life gets in the way and you have no choice but to look for a new car to replace your current vehicle. However, if you are considering a vehicle purchase and you have some flexibility, knowing when to buy a new car can allow you to save significantly.
Whether you’re aiming for the lowest price, special financing, or additional perks, choosing when to buy a new or used car can significantly impact your deal. From holiday sales to the end of the model year, there are specific windows throughout the year when prices drop and incentives increase.
By understanding these trends, you can avoid paying top dollar and score the best possible deal.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key times to buy a new car, break down the impact of car redesigns, and answer common questions so you can make a well-informed decision on your next vehicle purchase.
Key Takeaways:
- Timing is everything: The best times to buy a car are during major holidays, the end of the month, and when models are redesigned or discontinued, as dealerships offer significant discounts to meet sales goals.
- Discontinued models offer savings: Buying a discontinued car can provide substantial savings, but consider long-term resale value and parts availability before deciding.
- Know your options: In addition to the deals at local dealerships, car shopping online provides access to out-of-state deals. Sherpa Auto Transport can ship your new or used car purchase anywhere nationwide.
In This Guide:
- Timing Purchase with New Car Deals
- New Car Deals
- Best Holidays for Car Deals
- End of Month Car Deals
- Best Months for Car Deals
- Car has Been Redesigned or Discontinued
- Best Time to Buy a New Car
- Car Buying Timing FAQs
Timing Purchase with New Car Deals
One of the most strategic ways to ensure you get a good deal on a new car is to time your purchase with periods when car dealerships offer significant discounts. Car manufacturers and dealerships tend to release seasonal incentives, particularly during holidays or at the end of a sales period.
If you can align your car-buying decision with these windows, you stand a better chance of receiving discounts, rebates, and favorable financing options. Understanding when these deals occur and planning ahead can save you thousands on your next vehicle.
New Car Deals
One of the best strategies when shopping for a new car is to take advantage of seasonal promotions and car dealership incentives. Throughout the year, various events prompt car manufacturers and dealers to offer discounts and special financing offers to attract buyers.
Key times to find these deals include major holidays, the end of the month, and when dealerships need to move older inventory. By being aware of these cycles, car buyers can maximize savings and find the best offers on new cars.
It’s not just about timing within the year—strategically identifying when a vehicle has been redesigned or discontinued can also unlock substantial discounts.
In the sections below, we’ll explore some of the best times to take advantage of these promotions, such as during holiday sales, at the end of the month, and in specific months known for favorable pricing.
Best Holidays for Car Deals
Holidays are some of the most opportune times to buy a new car, as manufacturers and dealerships often launch special promotions to capitalize on high consumer traffic. These deals typically come in cash back incentives, zero-percent financing, or deep discounts on older models.
Popular holiday events for car deals include Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, and Christmas. Dealerships offer attractive promotions and tend to stock large inventories to accommodate the influx of shoppers, giving buyers more options.
Holidays, especially three-day weekends, are generally packed with limited-time offers, making them some of the busiest periods for dealerships. Buyers looking to purchase a new car during these times should keep an eye on advertised deals and be prepared to act fast, as these promotions usually end when the holiday weekend is over.
Below are some of the best holidays for new car deals and what buyers can expect during each event.
Memorial Day New Car Deals
Memorial Day often kicks off the summer car-buying season, making it one of the best times to score a deal on both new and used vehicles. Dealerships offer substantial discounts and promotions, especially as they aim to clear out previous model-year inventory.
For new car buyers, you’ll typically find lower prices on outgoing models as dealerships prepare to stock the latest models. Along with price cuts, buyers can often secure attractive financing offers, such as 0% interest for qualified buyers or cashback rebates.
Memorial Day is also a prime time for used car buyers to shop. Dealerships frequently promote certified pre-owned vehicles and offer significant markdowns on their used car inventory. Because these holiday sales tend to attract large crowds, dealerships stock up on a wide variety of vehicles, ensuring buyers have more options to choose from.
With extended holiday hours and sales running through the weekend, Memorial Day provides ample opportunity to find both new and used cars at competitive prices.
Labor Day New Car Deals
Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer and another excellent time to find car deals—particularly for those looking to save on remaining inventory from the previous model year. Manufacturers and dealerships push hard to sell current-year models at lower prices, offering steep discounts, cashback promotions, and special financing offers.
These deals are often combined with incentives on remaining stock from the previous year, making it an ideal time to purchase a new vehicle if you’re not set on having the latest model.
Labor Day is also an excellent time to buy a used car. As dealerships shift focus to clearing out inventory, they also promote discounts. Buyers can expect lower prices on certified pre-owned vehicles, along with extended warranties and other perks that dealerships may bundle with holiday sales.
Many used car dealerships, both large and small, participate in Labor Day sales, meaning there are plenty of options whether you’re shopping for a reliable family vehicle or a certified pre-owned luxury car.
Black Friday New Car Deals
While Black Friday is often associated with big-box retail sales, it’s also one of the best times to buy a new or used car. Dealerships use this shopping weekend to offer special holiday pricing, cashback deals, and exclusive incentives like zero-percent financing or no-money-down lease options on new vehicles.
Black Friday promotions often extend throughout the weekend and into Cyber Monday, giving shoppers a few days to take advantage of year-end savings.
For used car shoppers, Black Friday can be equally rewarding. With fewer people considering car purchases during the holidays, used car lots tend to offer more aggressive pricing to move inventory.
Many dealerships also participate in trade-in events during this time, meaning you can get more value for your trade-in or receive dealer credits that can be applied to a used vehicle purchase. Buyers who act quickly can take advantage of these deep discounts before the year-end rush.
Christmas New Car Deals
Late December is one of the best times of the year to buy a new car, as dealerships look to close out the year with strong sales numbers. During the holiday season, particularly the week leading up to Christmas and between Christmas and New Year’s, dealerships often offer end-of-year clearance deals to make room for incoming models.
Buyers can find significant discounts, cash-back offers, and low-interest financing options, especially on the current model year’s inventory.
This time of year also coincides with slower foot traffic at dealerships, which means salespeople are more motivated to negotiate favorable deals. Additionally, if you’re interested in leasing, the end of the year is an ideal time as leasing programs often come with better terms, such as lower monthly payments or reduced down payments.
For those looking to give themselves a holiday gift, Christmas can be a perfect time to get a new car at a reduced price.
End of Month Car Deals
Timing your car purchase at the end of the month can be a strategic move, as dealerships and sales teams are often motivated to meet monthly sales goals. Many dealerships operate on a quota system, where hitting a certain number of sales by the end of the month can result in bonuses or other financial incentives for salespeople.
As the end of the month approaches and salespeople push to meet their targets, they may be more willing to negotiate on price or offer additional perks to close deals.
For buyers, this means that shopping during the last few days of the month can open the door to better offers, lower interest rates, or higher trade-in values. Additionally, sales managers may approve more aggressive discounts on new cars, certified pre-owned vehicles, or even dealership financing, all in an effort to boost sales numbers. These deals are especially advantageous if a dealership is just shy of meeting its monthly goals and needs to secure a few more sales.
Whether you’re shopping for a new or used car, the end of the month is one of the best times to negotiate for a better deal, as dealers are more likely to prioritize closing the sale rather than holding out for higher profit margins. Savvy buyers who are prepared to make a purchase can capitalize on this opportunity to drive off the lot with a great deal.
Best Months for Car Deals
December Deals
December is widely considered the best month to buy a car, as dealerships are eager to clear inventory and hit end-of-year sales goals. You’ll often find deep discounts, holiday promotions, and dealer incentives that could save you thousands. The end of December coincides with Christmas and New Years for additional savings.
August Deals
August is a great time to buy if you’re looking for a current model at a discount. Many new models are released in the fall, so dealers begin to offer sales on the outgoing year’s vehicles. It’s a perfect time to snag a good deal if you’re flexible on the latest features.
March Deals
March can also be an advantageous time to purchase, as manufacturers frequently offer sales incentives to boost sluggish post-winter sales. This is often combined with attractive financing options, making it easier to afford a new vehicle. March is also a great time for college students to explore new and used car deals ahead of the school year.
Car has Been Redesigned or Discontinued
Another great time to buy a new car is when a model has been redesigned or is being discontinued. When a new generation of a vehicle is introduced, dealerships are eager to clear out older models to make room for the latest version.
This can result in significant discounts on the outgoing model, even though it may still offer most of the features that buyers are looking for. For buyers who aren’t concerned about having the newest version, this can be a prime opportunity to get a great car at a lower price.
Similarly, when a car model is discontinued, manufacturers and dealerships are keen to sell off remaining inventory. While a discontinued car might raise some concerns about long-term availability or resale value, it can also provide steep price reductions and special financing options.
Should I Buy a Discontinued Car?
Buying a discontinued car can be a smart decision for buyers looking to maximize value. When a manufacturer stops producing a specific model, auto dealers often offer significant discounts to clear out remaining inventory.
These cars are typically brand new and come with the same warranties and features as current models, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers. Additionally, discontinued cars may have been highly rated in previous years, so you’re not necessarily sacrificing quality.
However, it’s important to consider potential downsides. A discontinued model might have lower resale value compared to newer models, as the market could perceive it as outdated. Additionally, while parts and maintenance for discontinued cars are usually available for years, they may become more difficult to find as time goes on.
Despite these concerns, for buyers who plan to keep their car for the long term and are focused on getting the best deal, a discontinued vehicle can provide significant savings.
Best Time to Buy a New Car
In summary, the best time to buy a new car is often during the end-of-year sales events in December or around major holidays such as Memorial Day and Black Friday. August and September can also be ideal if you’re looking to take advantage of model year transitions. By planning ahead and watching for these key sales periods, you can time your purchase to get the best possible deal.
Car Buying Timing FAQs
Is there a bad time to buy a new car?
While you can always find deals, the least favorable time to buy a new car is typically at the start of a new model year when prices are at their highest. You’ll often pay a premium for the latest features and models right when they hit the market.
What time of year do new car prices drop?
New car prices tend to drop during the end of the year (November and December) and during model year transitions in late summer. These periods are when dealerships are most motivated to offer discounts and incentives.
Can I ship a new car across the country?
Yes, many buyers purchase new cars from out-of-state dealerships and have them shipped home. Sherpa Auto Transport specializes in providing reliable car shipping services across the U.S., ensuring your new vehicle arrives safely and on time.
Can you negotiate on a new car?
Absolutely. While some dealers might be firm on certain prices, there is often room to negotiate—especially during the end of the month or at the end of a sales period.
What is the slowest month for new car sales?
January is generally the slowest month for new car sales. With post-holiday spending fatigue and the arrival of cold weather, many consumers put off buying big-ticket items, creating opportunities for those willing to brave the winter months for a deal.