Buying a Used Car

You’re ready to buy a car but you’re not sure when the best time to buy a car is. Is it at the beginning of the month, during a sale, at the beginning of the year or towards the end? There are many options and ways to look at buying a car. Here are some strategies that can help you decide the best time to buy a car Remember during sales, the lot is at its busiest. While you will get attention, you will not get the undivided attention like you would during a slow period. Read on to learn more.

At the end of the day

Sales and Finance professionals are ready to head home, a smart salesperson will not let a serious potential customer walk away. Sure, the dealership is ready to turn off the lights and lock the doors, but if you’re serious about buying that car they’ll stick around for you. New-car shoppers can often negotiate strong deals during late hours, provided the salesperson thinks he or she is dealing with a serious buyer.

At the end of the month or quarter

Dealers generally work on a monthly cycle and utilize that time interim to measure sales. Hitting the dealership toward the end of the month may be less distressing for purchasers than negotiating toward the end of the day. In the event that the sales representative is only a tiny bit short of their monthly goal, purchasers could have an advantage point and could land a great deal on their purchase.

In Season

Another smart time to buy a new car is late summer or early fall, when new models are rolling coming into the sales lot. This year, buyers may get an amazing deal on a 2014 vehicle, if the replacement 2015 models are already on the lot. In some cases, dealers will even have the previous model year in stock. Buying a new car at the end of the calendar year remains a good strategy because it follows the same logic as these other buying techniques. The window for buying is relatively small, and not all shoppers can afford to wait. So hit the dealership any time demand is low like on rainy or snowy days. You'll be more likely to save compared to the shopper who negotiates when the dealer is busy closing sales.

Author Note: Maria Briggs is the owner and writer of the popular lifestyle blog Adventures of the Mommy Homemaker.