When Is the Best Time to Buy a Car?
Timing may not be everything when it comes to buying a new car, but it's definitely an important factor. While the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for a model generally stays constant over a model year, the actual price you pay at a dealer can vary. Spoiler alert: There is no perfect time to buy a car, no one-size-fits-all magic answer—it depends on a lot of factors, like which car you're buying, where you're buying it, and how much demand there is for what you want.
And sometimes the decision is made for you. For instance, if your main form of transportation dies or gets totaled in a wreck, you may not have a lot of choice in the buying timeline. But even if you don't have a ton of flexibility, we'll arm you with the information necessary to get a good deal on your schedule.
Seasonal Trends: When Dealerships Offer the Biggest Discounts
The end of the calendar year and the end of a model year are two good times to buy.
David Gluckman
Contributing Editor
Ever since David was a wee Car and Driver intern, he has kept a spreadsheet listing all the vehicles he's driven and tested. David really likes spreadsheets. He can parallel-park a school bus and once drove a Lincoln Town Car 63 mph in reverse. After taking a break from journalism to work on autonomous vehicles, he's back writing for this and other automotive publications. When David's not searching for the perfect used car, you can find him sampling the latest in gimmicky, limited-edition foodstuffs.
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