When is the Best Time to Buy a Car? Your Guide to Getting a Great Deal!

Car shopping can feel overwhelming. With average new car prices hitting over $48,000 in 2025, timing your purchase right could save you thousands. The good news? There are proven strategies to help you score a better deal. Now, we’ll answer the question of “When is the best time to buy a car?”

Whether you need a reliable daily driver or your dream ride, knowing when to buy a car makes all the difference. From dealership quotas to seasonal patterns, smart timing can put more money back in your pocket.

Key Takeaways

• End-of-month timing works: The last few days of any month offer the best negotiating power as dealerships rush to meet monthly quotas
• Weekdays beat weekends: Tuesday and Wednesday provide more attention from salespeople and better deals
• December remains king: Year-end sales combine monthly, quarterly, and yearly quota pressure for maximum savings
• Current market reality: With tariffs looming and automakers already announcing increased MSRPs, experts suggest buying right now rather than waiting
• Used car sweet spot: January and February offer the best selection and deals on used vehicles
• Holiday weekends deliver: Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Black Friday bring special incentives and clearance pricing

The Best Times to Find Car Deals

Best Days of the Week to Buy a Car

Go Midweek!

Most people shop for cars on weekends. This means dealerships are packed with customers competing for attention. Monday seems to be a top pick for car shopping, as it’s one of the slower days with less foot traffic, providing a more relaxed shopping experience.

Top Picks: Tuesday and Wednesday are usually quiet days at dealerships. Salespeople can give you more time and might be more willing to negotiate. They’re not juggling multiple customers like they do on busy weekends.

Monday Benefits: While Mondays can work well, some dealerships are closed Sundays. This makes Monday slightly busier than mid-week days. Still, you will likely get more attention from a salesperson and might even land a nice deal as they look to invigorate this traditionally sluggish start to the week.

Best Time of Day to Buy a Car

Shop Later in the Day!

As closing time approaches, salespeople become more motivated to close deals. If it’s been a slow day, they might offer better prices just to finish a sale and head home.

Pro Tip: Try visiting near closing time, especially on weekdays when the showroom isn’t crowded. Be sure to give yourself enough time for your due diligence, though. You are going to have major decisions to make, so if you plan to arrive late to the dealership, do all of you research before you go.

Best Time of the Month to Buy a Car

Wait Until the End of the Month!

Here’s where car buying gets interesting. Dealerships often have sales quotas to meet, so buying a car before the end of month might lead to better deals. When salespeople are close to their monthly goals, they might give you a better price to hit their targets.

Sweet Spot: The last few days of any month are prime time for negotiating. When the month is coming to an end, dealers might be a few cars short of a sales quota that would win them a big bonus. This creates urgency that works in your favor.

Important Note: Some research suggests the very first days of a new month can also be good. TrueCar data revealed that buyers who completed their car sales in the first two days of the month save an average of $390. This happens because dealership quotas don’t always align perfectly with calendar months. It’s also possible that dealerships want to start the month with big numbers and momentum.

Even Better: End of the Quarter

Big Goals = Bigger Deals!

Dealerships have quarterly quotas to reach, so sales professionals might be motivated to offer promotions in order to meet their sales targets. These bigger goals often mean bigger discounts.

End of quarters are March, June, September, and December, when both monthly and quarterly pressure combine.

Best Time of the Year to Buy a Car

December Often Reigns Supreme!

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are often seen as times when buying a car might be a good idea. That’s because dealerships are triple-motivated: it’s the end of the month, the end of the quarter, and the end of the year all at the same time.

December brings multiple advantages:

• Year-end sales goals create maximum pressure
• Manufacturers offer their best financing deals
• Clearance sales on outgoing model years
• Car manufacturers usually roll out those special financing options, potentially triggering extra savings

Fall Months Matter Too: October is attractive for car-buyers because that’s when dealers usually get shipments of next year’s vehicles, meaning they often introduce incentives to move previous-year models off their lots.

Best Holidays to Buy a Car

Holiday Sales Bring Real Savings!

Major holidays often feature special sales and promotions. Look for sales events and special promotions during major holidays like Black Friday, Labor Day, or Memorial Day.

Top Holiday Picks:

• New Year’s Eve/Day: Triple threat timing (end of month, quarter, and year)
• Black Friday: Some of the biggest discounts of the year
• Labor Day: Labor Day weekend is typically one of the biggest car-shopping holidays of the year as dealerships make way for next-year cars
• Memorial Day: Kicks off summer buying season with attractive offers
• Presidents Day: Traditional car sales holiday with good deals

Holiday Shopping Strategy: Dealerships are typically packed at this time of year, so it’s wise to hit the lot prepared. Perform your research in advance, pick your desired car model, and have your financing ready.

Best Time to Buy a Used Car

Early New Year Shines for Used Cars!

January and February create perfect conditions for used car shopping. After end-of-year new car sales, dealers are left with a large inventory of used cars that were traded in as part of a new car sale. As supply increases, you may be able to find a better deal on a used car.

Why January-February Works:

• Dealers have lots of trade-ins from December sales
• People use tax refunds for car purchases in early spring
• With fewer customers shopping, dealerships typically offer bigger discounts, and sales staff are more eager to negotiate
• Less competition from other buyers

Current Market Alert: Cox Automotive’s Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index increased 4.9% last month compared with a year earlier, showing used car prices are rising due to tariff impacts on new vehicles.

The Worst Time to Buy a Car

Timing That Hurts Your Wallet

Weekends: Dealerships are too crowded. Weekends are typically the busiest time at a dealership, with salespeople juggling multiple customers. You won’t get the focused attention needed for good negotiation.

Early in the Month: Without monthly quota pressure, salespeople feel less urgency to offer their best prices.

When You’re in a Rush: Need a car immediately? You lose negotiating power. Desperation shows, and dealers know it.

Brand New Model Releases: High demand and low supply mean no discounts. Wait a few months after launch for better deals.

Current Market Challenge: With tariffs looming and automakers already announcing increased MSRPs, the answer to almost all questions is to buy right now if you need a vehicle, rather than waiting for perfect timing.

Most people shop for cars on weekends. This means dealerships are packed with customers competing for attention.

Smart Car Buying Tips Beyond Just Timing

Even perfect timing won’t guarantee savings without preparation. Here’s how to maximize your car buying power:

Do Your Homework First

Research cars you like, their features, and fair pricing before visiting any dealership. Know your budget inside and out. Figure out the market value of the car using tools, and factor in any incentives and rebates.

Don’t forget to shop for car insurance quotes. You’ll need to factor insurance premiums into the budget you are working with.

Understanding current market conditions helps too. The average transaction price of a new vehicle in the United States was $48,422 in April 2025, giving you a baseline for negotiations.

Get Pre-Approved for Financing

Visit your bank or credit union before shopping. Pre-approval shows you’re a serious buyer and gives you negotiating power. You’ll know exactly what rate you qualify for, preventing dealers from marking up financing.

Negotiate Everything Separately

Dealers love combining car price, trade-in value, and financing into one monthly payment. This makes it harder to see where you’re getting a good deal or getting ripped off.

Instead:

• Negotiate the car’s price first
• Discuss your trade-in value separately
• Handle financing as a third conversation

Know Your Trade-In Value

Research your current car’s value using online tools before visiting dealers. Clean your car thoroughly before the appraisal. A clean car makes a better impression and can boost its appraised value.

Current Market Advantage: A lack of used vehicle stock has kept those prices higher, giving credence to the idea that buying a new vehicle could sometimes be cheaper than purchasing a certain used model.

Ask for Detailed Quotes

Make sure they print out every single cost line by line. Look for hidden fees and ask if any can be removed or reduced. Common add-ons include:

• Documentation fees
• Extended warranties
• Paint protection
• Fabric protection

Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

If the deal doesn’t feel right, tell them you need to think about it and leave. Get an appraisal for your current car, so you know how much it’s worth as a trade-in, then compare offers from multiple dealerships.

Salespeople often call back with better offers once you’ve left. Walking away shows you’re not desperate and won’t accept a bad deal, so don’t be afraid to give the salesperson your contact info. They’ll likely call with better numbers.

Ask for Freebies

Once you’ve agreed on a good price, see if they’ll throw in extras like:

• Floor mats
• Oil changes
• Window tinting
• Extended warranties at cost

These add-ons cost dealers very little but add value for you.

Current Market Reality: Why Timing Matters More Than Ever

The 2025 car market faces unique challenges that make timing crucial. With tariffs looming and automakers already announcing increased MSRPs, waiting will only make buying more difficult as we’re already seeing a downward trajectory of new car inventory.

Tariff Impact on Pricing

Auto tariffs are reshaping the market. Cars.com said if tariffs remain at the 25% rate, analysts estimate the average new vehicle price could rise 13.5% to $54,400 from $48,000 — a difference of $6,400.

Even with trade negotiations, prices may still increase by about 8.1%, or $4,300 if tariffs drop to 15%.

Inventory Levels

Current new vehicle inventory levels are down 4.7 percent compared to a year ago, but there are still opportunities. 24 car manufacturers with inventories above the average offer better selection and negotiating room.

Brands with high inventory include:

• Land Rover (130 days supply)
• Ram (121 days)
• Lincoln (117 days)
• Audi (114 days)

Interest Rate Environment

There’s little reason to believe interest rates will fall substantially over the remainder of the 2025 calendar year. This means financing costs will remain elevated, making good deals even more important.

The Bottom Line: When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?

The best time to buy a car is when you need it and feel ready to buy regardless of the time of year. However, strategic timing can still save you significant money.

If you need a car now: Focus on end-of-month timing, weekday shopping, and thorough preparation. With the car market, it can sometimes feel like Murphy’s law is in effect, as something inevitably challenging will come up.

If you can wait: Target December for new cars or January-February for used cars. Holiday weekends offer special opportunities, but prepare for crowds.

Current market advice: With tariffs looming and automakers already announcing increased MSRPs, the answer to almost all questions is to buy right now if you’re in the market.

Remember, perfect timing means nothing without preparation. Research thoroughly, get pre-approved for financing, and be ready to negotiate. The best time to buy a car is when you’re fully prepared to make a smart decision.

By using these timing strategies and preparation tips, you can save thousands on your next vehicle purchase. The key is combining good timing with smart shopping tactics. Drive off the lot knowing you got a great deal!