Is This A Good Time To Buy A New Car?
This is a question that comes up quite often. Is this a good time to buy a new car? When I say new car, I do not necessarily mean a brand new car, but a new car to you, whether it is new or used.
I think you can look at the market and tell when it is a good time to buy a car. Typically, November thru January are slower months for the auto industry as a whole. So dealers and salesman will bend over backwards to make a deal during these times. When spring rolls around and there is an abundance of customers, salesmen will drop a customer or shortcut the process to get to the next deal that may be easier. It is the nature of the business. Many will disagree and say each customer is important during any selling season, but trust me, on a cold November day at 6:00 in the evening with no cars sold for the day, Managers will go out of their way to make a deal. Owners believe every day should be a good day and look crazy at managers that are not giving them results.
Most dealerships have some type of board where each sell for the day is logged. Take a trip to the dealership, find this board and see how many sells have been made on this perticular day. If there are few sales on this board, you have the bargaining wand in your hand. Make a crazy offer, when they say they have to pass on the deal, head to your car to leave. You will find out real quick the least they will take for the car you have chosen. They will beat you to your car with this offer. Novemeber, December, and January are prime months to get a GREAT deal! Dealers are also frantic to get rid of old age units. When I say Old Age, I mean left over 2006 models when 2007s are filling the lots. Pick out one of these leftover 2006 models for your best deal. If these vehicles are not sold by the end of the year, the manufacturer will give a one time credit to the vehicle and all rebates and incentives will be gone. Most dealers do not want to carry this inventory into the next fiscal year.
So go out now and see how good the deal gets. You will probably be surprised how anxious salesmen are to brave the cold to assist you in any way imaginable. Good Luck and happy buying!