What time is good to buy a new car?

[gopunk]

i've heard that saturdays are good becasue they're the end of the sales week... what about monthly or yearly markers? is there a time when they're desperate to get rid of the remaining cars from that year?

 

[Parrotheader]

You'll always hear people say the last weekend of the month or year is a good time as they're trying to get higher sales volume figures. How true that is I don't know, but I'd imagine there's something to it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Right now is just a good time. There are so many incentives to buy one because of the low interest that you can't go wrong on that side. If you were going to get the best deal, try buying on a rainy day close to the end of the quarter or fiscal year.

 

[flot]

I've heard the end of the week, and also the end of the month, and even the end of the day. (Most of this was from a very green salesperson, it was his 3rd day and he was telling me how much insane pressure there was on him to sell cars because it was evening, on a sunday and also the last day of the month).

This makes sense, because sales managers set short term quotas for their salespeople like "you have to sell x cars today" (or this week) and presumably the dealership managers do the same thing (on a slightly longer weekly/monthly basis) for their sales managers.

However, in addition to that - yes, we are quickly approaching the 2004 model season. Most 2004s show up in september, I believe. So you'll see dealers starting to unload 2003 models very soon. There is a catch to this though - remember that 3-5 years from now, when you go to SELL your car, the model year will be very important. So in september, you might be able to buy an 03 for $20,000 or the 04 for $21,000 ... but remember that in 2007 when you are selling, the 2004 car will essentially be "a year newer" even though you could have bought it while 2003 cars were still on the lot!

 

[RossMAN]

I helped someone buy a loss leader car two weeks ago.

I was chatting with the car salesman and he said the end of the month and end of year.

We walked away buying an Acura TL-S for a very good price

 

[matsuhisa]

i don't think it matters. even if they had a quota to fulfill, if you make them a bonk offer, they're not going to take it even if that's what it takes to fill the quota.

i recently bought a car and i learned a lot from this website. i recommend you read everything there (even tho its kinda long).

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: flot
I've heard the end of the week, and also the end of the month, and even the end of the day. (Most of this was from a very green salesperson, it was his 3rd day and he was telling me how much insane pressure there was on him to sell cars because it was evening, on a sunday and also the last day of the month).

This makes sense, because sales managers set short term quotas for their salespeople like "you have to sell x cars today" (or this week) and presumably the dealership managers do the same thing (on a slightly longer weekly/monthly basis) for their sales managers.

However, in addition to that - yes, we are quickly approaching the 2004 model season. Most 2004s show up in september, I believe. So you'll see dealers starting to unload 2003 models very soon. There is a catch to this though - remember that 3-5 years from now, when you go to SELL your car, the model year will be very important. So in september, you might be able to buy an 03 for $20,000 or the 04 for $21,000 ... but remember that in 2007 when you are selling, the 2004 car will essentially be "a year newer" even though you could have bought it while 2003 cars were still on the lot!

hmm, well we do plan on keeping it for a while. the current car i primarily drive is a 1985 make

thanks for the info!

 

[RossMAN]

What year, make, model, and trim are you looking at buying?

 

[BigSmooth]

I bought at the end of the month and I got a good deal. I read once that the week before Christmas is a good time to buy because there is NO ONE in the showrooms so they will be desperate for a sale.

 

[all168]

I think it is depend on what brand of car are u looking for, the best time for the best selling like honda or toyota is now, 'cos once the 03 gone in a short time, 04 will sell at the manufacture invoice + 1K or more, or even windows sticker price. In fact, some of the dealer already sold out 2003 corolla. If you are looking for some others, I believe Sep to Dec is the best time, I heard after thanksgiving is the best time of the year. Good luck.

 

[FracturedSoul]

When you find a deal you can live with and the car you want.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
What year, make, model, and trim are you looking at buying?

i really haven't thought about it much... my parents have been pushing to get a new car (one that i would be using)... i've decided against it up until now because the current 18 year old car still runs, but i just remembered last night how much of a pain it was in the winter (carburator, or something like that).

i know it'll be japanese and a new one (so 2003 or 2004)... mostly likely a honda. i'm interested in the hybrid stuff, but need to test drive it to make sure there's enough power. the scion xA looks nice to me too... also altima... dunno, my parents really liked the acura rsx but it seems kind of pointless to me since i usually only drive on local streets to and from school.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: all168
I think it is depend on what brand of car are u looking for, the best time for the best selling like honda or toyota is now, 'cos once the 03 gone in a short time, 04 will sell at the manufacture invoice + 1K or more, or even windows sticker price. In fact, some of the dealer already sold out 2003 corolla. If you are looking for some others, I believe Sep to Dec is the best time, I heard after thanksgiving is the best time of the year. Good luck.

yea i know a friend who got a fully loaded top of the line 04 corolla for a little over 16k.. she said they weren't supposed to have the 04's in yet but they ran out of 03's or something.

anyhow, thanks for the info... guess i better get crackin' before the 04's are in full force

 

[conjur]

Sort of a repost....was discussed in here

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
I bought at the end of the month and I got a good deal. I read once that the week before Christmas is a good time to buy because there is NO ONE in the showrooms so they will be desperate for a sale.

I'm actually going to be putting this theory to the test this year .

 

[BigSmooth]

If you're getting an economy car, you shouldn't have to pay much over invoice even if it's an '04.
I got my '00 Sentra about a month or two after it came out (it was an all-new model) and I still only paid about $200 over invoice IIRC.

 

[all168]

I you are looking for american car, don't worry, wait until thanksgiving and you may get the best deal. I really don't think they will run out of 03 model 'cos some of the chevy dealer near my home still have 2002 available, but they don't want to go under dealer invoice to sell them.