So, you’re thinking about buying a shiny new automobile? Whilst there are many factors that will dictate the price tag that you’re facing, you may not have considered timing as one of them. However far from having no impact upon the average price that you’ll pay, it instead makes for a pretty complicated landscape of fluctuating prices. Here we provide you with some top tips when hunting down an automotive bargain and fill you in on the very best (and worst) times of year to make that purchase.
The best time of year to buy a new car
The busiest months in terms of the number of price drops seen within the automotive industry are May, April and January (during the post-Christmas sales). However the most promising months in as far as the percentage drops in price are November, December and September.
Hurricanes, tornado, earthquake or blizzard? If it’s safe… go get that car
In and around times of natural threats car prices can see significant decreases in price. So if it’s safe, get yourself down to your local dealer for that must purchase car.
Bikes: Price drops of around 30%!
For bikers by far the best time to purchase your shiny new addition to the garage is during the colder of months; so choose November, December or January.
Choosing your timing carefully
As well as the right time of year to purchase, we also have the following tips for choosing the right time of day too.
Shop at the beginning in of the week
Shopping at the beginning of the week ensures that you benefit from the salesperson’s undivided attention. This can mean that you can haggle your bargain buy down without the distraction of many other sales that await your sales person.
Waiting until the end of the day
If you know exactly what car you want then it pays to wait right until the end of the day; salespeople are generally far less motivated to negotiate at length when their home time awaits.
Getting a deal on outgoing models
Car models generally take their final bow during late summer/the beginning of fall. If your car model is soon to finish production then choosing to purchase at this time of year can see you benefiting from discounts of up to 15%.
The very worst time of the year to buy a car
It makes sense that if there’s a best time of the year to purchase, that there also has to be a time that suffers from price jumps that will see you paying over the odds. So when is this mystical time? Well the worst times of the year to purchase a car is June, followed up closely by July and September.
Convertibles: Prices hikes of up to 20%!
For those looking to purchase a convertible must avoid months are June, July and August, when there can be price hikes of up to 20%.
