December is the Best Month to Buy a Car | Scott's Fort Collins Auto

December is the Best Month to Buy a Car

The Importance of Pre-Purchase Car Inspections
November 30, 2016
Electric Vehicle Shopper’s Guide
December 15, 2016
The Importance of Pre-Purchase Car Inspections
November 30, 2016
Electric Vehicle Shopper’s Guide
December 15, 2016

Are you in the market for a new car? The hectic holiday season may tempt you to put off the purchase until January. However, while individual car dealerships offer promotions and incentives at different times, December tends to be the best month to a buy a car if you’re looking for a great deal. Whether shopping for yourself or someone else, a new car makes a great Christmas present, too.

Here are more tips about timing your car purchase in your favor.december-is-the-best-month-to-buy-a-car

Buy a Car at the End of the Calendar Year

You’re bound to find great deals on cars throughout all of December, but the dates between Christmas and New Year’s are an especially desperate time for dealerships. This is when they boost incentives and slash prices like never before to meet the year’s sales goals at the last minute.

If you have a particular model in mind, waiting until the very end of the year could be risky. High demand for the most popular models could leave you with nothing but the leftovers to choose from by the time December 30 rolls around. However, waiting could be worth it if you’re not picky and want to enjoy the deepest discounts possible.

Buy a Car at the End of the Model Year

Perhaps you’ve had your eye on a particular car, truck, or SUV. Maybe your neighbor owns one, and you love the way it looks parked in the driveway. Then you hear about next year’s model, so you research it a little. As it turns out, you like the look and features of this year’s model better.

If this sounds familiar, you’re in luck! You can strike a great deal on the perfect car for you if you wait until the end of the model year, which typically lands somewhere between July and October, depending on the model. While everyone else has their eye on next year’s cars, you can strike better manufacturer incentives and bigger dealer discounts by purchasing a car they see as only taking up space.

Buy a Car at the End of the Month

If you stumble upon this blog in March and can’t wait until December to buy your new car, at least aim to wait until the end of the month. After all, car dealerships don’t just calculate sales quotas at year’s end – they also tally up sales at the end of each month.

This means, between about the 26th and 31st, sales associates are highly motivated to give you a good deal. Their end-of-month bonuses and other incentives are at stake, and selling a car for a low price is better than not selling a car at all.

Buy a Car on a Weekday

Most people have time off to go car shopping on the weekend. This makes dealerships more crowded on Saturdays and Sundays, leaving each customer with less leverage. After all, if you don’t make a purchase, one of the dozen other shoppers meandering around surely will.

It’s better to shop for a car on a weekday when business is slower. Monday, in particular, is a good day to buy a car because business conducted over the weekend has just wrapped up. Less foot traffic on a weekday gives you more personalized attention, not to mention increased negotiating power, to strike a deal you can be happy with.

Let Scott’s Fort Collins Auto Perform a Pre-Purchase Car Inspection

If you’re buying a used car this December, don’t sign on the dotted line until you bring the car to Scott’s Fort Collins Auto for a pre-purchase inspection. Then, whether buying new or used, count on Scott’s to keep your ride in top condition for years to come. Call us at 970-682-4202 or schedule an appointment online anytime you need car maintenance or repair.

X