Best Time to Buy a Car: Month-by-Month Guide

Timing your car purchase can save you thousands of dollars without any negotiating skill whatsoever. Dealerships operate on monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets, and the auto industry follows predictable seasonal patterns that create windows of opportunity for buyers. This guide breaks down the best — and worst — times to buy a car so you can shop strategically.

The Best Months to Buy a Car

December: The Single Best Month

December is consistently the best month to buy a new car. Here is why:

Dealerships are pushing to hit annual sales quotas and manufacturer bonuses

Salespeople are trying to reach year-end commission targets

Manufacturers offer their most aggressive year-end clearance incentives

The current model year is about to be fully replaced, creating urgency to move inventory

Savings in December can be 6–10% below MSRP on popular models and even more on slow sellers. The last week of December, between Christmas and New Year's Eve, is historically the single best time to buy.

October and November: New Model Year Transition

When the next model year arrives on dealer lots (typically September through November), the outgoing model year needs to go. You can find:

Outgoing model year discounts of $3,000–$8,000 on new cars

Low-APR financing promotions to clear inventory

Larger selection of previous-year models in less popular colors and trims

January and February: Used Car Deals

While new car deals cool down after December, the used car market softens in January and February:

Tax refund season has not yet started, so demand is lower

Dealerships have taken in many trade-ins from December new car sales

Prices on used inventory are often at their annual low during these months

Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Fourth of July

Holiday weekends bring promotional events, special financing, and manufacturer incentives. These are not the absolute best times to buy, but the deals are reliably above average:

Memorial Day (May) — marks the unofficial start of summer selling season with aggressive promotions

Fourth of July (July) — mid-year clearance events

Labor Day (September) — model year transition deals

Black Friday

Black Friday has become a legitimate car-buying event. While the "deals" are sometimes more marketing than substance, genuine incentives do exist:

Some dealers offer real price reductions to attract floor traffic

Manufacturer incentives are often enhanced for the Thanksgiving weekend

Low showroom traffic means more negotiating leverage on slower days (like the actual day of Thanksgiving)

The Worst Times to Buy a Car

Spring (March–May)

Spring is peak car-buying season. Tax refunds hit bank accounts, the weather improves, and everyone starts shopping. High demand means:

Less negotiating leverage

Fewer incentives from manufacturers

Dealers are less desperate to deal because cars are selling on their own

Summer (June–August)

Convertibles, SUVs for road trips, and trucks for summer projects are in high demand. If you are buying a seasonal vehicle, summer is the worst time.

When a Model Is Brand New

The first model year of a redesign or brand-new vehicle commands full MSRP — sometimes even a markup. Wait 6–12 months for:

Supply to catch up with demand

Initial quality issues to surface and be addressed

Dealers to start discounting as the novelty fades

Month-by-Month Summary

| Month | Rating | Notes |

|---|---|---|

| January | Good (Used) | Used car prices dip; low demand |

| February | Good (Used) | Pre-tax-refund lull continues |

| March | Below Average | Tax refunds drive demand up |

| April | Below Average | Spring shopping picks up |

| May | Average+ | Memorial Day deals help |

| June | Below Average | Summer demand peaks |

| July | Average+ | Fourth of July promotions |

| August | Average | Late summer; some model transitions begin |

| September | Good (New) | New model arrivals; Labor Day deals |

| October | Great (New) | Outgoing model discounts ramp up |

| November | Great (New) | Black Friday; year-end push begins |

| December | Best (New) | Year-end quotas; maximum incentives |

Best Day of the Week to Buy

Beyond the month, the day of the week matters:

Monday through Wednesday — quieter showrooms mean more salesperson attention and willingness to negotiate

Thursday — still relatively calm; a good balance of attention and motivation

Friday through Sunday — busiest days; salespeople are less motivated to negotiate because other customers are waiting

Shop early in the week if possible. A rainy Monday in December is about as ideal as it gets.

Best Time of Day

Late afternoon, 1–2 hours before closing — salespeople want to wrap up deals before going home, and the dealership wants to add another sale to the day's tally. You are not rushing, but they are.

Avoid Saturday morning — the busiest time at any dealership.

End of Month vs. End of Quarter

Salespeople and dealerships have layered quotas:

Monthly targets — the last 3–5 days of any month are better than the first week

Quarterly bonuses — the ends of March, June, September, and December carry extra motivation

Annual targets — December combines monthly, quarterly, and annual pressure into one perfect storm for buyers

If you can time your purchase for the last few days of a quarter (especially Q4), you maximize your leverage.

How to Leverage Timing in Negotiations

Timing alone is not enough. Pair it with these tactics:

Get pre-approved for financing before visiting the dealer — this gives you a benchmark rate and negotiating leverage. Check out our how to negotiate car price guide.

Email multiple dealers for quotes on the same car — let them compete

Know the invoice price — resources like Edmunds and TrueCar show what the dealer paid

Be ready to buy — a serious buyer at the end of December is a dealership's dream customer; they will deal

Be flexible on color and trim — the cars that have been on the lot longest carry the most negotiating room

Does Timing Apply to Used Cars?

Yes, but the patterns are different:

Used car prices dip in January, February, and November

Convertibles and sports cars are cheapest in fall and winter

SUVs and 4WD trucks are cheapest in spring and summer (counter-seasonal buying)

End-of-month pressure still applies to used car dealerships

For a used car, the condition and price matter more than the timing, but buying in a low-demand period can save you $500–$2,000 on the same vehicle. See our guide on what to check when buying used for a full inspection checklist.

How Much Can Good Timing Save You?

Realistic savings from strategic timing:

End-of-year new car purchase: $2,000–$6,000 below what you would pay in spring

Outgoing model year: $3,000–$8,000 discount

Holiday weekend promotions: $500–$2,000 in additional incentives

End-of-month negotiating leverage: $500–$1,500 additional discount

Combined, smart timing can easily save $5,000–$10,000 on a new car purchase.

Ready to find the perfect car? Take our free quiz to get personalized recommendations, then time your purchase using this guide to maximize your savings.

FAQ

What is the single best day to buy a car?

The last business day of December is widely considered the best single day to buy a new car. It combines end-of-month, end-of-quarter, and end-of-year sales pressure. Dealerships and salespeople are highly motivated to close every possible deal before the calendar resets.

Should I wait until the end of the month to buy?

It helps, but it is not a magic bullet. The last few days of any month give you more leverage because salespeople are trying to hit quotas. However, if you find a great deal mid-month, do not let it slip away waiting for the 30th. A good deal today is better than a slightly better deal that may not materialize.

Is Black Friday a good time to buy a car?

It can be, but approach with healthy skepticism. Some Black Friday deals are genuinely strong, with enhanced manufacturer incentives and dealer discounts. Others are mostly marketing. Compare the Black Friday offer against what you could get by negotiating normally. The real savings window is the last week of December, not November.

Are end-of-year deals real or just marketing hype?

They are real. Manufacturer incentives genuinely increase in Q4, especially December. Dealerships receive volume bonuses from manufacturers for hitting annual targets, and they will pass some of those savings to you to close deals. The data consistently shows December transaction prices are the lowest of the year for new cars.

Should I buy a car during a recession?

Economic downturns can create buying opportunities. Dealers sit on more inventory, manufacturers increase incentives, and interest rates may drop. However, only buy if your own financial situation is secure. A deal is not a deal if it strains your budget. Use our how much car can I afford guide to check your numbers first.

Does it matter what time of day I go to the dealership?

Somewhat. Visiting on a weekday afternoon, especially 1–2 hours before closing, can give you an edge. The showroom is less crowded, salespeople give you more attention, and there is a psychological pull to close the deal before the day ends. Avoid Saturday mornings, which are the busiest and least negotiation-friendly times.