Buying a car can feel tricky, but timing your purchase just right can save you a surprising amount of money. Knowing the best time of year to buy a car isn’t about luck; it’s about understanding the sales cycles that dealerships run on.
For example, December is often the best month for car deals because dealerships are rushing to meet year-end sales goals. This guide will show you exactly when to shop so you can drive away with significant savings.
Best Times of the Year to Buy a Car
Timing your purchase can lead to big savings when you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle. Certain months and key periods throughout the year offer deals that are tough to ignore, driven by sales quotas and inventory changes.
Plan Your Purchase Around These High-Savings Periods
| Time Period | Why It’s a Good Time | Typical Savings | Ideal For | Example Events & Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October – December | Dealerships slash prices to hit annual sales goals. | $2,000-$4,000 off MSRP | New car buyers | Toyotathon, Happy Honda Days, year-end clearance. |
| End of Model Year (Aug-Oct) | Outgoing models are discounted to make room for new inventory. | $1,500-$4,000+ in savings | Shoppers wanting value on prior models. | Check if the new model redesign is minimal before purchasing. |
| Early Jan & Feb (Used Cars) | Post-holiday trade-ins increase inventory; less competition. | Lower prices, better selection. | Used car buyers | Pre-approved financing boosts negotiating power. |
| End of the Month | Sales teams push to hit monthly quotas. | 5-10% higher discounts | New & used car buyers | Ask if the dealership is close to its monthly sales goal. |
| End of the Quarter | Manufacturer and dealership incentives align. | $2,000-$4,000 off MSRP | Savvy negotiators | March, June, Sept, Dec are hot months for deals. |
| End of the Year (Dec 30-31) | End of month, quarter & year—stacked discounts. | Biggest savings of the year. | All buyers | Act fast, inventory can be limited on popular models. |
| Holiday Weekends | High inventory and competitive deals. | Special rebates & financing offers. | New car buyers | Shop early in the week to avoid crowds. |
| Weekdays (Mon-Tues) | Fewer shoppers means more personalized attention. | Easier, less-rushed negotiations. | Serious buyers | Combine a weekday visit with the month-end for best results. |
October through December
Dealerships often slash prices from October through December to meet their annual sales quotas. This is when you’ll see major manufacturer-backed sales events roll out, creating a perfect opportunity for savings.
Keep an eye out for well-known promotions that can lead to big savings. Many brands have signature year-end events.
- Toyota’s Toyotathon: A long-running event with cash back and special financing offers.
- Honda’s Happy Honda Days: Similar to Toyotathon, offering competitive deals on popular models.
- Lexus’s December to Remember: A luxury-focused event that often features attractive lease deals.
- Ford’s Built for the Holidays: This event typically includes a mix of rebates and financing incentives.
During these final months, discounts on leftover models can cut thousands from the sticker price. A $36,000 car could easily drop below $32,000. The last week of December is a goldmine for these deals, but be aware that high demand means inventory on popular models might be limited.
End of the model year
Late summer through fall is another prime time for deals. From August to October, dealerships offer significant discounts on outgoing model years to make space for new inventory. This is because new 2026 models will be hitting showrooms, and dealers need to clear out the 2025s.
Models that haven’t received a major redesign for the new year often see the biggest rebates. A little research on sites like Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book can tell you if a 2026 model is a complete overhaul or just a minor refresh. If the changes are minimal, you can save thousands by opting for the 2025 version. For instance, buying a 2025 Honda CR-V in September as the 2026 models arrive could save you an extra $1,500 to $3,000.
Early January and February for used cars
If you’re looking for the best time of year to buy a used car, focus on early January and February. A recent analysis from iSeeCars.com, which looked at over 39 million used car sales, confirms that November through February are the best months to find a deal. This is partly because the December new-car sales rush leads to a fresh wave of trade-ins, boosting used vehicle inventory on dealer lots.
Fewer shoppers are out during these colder months, meaning you’ll face less competition. With the sales floor quieter, you can get more of the salesperson’s attention. According to the Cox Automotive forecast for 2025, while used inventory may be relatively tight, the market is expected to grow, with retail sales reaching their strongest point since 2021.
Since manufacturer incentives are rare for used cars, it’s a great idea to arrive with a preapproved loan from your bank or credit union. This puts you in a strong negotiating position and helps you act fast when you find the right vehicle.
Best Days to Buy a Car
Timing your purchase isn’t just about the month; it can come down to the specific day. Certain days offer a better chance to save money without any extra effort.
End of the month
Car dealerships operate on monthly sales quotas. As the end of the month approaches, salespeople and managers are more motivated to make deals to hit their targets. This urgency can translate into bigger discounts for you.
Data from Cox Automotive shows the average discount on vehicles sold in the final days of the month can be 5% to 10% greater than at the beginning of the month. On a new car, that could save you anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 off the MSRP.
Some users on Reddit suggest an insider tip: before negotiating, you can even ask if the dealership is close to hitting its goal. Knowing they are on the edge of a bonus could give you the leverage you need to secure a better price.
End of the quarter
The pressure to sell intensifies at the end of each business quarter, which falls in March, June, September, and December. During these times, not only are individual salespeople pushing to meet goals, but the entire dealership is striving to hit targets set by the manufacturer.
Hitting these quarterly goals can unlock significant manufacturer bonuses for the dealership. These perks can include cash rewards, factory-paid advertising dollars, and priority allocation of popular models, giving them more room to be flexible on price.
The savings at the end of a quarter can be substantial, often mirroring the year-end rush. It’s a recurring opportunity to save big every three months.
End of the calendar year
The last week of December is the ultimate power play for car buyers. It’s the end of the month, the end of the quarter, and the end of the year all at once. Dealers are racing to meet every possible sales quota, creating a perfect storm for discounts.
This is when you’ll find some of the best incentives of the year as manufacturers pile on rebates and special financing offers. However, this is a popular time to buy, so inventory on high-demand vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 or Ford F-150 can be low. Acting quickly is essential to snag the model and trim you want.
Best Holidays for Car Deals
Holiday weekends are famous for sales, and car dealerships are no exception. Three-day weekends give shoppers more time to visit lots and make decisions, and dealers capitalize on this with attractive promotions.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day weekend traditionally kicks off the summer car-buying season. However, data from iSeeCars.com suggests it might not be the best holiday for deals, as dealers see more demand and have less need to offer big discounts. You’ll still find promotions, but they may not be as aggressive as those later in the year.
Inventory levels are usually high at this point, giving you plenty of options. Because it’s a well-known time to buy, dealerships can get crowded. To save time, an expert tip from Edmunds is to do your research and test drive cars during the week before the holiday. That way, you’re ready to focus on the deal when the sale begins.
Labor Day
Labor Day weekend marks another major sales event, as it often aligns with the model year changeover. Dealerships are eager to clear out last year’s models to make room for the new ones arriving in the fall.
This is a great time to find a mix of cash-back offers and attractive financing deals, sometimes including 0% APR for qualified buyers. Because dealers are trying to hit early fall sales targets, there can be more room for negotiation.
Black Friday
Black Friday is no longer just for electronics; it’s a fantastic time to buy a car. A study from iSeeCars found that Black Friday offers 37.5% more deals than average, making it one of the best holidays for used car buyers. Dealerships get in on the action with aggressive pricing, cash rebates, and special financing to attract holiday shoppers.
These promotions often extend through the entire weekend, giving you more time to shop. Because it’s so close to the end of the year, dealers are highly motivated to sell as much inventory as possible on both new and used cars. Just be ready to act fast, as the most popular models can sell out quickly.
Tips for Buying a Car at the Right Time
Knowing when to buy is half the battle. A little strategic planning can help you maximize your savings and make the process much smoother.
Shop during weekdays
If you can, avoid the weekend crowds by shopping for a car on a weekday. Dealerships are much quieter on Mondays and Tuesdays. Traffic studies have shown that weekend traffic volumes can be nearly 20% lower than on weekdays, and this often translates to fewer shoppers on the car lot.
This gives you more of the salesperson’s undivided attention, allowing you to ask questions and negotiate without feeling rushed. With fewer customers around, the entire process, from test drives to financing paperwork, is generally faster. If you combine a weekday visit with the end of the month or quarter, you could be in an even stronger position to get a great discount.
Look for clearance sales on outgoing models
As mentioned earlier, dealers slash prices on outgoing models between August and October to make room for new inventory. You can often save thousands of dollars during these model year-end clearance events.
To find these deals, you can use online search tools on sites like Cars.com or Autotrader and filter for the previous model year. Look for vehicles that haven’t had significant design changes. For example, if the 2026 Honda Civic is only getting a new paint color and slightly different headlights, the 2025 model offers almost the same experience for a much lower price.
A recent analysis by Cars.com highlighted several 2025 models as “Best Value” winners, such as the Chevrolet Trax and Nissan Sentra. As the 2026 models arrive, these already value-packed cars could see even steeper discounts.
Be aware that your choice of colors and features may be limited as inventory sells out. Start your research early to find a car that has the options you want.
Conclusion
Timing truly is a powerful tool when buying a car. Whether you’re in the market for a brand-new ride or a reliable used vehicle, knowing the best time of year to buy a car can lead to thousands of dollars in savings.
For the best time of year to buy a car, aim for the end of the year, the end of the month, or during model year-end sales events in the fall. For used cars, the winter months from November to February offer the most deals.
Stay prepared, watch for deals, and you’ll be able to get the car you want for a price you’ll love. For extra confidence, use Car IQ Report to research vehicle reliability before you buy, ensuring your perfect deal is also a smart one. Happy car hunting!
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