When is the Best Time to Buy a Used Car?

There is quite a lot of research involved in buying a used car in St. Louis. Not only do you want to find a vehicle with good gas mileage and a clean vehicle history report, but you also want to find one with a sticker price that suits your budget – especially if you’re living on a fixed income. So, when is the best time to buy a used car? You’re smart to ask! If you time your purchase just right, there are certain time periods during which you could secure a better deal. Learn more with Green Light Auto Credit, below!

Buy a Used Car at the End of the Month or Quarter

Dealerships and their sales teams have monthly and quarterly sales goals to meet. If you stroll in at the end of the month or the end of a quarter and they’re needing to meet their benchmarks, they may be more eager to negotiate or offer you a lower price in order to get that extra sale. If you’re very savvy, you might even be able to work in some additional perks like free car wash services or free oil changes!

Hit the Dealerships at the End of a Model Year

Have your eye on a specific make and model? When the next model year is slated to hit the lots, dealerships are usually highly motivated to clear out the previous year’s models. Car buyers looking to save some money may find that this is an ideal time to get a better deal, especially if the next model year is debuting with any major changes. Many auto brands change model years around Labor Day or in the couple of months leading up to it.

Buy Off-Season

Winter is one of the most difficult seasons for dealerships near Herculaneum to make sales. With less demand and fewer people stopping in to browse showrooms, you might be able to find a dealer that is motivated to strike up a deal with someone who comes in looking to buy.

You might also find that simply shopping on a weekday rather than over the weekend can help you save some money. Many Florissant drivers only have time to browse dealerships over the weekend, so if you visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday you might find a salesperson who is more willing to offer a lower price.

Buying During Holidays

There are some holidays when dealerships are known to offer special sales and incentives, putting the buying power in St. Louis drivers’ hands. Some dealerships might only have sales on new cars, but even in this case, used car buyers can benefit due to the higher rate of trade-in vehicles being brought in. Sales will vary between automakers, but generally fall around these holiday weekends:

• Presidents Day
• Memorial Day
• Fourth of July
• Labor Day
• Black Friday

Get More Used Car Buying Advice From Green Light Auto Credit!

Have lingering questions about when is the best time to buy a used car? Contact our team at Green Light Auto Credit – we’re always happy to assist! If you’re looking for a bad or no credit financing solution, we can help. Get in touch with our finance center to learn more, or apply online to seek pre-approval.

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