What Are the Best Times of the Year to Buy a Car?
The best times to buy a car are the end of the calendar year (October–December), holiday sales weekends, and the final days of any month or quarter — when dealerships are most motivated to discount inventory and meet sales targets.
End of Year — October through December Dealerships need to clear old model-year inventory to make room for incoming new models. Year-end events like Black Friday and New Year's Eve typically bring the biggest cash rebates and lowest manufacturer-sponsored financing rates of the year.
Major Holiday Sales Weekends
Presidents' Day (February) — One of the largest volume sales weekends of the year; manufacturers frequently offer strong incentive programs.
Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day — Traditional high-volume weekends with promotional discounts and special APR offers.
Black Friday / Thanksgiving Weekend — Increasingly significant for automotive retail, especially for used inventory.
End of Month and End of Quarter Salespeople and dealerships have monthly and quarterly quotas. In the final 2–3 days of any month — and especially in March, June, September, and December (end of each quarter) — dealers are most willing to negotiate price, waive fees, and offer financing incentives to close deals.
When New Models Arrive — August through October As new model-year vehicles arrive on lots, prior-year models are discounted to move them. This is an excellent time to buy a "new" car at a significant discount if you do not need the very latest model year.
Pro tip for 2026: With average new car prices near record highs and monthly payments averaging $772 for new vehicles, dealerships face greater pressure to sell. Combining one of these timing windows with pre-approved financing and a negotiated out-the-door price can generate substantial savings.
