Q. Just wondering when is the best time to go buy a new car/truck. In other words, ignoring standing inventory, backorders, spiffs, factory incentives, rebates, etc., when are dealers most willing or desperate to negotiate and sell something?
A. Slower times for dealers are the year ending major holidays. Year-end model clearance prices drop to clear inventories. In your area, shop the huge auto malls. The competition is higher to sell. Magic phrase to mention: "I am going to compare prices and values with your competitors." Your next magic phrase should than be: "Make me an offer I cannot refuse." Another method that often works, at least for me, is to call ahead knowing what you want, or be willing to buy a car that may have come back to dealer from a prior sale. They take the first year's lost hit devaluation, you save, and they move the car off their lot much more quickly. You can save thousands, do them a favor and not pay more than 6 percent over costs. That is a win-win for you and for them. This is most likely the best possible deal, but you must be willing to compromise on a few items and/or colors, etc.
Copyright of DoItYourself.com 2006
. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted our "