Owning a car provides convenience and independence, but purchasing one can be a significant financial commitment. Buying a pre-owned vehicle is a practical way to save money, and securing the best deal often depends on seasonal car shopping trends. In addition to finding a mechanically sound used car, choosing the right time to buy can impact how much you spend overall. Timing your purchase during periods when dealership markdowns are more common can make a noticeable difference.
Almost everyone needs a car in order to get around. Unfortunately, the cost of buying a vehicle is not cheap. One way to save some money is to purchase a used car. In order to get the most savings, it is important to purchase a good used car that is mechanically sound. It is also important to make sure that you are buying a used car at the right time.
When you choose the right month, day, or season to purchase a used car you can lower the amount that you spend and possibly find a deal that is going to save you money over the course of your loan. Often, the best time to buy a used car is the same as the best time to buy a new car. Here are some of the best times to buy a used car.
Many people do not think about buying a car until they absolutely have to. A better approach is to start looking early, allowing more time to compare options and find affordable used car deals. Planning ahead provides the flexibility to research pre-owned vehicles for sale near you without feeling rushed into a purchase. It also increases the likelihood of securing low-interest car financing or other incentives.
Christmas Eve, Black Friday, and Veteran’s Day are well-known holidays for providing the best used car deals. Holiday weekends often result in increased dealership traffic and trade-ins. It is best to avoid holidays such as Easter, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, as these are days that people tend to gather. Dealers will be light on staff and private sellers are going to be more focused on their family events, which means that the prices are going to be higher. Big holiday weekends are popular for people buying new cars. This means that dealerships have many more trade-ins coming in than normal. When there is an overabundance of used cars on the lot, you are more likely to get a better deal.
Most dealerships provide quotas that their salespeople have to meet every year, quarter, and month. Choosing to buy a car at the end of these times is a good way to strike a deal. Buying a used car at the end of the year is typically one of the best choices. With compensation being tied to meeting their goals, salespeople will work harder for you to get a deal.
Another way that you can likely score a good deal on a used car is by purchasing your vehicle during the off-season. For example, if you have had your eye on a convertible and live in the Snowbelt, consider making your purchase during the winter months when demand is lower. SUV sales are typically strong during the early part of the winter. In the spring, gas prices often go up and result in SUV owners wanting to get rid of their SUV that does not get very good mileage.
Manufacturers and dealerships frequently offer promotions on certified pre-owned vehicles that include extended warranties and low-interest financing. These vehicles often come with interest rates that are often lower than the marketplace average. Zero percent offers are the best types of financing deals, but these are getting more difficult to find as interest rates are climbing. A true certified pre-owned car will only be available through a franchised dealership. Often, these vehicles have a price tag that is a bit higher than a used car that is not certified. However, these are the only types of cars that will come with manufacturer deals.
Car dealerships will advertise deals heavily. While these deals might look great, that is not always the case. Before purchasing any type of used car it is important to know what the car is actually worth and what you should pay for it. The sign might advertise a deal, but that does not necessarily mean that it really is. Evaluating a car’s trade-in value and comparing listings helps determine if the asking price is fair.
It is best to purchase a used car in the winter. The main reason for this is because demand during the winter months is quite low because no one really wants to be walking around a car dealership when it is cold and nasty outside. With lower demand, the prices of cars are much lower as well. On the other hand, if you can, avoid buying a used car in the spring. This is the time of year with the highest prices and demands for both used and new vehicles.
New years offers the trifecta when it comes to purchasing a used car. It is the end of the year, a holiday, and during the winter.
For those struggling with poor or nonexistent credit, traditional financing may not always be an option. Buy Here Pay Here car lots provide an alternative by offering bad-credit car financing directly through the dealership. These dealerships eliminate the need for third-party lenders, making it easier to qualify for a loan and drive off with a reliable used vehicle.
A buy here pay here dealership often has a wide selection of affordable pre-owned cars, including low-mileage used cars and certified pre-owned vehicles. While interest rates may be higher than conventional loans, these financing options give buyers the flexibility they need to get on the road. Checking dealer inventory regularly ensures that new arrivals aren’t missed, and buyers can secure the best available deal.
If you’re located near Omaha, Lincoln, and Kansas City and have a weak or nonexistent credit score, you are a likely candidate for no credit car loans. However, lenders will still have minimum eligibility qualifications for bad-credit auto loans.
Are you looking to buy a car? Our stress-free car shopping experience will have you driving home amazed at how fast and easy the process was. Just because we’re a “Buy Here Pay Here” car lot doesn’t mean we don’t have a great selection of pre-owned vehicles to choose from. Our inventory is continuously being updated. That means if we don’t have the perfect vehicle for you, be sure to check back next week or even the next day.
In any case, we’re confident that we’ll have something that will fit your tastes, needs, and budget. We encourage you to browse our inventory online in Omaha, Lincoln, or Kansas City to narrow down your preferences to make things even faster when you visit our auto dealership.