Table of Contents

The best time of the year for a car purchase
The best month to buy a used car
What is the cheapest month to buy a car?
Which time of the year are cars cheaper?
Is it better to buy a new or used car at certain times?
When to visit a car dealership
What is the best day of the week to buy a car?
The best holidays to get a discount on a car
The best time to buy a used car: Your needs and preferences are top priority

The demand and supply of new and used cars are seasonal. And the question of when is the best time to buy a car always worries potential owners. We prepared this comprehensive guide to help you identify the right time for your long-awaited purchase .

The best time of the year for a car purchase

If you are wondering what time of the year you can get the best deals on car sales in Indianapolis, the answer is the last three months of the year.

In October, November, and December, most car dealerships are motivated to meet their sales quotas, broken down into monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets. At the end of the year, all these quotas sum up. Dealerships are awaited fresh arrivals in their parking lots when the new year approaches. If they end up with last year’s car models to fill the spot, they’ll likely be more willing to make a deal.

If you want to buy a car at another time, wait till the end of the month or quarter. Most dealerships will be ready to offer better options as well. Check also How long does buying a car take?

However, if you decide to buy a new car at the end of the year, you will have to be flexible. You don’t have many color options, trims, or features. Fortunately, this does not apply to used car dealerships .

The best month to buy a used car

It looks like December is the best month to buy a used car, but that doesn’t mean you should lose sight of other factors to wait until the right month rolls around. You can expect even better discounts on older cars when new models are introduced on the market.

In fact, as the end of the year approaches, discounts will increase. The most beneficial months are October, November, and December, as mentioned above. The next attractive option is May, June, July, August, and September. From January to April, you will find the lowest discounts in Indianapolis car dealerships.

Get your trade-in offer

What is the cheapest month to buy a car?

The ideal time to make a purchase is between October and January 1st, with December being especially favorable for deals, discounts, rebates, and other incentives. During this period, car salespeople are actively striving to meet their monthly, quarterly, and annual targets.

Which time of the year are cars cheaper?

Opportunities for deals may be scarcer outside the new registration period; however, dealers still have sales targets to meet. You might notice price reductions for a limited time at the end of each quarter—specifically during the last weeks of March, June, September, and December—with particularly significant discounts often available in December.

Is it better to buy a new or used car at certain times?

For new cars, the best deals usually come when dealers are clearing out outgoing model‑year vehicles before new ones arrive, often in late summer and fall. For used cars, January and February can be strong months, as dealers drop prices on leftover inventory and lease returns, though fall and early winter are still good times if you’re flexible on model year.

When to visit a car dealership

Our sales gurus believe that the best day of the week to buy a car is Monday. The dealership has fewer customers, so the reps have the opportunity to focus on you. It also ensures that the transaction happens as quickly as possible. When you visit a dealership on the weekend, you compete with everyone who uses their free time to buy a car.

However, in some parts of the country, car dealerships are closed on Sundays, and Monday can be a busy day. So make sure to check the working hours or even schedule an appointment before the visit.

What is the best day of the week to buy a car?

The best days to buy a used car are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Shopping in the morning or afternoon on these midweek days means the dealership is quieter, so you’ll face less foot traffic, enjoy a faster and lower-pressure experience, and get more focused, motivated attention from salespeople and finance managers.

The best holidays to get a discount on a car

The answer to the question of when is the best time to buy a car is more complicated than you might expect. While you may find good deals on several months or days of the week, certain holidays can also bring you a benefit.

President’s Day falls on what is considered one of the worst months to buy a car. And many dealers and manufacturers have sales during this time to encourage consumers.
Memorial Day is also an exception to the time of year rule. Even though it can be a bit more expensive to buy a vehicle in the summer, you may notice that prices and offers go down on Memorial Day. However, it is a popular time of the year to buy a car and you will likely be competing with many other shoppers.
July 4th is another holiday when you can buy a car at an attractive price. These may not be the best deals of the year, but if you need a vehicle around this time, it makes sense to look for sale near Independence Day.
Labor Day is an important day for car sales. There may be many discounts available, but there will be also many other buyers.

Some car dealerships also participate in Black Friday. This may be a good time to purchase a new car because manufacturers offer sales incentives as the seller is motivated to sell for their commission.

While you may prefer to do other things on New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year can be one of the best to buy a car – most sellers are much more willing to give you a good deal. Plus, you’ll have something worth celebrating when the clock strikes midnight.

The best time to buy a used car: Your needs and preferences are top priority

Sometimes we want to buy a new car because we are just fed up with the old one. Or the working horse broke down, and you need to replace it with a new truck . Perhaps catching the best model and trim is more important to you than saving every last penny on a deal. If that’s the case, you certainly shouldn’t wait until the end of the year to pick out the little things.

Now is the best time to buy a car! And you are always welcome to the Indy Auto Man car dealership to provide you with the best deal in 2026.