Compromises, cash and cars – when is the best time to buy if you need a new one?

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The start of the school year, the arrival of everything, and the threat of impending winter are all driving forces behind the desire to find something new to ride.

The question is, as always: When is the best time to buy?

Let’s start here: Taking your step can make a big difference when it comes time to sign.

There are some basic facts to consider when buying a new car. For example, you will always get a better deal on less popular models. This means a sedan is better than a small SUV or a pickup truck.

“The end of the quarter, the end of the month, the end of the year are often good times to look for a car,” says Brian Moody, editor in chief of Kelley Blue Book and AutoTrader.

For example, we are now approaching the end of the 2024 model year and the 2025 model year models will soon be on the market.

“They want to get rid of the old ones,” Moody said. “First of all, the longer you wait, the less choice you have of these discounted cars.”

According to Moody, the end of August is the perfect time to strike.

“I would go on the last day of the month and just tell them I’m serious about buying,” he said.

Moody says dealers are serious about selling before the end of the month because they have to hit certain numbers. He also said visiting in the middle of the day in the middle of the week shows the dealer you’re serious and allows you to get a look at the best deals they have.

“If you want a blue car, a white car is fine,” Moody said. “If you want a black interior, beige is fine. Such compromises help you get the car you want faster and get a better deal.”

As for your current car, Moody says you’ll almost always get more money for it if you sell it yourself than if you trade it in.

However, he cautions: If you sell the property yourself, you will have to advertise it, meet the buyer and negotiate the price, so you should make sure it is worth it.

As for comparing used cars and new cars, Moody said that with current interest rates and the fact that used cars are always priced higher than new cars online, one needs to do the math carefully, as it may be better to buy a new car rather than a used one.