Best Time to Buy New Car?

[TKOWKD1]

In the market to buy a new car, been researching and preparing for the past 2 months.
Where have all the good deals/promos gone?

What is the best time/month to get the best deal on a economy/small car category Under $21K.
Looking for best value practicality for a young family of 3, soon to be 4 in London, ON.

I've narrowed it down to 5:

* Hyundai Accent
* Kia Rio5
* Kia Soul
* Toyota Corolla
* Honda Civic

[NorthYorker]

If you plan to resell the car after 3-5 years, the best time to buy is beginning of a model year (Sept-Oct). If you're planning to drive the car into a grave, buy toward end of current model year (July-Aug).

Out of your list, Civic is my fav, prices being roughly same. It is noticeably bigger inside, and lead all others in "fuel economy per cubic foot of passenger compartment".

[Zac1978]

To be honest, these days you can find promotions pretty much every month.

I will say this though, buy on the last day of the month.

Also dont buy a car in the first few months its launched or of a new model year. Thats when the rates are highest and there are no rebates. For example, if the 2013 is just launched dont buy it for another 4 months. However it would be a good time to buy a 2012 of that same model as dealers will want to move older inventory.

Based on your family size, buy the biggest of your choices. You will loose money if you go too small and end up having to change your car after a year because you dont all fit!!!

[niroopg]

Buy a car when financing for the new car is below 1 percent.

[DavidY]

If you are looking for best value (lotsa features for a low price) and plan to own the vehicle for at least 5 years, you should at least add the Kia Forte 5 hatchback or 4 door sedan to your short list. They have one of the longest warranties around...5 year 100,000 km bumper to bumper. Unlike their competitors, they have a lot of features included in their price (often optional with other manufacturers). The EX is pretty well loaded....heated front seats, power almost everything, cruise control, 6 air bags, stability control, rear seats can fit adults while the front seats are all the way back (2 is good, 3 would be tight). Plenty of head room in the front for a 6 footer. Nice exterior styling. Probably class leading 156 hp/144 foot-pounds 2.0 litre engine (SX model has 173 hp 168 foot-pounds 2.4 litre engine). 6 speed auto (4 speed auto in 2010). Good gas mileage.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/showroom/car-profile/?make=Kia&model=Forte+5-Door&year=2012

http://www.motoringtv.com/test-drive-s11562#Episode_10_-_2011_Kia_Forte5

http://www.motoringtv.com/test-drive-s11562#Ep._24_-_2010_Kia_Forte

http://www.auto123.com/en/kia/forte/2012?carid=1123001804

Cons are: uncomfortable front seats (not sure about rear)....others have said that it takes time for the seats to become comfortable. Others have complained about the harsh ride and noisy (I didn't have any complaints...but I drive a truck). They don't hold their value very well....seen a 2011 EX auto sedan with less than 30K and no accidents asking for $14K. Probably better to buy a slightly used Forte at a higher trim (SX).

Another is Nissan. Employee pricing until July 3, 2012.

Dave

[ssmith1]

Buy at the end of the month because the dealers want to hit their sales numbers.

[DavidY]

Buy at the end of the month because the dealers want to hit their sales numbers.

+1. Probably the last week....definitely not the last day of the month; it would be too hectic.

Dave

[Kunman]

my ex neighor had affliations with kawasaki...he said the best time is spring for the cheapest price.

[D-3vil]

Ford Fusion currently has $6500 worth of rebates ... you can get a 4-cyl base SEL for less than $23K out the door.

[sandikosh]

In the market to buy a new car, been researching and preparing for the past 2 months.
Where have all the good deals/promos gone?

What is the best time/month to get the best deal on a economy/small car category Under $21K.
Looking for best value practicality for a young family of 3, soon to be 4 in London, ON.

I've narrowed it down to 5:

* Hyundai Accent
* Kia Rio5
* Kia Soul
* Toyota Corolla
* Honda Civic

Family of 4? You don't need a small car. Get a minivan, a used one.

[T-Man]

Buy at the end of the month because the dealers want to hit their sales numbers.

+1. Probably the last week....definitely not the last day of the month; it would be too hectic.

Dave

Having been in the industry for a 3 years now. I've seen this tactic back fire on the consumer many times. Let me explain. If you're the dealer and your goal from the factory was 75 vehicles, and by the last week, you've only reach 45, you know there's no way in hell that you'll get to your 75 so meaning no bonus money from the factory, so what would be your motivation for giving your vehicles away for little/no profit especially if its a hot selling vehicle in demand or not plenty of it around? Yes even 74 cars means $0 from the factory if your number is 75. I can't speak for other brands, but for Chrysler these days, there are rebates every month for almost every vehicle. Also as well, I've seen Chrysler do whats called "Fast Start Program" what that means is Chrysler will give their dealers x number of $ per vehicle sold and delivered by the 14th of the month for example. Most of my previous managers in the past would not wait to the last minute and would take skinny deals early in the month so we're not scrambling at the last minute and if they're too far from realistically reaching their goal, then they won't give away hard to replace or hot in demand vehicles. But at the beginning of the month, generally everyone is very optimistic with no thought of missing their target so they'll likely take skinny deals the. So yep I've seen Customers who made lowball offers at the end of the month get turned down.

[T-Man]

Hope I don't get run over for spilling this....lol.

One of The best time to buy is on a Saturday Morning. Saturdays are the Dealerships busiest days of the week. Dealers are more likely to accept your lowball offers earlier in the day because its contagious throughout the sales floor when everyone sees deals get done by noon. As a salesperson, when I get a deal or 2 under my belt by noon, guess what? I'm pumped, excited, and enthusiast,and it spills over to the rest of the sales teams and enthusiasm rubs over to customers. My best day was 6 cars sold in 1 day. Ironically all were Grand Caravans but its all good.

Mistake some people make is they wait till when the dealership is coming close to closing time, and the mentality of some customers is "They'll accept our offer because its getting late and they'll want to go home". Wrong, likely the dealer will just try to set an appointment with you to come back another day.

Alright thats enough, I gotta sleep got 3 appointments tomorrow, 2 of them before noon.

In all reality, you can get a deal any time sometimes all it takes is simply being nice and realistic. Asking whens the best time to buy would be like me asking my boss "do you think there will be alot of traffic tonight?"

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Buy at the end of the month because the dealers want to hit their sales numbers.


+1. Probably the last week....definitely not the last day of the month; it would be too hectic.

Dave

Having been in the industry for a 3 years now. I've seen this tactic back fire on the consumer many times. Let me explain. If you're the dealer and your goal from the factory was 75 vehicles, and by the last week, you've only reach 45, you know there's no way in hell that you'll get to your 75 so meaning no bonus money from the factory, so what would be your motivation for giving your vehicles away for little/no profit especially if its a hot selling vehicle in demand or not plenty of it around? Yes even 74 cars means $0 from the factory if your number is 75. I can't speak for other brands, but for Chrysler these days, there are rebates every month for almost every vehicle. Also as well, I've seen Chrysler do whats called "Fast Start Program" what that means is Chrysler will give their dealers x number of $ per vehicle sold and delivered by the 14th of the month for example. Most of my previous managers in the past would not wait to the last minute and would take skinny deals early in the month so we're not scrambling at the last minute and if they're too far from realistically reaching their goal, then they won't give away hard to replace or hot in demand vehicles. But at the beginning of the month, generally everyone is very optimistic with no thought of missing their target so they'll likely take skinny deals the. So yep I've seen Customers who made lowball offers at the end of the month get turned down.

Nobody gets paid until the car rolls over the curb, so the 'hit the numbers' thing isn't an issue.

Mazda doesn't have a "Fast Start Program" either.. so the best time to buy is when you are ready..

I tell my clients buy when you want a car... not when you need a car.. If you are shopping out of desperation you will end up spending more. So plan accordingly regardless of manufacturer..



Hope I don't get run over for spilling this....lol.

One of The best time to buy is on a Saturday Morning. Saturdays are the Dealerships busiest days of the week. Dealers are more likely to accept your lowball offers earlier in the day because its contagious throughout the sales floor when everyone sees deals get done by noon. As a salesperson, when I get a deal or 2 under my belt by noon, guess what? I'm pumped, excited, and enthusiast,and it spills over to the rest of the sales teams and enthusiasm rubs over to customers. My best day was 6 cars sold in 1 day. Ironically all were Grand Caravans but its all good.

Mistake some people make is they wait till when the dealership is coming close to closing time, and the mentality of some customers is "They'll accept our offer because its getting late and they'll want to go home". Wrong, likely the dealer will just try to set an appointment with you to come back another day.

Alright thats enough, I gotta sleep got 3 appointments tomorrow, 2 of them before noon.

In all reality, you can get a deal any time sometimes all it takes is simply being nice and realistic. Asking whens the best time to buy would be like me asking my boss "do you think there will be alot of traffic tonight?"

True that... buying at the end of the night is the worst time..

Most mentality of the Management: "You wanna keep me late, I will make you pay for it..

As for Saturday morning... 100%.. trying to start a great day.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

my ex neighor had affliations with kawasaki...he said the best time is spring for the cheapest price.

He sounds like a good salesman.

Motorcycle prices usually go up in the spring time lol