Car Shopping? Here’s the Best Time to Buy in Indiana

Buying a new vehicle can be tedious, but if you do it during these months, you might save a significant amount of cash.

READ MORE: Indiana’s Car Insurance Rates Are Among the Lowest in the U.S.

Buying a new car is one of those experiences that can be either fun or quite the opposite. I remember how excited I was when I bought my first car. I was just shy of turning 17 and had been working at a local fast food joint for several months to save up for a ride. I’ve bought several vehicles since, but not every trip to the car lot has been as exciting as that first one. Buying a vehicle is far from cheap in the post-COVID world, but if you know when to buy, you’ll leave the dealership in a better mood.

The Best Time to Buy a Car in Indiana

According to Indy Auto Man, the supply and demand for new and used cars are seasonal. The market is always changing, and vehicle prices fluctuate from month to month. That said, experts agree that the best time to shop for a new ride is in October, November, and December. This is because most car dealerships are motivated to meet their sales quotas, which are broken down into monthly, quarterly, and annual targets. As the end of the year draws closer, dealerships might be more motivated to strike a deal.

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Another reason dealerships might be more willing to negotiate during the last quarter of the year is that they need to make room for new arrivals. Dealerships left with an abundance of cars from the previous year will likely be motivated to offload those models, depending on seasonal demand. Plus, these dealerships are already dealing with decreased customer traffic around the holidays, so you might be in store for great customer service.

Cons of Buying a Car in December

Indy Auto Man notes that while you could snag a good deal on a new ride during the winter, there is a catch. If you’re shopping for a specific new vehicle, your color and trim options might be limited. Additionally, it’s cold, and you may have to navigate some winter weather on your test drive. Still, if you ask me, it’s all worth it to save a few hundred or even thousands of dollars.