Best Time to Buy a Car in 2025

The Short Answer: December Offers the Best Car Deals

December gives you the best car deals. Shop the last week to save 6% to 10% off the sticker price. Dealerships face three big pressures. They push to hit yearly sales goals. They clear old inventory fast. They chase manufacturer bonuses tied to annual sales. This mix creates huge savings for you.

December tops the list, but other times work too. This guide shows the best months, days, holidays, and patterns. Use these tips to save thousands on your next car.

Best Months to Buy a New Car

Pick the right month to score better deals. This calendar changes how you shop for cars.

December: The Best Month Overall

December brings the strongest discounts all year. You save 6.1% off MSRP on average. That means $2,745 off a $45,000 car. The last days shine brightest. Shop December 26 to 31 for the year's top prices. Dealers rush to close sales before the year ends. Every sale counts toward their totals.

October and November: Strong Runners-Up

October starts big when new models arrive. Dealers clear 2025 cars as 2026 models fill lots. You get clearance prices on current stock. November kicks off holiday sales. Black Friday turns into a car event with special deals and low rates. Expect 5% to 6% off MSRP.

January and February: Underrated Value

January surprises with great deals. Demand drops after holidays. Shoppers cut back on spending. Patient buyers win big. January offers 41.1% more deals than average. February follows with 31.8% more. Used car prices drop most in these cold months.

Late June: End of Q2 Push

Late June ends the second quarter. Dealers hustle to meet targets. Manufacturers add incentives. Discounts hit 6% to 7% peaks then.

Worst Months to Buy a Car

Avoid bad months to skip high prices. Know when not to shop.

May and June: Peak Prices

May, June, and July offer the worst deals. June has 30.4% fewer deals than average. May shows 27.8% fewer. July trails at 22.5% fewer. Tax refunds fill wallets in spring. Warm weather pulls buyers to lots. Graduates need first cars. Weddings boost demand. Dealers skip discounts with crowds.

April: Tax Refund Season

April hurts your leverage. Shoppers use tax refunds for cars. Demand spikes and cuts your power. Skip it. Wait past May for fall deals.

Best Days of the Week to Buy

Your visit day shapes the deal. Choose smart days.

Monday: The Best Day

Mondays save you the most. Buyers save 0.61% more than weekends. On a $40,000 car, that adds $244. Lots stay quiet. Sales teams focus on you. New monthly goals start. Less rivalry means more deals.

Weekdays Beat Weekends

Weekdays top weekends every time. Crowds pack Saturday and Sunday. Salespeople split attention. Managers hold firm with lines out the door. Hit Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday instead. You get full focus.

Late in the Day

Go late in the day. Salespeople aim to end strong. Time near close adds push to seal your deal. This edge boosts talks.

End of Month, Quarter, and Year Timing

Dealer quotas spark savings at key times. Time your shop right.

End of Month: Real Savings Exist

Sales staff chase monthly bonuses. Tiers reward extra sales. A rep needing two more cars cuts prices fast. The last three days pack punch. They track quotas close. Discounts fit their pay.

End of Quarter: Even Better

Quarters amp pressure. Ends hit March, June, September, and December. Shop the last two weeks for 3% to 5% off MSRP. September doubles up. It closes Q3 as new models arrive. Current cars go cheap.

End of Year: Maximum Leverage

December stacks every edge. Year-end goals set future stock and ties. Dealers drop profits to hit marks. December 26 to 31 peaks it. Reps know exact needs. Managers greenlight deep cuts.

A Timing Caveat

Dealers flex dates sometimes. Sales in the first two days of a month count back. Buyers save $390 on average then. Watch this shift.

Best Holidays to Buy a Car

Holidays bring sales, but pick winners. Some shine more.

MLK Day: The Hidden Winner

MLK Day leads for used cars. It offers 65.5% more deals than average. It beats New Year's Eve and Day. January stays slow. The long weekend draws shoppers. Dealers boost traffic in quiet times.

New Year's Eve: Strong for New Cars

New Year's Eve rocks new cars. Dealers chase year-end sales. You see 47.9% more deals. Hours to midnight count big. Prepared buyers grab urgency wins.

Christmas Eve: Another Strong Option

Christmas Eve gives 36% more deals. Shoppers skip lots for gifts. You face light crowds and eager sellers.

Labor Day: Better Than Memorial Day

Labor Day tops Memorial Day. It has 4.4% fewer deals than average. Memorial Day lags at 28% fewer. Labor ends Q3. New models push old stock out. Deals stack up.

Black Friday: Good for New Cars

Black Friday packs 28.4% more deals. Promotions flood ads. Financing and cash bonuses pop. Crowds grow, so move fast.

Holidays to Avoid

Skip some holidays. Father's Day cuts 33.1% of deals. Fourth of July drops 31.1%. Juneteenth loses 30%. Memorial Day falls 28%. Mother's Day hits 27.4% fewer. Summer demand kills discounts.

Model Year Changeover Strategy

New years roll in July to October. Smart shops win big.

When New Models Arrive

Fall brings next-year cars. September lots spotlight 2026 models. 2025s shift back or drop prices. A 2025 matches 2026 features close. Grilles or screens update. You save thousands.

Clearance Deal Timing

July to October clears stock. Dealers sell current years. Makers add cash back and rates. Some 2025 Chevy Silverados discount over $11,000. SUVs cut $5,000 to $7,000.

The Depreciation Trade-Off

Old models lose a year on resale value. Blue Book dips a bit. Upfront savings win out. $5,000 now beats small future hits.

New Car vs. Used Car Timing

New and used peak at different times. Match your plan.

New Car Timing Summary

New cars shine in December, late September, and late June. Year-end, changeovers, and quarters give leverage. Holidays add promos but crowds.

Used Car Timing: Cold Weather Wins

Used prices track cold. They drop November to March. Bottom hits December 31 to February 28. January leads with 55.6% more deals. December adds 32.5%. February gives 31.8%. Summer spikes hurt. Heat draws buyers. Refunds fuel sales. Trade-ins slow supply.

Market Conditions: 2025 and 2026

Trends shape your timing now.

Price Outlook

New car prices climb. 2026 models rise. Fees jump hundreds. Buy soon to beat hikes. Waiting to 2026 may cost more.

Clearance Opportunities Now

Fall and winter 2025 clear 2025 stock. 2026s take over. Year-end pushes hard. Watch 0% APR and cash in November, December.

How to Maximize Your Timing Advantage

Timing starts wins. Stack these moves.

Get Pre-Approved First

Lock financing before lots. You control terms. Dealers compete on your rate.

Research Fair Prices

Check Kelley Blue Book values. Know true prices. Bring data to talks.

Shop Multiple Dealers

Pit three against each other. Share quotes. They sharpen offers.

Focus on Out-the-Door Price

Haggle total cost. Skip payments. Long terms hide fees.

Be Ready to Walk

Walk from weak deals. Patience pairs with timing for max savings.

Key Takeaways for Car Buyers

Right timing saves thousands. Remember these points.

• Best month overall: December, especially December 26 to 31
• Best day of week: Monday, or any weekday
• Best holidays: MLK Day for used cars, New Year's Eve for new cars
• Best quarter ends: March, June, September, December
• Worst months: May, June, July
• Worst holidays: Father's Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day
• Used car sweet spot: January through February
• Model year clearance: July through October

Pair timing with research and talks. Grab pre-approval. Learn values. Hit multiple spots. Nail total price. Leverage smart and save big.