AutoTrader.com Editors Reveal the Best Time to Buy a New Car

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Jul 25, 2013, 09:00 ET

ATLANTA, July 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- If you're in the market for a new car, timing can be everything if you want the best deal, according to automotive experts at AutoTrader.com®.

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"Smart shoppers who let timing work to their advantage have the potential to save hundreds, sometimes even thousands of dollars," says Brian Moody, AutoTrader.com site editor.

While a common perception is that the best deals are found at the end of the year, Moody says this isn't the only good time to shop.

"There's no guarantee that a year-end sale will impact every model – especially those that are all-new or in high demand. And not every buyer can afford to wait," Moody says. "Shoppers can get good deals all year long using the same logic that drives the year-end bargains."

The AutoTrader.com experts say other good times to buy include:

End of the model year: "This can happen as early as spring, but for the most part new model year cars start arriving on dealer lots in late summer and early fall. For example, shoppers will soon start to see discounted prices on remaining 2013 models – especially on cars that are all-new for 2014. If you don't have to have the latest and greatest model, this is an easy way to save," Moody says.

End of the quarter/end of the month: "Just like at the end of the year, dealers have monthly and quarterly sales goals. If they're just shy of the target, they could be more motivated to get the deal done," Moody says.

End of the day: "Salespeople will stay late to close out a deal for a serious shopper, and could be more flexible in order to wrap things up and get home," says Moody.

Rainy/snowy days: "These are slow days for dealers, since most people don't want to be outside on the lot in bad weather. If you hit the dealership any time demand is low, you'll be more likely to save compared to the shopper who negotiates when the dealer is busy closing sales," Moody says.

To learn more about how consumers can use timing to their advantage when shopping for a new car, check out the full story on AutoTrader.com: http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-tips/211343/buying-a-new-car-whens-the-best-time.jsp.

About AutoTrader.com
Created in 1997, Atlanta-based AutoTrader.com is the Internet's ultimate automotive marketplace. As a leading resource for car shoppers and sellers, AutoTrader.com aggregates millions of new, used and certified pre-owned cars from thousands of dealers and private sellers and provides expert articles and reviews. AutoTrader.com, which also operates the AutoTraderClassics.com® auto marketing brand, is wholly owned by AutoTrader Group™. Additionally, AutoTrader Group owns Kelley Blue Book® (KBB.com) as well as three other companies that provide a full suite of software tools that help dealers and manufacturers manage their inventory and advertising online: vAuto®, HomeNet Automotive® and VinSolutions®. AutoTrader Group is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. Providence Equity Partners is a 25 percent owner of the company and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.