Shopping for a new car is something people do throughout the year. However, there can be benefits to making seasonal car-buying decisions. The summer might be an excellent time to shop for a feature-packed sedan, pickup truck, or sports utility vehicle. If you are considering waiting until the dog days of summer are over, here are five reasons summer shopping could be the better choice.
1 – Summer Deals and Discounts
The summertime can prime dealerships to offer discounts to new car shoppers. There are three major holidays during the summer: Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. These three holidays open doors for special sales and deals, which can prompt shoppers to buy a car before the fall season arrives. Generic summer deals may appear anytime during the season, and shoppers can look for the best advantage.
2 – Larger Inventories
Summer means people have more free time, so they may visit a dealership and consider buying a new car. A sparse inventory would not work in the dealership’s favor, so they may stock up on having as many offerings on the premises as space allows. Once they sell a car, truck, or SUV, a replacement may be in its prior parking spot faster than you realize. Greater inventory means greater choices, which customers might appreciate.
3 – Increased Trade-In Value
Several factors contribute to the trade-in value of a vehicle. The condition, age, and mileage rank high, as do specific makes and models. Please don’t overlook the importance of demand when trading in a vehicle. Not everyone wants to buy a new car, as they prefer pre-owned or CPO vehicles. That can drive up the prices on trade-ins, and someone trading in their current vehicle for a new one may get more than initially expected. Getting more for a trade-in could mean lower costs as the remaining financing balance decreases.
4 – Potentially Better Room to Negotiate
A dealership could face pressure to move current stock to make room for new models. That could open doors to better negotiations that work in the buyer’s favor. Further savings could be available when the dealership needs to move older inventory. While some assume that such sales are exclusive to the end of the year, they can take place during the summer. The same applies to financing arrangements. Customers might find that their negotiations also result in better auto loans.
5 – New Models Arrive
The latest models could be hitting the showrooms as the summer heats up. A July or August visit may yield surprises, such as seeing the newest model of a popular truck loaded with upgrades. Of course, you could also customize a vehicle with available optional features.
6 – A Good Season for a Test Drive
A test drive could tell a compelling story about a particular vehicle. Shoppers will benefit from a time of the year with fewer weather-related distractions, and the summer could be a lot better than snowy or rainy seasons. A pleasant drive during summer weather can be enjoyable, adding more value to the test drive.
Again, you can buy a new vehicle any time of the year. However, shopping during the summer could be the most beneficial and productive strategy.
