Mario Tama/Getty ImagesThe average price of a new car now tops $49,000, according to the latest numbers from Kelley Blue Book. In related news, we'll likely never see another $20,000 new car again—the last one, a Nissan Versa, which has now ended production, rolled off the lot earlier this year. In other words, cars are expensive. So it's important to know the best time to buy a car to get a great deal.Joel Isfeld, the founder of Ringlead Automotive, who has more than 20 years of automotive sales and operations experience, says it's totally possible to get a deal by timing your purchase—and establish a positive relationship with your dealer while you're at it. "Dealerships have finite profit margins, are real people and can be great to work with," Isfeld says. If you do your research and shop around a bit, you can save a bundle and have a partner throughout the life of your vehicle.Ahead, we have the latest advice from Isfeld, AAA's David Bennett and three other automotive experts who can help you shave hundreds or even thousands off your final bill. We'll also look at the most recent sales numbers from U.S. News & World Report, Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Reports and other respected car-buying guides to let you know the best time of year to buy a car and other great times to shop for one of life's biggest purchases.AdvertisementAdvertisementReady to find out the best time to buy a used car, a new car and whether leasing is a good idea? Read on.Get Reader's Digest's Read Up newsletter for more advice, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.What is the best time to buy a new car?It depends. Experts agree that the "best" time to buy a car or truck is pretty subjective, including Bennett, who has written hundreds of car-buying guides in his 40-plus-year career at AAA. "The best time to buy a car is before you need one, because then you have negotiating power," he says. Your credit score, financing options, dealer incentives, inventory and other variables also come into play.But assuming you've done your research and aren't over a barrel due to a desperate need to buy a car right now, there are some choices you can make to get the best possible deal—especially when you're armed with a little inside info. Here's everything you need to know.What is the best day to buy a car?"Try a Tuesday near the end of the day," Isfeld says. Dealers are slower early in the week, and if you're one of only a few customers that day, you can use it to your advantage. "Dealerships run on daily reporting. If a store hasn't made many deals, the managers on the floor want to get something on the board first and worry about profit second," he says.AdvertisementAdvertisementExperts at U.S. News & World Report say the best day to buy a car is Monday, but at all costs, avoid the weekend: "Saturdays are generally treated as big days, and dealership leadership expects strong volume," Isfeld says. "Everyone is busy, and nobody feels much pressure to bend on a single deal, unless it's slow."The bottom line? "Generally, walking in when they're hungry for a deal beats walking in when they already expect a full day," Isfeld says.What is the best month to buy a car?December can be a great time to buy a car, as dealers could be trying to meet annual sales goals, according to Consumer Reports. Case in point: In December 2025, they published data showing that buyers could find discounts of 5% to 13% on CR's top recommended models in the final month of last year. December also has two major car-calendar holidays, which we will cover coming up.If you don't want to wait until the hectic holiday season, start looking in October. Fall is typically when new models start arriving on dealer lots, according to Autotrader, though these hard-and-fast rules are changing. "Manufacturer incentives get more aggressive toward the end of a model's life," Isfeld says. "When a switchover is happening, or the new model year has already landed on lots, dealers want to clear out the old units."AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you have your eye on a specific car, research when the newest model will hit dealerships. "If you don't mind buying the previous model year, that window is one of the best times to shop," Isfeld says. "You get the dealer wanting to move aging inventory and factory incentives on the model year at the same time."What is the best time of year to buy a car?This is often going to be from October through December, and not just because of dealer incentives and inventory move-outs. You may be able to take advantage of the crummy weather this time of year—especially if you live in a northern climate. "It's easier for a dealer to discount a certain car if they know you're serious about buying and you're the only customer they've seen that day because of excessive snow or rain or cold," says Brian Moody, an independent automotive expert formerly with Autotrader who now heads Super Moody Group.What is the best holiday to buy a car?It varies, but generally, three-day holiday weekends are excellent times to shop. "Holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day and the end of the year can be good because they land near model year changeovers," Isfeld says. "The timing and deal stacking can work in your favor."Deal stacking? What's that? "Two separate things happen on a holiday weekend," Isfeld says. "Manufacturers run their own incentive programs tied to holidays," while dealerships run their own internal sales. "Dealer discounts stack on top of manufacturer discounts, so a holiday can be when both line up," he says.What other info do you need to know?For one thing, quotas are 100% real. "Every franchised dealership has a monthly manufacturer quota, and management's appetite for a skinny deal shifts depending on where they stand," Isfeld says. "A store that's behind quota or is close to a manufacturer bonus near the end of the month is much more motivated to make something happen." In other words, hitting the manufacturer target can be worth more to them than making a profit on your deal.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut these quotas can work against you too. "Salespeople also have their own quotas and bonuses, same with managers," Isfeld says. "Depending on who you are talking to, your car deal could seriously affect their monthly income despite the profit margin. The last few days of the month are when that pressure is highest."What is the best time to buy a used car?It depends. To get the best deal, look for how long the used car has been sitting on the lot (some online platforms list this). "Inventory carrying costs are a pressure working in your favor," Isfeld says. Carrying costs are the expenses dealers incur just keeping a car on the lot. "Used pricing isn't tied to manufacturer quotas: It comes down to the individual vehicle rather than the calendar, although the dealership quotas and salesperson quotas still have the same impact.""Used inventory is completely different than new," Isfeld adds. "Dealers buy them from auctions, from people off the street, on trade or on lease return." That creates a lot of opportunities for buyers, because an aging used car costs dealers money every day it doesn't sell, Isfeld says.What is the best time to lease a car?Follow the same advice for leasing as you would for buying new. According to the experts, that means model-year turnovers (late in the year or otherwise), three-day weekends and during sales events.What other hacks can help you get a good deal?"If you want the best opportunity for a great car deal, start between the 17th and the 22nd of the month," Isfeld says. "Go do your test drives. Meet the salespeople and build a relationship. Narrow down the vehicles you actually care about, and get written quotes with everything included," he says, including the car price, your trade-in value, fees and all financing or leasing details.AdvertisementAdvertisement"Tell them you're planning to look at a few other models and that you really like their vehicle, and intend to buy if the deal is right" (if that's true, of course). "Salespeople work on commission," he reminds us. "Being upfront and respecting their time works in your favor.""Between the 23rd and the 25th, get back in touch with the salespeople," Isfeld says. "Tell them you're ready to make a deal and that you've got quotes from other stores, so they'll need to put their best numbers forward to earn a deal." He says you'll be reaching them right when the end-of-month quota pressure starts building—and you've already done the legwork, so they know you're a real buyer. "All they have to do is say yes to the deal you ask for," Isfeld says. "That combination is what gives you the most room to negotiate."What else should you keep in mind when buying a car?If you're in the market for a new ride, here are car-buying tips from our experts to help you get a great deal and a great car.Get pre-approved: Bennett says that AAA's No. 1 recommendation is to get pre-approved for a car loan before you start looking. "Understand what you can afford, or want to afford."Compile a wants and needs list: Do you want a convertible, or do you need a sedan with a 5-star safety rating? Look at your lifestyle, budget and future plans—if you're thinking about starting a family in the next year or two, for example, you might want to rethink that two-seater sports car, even if you can afford it.Compare vehicle pricing: Know the fair price range of the car you're shopping for before walking into a dealership. Kelly Stafford, a senior vice president at Cox Automotive, says to use the Kelley Blue Book Car Values tool to see what car buyers near you recently paid for similar vehicles. If your car salesperson offers a price that is substantially higher than this number, Stafford recommends negotiating or seeking a deal elsewhere.Research actual costs: Beyond the sticker price, how much will your car really cost you? Bennett says AAA has a great tool called the Driving Costs Calculator, where you can enter the make and model of the car you're thinking of buying, where you live, your ratio of city-to-highway driving and other variables, and it will give you an estimated annual cost to own that vehicle.Keep an open mind: Ronald Montoya, manager of consumer advice at Edmunds, recommends being flexible to truly get the best deal on a car. "There's a balance between getting the best deal possible and finding the exact color and trim combination you want," he says.Be realistic: While you will get a better price by waiting until the end of the year, Montoya says there may be fewer vehicles to choose from, and you may have to settle for an older model or unpopular color. If you want specific features, expect to pay full price.Don't feel pressured: If you're not ready to make a purchase, wait. "The time to buy a car is when you need it and feel ready to buy, regardless of the time of year," Montoya says. "There will always be deals out there for those who do the research and are willing to consider other models."FAQsShould I buy a used car?If you have a smaller budget, buying a used car is an excellent option. "The used-car market is a great place for shoppers who want a dependable and practical vehicle, without the new-car price tag," Stafford says.How much should I spend on a new car?Ultimately, what you should spend depends on what you can afford. "There's something out there for every budget," Stafford says. If you aren't paying in cash and plan to make monthly payments on your new car, she suggests calculating your total cost of living and using the remainder on a car payment, fuel, car insurance and maintenance.Is it better to sell my car myself or trade it in?It depends. While you may get more money by selling the car yourself, it will cost you in other ways—including your time, as you will be handling the responsibility of advertising, getting the car ready to sell, arranging financing and insurance, and making appointments for test drives. Trading in a car, on the other hand, will hand those tasks off to a dealer.How do I finance a car?Though most dealers offer financing, it's better to walk in with financing already arranged. "Getting pre-approved for a loan and having your financing ready before setting foot in a dealership gives you more flexibility and won't make you beholden to just one sales lot or dealership," Stafford says. "It also shows the seller that you are a serious buyer, not just window shopping."Should I lease a car?It depends. Generally speaking, Stafford doesn't recommend leasing cars. "Too many people choose leasing because the lower monthly payments allow them to drive more expensive cars or trucks than they can afford to buy, and they often end up regretting it later," she says.AdvertisementAdvertisementBennett is more equivocal. "I've bought cars, I've leased cars. It comes down to personal preference." The good thing is that the car will be under warranty, so you won't be responsible for major repairs. But wear and tear is all on you, and Bennett says to remember to factor in how much you drive per year: "If you go over the mileage, it's going to be 20 or 25 cents a mile over your allotment." As long as you go in with eyes open, leasing can be a good option for certain buyers.Additional reporting by Brooke Nelson Alexander.About the expertsJoel Isfeld is the founder of Ringlead Automotive, a lead-response and sales coaching platform for car dealerships. He has more than 20 years of experience in the car business, including automotive sales and dealership operations.David Bennett is the manager of repair systems at AAA, which he joined in 1986. He holds a master technician certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and has written more than 500 car reviews to help consumers make educated car-buying decisions.Brian Moody is an independent automotive and transportation expert with Super Moody Group. He has more than 25 years of experience in automotive analysis and was formerly the executive editor at Cox Automotive and Autotrader.Jessica Stafford is the senior vice president of consumer solutions at Cox Automotive, where she helms multiple automotive brands including Kelly Blue Book, Autotrader and Dealer.com.Ronald A. Montoya is the manager of consumer advice at Edmunds, where he has worked since 2008. Montoya has written hundreds of car-buying advice articles and also handles new car reviews.Why trust usAt Reader's Digest, we're committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers' personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on the best time to buy a car, Ally Childress tapped her experience as a journalist and researcher to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.Sources:Joel Isfeld, founder of Ringlead Automotive; email interview, July 17, 2026David Bennett, manager of repair systems at AAA; phone interview, July 14, 2026Brian Moody, independent automotive expert with Super Moody Group; interviewed, April 2023Jessica Stafford, senior vice president of consumer solutions at Cox Automotive; interviewed, April 2023Ronald A. Montoya, manager of consumer advice at Edmunds; interviewed, April 2023Kelley Blue Book: "Average New Car Price Drops; $20K Car Likely Dead"Kelley Blue Book: "Average New Car Price Cooled Slightly to $49,220 in May"U.S. News & World Report: "When Is the Best Time to Buy a Car?"Consumer Reports: "Best End of Year Car Deals"When Should You Buy Furniture?This Is the Best Time to Book a FlightWhen Is the Best Time to Buy a Grill?