When is the best time to buy?

[GTRS Fiero]

Is a particular time of year the best time to buy a vehicle?

[Fierofool]

Some say that between Christmas and New Years days because the dealers have to pay taxes on the cars that are in their inventory.  Others say that the end of the model year or shortly after the new models come out.  Supposedly, in both cases, they are anxious to get rid of the cars. 

[GTRS Fiero]

Suppose it's a used vehicle?

[Fierofool]

If I were looking for a used vehicle, I would look at the car rentals or dealers who have cars coming off lease.  When we bought Melanie's Grand Prix, we checked out a lot of Hertz, Budget and Enterprise sales offices.  They usually take good care of their rental vehicles, and replace them based upon a mileage or time setpoint, whichever comes first. 

We were specifically looking for a Grand Prix, but most of the rentals only had super charged ones, and with a performance engine, you could probably expect the renters to dog them.  We found a dealer that had just gotten one back from lease.  Two years old, just under 24,000 miles.  It was very well taken care of, had all the dealer service records, and we got a MSRP $25000 car for $14000.  The dealer replaced brakes and tires and did a full service on it before turning it over to us. 

[GTRS Fiero]

I bought an Impala that way.

Maybe I should move this to a different board, but, if you were looking to buy or sell a Fiero, which month would you choose, any why?

[GTRS Fiero]

LOL!  No one here buys Fieros?

[Fierofool]

Are there any Fieros left?  I thought they all caught fire and burned.

In reality, I don't know if there is any particular time that's better or worse to buy a used car.  But just theorizing that some folks buy a new car and keep their old one to sell for real money instead of phantom money.  If that's the case, maybe a good time would be right after new models come out, or after the first of the year.  In Georgia, whoever owns the car on January 1 is responsible for the taxes of that year. 

As for buying a Fiero.  Some would say that there isn't a good time to buy one. 

[GTRS Fiero]

Only the green Fieros burned.

[MikeMac]

Only the green Fieros burned.

I have a green one that probably should be burned! After removing the wheels of course.
Ribbett Ribbett

[GTRS Fiero]

Factory green.

[TopNotch]

The best time to buy is when you get your income tax return.

[PK]

1998 early afternoon.

[Raydar]

The best time to buy is when you get your income tax return.

My friend John says that's the best time to sell - when people have tax refund money that's burning a hole in their pockets.

Edit - I bought my most recent Fiero in April or May, I believe. I had been looking for many months, and just happened to find what I wanted, at that time.
Looking back, it seems like Tammy and my purchases are scattered all over the calendar. (Not like we buy tons of cars.)

[scottb]

When you have cash

[Fierofool]

I think Raydar's friend John and Scott have it right.  It seems that when tax time comes around, all the car dealers start offering 'deals' and my email is flooded with 'don't miss out on this bargain' sales.  They know that people who are suddenly flush with cash are less likely to spend it judiciously. 

I think it's best to wait for times like model change or end of year clearances if you're buying a new vehicle.  Wait until the seller is in need of selling.