The Best Time to Buy a Car in 2025 — Timing, Trends & Smart Savings

“I walked into the dealership in December... they literally announced it was ‘clearance day’ and dropped the price in real-time. Timing matters.” - Chase Jordan

With rising car prices and changing market dynamics in 2025—including record-high MSRPs, tariffs, and supply shifts—getting the timing right can save you serious cash.

Here's a data-driven guide on when to buy, with tips from real experts and how Deal Guard ensures you don’t miss a beat.

Below are guidelines, market to market things change and move fast but this is still a critical read if you're in the market!

📅 Best Months & Times to Score Deals

December (End of Year)

• Historically, December offers the steepest discounts, often 4–7% off MSRP.

• Dealerships are clearing outgoing-year inventory to hit annual sales quotas.

• Experts recommend last week of December for maximum negotiating leverage.

End of Quarter / End of Month

• Model: End of March, June, September, and December are high-incentive periods.

• Sales teams push to meet quotas—timing your purchase during these windows gives power to buyers .

Spring (March–May)

• Tax refund season increases trade-ins, boosting inventory volumes.

• Dealers may offer strong deals before summer launches—good time for used cars.

Weekdays & Early in the Week

• Monday/Tuesday dealership visits can result in better attention and pricing—not just weekends .

• Avoid busy times like weekends, lunch hours, or end-of-day rushes.

🏷 Market Headwinds & Price Trends

• Average new-car price: ~$48,700–$48,800 as of mid‑2025.

• Despite tariffs and inflation, incentive pressure remains—average dealer incentives ~5% of MSRP and more for good negotiators like our Deal Guard car buying professional.

• New-car sales saw a post-tariff surge in early 2025, but June slowed notably.

✅ Buyer Timing Playbook

1. December = highest discounts. Combine with end-of-month and quarter for maximum leverage.

2. Spring madness = tax-season trade-ins; especially good for used vehicles.

3. Weekday visits = better attention, less foot traffic.

4. Bonus: Black Friday/holiday weekends (Presidents’, Memorial, Labor, Thanksgiving) often feature manufacturer incentives and trade-in bonuses.

🛡 How Deal Guard Handles Timing Like a Pro

As your go-to car buying concierge service and car buying consultant, Deal Guard:

• Tracks real-time seasonal and weekly price trends.

• Monitors inventory turnover to flash “buy windows.”

• Coordinates appointment timing: e.g., end-of-month, weekday, seasonally optimal.

• Locks in deals when the market dips.

We don't just tell you the best time to buy—we make sure you're ready to act.

😎 Final Word from Chase

Car deals aren’t random—they’re cyclical. Knowing when to buy is the single most powerful tool for maximizing savings in 2025’s high-price environment.

At GetDealGuard.com, we combine expert timing with real-time negotiation to deliver the right car at the right price—on your schedule.

🎯 Want to time your purchase perfectly?
Sign up with Deal Guard and we’ll alert you when your buying window opens—sealing deals before prices rise.