When is the best time of a year to find good car deals?

Hi guys, I'm considering buying a new car (probably a corolla or i30). However I'm not in a hurry and willing to wait for the best deals. Can you suggest me when is the best time of a year to score a bargain for new cars? And where I can find those deals? Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • +7

    spackbace enters the discussion in 3,2,1….

    :)

  • +8

    Between Christmas & New Years, no doubt.

    But occasionally there are better/equal deals. But in a general way, over that post-Christmas period.

    • must it be post Xmas but before new year? desperate to make up numbers for some.

      • +1

        Yep must be, it's when manufacturers offer the biggest discounts, trying to clear that years cars

  • Just after a new model is announced if you are happy with the older model. End of the month and the dealer is close to their quote for their bonus or has Backspace said just after Xmas as they will have extra stock to move.

  • their bonus

    how does the bonus system work?

    • Most car salesman will have monthly targets to meet. So end of the month is good if they haven't met their target for the month!

      • +1

        ^This is one way of looking at it.

        However, at June 30 the financial year ends and manufacturers sometimes try to make some bonus sales to improve their figures for the entire year. Unfortunately, they've also turned this into a sham, and now they regularly try to trap sales at this period.

        Also in December, the next year models start moving in… so the current stock must go.
        Dealers know its harder to sell a 2015 car, when your in 2016… especially if you're halfway through the year.
        So they're actually just as desperate to move stock in this period.

        Personally… the best deals to be had are actually around late-Jan/early-Feb.
        Why?
        It's because dealers still have the previous year's stock and are desperate to get rid of them.
        They know its going to be June very soon, so they'll be under pressure too.

        So I would be shopping around Australia Day if I'd were you.
        Only problem with this tactic is that you have to be satisfied with the options.
        The stock they have might have a couple more km's on it, or not your fav colour, or a worse/better trim.

  • Fleet vehicle (or similar) Auction sites. All the car dealers go to these places and pick up bargains every day of the week. I go to them to price cars privately or at dealerships, but the best value is had at the auction houses themselves imo.

    • +1

      If you're mechanically minded yes. If you have no clue, and can't spot signs of repair, it's a bad idea imo

      • Is it a bargain if I buy those fixed price cars from government auction?

        • +1

          Again, only if you know what you're doing.

        • They've been thoroughly checked usually, so more margin of safety there for sure. All of the auction places allow you to bring in your own mechanic to check it out in the warehouse/on the lot. Otherwise you can get a trade plate through your mechanic and they will take it to their workshop to check.

  • I bought my car on the 21st of December and got a great discount being the end of the year. I agree with Kangals comment above as I have also noticed they heavily discount in the months leading up to March, but these cars have a build date from the previous year. So if you don't mind that then you can get a substantial discount.

    Only problem is you may not be able get your choice of colour or certain options as last years stock will be getting scarce around March.

    • So there will be lots of 2016 models being discounted around march next year?

      • Lots? No, not unless it's a model that no one wants! You'll be getting the dregs of demo models that are still left if you wait till March

      • There won't be lots I did mention the months leading up to and including March, but in my experience the biggest discounts were offered in March for the remaining new cars still in stock.

  • Currently looking for a car (been looking for 2 months) am waiting until Christmas for that very reason. Think there's more motivation to sell cars before the end of calendar year

    Yes, there will be better deals but limited stock in the new year… its not going to be a massive difference between the two! Weigh up what's worth it for YOU? Either waiting longer and having less choice to save a few $$$ or buy at a convenient time with a relatively good deal.

    I'm searching for the exact same cars….PM me if you find anything interesting - last offer I had was a Toyota Assent Sport Hatch 22k which was tempting at the end of last month

    • I'm eyeing the Hyundai i30, the best deal I can get is 22k for a i30 Active X, for some reason those Hyundai dealers are tough on their price, keep telling me my budget 20k to 21k for an active x is "impossible", despite me telling them I can wait for better deals at the end of December, maybe I just suck at bargaining…

Login or Join to leave a comment