Is it a myth? Bad time to buy a car?

[TheAngryDog]

I've always thought that this time of year was the wrong time to try buying a car. I've been keeping an eye on the market for various cats and there seems to beuch less for sale currently, especially at the lower end of the market. Does this ring true with others?

[Turbojuice]

TheAngryDog said:

I've always thought that this time of year was the wrong time to try buying a car. I've been keeping an eye on the market for various cats and there seems to beuch less for sale currently, especially at the lower end of the market. Does this ring true with others?

I've always thought the opposite. Less people buying cars because of Christmas, and it's the end of the financial quarter in December so dealers will be more willing to price down their stock to meet targets.

It could indeed be true that there's physically less stock out there. No idea on that one.

[Brainpox]

Buyers don't really want to buy this time of year because of Christmas etc.

Sellers know this and only put up for sale if they need something gone ASAP. Ergo they put the price down.

Buyers can capitalise and get a good deal by buying 'out of season'.

I think it's the best time to buy - as long as you aren't too picky, and don't mind having to drive the new car through the winter first.

[jeremyh1]

Hello Dog

I think you have got it all a bit mixed up

Many cats are in need of home this time of year I hope this helps

https://www.cats.org.uk/

[Tannedbaldhead]

jeremyh1 said:

Hello Dog

I think you have got it all a bit mixed up

Many cats are in need of home this time of year I hope this helps

https://www.cats.org.uk/

Maybe he means a Jaaaaaaag.

[mike74]

I think in this day and age of real money being virtually worthless and debt junkies having unlimited spending power thanks to the wonders of never ending cheap and easy credit the old rules of good/bad times to buy/sell are much less relevant.

[SCEtoAUX]

mike74 said:

I think in this day and age of real money being virtually worthless and debt junkies having unlimited spending power thanks to the wonders of never ending cheap and easy credit the old rules of good/bad times to buy/sell are much less relevant.

Spot on. Debt is wealth these days.

[Inigo Montoya]

mike74 said:

I think in this day and age of real money being virtually worthless and debt junkies having unlimited spending power thanks to the wonders of never ending cheap and easy credit the old rules of good/bad times to buy/sell are much less relevant.

This. We're in a weird situation where the availability of PCP deals makes it easier to buy a new car, but worries about the economy over the next few years are putting people off. I think that means that the old rules about good and bad times to buy don't apply so much these days.

[TTmonkey]

If there's a no vote to Mays plans in the next few weeks I think we will see a market gripped in fear. there may be bargains, but these may be short term good deals which might look bad in 6 months time.


Awkward days ahead for the car industry. I'm expecting Jaguar and Range Rover to both feel the squeeze big time if it goes no deal.

[ZX10R NIN]

This & just after xmas are very good times to buy as long as you're prepared to travel.

[Inigo Montoya]

TTmonkey said:

If there's a no vote to Mays plans in the next few weeks I think we will see a market gripped in fear. there may be bargains, but these may be short term good deals which might look bad in 6 months time.


Awkward days ahead for the car industry. I'm expecting Jaguar and Range Rover to both feel the squeeze big time if it goes no deal.

Agreed.

It's hard to tell what all the effects will be. Under a no-deal cars may get more expensive to make, but dealers may have to offer good deals if demand dries up because the buying public are afraid of losing their jobs. It may be easier to buy a new car but harder to sell your p/ex.

Even if May gets her Brexit through we don't know what the ultimate trade deal with the EU will look like.

It's not going to be pretty. I expect a lot of people will sit tight and not want to change their cars unless they really have to.

[bristolracer]

Convertibles
Campervans and motorhomes
Caravans

Are all cheaper pre Christmas.

I think 95% of the car buying public generally buy a car as they need to. Dealers who have been trading for a few years know that its a quiet time.
If anybody does show up on the forecourt its because they need a car Monday morning to get to work.
I suppose if you are buying new,then the week before Christmas is a good time to hit the showrooms,plenty of salespeople about all available with time to look after you.

[nunpuncher]

Not sure it matters too much as dealers aren't stupid enough to think they'll sell the same number of cars in Q2 and Q4 as they do in Q1 and 3. Likewise Christmas isn't on a surprise day every year so they plan and adjust targets and stock accordingly same as any other retailer.

The brexits is probably the curve ball at the moment. If I was still in my last job there is no way I would be contemplating a new car. I figure many people must be in that situation.

[redguy]

I bought a convertible last December. Not for any seasonal reason, just because the right car came up at the time.

When doing the deal, I joked with the garage about it perhaps being the best time of year to buy such a car.

Their response? No way. In fact, I was told the prices stay the same as the summer, as they actually sell more convertibles in the winter! Difference is, they reckon, people think they'll be cheaper in the cold weather, so then proceed with a purchase - in their minds, they've got a bargain.

[Mexman]

November is generally a very good month historically and certainly, we are doing well this month, with plenty of stock.
December can be also a good month but it's balls out busy for the first 2 or 3 weeks, THEN it goes 'less busy'.
As long as you can get a good couple of weeks in early December, then nothing to worry about.
The only stock dealers are desperate to sell before year end, is cars that will hit 90 days old by the end of the year.
Deals to be done on overage stock, but good quality newish stock, is not going to be given away just because it's Christmas.
Prices will start to rise again as soon as the new year gets going.

[DaveTheRave87]

My dad took great pleasure in informing me that the car I picked up new on the 15th will look like "a year old car in 6 weeks time."

Granted, a few people may think this if I were to sell the car early on in 2019 but it didn't put me off.