Best time of year to buy a convertible

[996c2]

I am thinking of getting a used (up to 3 years old) convertible BMW 3 series over the next 6 months or so. What month would be the best time in the year to get the cheapest price on these convertibles or do these hard top convertibles less sensitive to the seasons? Thanks.

[Parrot of Doom]

When its freezing cold and raining every day.

[FezzaDude]

In winter I would have thought. Less demand, therefore lower prices.

[Pig Skill]

Jan - poor weather and many people over spend over christmas and want to offload stuff.

[ShadownINja]

Pig Skill said:

Jan - poor weather and many people over spend over christmas and want to offload stuff.

Or just before Christmas when people need the money and the money isn't there for cars. Of course, it could be difficult for the OPer to buy at this time for the very same reason.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Back when dynosaurs roamed the earth and convertibles couldn't keep the water out they were generally "cheap" during the winter season.

These days with properly sealed roofs and decent heaters there's very little in it.

[Chris944_S2]

Parrot of Doom said:

When its freezing cold and raining every day.

That doesn't really narrow it down.

[ewenm]

When you want to.

[slipstream 1985]

Chris944_S2 said:

Parrot of Doom said:

When its freezing cold and raining every day.

That doesn't really narrow it down.

august - june

[markmullen]

The best time to buy a convertible is when you want one and can afford one.

The idea that prices dip over winter is a fallacy I'm afraid.

If you've got the money get one bought now and enjoy the end of summer in it.

[5lab]

i bought my mx5 with 6 months ticket in Feb for £730. Don't see any going for that kinda money at the moment..

[ShadownINja]

slipstream 1985 said:

Chris944_S2 said:

Parrot of Doom said:

When its freezing cold and raining every day.

That doesn't really narrow it down.

august - june

[Trackpug]

5lab said:

i bought my mx5 with 6 months ticket in Feb for £730. Don't see any going for that kinda money at the moment..

LOL I bought my mx5 yesterday with 10months MOT for £732.40 from Ebay yesterday! I LOVE it!

[ClintonB]

markmullen said:

The best time to buy a convertible is when you want one and can afford one.

The idea that prices dip over winter is a fallacy I'm afraid.

If you've got the money get one bought now and enjoy the end of summer in it.

Obviously I know you're in the trade (even considered a detour for a window shop visit when I've been in that part of the world) but there's an element of pony to that advice.
Dec/Jan are always decent times to buy, more so for 'verts (even if it is completely misguided attitude towards soft tops at that time).

Had we not had 6" of snow & had I not had a minor problem with my motor, I could have bought the equivalent of this http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260... with a -1 plate but sufficiently fewer miles to cancel out the plate for 5 bags less. Take a little off for BMW vs entirely acceptable non-franchise alternative but we're still talking about the price of a decent Rolex difference. I suspect I could actually have bought the motor, done 9 months in it and still chopped it in for generally what I would have paid at the time.


Rightly or wrongly, the vast majority of the populace don't have high levels of disposable income around Chrissy time and most, if not all, are dumb enough to believe that owning a modern mass market soft top when it's a bit chilly is the equivalent of commuting naked in a Caterfield.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Yes, all used cars tend to be cheaper Dec/Jan but the OP was asking specifically about convertibles where there is sometimes a belief that they are RELATIVELY cheaper compared to other cars during the winter. That used to be the case when convertibles were leaky old things but there's really no sign that MX5, Z4, 325i, S2000 etc suffer any disproportionate seasonality these days.

The advice "buy one when you want one" seems to hit the nail on the head. Not least because if you buy a new car in the winter you'll be selling your old car in the winter.