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The 6 Best Ways to Find a Deal on a New or Used Car in September 2024
Buying a Car?
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Buying a car, whether new or used, is often one of the biggest purchases we make in our lives. For many, the challenge lies in finding the right deal at the right time. As we move into September 2024, buyers are faced with fluctuating market conditions, seasonal promotions, and post-pandemic supply chain adjustments that can either work to their advantage or disadvantage. The good news is that with the right strategies, September can be a great month to find a deal on a new or used car. In this post, we'll explore the six best ways to secure a deal, complete with examples, pro tips, and success stories.
1. Take Advantage of End-of-Quarter and End-of-Year Sales
One of the best times to buy a car is near the end of a quarter or year when dealerships are trying to meet their sales targets. September is particularly ideal because it’s the end of the third quarter, and many dealerships are eager to clear their inventories to make room for next year’s models. This creates a perfect storm of promotions, incentives, and discounts that can help you secure a great deal.
Example:
In September 2023, a buyer in Chicago was looking to buy a new Toyota RAV4. After visiting multiple dealerships, they decided to wait until the last week of the month. Sure enough, the dealership they were negotiating with offered an additional $2,500 discount in the final days of September as they pushed to hit their quarterly target.
Pro Tip:
Time your negotiations to the last few days of September, especially if you're eyeing a model that’s been sitting on the lot for a while. Salespeople and managers are more likely to offer better deals as they try to meet their quotas. If you're buying a used car, this tactic can also work, especially at larger dealerships with big inventories.
2. Look for Dealer Incentives and Manufacturer Rebates
Both manufacturers and dealerships frequently offer rebates and incentives to move inventory. September is an ideal time to find these offers because many automakers are trying to clear out current year models to make room for the incoming 2025 models. These incentives often include cashback offers, zero-percent financing, or reduced lease rates.
Example:
In September 2024, Ford may offer rebates on 2024 F-150 models as they make way for the 2025 lineup. Buyers could see cashback offers of up to $4,000 on older models or reduced interest rates for financing.
Pro Tip:
Do your research ahead of time. Visit manufacturer websites and dealership pages to look for current offers, and don’t be afraid to call the dealership and ask about any upcoming incentives. Dealerships might not always advertise their best deals upfront, so it pays to ask.
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3. Consider Buying a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Vehicle
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles offer the best of both worlds. These cars are typically late-model vehicles that have been inspected, refurbished, and certified by the manufacturer. They often come with extended warranties and other benefits, giving buyers peace of mind at a lower price than a new car.
September is a particularly good time to look for CPO deals because many buyers are trading in their current cars for new 2025 models. This increase in trade-ins means dealerships will have more used inventory, and they’ll be eager to move it quickly.
Example:
A buyer in Los Angeles was searching for a luxury car but didn’t want to pay new car prices. In September 2023, they found a 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class certified pre-owned at a local dealership for $12,000 less than the original price. The car came with a one-year extended warranty and had only 18,000 miles on it, making it almost like new.
Pro Tip:
Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are often priced higher than non-certified used cars, but they’re usually worth the extra cost for the peace of mind they provide. To ensure you're getting a good deal, compare the price of the CPO vehicle to similar non-CPO models, factoring in the value of the warranty and any included maintenance.
4. Use Online Car Buying Platforms for Price Comparisons
One of the biggest advantages of shopping for a car in 2024 is the abundance of online car-buying platforms. Websites like CarGurus, Autotrader, and TrueCar allow you to compare prices across multiple dealerships, making it easier to spot a deal. These platforms also show how long a car has been listed for sale, which can give you an idea of how motivated the seller might be to negotiate.
Example:
A buyer in New York was looking for a 2024 Honda Civic and used CarGurus to compare prices at different dealerships. They found a dealership in New Jersey offering a model that had been listed for over 60 days. Armed with this information, they negotiated an additional $1,500 off the asking price, as the dealer was eager to move the car.
Pro Tip:
Set up price alerts on multiple platforms for the specific make and model you’re interested in. This will notify you when prices drop or when new listings become available. Additionally, don’t be afraid to use the price comparison data you’ve gathered to negotiate a better deal in person.
5. Negotiate Trade-Ins and Take Advantage of the Used Car Market Boom
The used car market has been experiencing significant price fluctuations due to inventory shortages and high demand. If you have a trade-in, September 2024 could be an excellent time to leverage the higher value of your used car as part of your deal for a new or CPO vehicle.
Trade-ins give buyers extra negotiating power, especially if they have a car that’s in good condition and in high demand. Dealerships often want quality used cars to resell and may offer you a higher trade-in value to secure your purchase.
Example:
In 2023, a buyer in Atlanta traded in their 2018 Toyota 4Runner for a 2024 Toyota Highlander. Thanks to the high demand for used 4Runners, they received $4,000 more than expected for their trade-in, which significantly reduced the price of the new Highlander. This unexpected windfall made their deal even sweeter.
Pro Tip:
Before heading to the dealership, use online tools like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, or NADA Guides to get an estimate of your trade-in value. Also, consider selling your car privately, as you might get a better price than through a dealership. You can then use the cash to negotiate a better deal on a new or used car purchase.
6. Shop at the Right Time of Month and Week
Timing is crucial when it comes to buying a car. We’ve already mentioned the advantages of shopping at the end of the quarter, but timing within the month and even the week can also impact the deal you’ll get. Dealerships tend to offer better deals at the end of the month when they’re trying to hit sales targets, and weekdays often see fewer customers, giving you more time and negotiating power.
Example:
In September 2023, a buyer in Dallas waited until the last Monday of the month to visit a dealership that was trying to meet its monthly quota. With fewer buyers in the showroom and the pressure of hitting sales goals, the dealership offered an additional $2,000 discount on the vehicle.
Pro Tip:
If you have flexibility in your schedule, try shopping on a Monday or Tuesday near the end of the month. Dealerships are often quieter on these days, and salespeople may be more eager to close a deal with fewer customers around. Additionally, if you time it at the end of a quarter, you’re likely to get the best deal possible.
Success Stories: How Buyers Scored Great Deals in September
Success Story 1: The Tech-Savvy Buyer
Megan, a buyer in Seattle, was looking for a 2024 Subaru Outback in September 2023. Using online car-buying platforms like TrueCar, she compared prices across several dealerships within a 100-mile radius. She noticed that one dealership had listed the Outback for 90 days without selling it. After visiting the dealership and pointing this out to the salesperson, she was able to negotiate a $3,000 discount on top of the current incentives, simply because the dealership was eager to move the car off their lot.
Success Story 2: The Trade-In Winner
Jason in Phoenix wanted to trade in his 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a new 2024 Chevrolet Silverado. He knew that the used car market was hot and that his Jeep was in high demand. After getting trade-in estimates from multiple dealerships, he used the highest offer to negotiate an even better deal at a Chevrolet dealership, who ended up giving him $5,000 more than expected for his trade-in. This made his monthly payments on the new Silverado much lower than anticipated.
Success Story 3: The Certified Pre-Owned Strategist
Sandra in Miami wanted a luxury vehicle but wasn’t willing to pay the full price of a brand-new Mercedes-Benz. She waited until late September to shop for a certified pre-owned model, and sure enough, a local dealership was eager to move their 2022 CPO inventory before the end of the quarter. She snagged a 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class with only 12,000 miles for $8,000 below its initial asking price. The car came with a full warranty and had been meticulously maintained, making it a fantastic deal for a near-new vehicle.
Making the Most of Your September Car Deal Hunt
Buying a car in September 2024 can be a smart financial move if you know where to look for deals and how to negotiate. Timing your purchase around the end of the month or quarter, leveraging online tools, and understanding the current used car market are all crucial strategies for securing a good deal.
Here’s a quick recap of the six best ways to find a deal on a new or used car in September 2024:
Take advantage of end-of-quarter and end-of-year sales.
Look for dealer incentives and manufacturer rebates.
Consider buying a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle.
Use online car-buying platforms for price comparisons.
Negotiate trade-ins and take advantage of the used car market boom.
Shop at the right time of the month and week.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to find the best possible deal on your next new or used car purchase.
Happy car hunting!
Cars and Stuff Team
Why We Love Losing Money
How does a company start from nothing, grow and thrive for 45 years, and sell items for less than they cost?
Only by building long term relationships. That means innovating, executing, and taking care of every customer like they are the most important person in the world.
But even more than that, it means caring. Caring about customers, caring about employees, caring about quality, and caring about doing the right thing.
Let Queensboro show you the secret of their 45-year success. Let them do what they love and put your logo on a custom-embroidered polo or hat for just $4.95, including logo setup and embroidery.
Welcome to your new partner for custom logo apparel & promotional products. Trust the Queen for just $4.95.