When Is the Best Time to Buy a Car? 2026 Guide With CarEdge Inventory Data

The best time to buy a car is the end of the year, specifically December 26 into the first days of January, when dealers are closing monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets in the same week. Outside of December, the next best windows are the last few days of any month (especially March, June, and September, which end a quarter) and the model-year changeover in late summer and fall, when outgoing models need to move. Which car you want matters as much as when: CarEdge inventory data shows some models with more than 200 days of supply on dealer lots and others with less than two weeks.

The Best Times to Buy a Car at a Glance

Time window	Why it works	What to expect	Best for
Dec 26 to the first days of January	Monthly, quarterly, and annual targets land in the same week. Edmunds data shows the last few days of December tend to produce the deepest discounts of the year.	The largest new-car discounts of the year, with thinner selection	New-car buyers flexible on color and trim
Last days of any month	Dealers and salespeople are measured on monthly targets	More flexibility on price than early in the month	Any buyer with a flexible purchase date
End of a quarter (March, June, September)	A quarterly target stacks on top of the monthly one	The strongest month-end of the quarter	Buyers who can’t wait for December
Model-year changeover (late summer through fall)	New model-year inventory arrives while the outgoing year is still on the lot	Steeper incentives on the outgoing model year	Buyers who don’t need the newest model year
January and February	iSeeCars found 55.6% more used-car deals than average in January and 36.2% more in February	More used cars priced 10% or more below market	Used-car buyers
Holiday weekends (Black Friday, Memorial Day, Labor Day)	Automakers run holiday promotions, often with 0% APR offers	Advertised offers, but not the deepest discounts of the year	Buyers targeting a specific financing offer

The same calendar applies in 2026. CarEdge’s year-end plan is built around it: pick a car and ZIP code by December 15, get prices from recommended dealers near you, and buy or lease by December 31.

CarEdge negotiations have saved car buyers an average of $2,660 per negotiation, across 162,349 negotiations run, as of November 2026 (CarEdge live stats). Timing is the part of the deal buyers control before they talk to a dealer.

Which Cars Are Easiest to Negotiate Right Now: CarEdge Days-of-Supply Data

Timing tells you when dealers are motivated. Days of supply tells you which cars they need to move. CarEdge tracks market day supply (MDS) for every new model on sale in the U.S.

How MDS works: MDS is the number of days current on-lot inventory would last at the average daily sales pace of the past 45 days. For example, CarEdge counted 27,303 new Toyota RAV4s on dealer lots on October 27, 2026, and 72,107 sold in the prior 45 days, about 1,602 per day. That is 17 days of supply. A higher number means more cars on the lot relative to how fast they sell, which gives the buyer more room to negotiate.

The snapshot below is from October 27, 2026. It covers 2,662,623 new vehicles on dealer lots. In-transit vehicles are excluded, as are models with fewer than 100 on-lot listings. Inventory and sales are combined across the 2025, 2026, and 2027 model years and across hybrid and plug-in versions of the same nameplate.

Most days of supply (the most negotiable new cars)

Model	Days of supply	On dealer lots	Sold in prior 45 days
Jeep Recon	621	262	19
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cab Chassis	327	109	15
Dodge Charger	289	8,209	1,277
Jeep Grand Wagoneer	273	9,786	1,612
Jeep Grand Wagoneer L	252	2,985	534
Mercedes-Benz EQS	242	253	47
Buick Envision	239	13,195	2,480
Audi SQ9	235	292	56
Chevrolet Blazer EV	217	2,117	439
Genesis G90	213	638	135

The Jeep Recon tops the list on a small base: 262 on lots and 19 sold. The Dodge Charger, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Buick Envision are the high-volume standouts, with thousands of units each and more than 230 days of supply. See every model on the slowest-selling cars page.

Fewest days of supply (the least negotiable new cars)

Model	Days of supply	On dealer lots	Sold in prior 45 days
Subaru Trailseeker	8	124	734
Toyota Land Cruiser	10	1,352	5,824
Toyota Corolla Cross	11	6,220	26,293
Toyota Grand Highlander	11	7,525	29,953
Lexus GX	16	1,259	3,580
Toyota Camry	17	23,021	62,381
Toyota RAV4	17	27,303	72,107
BMW M3 Sedan	18	236	596

How days of supply moved from September to late October

CarEdge counted 2,432,031 new vehicles on dealer lots on September 7, 2026, and 2,662,623 on October 27, an increase of 230,592 vehicles, or 9.5%. Among the best-selling nameplates below, days of supply rose for 10 of 13 models.

Model	Sep 7, 2026	Oct 1, 2026	Oct 27, 2026
Toyota RAV4	19	16	17
Toyota Camry	17	11	17
Toyota Tacoma	30	28	26
Honda CR-V	20	26	38
Chevrolet Equinox	52	59	72
Nissan Rogue	61	65	85
Hyundai Tucson	52	63	85
Kia Sportage	74	78	95
Ford F-150	65	81	96
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	78	92	100
Ford Explorer	84	92	115
Ford Bronco	100	101	135
Ram 1500	132	156	170

If the car you want is in the bottom half of this table, month-end and year-end timing give you real leverage. If it is a Toyota RAV4, Camry, or Tacoma, timing still helps, but supply is tight and the discount will be smaller.

Month-End: The Best Time of Any Month

Dealers and salespeople are measured on monthly sales targets. A dealer a few cars short of a target in the last days of the month has a reason to accept a lower price. The first week of the month carries the least pressure.

Shop early in the month and buy late in the month. Get written quotes in the second and third weeks, then ask dealers to beat them in the final days. The out-the-door price is the only number to negotiate.

Quarter-End: March, June, September, and December

Quarterly targets stack on top of monthly ones. The last week of March, June, and September is stronger than an ordinary month-end. December is both a quarter-end and a year-end, which is why it ranks first.

Year-End: Why December Ranks First

Edmunds transaction data shows December has historically delivered the highest average discounts off MSRP for new and used cars, and the last few days of December tend to produce the deepest discounts of the year (Edmunds, via the Associated Press). Three things line up in the final week:

1. Monthly, quarterly, and annual targets all close. A dealer chasing an annual target has the most to gain from one more sale.
2. Outgoing model-year inventory has to move. Edmunds notes that outgoing model-year vehicles often get steeper incentives.
3. Financing offers matter more than usual. The average 60-month new-car loan at commercial banks was 7.54% in the third quarter of 2026 (Federal Reserve G.19, preliminary). A 0% APR offer saves thousands in interest compared with that rate.

The tradeoff is selection. By December 26, the most popular colors and trims may be gone. Start shopping in the first half of December so you know which dealers have your car, then buy in the final week.

Incentives are thinner than a year ago. Automaker incentive spending averaged 6.6% of the average transaction price in September 2026, about $3,359 per vehicle, down from 7.3% in September 2025 (Kelley Blue Book, Cox Automotive). That makes model choice and dealer competition more important than waiting for a big rebate.

Year-End 2026: CarEdge’s Advice

• Start by December 15. Pick the car, check its days of supply, and get prices from multiple dealers.
• Buy or lease by December 31. That is when annual targets close.
• Expect the strongest push from December 26 into the first days of January, as monthly, quarterly, and annual targets land in the same week.

Get competing dealer prices on your year-end car. Pick a car and ZIP code, and CarEdge matches you with recommended dealers near you who send their price. CarEdge then coaches you through the deal, free. Find your year-end deal with CarEdge. The CarEdge year-end sale on CarEdge Concierge, the AI Buying Agent, and CarEdge Pro runs through December 31, 2026, with sale prices applied automatically at checkout.

Model-Year Changeover: Late Summer Through Fall

New model years arrive on dealer lots through late summer and fall, while the outgoing year is still for sale. CarEdge’s October 27, 2026, snapshot still includes 2025 model-year inventory alongside 2026 and 2027 models. A leftover from the outgoing year is usually the most negotiable version of that car. Check what changed between model years before you decide.

Check two more things before buying a leftover: the depreciation hit (a 2025 model bought in late 2026 is a model year old the day you buy it) and whether the discount covers it. See CarEdge depreciation rankings for how fast each model loses value.

Holiday Weekends: Black Friday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day

Automakers run promotions over holiday weekends, and those programs often include 0% APR financing. Heading into Labor Day 2026, CarEdge counted 39 new models with 0% APR offers (CarEdge Labor Day 0% APR list). Holiday weekends are a good time to shop a specific financing offer. They are not the deepest discounts of the year.

For used cars, holiday weekends vary widely. iSeeCars’ study of more than 40 million used-car sales found the Thanksgiving and Black Friday period had 9.5% more deals than average, while Labor Day had 5.0% fewer and Memorial Day had 18.0% fewer (iSeeCars).

Black Friday 2026: Black Friday falls about a month before the year-end window. If you are flexible, use Black Friday to collect quotes and buy in the last week of December.

Used Cars vs. New Cars

Used cars run on a different calendar. Most used cars carry no automaker incentives, so seasonal demand matters more than month-end targets.

iSeeCars’ analysis of used-car sales from 2024 through October 2025 found:

• Best months: January (55.6% more deals than average), February (36.2%), and December (15.2%)
• Worst months: June (22.8% fewer deals), May (22.2% fewer), and July (22.1% fewer)
• Best days of the year: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (65.5% more deals) and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (58.6% more)

iSeeCars defines a deal as a used car listed at least 10% below its estimated market value. Edmunds data shows December delivering the highest average discount off MSRP for used cars as well as new. Buying from a private seller removes dealer targets entirely. Get a pre-purchase inspection and see the original window sticker.

Leasing

A lease payment depends on the vehicle’s negotiated price, the residual value, and the money factor. The automaker’s finance arm sets the residual and money factor, and those programs change monthly. The negotiated price follows the same calendar as a purchase, so month-end and year-end timing still apply.

If your current lease ends in the first months of 2027, ask the dealer whether the brand will let you end it early to lease or buy before December 31. Compare that with buying out the lease. See your end-of-lease options.

When NOT to Buy a Car

• When the model you want has less than three weeks of supply. On October 27, 2026, the Toyota Land Cruiser had 10 days of supply, the Corolla Cross and Grand Highlander 11, and the Camry and RAV4 17. The Lexus GX had 16 days of supply, and its average sold price ($84,636) was higher than its average listing price ($83,697). Timing will not create a large discount on these models. Focus on avoiding markups and add-ons.
• In the first week of the month, when monthly targets are furthest away.
• Late spring and summer for used cars, when iSeeCars found the fewest deals.
• When you are out of time. A car you need tomorrow gives you no leverage. Start shopping before your current car forces the decision.

What Day of the Week Is Best?

No current public dataset shows that one weekday produces lower prices. The largest recent study, iSeeCars’ analysis of more than 40 million used-car sales, measures months and holidays, not weekdays. A weekday visit does get you more attention from a salesperson. CarEdge co-founder Ray Shefska, who spent decades on the dealer side, recommends going midweek:

“The best day to buy? Wednesday. Traffic is light, and if you show you’re serious about buying that day, you’re more likely to find a motivated salesperson ready to make a deal.”

Treat the day of the week as a tiebreaker. The date on the calendar matters more.

Bottom Line

The calendar sets how motivated a dealer is, and days of supply sets how much room exists on a specific car. Buyers who pair a high-supply model with the last week of December negotiate from the strongest position of the year.

Take the free CarEdge car buying cheat sheets to the dealership. Check dealer ratings before you visit, and compare total cost of ownership before you choose a model.

Disclosure: CarEdge offers paid car-buying services, including CarEdge Concierge, the AI Buying Agent, and CarEdge Pro, linked in this article. The year-end dealer match at caredge.com/year-end is free.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to buy a car?

The best time to buy a new car is the end of the year, specifically December 26 into the first days of January, when monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets land in the same week. Outside of December, the last days of any month and the model-year changeover in late summer and fall are the next best windows. The model you want matters too: a car with months of inventory on the lot is more negotiable than one that sells in two weeks.

What is the best month to buy a car?

December is the best month to buy a new car. Edmunds transaction data shows December has historically delivered the highest average discounts off MSRP, with the deepest discounts in the last few days of the month. For used cars, iSeeCars found January had 55.6% more deals than an average month.

Is the end of the year really the best time to buy a car?

Yes, for new cars. Dealers are closing monthly, quarterly, and annual targets at once, and outgoing model-year inventory still has to move. The tradeoff is selection: the color and trim you want may already be gone, so start shopping by mid-December and be ready to buy in the final week.

What day of the week is best to buy a car?

No current public dataset shows that one weekday produces lower car prices. The largest recent study, iSeeCars’ analysis of more than 40 million used-car sales from 2024 through October 2025, measures months and holidays, not weekdays. A weekday visit gets you more of a salesperson’s attention, but the date on the calendar (month-end, quarter-end, year-end) matters more than the day of the week.

Is Black Friday a good time to buy a car?

Black Friday is a good time to buy, but it is not the best time of the year. For used cars, iSeeCars found the Thanksgiving and Black Friday period had 9.5% more deals than average, compared with 58.6% for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. For new cars, Edmunds data shows the deepest discounts of the year arrive in the last few days of December, about a month after Black Friday.

When is the best time to buy a used car?

January is the best month to buy a used car, according to iSeeCars’ study of more than 40 million used-car sales, with 55.6% more deals than an average month. February and December follow. Late spring and summer are the worst stretch, with June showing 22.8% fewer deals than average.

Methodology and Sources

Days-of-supply figures come from CarEdge’s national new-vehicle inventory snapshot dated October 27, 2026 (refreshed November 1, 2026), with earlier snapshots from September 7 and October 1, 2026. Market day supply is on-lot inventory divided by the average daily sales rate over the past 45 days. In-transit and unavailable vehicles are excluded, models with fewer than 100 on-lot listings are excluded, and inventory is combined across the 2025, 2026, and 2027 model years and across hybrid and plug-in versions of the same nameplate. CarEdge negotiation figures are from caredge.com/live as of November 2026. External sources: December discount data from Edmunds via the Associated Press (December 2025), used-car timing data from iSeeCars (2024 through October 2025 sales), incentive spending from Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive (September 2026), and auto loan rates from the Federal Reserve G.19 release (November 6, 2026).