The dreadful depth of winter is one of the best times of the year to buy a car, but most people don?t seem to know that. In fact, if you ask people, many of them might tell you the winter, especially in the northern half of the country that is battered by snow, ice, wind, and salt, is an especially bad time to buy a car. ?Make the old car last one more winter? is their motto. But in the face of that?and partly because of that?the dead of winter has become a great time to buy a new car.
Back in the days of meaningful annual model changes, crank windows, and AM radio, there were some good reasons to avoid buying a car in midwinter. Before carmakers figured out how to fight a winning battle against rust, the idea of keeping your new car out of salt-laden slush meant you might have a better chance of avoiding early-onset oxidation. I mean, who wants their brand-new car to start rusting away in the first few weeks" But that was then and this is now. And the present moment favors the idea that buying when others are not buying?in the stock market they call it being contrarian?is a smart move. Instead of waiting for spring and battling hordes of other car buyers for the most popular vehicles with the most desirable equipment, you can get into the market early and pick off a good deal without tripping over other car buyers in the dealership.
Here are some good reasons why midwinter is a great time to buy:
1. Only the Strong Survive (Winter)
Winter is tough on your car, so if y...