For instance, if you're looking to lease a vehicle, the best time to do that is March thru May. That's because late in the first quarter and early in the second you'll get good residual values, good rebates from the manufacturers, and good lease rates. In fact, you may even be able to get a good lease deal as early as January. However, once the second quarter ends in June, good lease opportunities tend to go away, and leasing becomes a lot more expensive as the manufacturers shift their focus away from leasing to purchasing.

Beginning in August or September, you will find the best deals on new vehicles. Whether you are financing your new vehicle or paying cash, this is the best time of year to buy. At the end of the year, manufacturers and dealers give the best incentives on a model. You will get a much better deal if you buy the current year's model rather than the upcoming year's model. If you are looking for a specific vehicle, especially one that is rare or special in some way, you may want to begin looking in July. By the end of September, inventory levels are low so it may be difficult to get the exact vehicle you want.

The time to get really great deals is October or November. Since inventories are low, it may be difficult to find exactly what you want. Since you are more likely to trade-in a vehicle you dislike before you should, don't get a vehicle you don't like just because you are getting a good deal. If you are looking for a specific color or feature, don't wait until October or November. If aren't looking for anything specific, the best time to get a great deal is at the end of the year.

There is some very bad advice out there when it comes to buying a new car. This is one of the reasons we started this website. For example, many people will tell you that it is a bad idea to buy a new car at the end of the model year despite the big discount. Their reason is that the resale value is going to be lower since you are basically getting last year's model.

However, none of those reasons should matter - you really shouldn't be buying a new car if you're worried about resale value, especially over the next two or three years. New cars are for people who intend to keep their vehicle for a very long time (5 years +). If you're only going to keep the car you buy for only a couple of years, either lease or buy used - you'll save a lot of money.

If you want a really great deal on a new vehicle, consider buying on a holiday weekend. Manufacturers spend a lot money and time on marketing, dealers are aggressive, and incentives are good. Major holiday weekends such as the Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day are excellent times to buy a new vehicle.