Holiday Car Shopping: Advantages of Buying Now

Sure, the holidays are a busy time of year, but if you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle, end-of-year discounts can mean big savings.

The end of the year is actually a good time for car shopping

• Statistics have shown that the best time to shop for a vehicle is July through December when dealers (and private parties) tend to drop prices.

• Dealerships are trying to meet their year-end goals, while manufacturers are rolling out next year’s models — meaning possibly substantially reduced prices.

How to get the best deal on a car loan

• Before shopping, get pre-qualified. This way, you will know how much you can afford. Pre-qualification also gives you negotiating power. 
• In terms of “affordability,” your monthly car payment plus expenses should generally be no more than 20 percent of your disposable income.

Alternatives for buying a new or used car

Buying a car is one of the most “disliked” activities around. Consider using a car shopping service.

• Tech Car Shopper is free and does the legwork for you. We'll do the research to find you a competitive price on the vehicle of your choice, and even have the car delivered to your home or office. If you apply for a Tech CU auto loan, you can often save on the financing — an extra 0.25% off of the APR on a purchase is typical.
• Learn more about financing your car through Tech CU.