Used Car Prices to Hit Rock Bottom Soon
If you're thinking about buying a used car, wait until the last week of December or the first week of January to maximize savings.
According to both KBB and CarGurus.com, used car prices are expected to drop by a further 3 to 4 percent between now and the first week of next year.
Prices peaked in August and are expected to hit rock bottom on January 8, 2012.
Historically, used car prices start climbing rapidly between January and February, sometimes by as much as 4%.
On a $20,000 used car, timing your purchase could save you an average of $800 - which is definitely not pocket change.
My Recommendation for Car Shoppers
TrueCar, Edmunds, and 1-800 Car Show are the quickest way to see the lowest car prices in your area. These sites show you no-haggle prices from dealers closest to you - and the deals are usually really good. This should be the first step you take when negotiating your car price. Follow this up with my checklist to make sure you squeeze out every last bit of savings.California Residents - Important:
There is a new online car buying service called Roadster, available only to California residents, which I highly recommend you try - especially if you hate the stress of haggling with a car salesman. They provide an expert concierge who negotiates the price of the car and delivers it to your home with zero hassle - you never have to interact with a dealership. Here is my in-depth review of Roadster and why I recommend it.- Gregg Fidan
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About: Gregg Fidan
Gregg Fidan + is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.
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