Why Winter Might Be the Best Time to Buy Your Next Car

When you think of buying a new car, you probably picture sunny spring days or warm summer evenings on the dealership lot. But what if we told you that the quiet, colder months of winter can actually be the best time to buy your next car?

Believe it or not, the drop in temperature often signals a significant drop in prices and a boost in buyer advantages. Combine this seasonal opportunity with special financing, and you’ve got a recipe for serious savings.

Three Key Advantages of Winter Car Shopping

The reasons why buying a car in the winter works in your favor all come down to dealer motivation and market timing. Fewer people shop for cars when the weather is cold and busy holidays take priority, which creates a buyer’s market.

1. Better Deals and Incentives

Dealerships often have sales quotas they need to meet by the end of the year, quarter, or month—and December is the intersection of all three!

• Year-End Clearances: As the calendar flips, last year’s models become “older” inventory. Dealers are eager to make room for the new models arriving in the spring, which means they’re motivated to offer deeper discounts and incentives on current-year and previous-year vehicles to clear the lot.
• Negotiating Power: With fewer shoppers out braving the cold, sales teams are typically less busy. This lower foot traffic can translate to a willingness to be more flexible on pricing and extras, giving you increased negotiating power to secure a lower final price.

2. Test Drive Real-World Performance

Testing a car on dry, warm pavement is one thing but knowing how it handles in less-than-ideal conditions is crucial.

• Assess Winter Features: Shopping in winter allows you to test drive a vehicle on cold, wet, or potentially even snowy roads. This is the perfect time to evaluate the true performance of key winter features like All-Wheel Drive (AWD), the defroster, the heater, and anti-lock brakes.
• Peace of Mind: You’ll be able to drive away knowing your new vehicle is truly winter-ready and capable of handling the season’s challenges.

3. Access to Special Financing Offers

The best deal on a car isn’t just about the sticker price; it’s also about the cost of financing. This is where your financial partner comes in to sweeten the deal.

• Credit Union Advantage: Credit unions like Scott Credit Union often run seasonal promotions to help members save even more. This means you can combine the lower vehicle price of winter with a better financing rate.

Warm Up Your Budget With Scott Credit Unions’ Winter Savings Event

Ready to combine the advantages of winter car buying with low-cost financing? Scott Credit Union’s Winter Savings Event is here to help you drive into the new year with a great deal.

During this special event, SCU offers fantastic financing options on new and used vehicle loans that can make your payments more comfortable and affordable. You can potentially drive into savings and warm your budget with an exclusive loan discount, plus a special offer that could give you more time before your first payment is due at participating dealers.

This exclusive discount and the deferred payment option give you flexibility right after the busy holiday season, making the Winter Savings Event an easy way to finance your next vehicle with an auto loan that truly fits your needs.

• Drive with Confidence: Secure your low-rate financing before you shop.
• Maximize Your Savings: Get a better deal on the car and the loan.

Ready to find out about current loan discounts and options? Visit scu.org for more information on the Winter Savings Event and to explore your auto loan options today!