The Model Year is Ending! Nobody Panic!

As you might have noticed, the Model Year is on a considerably different schedule than the traditional Gregorian calendar.

The model year (often abbreviated as "MY" in car dealer jargon) begins in late summer, around August, and ends the following summer around July. As of yesterday, you probably realized that July has indeed arrived, and therefore the last of the 2010s will be rolling off the lot any day now.

You're probably thinking, what does that mean for me, the buyer? Is this a good or bad time to buy? Well, you would not be alone in being confused - those are tricky questions.

First of all, I will tell you that this is THE best time to buy if you are looking for a good deal. GM makes their rebates lower than ever, in an attempt to push everything possible off the lot to make way for the new vehicles. Dealers (like us) are also cutting deals, even slashing their own profits to ensure that these vehicles get taken to good homes in a timely manner (gee, I'm making it sound like these cars are puppies). You see, the best way for a dealer to get more inventory from GM is to sell the old inventory! So if you are in the market to get the best prices you can get on a new car, this is the time to strike.

However, the thrill of the unexpected lies ahead! And this is where people get tripped up, because the NEW model year sounds really, really good, and maybe we should just wait until those cars come out to buy? Of course, when that 2011 Silverado gets here, fresh from the factory, it's definitely NOT going to have the $5,000 rebate that the 2010 model has right now. Deals are not going to be cut so easy on the new babies, no matter where you go, because dealers want their new, buzzed-about product to make them some money! (And you can't fault them for that, you know? A guy - or gal - has gotta make a living!)

So here is my advice to you when deciding to buy a car in summertime, the limbo of car buying seasons: know what you want!

Research to see if your favorite model is changing considerably in the next model year - a quick Internet search could often tell you that while the 2011 Impala will not be altered greatly from previous years, the 2011 Malibu is changing. Also, decide whether the fancy new features on that 2011 Malibu are actually features you want to pay more for, or ones you can live without. If you can live without them, or you like the 2010 models better, than get yourself to our parking lot FAST - this is the time to buy, buy, buy! If you decide that the 2011 is the way to go, then you should still get yourself to the dealership soon, because you might find that a helpful salesman can order one for you, built to your exact specifications.

Also something to consider - are you looking for a Chevy Cobalt? If you are, drop what you are doing, NOW, and go get one, because this is your last chance! The Cobalt is being replaced next model year with the new Chevrolet Cruze. Fans of the Cobalt need not weep, though, because the Cruze looks amazing. The only issue with it that I have is that there is no 2-door option. If you were looking for a 2-door compact car, get the 2010 Cobalt 2-door while you still can.

The bottom line here is that you will find the best deals of the year if you shop right now. If you are not looking for a specific new feature or new model, then there is no reason for you to not take advantage of the savings you'll get from the last month of the model year. If you don't go now, you'll likely find yourself in this same position this time next year, because you waited too long for the "right deal" to come along. Newsflash - this IS the right deal, right now!

And if you are one of those people who cannot wait another day for the Cruze, then don't!! Come in TODAY and see what you can do to order one, built to your exact wishes. We're looking forward to that car just as much as you are!