Is there actually truth to the "buy SUV's in summer, not winter" saying?

[coconutpete]

In "4 season areas" of course....

I looked at a 4th gen a few days ago and the salesman said "yeah we had 3 of these and they were just sitting here, bu then it started snowing". It made me think ... is there actually truth to the saying that you can get a better deal on a winter capable machine in the summer time? Or do most dealers these days just care about moving inventory.

It of course always depends on how much they own the vehicle for I guess, but if someone is there and offers X - is the dealer going to say "nah it's winter, someone will pay more for this?"

 

[MikeInNH]

Probably is some truth in it.

Most car sales are down this time of year. Jan, Feb and Mar are the lowest car sales months. April, May and June are usually the biggest.

 

[eli_lilly]

Salesmen always say something like that to make you think whatever vehicle you're looking at has ten million other people clawing at a barbwire gate around the lot, waiting to get in to buy that truck you're looking at. "Someone's on their way here to look at this" is another one.

Like MikeInNH said, do your buying now or hold off, cause whether it's a 4runner or a plastic flamingo from ebay, the prices go up when everyone starts pissing away their tax returns around March-April.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

The winter time logic work not work in the Arizona desert where I live, there is never any snow. It probably depends more on the economy and gas prices. Gas prices are heading back up so more people may be looking for something more economical but then again the economy is picking up also.

 

[stevec5000]

The winter time logic work not work in the Arizona desert where I live, there is never any snow. It probably depends more on the economy and gas prices. Gas prices are heading back up so more people may be looking for something more economical but then again the economy is picking up also.

I'm not sure about 4Runners but the best time to buy motor homes here seems to be right after all the Snowbirds get here in them from Canada in the Fall and then want to sell them during the Winter. The lots that are empty during the Summer are overflowing with the things now. Maybe a good time to buy SUV's would be in the Spring when the Snowbirds leave for the Summer and don't want to drag them back home?

 

[ChaosStarter]

You buy SUVs in the 'summer time' and boats/motorcycles and sports cars in the 'winter time'. Always better deals.

 

[Victor_inox]

You buy SUVs in the 'summer time' and boats/motorcycles and sports cars in the 'winter time'. Always better deals.

Used- yes, new- not necessary.

 

[settytb]

Remember in the summer gas is $4+ a gallon and v8's are scary to people... in winter when gas is like 2.xx or 3.xx it's easier to justify it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[coconutpete]

Hm.. seems there are reasons to buy in summer and reasons to buy in winter in this case.

I'd like to drive up and look at this one this weekend:

2008 Toyota 4Runner Limited Sport Utility 4D 4Wd - Brockton, MA - Copeland Toyota

It's the color I want and it has low mileage. Can't decide if the adjustable ride height is a negative or not - seems like just another thing to break, but I guess worst case you can always replace the bags w/ coils.

The next question becomes; Is this "historical storm" we are getting going ot convince the delaer he should sell this or demand top dollar? Haha.

 

[Sungod]

I think in the pre-internet days there may have been some truth, but not so much anymore. There are always good deals to be had and good buyers to be found since you can search anywhere in the US in a matter of seconds.