If you’ve been thinking about changing your vehicle — whether to upgrade, save on gas, or get something more reliable — timing is everything. The truth is, the day you walk into the dealership matters. And so does how your loan is structured.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- When is the best time to buy or trade in
- What to check before switching vehicles
- How to make sure your financing works in your favour
1. End of the Month Is Your Friend
Salespeople and finance managers at dealerships often have monthly quotas. That means they’re more motivated to close deals at the end of the month — sometimes even taking a smaller profit to hit their numbers.
Why it matters to you:
You might get better discounts, lower interest rates, or more flexible terms — especially if you’re already financing and trading in your car.
Pro tip: Start shopping around the 25th to the 30th. Be ready to negotiate and move fast.
2. Know Your Loan Type: Open vs. Closed
Before trading in or paying off your current car, check the type of loan you have.
- Open Loan: You can pay it off or trade in early without penalties. This gives you flexibility.
- Closed Loan: Penalties may apply for paying off early. It’s important to check the fine print.
If you’re in a high-interest loan now (especially common with bad credit), getting into an open loan next time gives you a chance to refinance later if your credit improves.
3. Watch Interest Rates – Not Just Monthly Payments
A low monthly payment doesn’t always mean a good deal. Dealers sometimes extend the loan term (e.g. 84 or even 96 months) to make payments look smaller. But you end up paying thousands more in interest.
Always ask:
- What is the interest rate (APR)?
- What is the total amount paid over the loan?
Better credit = lower rates. But even if your credit isn’t perfect, some lenders offer reasonable rates with open terms that let you refinance later.
4. When It Makes Sense to Trade In
Here are some smart times to consider changing your car:
- Your current car is losing value fast (especially luxury or high-mileage vehicles)
- Your loan balance is close to the car’s value (called “equity neutral” — easier to roll over)
- You want better fuel economy (trading in a gas guzzler for something efficient can save $)
- Your needs changed (e.g. new family member, job change, etc.)
Just make sure your new car holds value well, especially if you’re hoping to trade in again later.
5. Timing the Seasons (and Incentives)
Beyond the end of the month, other good times include:
- End of the quarter (March, June, September, December) – extra pressure on dealership targets
- End of the model year – dealerships make room for next year’s inventory
- Holiday sales events – long weekends, Black Friday, Boxing Day
Bonus: Spring and summer are active months in the car market — more selection, more sales, but also more competition. Winter? Less busy, more negotiating power (especially for AWD/4WD vehicles).
6. Make Sure You’re Actually Approved First
Before you test drive anything, make sure you’re pre-approved — especially if you’ve had credit issues before.
Dealers can’t always get you approved, even if they say they can.
At [Your Company], we help Canadians (especially in BC) get pre-approved with real lenders — not guesswork. That way, you’ll know your budget, your rate, and the exact type of vehicle you can drive away in — no games.
7. Final Tip: Don’t Wait Too Long
Waiting too long can cost you:
- Your car’s value may drop more than expected
- Interest rates may go up
- Mechanical problems may start (repairs are expensive)
The best time to change your car? Before it becomes a financial problem.
If you’re driving something that doesn’t fit your life — or your wallet — it might be time to take action.
Ready to Find Out What You Qualify For?
We’ll help you:
✅ Get approved even with bad credit
✅ Browse from thousands of vehicles
✅ Understand your financing clearly (no surprises)
✅ Trade in or start fresh — fast