When is the best time to buy a car? Daily News Egypt went straight to the experts for insider tips on when to get the best deal and what season is best to break in a new vehicle. Although it seems logical that cold winter weather or stifling summer temperatures could have an impact on the performance of a new car, the experts maintain that the seasons are all equal when it comes to automotive performance. "The season has no impact on the car's performance; eventually it will see all types of weather, and there's no indication that its better to buy new in any particular season, said Ahmed Omar, a mechanical engineer and owner of a garage. Automotive technology has developed to allow for customized engines designed to adapt to the climates of different regions where cars are sold, with special features for colder and warmer climates that allow cars to run smoothly regardless of weather conditions. "The weather has no impact on a new car. In Egypt and the Middle East region engines are equipped with a special thermostat to regulate temperature in hot weather; they don't just send us the same cars sold in Europe, said Radwan Fathy, manager of the Maadi branch of Al-Masoud dealership. Even the constant use of air-conditioning does no more than guzzle gas, explained engineer Omar. "The air-conditioning has no impact on the car's motor; features like air-conditioning are designed to be used and to withstand wear and tear, he said. Though season is no object in terms of performance, it is everything when it comes to pricing. In general, cars are most expensive during the summer months and before major holidays due to high demand. "People in Egypt like to buy new cars in the summer to use for traveling and to have the benefit of air-conditioning. They also tend to buy cars before holidays such as the Eid, because its tradition to buy new things then, explained Fathy. During these high-demand periods prices can skyrocket, with people willing to pay extra for the prestige of showing off a new car during the holidays or traveling in the summer with a new vehicle. Prices for the latest cars can also peak when new model years are introduced starting in May. When a car is first introduced its price is generally high, while price tags on older model years can be slashed to help the dealer make room for new arrivals. New model years are released through October, with prices generally remaining high through the New Year. The savvy buyer, therefore, will buy early in the year or after holidays for the best deals. "The lowest prices are in the beginning of the year and just after holidays. There are also usually offers in July and August depending on how the year is going in terms of sales, explained Fathy. Other good times to buy are at the end of the fiscal year, the end of the month and during recession periods, when sales tend to be slower. Customers also tend to be scarcer during the weekdays, so it can be to the buyer's advantage to visit then as opposed to weekends when dealers are crowded with customers. "As salespeople we have quotas that need to be filled during each month and year, so when it gets to the end of the period we might have to give better deals to fill our obligations - this can clearly benefit customers that come at the right time, said Kamal Gohary, a salesman at the Kia dealership. The best discounts, however, are to be had at the end of a car's design cycle. When a newly designed model under the same name is released, older models end up far behind the times in terms of technology and appeal. Dealers will be eager to sell of older models, and smart buyers can benefit from deep discounts. "At the end of the day, there's only so much room in the dealership, explained Fathy. "At some point, the old models have to go to make room for new ones, and they usually go at deep discounts.
