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Leftover 2024 cars still clog U.S. lots—about 85,000 brand-new 2024s. That’s what amounts to “floorplan pressure” for dealers and leverage for you. They need them out the door. So, if day-supply is high in your ZIP and October cash equals or beats what you’d expect in December (after financing costs), you really should buy now. If not, you wait at least until December and let year-end quotas do the work.
Inventory exists: An estimated ~85,000 new 2024 models remain for sale in late September, far more than last year’s carryover.
Money hurts: The average new-car APR sits around 9.43% for September, which makes “wait for a tiny rebate” less attractive if you’re financing.
0% deals are back: With this back stock, multiple brands advertise 0% APR on select models this month, and some lineups stack cash on top.
AAA says the average cost to own a new car in 2025 is $11,577 a year (that’s $719 less than 2024). Use that number as a benchmark when you compare different trims and loan rates.
1) Check day-supply and VIN age. If your target trim shows ≥60 days on the ground or VIN build dates older than 180 days, aim for 10% off MSRP before rebates. Aged metal costs the store money daily. Push. Push. Push.
2) Price the financing, not just the car. On a $40,000 loan over 60 months at 9.43%, you’ll pay roughly $10,300 in interest. If a comparable rival offers 0% APR, a “smaller” October discount can still beat a bigger December cash deal once you add interest. Ask the F&I office to match your credit-union APR or show the 0% path.
Quick script for you: “I’m pre-approved at 6.5% APR for 60 months with [Credit Union]. Can you match or beat that? If there’s a 0% manufacturer program, please price that option too and show me the full out-the-door numbers for each.
3) Run a two-email squeeze.
Email 1 (to three dealers): “Buying this week. Please send out-the-door (tax/title/doc itemized) for VIN ______.”
Email 2 (to the runner-up): “Dealer X is at $____ OTD with incentives applied. Beat by $500 today and I’ll place a deposit.”
Keep every number OTD to block add-ons.
4) Stack, then audit. Combine manufacturer cash, dealer discount, and rate support where compatible. Scrub the worksheet: no “market adjustment,” doc fee in line with your state, and the right title/registration. If a 2025 version adds safety or tech you actually want, price that delta explicitly instead of assuming newer is better.
5) Of course, use rival deals as leverage. If your preferred dealer faces a competitor with 0% APR this month, demand either rate support or more cash on your 2024. Dealers always respond well to credible cross-shop pressure.
If day-supply ≥60 and you can lock ≥10% total discount (before taxes/fees)—take the 2024 in October, especially if a 0% APR exists on your shortlist. If supply is tight (<40) or you’d need a high-rate loan, wait for late-December quota crunch and rerun the same OTD playbook.
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Oct 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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