Is Now A Good Time To Buy A Car? A Market Guide

Tiny car with coins and finance paperwork

 

The current auto market is defined by shifting interest rates, supply chain constraints, and growing demand for both new and used vehicles. If you are asking, “Should I buy a car now?,” this practical guide provides the data and tips you need to confidently decide whether to purchase a gas vehicle, hybrid, or EV in today’s dynamic market.

Is Now A Good Time To Buy A New Chevrolet?

New cars are, undoubtedly, more expensive now than they’ve been in a while. While market changes are impacting the overall purchase price and discounts on popular models like the Chevy Silverado 1500 and Chevy Equinox EV, your situation is unique. Instead of focusing only on a deep discount, ask yourself: How urgently do you need a reliable new vehicle, such as a Chevy Trax commuter or a Tahoe SUV? Knowing your priorities will help our team determine the best available deals and financing options for you.

Say, for instance, you are driving an older car that constantly requires more money to repair, and you don’t want to sink more money into it. Buying a new vehicle—even at a higher price—can be a smart financial decision. We recommend talking to our finance team about your options. If you’re looking to upgrade from a leased vehicle, you could also stand to benefit from our new vehicle specials.

Is Now A Good Time To Buy A Used Car?

While used cars may be more expensive on average now than in the past, there’s good news for San Luis Obispo used car shoppers. Used cars that are available near Santa Maria are being snatched up faster than ever, meaning that many of the ones that show up are coming off prior leases. This also means that these vehicles are, by and large, more reliable than the average used car that you may find in stock during more “normal” times.

Is Now A Good Time To Trade In A Car?

Yes! Now is the ideal time to buy a car and trade in your old one. Let’s do some hypothetical math:

Say you use our payment calculator to see if buying a $44,000 car is a good idea. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that this vehicle would normally sell for $42,000. If you’re trading in a vehicle that would normally fetch $20,000, but now you can get $23,000 for it, you’re already ahead of the game!

Want to see what the math for your particular situation could be? Use our online payment calculator to find out!

Smart Tips for Deciding When to Buy Your Next Chevy

Buy Your Next Car At CB Chevy

For more context and real buyer stories, don’t miss our customer testimonials. Also, feel free to join the conversation on Facebook. Whether you’re leaning toward a gas model or EV, the right moment might just be now, if you do your homework and move smart. Contact us or stop by our dealership in San Luis Obispo, near Paso Robles.

More from CB Chevy

  • Can You Finance a Used Car? (Guide for San Luis Obispo Drivers)

    Apply for FinancingUsed Vehicle Inventory Yes, you can make a pre-owned vehicle even more affordable by financing it! Just like with a new model, you can apply for a loan to finance a used car to break the cost into manageable monthly payments. If you’re looking for the lowest possible monthly payment, you’re probably wondering:…

  • Are Chevrolet EVs Expensive To Maintain?

    Electric vehicles (EVs) like the Chevy Silverado EV are among the most popular models throughout the country, thanks to perks such as fuel savings and reduced carbon emissions. Yet, many drivers want to know if EVs are expensive to maintain before they move forward with their purchases. To help you decide whether you want to…

  • Why Certified Pre-Owned Cars Are a Smart Buy in 2025

    As new vehicle prices rise, many San Luis Obispo drivers are turning to used cars as an affordable alternative. When shopping for a pre-owned model, they’ll find they have two categories of used models to choose from: traditional used cars and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. While both have had at least one owner before arriving on the…

Saved Vehicles

You don't have any saved vehicles!

Look for this Save icon

Once you've saved some vehicles, you can view them here at any time.

CB Chevy 35.2487, -120.6794.