Buying a car can be an exciting and nerve-rattling experience — and an expensive one, if you don’t know how to score the best deal.
The average transaction price for a new vehicle was $48,841 in July 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book, while CarEdge estimates that the average price of a used car is $25,512 in September 2025.
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But you can pay much less than average if you follow the right steps. GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT how to get the best car deals, and here’s what it had to say.
Pick the Right Time To Buy
The best time to buy a car is at the end of a month, quarter or year because salespeople often offer more buyer incentives to meet their sales quotas, according to ChatGPT. Timing your purchase correctly can lead to additional price discounts of 5% to 10%.
You should also shop for outgoing vehicle models to score $1,500 to $3,000 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).
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Use Membership-Based Programs
Certain auto membership programs can help you score big savings on car purchases, including the following:
- Costco Auto Program: Members get prearranged price and manufacturer incentives and up to $2,000 off select models, along with discounts on service and parts.
- Sam’s Club Auto Program: The average savings here is around $3,400 off the MSRP, according to ChatGPT.
Finance Wisely and Avoid ‘Dealership Pitfalls’
ChatGPT recommended getting preapproved for car loans from banks or credit unions to land better terms than you’d get with dealer financing. Doing so can also give you stronger negotiating leverage. Whenever possible, you should avoid financing your car with the dealer.
In addition, you should avoid rolling over owed balances on a trade-in, which can lead to negative equity.
Do Your Research and Negotiate Everything
Before you buy, take time to compare prices, trade-in values and fair market values by researching auto sites such as Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book and J.D. Power. This will give you a lot more negotiating power.
When it comes time to buy, negotiate lower “out-the-door” costs, such as fees, taxes and extras — and say no to costly add-ons like VIN etching, rustproofing or dealer warranties.
Finally, if you don’t get the deal you want, don’t hesitate to walk away. This might cause the salesperson to make a better offer. And even if they don’t, you can probably find the right deal elsewhere.
Explore Other Buying Options
You can often find better deals by skipping dealerships and researching online buying platforms and brokers, such as Carvana and Cars & Bids. Just make sure you vet the platforms thoroughly before making an offer on a car.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT How To Get the Best Car Deals: Here’s the Answer
