Agree with others. The drive to meet sales numbers by the end of the month or year can motivate salespeople.

The old "model year" system no longer matters. It used to be that manufacturers would roll out new models in the fall and would be a great time to get "last year's model." Today, manufacturers push new models and updates to the showroom as soon as they are ready. The "end of the model year" sale is always going on somewhere for some model.

Research your intended cars on Edmunds or other site to see when new models are coming out. It might help you get a better deal on the old model or take advantage of the new features coming in.

Consistent with the advice above, in general the best time to buy is at the end of a fiscal period, i.e., end of month, quarter, or year, because salespeople want to make their numbers at each of these milestones.

Winter is good. I would aim for the last week of January.

Yep, now. I would wait until the week after Christmas to to the deal - added pressure to book 2012 sales.

Now. Dealers are trying to shed 2012 model years.

Is there one? We need one in the next year, but don't feel rushed. Is there any particular time of year that you can get the best deals?