TIME OF WEEK

Many people have a Monday to Friday work schedule, so they'll go shopping for a vehicle on the weekend instead of taking time off from their workday. This means the dealership will be especially crowded on the weekends, making it more difficult to ask questions or complete a transaction.

Dealerships tend to be less busy earlier in the week. Pearl says Mondays are especially slow, along with Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A salesperson may be more likely to negotiate on these less hectic days, since there's more time to do so and they'll be more eager to complete a sale.

Depending on the dealership's hours, though, Monday can also be a fairly busy time. Montoya says people are more likely to stop by on Monday if the dealership is closed on Sunday. After all, they've had the weekend to research vehicles and see what's available on the lot.

The time of day can sometimes affect a sale as well. Autotrader says a salesperson may be more eager to go home at the end of the day, and thus more willing to negotiate. Akin says you may have less luck if you try to visit the dealership during the lunch hour.

While timing can help get you some discounts and incentives on your next vehicle, you'll also want to prepare for the purchase in other ways. These can include setting a maximum amount you're willing to spend for the vehicle, including how much you want to put down and how much you can pay each month; checking your credit report to make sure everything is in order; getting pre-approved for an auto loan; and checking with multiple dealerships to compare prices and incentives.