Just like fruits and vegetables, there are good times of year to buy a new car, and there are bad times. The car-selling season officially begins in March, and it runs through mid to late October - but that doesn't necessarily mean that those are the best times to buy. The best time to lease a new vehicle is late in the first quarter of the year or early in the second, March through May. During this time, you should get great leasing rates, rebates from the manufacturers and good residual values. You may even be able to find this good of a deal as early as January.

When the second quarter ends in June, manufacturers start focusing on purchasing instead of leasing. Deals on leasing are no longer offered and leasing becomes expensive. August or September is the best time of year to purchase a new car with either cash or financing. Manufacturers and dealers offer their best incentives on a model at the end of that year. If you buy the current year's model rather than the upcoming year's model, you will get a much better deal.

However, inventory levels are usually depleted by the end of September, so it may be difficult to get the exact car you want. If you're looking for a specific car at a good price, start looking for it at the end of July. October or November is the time to get really great deals. It may be difficult to find exactly what you want since inventories have been depleted. Don't get a car you dislike just because you will get a great deal. You will be more likely to trade-in a car you dislike before you should.

Don't wait until October or November if you want a specific feature or color. If getting a specific car or features isn't important to you, the end of the year is the best time to get amazing deals on a new car. One thing we come across all the time that we think is really bad advice (and is among the reasons we started this website), is that many people will tell you that buying a new car at the end of the model year is a bad idea. They'll tell you that you're basically getting last year's model, and even though you're getting a discount, the resale value is going to be lower. If you're worried about resale value over the next two or three years, you shouldn't buy a new car in the first place.

You should buy a new car if intend to keep it for a long time (five or more years). If you intend to keep the car you purchase for only a couple of years, you will save yourself a lot of money if you buy a used car or lease a new one instead. A great time to buy a new car is on a major holiday weekend such as the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Manufacturers spend a lot money and time on marketing; dealers are aggressive and incentives are good. If you want a good deal on a new car, consider buying on a holiday weekend.

Author Jason Lancaster, an auto business veteran, created AccurateAutoAdvice.com. You'll find accurate advice on the best time to buy a new car and when to buy a new auto.