Only the aged can recall a time when our country was in such a financial decline food was canned and pennies were hoarded. Now, some ninety odd years later, the Great Depression looms again. In the auto industry, the dilemma is circular. People don’t have money to buy new cars, or even used cars for that matter. Dealerships then lay off their people who join the masses of unemployed Americans without money to buy new or used cars.

Indeed, times are tough but smart car dealerships are fighting back with everything from rebates to incentives that are expected to entice even the most frugal among us to lay down some of their hard earned savings on an automobile. Often, without realizing it, these consumers are performing the most patriotic act of all because when someone purchases an automobile, particularly one that is American made, it keeps our economy going.

Let me tell you more about the types of offers the car shopper can expect to encounter.
First, the autumn of any year is the best time to purchase a car. The model year is ending and dealerships are anxious to deplete their holdings of the current year’s models. Thanks to this year’s sluggish economy automobile manufacturers are offering greater than usual rebates. Even the staid foreign car manufacturers, such as Honda and Toyota, have found their sales have dropped tremendously over these last six months and must offer rebates for the first time since they opened up for business in the United States. These rebates range anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 dollars and change daily and the car buying consumer needs to educate himself so as not to leave this money on the table for the dealer.

Finally, for those who are unaware, many dealerships will allow you to purchase your vehicle with a credit card. The consumer who opts to pay for their new or used car with a credit card, in combination with the many incentives and rebates now being offered, may be making the most fiscally prudent decision ever. There’s no waiting for a loan approval, no danger of repossession should you lose your job, and the credit card company will most likely offer the card holder any number of incentives. These could range from an increase in the annual cash back reward offered by most credit card companies to things like airline or movie tickets. Consumer beware – but be smart and consider all financing options before you buy.