Best Time of Year to Buy a Golf Cart (Buyer Tips)

You should buy a golf cart in late fall or winter if you want the lowest price. Demand drops hard when courses slow down, the weather turns cold, and dealers are stuck with carts they’re motivated to move. 

That’s when you see off-season discounts, stronger negotiation room, and year-end sales pressure working in your favor. 

But timing isn’t just “buy in winter and call it a day.” If you care more about getting the exact model, color, or features you want, your ideal month may be different. 

Keep reading to see how each part of the year affects price and selection.

Key Takeaways

• Lowest Prices: Shop from November through January for off-season discounts and dealer quota pressure.

• Best Selection: Aim for late winter and early spring (February-April) for new models and fresh trade-ins.

• Strategic Timing: Target holiday sales and model-year changeovers for the deepest discounts on outgoing inventory.

When Do New Golf Cart Models Come Out

New model season is one of the most useful moments in the golf cart year if you care about price.

Most big brands roll out new golf cart model years sometime between late winter and late summer. They want fresh carts on the lot right before golfers start booking tee times and courses get busy. 

It works a lot like the car market: a “2025” model might be announced in March, show up at dealers by June, and sit front and center for spring and summer shoppers.

Some makers, especially those focused on street-legal LSVs, run on a slightly different schedule and may announce new models years earlier, around August or October. 

When that happens, discounts on the outgoing year can show up as early as fall because dealers don’t want last year’s units sitting next to the new line.

The pattern is simple but useful: once a new model is announced, the previous year instantly becomes harder for the dealer to sell at full price. That drop in appeal for them often turns into your best chance to negotiate.

Finding Off-Season Golf Cart Deals

You make most of your savings in the off-season, not during the busy months.

From late fall through winter, golf traffic drops in many areas. Courses see fewer players, resort towns slow down, and the rush to buy new carts fades. 

But the carts don’t disappear. They’re still on the lot, and dealers are still paying to hold that inventory.

Slow months change the math. A discounted sale can be better than no sale at all, especially heading into the year-end. 

Some dealers openly describe fall as their “season for discounts and deals” because they’re clearing space and freeing up cash.

That’s why this is a strong time to push a bit harder on price, extras, or financing. The demand curve tilts in your favor, and the power balance in negotiation moves quietly toward the buyer.

• Dealers have excess inventory.

• Sales staff need to hit annual quotas.

• Financing incentives are often introduced to spur sales.

If you’re shopping during these slower months, browsing electric golf carts currently in stock can help you spot discounted models before spring demand picks back up.

Are Golf Carts Cheaper in the Winter

Winter is the cheapest time to buy a golf cart. That’s the simple answer. [1]

In the cold months, supply on dealer lots stays about the same, but demand falls sharply. Fewer people are playing golf, visiting resorts, or thinking about carts, and that gap pushes prices down. 

Many dealers say December and January are when they have the most flexibility on pricing and throw in the best deals.

Because there are fewer shoppers, your visit stands out. Sales staff may be more open to adding extras. like a windshield, lights, or a rear seat, at a steep discount or even bundled into the final price. 

If you’re willing to shop when it’s chilly and quiet, the savings can be real, often hundreds or even thousands less than buying the same cart in spring.

Winter is also a smart time to compare street-legal golf carts, since many dealers are more flexible on pricing for fully equipped models that are ready for neighborhood and community use.

Best Holiday Sales for Golf Carts

Holidays quietly shape the golf cart market more than most people realize.

Dealers lean on big dates, especially Black Friday [2] and the year‑end holidays, to move inventory and hit their numbers. 

Black Friday often brings bundle offers, small upgrades folded into the price, or limited‑time financing deals meant to get shoppers off the fence.

The stretch from Christmas through New Year’s tends to be even more intense. Many dealerships are closing out their fiscal year and working toward sales targets set by manufacturers. 

That pressure can translate into stronger discounts on previous‑year models, demo units, or specific in‑stock carts, along with more attractive financing for qualified buyers. 

For someone shopping seriously, those moments when dealers are trying to finish the year strong can be some of the best times to negotiate.

What is the Best Month to Buy

Picking the “best” month really comes down to what you care about most: the rock-bottom price, or a strong mix of price and choice.

If you want the absolute lowest price, January usually wins:

• holiday rush is over

• weather is bad, so foot traffic is light

• dealers may still be chasing year-end or early-year targets

That combination makes January the peak buyer’s market.

If you want value plus selection, focus on February and March:

• new models start arriving, so dealers discount older stock

• golf courses and communities often refresh fleets, adding clean used carts to the market

• you see both new-cart deals and a larger pool of used options

To make monthly timing easier to compare, the table below shows how price, selection, and buyer leverage change throughout the year.

How to Get the Best Golf Cart Deal

Most good golf cart deals start long before you shake anyone’s hand in a showroom.

The first step is quiet homework. Look up typical price ranges for the models you’re considering so you’re not guessing. 

A basic new electric cart might start around $6,000, while higher-end or lifted models can land much higher. 

Decide what you truly need, like battery type, seating, and safety features, versus extras you’d only take if the price is right.

Once you have that baseline, treat your search as a small campaign, not a single visit. Talk to more than one dealer, even if it means a longer drive or a phone call with a nearby town. 

Ask each for a written quote and keep notes on what’s included: warranty, accessories, delivery, and any dealer fees.

When you compare offers, focus on the out‑the‑door price, not just the sticker on the cart. That number should include taxes, prep fees, documentation charges, and anything else they plan to add. 

It’s the only figure that really lets you line up dealers side by side and use one quote to negotiate with another without surprises at the paperwork stage.

Negotiating New Golf Cart Prices

There’s a quiet advantage in showing up when nobody else does.

Walk in on a slow Tuesday afternoon in November. The pace is calmer, staff have more time, and you’re not competing with a crowd. 

Be polite but steady, and start by asking about current promotions, especially on last year’s models, demo carts, or units that have been sitting on the floor for months. Those are often the ones they’re most willing to move.

You don’t always have to push straight on the sticker price. It can be more effective to negotiate the full package. Ask what the price would be if it included:

• a lithium battery upgrade

• a canopy or enclosure

• a street‑legal kit or light package

Sometimes the added value in upgrades and accessories outpaces a small cash discount.

The last, and maybe most important, part is being willing to walk away. If the deal doesn’t feel right, thank them and leave your contact information. 

In the off-season, when traffic is thin, there’s a real chance they’ll call you back with a better offer, usually more likely than you calling them.

Should I Buy a Golf Cart Now

Whether you should buy now or wait really comes down to timing and how flexible you are.

Buying now usually makes sense if:

• it’s November-January and you’re seeing clear off‑season discounts

• there’s a year‑end promotion or holiday deal that fits your budget

• you’ve found the exact cart and configuration you want, and local inventory is already thin

Waiting is smarter when the calendar suggests better leverage ahead. For example:

• it’s right before a new model announcement (waiting a few weeks can lower prices on the current model or unlock new features)

• it’s early winter, but selection is poor and you’re not in a rush—holding off until February might give you more choices at a similar price

Most golf cart purchases aren’t emergencies. If you can be patient and line up your timing with the market, you usually come out ahead.

End of Year Golf Cart Sales

The end of the year puts a very specific kind of pressure on golf cart dealers.

From about mid‑December through the first week of January, many dealerships are trying to hit annual sales targets that affect bonuses, factory support, or terms for the coming year. 

That pressure doesn’t just sit in the office; it reaches the sales floor, where every closed deal helps.

In this window, dealers are often more flexible than they were in October. You may find they’re willing to entertain lower offers or bundle in more value just to get contracts signed before the books close. 

At the same time, some businesses and courses are wrapping up their own year-end accounting and choosing to sell or replace parts of their fleets. 

That can send a wave of used commercial carts into the market, which adds more choice and slightly softens prices. For a patient buyer, those two forces together can create a very favorable moment to shop.

Pre-Season Golf Cart Promotions

You can feel the market start to wake up as winter fades.

By late February or March, most dealers are getting ready for the spring crowd. They know interest is about to climb, so they run pre‑season promotions to pull in early buyers. 

The discounts usually aren’t as deep as January’s, but the selection is much better, new models are arriving, and trade‑ins are newer and cleaner.

These offers often show up as value bundles instead of big sticker cuts. You’ll see deals like free accessories, discounted extended warranties, or special financing instead of just “$X off.” 

For someone who wants a cart with current features, ready for the first warm weekend, this window makes sense. You dodge the full peak‑season pricing but still get a high‑quality, up‑to‑date cart with useful extras folded into the deal.

FAQ

When is the best time of year to buy a golf cart for lower prices?

The best time of year to buy a golf cart is usually during the off-season. Winter months often bring lower demand, which leads to winter discounts, end-of-year sales, and post-holiday clearance events. 

During this period, dealers are more willing to negotiate because inventory moves more slowly, and prices often drop.

Which months are cheapest if you want to know when to buy a golf cart?

The cheapest months to buy a golf cart are typically January, February, and December. These months include January sales, February deals, and December clearance pricing. 

Demand is low after the holidays, and many dealers offer winter storage or inventory-reduction sales, creating better buying opportunities for shoppers.

How do seasonal demand and weather affect golf cart pricing?

Golf cart prices change with seasonal demand and weather patterns. Prices usually increase in spring and summer because more people want carts during warm weather. 

In contrast, fall and winter bring lower demand, which leads to price drops, discounts in colder regions, and better deals during non-peak buying seasons.

Are fall and end-of-season deals good times to buy a golf cart?

Fall is a strong time to buy a golf cart because many dealers offer end-of-season deals. Courses and fleets often sell older carts during this period, which increases supply. 

Buyers can find September, October, and November promotions as dealers clear space and prepare for new inventory.

How can buyers plan purchase timing for the best golf cart value?

Buyers should follow a clear purchase timing strategy based on seasonal pricing trends. Shopping before peak spring demand, watching for model-year rollover sales, and paying attention to end-of-year dealer quotas can help secure better prices. 

Off-season months usually offer the best value because demand is lower and incentives are higher.

Your Golf Cart Buying Calendar

The golf cart market runs on a clear yearly rhythm, and timing your purchase can make a meaningful difference. 

November through January favors price-focused buyers, when demand drops and dealers are more open to negotiation. 

February through April suits shoppers who want solid pricing with better selection, thanks to new models and incoming trade-ins. Late summer and early fall are ideal for closeouts and end-of-season opportunities.

By watching seasonal shifts, holiday promotions, and new model announcements, it becomes much easier to spot the right cart at the right moment. 

When you’re ready to turn that timing into a purchase that fits your lifestyle, exploring the curated golf cart collection at Backyard Escapism is a smart next step.

References

1. https://pmarketresearch.com/worldwide-used-golf-cart-market-research-2024-by-type-application-participants-and-countries-forecast-to-2030/

2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Black-Friday-retail

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