Most consumers are aware that there are times that are better than others for buying new cars: During holidays or special promotions, and at the end of the month when quotas have to be met, and toward the end of the model year when dealers are trying to make room for next year's models.

But, when is the best time to buy a used car? Are there better times of the month or during the year? The easiest answer is: Yes and no.

Unlike the new car business, used cars aren't tied to new car introduction schedules or special inventory clearance promotions. The particular car that interests you could suddenly appear and be gone a week later. The used car markey isn't like the new car scene; if you don't get the one you like today, you can't go to another dealer tomorrow and snap up a virtually identical vehicle. Used cars are individual; no two are the same. So, you may miss the perfect car if you wait for some special time to get a better price.

The real secret is to be flexible.
Don't be dedicated to one specific make, model or color. The more you restrict your selections, the harder it will be to get a good buy. If you are buying a new Mustang, for instance, your local Ford dealer may have ten on his lot that differ only in color and equipment. In that situation, shopping dealers for a blue one with a t-top makes sense. If you are looking for a used Mustang, on the other hand, you should be more concerned with substance. You might pass by half-a-dozen cream puffs because they aren't blue only to snap up a blue one that isnt nearly as good a buy.

Bargain hunting for a used car also requires savvy and good "horse trading" skill. Here are a few general tips that can help put the odds in your favor:

Shop on a slow business day.
The fewer prospects walking around the lot, the more responsive a seller will be to your offer. Weekends and evenings aren't good, because most people tend to shop on those days. Wednesdays are good, because the dealer has gotten over the crush of the previous weekend and is not anticipating the coming one quite yet.

Shop after new car promotions.
If you prefer to buy from a new car dealer, go right after they've had a big promotion on new cars. There will be a lot of fresh trade-ins that the dealer will want to clear quickly. Also, many of the trade-ins will not yet have been "detailed" (more about that later), so you can make a better assessment of the car's true condition.

Shop for models in low demand.
If you want a special model, try to shop for it when it is in lowest demand. For instance, if you want a convertible, shop for it in winter months. Convertibles are fair weather cars. They don't insulate from the cold well and don't exude the same romance that they do in the spring. Most owners of convertibles get tired of them in cold months. Dealers are much more willing to discount their price when the temperature is in the 30's than when it's in the 70's. Conversely, sedans fetch relatively more in colder weather that they do in summer months when buyers are looking for something sporty to take to the beach.

Other than these few basic tips, the right time to buy a used car is when you find the type of car you want, in good condition, and at the price you want to pay. That's the real secret of smart used car shopping.