Buying a Car at the End of the Year: Myths, Benefits and What Really Matters

Buick and GMC are two of America’s most reliable vehicle brands, and now more than ever, both company’s dedication to building formidable, classic vehicles is paying off. American-made cars are coming off the line faster than ever; in fact, there are more Buick and GMC vehicles available than ever before—and as always, at a great price. At Liberty Buick GMC, we have everything you need to know about saving big money by car shopping this December. You have done your research and you know which Buick or GMC vehicle best suits your needs. You have spent time exploring prices and you have figured what you can best afford. Now, imagine yourself walking into the car lot and eyeing that vehicle you have been wanting. The test drive is over and it is the end of the day. You may be tired and not in the mood to deal with a salesperson, but you came with the intent of getting a good deal and you, the savvy consumer, are determined to make that happen. Because it is the end of the day, and more importantly since it’s the end of the year, your salesperson is more than ready to lock up a deal and get you and your new car on the road to happiness. Now, it is true that our salespeople are always eager to find you, the customer, a great deal; but now, in December, we are even more eager because we need to finalize the year’s sales and make room for next year’s models. What’s on the lot now has to go! Time is of the essence and inflating prices is not our game at Liberty Buick GMC. Needless to say, we are ready to negotiate a great price. Buying at the end of the year is propitious on a much larger scale because it is typically when dealers are most anxious to close a sale in order to meet or exceed the year’s quota. Go vehicle shopping the last two weeks in December and you will find yourself negotiating over a sale that must be made. These two weeks are the absolute best in timing, as new models will be arriving soon and the ones remaining must be sold to make room. As with any significant purchase, research, patience, and mediation skills are necessary. (And maybe a little chocolate for a treat.) In a perfect vehicle-buying situation, the customer, as well as the salesperson, are both benefiting from the process. Waiting until the end of the workday is good for purchasing vehicles, but holding out until the end of the month is better; but if you can withstand the temptation to buy until those last two weeks in December, you will be able to give yourself quite a nice post holiday gift and for the best possible price. It’s worth the wait. The Sale of the Year At Liberty Buick GMC, we have been gearing up for this sale all year—as we do each year—and we have some very special offers to show for it. The following are only a few of the quality vehicles we have on the lot—and, again, these vehicles will not last long: • New 2021 Buick Envision Essence in Satin Steel Metallic. This beauty comes as a 2.0L Turbo ECOTEC 4-cylinder engine that saves you money at the pump and packs a punch on the road. The best part is, this Envision is usually priced at $39,015, but after all our special Black Friday discounts, it ends up at $35,595. That’s over $4,000 in savings! • New 2021 Buick Envision Essence in Cinnabar Metallic with the same engine as the Envision above, but this one also comes with ebony seats, perforated leather seat trim inside. This high-end, luxury Envision usually runs around $45,825, but not at Liberty! Come in now and get it for only $43,451. Nobody has prices that are this low! • All-new 2021 GMC Yukon AT4 in Onyx Black with a 6.2-liter, V8 engine, all-wheel-drive, automatic. This premium SUV comes with all the bells and whistles. Usually listed at $79,820, we are offering it for $79,320. Buy at the end of the year because this time period brings with it sales quotas and mandatory vehicle movement for dealerships. Now is the perfect time for the purchaser. Currently, there are plenty of specials on both Buick and GMC vehicle models with price-cutting so low you will definitely not see them again until this time next year. Hurry in and pick your new car before they all drive off the lot!

Are you old enough to remember when Black Friday was the Friday after Thanksgiving? Yep, the “big sale” used to only be one day a year. There is a lot of history behind this special shopping day that now, in its modern form, lasts for multiple weeks. At Liberty Buick GMC, our Black-Friday deals start November 15th and go until the New Year, because one day just isn’t enough. But, don’t procrastinate because even though we have a full stock of your favorite Buick and GMC vehicles, they will not last long. Black Friday has become the last two months of the year due to its super-sized sales and a hungry consumer market looking for a great deal. Despite financial depressions and tightening pocketbooks, Black Friday has remained a day of deals for decades. For dealerships, Black Friday specials get earlier each year. Turn on the television and you will already see random shopping advertisements for “sales that cannot be beaten.” Whether it’s due to end of year sales quota demands or to make room for more of next year’s models, come November and December, perks for purchasing a car are plenty—especially at Liberty Buick GMC, where you can find some of the best deals on Buick and GMC models anywhere. The Sale of the Year At Liberty Buick GMC, we have been gearing up for this sale all year—as we do each year—and we have some very special offers to show for it. The following are only a few of the quality vehicles we have on the lot—and, again, these vehicles will not last long. • New 2021 Buick Envision Essence in Satin Steel Metallic. This beauty comes as a 2.0L Turbo ECOTEC 4-cylinder engine that saves you money at the pump and packs a punch on the road. The best part is, this Envision is usually priced at $39,015, but after all our special Black Friday discounts, it ends up at $35,595. That’s over $4,000 in savings! • New 2021 Buick Envision Essence in Cinnabar Metallic with the same engine as the Envision above, but this one also comes with ebony seats, perforated leather seat trim inside. This high-end, luxury Envision usually runs around $45,825, but not at Liberty! Come in now and get it for only $43,451. Nobody has prices this low! • All-new 2022 GMC Yukon AT4 in Onyx Black with a 6.2-liter, V8 engine, all-wheel-drive, automatic. This premium SUV comes with all the bells and whistles. Usually listed at $79,820, we are offering it for $79,320. Rest assured, there are PLENTY more vehicles for sale, with even bigger savings than these show above. As always, please email or call with questions you might have about any of our lineup, even those you don’t see on our webpage. You can also stop over and test drive as many vehicles as you like. With the help of one of our experienced technicians, you are sure to find that perfect fit, and at a great price. Buick & GMC: Top-of-the-Line Vehicles that Keep Getting Better Over the past few years, Buick and GMC have managed to top sales and impress buyers in a pretty noticeable way. How have the venerated, American car companies done it, and what makes them so different from all the others? Let’s take a minute and unpack answers to these important questions—after all, if you plan on purchasing a new, shiny car, you want to know why it’s the best. Recently, Buick completely overhauled its entire lineup of vehicles. The well-established car company took a classic that has been around longer than most other sedans, the Regal, and successfully turned it into a luxurious, sturdy, and powerful machine. Something many other car companies are still struggling to produce in a sedan. Buick also created something new and enticing in the Encore, a compact SUV. This sporty ride provides a new face for Buick, something brighter and more vibrant. If Buick has lacked in distant years with marketing themselves as a competitive car company, it sure doesn’t show now. Buick is not only in the game, they are up in front leading the charge, and this is shown not only in the style and stature of their new rides but in their impressive performance as well. GMC has done much of the same over the past few years. Only they have been able to play into their own hand a bit more with the Sierra truck. From its very creation (which reaches as far back as the early 1960s) the Sierra was a huge hit, for both veteran and new truck enthusiasts. What GMC has managed to do is capitalize on something good by constantly keeping it updated with the latest technology, comfort, and high performance capabilities. And it doesn’t hurt that GMC’s SUVs are fan favorites as well with their luxurious comfort and aesthetics paired with rugged power. The Yukon SUVs and Sierra trucks alone have managed to carry GMC far and continue to do so. If you just look at the number of trim levels and add-on features these two beasts carry it’s mind-boggling. Why Shop Black Friday with Us It’s safe to say there has been a shift in recent years for car dealerships to shake off the sales vibe and gravitate towards a more personal feel to the car buying process. But guess what, Buick and GMC dealers have already been doing this. Customer satisfaction has always been number one for us because we don’t want your business for one time only. We want to form a trusting relationship where you feel comfortable bringing vehicles to have work done and you feel comfortable coming back for your next new or used vehicle. Just come into Liberty Buick GMC and see for yourself. We pride ourselves on how much we can help the customer find what he or she wants and needs rather than how many people were convinced to buy something. If a customer has a pleasant experience at a dealership, and if the vehicle purchased performs at top levels for an extended period of time, that customer will always come back—and encourage others to do so as well. It’s a way of thought that works and Buick/GMC do it best. With the sale season on our heels, it can be difficult to justify car shopping in the midst of all the other soon-to-be-made purchases, especially as we navigate ourselves through a lasting pandemic. But, those who know how to shop, who know that sometimes the most money saved is when it is used at the most inopportune time, understand that these last two months of the year are critical. Dealerships are clearing out what they can and it’s for the benefit of the buyer. And, even better, when you buy local you save on service, especially when you shop at Liberty Buick GMC where we “will make sure you get the best price when you purchase and the best service throughout the year.” See you soon and happy shopping!

Charlotte Car Thefts Are Down 31%. Here's How to Stay on the Right Side of That Number According to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), there were 2,163 vehicle thefts in Charlotte during the first six months of 2026. That works out to approximately: 83 vehicles stolen every week. Almost 12 vehicles every day. And that's actually good news compared with last year: CMPD says vehicle theft was down 31% during the first half of 2026. In the same six-month period of 2025, there were 3,127 vehicle thefts. Good habits are the first line of defense, but newer GMC vehicles also offer technology designed to make stealing the vehicle more difficult and help owners respond if a theft occurs. CMPD recommends: Always lock your doors and completely roll up your windows. Never leave the vehicle running unattended, even briefly. Take your keys with you, including valet keys, and never hide a spare key in or underneath the vehicle. Remove valuables from the vehicle entirely. CMPD specifically mentions phones, purses, briefcases, backpacks, cash and even loose change. When shopping, put packages in the trunk rather than leaving them visible inside the passenger compartment. Do not leave registration or insurance cards in the vehicle. Park in a well-lit area, preferably somewhere with surveillance. At home, park in the driveway rather than on the street when possible. Consider an alarm or other theft-deterrent device. CMPD specifically recommends a steering-wheel lock as an additional theft deterrent. They say locks may sometimes be available free from CMPD division offices, depending on supply. Even common sense and good law enforcement advice can’t prevent every incident, but it pays to know the facts. In addition to good habits did you know that GMC vehicles come with many anti-theft and security features built in?  Moreover, GM offers OnStar plans that fit your lifestyle and your budget. At Liberty Buick GMC, our inventory offers a range of available anti-theft and security features. Some come standard and are ready to drive off the lot, unless, of course, you’re stealing them. Anti-theft & Security Features Defined: Theft-Deterrent System (Alarm) The car's built-in alarm. If someone opens a door, hood, or trunk without the key fob, or breaks in, the horn honks and the lights flash to scare them off. It arms itself when you lock the vehicle and shuts off when you unlock it with your fob. Engine Immobilizer A digital handshake between your key fob and the engine. If the car doesn't recognize your fob's unique code, the engine won't start, even if a thief gets inside or tries to hot-wire it. OnStar Basics GM's entry-level connected-services package, usually included on new vehicles for a set trial period. It covers core safety and security services, like crash notification and stolen vehicle help. Some extras (like remote app commands or Wi-Fi) may need a paid upgrade after the trial. Automatic Crash Response If the car detects a serious crash (like an airbag deploying), it automatically contacts an OnStar advisor. The advisor tries to reach you, and if you don't answer or need help, they send emergency responders to your GPS location. Remote Vehicle Commands (Lock/Unlock, Start, Locate) Using the myGMC app on your phone, you can lock or unlock the doors, start the engine (handy for warming up or cooling down), or find the car, all from wherever you are. Locate can also flash the lights or honk the horn to help you spot it in a parking lot. Vehicle Location The vehicle's GPS tracking. It lets you (in the app) or OnStar (if you report a theft) see where the vehicle currently is, so you're never guessing after a theft or a forgotten parking spot. Stolen Vehicle Assistance If your vehicle is stolen, you report it to police, then call OnStar. Advisors work with law enforcement to use the vehicle's GPS to track it down and help get it recovered. Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Once police are involved and confirm it's safe to proceed, OnStar can gradually reduce the stolen vehicle's engine power so it slows to a stop. It doesn't shut the engine off suddenly, which avoids putting the thief or others in danger, and it ends a chase before it starts. Remote Ignition Block If the stolen vehicle is turned off, OnStar can send a signal that prevents it from being restarted. The thief is left with a car that won't go anywhere until police arrive. HD Surround Vision / Security Cameras A set of exterior cameras stitched together into a bird's-eye view on your screen. It's mainly a parking and maneuvering aid, helping you see around the vehicle, but it also gives you better awareness of your surroundings. Actual "security camera" recording features vary by model, so confirm what your trim includes. Teen Driver Parental controls for the car. When a teen's key fob is registered, you can set speed alerts, cap the audio volume, and keep certain safety systems switched on. The car can also give you a "report card" of their driving habits, like hard braking or speeding. It can even mute the radio until seat belts are buckled. Super Cruise GM's hands-free driving assistance for compliant highways. It steers, accelerates, and brakes while you keep your eyes on the road. A driver-facing camera watches your attention and alerts you if you look away too long. It's a convenience and safety feature, not an anti-theft one. 2026 GMC Anti-Theft & Security Cheat Sheet Feature What it does Needs OnStar plan? Theft-Deterrent System (Alarm) Honks and flashes lights if a door, hood, or trunk is opened without your fob No Engine Immobilizer Engine won't start unless it recognizes your fob's code No OnStar Basics Entry-level connected services (crash and theft help), usually a trial period Yes (trial, then paid) Automatic Crash Response Detects a serious crash and connects you to an advisor, who sends help to your GPS location Yes Remote Vehicle Commands Lock, unlock, start, and locate the vehicle from the myGMC app Yes Vehicle Location GPS tracking so you or OnStar can see where the vehicle is Yes Stolen Vehicle Assistance OnStar works with police to track and recover a stolen vehicle Yes Stolen Vehicle Slowdown With police involved, OnStar gradually reduces engine power to stop the vehicle safely Yes Remote Ignition Block Prevents a stolen vehicle from restarting once it's turned off Yes HD Surround Vision Bird's-eye camera view for parking and awareness (not a recording security system) No Teen Driver Speed alerts, volume limits, and a driving "report card" for registered teen fobs No Super Cruise Hands-free highway driving with a driver-attention camera (convenience, not anti-theft) Yes (subscription after trial) Ready for a GMC with more than performance, comfort and style in mind? Visit Liberty Buick GMC in Matthews to explore our selection of new GMC vehicles and the anti-theft and security features available on each model. Our team can show you what comes standard, what additional protection is available and help you find the GMC that fits the way you drive. Because the best vehicle security starts before you ever leave the lot.