Post # 1
Member
2534 posts
Sugar bee
SO. Here I am again, still carless (what has it been, like 3 weeks?) and getting antsy! Still cranky about it though.
I’m still driving FI’s pickup truck around and totally underestimating other car’s sizes (oh, hey, that car doesn’t look too big from up here! LIES)
I’m fed up with waiting for help (FI is too busy), so now I have to buck up and do it myself.
I’ve been researching and taking notes on how to speak with a dealer, negotiate a car price, what to expect, what to inspect, how to doa trade-in.
I’ve checked my credit score, I’m trying to squeeze into my bank this afternoon for a pre-approval before they close. I plan on printing the KBB trade-in value for my car when I get home (need to confirm the miles).
I’m also going to type up (or find) and print out a form to write down the information I look up about a particular car (i.e. actual value vs. dealer price, carfax report overview, certified or not, etc…. still working on this one.)
For the actual dealership visits, I downloaded Edmunds and KBB apps for on-the-go price comparison, I also downloaded a car loan calculator app. I started organizing my trips to dealers on my EverNote app with photos and descriptions of the cars/service/experience. I put this all on the same “panel” on my android phone so I can just flip to it while I’m there.
I am annoyed that I waited so long, but happy that I’m doing something about it. I hate car shopping, I just want it to be over.
A coworker’s husband at least went to the dealership I plan on visiting today and had a good experience. So that makes me feel better.
If anyone cares, I’m looking into getting a 2009 or newer Subaru Impreza or even a Honda CR-V if the price is right (a little bigger than I want though, but I don’t care anymore). But if I find something better it’s ok… basically anything that handles snow better than my 2001 Chevy Cavalier did, with more than the 2 airbags I had (read: every car in my year range haha)
So, does anyone have car search/car buying tips?
I am trying to know what I’m doing, but I really feel like I don’t.
Post # 3
Member
924 posts
Busy bee
@CakeyP: it sounds like you are well informed! I just bought a 2013 altima after my 2004 cavalier shit the bed, and it is so nice to have a reliable, sturdy car! my cavalier was so lightweight I alwat=ys felt like I was blowing all over the intertate when it was windy! I live in vermont so I needed something that could handle the snow, I know a lot of people around here have cr-v’s and subarus, they are great cars in the snow! something I’ve found really important in car shopping is trusting my gut, if a salesperson is pushy or seems skeezy get out! I was lucky in that my FI is really close with the guy who owns the dealership where I bought my car, so there was zero pressure and we got an amazing deal, the guy who helped me out took a lot of time to show me all of the features on the two models I was looking at ( the altima and the rogue) and really listened to what I wanted and didn’t try to push his opinion on me. Sometimes as a female dealing with anything car related can be a pain in the ass because for some reason it is assumed that women don’t know anything about cars! I would just do my reasearch ( which it seems like you are doing!) and stick to my guns about what I want!
Post # 4
Member
475 posts
Helper bee
If I’m interested in a used car at a dealer, I always go back to this old article on Edmunds for a refresher. It’s long but provides a very interesting perspective along with tips towards the end.
Confessions of a Car Salesman:
http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.html
Btw, I’m a Subaru fan and am on my second one.
Post # 5
Member
2534 posts
Sugar bee
@Moonbear17: Thanks! And I totally agree with the Cavalier feeling like it’s blowing all over the place in windy conditions… I had some trouble steering sometimes because of that! (It’s also why my hands are always at 10-and-2!)
I hear you about the being-a-car-buying-female thing.. that’s why I wanted FI’s help (but he’s busy and also cranky lately).
At least I know what I’m looking at under the hood of a car – I even know how to change my own oil (but it’s horrifying under a car and I just. can’t. deal.) I also have a good BS detector so that’s come up in my favor a few times.
It’s just when you start talking drivetrain, horsepower, and other (mostly important, mostly mechanical specs) that I tune out. I feel like that puts me at a disadvantage, but I really can’t seem to will myself to wrap my head around most of that information (I maybe understand horsepower a tiny bit better lately)
Does it go from point A to point B? Yes? And it stays in one piece? Aweseome.
How is your Altima so far?
FI freaking loves Nissans, he gets stars in his eyes talking about his old Maxima.
Post # 6
Member
2534 posts
Sugar bee
@sarahuccs: That article is fantastic, thank you!!
(I love his writing style, too – very conversational!)
CO is a popular place for Subarus! I had checked out Enterprise for a used Subaru (did you know they sell cars?) and the closest one was in… Colorado! I was like, nope!
Post # 7
Member
1155 posts
Bumble bee
I would enthusiastically recommend both the CR-V and the Impreza. Both are safe, reliable cars that will retain their value and serve you very well. Personally, I drive an Impreza hatchback (2011 Outback Sport model). We went with a Subaru because of the all wheel drive and availability of a manual transmission. Honda’s AWD system works a little differently but for all intents and purposes does the same thing.
My suggestion would be to use the internet to decide on the features you want, then go to the dealer and say “I want to test this specific car.” For most people, gas mileage is more important than horsepower (I mean, unless you’re racing, once you reach a certain point you have enough). Both cars will have plenty of horsepower. Because they’re both great cars, I think it should come down to price and what you personally feel more comfortable driving.
Post # 8
Member
3699 posts
Sugar bee
Are paying cash? Going to finance through the dealer? Have you been pre-approved through your bank?
The biggest thing to focus on is the total price – NOT the monthly payments. Dealers will try to talk monthly payments with you without telling you the interest rate or term, since so many people just thing “yeah I could afford that.” Focus on the final cost, then on how you’ll pay for it. Having your own backup is best (coming with the cash or a pre-approval from your own bank with a decent interest rate.
Don’t let them bundle financing with the price. “We can talk about options, but I have the money, let’s just talk about price for now.” Once you decide on a price, then you can see if they’ll offer you better financing than you can get on your own – a lower interest rate, etc.
Post # 9
Member
1220 posts
Bumble bee
@CakeyP: KBB doesn’t really hold much value when it comes to car buying/selling. Stick with Edmunds and the car’s True Market Value. Do you know a specific car you are looking at? When I bought my car, I did three months of research first, tracked down the EXACT car I wanted, and paid $250 less than my ‘best case scenario’ price. I went in there all on my own too! They will start by asking you what you want to keep your payments at per month… DO NOT TELL THEM! Just say you will worry about your monthly payments once you agree on a price. I started with an offer that was 3% lower than their asking price and went from there. Don’t feel pressured to agree upon a price if you don’t feel comfortable. Also, set a limit for yourself and do not exceed that amount!
Goodness, I could go on for a while. Let me know if you have any questions. I had a great experience purchasing my car.
Post # 10
Member
709 posts
Busy bee
FI and I have a Subaru Impreza (2012) and we love it!! It’s a great little car and a great value. We needed a car with 4 wheel drive and it was one of the only reasonably-priced options out there. I would definitely recommend it!
Post # 11
Member
1279 posts
Bumble bee
It may not be popular but I followed Mr Money Mustaches advice when buying a car. I paid cash for mine and it’s a 2004 from a private seller. I’m not saying this is right for everyone but take a deep breathe before buying a newer car. It is a lot of money in the long run!
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/05/02/car-strategies-to-cut-your-costs-in-four-or-more/
Post # 12
Member
924 posts
Busy bee
@CakeyP: I love it, I’m so so glad that I got it. My fiance really wanted me to get the rougue but it felt like too much of a “mom” car to me, even though I’m a mom! the altima is really spacious, and the trunk is huge! we’re planning on one more and I think it will be a great size. FI has a 3/4 ton dodge diesel truck so we needed a family car. it also gets awesome gas mileage, I average about 35/36 mpg. I also find that nissans have much cooler features compared to other cars in the same price range, mine has a sunroof, backup camera, navigation package with blutooth and sirius xm, plus it has a remote engine starter and external ground lighting!
Post # 13
Member
11287 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
my dh has a subaru impreza. he loves it. it’s great in the snow.
my sister has a honda crv. i thought it would be great but she constantly has problems with it. maybe it’s just hers.
the difference of those vehicles in the snow, the subaru is awd all of the time and the crv is 2wd and automatically turns to 4wd when it deems necessary. imo, less control over that vehicle.
Post # 14
Member
2534 posts
Sugar bee
@vermonster: Good to know! We don’t get a ton of snow here, but when we do… the roads are a disaster. I do like the way teh Outback Sport Impreza’s look, but I don’t have my heart set one one… if I can find one for a good price, great! If not, whatever.
@almostmrsj: Can’t pay cash (too much wedding $ going out the door in the next few months), And I haven’t been pre-approved by my bank. If the dealer is able to give me a better rate, I may go that route (but I plan on having my pre-approval paperwork with me when I negotiate)
@shortie1848: Thank you! I don’t particularly care about monthly payments… I plan on paying this car off early as soon as I have some money freed up (read: am married haha) So I am planning to focus on the overall (out-the-door) price of the car.
Was there anything you did in particular that helped? When did you mention you wanted to finance, or if you had a trade-in, when did you mention that?
@nber0815: Thank you! I’m hoping I can find one in my price range! 🙂
@VikingPrincess: I paid cash for my first car ($3,000 and it lasted me 3 years) but I don’t really have the option to with this car, unless I go below $6,000. I could do it, but I worry about having to buy a car again in a few years (worse, with a mortgage and a family – that’s “the plan”) Nevertheless, I am still considering paying cash on an older car time to time.
A big chunk of my current money is going to be sucked up by the wedding in a few months (SIGH) and I plan on paying the car off early, once we get hitched and move out of our apartment.
Post # 15
Member
2534 posts
Sugar bee
@Moonbear17: We’ve got a similar situation… FI has a Ford Ranger pick-up, and it is NOT a family car (can only hold two people, four if you can squeeze in the fold-down seats in back).
We were kind of hoping that our next car (my next car) could be our first real family car, since I wouldn’t trust my Chevy anywhere near children (it has… issues)
@mypinkshoes: Yeah, I’m leaning more toward a Subaru. I’ve seen comparison videos of 4WD/AWD cars in slippery conditions, and was really surprised at how the CR-V struggled sometimes!
How are the maintenance costs on the Subaru?
Post # 16
Member
1155 posts
Bumble bee
@CakeyP: Our car is a CHAMP in the snow. We put good snow tires on it and have had no issues driving on unplowed highways (thanks, New Hampshire), parking on snowbanks (oh, Boston), and once I drove it up my parents’ neighbors’ very steep driveway with 8″ of snow.
We have had it for three years (purchased in September 2010) and have spent nothing but oil changes, snow tires, and an air filter. Growing up in VT, pretty much everyone has at least one Subaru and I’ve seen many go over 200k miles.
Member
