Looking For A New Set of Wheels!! (Tell Us Your Stories.)

[seoulsearch]

Hey everyone,

With all the recent talk about finances, I'm curious as to what others have experienced when it comes to shopping for cars, especially as a single. Our married friends are welcome to post, too, but I'm especially interested in how other singles handle car shopping on their own.

* Do you enjoy looking for a new vehicle? Do you go to a dealership, buy online, or go through a private seller?

* Do you go alone or take someone with you?

* Ladies, do you feel that car sellers talk down to or will take advantage of you because you're a woman? (I don't mean this as a sexist question at all--I find car shopping to be very intimidating and always take a male relative with me.)

* How are you treated as a single when buying a car? Do you have any tips for the rest of us to make the process go more smoothly?

I'm really looking forward to hearing your stories and learning some useful tips!

 

[Hellooo]

personally I've purchased my used car through a car rental company by going on their website, and also helped 2 of my sisters do the same exact thing with buying former rentals . There's no haggling, the advertised price is what it is, you can try the car out for a few days, get it inspected, whatever, before you commit to purchasing it.

Do I feel that car salespeople talk down to me because I'm a woman? Absolutely. I walked away from a car I was considering at a dealership lot because the salesman was condescending, and he kept spitting out numbers and percentages that did not make sense. I'd had enough sense to bring my financial calculator with me onto the lot and I punched out the time value of money calculations to show him I knew EXACTLY what my cost was to the penny and compared it to his proposal, apples to apples. He tried so hard to sell me on financing through the dealership when I declined several times, I just lost patience with the whole entire process. This might be my naivete speaking, but I was ok with going to the dealership on my own, primarily because i've never cared about cars (other than having something with working AC that would take me from point A to B) so I knew it was never going to be an emotional decision. Also i consider myself financially savvy enough to see through numerical bull.

For me, the car rental purchase option is ideal, I can look at the inventory available at my leisure online, filter for the price range i want, and select the location where I want to pick it up. No dealing with anyone other than someone handing you the keys. Even the actual purchase is seamless, you mail off the payment and contract and you keep the keys and receive your tag.
Car rental companies don't like to own cars after the warranties expire so prices are marked down below what you would typically see on Edmunds or KBB to sell existing inventory and then they replenish with newer models to rent out.

I hate the idea of anyone getting taken advantage of, so I always recommend checking out car rental inventories for used cars when someone mentions they are car shopping. I'm leery of buying through private parties unless it is a cash exchange or someone you know really well, there's just a lot of check fraud.

My first car was through an auction for a few hundred bucks...it was a great piece of garbage that lasted me for a few years so I definitely got my money's worth and then sold it to a junk yard/towing place. My second car i bought from a friend who was moving away, and my current one is from a rental company.

 

[Lynx]

I dunno... I never dealt with financing through the dealership because I never bought from that kind of dealer. I always buy from the little used car lot with nine or ten cars out front.

First car I bought from my mother and stepfather, and they cosigned on the bank loan. After an argument with a telephone pole I had no car and still had the loan payment. My stepfather says he was surprised I kept paying the loan. I was surprised he was surprised.

Second car I got from a dealer who was a friend of mine at church. He found me a chevy lumina for a flat thousand bucks that was a sweet little car. I got more than my money's worth.

Third car was the minivan I drive now. I went to a used car salesman because a friend said he wouldn't lie to me. And he didn't, for sure... in fact he told me what was wrong with every car I looked at. Might not seem like good salesmanship but when I got my vehicle I knew exactly what I was getting.

As for being a woman - My friend the car dealer at church is a good guy. I directed a (woman) coworker to him recently and she was happy with what she got.

 

[JeniBean]

Hmm, I have bought numerous cars and every man tends to treat a woman with little brains when it comes to cars. Since I come from a car family I enjoy these men as I love to show them up, take them on a test drive where I scare the bejeebees out of them (hey I have to know how well the car can handle at corners and bumps). I feel the key is going in confident and knowing what you want. If you are unsure on many aspects, take a knowledgeable person who knows and can wheel and deal. I have never paid the asking price on any car and always walk away with the extras at no cost.

 

[Hellooo]

Jeni, this must have been you on a test drive

 

[sassylady]

I had a Ford Aerostar 6 years ago that had 154,000 and was starting to burn oil. I absolutely could not afford a payment on any kind of a vehicle. I asked God specifically for a car with well under 100,000 miles and one that would lower my insurance. I had gotten my income tax return so I had a specific figure I wanted to be out the door with. I had gone through a long series of power steering parts leaking, including the rack and pinion, and it turned out to be the parts were not fitting together correctly (not the fault of the mechanic). The garage manger was getting pretty tired of seeing me because they were doing the work for free because the parts were bad. But I had to keep paying for an alignment when the rack and pinion was replaced. A factory rep finally hand picked parts and it was all taken care of, and I was reimbursed for what I had paid. One day I was up early while it was still dark and saw a puddle under the front end and thought that's it, I've got to get something now. I got on a website somebody recommended and found a 98 buick lesabre in my price range, with 63,000 miles. I checked it out (I have a good knowledge of engines) and it was a great car and I was out the door with it for $500 less than my limit. I still have it and it runs beautifully and has no rust on it. The blessing of the Lord makes rich and He adds no trouble to it!

 

[JeniBean]

Jeni, this must have been you on a test drive

View attachment 140617

For Sure!!!

 

[wisebeardman]

newest car I got is a 2003, and I got it a few months ago for $500 nothing wrong with it. before that I had a 78 chevy pickup and before that i had a very good condition green 1971 Buick riviera (due south anyone?) but also have had long periods with no car/truck cause it wasnt needed and a waste of money

 

[zeroturbulence]

I just steal mine from the dealership. They have so many that they don't even notice one missing.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

* Do you enjoy looking for a new vehicle? Do you go to a dealership, buy online, or go through a private seller?

Neat thread idea Kim! I do actually enjoy the searching process for a vehicle. I'm all about a bargain! I always start out on-line. I have an amount I am able to pay (in cash - no loans) and I stick to it. I look for vehicles that are rated really well, have higher mileage with potential for many more miles, and are 5-8 years old. These seem to be the cars that, for me, offer the most for my money. I've bought a car from Craig's List, and another from Ebay (private sellers). I've found vehicles on-line that were listed from local dealerships in their used sections. I have traveled up to 3 hours to look at and purchase a used car at a good price.

Ironically, the one lemon we bought was one we purchased on impulse from a dealership. After getting it home, we looked in the glove compartment and actually found a note from the previous owner listing the number and info about lemon laws. Ugh, never again! All vehicles are researched thoroughly before purchase now.

* Do you go alone or take someone with you?

I usually go alone.

* Ladies, do you feel that car sellers talk down to or will take advantage of you because you're a woman?

The last car I purchased, the seller was dishonest about some things on the car, which was obvious when I went to look at it. He tried to talk down to me, act like I was crazy, etc. He did come down on his price, but probably not as much as he should have. I'm not sure whether he'd have done that if I had been a man or had brought a man along. Most people I've dealt with have been respectful and fair.

* How are you treated as a single when buying a car? Do you have any tips for the rest of us to make the process go more smoothly?

My suggestion is to do lots of research, know exactly what you want or are willing to accept, know what a car is worth before going to see it (or at least, before buying it), know that you can ALWAYS find another car if they want too much for this one, and have cash if possible. Better to buy an old car for cash than go into debt on a new one.

 

[tourist]

I just steal mine from the dealership. They have so many that they don't even notice one missing.

Those are called Hot Wheels.

 

[PoetMary]

Here's what I've learned from experience:

1. Know what you want before you get on the lot.
2. Bring your own financing (even if they have an offer you're going to take advantage of).
3. Say no to all the extras.
4. Be willing to walk away.


In my 20 something years as a driver I've had six cars--two used (from private owners) and four new. If I had to get another car today, I'd totally buy a certified used car. Now, there's so much information available to the consumer about previously owned cars that there's no reason not to do a little research and save a ton of money.

 

[Lynx]

Those are called Hot Wheels.

That came about this )( close to making me spray a mouth full of turkey on my computer screen. Good one tourist.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Honestly though... I've been through a few car-buying "adventures" in my day, but the last time I bought a new car was surprisingly painless and quick. This was in 2004, when I bought my accord from carsdirect.com. The whole process took a total of about 2 hours and most of that time was spent waiting for the rep to call me back. I already knew the car I wanted and saw their price on the internet (they had a great price). They didn't try to upsell me at all, and this was for a brand new honda.

The rep just checked their inventory, then told me where the car was available (they had two at 2 different dealers) and if I wanted it delivered to my house or just pick it up from the dealer. I opted to pick it up. He just had me sign and fax over a few papers and went over each paper in detail so I knew what I was getting into (even though the actual contract wasn't signed until I was at the dealer and saw the car in person). He even told me to call him right away of the contract varied even 1 cent from what was agreed upon. It took a whole 15 minutes at the dealership and I was one happy car buyer!

p.s. I still have the car and it still runs great, although the tranny had to be rebuilt at 177,000 miles. Automatics don't last like manuals do. I put 500,000+ miles on my previous honda with a manual trans and it never had a tranny problem.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I forgot a couple things... they offered a very good interest rate and they did have to check my credit which didn't take long.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Oh and I want to add my 2 cents here too, Kim.. the only brands I would consider buying are:

honda/acura
toyota/lexus
subaru
ferrari (j/k)

(with me its all about reliability.)

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

p.s. I still have the car and it still runs great, although the tranny had to be rebuilt at 177,000 miles. Automatics don't last like manuals do. I put 500,000+ miles on my previous honda with a manual trans and it never had a tranny problem.

I heard that Honda trannys aren't reliable, unlike the rest of the car. Is there any truth to that?

I like my Mazda but would prefer a manual. The manual override feature is cool, but it's still not the same and my trans is jerking on the 1 - 2 upshift.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I heard that Honda trannys aren't reliable, unlike the rest of the car. Is there any truth to that?

I like my Mazda but would prefer a manual. The manual override feature is cool, but it's still not the same and my trans is jerking on the 1 - 2 upshift.

Yea the 2003-2004 6-cylinder honda accord tranny's fail like clockwork even though there was a recall. Also, they had a problem with spark plugs popping loose and sometimes destroying the engine. I'm really glad i didn't opt for the 6-cyl version. My tranny was most likely my fault actually because I went way too long between fluid changes... but I change oil when I should.

A mazda 3 was actually one of my top choices when I was looking for a car. They are pretty cool and I wish I had one of those tranny's that could be both auto and manual. You might just be low on trans fluid. That's often the cause of abrupt shifting. Just be sure you get the right type of trans fluid (if its low). The owners manual should say what type.

 

[Donkeyfish07]

Since moving south, I dont think i am ever going to buy another car again. I have one that needs serious repair ill work on in spare time but Im a bike guy now. They are cheaper, they are faster, I get like 70 mpg , and insurance isn't mandatory for bikes here. Saves me waaaay too much money. Im an anti-insurance Nazi though. Anything to keep their dirty grubby paws off of my money.

 

[JonahLynx]

Statistically I'm going to go for a bright red, two-door, V6 coupe with a wing and fog lights. But in actuality I'm just looking for a reliable compact that would be practical if I ever start a family. Insurance companies love me.