Time to buy a new car...need help/tips

muncybob

Appears the frame on the 97 Cavalier is about done, I was told it won't pass state inspection come January. The car really owes me nothing but I was hoping to hit 300k miles, so unless I do some real serious travelling in the next few months I'll fall a bit short. This was the 1st car I ever bought new and I would be happy buying a decent used car now but the Mrs wants new again. I know there are a lot of people here with far more experience buying cars than me so I ask what tips or other sagely advise is out there for a person buying a new car before the end of this year? I've heard stories about going into the dealer close to the end of a given month because that's when better "deals" are cut to meet quotas, etc. but, I'm not sure how real these stories are. What has worked for you? Is there much "wiggle room" on new cars? I seem to recall a thread a few months ago that spoke to buying new cars but as usual I can't find it.

Dabutcher

Usually the larger or volume dealers will give you a better price. Shop around. Sometimes two year old lease returns are clean w low miles and can be had for a good price. Good luck

adb3da

I think there is some truth to the end of the month strategy. We bought our 2010 new at the end of a month but it wasn't necessarily planned. My negotiating skills aren't too refined, but I was able to get the trade-in value up, and sale price down (only some) and I was able to negotiate the addition of a remote start unit. I was happy with the result, but a car buying shark may have been able to do better.

Try not to fall in love with any one car and be willing to walk away from a deal that doesn't feel right.

adb3da

Also, go to edmunds.com and look for their discussion forums. They have dedicated threads to the buying process and prices paid for specific models. It should give you some reference points before you go into a negotiation.

newrival

One way to lessen the hassle of car buying is this:
spend most of your time test driving all possible candidates
narrow it down to your top picks
research reliability/reviews on those top picks
once you weigh your options and have a top pick or two email/fax all dealers in a good distance that have that car with the price and terms you are willing to accept, and see who gets back to you.

sda2mike

i just bought a car using emails to negotiate...i let them know early on if i smelled a game, i would walk..it went as smooth as can be...i did have to reassert my position of power a few times..all in all, it was 1.5 hrs in and out...the car was waiting for me when i arrived...the biggest hassle was my insurance company robots...btw, i bought a honda

PolkieMan

IMHO
The best time is end of month on a Wednesday bad weather day. Between Xmas and New years. Never trade always go in there talking cash / credit union then if you must at the end...... "say what would you give me for ole Betsy?" This time get a hatchback you will still have great gas mileage and you will be able to transport something sizable covered and protected if you need to like SDA 1c's Right now I am looking at the Nissian Versa 5-door (hatchback) I think it's a good buy compared to the others like it.
Do a kbb.com on your car and print it out and take with you if you decide to trade.

PolkieMan

I had State Farm for 20 years try Amica they are much better.

And yes one day, I won't be around, but just sit down order and pay go to the car store and and sign for it and bring it home.

sda2mike wrote: »

i just bought a car using emails to negotiate...i let them know early on if i smelled a game, i would walk..it went as smooth as can be...i did have to reassert my position of power a few times..all in all, it was 1.5 hrs in and out...the car was waiting for me when i arrived...the biggest hassle was my insurance company robots...btw, i bought a honda

muncybob

Mods: I meant for this to be in the Clubhouse so feel free to move it!

Thanx for the info thus far. I plan to do a fair amount of online research. We did the Sunday window shopping yesterday so at least we have started a list of possible candidates. I'm making it easy on the Mrs this time, my only requirements are at least 38 mpg highway and it can't look like a box n 4 wheels

madmax

muncybob wrote: »

[ my only requirements are at least 38 mpg highway and it can't look like a box n 4 wheels

Hey! I resemble that remark! Scion xB

wkjeffers

I put together spreadsheets with the dealer costs for the car and options that you can get from Edmunds or elsewhere. find out if there are any rebates and then hand that to the salesman as soon as he walks up to you. Now they know that you know how much they have in the car and everything else is profit. There is also some destination fee to the dealer and a advertising/support percentage or something that you will have to research......I forget exactly how they define it. I have bought 3 cars like that and it avoids alot of back and forth. PS - my '97Maxima has 510,000 miles and going strong. Good luck. Yo ucan usually get a feel for the dealership in about 15 minutes. If it doesn't feel right then I guarantee you that you should go elsewhere.

maxchau

Try this:
At the end of month, send faxes to the dealers with specifics of what you want and price point. Who ever meets it first gets your business.

nooshinjohn

If you can handle 32 MPG, I am a strong believer in the reliability, all-weather performance, quality and value that Subaru puts in their products. The new Impreza is getting raves, and the Outback will take you places that no other car will. I have driven Outbacks and was able to pull down 34mpg on the freeway, where the car rode with the comfort one would expect from a Buick. Lease returns are a decent choice but here I would lean towards new only because the resale values are well among the highest in the industry, so new would be a more attractive option.

It would not at all suprise me to see that you are driving safely for another 20 years with a Subi.