Looking for a new car

[DocMarvin362]

Well, the time has come. It was certainly not PLANNED to end up like this, but the Monte Carlo got sucker punched by a small deisel (if there is such a word). I walked away ok, but the Monte has most likely driven her last mile.

I'm not sure how much his insurance company is planning on giving me so far, but I know that I'll have somewhere in the 1,500 down range. I hope that this will help out with the intrest rate a little.

I really would like a Acura RSX, but they stopped making those in 2006, so I'd have to go used, IF I can find one. My second choice would be for a Honda Civic, maybe even the hybrid version. Is it worth the extra $2500-$3000 for the hybrid version??

Since this will be my first car purchase, what kind of things should I arm myself with for when those pesky salespeople come riding my ass like a LSpoo fan rides a corndog??

Also, I can't remember them at this moment, but what Car sales places support Louisiana TECH??

[PawDawg]

Buy a used car with low mileage. You have the world to search at your fingertips.

[johnnylightnin]

I've actually heard that American cars are beginning to out-perform their japanese counterparts...

[splicer]

Find out as much as you can about the car before you talk with them. I look at night at what they have, then use their website to get as much info as possible. Then I'll go to KBB and NADA to get prices. I know exactly what I'll pay before I ever step foot inside.

On our last purchase, I traded in my wife's car (paper's signed and everything, and actually talked them up on the trade) before they ever saw her car.

It usually helps if you have a couple people with you. The more people you have in that little sales room, the more power you have.

[johnnylightnin]

Hey Doc, want a 99 carolla with only 90,000 miles on it? It's virtually new. The power locks don't work, but she is a sweet piece of machinery. Ask huss, he knows.

[DocMarvin362]

OHHH!!!

2005 Type S!!

2003 RSX, but they'd have to come done at least $4K just to get to the Kelly Blue book numbers.

[champion110]

I contact 3 or 4 places by EMAIL. I tell them to give me their best price. Most dealerships have an Internet Sales force now. It is much easier to start going back and forth with a price war by email. They can't trap you in their sales office. Don't let them call you until you get the price down to close to what you want.

As for the Civic Hybrid, I drove one of those before I got my Prius. After driving both, I can assure you that you need to check out the Prius. I have had mine for a year now and that is usually about the time that I get itchy for another car - not this time. I still love this car and know that it was a great buy.

[MattB]

Find out as much as you can about the car before you talk with them. I look at night at what they have, then use their website to get as much info as possible. Then I'll go to KBB and NADA to get prices. I know exactly what I'll pay before I ever step foot inside.

On our last purchase, I traded in my wife's car (paper's signed and everything, and actually talked them up on the trade) before they ever saw her car.

It usually helps if you have a couple people with you. The more people you have in that little sales room, the more power you have.

Yup, do your homework before going in. Check out Edmunds.com etc. and get invoice prices and retail. Know what you want to pay, and stick to your guns. Also IMHO get preapproved from a credit union etc. to have that base covered as well.

Just walk in say I want this one for XXX, and I'm preapproved. They might try to jack with you, but do not be afraid to get up and walk out. 99% of the time they will stop/call you to give you what you want. However if they are the 1% don't sweat it, with all the different ways to shop for cars now, SOMEBODY will give you the deal you want, just be patient.

[AustinDawg]

First of all, if you're buying a new car, pick out EXACTLY what car you want. Get the factory code for every option that you want, including the factory code for the exterior and interior colors. Be extremely specific in your specifications, this creates less work for the salesman, and will increase his chances of wanting to give you a deal. Figure out roughly what this will cost and secure your financing through your bank. Don't finance through dealer-it's all another way for them to screw you.

Next, compile the email addresses for every dealership that sells that car in a certain radius (determined by you). The more dealerships included, the better (I would advise you to include Dallas AT LEAST). Shreveport, Monroe, Alec, Little Rock, Jackson, etc.

Next, send out ONE email to all the addresses you've compiled. Make sure that they can see how many people you're sending this to. This email should list out exactly what you want (all the factory codes). Make sure to reference the fact that you've already done all the test drives, etc and that this should be a quick transaction to whomever sends you the best price. Make it clear that they have to send you the "drive off the lot price" because you'll be bringing a bank check with you. If they don't send a price, or they try to weasel out saying "I'll match any deal in La." or other BS, make it clear that they are out of the hunt. You see, factories give secret rebates to some dealers to try to level the playing field. By including more dealers, you increase your chances of including one getting a special rebate. I did this 3 years ago and got a Toyota 4-Runner for $2000 less than one dealer in Austin told me was his invoice price.

When you get the best price, call everyone else who sent you prices and give them an opportunity to beat it. When you figure out which one is the best deal, go pick up your car. If someone has been dealing with you in good faith and been up front with you, return the favor. Have your ducks in a row when you pick up the car, have your check with you and try to waste as little of his time as possible.

For used cars, I don't know what to tell you. Maybe just buy directly from owner. In no circumstances would I ever advise someone to sit in a dealership with hat-in-hand asking one guy for his best price. Those places are like casinos - everything is designed to give them the advantage.

[Guisslapp]

After driving both, I can assure you that you need to check out the Prius. I have had mine for a year now and that is usually about the time that I get itchy for another car - not this time. I still love this car and know that it was a great buy.

Sure, if you don't mind taking 10 seconds to get to 60 mph, terrible braking and handling, and a top speed of 101 (which would take you 46+ seconds to get to).

[Dwayne From Minden]

Well, the time has come. It was certainly not PLANNED to end up like this, but the Monte Carlo got sucker punched by a small deisel (if there is such a word). I walked away ok, but the Monte has most likely driven her last mile.

I'm not sure how much his insurance company is planning on giving me so far, but I know that I'll have somewhere in the 1,500 down range. I hope that this will help out with the intrest rate a little.

I really would like a Acura RSX, but they stopped making those in 2006, so I'd have to go used, IF I can find one. My second choice would be for a Honda Civic, maybe even the hybrid version. Is it worth the extra $2500-$3000 for the hybrid version??

Since this will be my first car purchase, what kind of things should I arm myself with for when those pesky salespeople come riding my ass like a LSpoo fan rides a corndog??

Also, I can't remember them at this moment, but what Car sales places support Louisiana TECH??

Be a man -

Buy a TRUCK -

Come see John Synco up at Synco Motors here in Homer - he is a proud supporter of Tech Athletics as evidenced by his ads on radio network

[DocMarvin362]

Well thanks for asking everyone. I'm doing ok. X-rays on my spine were ok, even though it was pretty sore. Thanks to TDF for ordering me to go to the ER... not sure that I wanted to go, but I guess it was a necessary evil.

The guy e-mailed me about the overpriced one. He will come down $200 to 16.9. He has "put things into it" which raises it's value 5K over the Blue book value.

[PawDawg]

Well thanks for asking everyone. I'm doing ok. X-rays on my spine were ok, even though it was pretty sore. Thanks to TDF for ordering me to go to the ER... not sure that I wanted to go, but I guess it was a necessary evil.

The guy e-mailed me about the overpriced one. He will come down $200 to 16.9. He has "put things into it" which raises it's value 5K over the Blue book value.

I had the visual of you posting while wearing a neck brace, but it went away pretty quick.

I still like the used car route, but if you insist on spending the money that you and your lawyer are about to get, go with what Austindawg said. He's a pretty "fart smeller".

[deadawg]

Before buying a hybrid do the math. If you are going to keep the car for a while you will probably be better off in the long run getting a hybrid. If you are like me and can only keep a car for a couple years before you get that itch, a hybrid isn't worth it.

[TulsaPup]

I'm looking into a new car within the next year or so. I have a Civic with 180,000 miles on it that is just now starting to neeed a little work, so I'm a fan of Honda - although I'm not crazy about the looks of the new civic. Don't know if any of these will interest you, but these are some of the cars I'm looking into, highest price is mid 20's new:

Honda Accord (2008's look sweet)
Mazda 3 or 6
Mitsubishi Lancer (Haven't looked read deep into it, but they look good and are around 18k new)

I really think a used acura or honda with pretty low miles would be great, I've had my 96 civic for almost 6 years, it was my first car and like I said the problems are just now starting with 180k on it. My brother has an '03 that he loves, very solid cars. The main thing to remember is don't drive in front of trucks, you're a speed bump to them