I hate shopping for a car

[madbrian]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:36pm

There should be a support group. It's so stressful, especially when it's being done out of necessity. My daughter totalled our car, and now we have to get another. Fortunately, she only suffered a broken hand, but now we're down a car. We're a three car family - I need one for work, my wife needs one, and my oldest needs one for school. My middle daughter totalled my wife's car two days after getting her license.

Anyway, we're awaiting the insurance settlement (GEICO has been very good so far), and deciding what to do. The settlement should be enough to get a two or three year-old car with just enough miles that it's near the end of its warranty. Or we could get a new car, and take on a little more debt, which I don't need. Also, I just hate haggling with car dealers; I find it worse that negotiating for a house.

[skb2010]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:39pm

I would say craigslist. Granted, some of the stuff on there is crap, but I got my car from a craigslist ad.

[danmag]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:43pm

I just bought a car this weekend (well leased it actually). I went in thinking that with the bad economy the salespeople would be thrilled for a sale, but of course, the guy was a total *sshole! I hate car shopping!!! (but it's nice to have a new car)

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:46pm

this IS the best time to buy a car, as the industry is hurting SO much.
They bent over backwards when Steve bought his.....

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:49pm

I hate car shopping. The whole "Haggling" thing makes me puke. Put the price on the window.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:49pm

Go to edmunds.com, and find out what people are paying in your area for the specific make/model/extras you want; print out the information and take it with you to the dealer.

AND ... be prepared to walk out. I got a great deal on my last car because I stood up and started to walk out because they wouldn't give me the price I wanted. They did.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:50pm

Just remember it's a buyer's market. I was looking at the Volkswagon CC. It looks like a nice car. Don't let any of your daughters drive it.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:51pm

Not for nothing but, I would invest in very serious and lengthy driver ed courses for "Crash," there. Two days of having her license and she totals a car? Even if she's already had it, have her do it over, with a reputable school. Please, for all of us.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 2:40pm

My husband's family used to own a car dealership (thank God they sold it for a healthy sum when they did), so car salesman never mess with us when buying or leasing. They know he knows what he's doing.

That being said, I can understand where you're coming from. I agree with DayDreamer. Be prepared to walk out. Even if you really want the car.

We just leased a Mini Cooper Clubman. We love it, and it get's great gas mileage!

[danmag]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 3:01pm

Stockard, my husband is looking at the Mini Cooper! I'm glad to know you like it!

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 4:45pm

Sorry to hear about your daughter being in a car accident. I remember when I first got my license, which was only a couple of years ago.. I could not be stopped.

Leasing a car doesn't make any financial sense unless you're paying dirt cheap for it - no offense to people who have lease cars. The option to buy at the end of the lease will be much more than what you would have paid for it if you financed the car right off the bat. Even if you decide not to purchase it at the end, all the money you have spent will have gone to ****, as opposed to financing, which will leave you with some value. I have lease a car and took a beating from it. I've learned my lesson.

Buy fuel-efficient. Negotiating isn't so bad if you don't get a ****ty salesperson. Research the prices. Let them suggest a price and then you name a price lower than what you're expecting to pay. They might meet you half way and you might get the car for what you're willing to pay.

For used car values, check out Kelly Blue Book. For new cars, Yahoo Autos is pretty good.
Updated On: 12/22/08 at 04:45 PM

[Yawper]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 5:05pm

bought my current car off a guy's front lawn for $1,600 then put about another $500 into it - Ford Escort wagon - no problems since and it's been almost two years - has 175,000 miles on it, dirt cheap to insure (no collision coverage - not cost effective)

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 5:36pm

Danmag, I LOVE my Mini! The Clubman version is about 24 inches longer than the regular Mini. The regular one has no trunk space hardly at all. I can pretty easily fit my groceries into the trunk of the Clubman, which I know I wouldn't have been able to do in the regular one.

They are so fun to drive!

[danmag]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 6:55pm

He wants the convertible Stockard (a little mid-life crisis thing). I figure my kids and I will never get to ride in it!!

[nygrl232]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 6:57pm

I'll be in the market for a car pretty soon. I have zero experience buying cars, have never even leased a car, and I'm dreading it. It's good that it's a buyer's market, though.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 8:14pm

IMO buy, don't lease. Buying leaves you with an asset. A good car can last 10 years or more if you take good care of it.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 4:13am

nygrl232, here are some additional thoughts regarding owning a car, you may take or leave my suggestions, but I have experience with owning both new and used cars.

Try to take a basic auto mechanics course at some school or college. It will save you thousands of dollars in the long run. A woman exhibiting the slightest naivete about cars, the repair mechanics will talk like they want to be your friend and do what's best for you, then they will burn your fingers (and your bank acount). I have a friend with a used Volvo. Her mechanic said her electrical system was shot and needed a $780. replacement. He charged her $75. just to "look at it". What she really needed was to replace a $12. electrical relay. In an auto mechanics class you may find yourself being its most popular student with everyone wanting to share their knowledge with you.

Buying a new car gives you the best knowledge of its driving and repair history. However good deals can be gotten from used one and two-year-olds previously owned by affluent owners who want the latest greatest every year or 2. If you buy new, the manufacturer's warranty that comes with the car is usually sufficient. The optional dealer's "extended warranties" are usually worthless because they are pro-rated by the age of the car. However if you buy a yearling or so, you will want some kind of warranty from your dealer.

Old cheap cars usually cost more in unwelcome, unplanned and unexpected repairs than they are worth. However, I'm a fond owner of an 1985 Pontiac Bonneville that is in very good condition. Even with a new (at time of purchase) Passat I can't bear to part with it. Being 24 years old with only 38,000 miles on it (no the odometer was never topped-over nor reset!), looking like it is only a year old (only a few very minor scratches on the exterior, with a new-looking original interior) having been well kept and maintained by the original owner (who literally only drove it to the grocery store and church) riding like a new car, I've had no complaints. I bought it at an "estate-sale" after the old woman died. It was an on-the-moment incidental purchase.

I've had no complaints with the Passat, either, but I may trade in for the newer VW CC with a "sexier" look. I'm not yet sure. I'm also looking at a dream engine down the road in a couple years. I need to know more about it because it hasn't been introduced to the market yet. It is still in development. This is a luxury car, but I am also keeping my eyes open for the air cars, if and when they ever come out. An air car would certainly not be my only vehicle.
Updated On: 12/23/08 at 04:13 AM