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| Thread: Car buying advice |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 · «PREV / NEXT» |
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JoonasTo
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posted September 10, 2010 01:16 PM |
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Pick out few random cars from your price range. A small one, a normal sedan and possibly a wagon or a hatchback. Take each of them for a week's test drive.
Note the differences and what you liked and didn't like in each.
You should pretty much find what kind of car you want.
Then go and take a few of the kind of cars for a test drive, a good way is to take a car that you really don't want to compare along with the ones you're considering.
You're in america so gas price isn't really a factor, a four wheel drive might be a good choice. But four wheel drives are bigger by definition. A front wheel drive car will do almost as good at winter, unless you're planning on a mountain retreat or something. Or you really suck at driving.
I did a quick glance at cars.com, you can get really anything with that money, damn cars are cheap in the states. I'd say test drive a few ones you get recommended from acquintances and what you like and pick the one you liked most.
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Keksimaton
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Talk to the hand
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posted September 10, 2010 01:54 PM |
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I kind of like the ones that have two wheels and you peddle to get the thing moving.
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JollyJoker
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posted September 10, 2010 02:56 PM |
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A word on test drives with NEW cars.
Don't let them fool you. Usually a car model comes with a couple of different engines, transmissions, accessoires and other stuff. Naturally, a dealer has only ONE configuration for test drive.
If that car does NOT have exactly the same configuration than you want (usually for price reasons), e test drive may jst be worthless. The main rule here is, that the dealer will ALWAYS have that configuration available that lets the car shine - this is not necessarily the one with the best engine, but you can bet your pants on that it wn't be the worst either. Plus, the car will have decent extras and accessoires and will look and feel nice.
Keep in mind, that if your buy will not be equipped the way the test drive model is, you will bound to be disappointed one way or another.
That said - NEVER buy the configuration with the weakest engine and the most basic options: not only will you be disappointed, it will hurt the resale value of the car as well.
So IF you go fo a test drive - which is a must - make sure you can drive the exact configuration you have set eyes upon. Go to another dealer, if necessary, phone around.
Never believe a dealer, when he says something like you won't notice any difference between configs - you WILL.
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Another important thing - of course I don't know whether that is the same way in the US.
There are two ways to buy a new car. One is to build your dream car, go to a dealer nd order it. In this case, he car will basically be manufactured for you, and you will have to wait for it. ore importantly, you will have to pay for it.
The second way is, to build your dream car, then go and try to find that car or a ar very similar, that already is at the dealer's.
If you play your cards well, you can get this second car way cheaper - it's not you who wants his dream car, it's you who grudgingly buys a car you actually don't want and he wants to sell. Fake interest for a cheaper model, then "on a whim" try that more expensive one and let the dealer smell a good deal...
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The_Gootch
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posted September 10, 2010 07:06 PM |
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All of this is pretty good advice.
The only thing I'd add is to look at what Consumer Reports says about the cars you're interested in. They usually have an annual auto issue and if you don't want to spend the money for it, you might be able to find a copy at your local library.
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phoenixreborn
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posted September 10, 2010 10:31 PM |
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How long do you keep your cars? Until it breaks? Do you "trade-in"? Should I be hopping from one used car to the next?
Good advice on the test driving.
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JollyJoker
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posted September 10, 2010 11:27 PM |
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NEVER trade in a car. NEVER EVER.
Always sell it yourself.
How long do you keep a car? Depends. If you buy used and old you keep till it completely breaks down. If you buy used, but new you have a lot of options. Selling just before a model remake is due makes a lot of sense.
Buying new is difficult. You lose a lot of money immediately which makes sense only when you sell after your warranty is through. If you keep it from then, you are at bought used and new..
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Binabik
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posted September 11, 2010 06:15 AM |
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JJ, I don't think most of what you said two posts ago would apply in the US.
It's possible that you can still get custom ordered cars here, but it would be rare. As far as I know all factory options are included in packages. You simply pick which package you want, not individual options. The only individual options would be dealer items (things the dealer installs instead of the factory, like upgraded stereos, custom wheels/tires, etc).
For the same reason as above I don't think you should have any problem test driving a car like the one you are interested in.
As a matter of fact they intentionally try to have people test drive different cars so they don't run the mileage too high on any individual car. They don't have "demo" cars like they used to. The old demos were used for test drives and then they were sold at a discount after a period of time, usually with a few thousand miles on them. So they were somewhat between new and used but still carried the full warranty. However now people test drive the new cars and they are still sold as new, but with much lower mileage than the old demos. I'm sure there are some legalities addressing how many miles a car can have and still be sold as new, but I don't know the details. I think a new car can have a few hundred miles though.
But to the point, with only a few option packages it shouldn't be a problem test driving a car like the one you want. Aesthetics like the color might be different, but mechanically they should be the same. If by some chance they don't have one like what you want, you can call other dealers and they might have one. An exception to this might be at small town dealers where they don't have much variety in stock.
Speaking of other dealers. If the dealer where you buy doesn't have the exact car you want (color, options, etc) then they will pick one up from another dealer, even a dealer a hundred or so mile away.
BTW: When it comes to "mileage" on a car, how would you say that in metric countries? I've wondered about that for years.
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Binabik
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posted September 11, 2010 06:44 AM |
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Edited by Binabik at 06:45, 11 Sep 2010.
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Check out the "lemon laws". Here
Also, in some states I *think* there are legal "cooling off" periods. That means that if you buy a car and change your mind within a short period of time you can return the car for a full refund. I didn't see anything about this with a quick Wikipedia search, but I still think there might be laws like this in some states. I seem to recall a cooling off period in California that was something like 5-7 days.
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JollyJoker
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posted September 11, 2010 09:07 AM |
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The package thing does not apply to European cars which makes things complicated for some - it's definitely easier to buy a Japanese one.
Still, there are a lot of configurations possible, I thought. And here I started to look at Mazda USA, and saw, that I'm wrong - there is not much to pick: you can basically pick between 2 different models (same engine, different configuration)with two different transmissions. That seems to be a joke. 
If you go to Europe, you can pick between a 4-door (sedan) Mazda 3 and a 5-door (hatchback).
Then you can pick between either unleaded fuel or diesel. If you pick a diesel you can pick between 80 kw, 110 kw and 136 kw.
If you pick unleaded, you can ggo for 77kw, 111 kw or 110 kw automatic transmission. And so on.
And that's only the JAPANESE cars.
Try to get an Audi configured!
http://ak4-uk.audi.co.uk/controller?next=carline-page&mandant=accx-uk
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Mytical
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Chaos seeking Harmony
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posted September 11, 2010 09:19 AM |
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Most car places make sure that people have full coverage insurance while paying on the vehicle. That way if ANYTHING happens, the car is paid for. IF they are a reputable dealer, often you won't even be able to drive it off the lot without them calling an insurer of your choice to insure the vehicle. That insurer usually faxes them a 'temporary' proof of insurance, and mails you the actual one as soon as possible. They can also claim the car if you let the insurance lapse. Buy here pay here places normally do not bother with this.
Full Coverage pays for your vehicle if somebody else has no insurance or is under insured.
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phoenixreborn
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posted September 22, 2010 03:19 AM |
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My mechanic friend suggested a honda accord:
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Binabik
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posted September 22, 2010 04:36 AM |
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Good cars but way overpriced.
Something I forgot to mention earlier. When you compare prices make sure you are comparing the same thing. There can be a lot of add-ons to the base price. Usually you want the "out-the-door" price.
Don't forget sales tax. At 7% that's $1400 for a 20K car.
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Corribus
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posted September 22, 2010 05:41 AM |
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I've owned two Nissans and I have been very happy with them. I currently drive a 1998 Nissan Altima and will continue to drive it until it falls apart. In 2008 my wife's Honda Civic (a car that doesn't seem to depreciate in value at all) was destroyed in a crash and we purchased a 2008 Nissan Versa as a replacement. We got it for about 11,000 and absolutely love it. Not many bells and whistles but for the price it can't be beat.
I've also owned a Subaru Outback. That think could drive to the summit of Mt. Everest. They're a bit pricey, though. It all depends on your budget of course. I've never been interested in expensive cars, which is probably why I drive a 12 year old sedan that is admittedly showing its age. Still runs like a beauty, though, and that's all that really matters to me. My general philosophy is pay for a decent car but don't splurge. Your extra dollars are better spent on other luxuries.
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I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. -Mitch Hedberg
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phoenixreborn
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posted September 23, 2010 02:27 AM |
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Good stuff Corribus. I agree on the economics. Nissan is one of the car brands I plan to test drive.
I find it tough to get data on amount car repairs over time. Right now I'm operating on the idea that all cars break down frequently.
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Corribus
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posted September 23, 2010 05:04 AM |
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Well if it helps, the most expensive maintenance I've had on my Altima over 12 years includes replacing the brake pads at (IIRC) about 40K miles (few hundred dollars) and replacing the starter at about 60K miles (few hundred dollars). I recently had to recharge my AC, which probably means there's a slow leak somewhere, but over 12 years I don't think that's really unexpected. I can also tell that the clutch is getting a little worn out, but it's not even close to undrivable yet. If it comes down to it, I don't know if I'll replace the clutch or finally buy a new car. Given that I just bought a new house, I'm not eager to take on a car payment right now. Pretty much everything else is just minor wear and tear. Hundred bucks here and there. My radio antenna is getting a little worn out (it's one of the old kinds that goes up and down every time you turn it on - new ones don't do that). Anyway, that's just my experience. Your mileage may vary. But my general impression is that Hondas and Nissans are very reliable, which is why that's pretty much all we looked at when we bought our Versa.
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I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. -Mitch Hedberg
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Binabik
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posted September 23, 2010 07:19 AM |
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Phoenix, have you checked Consumer Report yet? It's the April issue that you want and you can get it at the library. Every year they do a reliability survey with well over a million respondents. They compile the data and publish it in April.
A few notes about repair records though. Cars in general are much higher quality than they were 20-30 years ago. There are several reasons for that including car companies making more effort to product higher quality. But also advances in technology, materials, manufacturing methods such as robotics and precision NC machining, the ability to simulate and better envision complete assemblies using CAD systems, etc.
IMO, as long as the car is in roughly the top third for reliability, then you should look at other things that are important.
Some other small cars that I don't think have been mentioned.
Toyota Matrix
Toyota Yaris
Pontiac Vibe
Ford Focus
Ford Fusion (larger than the others)
All of the above have pretty good repair records.
@Coribus, a 12 year old car is almost brand new to me. A car has to have at least 100k or so miles to be broken in and prove it's worthiness.
If you need a clutch, too bad you don't do your own work. Clutches tend to have relatively cheap parts but very high labor costs so you can save a ton of money doing it yourself. When I bought and sold cars I used to love getting cars that needed clutches for that very reason.
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baklava
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posted September 23, 2010 01:15 PM |
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Quote:
Toyota Matrix
Dude you are so getting the Matrix car.
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is. When you ain't got no
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you got the blues."
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Corribus
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posted September 23, 2010 03:45 PM |
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The Toyota Matrix is a really nice car. I got one as a rental once and really loved it. In fact, I liked it a bit more than the Versa we purchased. But it was a bit more expensive and at the time we didn't want to spend the extra money. Plus with some of the accelerator problems Toyota has been having... well...
@bin
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@Coribus, a 12 year old car is almost brand new to me. A car has to have at least 100k or so miles to be broken in and prove it's worthiness.
My car currently has about 89,000, which actually isn't that much given how old it is. My old Subaru had about 185000 on it when we finally traded it in.
Quote:
If you need a clutch, too bad you don't do your own work. Clutches tend to have relatively cheap parts but very high labor costs so you can save a ton of money doing it yourself. When I bought and sold cars I used to love getting cars that needed clutches for that very reason.
Yeah. When I had it priced out I think they told me it was going to be in the vicinity of $700. Unfortunately, I know about as much about doing car repairs as I do about open heart surgery. I know how to check my oil and change a flat tire and that's about it. lol.
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phoenixreborn
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posted September 24, 2010 02:39 AM |
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Quote:
The only thing I'd add is to look at what Consumer Reports says about the cars you're interested in. They usually have an annual auto issue and if you don't want to spend the money for it, you might be able to find a copy at your local library.
Quote:
Phoenix, have you checked Consumer Report yet? It's the April issue that you want and you can get it at the library.
I'll look this weekend at the library.
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phoenixreborn
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posted October 13, 2010 02:18 PM |
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Anyone have any feelings about Electronic Control Stability or Traction Control? These features seem to be on the more expensive models. How important are they?
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