Car Shopping Today

[PennyLover]

I have today off and I have decided to go car shopping. I'm a little nervous(scared)since I haven't bought a NEW car since.....1992 I think. (I have bought cars--just used ones) But I'm going to at least look.

[Orchid Crazy]

Have fun car shopping! Have you been to www.edmunds.com? once you narrow down your choices a bit, you can go there, get invoice prices (dealership HAS to give you their actual invoice or you can report them to the car manufacturer), get user reviews on the cars and there is also a forum available that will give you a feel of what problems your car might have, satisfaction, etc. I have never paid more than 2% over invoice for a new car.

Have fun!!!

[roxysmom]

I would like to recommend a Nissan Sentra. I bought my 2003 Nissan Sentra last year brand new and I love it! It is my favorite car that I have owned(and only my second brand new car). It is very comfortable for highway driving, it gets good gas mileage (approx 20mpg around town) and it handles very well. It even has good "pep" for a 4-cylinder car. Of course, this is just from my personal experience, and no I don't work for Nissan!:laugh: Good luck, I hope you find just what you are looking for!

[quavec]

They are soooo expensive now! Shop shop shop! Don't settle for what they want to give you, tell them what you want and how much you will pay. Haggle Haggle Haggle! Although I love the good ole USA, I prefer to drive imports...toyota, honda etc. I have just seemed to have better luck w/those. This makes my dad mad but what can I say? I like rice burners. :D Must be the asian in me ;) . My ultimate car would be a hybrid "grocery getter" but with notes so high, I am happy w/my "new to me" Corolla...good luck and let us know what you decide on!

[Me&DappledDuo]

Heheh... Nissan sounds like a good choice to me, too- if you live close enough to New Jersey to take part in this BOGO deal:
Buy a car, get one free! (http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/26/pf/autos/bc.autos.freecar.reut/index.htm)

Nuts, huh?

Haggle! PUSH the cars on your test drives! Don't let a salesguy get away with showing you vanity mirrors, but not mentioning performance! Oh- and have fun! :D

[PennyLover]

Well, I am getting a 2004 Cavalier. Got a GREAT trade in fr my '96 Escort--I think partly because I wasn't completely truthful with what I would give as a down payment. So--once they told me what they'd give me and what my payment would be--I shamefully "remembered" that I had some more money that could part with as a down payment.

And I feel that I did get a deal. While I was "deciding", I went to another place. Told them what they were offering. The guy said if I can get that car at that price with that trade in, I should get the car.

So, I did!

[quavec]

Great! And great strategy on the down payment! Like they wouldn't withhold little details and discount to you if you didn't ask! ha! I have two friends in the car business and they said that you can ALWAYS talk them down...way down from the price they are asking....it's more fun for them to try to outwit you! Enjoy your new ride and send us some pics!

[Juneysmom]

A few hints on car shopping for the future. Research what you want before you go in. When you get there, tell them that they have one hour to sell you a car, do the paperwork and anything else that is needed, otherwise, you are driving off. Salesmen usually keep you there hours in order to get you tired and making a mistake.

Another tip, try to buy from a dealer that your bank or credit union recommends or has fleet pricing with.

Another tip, don't forget that you can get some pretty good deals on pre-leased cars, if you buy from a reputable leasing company.

When I decided on car buying, I researched my cars, decided to buy either a RAV 4 or a Ford Explorer. I went to my Credit Union, and they recommended a Leasing company. I called them, told them what I wanted, they went car buying for me, and brought the cars to the leasing company for me to look at. As it was, I ended up buying a 2 year old LOADED Ford Explorer that had come back early on its lease because of the death of the lessee. I spent no time looking for a car, only looking at the cars that were brought to the leasing office away from the salesperson. Then all I did after was to sign papers, then I was outta there. :)

[Patt]

Congratulations on your new Cavalier. Here's to many happy miles of driving. :D

[blueyezz74]

The new Cavaliers are cute little cars!

I myself have a 2003 Grand Am GT. I can't wait for another 2 years because I really want an small SUV but don't see spending all the money on gas right now driving to work and then school 2-3 nights a week (it's 25 miles from home!)

I try to stick with Gm cars since my uncle was a manager and is now retired. I get his discount which can save alot on cars. Plus through work, I get alot of discounts on cars too, like Jeep, Chrysler, GM, Subaru, Infiniti, and the Hummer H2 (Like I need something that only get 8 miles to the gallon! :confused: )

[onebigmickeyfan]

in July and I am loving it. Got a good price on it and it fits the entire family. AKA Me Mark the furkids and all their stuff.

[doxunzX3]

Does your furbaby like it? Of course I am sure as long as you take them along. You didn't mention the most important thing what color is it!?!?
Enjoy it and drive safe!:thumbsup: :verycool:

[Otto'sMom]

WOW small world here on the boards. I went SUV shopping Friday too, not really intending to buy without consulting everyone because everyone who knows me felt I'd be ripped off. My 10 year old truck (a pain in my butt since the day I got it for my ex husband, had the truck longer than the husband) has cost me more than a lexus, I swear! I'm never buying a GMC JIMMY again! I think I got a lemon, anyway.
I researched on the internet about a KIA Sorento and the only bad thing I'd read was that the gas milage sucked, but it's a SUV so it's gonna. My JIMMY nearly broke down on the way there and I decided consulting everybody just wasn't in the cards.
I drove off the lot with an Ice Blue 2003 Kia Sorento with some great warranties too. I'd recommend it highly, and Otto can jump right in, but I need a ramp from the back seat to the front. There's so much room in the back he can't jump from there!