Hey everyone. I'm about to purchase a used car and I think I've found the one I want. It's a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid with about 50k miles. It's from a dealership and it's a certified pre-owned. Listed for $14,991.
My questions are about financing and getting the best price. This is my very first car purchase, all by myself (I'm 24). I'm a member of both USAA and NFCU, but I just applied for a loan with USAA tonight. Waiting for approval tomorrow sometime. Unfortunately I didn't see the car I want in their Car Buying Service but not sure if that gives much of a discount or not. Should I apply for a loan with NFCU also and see who gives me the best rate, and have them bid against eachother, or do that with the dealership? I just don't want a million inquiries after this.
For this car, KBB lists the "sweet spot" at $14,295. Should I ask the dealer to match that or beat that? Here's the link for with the price ranges.
Not sure if I should go in for a test drive, or communicate by email beforehand and get a final price set? Tips and advice are much appreciated! 
A million inquiries are expected when car shopping.
Absolutely do NFCU as well, and if you don't have a stellar rate let the dealership run your credit as well. It'll all get rolled up into a single inquiry if you do them within a specific time period: it's two weeks grace period on even the oldest of the FICO algorithms in use ('98) and a month or longer on the modern and very prevalent '04 and '08 versions.
I would get as close to the $11k private party value as possible because that's the most it is worth to you after you leave the lot. Plus you will have tt&l.
negotiate price via email and to all the dealers in your area.
@chadwick wrote:Hey everyone. I'm about to purchase a used car and I think I've found the one I want. It's a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid with about 50k miles. It's from a dealership and it's a certified pre-owned. Listed for $14,991.
My questions are about financing and getting the best price. This is my very first car purchase, all by myself (I'm 24). I'm a member of both USAA and NFCU, but I just applied for a loan with USAA tonight. Waiting for approval tomorrow sometime. Unfortunately I didn't see the car I want in their Car Buying Service but not sure if that gives much of a discount or not. Should I apply for a loan with NFCU also and see who gives me the best rate, and have them bid against eachother, or do that with the dealership? I just don't want a million inquiries after this.
For this car, KBB lists the "sweet spot" at $14,295. Should I ask the dealer to match that or beat that? Here's the link for with the price ranges.
Not sure if I should go in for a test drive, or communicate by email beforehand and get a final price set? Tips and advice are much appreciated!