decision pending...

[jcstarkey8826]

o.k. so some of you might have read my other posts regarding a new vehicle in the 25k range... well I found a major flaw in the car, blind spots everywhere, and shotty interior. basically the exterior is gorgeous, but the interior lacks MAJOR.

So, I've decided to go with something MUCH lower, like 15k range (which will actually decrease my DTI) and now have auto lending reporting to my credit!!! yay haha

I dont want to ask a car salesman this question because im sure ill be pushed into something. So hopefully you can help.

In that price range I just want a nice car. I like fuel efficient SUVs (more than 22mpg) lol, or stylish cars that get great mpg. (more than 30) but I dont know anything about cars. Anyone know with that price range what are some quality cars I should check out? year and make.

Also, can you get warranties for used cars and are they worth it? Im so scared of getting scammed on this. Its my first REAL auto purchase.

[Cellice]

I would honestly recommend any of the following cars. You can easily buy a ceritified used or even a new one for 15-18K. Extended Warranties are not worth it! Avoid buying a used car with a ton of mileage.

2010-2012 Honda Civic

2010-2012 Chevy Cruze

2011-2012 - Hyundai Elentra

Any of those car will get over 30mpg combined. They are also mass produced so their maintenance costs are low and you can find plenty of new or used ones. I would honestly recommend trying to get a brand new Chevy Cruze. They are very nice and the 2012 are being replaced by 2013 on dealership lots right now so you can get a good deal.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1205_2012_chevrolet_cruze_eco_first_test/viewall.html

The Cruze Eco can get upwards of 40mpg on the highway. The eco model looses a few things to make it light and fuel effecient. If you'd rather have features you can get a normal Cruze and still get excellent gas mileage.

[jcstarkey8826]

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@Cellice wrote:

I would honestly recommend any of the following cars. You can easily buy a ceritified used or even a new one for 15-18K. Extended Warranties are not worth it! Avoid buying a used car with a ton of mileage.

2010-2012 Honda Civic

2010-2012 Chevy Cruze

2011-2012 - Hyundai Elentra

Any of those car will get over 30mpg combined. They are also mass produced so their maintenance costs are low and you can find plenty of new or used ones. I would honestly recommend trying to get a brand new Chevy Cruze. They are very nice and the 2012 are being replaced by 2013 on dealership lots right now so you can get a good deal.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1205_2012_chevrolet_cruze_eco_first_test/viewall.html

The Cruze Eco can get upwards of 40mpg on the highway. The eco model looses a few things to make it light and fuel effecient. If you'd rather have features you can get a normal Cruze and still get excellent gas mileage.

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thank you, I actually like the chevy cruze (from the pictures) I'll have to go check one out today. the prices didnt seem to bad at all. for brand new too!

[Cellice]

Just some information if you go shopping for the Cruze.

Currently Chevrolet is offering total confidence pricing. Which is essentially supplier pricing for everyone. Go to www.gmsupplierdiscount.com/ to find out current prices.

GM is also offering $1000 conquest cash. If you trade in a 99 or newer non GM car you will qualify. There is also $500 bonus cash on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Make sure you take advantage of these rebates.

Remember these rebates are from GM, not the dealership. Therefore, you should be able to get the dealership to give you a nice discount plus these incentives. You should be able to get the car for $2000 below invoice which is a great value!

[jcstarkey8826]

ugh, Im so nervous.

So do I just mention these discounts and they will apply them? do I bargain the price and then tell them about the discounts? will the new car come with a warranty?

I hate car buying btw... nervous all day now

[Cellice]

There is no reason to be nervous. I would recommend you request price quotes by internet first.

Here is something I posted for someone else a while ago:

Here is how I've in general received the best deal

1. Narrow down my research to 2/3 cars
2. Research automaker website for current offers
3. Research edmunds.com for current rebates & incentives (because automaker sites dont list everything available to you. Dealerships will pocket it themselves if you dont know about it)
4. Email 10-15 dealerships to get the best offers on the cars you'd like. Make sure you list EXACTLY what you are looking for and what rebates you qualify for. My experience here shows me that only 10 dealerships will respond, and then only about 5 will give you real offers. This is how I eliminate who I do not want to do business with. If a dealership will not put their price in writting there is something fishy going on. Do not provide them with your phone number until you found the dealership you want to work with.
5. Collect all their offers and determine what you would like to offer (I usually offer 10% less than my lowest offer)
6. Email your offer to all the dealerships that responded.
7. Go buy from the dealership

New cars come with an excellent warranty! You should be able to get them to give you free oil changes as well (if you negotiate well ) DO NOT BUY ANYTHING from the finance manager. Everything he sells is at a huge premium and is mostly useless. There could be things like Extended Warranties (useless), Scotchguard, Paint Protection (**bleep** $10 Wax for $1500...), Vin Etching (Its already on your car from the factory). A common tactic finance managers use is if you get the extended warranty we will lower your interest rate from X to X. Tell him you want the new interest rate but not the extended warranty and if he cannot give it to you walk out.

[Anonymous]

I'd look into Volkswagens. You can get a new Jetta or Golf for under $20k, or a nice used one for less than that. You'll get free routine maintenance for 36 months on a new vehicle, and you'll usually get a lower interest rate on a new vehicle as well.

If you buy new, you'll usually have a 36 month warranty at a minimum, and probably a longer powertrain warranty. If you don't buy new, at least go for Certified pre-owned, which also has a nice warranty. That way you don't need to spend a ton of money on an extended warranty, or worry about costly repairs for a while.

[jcstarkey8826]

I went to a dealer yesterday. He quoted me 18k on a 2012 cruze, I mentioned the $1000 trade in bonus, but he said that was for trucks only and I have an SUV. Then they offered me 3,000 less than KBB trade in value in fair condition for my car. My car has nothing wrong with it at ALL. My father in-law was lead mechanic at chrysler for forty years and keeps this thing up to spec. No body or interior damage, and they come back with a 6K offer. Needless to say I was insulted.

While he was inspecting my car, I used my friends auto trader app to search out cars in the area. Found a chevy dealership 20 miles away selling new automatic cruzes at 16,023. Then I researched my model car that was being sold within 100 miles to see what they were selling for. I matched every detail of my car except color, and found the cheapest being sold within 100 miles was listed at 11,900 with about 40k more in miles than mine. I also found a couple in my mile range, only about 2k more, that were selling for 13-14k.

Now I understand that they have to make a profit and you lose a bit on trade-in, but when KBB has it at around 9k trade in value I was hoping to get offered 8k at least and use 1k for that trade in bonus. Then roll 1k neg equity over and call it a day, but this was annoying and I explained it to the guy helping me, saying that I found cheaper cruzes at another dealership and would not take 3k less than KBB trade in value on the car. He tried to get me to stay while he looked through his "savings book", but I was annoyed with him wasting 2 hours of my time already so I left.

I have a feeling this process isnt going to be a fun one haha

[Cellice]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I'd look into Volkswagens. You can get a new Jetta or Golf for under $20k, or a nice used one for less than that. You'll get free routine maintenance for 36 months on a new vehicle, and you'll usually get a lower interest rate on a new vehicle as well.

If you buy new, you'll usually have a 36 month warranty at a minimum, and probably a longer powertrain warranty. If you don't buy new, at least go for Certified pre-owned, which also has a nice warranty. That way you don't need to spend a ton of money on an extended warranty, or worry about costly repairs for a while.

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I'd avoid german cars if you intend on keeping the car more than 36 months. Do not get me wrong. I love VW! Its probably my 2nd favorite brand. However, their cost of ownership once the free maintenance runs out is silly.

[mygoal750]

jc:  you're doing the right thing..know what your trade-in is worth, and know the price ranges, etc.  and all the rebate info.  Knowledge is power!  And, you'll be surprised how fast they can suddenly find new deals/incentives for you when you say "thanks for your time, but that deal won't work for me."  I bought my car 1.5 years ago, and had to say that 3 times.  Each time, I picked up my purse, and stood up, and put out my hand to shake the salesman's hand, and each time, they suddenly got another "idea" to sweeten the deal.  I got my car at $1,000 less than the price on the car (it was used) and 4 new tires and oil changes for 1 year.  But, be very careful if you're going through their finance dept for a loan.  The original contract they wanted me to sign had the wrong price (they put in the starting price we negotiated from).  It took a long time to find the salesman and get him to confirm that we agreed on XXX price.  But, worth in the long run. All told, I was at the dealership for 3 hours.  but, like you, I knew what I wanted and how much I wanted to spend.

good luck!  keep us posted.