Any car buying advice?? warnings??

Question

I've been saving up for my first car, and any advice will help. My parents are divorced, Dad lives in another state, and Mom doesn't know anything about cars. I've heard how people try to take advantage of girls especially in buying cars, overcharging, etc... how can I make sure I'm getting a good deal, and a good car?? Dealerships vs. Private Sellers, online?? what's the best way to go? (kinda long, but answers are appreciated ^.~)

Answer 1

ready for the longest answer in history..haha
Ok - I work at a dealer so you have found ur girl for this one =)

******ALWAYS ALWAYS BUY CARS AT THE VERY END OF THE MONTH. SALES WANTS TO GET AS MANY CARS IN AS THEY CAN FOR THAT MONTH AND WILL SOMETIMES GIVE THEM AWAY TO GET THAT ONE EXTRA CAR IN OR BONUS FOR THEMSELVES. I MEAN THE LAST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH ONLY!
This is for new cars only at a dealer ~
new meaning 06 or leftover 2005 and 2004 - maybe leftover 03s which you could really get a better deal on!
1) the dealer sells cars for MSRP(maufacturer's suggested retail price aka window sticker price).

2) dealer gets cars at cost (which is the invoice - another amount)

3)so the lowest you can get a car for is the invoice price.
***Check the website of the make of the car(ie: honda, subaru and see what deals they have - financing specials if you are financing or if they are offering rebates, cash back, free oil changes, etc or the dealer will say he is throwing them in like he is doing you a favor or not even tell you about them cause yea they are heartless crooks =) (I don't sell cars though)

4) So if it is a new car - go to the site below (edmunds.com) and research the model you want to find the invoice. You should also be able to find the invoice price versus MSRP

5)When you go to dealer ask the price of the car that you want. Do not let him know that you know the invoice yet. Salespeople are very pushy and will get rude but who cares it is ur money.

6)If you are trading a car in DO NOT TELL THEM until you have agreed on a price or they will jack up the price of the car you are buying so the amount they are giving you for the trade is really a lie. Say they tell you they are giving you $3000 but only really want to give you $1000, they will mark that car up $2000.
*u said this is ur first though so don't worry about that

7) Find out invoice of all parts and accessories before you add them - they will kill you on aftersale and accessories and warranties.

8) If you are buying a good car, you don't really need to get a warranty consumer reports says - the car's warranties that come with it should be ok.

9) VIN ETCH - this is an aftersale item that can lower your insurance - it is an anti theft device. They put a # on your window and can track a car this way. They would try to charge you at lest $900 for this (in NY at least). You can buy a kit online and do it yourself. So - do not buy it. In NYC, the police stations have them for free. (you will discuss this kind of stuff after you neg a price for the car though not before)

10) Agree on a price for the car. If the window says $25000 and the invoice is $18,500 offer them between $500 and $1000 over invoice. The closer to invoice that you start the better cause if they say no then you have to negotiate up of course.

11) There are several dealers that sell the same cars - if you don't like the salesman go to another. If you want another salesman ask for the sale manager and let them know that. If they do not offer you the price that you want - leave - or tell them you will find it somewhere else. Check the dealers and compare prices and you can always go back to the dealers and say but this dealer offered me this - can you beat that (or match it?)

You can call ahead to these dealers before going down to see what they say over the phone versus what they say in person but don't give ur real name and number over the phone - just ask them for the approx price of the car you are looking for. If you give them ur name and # u are kind of stuck with that salesperson - I mean you can switch like I said but it gets a little nutty.

12) A good deal is within $1000 of the invoice price. That's it. Then they make a little money and you got the car for much less than MSRP.
**THIS DEAL IS BEFORE ANY REBATES OR CASH BACK OR INCENTIVES - $1000 ABOVE INVOICE MAX AND THEN ANY BONUSES SHOULD COME OFF OF THAT. Dealers have all different #s on their invoices - family plans, employees, etc but that is all coded. You can even ask them for a copy of the invoice which they hate to give out. Don't be fooled and think it is the invoice - it may be the MSRP cause they cut and paste these things. It should say invoice and be close to - actually exactly what you researched online beforehand. So say invoice is 20,000 and you negotiate $20,500 - if there is $1000 rebate your total cash price should be 19,500 plus tax and title/reg fees depending on what state you are in. get it in writing on a buyer's order. Read it - don't be embarrassed - take your time - they are fast talkers but make someone explain all of it.

13) If you finance (take a loan from a bank for part or all of the price of the car) , be prepared about ur credit score and info. Is it good ? Is it bad? Can they get a better rate at a different bank? Can they get a longer term to pay off the loan? etc.
a good term is 60 months.
a good rate is between 1-8.5%
*don't be fooled by 0% rates. They normally are only good for 24 months and then if you don't pay it off, the rate will be insane.
* you said that you save up but I don't know if you plan on financing part of the car if you buy new. If you do this section applies to you too. If not - it doesn't

ok that is about it for new cars.

As for used cars, check their values at Kelley Blue Book
(you can also look at new car prices here)
http://www.kbb.com/

Make sure you click the correct links for private party, dealer etc for this - it makes a difference - if you see a car you want, find out the basics over the phone and type the info in on this website - easy to do. Mileage, options, yr, make, model, and condition. Print out a copy of what this site says that car is worth. Now often when you see a used car it will differ from what the seller (mostly private)has told you - check it out, drive it, check trunk for any mold, mildew or wetness (flood cars) and then say ok we will contact you or I will contact you and go back home and make sure all the info on the first report from kbb was right - condition, etc - compare that to their asking price. If you want it, negotiate - If they are asking $5000, offer $3800 and so on. You will know a good used car (sometimes) if the seller says $4500 firm - and that means they won't really budge but the car is probably worth it. Ask about accidents or damage. Check that the lines meet up on hood and trunk and are even - check dashboard is aligned right - check shocks (push car up and down) If you do want to buy a used car private party - get your mechanic to check it out. I would bring a guy friend with you to all of these places cause you are right - they prey on uninformed women that don't know this kind of stuff - dealers and private parties so see if you can bring someone - anyone with you too

Dealers and used cars are hard to ever know what they are worth cause they go by a NADA book value mostly. But check it on kbb.com anyway to get an idea - they will overcharge you.
Private party is tough - you don't know what you are getting sometimes and if it really is what they say it is - taking a big risk that can sometimes be worth it and a nightmare . Normally at a dealer, they give you written free warranties on used cars and in most states they have lemons laws.

So that is ur choice to make - new, used, private or dealer but I just bought a new car after having a 1994 =O Honda for several years and a Nissan Maxima before that.

My advice on ur 1st new car...my hands are tired from typing =) Ok- it would depend on where you live (like if you want all wheel drive or not) but there are a few makes that are stylish, excellent cars, reliable, little problems and rated very well - almost perfect if not perfect in Consumer Reports.
1)Honda Accord - any model there are 2 models LX & Ex
EX is the nicer more expensive (sunroof, etc) but LX is nice and you can get the options that you want (the 2005 2 door and 4 door are beautiful- hondas are the most reliable car ever - will run for ever - and ever - the best cars - really- not one bad review (i worked there so i know) - all good on gas - the best first car to get in my opinion without a doubt. sharp looking and reliable and safe***holds resale value like no other car*** & all Hondas have BOSE speakers and great audio systems a plus
2)Honda CRV - really nice - not that much leg room - I am 5'9" and too tall for it
3)Honda Civic - cheaper Honda - really nice - brand new model this year - small SUV - very good SUV / has all wheel drive
4)Subaru Forester - small SUV - lots of outdoors people love these I just bought the 06 Xt turbo and it is the best car - I love it and it is so cute. nice and roomy, a qucik 4 cylinder but gas is expensive only cause it's a turbo - they make 3 models the XT is the highest and then there is the LL Bean Edition and the regular edition - this has AWD - EXCELLENT car for the $$ no problems, so reliable- drive so well and so so safe.
5)Subaru Outback Sedan - awesome car - car with all wheel drive (all subarus have all wheel drive)
6)Subaru Legacy - again all wheel drive - awesome clean nice car
7)Nissan Maxima - nice but a little pricy a 6 cylinder - all of the others here are 4 except for the accord which comes in 4 and 6 (EX only i think) not the best reviews but goodgood audio
8) pretty much most Toyotas - the new camry is hot - it is, 4 runner ($$$), RAV 4 is a cute, affordable little SUV with some kick
Toyotas are good on gas and most models are good - most.

That is it - finally. wow that was so long - that is a lot of info to take in so feel free to email me any questions at all through the contact me link, ok

good luck and don't give in - yuo can get what you want for a good price, you have more room to negotiate on new cars over used cars and less room private party most of the time.Car loan can be good for your credit - avoid cars that willl be high $$$ insurance (mostly stolen, sporty, etc) Keep it safe and reliable like the ones above and you will be fine - all the cars I listed are awesome - really. I wouldn' t buy American (don't kill me) but no really - there are a lot more problems. If anything maybe the Ford Escape but Fords have problems - I work there now so.... I can tell you any bad ones too so just email me - good luck!

Answer 2

Do lots of research about what's out there. My parent's just bought me a car Saturday, and trust me, it's a long process. Since you are the only one paying for it, you'll want to buy from a private seller (like one you find in the newspaper, but not a dealer). Kelly Blue Book will give you a good idea about what price range to have for certain cars. Call a trusted friend who knows about cars, and have them tell you what to look for in a car. You probably won't want to do this alone, so have someone readily available to help you look at cars. I would also recomend keeping the car under $4,000. This is your first car, not your Mercedes, which you can have in a good 20 years. So keep a decent budget, know what features you want (CD player, A/C) and if you know how to drive a manual, that will save you money over an automatic. (I'm a 16 year old girl driving a stick shift. I'm sure you can learn too.) This is all the advice I have for now, but if I think of anything else, I'll let you know.
PS-Get a car with airbags(great safety feature), and try to keep it newer than a '93, because it will run better and be safer.
BTW I had an '89 Honda Accord. My parents just bought me a '97 Saturn SL and I just feel safer in that car. It runs better and doesn't smoke like my last one.
PSSAlways be ready to say no to a person who is trying to seel you an overpriced car, or a car that just doesn't feel right. There are plenty more out there.

Answer 3

First, realize that you get what you pay for. My first few cars were Rolls Canardlies (rolls down one hill can 'arldy roll up the next). Okay, they weren't quite that bad, but they were cheap and old and had their problems.

Secondly, always take a look under the hood and take it for a test drive (kind of rules out on-line).

Lastly, many people (incorrectly) assume all women know nothing about cars. The best way would be to bring a friend that's a mechanic with you, and see if the seller soils himself (especially if it's a female mechanic). Aside from that, bringing a friend that's a guy to look at the car with you should be enough to keep them from trying to talk up the vanity mirror as a feature.

Answer 4

first off, dealers will rape you for every dollar they can. Its their job. I would highly recommend doing it through a private seller.

Second, always bring the car to a trusted (ASC certified!!!) mechanic and get them to check it out for you and tell you what problems it has, and possibly the estimate of repair costs.

third: DO NOT GET YOUR HEART SET ON A TYPE OF CAR. girls are the absolute worst about this. they look at a car they like and refuse to listen to the words of people that really know cars and end up with something thats just a nightmare to own. Considering youre not looking for a racecar here, i would suffer through not having your dream car and get something that will be a smart car to own.

fourth: online isnt bad, especially to find cars on. I would buy local though. Autotrader and cars.com are just great places to find cars.

fifth: If they say the price is firm, make sure it is. If they say OBO, undercut by about 15% and see if they go for it.

if you have more questions you can talk to me at phanofmuzik on aim. Id be happy to answer any questions you have. Ive had too many good friends just make stupid *** choices on first cars, especially when ive advised them otherwise, and they end up seriously regretting it.

edit: for the first poster: do NOT listen to consumer reports, theyre seriously one of the worst reliability raters there are.

Answer 5

Do your research on the car...edmunds.com is good to check for current market prices. Private sellers are usually cheaper and if you go to a dealership ask for the car facts report...they have it for all their cars. Make sure to always test drive the car! Usually it helps if you bring a male friend who knows about cars along. Good luck!

Answer 6

take someone with you you can trust and do your homework consumer reports, friends, ect and dont buy the first car the sales person puts in front of you shop around visit several dealers and compair how you were treated and if the frist thing the sales person tryes to show you about the vehicle is the mirror on the back of the visor thank them for there time and go else where

Answer 7

Try Craigslist.org, I found a great deal from a real person who lived very close to me. You will not have to deal with a dealer. Most credit unions will give you a check for the price of the car. You can also get legal sales transaction pages on line...Isn't the freakin net awesome!!!

Answer 8

Take advantage of beeing played. let the seller talk to you. Don't be quick to pull your wallet and buy. be will to walk away and do it. The first car you fall in love with could be the worst. You will figure this one out!

Answer 9

just make friends with a grease monkey at school. ask hm to help you out with picking a car. car guys usually like to spread the knoledge, makes them feel better about themselves i guess. i would buy privately myself and take a knowledigble person with you. big words scare sellers into lowering prices ive come to notice.

Answer 10

BUYER BEWARE, you can get a good deal at an auction, but be careful, you being in the general public are going to get the leftovers that the dealers did not want to buy for one reason or another. some reasons can be as simple as the tire tread wasn't sufficient enough to pass thier standards and they do not want to buy a new set of tires for it

Answer 11

Get the consumer reports buying guide.
don't buy new. You'll save thousands right away.
Fuel efficiency should be a major concern.