O/T Does anyone have any car buying tips

hiitdogs

hiitdogs

Cathlete
Hi everyone,

I am at the point where I think I have to get a new car. I have a 1999 Honda Accord, it's a great car but it just doesn't fit our lifestyle anymore - try and transport 4 dogs in a Honda Accord :)

I am looking into the Volvo XC 90 and the Volvo V70, does anyone have any experience with those? I was thinking about getting a 1 or 2 year old car but I would rather lease it instead of taking saved money out of my bank. I am just thinking a brandnew car depriciates in value several thousand $$ the minute I drive out the car lot. Has anyone done a used car lease? Anything I need to look out for.

Any other suggestions about cars that you can recommend, as I said, I have 4 dogs, so I need some cargo space but I am also driving a lot with clients in my car, so gas mileage is really a concern.

When you go to a dealer, how much can you negotiate and how can you find out about how low a dealer may go off the sticker price. I was trying to google on "invoice" price but all the websites just forward you to the dealers in the area. I just don't want to go in there like when I bought the Honda. Bought it brandnew and I think I paid too much for it.

What about trade-ins? Is it better to sell your old car on your own or just not bother and trade it in. According to Kelly Blue Book my care has a trade-in value of $ 5,000, seems kind of high to me.

Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help and I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Carola
 
I only like to lease. When you buy, you can too easily get turned upside with your loan. Also because I do not keep my cars "forever", I like to change every 2 to 3 years. Leasing is easy, I have been leasing since 1995.

As far as invoice price, go to www.kbb.com that is kelly blue book. They give all kinds of pricing info. Just make sure you allow their cookies.
If you are going to go through a dealership, try to find reviews. The dealership can make a huge difference. My husband went through a leasing company and that worked really well.

Good Luck!
 
Edmunds.com is another great place to do your research.

Before I bought my Ford Ranger, I sold my Honda Civic to a Honda dealer nearby for just below the Blue Book value. I had the car detailed and offered them my complete notebook with every receit I had regarding the car of the car.

My husband sold his Toyota to Carmax and got the Blue Book value (about $2400) when the Suburu dealer had only offered him $600 for it as a trade in.

My advice is do you research! Then decide how much you'll pay for the car you want and go from there. And don't be afraid to bring your "brass balls" to the dealer because they want your business.

Have you considered a Honda Element? I've been thinking about that vehicle for myself. iIt's not very pretty, but it's supposedly easy to clean the inside, and what with all the dogs...It's also real time 4-wheel drive, which means it will put itself into 4-wheel drive when you need it.

Susan L.G.
 
Just a word to the wise - my father had a Volvo and loved it - it's a great car. BUT, the cost of maintenance was through the roof. When it came time to buy another car, he ended up with a Honda Pilot as the cost of maintenance and over all cost was a lot lower. Don't get me wrong, Volvo makes a great car and if cost is not an issue, go for it. But if it is, you may want to look around.
 
I would also recommend doing research on Edmunds.com. Check the forums for whichever car you are interested in purchasing. You will find "buying experience and prices paid", this will give you insight into the type of deals people are getting. This is also a great time of year to get a 2006 model possibly under invoice as opposed to waiting for the new 2007 models to arrive, you will have less room for negotiating.

Good luck. And I am biased but I would stick to the japanese cars because they won't kill you with maintenance costs.
 
Thanks everyone, great advise! I checked out those websites and they had information, so I will be able to go to the dealership without getting racked over the coals like last time with the Honda.


One more question, what does bring your "brass balls" to the dealership mean?

Thanks again,

Carola
 
I agree on the Volvo. They are wonderful cars. MIL has one and adores it. But the maintenance is high. DH works in the aftermarket parts industry and not only are Volvo parts hard to get ahold of but they are usually expensive. If you stick to having your car serviced at Volvo it is not as much of a concern.

I am currently looking to come out of my Honda Accord Coupe for the same reason. I have 2 dogs and it is murder to put them in there.

I am considering the Honda Element as well due to the ease of cleaning. I also like the CRV and the Toyota 4-Runner.


Good luck to you!
 
Kirsten,

I was looking at the Honda Element because of the ease of cleaning and some of the ladies at the dog park with multiple dogs have it and highly recommended it. However, I also need to get a car that I can haul my kids and my clients around, not only the dogs :). It's the safety rating of the Volvo and plenty of cargo space that really attracts me to the car.

I was also looking at the Toyota Highlander Hybrid because of the gas mileage, 33 miles per gallon is pretty good in City traffic. But it always goes back to the safety issue.

Do you mind me asking what it is about the maintenance that is high, I keep hearing conflicting statements. Just talked to a friend and they had three Volvos, they said if something breaks on the Volvo the bill is pretty high but they didn't have any problems until the car was 6 or 7 years old. And then I heard from other people aside from you that the maintenance was high.

Oh boy, I hate buying a new car! Choices, choices!

Carola
 
Your brass balls! It's like your cojones, your nerve, your chutzpah!

It was suppose to be like a joke. With some encouragement, too.

Yes, I heard - it was nothing like a joke! (sheepishly leaves...):7
 
No, no, it was my fault, you know I am from Germany, so English is only my second language. And you know us Germans, we don't have a sense of humor}( - but now I get the joke.

Thanks for the encouragement, I sure need it, I already got pissed off with one of the dealerships here. This is not starting out good, we only have two Volvo dealerships and one of them I am not going to, that's for sure!

Have a wonderful day and thanks;)

Carola
 
Volvos & Hondas are both great cars. You can't go wrong w/either IMO.

Definitely check Edmunds. Also check http://www.carpricesecrets.com/L.php?x=7245048. Print out what you find, bring it to your dealer. No brass balls required. Tell them sell it to me for this or I'll go somewhere else.

My dad was a car salesman for 40 years. He said the internet is just killing the business b/c no one haggles anymore since everyone knows what the dealers' costs are. }( He got out of the business & now manages a Play it Again Sports, lucky me! ;-)
 
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