Car-buying (because my timing is effing splendid).

[Hammer Pants]

My truck's engine died last night — directly in the damn middle of a 100-mile drive, of course — and it can't be repaired.

My choices are new engine, used engine or new car, and I'm going new car, because the economy is great and the future of journalism is so sound. Seriously, I'm not buying a new engine, I don't want to risk a used engine, and I'd like a more fuel-efficient vehicle.

That said, I must be reasonable with this purchase, because any of us at any shop could be laid off at any point, apparently. I'm looking at two similar, used-but-basically-new cars tomorrow that have retail values around $15,500 and listed prices around $16,000.

So, if I like either car, my first bid will be what? And what should I accept?

I haven't bought a vehicle in more than five years — right after I got my first full-time job with benefits after college — and my dad helped me with that negotiation. I will of course demand a CarFax and all of that, but I'm curious about the bidding war.

I'm sure this thread could hysterically veer off course, but I'd appreciate a few serious thoughts in between the jokes. I need to do this relatively soon, because I don't want to pay for a rental any longer than necessary.

Thanks...

 

[pressboxramblings07]

Depends on the cars. What are they?

 

[Diabeetus]

Always walk away like you're going to leave. You automatically get a better deal because they know their odds of getting you go down once you leave.

 

[sportschick]

PM OTD.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Actually, now is a pretty good time to buy.

Car lots are struggling like newspapers right now. They're looking to get rid of inventory ASAP.

 

[Hammer Pants]

Actually, now is a pretty good time to buy.

Car lots are struggling like newspapers right now. They're looking to get rid of inventory ASAP.

That's my hope.

 

[Hammer Pants]

Depends on the cars. What are they?

Both are 2008 Ford Focus SESs. That's the nicest Focus, apparently. That might be like something like the world's tallest midget, but I don't know that I see a better potential buy for the fuel-efficiency, warranty and good interest rate (I have 'A' credit).

I've had decent experiences in nicer Focuses for long rental rides, too.

 

[JayFarrar]

May I suggest, instead of a new car, you should consider a program car
You can get some fantastic deals on cars that were rentals for a year or less.
My car is a program car. Paid about 10 grand for it, was still under warranty, haven't had a hint of trouble out of it in the time I've had it.
The GF is looking at getting a car as well. One place had a 2009 program car and it was on sale for about 11k. The exact same car, just new, was selling for 23k.

 

[Hammer Pants]

May I suggest, instead of a new car, you should consider a program car
You can get some fantastic deals on cars that were rentals for a year or less.
My car is a program car. Paid about 10 grand for it, was still under warranty, haven't had a hint of trouble out of it in the time I've had it.
The GF is looking at getting a car as well. One place had a 2009 program car and it was on sale for about 11k. The exact same car, just new, was selling for 23k.

A man with your screen name can't be wrong all that often. I'll look into it, for sure. Thanks.

Any more suggestions, my mostly-anonymous, waiting-to-be-laid-off comrades?

 

[KYSportsWriter]

My 2006 Cobalt was a program car, and I got it for about 12K less than I would have paid for it new. And I got my dad's employee discount through GM, so that walloped off another few thousand.

 

[sportschick]

May I suggest, instead of a new car, you should consider a program car
You can get some fantastic deals on cars that were rentals for a year or less.
My car is a program car. Paid about 10 grand for it, was still under warranty, haven't had a hint of trouble out of it in the time I've had it.
The GF is looking at getting a car as well. One place had a 2009 program car and it was on sale for about 11k. The exact same car, just new, was selling for 23k.

A man with your screen name can't be wrong all that often. I'll look into it, for sure. Thanks.

Any more suggestions, my mostly-anonymous, waiting-to-be-laid-off comrades?

I got a program car (a 98 Sunfire, shut it!), bought an extended warranty, which paid for itself when my air conditioner went out, and I was pretty happy with the situtation. You can get a pretty good car that just a year or two old and not abused that way.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

Also Hammer, look into GAP insurance if you're buying a newer car. It wasn't that much more to add to my payment, maybe 15-20 bucks a month, but it's worth it to have just in case.

 

[slappy4428]

Buy used.
Simple reason: The previous owner has paid for the automatic and inevitable depreciation the minute they drove off the lot.

 

[buckweaver]

Buy used.
Simple reason: The previous owner has paid for the automatic and inevitable depreciation the minute they drove off the lot.

I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[slappy4428]

Buy used.
Simple reason: The previous owner has paid for the automatic and inevitable depreciation the minute they drove off the lot.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Well, thank you Buck.

 

[Hammer Pants]

Yeah, I'm looking at 2008s with less than 25k miles.

 

[dreunc1542]

Buy used.
Simple reason: The previous owner has paid for the automatic and inevitable depreciation the minute they drove off the lot.

I wholeheartedly agree.

When I was looking a few months ago, this seemed to be the case with most cars, but not Civics. It ended up making more sense just to buy new.

 

[RedHotChiliPrepper]

I've been with my dad twice while buying a new truck, and each time when it came to the negotiating he had a simple line he used that seemed to get him a good deal.

When the salesman would get up to talk to the general manager about knocking of some from the sticker price, my dad always said, "You have one shot to do this. If you have to go back to your general manager again, I'm gone because that means you didn't get me the best deal you could get me the first time."

I think it knocked about 2 grand off the sticker price each time. Of course, my dad's a little more forceful with something like that than I could ever be.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

I've been with my dad twice while buying a new truck, and each time when it came to the negotiating he had a simple line he used that seemed to get him a good deal.

When the salesman would get up to talk to the general manager about knocking of some from the sticker price, my dad always said, "You have one shot to do this. If you have to go back to your general manager again, I'm gone because that means you didn't get me the best deal you could get me the first time."

I think it knocked about 2 grand off the sticker price each time. Of course, my dad's a little more forceful with something like that than I could ever be.

Bingo. This applies even moreso if you're more looking for the best deal than strictly a particular make and model.

HP, if you're willing to look at slightly used cars, consider a more used Honda or Toyota. They're built to last and FWIW, in your shoes I'd look at a two-, three- or even a four-year-old Honda or Toyota before any domestic program vehicle. They're usually made that much better. Will they be the same bargains that you can find with equivalent model year of most domestics? No. But, in general, they will be more dependable and likely won't have an engine malady which leaves you on the side of the road.

 

[qtlaw]

For a good read on the market, look at your local craigslist listings. That should give you a pretty good barometer.