Buying a new car

[one...two...tree 2,762]

64

Anytime you can buy a new car in the USA for under $15,000 in this day and age, you have done well. Look around everything is $15,000 and up anymore, everywhere at every car dealership, it is the new reality, used to be anything under $10,000 7-9 years ago but not now.

My other thread about credit ratings gave me the idea to ask this and this is "off topic" after all so why not ask! lol

I'm in Central Florida looking to buy a new car and so far my new friend is called the Nissan Versa 1.8, Hatchback, Manual, Air, CD/Stereo, side airbags and a bunch of other standard stuff and that's about it, it's the basic model. Sticker is around $13,985 plus the 3 T's and every other fee the dealer can think up. I'm coming away at $16,900 from most dealers "out the door". A week after I started I've got all but one down to around $14,300 and $14,600 out the door.

I know there are people in here that have bought more cars than I've had hot dinners lol.. what do you think.. am I still being ripped or getting a decent deal? I feel I can still get them to go under the $14k and into the high $13's if I show up right near the end of the month with a blank cheque. Assuming I get approved next time for credit lol

How old are you?

Get out of here. Seriously...how old are you?

[aidan80 9]

A car is usually a very bad investment. Loses something around 20% of its value as soon as its driven off the lot.

Hunt for a bargain slightly used: http://www.carclassifiedsbystate.com/12/ni...ersa/index.html

A car is not an investment like a house or a stock..etc which we hope will typically hold or gain value a car is a product like a pack of batteries it has a shelf life and will in time expire and become useless and worthless. At least thats how I look at it and yes it will lose value the minute I drive it off the lot but I'd rather not have something that may have been someone else problem they unloaded or might be perfect. I'd like to at least once in my life buy a nice fresh new car and enjoy it which is what I'm going to do!

[aidan80 9]

Anytime you can buy a new car in the USA for under $15,000 in this day and age, you have done well. Look around everything is $15,000 and up anymore, everywhere at every car dealership, it is the new reality, used to be anything under $10,000 7-9 years ago but not now.

My other thread about credit ratings gave me the idea to ask this and this is "off topic" after all so why not ask! lol

I'm in Central Florida looking to buy a new car and so far my new friend is called the Nissan Versa 1.8, Hatchback, Manual, Air, CD/Stereo, side airbags and a bunch of other standard stuff and that's about it, it's the basic model. Sticker is around $13,985 plus the 3 T's and every other fee the dealer can think up. I'm coming away at $16,900 from most dealers "out the door". A week after I started I've got all but one down to around $14,300 and $14,600 out the door.

I know there are people in here that have bought more cars than I've had hot dinners lol.. what do you think.. am I still being ripped or getting a decent deal? I feel I can still get them to go under the $14k and into the high $13's if I show up right near the end of the month with a blank cheque. Assuming I get approved next time for credit lol

I agree anytime anyone buys a new car all in including all the hidden fee's and gets a decent price it's a good thing. Take the Nissan Versa 1.6 sticker is $9,900. What it really will cost you from a dealer, price is closer to $12,700 or there abouts for a basic car, no A/C and no stereo with cut down materials and smaller wheels.. At that point I don't mind paying $2,000 more for the few extra and better quality materials, more than one door lock, bigger wheels, bigger engine more powerful engine, CD/Stereo and a few other small things like air!!

Edited September 25, 2009 by aidan80

[William33 110]

Personally, I buy new, because people don't take proper care of their vehicles. I would rather lose 20% on drive off, than rely on some loser that never changed the oil or worse. Which is the probable outcome.....

Spend the extra money and start your own baseline on the vehicle......

[aidan80 9]

Personally, I buy new, because people don't take proper care of their vehicles. I would rather lose 20% on drive off, than rely on some loser that never changed the oil or worse. Which is the probable outcome.....

Spend the extra money and start your own baseline on the vehicle......

I agree with that statement another reason I'm buying new. Don't get me wrong previous two cars where used and first one was perfect only ever wanted a water pump, tires and oil and over 4 years for a car that cost $2,500 that's hard to beat. Second used car cost $2,800 if I remember right and in the first year i had the timing belt done, replaced a wheel, fixed a number of vacuum leaks, replaced the A/C and now it's running perfect but it just isn't my type of car in the end? Anyway I didn't want another 8 year old car I'm hoping if all works out just for a standard, nice clean new car with 0 miles on the clock and no previous abuse no creeks and groans and no weird repairs!

[Teacher Mark 53]

You've got a good deal on the price but you're making 2 mistakes IMHO.

1.) As Marc suggested, I would buy a "pre-owned" car. It's ironic because a mere 15 hours ago I was teaching my ESL students about positive and negative connotations. That was one of my examples.

2.) You're fixated on one type of car. That one sounds like it's popular. I'd look at a few others as well.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Mr. Saigon

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My other thread about credit ratings gave me the idea to ask this and this is “off topic” after all so why not ask! lol

I’m in Central Florida looking to buy a new car and so far my new friend is called the Nissan Versa 1.8, Hatchback, Manual, Air, CD/Stereo, side airbags and a bunch of other standard stuff and that’s about it, it’s the basic model. Sticker is around $13,985 plus the 3 T’s and every other fee the dealer can think up. I’m coming away at $16,900 from most dealers “out the door”. A week after I started I’ve got all but one down to around $14,300 and $14,600 out the door.

I know there are people in here that have bought more cars than I’ve had hot dinners lol.. what do you think.. am I still being ripped or getting a decent deal? I feel I can still get them to go under the $14k and into the high $13’s if I show up right near the end of the month with a blank cheque. Assuming I get approved next time for credit lol

Really? Go to a local car auction and buy a 6 month old repo for 25 cents on the dollar. Let someone else take the major hit for driving the new car off the lot.

[Teacher Mark 53]

My other thread about credit ratings gave me the idea to ask this and this is “off topic” after all so why not ask! lol

I’m in Central Florida looking to buy a new car and so far my new friend is called the Nissan Versa 1.8, Hatchback, Manual, Air, CD/Stereo, side airbags and a bunch of other standard stuff and that’s about it, it’s the basic model. Sticker is around $13,985 plus the 3 T’s and every other fee the dealer can think up. I’m coming away at $16,900 from most dealers “out the door”. A week after I started I’ve got all but one down to around $14,300 and $14,600 out the door.

I know there are people in here that have bought more cars than I’ve had hot dinners lol.. what do you think.. am I still being ripped or getting a decent deal? I feel I can still get them to go under the $14k and into the high $13’s if I show up right near the end of the month with a blank cheque. Assuming I get approved next time for credit lol

Really? Go to a local car auction and buy a 6 month old repo for 25 cents on the dollar. Let someone else take the major hit for driving the new car off the lot.

Great advice. There should be a glut of repos out there. Take advantage.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

My other thread about credit ratings gave me the idea to ask this and this is “off topic” after all so why not ask! lol

I’m in Central Florida looking to buy a new car and so far my new friend is called the Nissan Versa 1.8, Hatchback, Manual, Air, CD/Stereo, side airbags and a bunch of other standard stuff and that’s about it, it’s the basic model. Sticker is around $13,985 plus the 3 T’s and every other fee the dealer can think up. I’m coming away at $16,900 from most dealers “out the door”. A week after I started I’ve got all but one down to around $14,300 and $14,600 out the door.

I know there are people in here that have bought more cars than I’ve had hot dinners lol.. what do you think.. am I still being ripped or getting a decent deal? I feel I can still get them to go under the $14k and into the high $13’s if I show up right near the end of the month with a blank cheque. Assuming I get approved next time for credit lol

Really? Go to a local car auction and buy a 6 month old repo for 25 cents on the dollar. Let someone else take the major hit for driving the new car off the lot.

You probably need a license to buy at the auction.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The new Focus is decent for a compact, drove one in CA when we were out there last. Worth it for the gas economy alone. Think that starts around $15K.

If you can spend a little more the 2-door Altima is worth a look too - but that's edging up to $20K.

[William33 110]

My other thread about credit ratings gave me the idea to ask this and this is “off topic” after all so why not ask! lol

I’m in Central Florida looking to buy a new car and so far my new friend is called the Nissan Versa 1.8, Hatchback, Manual, Air, CD/Stereo, side airbags and a bunch of other standard stuff and that’s about it, it’s the basic model. Sticker is around $13,985 plus the 3 T’s and every other fee the dealer can think up. I’m coming away at $16,900 from most dealers “out the door”. A week after I started I’ve got all but one down to around $14,300 and $14,600 out the door.

I know there are people in here that have bought more cars than I’ve had hot dinners lol.. what do you think.. am I still being ripped or getting a decent deal? I feel I can still get them to go under the $14k and into the high $13’s if I show up right near the end of the month with a blank cheque. Assuming I get approved next time for credit lol

Really? Go to a local car auction and buy a 6 month old repo for 25 cents on the dollar. Let someone else take the major hit for driving the new car off the lot.

Dude, that's ####### advice, as those cars are the one's I am speaking of.....Not taken care of....No oil change and no care overall.. good luck with the issues....Let the buyer beware.....

*Edited for clarity...

Edited September 25, 2009 by William33

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You get the best deals either by buying a year old pre-owned, or buying last year's model new at manufacturer stock clearances.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My other thread about credit ratings gave me the idea to ask this and this is “off topic” after all so why not ask! lol

I’m in Central Florida looking to buy a new car and so far my new friend is called the Nissan Versa 1.8, Hatchback, Manual, Air, CD/Stereo, side airbags and a bunch of other standard stuff and that’s about it, it’s the basic model. Sticker is around $13,985 plus the 3 T’s and every other fee the dealer can think up. I’m coming away at $16,900 from most dealers “out the door”. A week after I started I’ve got all but one down to around $14,300 and $14,600 out the door.

I know there are people in here that have bought more cars than I’ve had hot dinners lol.. what do you think.. am I still being ripped or getting a decent deal? I feel I can still get them to go under the $14k and into the high $13’s if I show up right near the end of the month with a blank cheque. Assuming I get approved next time for credit lol

I started a little business to employ our 14 year old son. (YES it is legal for 14 year olds to work in Vermont!) We go to car auctions together, buy older cars (10 years or so) for $400-500. We clean them up and make repairs toegther and sell them for 2-3 times the price we paid on Craigslist. He gets paid by the hour and my wife and I keep the capital gains for ourselves...business is business. When he saves up some cash he can go 50/50 with us on the cars and I'll split the profits with him when he invests HIS earnings. He can move from "employee" to "partner"

There are lots of almost new re-po's, seriously only 3-4 months old, sometimes a year old, in perfect condition with facory warranties intact. At 25-30% of new price. The auctions only accept cash BUT they will usually hold the car for a few days with a deposit (10-20%) and you will have no problem financing a car for 25% of its value.

[Teacher Mark 53]

My other thread about credit ratings gave me the idea to ask this and this is “off topic” after all so why not ask! lol

I’m in Central Florida looking to buy a new car and so far my new friend is called the Nissan Versa 1.8, Hatchback, Manual, Air, CD/Stereo, side airbags and a bunch of other standard stuff and that’s about it, it’s the basic model. Sticker is around $13,985 plus the 3 T’s and every other fee the dealer can think up. I’m coming away at $16,900 from most dealers “out the door”. A week after I started I’ve got all but one down to around $14,300 and $14,600 out the door.

I know there are people in here that have bought more cars than I’ve had hot dinners lol.. what do you think.. am I still being ripped or getting a decent deal? I feel I can still get them to go under the $14k and into the high $13’s if I show up right near the end of the month with a blank cheque. Assuming I get approved next time for credit lol

Really? Go to a local car auction and buy a 6 month old repo for 25 cents on the dollar. Let someone else take the major hit for driving the new car off the lot.

Dude, that's ####### advise, as those cars are the one's I am speaking of.....Not taken care of....No oil change and no care overall.. good luck with the issues....Let the buyer beware.....

Where do you think the dealers get a large portion of their used cars? I've been in car sales and I know where we got the biggest portion of ours. You're right about the buyer beware though. Take a mechanic.

[zqt3344 21]

Actually the Ford Focus is overpriced(and gets less mpg) in relation to the Chevrolet Aveo or the Toyota Yaris, which are basically same type of car. I do know for fact Aveo can be bought for under $15,000 and they do get 40-45 mpg highway and 35-37 mpg in city, come with 5 yr or 100,000 powertrain warranty along with this new 60 day free look period, my neighbors own them, let me drive them once and have road in them, they are good solid quality cars for the price, and roomy.

The new Focus is decent for a compact, drove one in CA when we were out there last. Worth it for the gas economy alone. Think that starts around $15K.

If you can spend a little more the 2-door Altima is worth a look too - but that's edging up to $20K.