Buying a Car

[Fandango 1,440]

make sure it has a rear spoiler

[Mags 112]

make sure it has a rear spoiler

That's the idea; I'm from Essex, can't do without that rear spoiler!

Edited September 6, 2007 by Mags

[AtlantiCat 0]

Thanks, everyone, for the ideas! I'll try to co-sign and see if my credit is up to enough snuff. I'm also thinking we'll see if we can find a "certified used" car from a dealer because then at least we'll have some sort of small warranty, even if it's only a year.

Thanks again!

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

Although he'll not be here until next year, I'm thinking ahead for what my fiance is going to need when he gets here and high up on the list is going to be a car, particularly when he starts interviewing for a job. So I was wondering what other folk have done in this situation. He'll have some small amount of money saved up so it was my thought that he might just want to buy a cheap used car outright, preferably with some small warranty, from a reliable dealer. My own vehicle will be paid off in December, so my other thought was to offer to co-sign with him. I've also seen a number of places in my neighborhood that advertise "no credit, no problem," but those disturb me on several levels and I'd be afraid to walk into one.

So I'm curious to know what others have done, and any ideas, or what has/has not worked for you. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

For $12, Consumer Reports (which is nonprofit) will provide you with a report of a specific car that you are interested in which will help you greatly in not only finding a reliable used car, but paying a reasonable price.

https://ec.consumerreports.org/ec/aps/order.htm

Consumer Reports Bottom Line — the price where you should start negotiating (including current national rebates, unadvertised dealer incentives, and holdbacks).

•

Dealer Invoice Price (provided by the manufacturer to the dealer).

•

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) — what the dealer wants you to pay.

•

Invoice and MSRP Prices for all factory-installed options & packages.

•

Different Trimlines for your selected models.

•

Consumer Reports' predicted reliability ratings (based on feedback from over 800,000 car owners).

•

Consumer Reports' Recommendations on how to equip your car or truck.

•

Current Safety Ratings based on our analysis.

•

Alternative Vehicle Choices — so you have genuine options to choose from.

•

"Best Deal" Negotiation Advice.

•

Online Buying Advice.

[Nanusia & Lukaszek 0]

For $12, Consumer Reports (which is nonprofit) will provide you with a report of a specific car that you are interested in which will help you greatly in not only finding a reliable used car, but paying a reasonable price.

https://ec.consumerreports.org/ec/aps/order.htm

Consumer Reports Bottom Line — the price where you should start negotiating (including current national rebates, unadvertised dealer incentives, and holdbacks).

•

Dealer Invoice Price (provided by the manufacturer to the dealer).

•

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) — what the dealer wants you to pay.

•

Invoice and MSRP Prices for all factory-installed options & packages.

•

Different Trimlines for your selected models.

•

Consumer Reports' predicted reliability ratings (based on feedback from over 800,000 car owners).

•

Consumer Reports' Recommendations on how to equip your car or truck.

•

Current Safety Ratings based on our analysis.

•

Alternative Vehicle Choices — so you have genuine options to choose from.

•

"Best Deal" Negotiation Advice.

•

Online Buying Advice.

I believe that www.edmunds.com gives you the same info, but for free. I keep going in there to see how much the invoice prices are and seeing how much the dealer is trying to rip people off.

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

For $12, Consumer Reports (which is nonprofit) will provide you with a report of a specific car that you are interested in which will help you greatly in not only finding a reliable used car, but paying a reasonable price.

https://ec.consumerreports.org/ec/aps/order.htm

Consumer Reports Bottom Line — the price where you should start negotiating (including current national rebates, unadvertised dealer incentives, and holdbacks).

•

Dealer Invoice Price (provided by the manufacturer to the dealer).

•

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) — what the dealer wants you to pay.

•

Invoice and MSRP Prices for all factory-installed options & packages.

•

Different Trimlines for your selected models.

•

Consumer Reports' predicted reliability ratings (based on feedback from over 800,000 car owners).

•

Consumer Reports' Recommendations on how to equip your car or truck.

•

Current Safety Ratings based on our analysis.

•

Alternative Vehicle Choices — so you have genuine options to choose from.

•

"Best Deal" Negotiation Advice.

•

Online Buying Advice.

I believe that www.edmunds.com gives you the same info, but for free. I keep going in there to see how much the invoice prices are and seeing how much the dealer is trying to rip people off.

Awesome info! Thank you. I bought my only brand new car from a dealership back in 2001 by first ordering the report from CR. I went to the dealership with pre-approved loan paper from my credit union and the report and then told the car salesman if he can get me into the Toyota Echo with tax and license for what I was approved for, then I'd buy the car. I had to start walking off the lot at one point but the dealership accepted my terms. I know they still made at least $500 from the deal...they were just hoping for a few grand.

[mawilson 2,133]

Awesome info! Thank you. I bought my only brand new car from a dealership back in 2001 by first ordering the report from CR. I went to the dealership with pre-approved loan paper from my credit union and the report and then told the car salesman if he can get me into the Toyota Echo with tax and license for what I was approved for, then I'd buy the car. I had to start walking off the lot at one point but the dealership accepted my terms. I know they still made at least $500 from the deal...they were just hoping for a few grand.

Steven,

You have a Toyota Echo? What's it like?

I was thinking of getting one for the missus so she'd stop borrowing mine

Unlike me, she's into Japanese (as you know, I wouldn't be caught dead in a Jap car.)

Edited September 7, 2007 by mawilson

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

Awesome info! Thank you. I bought my only brand new car from a dealership back in 2001 by first ordering the report from CR. I went to the dealership with pre-approved loan paper from my credit union and the report and then told the car salesman if he can get me into the Toyota Echo with tax and license for what I was approved for, then I'd buy the car. I had to start walking off the lot at one point but the dealership accepted my terms. I know they still made at least $500 from the deal...they were just hoping for a few grand.

Steven,

You have a Toyota Echo? What's it like?

I was thinking of getting one for the missus so she'd stop borrowing mine

Unlike me, she's into Japanese (as you know, I wouldn't be caught dead in a Jap car.)

I had the 4 - door, 5 speed manual. It was suprisingly spacious and had a lot of zip. You sit higher up so you have increased visibility (much like the Matrix). I was getting about 35 mpg. The seats are a bit cheap looking but a good seat cover made up for it. It went to my ex after the divorce.

Unless you're trying to find the cheapest, I'd recommend a Matrix, which gets nearly the same mpg and is a much nicer ride. (I owned a 2003 Matrix for a couple of years).

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

The "no credit, no problem" places should not scare you. They have special arrangments made with far less then prime financing companies or do their own 'in house' financing. i.e., you borrow the money from them. The vehicles, generally, are no different than what you find on the main used lot. They tend to stick with cars that have a sticker of less than $10K. There is usually a lot of play in the price of the vehicle as the interest rates on the loans tend to make up for the loss of profit made on the car. The dealer makes his money on the back end of the deal rather than the front. Many times, you can find a nice car for a fairly decent amount of money. The best thing to do is take the car to a trusted mechanic, before making an offer, and have him give the vehicle a good once over. Ask him what his experience is with working on that particular year make and model. He'll tell you if they show up in the shop often or not and if they do, why.

[mawilson 2,133]

I had the 4 - door, 5 speed manual. It was suprisingly spacious and had a lot of zip. You sit higher up so you have increased visibility (much like the Matrix). I was getting about 35 mpg. The seats are a bit cheap looking but a good seat cover made up for it. It went to my ex after the divorce.

Unless you're trying to find the cheapest, I'd recommend a Matrix, which gets nearly the same mpg and is a much nicer ride. (I owned a 2003 Matrix for a couple of years).

Well... the missus thinks a car is a box on wheels to take you from A to B and

doesn't really care what it looks like, as long as it's "good on gas". She also

likes manuals, so I think the Echo is a good choice. I don't want to spend more

than $10k so it'll have to be a 2003-2004 car. Or maybe I'll just add another

$5k and buy a brand new one....... not sure yet.

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

I had the 4 - door, 5 speed manual. It was suprisingly spacious and had a lot of zip. You sit higher up so you have increased visibility (much like the Matrix). I was getting about 35 mpg. The seats are a bit cheap looking but a good seat cover made up for it. It went to my ex after the divorce.

Unless you're trying to find the cheapest, I'd recommend a Matrix, which gets nearly the same mpg and is a much nicer ride. (I owned a 2003 Matrix for a couple of years).

Well... the missus thinks a car is a box on wheels to take you from A to B and

doesn't really care what it looks like, as long as it's "good on gas". She also

likes manuals, so I think the Echo is a good choice. I don't want to spend more

than $10k so it'll have to be a 2003-2004 car. Or maybe I'll just add another

$5k and buy a brand new one....... not sure yet.

The missus sounds like my kinda gal. I'm almost certain you'll be able to find a manual, older Echo for that price.

[mawilson 2,133]

I had the 4 - door, 5 speed manual. It was suprisingly spacious and had a lot of zip. You sit higher up so you have increased visibility (much like the Matrix). I was getting about 35 mpg. The seats are a bit cheap looking but a good seat cover made up for it. It went to my ex after the divorce.

Unless you're trying to find the cheapest, I'd recommend a Matrix, which gets nearly the same mpg and is a much nicer ride. (I owned a 2003 Matrix for a couple of years).

Well... the missus thinks a car is a box on wheels to take you from A to B and

doesn't really care what it looks like, as long as it's "good on gas". She also

likes manuals, so I think the Echo is a good choice. I don't want to spend more

than $10k so it'll have to be a 2003-2004 car. Or maybe I'll just add another

$5k and buy a brand new one....... not sure yet.

The missus sounds like my kinda gal. I'm almost certain you'll be able to find a manual, older Echo for that price.

[GuapaDoktora 0]

Mister Fancypants and I plan to buy an old Toyota Supra and have it like this... My cousin's 1994 Supra from New Jersey. We'll just asked his sponsors to upgrade it.

or like this... (My Dad's driving for Mangima Maximum Underdrive Challenge, PHILIPPINES)

Edited September 7, 2007 by GuapaDoktora

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

Mister Fancypants and I plan to buy an old Toyota Supra and have it like this... My cousin's 1994 Supra from New Jersey. We'll just asked his sponsors to upgrade it.

My langa likes to dream.

Edited September 7, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[mawilson 2,133]

My langa likes to dream.

Maybe you should listen to her

Japanese cars are so incredibly boring otherwise.