pettyfan
Livin' next door to the Klopeks
Member # 2260
posted
As some of you know I have an '07 Mustang and am looking for an SUV. I don't want to give up my Mustang but I can't afford a new car so I'm thinking of looking at used. I've never had a used car, so here's my question. Have any of you? Have your experiences been good or bad? I found an Explorer I liked (it was a 2008) but the dealership didn't give the price online so I'm afraid it'd be really outrageous and I'd be paying as much as I would for a new one. So any help would be appreciated.
Posts: 2902 | From: Home Sweet Home | Registered: Jan 2004 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
posted
My first car when I turned 16 was used. We bought it at a local dealership. I didn't start having trouble out of it until it hit the 200,000 mile mark. There had been 2 previous owners and luckily we were given their contact info. After having two new ones, IMO there's too many good used ones to go in debt for a brand new one again. I'd make sure to find out every bit of specific info I could (i.e., you may even be able to be put in touch with the previous owner(s)). The previous owners should tell you everything you wanna know unless they're in cahoots with the salesman. You really have to watch a lot of these so called special deals because many times in the long run you wind up paying more for a used one than what a new one would cost. The key is to ask any and everything about the vehicle before making that all important decision. I've even went so far as to check out specific local dealers with the Better Business Bureau to see if they had any complaints........
Posts: 3845 | From: Norf Karolina | Registered: Dec 2004 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
You never want to buy a new vehicle. It is the absolute worst investment you can ever make, as soon as you drive it off the lot- it depreciates about $5,000.
That will give you the vehicle history of any car your looking at buying.
It is true, alot of car dealerships are very crooked.
That's what makes my husband really good, because he's completely honest about everything about a vehicle to people.
I got my Mercedes Benz S240 used, and it is in mint shape...because I got a good deal on it, and bought it used, it actually is worth more than what I paid for it- which never happens.
If you want a new vehicle, wait until the end of the year when the new year comes out, and they have leftover models from the previous year-it pays to shop around.
Used vehicles have the highest mark up- way more than a new vehicle...so you have much more room to negotiate a better deal on a used vehicle.
Posts: 13484 | Registered: Aug 2003 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oh...and never ever lease a vehicle...you are only renting it...and it is the biggest waste of your money. You own nothing.
Posts: 13484 | Registered: Aug 2003 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
posted
And SUV's have some of the quickest depreciation rates. Here in NC someone has to have a dealer's license to buy from an auction. My uncle got his dealer's license to have something to do wheeling and dealing cars since he's retired. My dad was wanting something used but in good shape. He went with my uncle to the local auction and had my uncle to bid on a 2000 Nissan Frontier with low mileage and good condition. They won the auction and got the truck for nearly nothing. I'm thinking here the auctions are on Wednesdays.......
Posts: 3845 | From: Norf Karolina | Registered: Dec 2004 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've owned 4 cars, and they've all been used. I started with a 76 Ford Falcon station wagon (the shaggin' wagon), moved on to a 79 Mazda 626, then an 89 Mitsubishi Magna, and finally 4 years ago a 99 Mitsubishi Lancer.
Posts: 3839 | From: Wangaratta, Vic, Australia | Registered: Jun 2004 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
80'sRocked Play it Loud, Play it Proud
Member # 6979
posted
I too have never had a new car....just can't afford it. Most have been pretty crappy used cars. I would never get a SUV because of all the gas they take. If you buy used though, usually you can bring it to your mechanic before you buy to have them check it out first. This way you can get an honest opinion on the condition.
Posts: 3614 | From: Caught Somewhere in Time.... | Registered: May 2008 | Site Updates: 101
| IP: Logged |
pettyfan
Livin' next door to the Klopeks
Member # 2260
posted
Thanks everyone. I plan on going Saturday and just doing some test drives. I'll definitely check out the carfax link.
Posts: 2902 | From: Home Sweet Home | Registered: Jan 2004 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
posted
The only recommendation I have is to buy either a Honda or Toyota. They are well built vehicles, and they stand by their product. We have owned Hondas for the past 15 years, and never had any problems with them. I have a Honda CRV right now, which is a small SUV, but it gets half decent gas mileage. Maybe check out a Passport- they are bigger, so it doesn't get as good of gas mileage, but around here, everyone is trying to unload their SUVs and trucks because the cost of gas was so much last year. My neighbor got a steal on a 2000 truck, don't know what make/model though. It's in beautiful shape, and he paid cash for it, so he finagled a good deal somehow,ha,ha. My brother-in-law ordered the new Honda hybrid vehichle (I can't remember the name) but it won't be in until April. He ordered it way back in October! I can't wait to see what it looks like. Good luck Petty, I know you get lotsa snow down there in southern WV! You sure could use a good 4wd!
Posts: 2287 | From: Pittsburgh | Registered: Nov 2008 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
How much do you want to spend? Do you want to finance or not? How big of an SUV do you need?
I agree with Pittsburghgirl about the import brands. They are the most reliable and hold their value better than all others. They are also the most expensive. I worked as a mechanic for years in another life. I've seen the imports generally kick our American produced SUV's butts in terms of reliability and resale for many years.
These are the ones I would look at first...
- Honda - Toyota - Mitsubishi It's worth noting that the Mitsubishi Outlander (2003 - 2006) is a very good deal money-wise. They are inexpensive (compared to Hona/Toyota), reliable, get decent fuel economy, are sporty looking, and you can buy one from a dealer that's been "certified" meaning you still get the 10 year 100.000 mile warranty. BTW, mu mother bought a 2005 AWD model and loves it...
websites for research: cars.com edmunds.com
I hope this helps...
- jdocster
Posts: 2729 | From: Kansas City, MO "At the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance" | Registered: Apr 2007 | Site Updates: 9
| IP: Logged |
posted
My husband said that any more...most cars are pretty equal, because they have all copied each other. They sold 47 totally different vehicles this month. He said that Toyota's are actually expensive to fix, if they do break down.
[ 04. March 2009, 06:48: Message edited by: ISIS ]
Posts: 13484 | Registered: Aug 2003 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
posted
Buy an used Toyota, maintain it, and when it kicks the bucket, get another one. If you don't finance one, you won't care about having to replace it in a couple of years.
Why spend so much money on something that is guaranteed to depreciate?
Posts: 432 | From: Burbank, CA | Registered: Dec 2003 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Sammy Hain Invasion: here's an interesting little article from Consumer Reports. Keep in mind this is for new vehicles but is a guideline.
If I had the money... I REALLY miss my jeep! Posts: 2729 | From: Kansas City, MO "At the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance" | Registered: Apr 2007 | Site Updates: 9
| IP: Logged |
posted
That has been the norm for the past 20 years. Keep in mind that if you buy a Mercedes or BMW, you are looking at extremely pricey maintenance: around $1200 for brakes, and lord knows what those foreign car garages charge for other work. Hondas and Toyotas are made right here in the U.S.
Posts: 2287 | From: Pittsburgh | Registered: Nov 2008 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
pettyfan
Livin' next door to the Klopeks
Member # 2260
posted
I don't want to pay too much...I'm already paying WAAAAY too much a month for my Mustang. One of the teachers at my school got an '04 Escalade for $12,000. But I don't want to go back that many years. Of course I may wait till the summer or next fall. I also don't know how much I'll have to put down--that may present a problem also.
Posts: 2902 | From: Home Sweet Home | Registered: Jan 2004 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
kevdugp73
He's eating after dark again....
Member # 5978
posted
I've never bought a new car as well....$500 + per month is a bit steep for me. I usually go with a Honda and get one that is approx 3 years old. They hold their value really good, and there's always a young fella waitin to take it off your hands when you're done. Typically when my cars are paid off (usually 5 years), I've still been able to sell them for 3 to 4 thousand....a little money to put toward my next purchase....
Posts: 2148 | From: Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Aug 2007 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
pettyfan
Livin' next door to the Klopeks
Member # 2260
posted
Well I got one!!!! I got an '08 Ford Explorer. It was certified pre-owned, and I got the 6 year 75,000 mile power train warranty and an extended warranty. The previous owner was a rental car company. I also got the Carfax report. So I'm very happy!!! Posts: 2902 | From: Home Sweet Home | Registered: Jan 2004 | Site Updates: 0
| IP: Logged |
80'sRocked Play it Loud, Play it Proud
Member # 6979
posted
Very awesome petty. Good luck with it!
Posts: 3614 | From: Caught Somewhere in Time.... | Registered: May 2008 | Site Updates: 101
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
