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.
Posted by MotleyRulz (Member # 3598) on :
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........
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
My husband manages a car dealership.
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.
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
Oh...and never ever lease a vehicle...you are only renting it...and it is the biggest waste of your money. You own nothing.
Posted by MotleyRulz (Member # 3598) on :
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.......
Posted by Stitch Groover (Member # 2895) on :
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.
Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
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.
Posted by pettyfan (Member # 2260) on :
Thanks everyone. I plan on going Saturday and just doing some test drives. I'll definitely check out the carfax link.
Posted by Pittsburghgirl (Member # 7514) on :
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!
Posted by jdocster (Member # 5752) on :
pettyfan,
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
Posted by MotleyRulz (Member # 3598) on :
These are pretty good in the snow I hear petty.....
[ 03. March 2009, 17:27: Message edited by: MotleyRulz ]
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
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 ]
Posted by Missie (Member # 2186) on :
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?
Posted by Sammy Hain Invasion (Member # 3150) on :
here's an interesting little article from Consumer Reports. Keep in mind this is for new vehicles but is a guideline.
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.
Sad but true... Posted by jdocster (Member # 5752) on :
Motley,
If I had the money... I REALLY miss my jeep! Posted by Pittsburghgirl (Member # 7514) on :
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.
Posted by pettyfan (Member # 2260) on :
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.
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
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....
Posted by pettyfan (Member # 2260) on :
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!!! Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
Very awesome petty. Good luck with it!
Posted by MotleyRulz (Member # 3598) on :
Congrats!
Posted by jdocster (Member # 5752) on :
Party on petty! Nice ride...
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
you got it! way to go petty, happy for ya! Posted by Pittsburghgirl (Member # 7514) on :
Congrats petty! Looks like you got a good deal!
Posted by Sammy Hain Invasion (Member # 3150) on :
Sweet!!!!
Posted by EJ Loves Takashi (Member # 7767) on :
That is awesome you got it!
I never want to have to buy a car again! I will drive what I have into the ground.
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