Car buying

[Soft*Silver]

well I am selling my 98 Silverado 350 dually truck. Damn thing is so big. Its overkill for what I want to do. I have someone who wants to trade a totally rebuilt 87 fiero GT turbo with 40,000 on the new engine. I would go from 10MPG to 32 MPG. Its midnite blue and I am in love with the idea...but. BUT. I know nothing about cars. And I know I am not the only person who gets to this point and stands there like a deer in headlights. I cant move and I fear I am going to get murdered but I stand there believing this is going to turn out right. So I thought I would start a thread about car buying. its SCARY. How have you handled it? What would you suggest? Whats your best experience? And of course, your worst?

[Dance-with-me]

I normally suggest consumer reports for their buying guides (and I'd be glad to look something up for you since I have an online subscription - just PM me!) but it wouldn't be relevant for a car that old with a rebuilt engine.

I would very much recommend having the car you're considering looked at by a trusted mechanic. It's worth paying $100 or so to get it really checked out. Buy the carfax report as well.

I DESPISE car buying because I'm so afraid of making a bad decision (which I've done more than once and really paid for it). So i tend to drive my cars for at least 10 years until I really just have to get something else! So you're not alone with your deer in the headlights response.

[ruffryder]

I would suggest going to Kelly Blue Book to see the value of your truck vs the Fiero first. Researching what others are selling/paying for these vehicles. If you are still interested, a test drive! Take someone familiar with cars with you to hear the engine running, feel the drive, and look things over under the hood and under the body including tires and of course how you feel inside the vehicle and with the drive. Afterall it will be your car to drive day in and day out. If it's all good and you feel good after that, go for it! If not, you can still sell your vehicle on your own. Perhaps through craigslist, or locally. Many if not all dealerships will take it as a trade in and a down payment towards another vehicle used or new. Go to a few places, fight for the Blue Book Value and the best price on a vehicle you would like to trade for. Do your research! My experience and opinion is stay away from the dealers that are pushy or that try and force you into something they think will fit you and your budget. Look online before you choose some dealers to go to and get an idea of the cars you would like to look at and let them know when you get there so you are not wasting time.. also let them know you will be trading and have no down payment and what you would like as far as a monthly payment if you are doing that, etc. There are some good deals out there and people always want a good heavy duty pickup. Good luck!

[Tony]

Just throwing in some of my knowledge.
1. The Fiero is really not a daily driver. Or collectible. So if you're buying just cuz you like it, ok. Your dually is worth more than the Fiero. The used vehicle market is very high now.

2. If you go to a dealer, do not tell them you have a trade unt you've negotiated the vehicle you want. Then you tell them
What you want for your truck. Use Kelly Blue Book as a guide. They need you way more than you need them. It's a buyers' market now.

3. Anyone NOT willing to allow you to drive a vehicle to your mechanic for a presale inspection is not someone you want to deal with. I perform this service for my customers free of charge. I know I'm going to be working on it & I also want them in the best vehicle they can buy for their price range.

Just my .02 and how I operate.

[Ginger]

I'm not a "car person," so I had to approach buying my car in February of this year as a kind of research project.

I knew I wanted a small, fun, economic car, so I checked the top winners in that category in the US News and World Report as well as Consumer report ratings.

I saw that the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Scion (I'm not talking about the boxy one), Ford Fiesta and a few others kept showing up at the top of the lists, so I test drove each one.

I also thought I could maybe afford a used Prius or one that's just coming off warranty, so I test drove one of those, as well as others that were out of my price range but I would consider if they were only a couple years old and had the pre-owned warranty.

I made a spreadsheet to compare the basic things that mattered to me: air bags, brakes, drive train, warranty, I forget what else, but you know what I mean.

I also put it out there on my Facebook page and poets from around the country weighed in on what I should get, which was pretty freakin' funny because they say things like, "I just think it looks anemic."

Don't even bother asking poets what kind of car to get.

Anyway, I thought the Fit was loud when you're inside it driving, and driving the Prius I felt like I had been imbedded inside a tank. I liked the interior better on the Toyota but the Hyundai had a better warranty, better brakes, better mileage, and was $1000 cheaper.

So that's what I went with. I still don't know if it was the "best" choice, but it was the best I could do, given what I know.

Good luck!!

[ruffryder]

Great thoughts Tony and Scout! Definitely, if you are getting a car from a dealer check on the warranties and get the best one. I just got a used Focus and I came out with no charge for the warranty. It was included in the sale and just given to me finally after I kept saying no , I dont' want it and I won't pay for it. lol.

Previously I was the new owner of a Kia Sportage and had that for 6 years. 100,000 / 10 year warranty included in that sale. Great cars, Kias. All I ever needed to do with that car was routine oil change and change tires.

[Tony]

I want to add here; again, it's a buyers' market. The warranty is a very important part of the sale. Even tho I'm a mechanic (with over 30 years & damned good at what I do) I won't buy without 100,000 warranty thrown in. I've gotten it on the last 4 vehicles I've bought. No charge. Also negotiated numerous sales for my customers.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by ruffryder

Great thoughts Tony and Scout! Definitely, if you are getting a car from a dealer check on the warranties and get the best one. I just got a used Focus and I came out with no charge for the warranty. It was included in the sale and just given to me finally after I kept saying no , I dont' want it and I won't pay for it. lol.

Previously I was the new owner of a Kia Sportage and had that for 6 years. 100,000 / 10 year warranty included in that sale. Great cars, Kias. All I ever needed to do with that car was routine oil change and change tires.

Yeah the Kia was attractive to me too, not just for the warranty but the look and feel of it.

The only thing I can say about the Hyundai Accent that I got is that I wish the wheels were a little bigger. I forget what they are but the other small cars in that category have slightly larger wheels and look more substantial.

Also, the front bumper is so low, I caught it on a concrete divider and partially ripped it off when the car was less than a week old.

(Embarrassing!!!)

Anyway, a mechanic literally pushed it back on with his bare hands after the Hyundai place told me it would cost at least $1,000 to fix, that I had to replace the bumper (it's plastic—everything is plastic these days—so you can't just bang parts back into shape like you can when they're metal).

Needless to say I didn't go for that fix. And later, a piece of rubber on the inside of the bumper ripped off and it smelled a little bit like rubber burning after I got off the freeway. I noticed the plastic flapping down and took the car to a shop on my block, and the mechanic affixed the bumper in a more permanent way with a bolt or two and they only charged $55. Honestly I didn't even look under there to see what they did.

What can I say. I do the best I can.

[Sachita]

I agree with Tony. I would not buy a 87 fiero I don't care how many times it was rebuilt. Do your research before you do this. Your truck has value because people need them for work and farming. Sell that first, rent for a few weeks and buy yourself a honda if you can find one. I'm a huge ford person. My son bought a ford focus loves it. Mia's mama bought a fusion and is thrill with it. I got an Escape and love it. The financing is really low and so many rebate deals this time of year that you'll get a low payment. By the time you figure what you save in gas and what you'll save in repairs you may find a brand new economy car the cheapest bet yet. When I got my escape after trading in my 250 Cargo van I cried at first. I missed all that room. But when I saw how much gas I was saving I was thrilled. I have so much more freedom now! I take drives, go more places because I can afford the gas. I even put a hitch on it and bought a trailer so I can still carrying my kayaks, get hay, etc.

Don't you have Newfoundlands? You gotta think about how they will fit too.

[Sachita]

Ford is a strong company and not having hand out for bale outs.

[theoddz]

I'm a Dodge lover and I'm on my 4th Dodge truck, a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn (Hemi 5.7L w/ 20 in. rims) Quad Cab. Out of the 4 trucks, only one was bought used......a 1999 Ram, and 3 of the 4 were full sized Rams with one (the first truck) a new '94 Dakota.

One thing I do is to get my financing lined up and pre-authorized from my credit union, which is Navy Federal Credit Union before I ever go in to seriously look at a vehicle. I NEVER let the salesman know what financing I have available, or if I am interested (or not) in their financing, or if I'm going to trade or what I'm prepared to put down, specifically. The great majority of the big money they make on their deals is in the financing and (extended) warranties they sell. I always, always act undecided (read....."poker face") and never give them the impression that I'm anxious or impressed by any of the numbers they throw out, or any vehicle in particular, even if I am. When I find the truck/vehicle I want, I let them know what I am prepared to pay for that truck/vehicle. I always go in to shop fully knowing what the value of these trucks are, both wholesale and retail. I also have a general idea about what the true price is that the dealer paid for that vehicle and I know exactly what my truck is worth.....either if I sell it myself and the trade in value. The actual price of the new vehicle is what I am interested in and NOT what the sticker says, is what I negotiate on. When we get to a "close" price is with negotiating, I THEN tell them what I have to put down in cash and what I need to get for a trade on my truck. Now, don't get me wrong.....I am prepared to give a little, take a little, but I don't let them know what my true high dollar is on the deal. What I'm interested in is their LOW dollar. I never, NEVER shop for a payment amount!!!! These days, with the prices of cars and trucks being what they are, these dealers love to stretch your payment terms out as long as they can, even beyond the length of time that the vehicle "life expectancy" might be. The longer they stretch the payments out, the more interest the buyer pays. I NEVER finance longer than 4 years.....period. If I can't afford a 4 year payment, I don't buy it. Period. No car/truck is worth paying for after it's in the junk yard.

Lastly, I use the "walk away" technique to budge a stubborn salesman into lowering his price. That's what gets them the most and I have ALWAYS had success with this!!! I've literally had salesmen frantically lowering their "low dollar" amounts while I was climbing in to my truck and telling them that I was heading over to a competitor for a better deal. The last salesman I dealt with was almost trying to climb in my driver's side window while talking like an auctioneer to get me to stay and deal!!! I laughed my ass off about it once I got home with my new truck on that one!!! I have always gotten good deals and........

I always pay the vehicle off early.

It's like the parting shot and a testament to my thriftiness (read....TIGHT).

~Theo~

[Ginger]

Oh, Theo made me think of something. If you belong to USAA they have a car buyer's service.

They give you a quote for the make and model you want and dealers in the area that participate in their program give you that price, which is always a little lower than list.

[Glenn]

Well if I were in your moccasins, I would go out and get me a small, old, diesel rabbit, honda, or toyota while parts are still cheap and plentiful because diesel will be easier to store for the coming global showdown with Iran. These cars will still be running if you store diesel and the grid goes down. I refuse to even make a car payment. My mechanic drives a geo tracker. You don't need alot of money to buy a car. They are not good investments. If you want cheap and dependable, go to honda, toyota, or nissan. I've noticed this fiero already has 40ooo on the turbo rebuild. Imo, turbo means engine rebuilt anytime pending, which for a turbo 87 fiero, can cost up to 800.

[DapperButch]

I agree with several people on here, plus have my own thoughts.

*Forget the Fiero (for more than one reason)

*Always get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) prior to buying any used car, ever

*Sell the dually privately, as you will get the most money that way. Sell it kelly blue book or nada values.

*I don't know pick up values, but I believe that chevy and ford are the most reliable. Determine how much you want to spend and then hit consumer reports to find the most reliable truck for the money you want to spend. Then search autotrader, cars.com, etc. for the truck you want. I personally like to find private parties and not dealers. Better deals. Either way, PPI or scram.

*If you go with a dealer for purchase, do not tell them what you want to pay each month, that should have NOTHING to do with the negotiations and you should not let them see your hand. As Tony said, THEN see what price they will take your car for.

*Helping others research/find/buy new/used cars is one of my fav hobbies!

[clay]

Miss_Tia. One thing to seriously consider are these factors.
Given the back/neck/shoulder problems you have had, you will want a vehicle that allows for easy entrance/exit!
The Fiero is a lower to the ground vehicle than getting in a big ole dually! Consider the clearance underneath the steering wheel and ease with which to get into and out of, once again!
Chrissy is tall, so headroom, legroom, and passenger and driver space is important to consider!
I need something along lines of an SUV to get into and out of, where I don't have to force my old joints to fold up to enter/exit, have to squat to get into, and be sitting almost to the pavement.
Clearance under the steering wheel, legroom, and headroom are so important to me!
Just consider your joint issues to help you to decide on what it is you want to get...good luck my friend...

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by claybaby

Miss_Tia. One thing to seriously consider are these factors.
Given the back/neck/shoulder problems you have had, you will want a vehicle that allows for easy entrance/exit!
The Fiero is a lower to the ground vehicle than getting in a big ole dually! Consider the clearance underneath the steering wheel and ease with which to get into and out of, once again!
Chrissy is tall, so headroom, legroom, and passenger and driver space is important to consider!
I need something along lines of an SUV to get into and out of, where I don't have to force my old joints to fold up to enter/exit, have to squat to get into, and be sitting almost to the pavement.
Clearance under the steering wheel, legroom, and headroom are so important to me!
Just consider your joint issues to help you to decide on what it is you want to get...good luck my friend...

Really good points, Clay. A car has to "fit" like clothes do—you want something comfortable because you'll be wearing it EVERY day!

[Rockinonahigh]

When I unloaded my big old suv that got next to O in milage I bought a cadilac,There are a fue things I wish I could change to make it beter even tho I get way better gas milage.One I would get something that sits up high enough to keep the other folks head lights out of my eyes at night..a big problem for me..Then its the cost of fixing my cadi,it uses struts insted of shocks...I priced them all around for $2000.00 no jokeing hear I promiss.Recently I replaced the over flow tank for $101.98 new as I couldnt find anything anywhere used to replace it.I do miss my old ride for just being able to do a lot with it I wont do with this one.I must have easy in and out of whatever I drive and comfort is a definat biggy.

[DapperButch]

Yes, something important to remember when buying a car is you are buying the cost of future parts and future labor, as well. Some cars cost more to maintain, especially the luxury models. It isn't only the initial cost of the vehicle, it is the future costs to maintain it. You need to be able to afford both.

[DapperButch]

<Theo's post>

When I bought new, I had a list of all dealers in a 150 mile radius and called each one asking them for their best price with the options I wanted. The best price was about two hours away in a town I had never heard of. Had to come that day for that price, but that was no problem for me!

[Soft*Silver]

thank you all so very very much! I just had the chance to read all your posts and felt my actions today were right on your suggestions!

I called my family mechanic and picked his brain. As soon as he found out what I wanted to trade my truck for and he said (lol) "ARE YOU CRAZY? NO!!!" So the fiero was ruled out immediately. He then schooled me with almost all of your suggestions. So I went to about 7 car lots. Bleck. I hate car shopping. They all look the same to me! But I knew a few things

1) I am not financing a dime. I paid my truck in full and wasnt going to pay anything for the next vehicle. I dont do car payments. And I never buy new.

2) like Clay said, I have physical limits and needs and have to take them into consideration. And chrissy is a bigger person and I was worried about him in the fiero

3) My truck is in perfect working order and is well maintained and has held its value. I did my research on the fiero and based on both car and truck, there was a little loss on my end. I wasnt happy with that.

4) While talking with the fiero owner, I tested his level of desperation to unload the car. I put up several demands and he met all of them without any countering. None. This worried me above all else. I know my truck is a premium piece of vehicle and for what he needs, its the best bet. But, anyone who is dealing for a trade, I expected some resistance to some things I said.

5) What I have wanted, ever since they came out, is a PT Cruiser. I have NEVER wanted a fiero. SO I went looking for a PTC. And after 7 lots, I found one. LOVE IT! Its my fav color, black. I drove it. It fits me and my limits well. chrissy will fit well in it too. And like Sachita said, I have a newf. He needs to go to the groomer, the vet, to the park, etc. He would have had to sit in the front bucket seat in the fiero. LOL. But now he has the whole back area. The hatch in the back lifts up and is low to the ground so he can climb in easily. he is older as well and this is an important factor. So, I called my mechanic again and he asked me a few questions then gave me a thumbs up for the type of vehicle. he also said that all cars in this price range (under $5000) will need some work done. Expect it. He had me check brakes, trans, tires, and muffler.I had to check all lights, windows, doors. All passed. So thumbs up again. I haggled, got $500 off, new tires and a door repair done ontop of everything else.

6) I had a cash offer from a private owner. It was $500 lower than I wanted but I just saved $500 on the PTC and felt it was an even steven. They are picking the truck up Saturday and I am getting the PTC Monday.

thank you everyone for helping! Not just me, as I know others will need this thread too and these ideas and suggestions were spot on!