How To Buy A New Car

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIYes Reading this thread with interest because I am wanting to buy a new car. I contacted Costco about their program and none of the participating dealerships are close. I am one of the people who absolutely dreads car shopping. That is one of the reasons that I prefer to keep my cars for along time.

Costco is just one way to get (way) past MSRP and lesser deals. If all the participating dealers are too far to even drive to, then just move on to edmunds.com or any of the many internet dealmakers. Even then, it's just a place to start - you can do better from there. It's not hard, it just takes some discipline, and a willingness to wait them out for the best deal - only takes a few days.

I started this thread, and actually put it to work again here http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ml#post2006255

Saved $4900 off MSRP, in less than 24 hours with a couple hours work all told...

[ncbill]

If you already know the vehicle you want here are some brokers from over on leasehackr:

https://forum.leasehackr.com/c/reviews

[GTFan]

If anyone is in the market for a compact SUV the Toyota RAV4s are a good deal right now, seeing offers of 20% or more off of MSRP. New model is coming out later this year, salesman for a dealer here in the ATL is quoting $6500 off of list for 2018 LE's and XLE's.

https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpo...5&postcount=32

If you can deal with domestic the Chevy Equinox is also heavily discounted, seen some going for almost $10k off of list (around $17k for a $27k model). Think you have to finance some portion with GM to get all the rebates here.

http://www.bomninchevrolet.com/Vehic...alePrice%7Casc

Please post deals like these if you see them, I'm in the market but not sure what to get at this point. If you're willing to fly in and drive out the whole country is available IMO, as long as you can get a solid deal confirmed upfront.

[brett]

I was told that Toyota is doing a makeover on the 2019 RAV4. Could be why they want to reduce inventory.

[meierlde]

I live 60 mi from one major metro area and 100 mi from another, and the truecar and AAA services would not look at the second area but only the first, which proved to be a problem because dealers in the second area had more cars with the safety system than the dealers in the first. (blind spot detection, lane departure warning ....) Short of lying about the zip code I could not figure out how to tell the services to look at both areas. (When buying a car an additional drive of 80 total miles is nothing)

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett I was told that Toyota is doing a makeover on the 2019 RAV4. Could be why they want to reduce inventory.

+1. 2019 RAV4 Redesign

[zinger1457]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meierlde I live 60 mi from one major metro area and 100 mi from another, and the truecar and AAA services would not look at the second area but only the first, which proved to be a problem because dealers in the second area had more cars with the safety system than the dealers in the first. (blind spot detection, lane departure warning ....) Short of lying about the zip code I could not figure out how to tell the services to look at both areas. (When buying a car an additional drive of 80 total miles is nothing)

I'm in a similar situation as you, we have a few small local dealers but the two major cities are 80/200 miles away. I didn't have much luck using TrueCar, had better luck just working directly with the dealers Internet manager and playing the offers off among them. I prefer to buy local and have had good luck getting them to match any offers from the dealers in the two major cities, they seem use to it and even expect it.

[FIYes]

Haven’t decided on the make and model of vehicle that I want. My motivation for trading is the new safety systems. This will probably be a months long process.

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIYes Haven’t decided on the make and model of vehicle that I want. My motivation for trading is the new safety systems. This will probably be a months long process.

I can’t say I was motivated by the ‘new safety systems,’ but when I bought in Feb I chose a car that had every new safety system short of semi-autonomous driving assistance. It’s been fun to use them over the last four months - some features are very worthwhile, some are more gimmicks for our use, might be considered more valuable to others.

[FIYes]

Just curious...what features do find very worthwhile? I know I want a backup camera. I have even considered adding one to my current vehicle as an aftermarket add on.

[Breedlove]

DW just bought a new Kia Soul , probably one of the hottest cars selling today . List price was 22880 .00 She got the car for 16600 .00 after everything was complete . For years I have not been able to buy a Ford or Chevrolet because they do not deal real good around here . For 2017 and 2018 Kia was ranked as the number one auto manufacturer. BUT Gullo Ford in Conroe has a few Base model 2018 Mustangs ,6cyl ,6spd manual for 18880.00 this to me Rocks !


Oh by the way the backup camera and lane sensors are std. with Kia. love to get a Stinger !

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIYes Just curious...what features do find very worthwhile? I know I want a backup camera. I have even considered adding one to my current vehicle as an aftermarket add on.

My post from another thread http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ml#post2049823

[Breedlove]

I know this sounds funny , a guy that is not up on things . In DW car she wanted backup camera , 17" chrome premium wheels , automatic headlights , automatic trans.
Bluetooth. 2litre engine. The car came with much more but this is all she wanted . Some features are overrated .

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack +1. Quote: Originally Posted by brett I was told that Toyota is doing a makeover on the 2019 RAV4. Could be why they want to reduce inventory. 2019 RAV4 Redesign

Thanks for the information and link! VERY interesting and useful. After reading this, I also checked YouTube and there are several video reviews of the 2019 Rav4. I have been considering the Rav4 among the top 3 "contenders" when I buy my new SUV later this year (I am in no rush to buy, but will eventually).

It is possible that I might prefer the 2019 Rav4 to the present Rav4 because apparently it has more cargo space. Definitely one to think about, when I decide to buy my new SUV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breedlove […]In DW car she wanted […]. The car came with much more but this is all she wanted . Some features are overrated .

I agree! My list of what I want is,

(1) Two rows of seats instead of 3 rows
(2) remote entry
(3) push button ignition
(4) moderate to ample cargo space (not tiny/cramped),
(5) remote power tailgate operation (preferably using the key fob as with my Venza),
(6) excellent expected repair record, and
(6) Given the above, the least amount of excess electronics possible.

[rayvt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R (6) Given the above, the least amount of excess electronics possible.

Not possible anymore.

The computers in the car control everything these days--even the interior lights. The darn thing even monitors the steering wheel and if you hold it completely steady for 30-60 seconds it thinks you have fallen asleep and makes a beep noise and flashes "STEERING REQUIRED" on the instrument panel.

If any enemy country explodes an EMP weapon over the United States, the only cars that will still work will be a '58 Chevy and the like.

--------------

The RAV4 really needed an update. We loved our 2010 RAV4, but when we decided to buy a new car last year the 2017 model was not much different than the 2010. The Honda CR-V beat it hands-down, in features.

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breedlove DW just bought a new Kia Soul , probably one of the hottest cars selling today . List price was 22880 .00 She got the car for 16600 .00 after everything was complete . For years I have not been able to buy a Ford or Chevrolet because they do not deal real good around here . For 2017 and 2018 Kia was ranked as the number one auto manufacturer. BUT Gullo Ford in Conroe has a few Base model 2018 Mustangs ,6cyl ,6spd manual for 18880.00 this to me Rocks !

We have bought two new Fords from Gullo over the years. Best deals in the greater north Houston area. When I was pricing new trucks, they were several thousand dollars under the Costco pricing (like $8 K).

[jimbee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTFan If anyone is in the market for a compact SUV the Toyota RAV4s are a good deal right now, seeing offers of 20% or more off of MSRP. New model is coming out later this year, salesman for a dealer here in the ATL is quoting $6500 off of list for 2018 LE's and XLE's. https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpo...5&postcount=32 If you can deal with domestic the Chevy Equinox is also heavily discounted, seen some going for almost $10k off of list (around $17k for a $27k model). Think you have to finance some portion with GM to get all the rebates here. Miami Chevrolet Dealer - Bomnin Chevrolet Miami New & Used Please post deals like these if you see them, I'm in the market but not sure what to get at this point. If you're willing to fly in and drive out the whole country is available IMO, as long as you can get a solid deal confirmed upfront.

Wow, Bomnin Chev has a $895 dealer/doc fee, not included in the advertised price. Still a good price, but ya gotta read the fine print.

[travelover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbee Wow, Bomnin Chev has a $895 dealer/doc fee, not included in the advertised price. Still a good price, but ya gotta read the fine print.

Yup, always ask for an "out the door" price.

[pb4uski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbee Wow, Bomnin Chev has a $895 dealer/doc fee, not included in the advertised price. Still a good price, but ya gotta read the fine print.

As part of the negotiations I usually tell them that I'm not paying for them to do their paperwork... that is a cost of their doing business... (I don't add that I'm not going to pay them to sit through their stupid pitches for ripoff add-ons that I don't want)..... they typically have either reduced the purchase price or incresed the trade (where applicable) so on an out-the-door basis I'm not paying it... fine with me.

[pb4uski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgtest ....If anyone has any advice on cell phone purchasing, please shed some light...I feel like I am financially assaulted every time my phone is upgraded.

I go with "Buy your own phone"... I have a Motorola/Lenovo Moto G4 Play that cost ~$150 from BestBuy about a year and a half ago IIRC and totally fits my modest needs... I have no need for a $500 or $800 phone when a $150 phone does the job well.