STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

there's a poll under general interest polls

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=44784&subForumID=102178&action=viewTopic&commentID=2126202&topicPage=

I would try to get something new, personally, but if you want used, it shouldn't have more than an accumulation of 12,000 miles per year. So, if it's 2 years old, it shouldn't have more than 24,000 miles.

If I had 25,000 to spend, I would probably get a new Honda Accord http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.Dg3?kbb.MI;245389;MI125&48304&;;;20000-24999;20000,24999;0&&&&&nyrnc&

I also have a car buying technique where you can pay dealer invoice (or a very small amount above it) - if you let me know what you decide to buy, I can help you put a strategy together for that car...

thanks, crystal!  lol

actually, it's all about research (determining final dealer cost after kickback - so even if you do pay invoice they are still making money but they don't want you to know that), solicitation of quotes from several dealers through email and fax (you have to know what car and options your want though), and leveraging your best quote against the second best quote or the dealer most willing to beat your best price... it's an intricate thing, but I can get anyone the best deal on a car within 2-3 days. It also helps that my name is Kris (it's not as evident that I am a woman - they aren't as ready to deal with you if they know you are female - they think they can wheel and deal you) and that everything is cut and dry dealing with them via email or fax - no messing around - but I'm pretty aggressive and always know my facts when I negotiate (I also have sales experience - so I know all the tricks in the book that they try to pull and don't fall for them).  My husband's car I got at dealer invoice price and 4% financing, and my car I got for under invoice and I financed it through my credit union (so I was able to shop with the attitude that I had cash - they pull crap on you with the financing stuff sometimes too - I know from experience).

one of my lesser known talents

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Originally posted by: Farrah
"I have a Jetta and I love it.  I also used to drive a new Beetle and that car also rocked.  I guess I am just a VW fan.  That being said, my bf's sister has the new Honda Accord in silver and it is a very awesome car.  It is totally loaded and she got it for a really good price.  You should definitely look into those 3 cars.  They are all different types, but in the same price range."

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I used to drive a Jetta (a 2000) and I loved it!  It was a lease, so I don't have it anymore, but I recently bought a 2003 Honda Accord EX V6 in blue/black, leather int, with 33K miles for 18K! (my husband has a background in auto finance, so he is a hard negotiator).

Audi's are cute and have the same cute bodystyle as the Jetta, but their gas mileage is nothing to brag about.

A nice used Mercedes or BMW can be found under 25K and do hold their value better than the non-luxury cars, but maintenance and upkeep are the price you pay for the luxury.  I considered a BMW 3 series (used) for a while before we settled on the Accord, but my main reason was emotional...BMW's are such nice looking car, and I had always wanted one or a Mercedes by the time I was 30, oh well.

Consumer Reports loves Honda Accord EX and Acura TSX...they top the list.  I have the CR April 2005 car issue if you have any questions about cars, I can let you know what it says.  There is also a list of used cars they advise to avoid, which include quite a few of the Mercedes models, the BMW 7 series, Jetta, and Audi A6.

ALSO CHECK www.nadaguides.com to get the real blue book values of the car you want.  Know that number first before you talk to any auto dealer.

mantienence does get crazy on import cars- but-

get a MINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i just bought a brand new 2005 Mini Cooper S wiht automatic and it cost me $26K.  they are so much fun and sporty and cool and i could just go on and on and on about it.......

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Originally posted by: iconic
"eta: wait, so detroit, is it in my best interest to buy the car in whole without financing (i can do this since ive been saving for a while)?  i was told that if you argue down the price of the car they (evil car salespple) will stick it to you with the interest rate.  -- Edited by iconic at 11:54, 2005-03-17"

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lol - evil sales people - they are though! especially towards women! when we negotiated my husband's car, the sales guy tried upping the price on me at the last minute, going on about how much he is struggling financially and how he needs to feed his kids - I told him I'm sorry to hear that, but that's not my problem (I know - it was harsh - but it's the truth and I'm not going to fall for the sympathy/guilt ploy). Really - you have to think like you're a man - no softspots or guilt allowed.... you're out for a deal - not to make the salesperson's life more comfortable monetarily.

sorry for the degression - yes - absolutely it's better to pay with cash - you end up spending more in the long run with any interest bearing loan.  With the Honda we got my husband, we spoke with the finance persona at the dealership about prevailing Honda financing interest rates (I think they pre-qualified him and he has excellent credit) and we confirmed the rate with the finance person at the dealership the day the deal was closed.  If you can pay cash, do it. If you want to finance, do not let them pull any wool over your eyes - it is common for them to add crap into the small print that actually increases the price of the car - I just plain don't trust them. The Honda deal was a little different because the finance person was a woman and she seemed very much straight forward and we scoured the finance contract before signing (I know that was a sexist comment - oh well - shoot me.)  When I picked up my Mercedes (I completed the transaction on the phone - all I had to do was show up at the dealership and give them a check - car unseen - but it was new and I knew the color/options, so there was no reason to see the car first) anyway - when I walked into the dealership, all the sales guys totally ignored me - they didn't know I was there to pick up a car initially, but they treated me like I was a waste of time walking into their dealership since no one gave me the time of day until I hunted down the sales guy I'd been dealing with) then, the finance guy (a man) seemed really agitated that I brought cash and asked me what rate I got and said he could beat that (even though it was too late - I have no idea what he was trying to proove), etc.  - it was a bad vibe - I just didn't trust him and would not be surprised if he did finance me he would have added in some additional costs... - oh and don't let them charge license fees - you can license the car yourself - the only fees they can charge you in addition are destination fees.

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Originally posted by: detroit
" lol - evil sales people - they are though! especially towards women! when we negotiated my husband's car, the sales guy tried upping the price on me at the last minute, going on about how much he is struggling financially and how he needs to feed his kids - I told him I'm sorry to hear that, but that's not my problem (I know - it was harsh - but it's the truth and I'm not going to fall for the sympathy/guilt ploy). Really - you have to think like you're a man - no softspots or guilt allowed.... you're out for a deal - not to make the salesperson's life more comfortable monetarily. sorry for the degression - yes - absolutely it's better to pay with cash - you end up spending more in the long run with any interest bearing loan.  With the Honda we got my husband, we spoke with the finance persona at the dealership about prevailing Honda financing interest rates (I think they pre-qualified him and he has excellent credit) and we confirmed the rate with the finance person at the dealership the day the deal was closed.  If you can pay cash, do it. If you want to finance, do not let them pull any wool over your eyes - it is common for them to add crap into the small print that actually increases the price of the car - I just plain don't trust them. The Honda deal was a little different because the finance person was a woman and she seemed very much straight forward and we scoured the finance contract before signing (I know that was a sexist comment - oh well - shoot me.)  When I picked up my Mercedes (I completed the transaction on the phone - all I had to do was show up at the dealership and give them a check - car unseen - but it was new and I knew the color/options, so there was no reason to see the car first) anyway - when I walked into the dealership, all the sales guys totally ignored me - they didn't know I was there to pick up a car initially, but they treated me like I was a waste of time walking into their dealership since no one gave me the time of day until I hunted down the sales guy I'd been dealing with) then, the finance guy (a man) seemed really agitated that I brought cash and asked me what rate I got and said he could beat that (even though it was too late - I have no idea what he was trying to proove), etc.  - it was a bad vibe - I just didn't trust him and would not be surprised if he did finance me he would have added in some additional costs... - oh and don't let them charge license fees - you can license the car yourself - the only fees they can charge you in addition are destination fees."

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This is very true.  My bf recently bought a new car and I bought his old car.  I did my financing through lendingtree.com and I got a great interest rate because I got to choose from 3 banks.  He decided to do the same thing so when he walked into the dealership with a blank check from the bank they were totally thrown.  He ended up talking them down 1.5% percent from his already low rate because they wanted him to finance through them.  (He wasn't under any obligation from  the other bank unless the check was cashed.)

I highly suggest checking out lendingtree.com.  It is a great way to see what rates you qualify for.

I dont think you should buy a car brand new either, especially if you are considering a honda/acura or bmw.  I bought my car brand new but I wish I would have known before hand that they depriciate in value AT LEAST 20% when you drive it off the lot.  I have a bmw 3-series that I got in 2002 and I have yet to pay for any maintenance.  The maintenance is sorta included in my warranty.  Oil changes, brake pads, and a few other small things are included and is good for 4 years or 50K miles.  Although the warranty is about to run out for me, I don't think I will have any more problems other than those.

If you have 25K to spend i would get a used acura or BMW. You can get a 04 Acura TSX for about 26K.   I also like the new toyota solara.

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Originally posted by: crystal
"This is true, but unfortunately doesn't work w/ cars that hold their value well, like Hondas.  When i was desperately searching for the exact options I wanted on my new Honda, I looked at used ones because I was having trouble locating a new one & the price was almost the same, sometimes even more!!  That's private party and dealerships considered.  Certain makes will lose a lot of value once driven off the lot, but do u really want to buy a car that loses value so dramatically?"

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i said 2 things when i was looking for my Mini

1. i will not buy brand new

2. i will not buy anything but black.

i ended up wiht a brand new purple mini.  turns out that minis are in such high demand, you can't hardly find one that is used with the options that you want.  plus i needed an automatic and those didn't come out until 2005.  so, what are you going to do?  i think it depends on the car and what you are looking for.  i also lucked out because minis are on the top of the list for cars that don't depreciate as quickly according to Kelly Blue Book.