Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Buying First Car and i dont know shit.. Help ?

Boo · 03-24-2004, 07:58 PM

I suggest Toyota, Subaru, Saturn, Honda or possibly VW. Nissan if the price and miles are right. I like Toyota trucks and 4-Runners. Ask a mechanic that you trust what he recommends.

Learn all you can about the car you decide on. Call the bank and get book value on the approximate year/mileage.

Any car is only worth what you are willing to pay for it. Remember that when you are talking with the salesmen. Market value may be higher or lower than what you personally will pay.

Get preapproved, don't tell the dealer until you are at the finance desk.

Settle on a price, NOT A PAYMENT. They have a nice little game of jacking the price up to make your payment.

Get a solid interest rate before you drive home. If they call back and try to jack up your rate, RETURN THE CAR and find a new dealer. They can make $1000 a % point by selling it to the lenders. They know what you qualify for when they see your credit report.

Gap insurance is for people that want more vehicle than they can afford. Put away 20% for a down payment. If you cannot afford the down, you cannot afford the car.

Buying an extended warranty is betting that the car will break. Make your decision based on the total vehicle.

IMO - American cars are unreliable crap. I have worked on Cavaliers more than any other car.

Get a sheet of paper, write "Salesmen are not my friends" 300 times. Rinse, repeat.

03-24-2004, 07:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Boo Leave me alone! Location: Alaska, USA	I suggest Toyota, Subaru, Saturn, Honda or possibly VW. Nissan if the price and miles are right. I like Toyota trucks and 4-Runners. Ask a mechanic that you trust what he recommends. Learn all you can about the car you decide on. Call the bank and get book value on the approximate year/mileage. Any car is only worth what you are willing to pay for it. Remember that when you are talking with the salesmen. Market value may be higher or lower than what you personally will pay. Get preapproved, don't tell the dealer until you are at the finance desk. Settle on a price, NOT A PAYMENT. They have a nice little game of jacking the price up to make your payment. Get a solid interest rate before you drive home. If they call back and try to jack up your rate, RETURN THE CAR and find a new dealer. They can make $1000 a % point by selling it to the lenders. They know what you qualify for when they see your credit report. Gap insurance is for people that want more vehicle than they can afford. Put away 20% for a down payment. If you cannot afford the down, you cannot afford the car. Buying an extended warranty is betting that the car will break. Make your decision based on the total vehicle. IMO - American cars are unreliable crap. I have worked on Cavaliers more than any other car. Get a sheet of paper, write "Salesmen are not my friends" 300 times. Rinse, repeat. __________________ Back button again, I must be getting old.