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Tips for buying a car. (pg. 5)
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| El K Dee |
| quote: | Originally posted by DigiNut
I guess I've been spoiled, but that was a brand-spankin' new Accent and even when I was driving the '04 Corolla S I remember it having more spunk than that.
Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone... I honestly didn't think there'd be any Accent owners/drivers here, lol, I've never met one. |
accents feel like driving a weak scaffolding on wheels |
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| infinity HiGH |
| quote: | Originally posted by DigiNut
Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone... I honestly didn't think there'd be any Accent owners/drivers here, lol, I've never met one. |
LOL as if I was actually offended by that!! I could care less to be honest. It's just a car and it's not even mine. Just that from my experience it's not as bad as you made it out to be. Then again...my lower end limit is the Fiat 126p, and comparing an Accent to that is like comparing a Lexus to an Accent. |
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| rabbitjoker |
| The Hindu Pony is a great value. |
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| El K Dee |
| quote: | Originally posted by rabbitjoker
The Hindu Pony is a great value. |
lol
Renault-Nissan along with Bajaj Motors was/is developing a similar cheap alternative....I trust the design to be far superior |
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| *~LiSa-LoO~* |
Okay, so I didn't think I'd be using this thread so soon...but I need help. I need to buy a car, and soon. I'm a first time buyer, and literally know NOTHING about buying a car/insurance or anything.
What tips do you have for a first time buyer?
I've been reading through the thread and think I want something used, (probably a year or two) from the dealer. I don't really have any car in mind. I'd like to keep it around $20,000 like Iain. I don't care too much about extras, just as long as it gets me from place A to place B and is fairly good on gas, and is safe and reliable.
Are there any other basic features I should be looking for?
What cars would you recommend for a first time buyer that are safe, reliable and fairly good on gas?
When I get excited about something, I usually say yes to the first price, what tips do you have for negotiated prices?
What are the advantages of leasing vs. owning?
How much should I expect to pay for insurance? What company do you recommend getting insurance from?
Are there any recommendations for websites to check out for car specs or opinions from specific car users?
Only serious responses please, this is stressing me out. I was not prepared to be buying a car so soon :(
Edit: Malek, how's the Fusion on gas? |
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| Abercrombie |
| quote: | Originally posted by *~LiSa-LoO~*
When I get excited about something, I usually say yes to the first price, what tips do you have for negotiated prices?
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| quote: | Originally posted by Abercrombie
Never buy the same day you visit a dealer.
Never buy the same day you revisit that dealer.
Negotiate each time, and walk away each time. You must do this. Each time after leaving, they call you in the next few days inviting wou back with a better offer. Keep loballing, walk away, and you're 3rd visit is one you hammer even more.
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It's a buyer's market. You have the power, use it. |
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| Sentinal |
Hey Lisa,
I have been looking for literally 3 weeks now. First thing I would say, take your time. Nobody like surprises. Ask the dealer questions like how much simple wear and tear costs will be on the car. Some car makes and models are more expensive to maintain.
Oil changes.
Brake jobs.
Tune ups.
Also when looking there are some feature that you would think would not cost extra but they do. Not so much for used cars but definatly for new. Most cars I've looked at have and extra 1300-1500 just to have an automatic transmission as opposed to manual. And air conditioning will run another 1000-1300 plus the 100 dollar federal a/c tax.
If buying used, ask for a carfax report, even if it is really new. And it should be inspected by a mechanic outside their dealership.
I don't know if this has already been mentioned in this thread, I havent read through the whole thing in a few weeks.
Hope this helps. I'm looking to be making my purchase in the next 4-8 months. |
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| Sentinal |
Oh I missed the leasing v.s. owning part.
Leasing Pro's
Lower monthly cost.
Most likely on a new car as opposed to used.
With new car you get warranty.
Leasing Con's
No car at the end of lease period, you have to return it or buy it out, usually at an inflated cost.
It is very easy to go over the alloted km/s. With leases you are only allowed to drive the car certain distances before paying for each kilometre. I think the going rate is about 15 cents a kilometre.
Buying Pro's
The car is yours. You keep till your done with it.
You can use it for trade in for your next car.
Buying Con's
You are completly responcibile for the maintenece of the vehicle, all costs.
I'm biased towards buying, I had a leased car when I was a teenager and I remember always having to watch how much I drove the car. Unneeded stress.
Lisa, the Canadian dollar is going up again. If it goes above 90 cents to the greenback, start looking at dealerships in Detroit. You are nice and close, and there really is some huge price diffeneces that may make it better to purchase over there, but you will have to wait.
What is the problem with your transportation now anyways??? |
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| *~LiSa-LoO~* |
Thanks for the tips Iain. I didn't know about the extra costs, the inspection and asking about maintenance costs. That information will definitely help. I would like to take my time buying a car, but I'm not sure how much time I will have...as I literally need it ASAP.
You mention buying a car in Detroit, wouldn't it cost me more money and hassle to import it into Canada though?
My transportation situation literally changed overnight. My dad worked at Chrysler for 35 years and recently retired. He has 2 cars that he has on their employee lease plan and was under the impression that I was allowed to drive them until the end of the year that I turn 25, as long as I'm in school. He got a notice the other day reminding him that my medical coverage will end in December, and sent an email to the employee lease department just to verify when my car privileges have ended.
As it turns out, I was supposed to stop driving the cars when I turned 24! So I have been driving the cars for a year without authorization. It's not easy to get around Windsor (with the cabs on strike, and public transportation being atrocious), and having to get around a lot between working and going to school in the States...a car is a must.
Also, my dad having been on the employee lease plan for over 35 years now knows little about buying a car, so it's like the blind leading the blind. |
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| miljan |
Don't ask for Carfax, ask for CarProof.
Don't even bother asking the dealer for any maintenance cost. All you have to do is find your future vehicle's or manufacturer's 'enthusiast' website and find a recommended mechanic in your area. Keep the receipts for all oil changes/purchases and you are good to go.
A timing belt change for my vehicle is ~$900 + tax at the dealer and I paid $700 (incl. fuel/air/cabin filters) to a trusted mechanic. Dealer doesn't include half the parts a trusted mechanic does. That is around 30% savings right there.
Also, if you decide on a specific vehicle, you can search those enthusiast's websites for anyone selling their vehicle. Most of those guys will have a good record on the forums and will be very fairly priced. I just sold a jetta tdi for $6,900 to a guy in Windsor and he's getting 4.4l/100km on the highway. |
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| Pett |
| quote: | Originally posted by Invasionmix
You're a bus driver, take the bus to work!! |
people say that to me too but guess whos driving the buses when im on my way to work? nobody because they're not running yet |
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| Invasionmix |
| quote: | Originally posted by Pett
people say that to me too but guess whos driving the buses when im on my way to work? nobody because they're not running yet |
lol I was just yanking his chain :P But Sentinel starts work at 2 PM so he can easily take the bus lol |
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