How To Buy a New Car

[Mzo]

This is based off a conversation I had with kidnemo about our car-buying experiences, and I figured having a thread on it could help out those here that haven't had the pleasure of shopping a new car yet. Throw in any links to handy car information sites or whatever, and share your car buying stories/strategies.

First off, buying a car isn't like buying anything else. It's an insanely ridiculous pain in the ass. Where to even start? Every radio, television, or newspaper ad you see is a total bullshit lie. Either that, or there are a million unwritten restrictions that render the offer useless to anybody.

"Oh, the ad was for a car without any extras, including no air conditioning."
Do you have any of those in stock?
"No."
Have you ever?
"..."

Every ad you see is a lie. Everything the salesman tells you that you can't immediately verify with your own senses is a lie. This is the most important thing to remember.

Put in the time researching whatever it is you're going to buy, and to take your time with the purchase. You want to know how much the average person has spent on the car you're looking for, with whatever extras/conveniences you're willing to get. Then you at least have a ballpark figure to work with.

Go to multiple dealerships, and play them against each other. If one gives you a better deal, tell the rest. They want to make the sale, they'll fight it out for you.

Keep your coat on and don't sit down, that was kid's strat. If you can, be intimidating. If not, bring someone that is. Get ready to get really pissed off a lot, and storm out of the place. They always come after you. Always. Be loud and swear. Be an asshole. I know maybe you don't want to be, or you don't like to be, but you can start off this way or they will make you act this way by the end.

Keep an eye out for well-known scams, like the 4 Boxes of Impending Poverty. When I bought my car back when, I was lucky enough to go with my father, who is an intimidating SOB when he wants to be. I'd like to point out that during the signing of the contract, when shit was STILL being sprung on us like WHAT, was one of the very few times in my life I have cursed in front of my father. I did the whole slam my palms on the desk and yell at the fucking man sitting there LYING to us thing.

Honestly, buying a car is amazing.

[Othello Harrington]

I'm going through this right now. Thank God I work for a automobile manfacturer and get the best pricing.

However, it's still shit, they try to wheel and deal you with the cars you select. For instance, I am really wanting a trailblazer, black with a grey interior, and since the dealership doesn't have one, they are trying to push me in one that is black with that nasty tan interior.

My number on suggestion is to not allow the dealership to throw the double team at you (IE the salesman and the manager) as they tend to role in numbers. Also, be careful what you discuss when they are not around, the walls have ears.

[Drewbacca]

Keep your coat on and don't sit down, that was kid's strat. If you can, be intimidating. If not, bring someone that is. Get ready to get really pissed off a lot, and storm out of the place. They always come after you. Always. Be loud and swear. Be an asshole. I know maybe you don't want to be, or you don't like to be, but you can start off this way or they will make you act this way by the end.

I have no problem with this. If anybody needs an asshole and lives in Toronto I'm willing.

[Rumpy]

I got my new car last summer and got an awesome deal. I first walked into the dealership about 3 MONTHS before I acutally intended to buy a car. Just met one of the sales guys talked shit over, got a brocher... I went to 2 other dealers in the area (one where my friend works) and did the same there. I let them all know of the dealerships I've been to. So after some time and popping in about once a month, I got to know one of the sales guys (the original I spoke to). I told him I was looking for a job but I wanted such and such after I got a job and could actually buy the car.

Here's the big one: Go on the last day of the month. Most dealerships do not own the cars in their inventory. So they pay interest on EVERY SINGLE car they have. They have a shitty month, they get brutalized on interest from the company. So that last week they are going crazy trying to sell whatever they can.

So I walked into the dealership on May 31st and my sales guy was there. At that point we were on a first name basis and he knew what I wanted. We started talking and I told him to give me a deal. I originally wanted a blue one, but they had none in stock (that's another thing, they HATE finding cars for you. They''ll give you a deal on whatever they have in stock. Otherwise it's a hassle for them to find what you want and it cuts into their profits). But they had a black one that actually looked better than the blue. We worked shit out and I got a fully loaded 2004 Rav4 S for $21,600 (list was $25) at 6.8 APR (I financed it). Took it off the lot that day.

Getting a new car is the fucking greatest. It's like being 8 years old and getting a gigantic new toy.

[Dolemite]

Yup, driving out of a dealer's lot with a brand new car is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. I remember the night I had bought my first new car I just stood in the driveway just looking at it non-stop. You know, like I couldn't believe it was actually mine.

[Othello Harrington]

Yup, driving out of a dealer's lot with a brand new car is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. I remember the night I had bought my first new car I just stood in the drive way just looking at it non-stop. You know, like I couldn't believe it was actually mine.

Me too, and then I got the first bill....

[Dolemite]

My payments were fine. I put 8 grand down so I was only paying $260 a month.

[station82o]

i advise buying a used rental or a display model or something,. anything where the price has been reduced from MSR - buying new cars just dont seem like wise investments thesedays.

[Mzo]

Yup, driving out of a dealer's lot with a brand new car is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. I remember the night I had bought my first new car I just stood in the driveway just looking at it non-stop. You know, like I couldn't believe it was actually mine.

Yeah, I remember it was something that felt too big for me to actually own, but there it was.

I figure the next time I feel that way is when I get a house =O

[Othello Harrington]

I would NEVER advise buying a used car or a former rental unless you have to.

The pitfalls and risks are too great, and you have to pay for an extended bumper to bumper warranty, which is going to cost you.

Owning a house >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>owning a car

Plus your credit rating is awesome going forward!