Official Car Thread :: Vol 2 :: Now with More Bikes!

[Thief Silver]

I definitely want to test drive the Pontiac G5, something about the car CALLS OUT TO ME, IT SPEAKS TO ME! My big concern is the complaints about it being loud at high speeds. honestly depending on the deal I can get and whether or not that's true, that'll probably be the car I get.

But I plan to take a look at lots of cars tomorrow bofore I actually make this important decision.

And that's probably where I should stop because all this worrying about researching cars is stressing me out when I think it's just going to come down to how they feel to me. I have a good idea of my options and choices and where things lie, and now I just have to actually try the cars out.

Unless anyone can think of anything else I should be looking at? I mean Pontiacs are good for how long they last right? I know you guys said to avoid Kias because they don't last very long so I've done that.

Honda Fit is probably the car I'll get if I find I don't like the G5.

[stormy]

Well a huge drawback to the Pontiac will be resale value. If you plan to keep it 3-5 years that is a concern, if you keep it for 100k+ miles then it's less so. The Pontiac will be worth a lot less at that point than a Fit or another Japanese car. It will be harder to sell, and the difference in what you get will probably be in the thousands of dollars. Look on craig's list at the difference in old Civics vs Focuses. That's not ususally something people think about when buying a car, but it's money out of your pocket and it can justify paying more up front for a Japanese car.

[Tones]

My dad has a G6, and while there are a lot of naysayers, it's really a pretty nice car, especially for what he paid. The quality of the interior is leaps and bounds above GM 10 or even 5 years ago. The seats are cloth, but their weave has a nice tactile feedback.

I mean, look at what you want. No matter what the internet says, you're ultimately making the decision.

[Type Ryan]

Just don't use Burg's ride...

[stormy]

Thief, since you know you're buying soon have you started looking at interest rates yet? When you start negotiating you want to have pre-approved financing from a bank already, that way they can't dick you on the rate. They either have to beat your current rate or you will use the bank. Unless there is a special rate on the car they generally won't beat it, and often the special is a good rate or a rebate, so this way you will have a good rate and a possible rebate. Credit Unions are the best for this, and generally have the lowest rates.

When I bought 6+% was fairly common for tier one from banks and creditors. The dealership offered me something stupid like 11% (LOL @ them), but I went through a Credit Union and my rate is something like 4.9%.

[MarkRyan]

Credit unions are indeed the business for car loans. If there are incentives on the car, often you have to choose between a cash discount and a better interest rate--if you get a good interest rate from an external credit union, you can have the best of both worlds.

Unless they offer 0% financing on the cars. Which it doesn't look like Pontiac has right now.

EDIT: Scratch that. They have 0% on the 2007 G5. Probably only good 'til the end of February.

[stormy]

What precisely do they mean by 'cash allowance' and 'bonus cash'?

[Thief Silver]

EDIT: Scratch that. They have 0% on the 2007 G5. Probably only good 'til the end of February.

Yeah this is the main reason why I wanna get it now, lots of good deals, plus a 2007 would be cheaper and I don't think they've really changed up the car much in one year. If I could get a 2007 G5 with what I want on the inside I would be very happy. But yeah I'm looking around The big thing is there are a lot of deals going on while the Autoshow is in town. Now at this point I can't get a G5 from 2007 customized though correct? They official stopped making new ones some time ago?

[stormy]

Yeah this is the main reason why I wanna get it now, lots of good deals, plus a 2007 would be cheaper and I don't think they've really changed up the car much in one year. If I could get a 2007 G5 with what I want on the inside I would be very happy. But yeah I'm looking around The big thing is there are a lot of deals going on while the Autoshow is in town. Now at this point I can't get a G5 from 2007 customized though correct? They official stopped making new ones some time ago?

You won't get much of a deal custom ordering anything. You want to search dealer lots for a car configured the way you want. They are making 08s now.

[Thief Silver]

Well a huge drawback to the Pontiac will be resale value. If you plan to keep it 3-5 years that is a concern, if you keep it for 100k+ miles then it's less so. The Pontiac will be worth a lot less at that point than a Fit or another Japanese car. It will be harder to sell, and the difference in what you get will probably be in the thousands of dollars. Look on craig's list at the difference in old Civics vs Focuses. That's not ususally something people think about when buying a car, but it's money out of your pocket and it can justify paying more up front for a Japanese car.

Yeah considering the amount of driving I do I'll probably be pushing this car past 100k. I intend to get full use out of a car, unless I find a great opportunity.

And ah ok, because if I get the G5 Ebony leather heated seats is a must ^.^