The husband and I are in the market for a new car. Turns out, it will cost about $900 to repair my car and that is just not going to happen.
We both have had our cars for a looong time, so it's been a while since we have looked a purchasing a new-used car.
Do you have any tips/suggestions/advice? I really don't want to get ripped off, spend too much money, experience buyer's remorse, etc.
Thing is...we need to get a car this week - my work schedule is getting busy and I can't drive the husband's car (nor would I trust to drive that to my meetings even if I could drive it).
We looooove our Sonata in case you want an opinion on one of those. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with car buying! I have no helpful words of wisdom but I do think that it sounds like fun to get to pick a new car. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe're in the drive it 'til it dies camp and with our daily drivers being 9 and 15 years old, I know that we are pushing the limits. One day we will go from content car owners to emergency car buyers at the drop of a hat. I may get a chance to pick out a car sooner than I think.
@Brit
ReplyDeleteThat is the same position we were in...I was hoping to have a few more months though before either of them died!
Hard decisions on a quick timeline = no good! I would call up some local mechanics and ask their opinions on easier cars to repair, best parts, etc. Typically they have a good grasp on what's a good buy vs. getting ripped off. That's what I did, ended up with a jeep grand cherokee.
ReplyDeleteI really love my Toyota Matrix.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to check with your bank first. My bank (Navy Federal) does deals with car dealerships so you don't have to haggle and you get a great rate.
I became an emergency car buyer in January, and we did a lot of looking in a few short days. I'd always driven a Chevy or GM vehicle, and while I still like them, I am rather enamored with the Subaru we got :-)
ReplyDeleteThe all-wheel-drive has been a lifesaver this winter, and it handles better than anything else I've driven. The newer ones also get great mileage even with the AWD. We plan to drive this for a looong time, and this are supposed to last forever and be quite safe. Sorry, don't mean to sound like a salesman. I truly have no stake or interest in any car company!
Good luck car shopping; I know what a royal pain it can be.
I'm not going to talk about the best car. But I will say do your research. If you feel they're charging you too much, they probably are. If they won't work with you and give you the deal you want, leave. They'll call you back and give you the deal you want. They want your money so make them give you the deal you want. Happy car shopping!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you'd be into a used car, but I think slightly used Toyotas can be a great deal, and they generally get good gas mileage/are cheap to maintain (My Corolla has 60,000+ miles on it and has never had a single issue!). I really want a RAV4!
ReplyDeleteWe have both really loved our Infinitis and the service at the Infiniti dealership! That is all I know though ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late but all I have is the obvious...don't impulse buy! I did and I hate my stupid car (Saturn Ion, btw). Chris; however, spent 4 years gazing at his dream car and he loves his WRX.
ReplyDeleteOh, and get something with resale value (unlike my plastic Saturn...).
I'm a little late to the party, but I would recommend Kia's just based on the warranty alone (10 years or 100,000 miles). I got a Sportage and I love the cross-over size with the great gas mileage (I get 30+ MPG). I'm VERY happy with my Kia, and also loved that it was $15,000 brand new!
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