Rant About New (Ford) Car Shopping

[MinisterofDOOM]

Funny, most times I visit a dealer I end up being practically begged to take a car for a test drive. Heck, I had my LS at a Ford dealer this week to get a new key programmed and almost ended up taking a Fusion for a test drive to pass the time. Probably should have taken the chance but there was a Crown Burger next door and I was hungry.

[bigbadberry3]

While a warranty can feel like a comfort, I'd rather have no warranty and a vehicle that doesn't require one.

You are 110% right, but you just never know what may happen.

[Bubba1]

I will not default, I'll move back in with the rents or into the car.

HERE'S THE UPDATE:

Got shafted again, was told the dealer was swapping a fiesta for a mustang. 500 dollar deposit goes down and Ford credit is filled out. Next morning, mustang is sold so the swap is off, deal is off.

New plan: Lease a dd, Hyundai seems to be getting a lot of praise as of late but am open to others.
New plan pt 2: buy used NSX.

Plan 1, leasing is not for everyone. I've leased several cars for my wife. The devil is in the fine print. For example, the cost to go over the agreed upon mileage could shock you, and return conditions vary greatly. Some will allow a minor ding or two per side, some literally expect perfect cars in return, So if you park in a parking lot with tight spaces for work, you could get hosed with steep body repair charges when you return it.

Plan 2. NSX is a great car, but not practical as a DD.

[MinisterofDOOM]

NSX has a big trunk for a mid-engine sports car.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

If I ever leased a car, I would beat the ever living s*** out of it. This is why I do not buy lease returns.

[Mr1der]

yeah, I'm bad enough with rental cars....

[Rev_D21]

I will not default, I'll move back in with the rents or into the car.

HERE'S THE UPDATE:

Got shafted again, was told the dealer was swapping a fiesta for a mustang. 500 dollar deposit goes down and Ford credit is filled out. Next morning, mustang is sold so the swap is off, deal is off.

New plan: Lease a dd, Hyundai seems to be getting a lot of praise as of late but am open to others.
New plan pt 2: buy used NSX.

You appear desperate to spend money. You are going about this all wrong. You said you have finances lined up but it appears you don't. Who's your bank? Get a pre-approved loan ahead of time through them. Then you will have the buying power behind you that a salesman will take seriously. What I do is research the car, find the best possible price online for a similar spec vehicle, get a pre-approved loan from my credit union for that amount then bring a cash deposit to the dealer along with my offer. This way they have to make a deal or I walk back out with the deposit in my hands. This is also how I got a great deal on my Frontier, I walked in with a cash down payment. If they worked with my offer and we agreed they got the deposit cash while I ran to the bank to get the check. This is also why I am not upside down in this truck, if I sold it today I'd make my $2000 back at the very least. Do your homework a little better because they are playing you like a fiddle.

[bigbadberry3]

I will not default, I'll move back in with the rents or into the car.

HERE'S THE UPDATE:

Got shafted again, was told the dealer was swapping a fiesta for a mustang. 500 dollar deposit goes down and Ford credit is filled out. Next morning, mustang is sold so the swap is off, deal is off.

New plan: Lease a dd, Hyundai seems to be getting a lot of praise as of late but am open to others.
New plan pt 2: buy used NSX.

You appear desperate to spend money. You are going about this all wrong. You said you have finances lined up but it appears you don't. Who's your bank? Get a pre-approved loan ahead of time through them. Then you will have the buying power behind you that a salesman will take seriously. What I do is research the car, find the best possible price online for a similar spec vehicle, get a pre-approved loan from my credit union for that amount then bring a cash deposit to the dealer along with my offer. This way they have to make a deal or I walk back out with the deposit in my hands. This is also how I got a great deal on my Frontier, I walked in with a cash down payment. If they worked with my offer and we agreed they got the deposit cash while I ran to the bank to get the check. This is also why I am not upside down in this truck, if I sold it today I'd make my $2000 back at the very least. Do your homework a little better because they are playing you like a fiddle.

Did you even read my thread?

[audtatious]

I remember when the WRX came out in 02. I wanted to test drive it and the guy wouldn't let me. I was 24 and in the Air Force. He said it was a high demand car and that people couldn't just go out and test drive a Vette either. I informed him that the Vette had been out since the 50's and cost twice as much which means you know what you're getting. The WRX was brand new to the US and no one knew how it drove or handled or anything. He wouldn't budge. I went to another dealership and tool him my story. They let me take the car for the weekend!! I didn't get the car though because he said I couldn't get it without a spoiler so I got a Spec-V instead. Live and learn. Shoulda got the Scoobie.

In '03 I had a similar experience with the local Nissan dealership. I wanted to test drive a 350z and they would not let me. Their excuse was that "people who buy a 350z don't want anyone else test driving it first". I was 38 at the time and had purchased a new '02 Maxima SE from them the prior year. Didn't matter, they still would not let me drive one.

I don't frequent that dealership at all anymore and even if I'm looking for a Nissan product I won't consider them.

[Jesda]

Well, the plan is to finance a fun car with good value, right?

I dont know how you can beat a used G35/G37 on value. Get a certified one with an extended warranty directly from Infiniti.

Call your credit union, then go car shopping.

[bigbadberry3]

Jesda,

I actually test drove a G37s which surprised me. The drive was amazingly smooth and I've never been surrounded by sooooo many toys in a car. But if you saw the phone I have, you would understand why it's not my first choice. It was at Carmax but they were very nice and offered a decently priced warranty.

I am my own bank this time which is nice and why my budget is around 30K.

So it looks like it will be lease a DD + an older sports car (leaning towards NSX from the early 90's because it's still a great drivers car that looks amazing)

[Rev_D21]

Did you even read my thread?

Yeh I did, you are desperate to buy a car and it shows.

3) Yeah I know. I'm pretty cautious about investing and a car is something I would consider an investment.

This is what tipped me off.

[bigbadberry3]

Did you even read my thread?

Yeh I did, you are desperate to buy a car and it shows.

Desperate, no. I want to get rid of my Civic before it implodes and before it hits rock bottom on value. Now that I have income coming in, the time is right.

3) Yeah I know. I'm pretty cautious about investing and a car is something I would consider an investment.

This is what tipped me off.

Trying to take sensible position tipped you off to me wanting to buy?

Anyways.... I'll update with progress when I actually make some.

[orangeNblue]

The rev is right about a few things. A car is never an investment. period. Well I guess it is but isn't a good one. You will always lose money on a car. It's sad but true. Now making a sensible decision is a good idea, but a car is one you can take your time on. Now that you have money, a car is a good idea if yours really is on the decline. But on the other hand, the prices on used cars are going up, depending on make, model, and year. I think that you can find what you're looking for, just don't rush it. If you're looking for new, there is a Scion coming out later this year that may be worth considering as well. If you'll consider it, I'd personally go used though. You'll save a lot of money and still come out happy I think.

In any case I think this is a decision that should be full of patience, so take your time, find exactly what you are looking for, make certain that you can afford it and that you LOVE IT. Then make your move and get it

[Dittoz7]

C5 CORVETTE

V Sheeps Agree V

[frapjap]

^ C5 Z06 ^
Sheep mostly agrees.

To the OP: why an NSX so bad? I mean, they're cool looking, but there are much better performance cars out there for the same change (if your intention is to have a car that performs).

Ever consider an Elise or Extige?

[bigbadberry3]

Corvettes are dirt cheap but still a dime a dozen (I know ironic that I was looking for a mustang XD). But Corvette performance is still unbeatable for their price.

My dad loves the NSX so I would like to keep him involved. His next favorite car would be the E type Jags and well, they are pricey. I don't think the NSX is that bad of a track car. Dated and under powered but still a very good car to drive and looks way better than the Vettes.

[Bubba1]

Desperate, no. I want to get rid of my Civic before it implodes and before it hits rock bottom on value. Now that I have income coming in, the time is right.
.

I'm sure the Civic will implode long before it bottoms out in value. Given $4 gas, well made small cars like the Civic have been holding their values better, though you can expect a dealer to try to lowball you on a trade. It;s another way they make a profit.

Some other advice.
If you're thinking of trading the civic, do not introduce the trade during price negotiations, keep them separate.

If you plan to finance, you should do some loan shopping before going in. Dealers
traditionally offer their best rates only to those with very high credit ratings.
Just like pitting one dealer against another to drive down a price, if the dealer is interested in financing you, it;s better for you if they need to beat what you already found than having then simply quote you.

Finally, the best time to buy a new car is at the end of a month and/or at the end of the model year. Salesmen have quota's (X number of sales per month expected), plus dealers monthly pay fees to the manufacturers fr the unsold cars on their lots. So there is ample incentive for them to make better deals to avoid the charges.. Likewise they;re gonna try more sales pressure to get you to sign. It kinda works both ways, but if you steer the negotiation, it helps you far more. Also, in August/Sept when the model years traditionally change, so dealers are ususlly much more willing negotiate lower prices just to clear space for the new year cars, which theoretically they won't need to discount as much at the beginning.