bigbadberry3 wrote:So I've landed my first real job (benefits,retirement plan, more than 3 figure pay check) and I've decided to buy a new car. Is it the smart move? Maybe maybe not but you only live once. I decided on a new 2012 Mustang 5.0, 6 speed, Brembo package, 3.73 gears. I have been looking for about a month now and have had 0 luck. So here are my gripes:
1) Despite my name, I'm not very intimidating, kinda look like McLovin. Salesman refuse to let me test drive a 5.0 without my dad being there and I feel that it's based just on my age which is really annoying.
At 24, it's not your age, but more likely your appearance, and what you drove in with. Salesmen size you up the moment you walk in. If you're unshaven, and show up in t-shirt+shorts +flipflops driving a fart-canned 240sx and saying the words "yo", "dude", "like" too often, you'll be viewed as a kid looking to do donuts in a new mustang for giggles, and not respect you. Dress/act to impress,
IS buying new smart? There's no right or wrong answer. Depends on a few things, including how long you intend to keep it, if having a maximum warranty is important (which is not a bad idea for a new american car), if it's what you really want, if you don't want to gamble on the previous owner taking proper care and/or not abusing it, etc.. I've bought both new and used, there are advantages/disadvantages to doing it both ways.
bigbadberry3 wrote:
2)I contact a lot of dealers online. It's simple and usually pretty efficient. But once they have your phone number they won't let you go. I understand that they're doing their job but I'll contact you if I change my mind.
Contacting a dealer on line is prudent, but YOU can easily control a salesman. you simply tell them you are busy and YOU will get back to them if/when you're ready to sit down and make a deal. You should also make it clear that you will be seeing other dealers so if they want your business, harassing you will make them the first dealer out of the running. They're gonna contact at least twice, first to thank you for contacting them and then a followup by a Manager to offer help. But If they call you a third time and if you don't put your foot down then, they're just gonna keep calling you and calling you. And that, buddy, is your fault for leaving the door open.
bigbadberry3 wrote:
3)There just seems to be a lack of new cars available even. I've gone to every ford dealership in the Chicagoland area and nothing. I was on to one today in Willowbrook and on my way I get a call saying the car was sold.
This should not matter at all. Dealers obviously make more on vehicles sitting in their own lots and salesman don;t get commission until after the car is delivered. so they're gonna to push you toward what's there, close to what you want and readily available. But they also love cars coming in off the truck already sold so the negotiations work the exact same way regardless if the car is there or not. It's as just easy for a dealer to order new one as it is to find a dealer for a swap to get one. Patience works to your advantage. Impatience works to the dealers advantage. And you're coming off impatient.
bigbadberry3 wrote:
4) Wait time for a build is 12 weeks so current incentives will run out
Doesn't matter, and it's likely a lie to manuever you to buy a car sitting on their lot. And the incentives running out silliness is an old salesman trick to get you to think you must commit now. They're playing you like a fiddle. As an example, in 1989, I purchased a newly introduced 240SX loaded, 5 speed, in their advertised color. I was told 12 weeks minumum to get one. I said fine, I'll simply order it, I'm in no hurry. 4 days later the car arrived. Don't believe everything a salesman tells you.
Some other observations:
1. You said you just got your first career job,. That's probably not long enough to develop a much of track record for stability or creditworthiness. You typically need to hold a job at least 6 months to get on the credit radar. You might need your parents to cosign this first car if you want it now.
2. You researched what you want, but did you break down the dealer costs for the car? You need to negotiate from the cost up, not list price down. For dealer cost, you could try Edmunds.com. it's fairly accurate. I've never paid more than $400-$500 over dealer cost for any new vehicle I've purchased doing just that.
3. What you're looking to buy is NOT a rare car. It can be built easily, ANY dealer can order one. So don't be so desparate to plink down a deposit if a dealer said they are the only ones that can get one. And putting down a deposit is not required for a credit check. No money should ever change hands until everything is hammered out.
I hope that helps.
