What do you think? (new car purchase)

[greggie195]

Hi all, I am new here, but not to Nissans. I got a used 1986 200sx in 2000 for free and ran the odometer up to 225,000 miles before getting rid of it (car still ran great, the heating core was shot and radiator fluid in the car is no fun). 2004 I got a mint,fully loaded 1992 Maxima for $1600 with 120,000 miles on it. I sold it off last night for a mere 300 bucks because the head gasket blew at 205,000 miles. Now I need a new car. I tested the Fit (not a bad car just not me) and a Mazda3 (liked it alot but the dealer sucked) and a Carolla (meh, nothing special) and I tested the versa SL. Nice little car, again I didnt feel like it was anything that special, but for the price you get alot and in this class, I feel it is the best deal. Here is what I am looking at:

2009 HB SL w/CVTmud flapsmatsConv package1 year free oil changes (unlimited miles.....I put on over 20,000 miles a year)2 years free tires/rim repair (no deductable)3.9% APR$16850 +TTL. I thought it looks like a very good deal

I know this has been beaten to death but I just wanted to see what all you guys thought. Everytone here seems very knowledgable and this site has been very helpful to me. Thanks!

Gregg

[versabundus]

I know I'll get slammed for this but... test drive a Ford Focus. I got a loaded Ses auto for about that same price and 1.9 financing. I've been very impressed with the car. Plus I've been getting better and more consistent mileage than the with the Versa. (and not a hiccup or flaw in 7k miles). Sync and Sirius are great too.

[greggie195]

Thanks for the tip. I just watched a review of that car on youtube and its OK, the Sync feature is very cool. I dont like the overall stying and expecially the side "vents". Plus, no offense, its a Ford.

One thing about the Versa and Nissan (in general) that gets me is the lack of Sirius, I have Sirius and hate like hell to give it up and I dont want to add my cheap standalone in it. I would really like to be fully intergrated. With the merger between XM and Sirius Im sure something will come out for it.

[BigMac1520]

I got a new sedan with all you have except for the oil changes and tire and rim repair for $15,000 plus TL. 4.99%. I think you could do better.

Dave

[greggie195]

I got a new sedan with all you have except for the oil changes and tire and rim repair for $15,000 plus TL. 4.99%. I think you could do better.

Dave

WOW that is a really great deal! Especially considering the MSRP for the configuration I put up (2009 HB) is $18700, and the invoice is $17310 and the Edmunds True Market Value is $17570. I thought I was getting a bargain, but you really took them for a ride!!!

[versabundus]

Thanks for the tip. I just watched a review of that car on youtube and its OK, the Sync feature is very cool. I dont like the overall stying and expecially the side "vents". Plus, no offense, its a Ford.

One thing about the Versa and Nissan (in general) that gets me is the lack of Sirius, I have Sirius and hate like hell to give it up and I dont want to add my cheap standalone in it. I would really like to be fully intergrated. With the merger between XM and Sirius Im sure something will come out for it.

If you go by Youtube or any of the car reviews, you would be looking at a Honda or Toyota. You have to drive one. Drive it at speed, and on a twisty road. and with the windows closed on a thruway. You'll see. I've always hated Fords, but I tried a test drive and it changed my mind. After four months of ownership, I'm starting to think about it as one of my favorite cars I've owned, and I've had Many.

[Offshore1]

I got a '08 SL HB w/ mudflaps, Conv pak, floor mats for $15300 plus Tax & Title this past July. Didn't check financing as it is paid for.Oil - IMHO - worthless -check that out, the intervals are waaaay higher than what normal folks do. Free tires - yeah, check the fine print on that too.The '09's are ever so slightly higher.

[hsckris]

If you go by Youtube or any of the car reviews, you would be looking at a Honda or Toyota. You have to drive one. Drive it at speed, and on a twisty road. and with the windows closed on a thruway. You'll see. I've always hated Fords, but I tried a test drive and it changed my mind. After four months of ownership, I'm starting to think about it as one of my favorite cars I've owned, and I've had Many.

My wife has a 2003 Focus, which is surprisingly similiar to the new models. It has the 2.0 dohc zetec and an automatic trans. It has been an excellent car. It has only let us down once in almost 90,000 miles, and that was just a battery cable that needed to be replaced (was no longer making enough connection to start). Other than that and 2 warranty items (cd player died and wheel bearing failed under warranty), we have had zero problems with the car. We drive the crap out of it and it consistentely returns ~30mpg. My only complaint is I'd like 20 more hp or a manual trans or both. Its fine with just me & my wife, or light luggage, but if we load it down with people or gear it lags a bit.

That said, if I was buying today I think I'd probably look no further than the Mazda3 (I too dislike the new focus' styling). If you drove the 08 Fit, the 09 Fit has actually been redesigned.... you might want to check out the 09 if you haven't. Here is an article on the 09: http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...22688

[greggie195]

If you go by Youtube or any of the car reviews, you would be looking at a Honda or Toyota. You have to drive one. Drive it at speed, and on a twisty road. and with the windows closed on a thruway. You'll see. I've always hated Fords, but I tried a test drive and it changed my mind. After four months of ownership, I'm starting to think about it as one of my favorite cars I've owned, and I've had Many.

Actually the review for it on youtube is quite good, Im sure it runs great and is pleasant to drive, I just personally don't care for how it looks. At this point I have checked out about 5 dealerships (Ford not being one of them) and I have take about as much dealer BS as I could deal with. Really wish I could buy a new car online and not have to deal with these people.

I got a '08 SL HB w/ mudflaps, Conv pak, floor mats for $15300 plus Tax & Title this past July. Didn't check financing as it is paid for.Oil - IMHO - worthless -check that out, the intervals are waaaay higher than what normal folks do. Free tires - yeah, check the fine print on that too.The '09's are ever so slightly higher.

Another great deal. I know on the 08's they are giving $800 off, but I can't find an 08. I have 2 Nissan dealerships within 5 miles of each other and play one off the other but they wont get any lower than $16,800. Just wanted to make sure I wasnt getting completely hosed. I also have to consider that I am looking in a rather exclusive area of Queens/western Nassau county NY

That said, if I was buying today I think I'd probably look no further than the Mazda3 (I too dislike the new focus' styling). If you drove the 08 Fit, the 09 Fit has actually been redesigned.... you might want to check out the 09 if you haven't. Here is an article on the 09: http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...22688

I tested that car and really enjoyed the ride. I am used to driving a 6 cylinder but for a 4 its pretty peppy. I didnt like the dealer or the number she gave me (17,900...for base with power windows and AC). She only wanted me to lease. Mazda dealerships are not very plentiful near me.

Thanks for all the tips, I really appreciate it!!

[Offshore1]

Another great deal. I know on the 08's they are giving $800 off, but I can't find an 08.

Right now there IS $500 off on '09's.

http://www.nissanusa.com/sales...etail

The deal you got is probably decent on an 09. Invoice on the car is $17,093, less rebate would be $16,593.00. Dealer needs to make something.

I'll sell you mine for $15,100 (no sales tax). Has under 1000 miles, and has Dynamat in doors so it is quieter than stock, tinted windows and clear bra. Obviously - it looks new - also gar kept.
Modified by Offshore1 at 11:49 AM 8/20/2008

[greggie195]

So I go to buy the car and then they say, oh yeah this price includes a $500 rebate which means I can't get the 3.9% financing. If I want the financing, the car would be 17,350. Now its not such a great deal. So I am waiting to see what % rate they give me. Right when I am about to sign the papers they realize I can't get the 3.9%. Also there are no blue onyx available on the whole east coast (possible BS???). So I had to go with my second choice (black). I have 2 other dealerships nearby and unless I get $16850 @3.9% I am not going through with the sale. I hate these stealerships, wish I culd just by the car online.

I'll sell you mine for $15,100 (no sales tax). Has under 1000 miles, and has Dynamat in doors so it is quieter than stock, tinted windows and clear bra. Obviously - it looks new - also gar kept.

I would still have to pay tax. When I register the car the DMV charges the tax

[hsckris]

So I go to buy the car and then they say, oh yeah this price includes a $500 rebate which means I can't get the 3.9% financing. If I want the financing, the car would be 17,350.

You missed the boat here bro -- they tried to pull something like this on me with my Frontier. They quoted me a certain price over email, without mentioning the rebate... so I naturally subtracted the rebate from the quoted price. I went in and he said "Oh the price I quoted was with the rebate." I said, "You didn't say that, and I can prove it" Pulled up my emails from the dealer (which by the way is a great reason to use email), and bingo -- no mention of rebate. They gave me the price, plus the rebate. I ended up paying ~5,000$ off of sticker (and his was before the gas crunch so trucks were selling perfectly fine).

[versabundus]

wish I culd just by the car online.

I would still have to pay tax. When I register the car the DMV charges the tax

http://www.carsdirect.com

[greggie195]

http://www.carsdirect.com

This is what I am leaning towards. I know someone who got a car this way and she said it was great. Now they call and the buisness manager isnt in today so they cant run my credit anyway to give me a number. I will be speaking with the manager later today who gave me the original price. Lets see if he keeps his word.

[feloniousmonk]

If you can wait till spring, and don't mind boxy cars, there's the Cube to consider.

[VersaMG08]

If you don't get the Versa, I'd go for either the Mazda 3 or the Mitsubishi Lancer. They both have great exterior appearance and are good quality. Just my two cents.

[greggie195]

If you can wait till spring, and don't mind boxy cars, there's the Cube to consider.

Ugghhhh, I am not a boxy car fan

I got my deposit back on the car, the dealer was giving me too much of a run around. It may have all been honest mistakes wih pricing but I didnt like the feeling I was getting. I will try another dealership and just pay cash for the car to avoid the financing nightmare

Thanks for all the tips. Mazda3 is very nice but I think I ike the way the Versa drives better. Plus the old lady likes the Versa better!

[BlueMango]

I got a similar run around with a dealership. I got so frustrated I called the general manager at a competing dealership and told the guy what I wanted to pay for the car and what I wanted on my trade in(I had outside financing through my credit union). He told me that if that's what it took for me to buy a car then I should come on down. I went down he apologized that he offered me too low of a price on the phone and that the vehicle was going to be $100 more but to help with that he would give me $50 more on my trade in. I felt it was super honest and was very pleased that they tried to make it right by offering more on the trade in.

Moral of the story call the general manager of the dealership and speak with them directly.

[Slither]

Re-done Fit available at dealerships from mid-September.I think more Fit interior will thrash V sales.Also bit more oomph than 08 to help with extra weight.
Modified by Slither at 4:15 PM 8/22/2008