The Horrible Process of Buying a Car

[tjavery]

My wife and I are looking to buy a new car sometime soon (no real rush). We went out and test drove a few this past Saturday, and I'd forgotten how much I hate buying a car.

The very first salesperson we encountered spouted so much B.S. that I totally stopped listening to him (like you used to tune out your teachers back in jr. high). How many useless dealer-installed extras and programs were there? I'm not sure I got all 293 of them. Anything else?

I'd rather get a root canal than buy a car from a dealership. Don't get me wrong, getting a new car is awesome. But the process isn't something I look forward to.

Years ago, I went with my mom when she was looking for a new car. The sales dude opened up the door of a car, jumped up on top of the edge of the door, and proceeded to bounce up and down. He was demonstrating how strong the door hinges were

[pippin]

I just recently bought a new subaru after my grand am died.

I must say this current experience was much better. No pressure, didn't push me on extras (just security which we got) but just got the car and that was it.

Down in Dallas though - when we got the grand am - the WORST experience ever. Pushy pushy.

[carrbowl]

TJ...we are in this same process and my husband is such a sucker...God bless him!! So my neighbor who is in the business gave me good advice. Of course we already know what we want, so this may differ for you a little. He gave us the names of the two dealerships in Houston that love to sell based on "how many they sell per month". So he said go in the last few days of the month and look at your car at a few dealerships but get a price but don't make any deals. On the last day of the month go in the afternoon and make the deals because they are trying to sell "numbers for the month" and they aren't as worried about the price then. Hope this helps...

[jon_k]

Don't be a sucker.

If you really want to know the con game I suggest you read this ENTIRE article by Edmunds. They hired a journalist to work at a few car dealerships for about 6 months and this article is about his career as a car salesmen, the tactics he used, etc.

It gets you inside the game of the big scam known as car sales. Really a must know if you're going to buy a car. Wish I had read before I bought one.http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...2/article.html

These dealerships train the salesmen to be real slippery con artists.

[pippin]

i found carbuyingtips.com great

msrp on my car was $20000
they matched another dealer at $17500
got $3000 for my trade
and a $1000 trade in as well as a low interest rate

some of that was because my boss knows the finance manager and they made sure that I got a good deal. and I also got the 2007 model. The 2008's are on their way in now, so you could work a deal on a 07 model since they want them gone

[Bella]

Must be new car buying season!

My husband and I bought a new car last week. The whole process was great, nice and smooth, no pressure, and no salesmen jumping down our throats the second we set foot on the lot.

The only hitch is . . . .it's back at the dealership :( Two issues, one, the driver window doesn't roll all the way down, and two, the gas pedal vibrates and there's a low "growling" kind of noise when the car is in first gear (it's an automatic).

So now here's our dilemma . .. . do we take the car after they've done the repairs? or do we take advantage of the 30-day 1500 mile trade in policy and swap it out?

-Cindy

[arkie2916]

I bought my last new car on the internet.........it was the easiest car deal I have made in my life. Of course, I had to go on several test drives, visit local dealers, and do lots of research on the internet first. I then emailed dealerships in Dallas that had internet sales departments and told them the exact model and features I wanted. I actually was going to take those numbers to my local dealer here in Waco so they would lower the price and I could buy locally, but they won't budge. Some dealerships responded with high prices, some with "come see us" and one gave me a price $3000 less than my local dealer wanted after I had haggled 3 different times. I emailed that dealership back that that was the model I wanted. I then drove to Dallas and met with the internet salesman and he said, "what color?" and I told him and one hour later I was driving off in the new SUV.

[picman]

Here is another site with good tips. Be sure to read the top 10 scams. http://www.carbuyingtips.com

Edmunds is a great resource for pricing and info. At least skim thru the forums for the car you are considering, it might change your mind or confirm your decision.

I went the internet route last month. Some dealers responded in a timely, upfront manner. Other did not respond well, if at all. The dealer who did respond got my business - smooth unpressured deal.


Brian

[pippin]

Originally Posted by Bella

Must be new car buying season!

Sure.

Its also car DYING season.

[tjavery]

Thanks, y'all. I'll check out those sites.

Can anyone recommend a good dealer in the Houston area? We're looking at a Honda right now, but not firm on that. Maybe Mazda or Mitsu. We need to test drive a few more before we decide.

[jagphoto]

Originally Posted by tjavery

Thanks, y'all. I'll check out those sites.

Can anyone recommend a good dealer in the Houston area? We're looking at a Honda right now, but not firm on that. Maybe Mazda or Mitsu. We need to test drive a few more before we decide.

TJ, I will ask my husband He used to be a car salesman, so he is the best person to go shopping with! I refuse to go because he enjoys messing with the salesmen so much! The first thing I know he does is pick the dealership with the largest inventory. They will usually make the best deal. Next is if you can wait, going at the end of the month (last few days) is good too.

[darktiger]

I love buying cars. I always overload the salespeople with info. But they usually do not bother me. A lot of places allow me to test drive the car by my self, like the lexus and bmw dealers....Just do your research. Never settle, and get them to price it on your terms. Keep in mind that you can just walk out if they do not match your reasonable price. Keep in mind that there is a manufacturers invoice price, dealers invoice price and msrp. If you get it at dealers invoice with extended warranty then you did okay. If you get it between manufacturers invoice and dealers invoice then you did very good. Most places do not publish manufacturers invoice, they are about 4-5% under dealers invoice....I have some friends in the business, so I pick up these things...car dealerships hardly earn anything on me. Edmunds is a pretty good resource...

[JamesB]

you may want to talk to your bank or credit union to see what kind of deal they offer for new car loans. You may get a better deal with them than what the dealership offers.

James

[jerrykr]

Don't forget that you will be going thru 2 completely different sales processes. Be ready for both.

One selecting and buying the car, and the second one when they shuffle you off to the finance officer. He is just as much a salesman, as the sales guy on the floor. Be prepared to select and resist all the "extras" that he will throw at you. They will make more money off you in that office than they made on the car.

[TxKent]

You know, I was about to go out and buy a new car, then I read the whole article last night, and I'm going to go buy a bus pass instead. Sheesh.

Originally Posted by jon_k

Don't be a sucker.

If you really want to know the con game I suggest you read this ENTIRE article by Edmunds. They hired a journalist to work at a few car dealerships for about 6 months and this article is about his career as a car salesmen, the tactics he used, etc.

It gets you inside the game of the big scam known as car sales. Really a must know if you're going to buy a car. Wish I had read before I bought one.http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...2/article.html

These dealerships train the salesmen to be real slippery con artists.