Getting ready to buy my first car . . .
- Thread starter backstept
- Start date
Even if they're the best dealer in town, they'll probably NOT have traded for or even opened the hood of every vehicle on their used car lot.
So:
1. If you know anyone who is a halfway decent mechanic, get them to go with you and have them inspect the car.
2. Go to Barnes and Noble before you go to the dealer. Walk onto the dealer's lot with the most recent copy of either the Kelly Blue Book or the N.A.D.A. guide. When you find the car you like, look it up and start negotiating a grand or two below the price listed in the guide. Your goal is to pay the price in the guide (or less) and not some arbitrary price that is based on what the dealer is asking.
3. Don't buy the car on the first day you look at it.
4. Have the car inspected by YOUR mechanic (I'm assuming that you have one mechanic that you've been dealing with on the Jeep). Even if your mechanic is a Jeep dealer, they'll still be able to find things that you won't when looking at a Chevy. The seller can bring the car in to him. Arrange with your mechanic for you to be billed for this.
5. Know what you want before you walk in.
6. If you are not comfortable about anything, then leave.
7. Do your homework before you go to the dealer. Take a look at the online Kelly Blue Book if you are looking for a particular model. Read Consumer Reports annual auto issues.
8. Even if you've arranged your financing beforehand, listen to the financing person and work with them. They may be able to get you a better deal, even with your own bank (had one shave 0.25% off the interest rate while still dealing with the bank that preqpproved me)
9. Go to the dealer on about the 25th of the month. And go during the middle of the week. Less of a crowd and the dealer is probably trying to meet a goal for the month. Will get you a better deal.
Bankruptcy.
As for Pontiac being gone as a brand, I would not worry about that. I also own a Pontiac, and everything they've made over the last twenty years or so except the GTO has been shared with another US GM brand, so parts are not going to be a problem.
For service, unless you already have a GM dealer that you've dealt with and trust, you should find an independant mechanic. And get the vehicle you are buying inspected before you purchase.
As for Pontiac being gone as a brand, I would not worry about that. I also own a Pontiac, and everything they've made over the last twenty years or so except the GTO has been shared with another US GM brand, so parts are not going to be a problem.
For service, unless you already have a GM dealer that you've dealt with and trust, you should find an independant mechanic. And get the vehicle you are buying inspected before you purchase.
one year later . . .
frame rot, bad U joint, fuel leak, pitman arm, mirrors, wipers, drums shoes calipers and rotors
I knew the jeep would need a lot of work when I got it, but I didn't think it would need so much
the above list is what's keeping it from passing inspection, and to fix would cost more than I bought the thing for . . .
so I'm getting ready to buy my second car
I'm going to go with a dealer this time, this particular dealer is in my opinion the best in CNY, and I know the owner and several other people there, so hopefully I'll get the best car I can afford.
As if buying a 15 year old car wasn't your first fail.. You bought a used Jeep...
I'm getting a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
As if one fail isn't enough... You would really buy a Pontiac?? A used one at that?? Come on, really....
I'll take the Focus and then I'll come pick you up after you break down...
Absolutely. Exactly what I was going to suggest.
You really need to have it at a good mechanic for a thourough inspection for a couple of hours, costing hundreds of dollars.
And test everything, headgasket, pressure test, compression test.
On top of that, try to get one with a good service history. No service history, then don't bother.
And check some things yourself. Does the oil look ok on the dipstick, does the coolant look ok. Does the auto transmission fluid look ok.
And also, when buying a car, don't be too trusting, even if its a sweet old granny.
While test driving, before you go check if the engine is warm. Some engines hide their defects when they're already warm. (faulty glowplugs, bad tuning of LPG)
Better to test it with a fresh cold start.
And finally, check out similar cars here: www.carsurvey.org to see what other have said about their make and model.
(that said, back to lurk mode for me
)
And I'll laugh at you fixing the Focus to go pick him up as I drive by in another Pontiac.
I've had small Fords before and while the Pontiac spends more time at the mechanic, the Ford spent much more time at the side of the road waiting for a tow than this Pontiac ever has.
Well then it's absolutely by far, no my continents, better. The Focus is terrible here and it's supposed to be even worse in the US. So go with the Pontiac, I've NEVER had any problems with GM vehicles, only things that wear out over time anyway.
As for the anti American car and anti Pontiac comments...I can't adress that right now without being warned.
Backstept, I hope you are not falling into a pattern of buying a $2000 POS special from a sketchy used car dealer every year or two.
I don't have any advice beyond what others have said. But I would stress getting a certified car from a reputable manufacturer's dealer. And follow the recommended maintenance schedule, especially if its older.
The car I have now is a 2001 Honda CRV I got just off the lease in 2004 with about 40,000 miles on it. It was 'certified pre-owned' from a Honda dealer. It now has 140,000 on it 5+ years later. I spend a good chunk on regular maintenance every year, and it runs like a charm. I've only ever needed major unscheduled work a couple times. I'm counting on it to hit at least 200,000.
I don't have any advice beyond what others have said. But I would stress getting a certified car from a reputable manufacturer's dealer. And follow the recommended maintenance schedule, especially if its older.
The car I have now is a 2001 Honda CRV I got just off the lease in 2004 with about 40,000 miles on it. It was 'certified pre-owned' from a Honda dealer. It now has 140,000 on it 5+ years later. I spend a good chunk on regular maintenance every year, and it runs like a charm. I've only ever needed major unscheduled work a couple times. I'm counting on it to hit at least 200,000.
absolutely not
I bought the Jeep from my step-mother's half brother
the Poncho on the other hand, I got from a very large and well respected dealer, and the car itself is in excellent shape with 53K, and the engine bay is the cleanest I've ever seen for a car that's 5 years old . . . heck it's cleaner than my brother's brand new 2009 Versa
Hope you have a good time with it.
of the top 10 traded in vehicles listed on that site none are GM
70% are Fords
how well a car sells isn't exactly a reliable statistic on how well a car is built or how long it will last
The point i was making was the Ford is #1 the GM is #10 in sales
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