How low can I haggle this? (yet another car thread weee)

[chiyio]

this is a terrible terrible lie. I tried for a week on my husband's car back in the day when I was car shopping (that ended up with the bug). I couldn't get even close to getting the hang of it.

What part were you having trouble with? If it was letting the clutch out without it being jerky and/or killing the engine, I heard a tip on car talk that might help. Go to a parking lot and practice getting into first without using the gas at all. That'll teach you how to let the clutch out smoothly. I've taught a few girls I've dated how to drive a manual, and that always seemed to help.

[Ksandra]

What part were you having trouble with? If it was letting the clutch out without it being jerky and/or killing the engine, I heard a tip on car talk that might help. Go to a parking lot and practice getting into first without using the gas at all. That'll teach you how to let the clutch out smoothly. I've taught a few girls I've dated how to drive a manual, and that always seemed to help.

actually that's what we did, and I could do it without driving, but once we started moving I'd get all nervous and fuck shit up.

[Anakron]

I would personally stay away from the Versa hatchback (or any of the sub-compacts like the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, or Toyota Yaris) if you're considering a baby. If I were by myself, ok, maybe, but not if I'm gonna have a kid in the back seat.

If you compare the 3 pics here:

Nissan Versa:
http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/nissan_vers...oaceTC_RPM2A--

Mazda 3 5-door:
http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/mazda_mazda...1E2S4z8KMm4w--

Toyota Matrix:
http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/toyota_matr...Zzf.7TgmEZsQ--

You can see that there's not a lot of space between the bumper of the Versa and the rear seats. You really want more space back there in case of an accident, because you never know when you'll get rear-ended. The sub-compacts tend to be extremely thin around the sides as well. To me, it's almost like driving around in a cardboard box. And even if you don't consider safety, I can't see you being able to fit much in the Versa. You'd probably have to put one of the seats down to get a stroller in there, which means you or your husband wouldn't be able to sit in the back with the baby.

EDIT:
I'm not sure how you plan to pay, but the $1000 cash-back on the Versa can't be combined with the 0.0% - 1.9% financing offer. The '10 Mazda 3s have $500 back that CAN be combined with 0.0% financing for 60 months.

2 links you may find useful:
http://www.edmunds.com/incentives/Re...centives.1.1.*

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

[archibaldcrane]

So, I am officially a complete newb when it comes to car buying.

Something I didn't know:

So I wanted to see where the lowest versa dealership was, so I had to submit my name/email to true car to actually see the dealership. This also means it was sent to the dealership. I expected a reply but was just going to go into the dealership on the weekend anyway.

So this guy gives me the 17k price with the sunroof, and I'm like I want something closer to the 14k. I get to talking to this guy and explain I have a lease on a bug that's about to run up, and wanted a rabbit, but it's too hard to find a 4 door, yadda yadda yadda.

Anyway, he starts asking me about trading in my bug early, asking about it's features, and I was all confused. And then it hit me. Basically what he was getting at is that at the end of my lease if I were to buy my car it would be 12k for me. So what he could do is have me "buy" the car for them so they can sell it at a profit, and give me a discount for the trade in.

I never knew I could do that lol.

SO NOW MILITANT. What should I expect out of that? >.>;

I'm so paranoid about getting the short end of the stick.

This sounds like a disaster - you are not savvy enough to pull this off without getting fucked. The taxes alone you'll spend "buying" your lease will be very high (before you trade it in to the dealer) - plus, dealers give jack fucking shit, always, for trade-ins.

I'd look at the Matrix if the Mazda 3 is too pricey - it's about a grand less or so.

Also, be careful with that truecar "best local price" thingy - I don't trust it. The "recent sales" tab on the chart should give you a much better idea of what is realistic - some of these cars have "best local price" like 3 grand lower than the "great price" - there's definitely something fishy going on there.

[Miragemaiden]

I find driving stick helps me keep my mind on the road, actually. Driving automatic my mind always seems to wander.

http://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/werd.gif

Curses for never learning how to drive a stick

Never too late to learn.

[Ksandra]

At this point, I think the ideal answer were to be to get a bicycle, but I can't ride those either -.-;

Nothing seems to be a good answer anymore lol.

[Miragemaiden]

^ Cheer up--car shopping is tough. Are you in need of something right away? If not, just take it slow and do your research--if you rush, you're more likely to get into something you may possibly regret later. :\

[Ksandra]

I have until dec 10th to decide, so I have time at least.

[Omnipotent]

What do you guys think of the Nissan Versa? They have a deal going on right now:

http://local.nissanusa.com/san-diego...hatchback.html

which means I could get a new one rather than buying used.


(so I guess compare getting a new versa vs. a 2006~ mazda 3).

True car has it where I'd get it for about $12,734 with the $1000 perk. which is lower than I was expecting to get on a car anyway.

Kinda late, but my cousin and a IT tech guy has a Versa, and both are, or have been EXTREMELY reliable. Great on gas mileage, good for tight places and drives rather well.

[Ksandra]

Any thoughts on the toyota matrix?

found this:

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/toy...=&distance=100

free carfax:

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...KR32E06C586335


It would take 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours to go to the dealership to test drive so figured I'd try and get some input before making that trek this weekend if it's worth it.

[Anakron]

TLDR version:
I think you could find better used car deals than that, but I'd recommend taking a deeper look at new cars. Try using www.cars.com or www.carmax.com to search for used vehicles (if you aren't already).

Long version:

Spoiler: show

I think $14k for a 4-5 year old Matrix is really pushing it (even though it is the mid-range model and it has low miles), and I doubt you'd be able to get it for much less than $13k. For maybe $2-3k more, you can get a completely new 2010 model. One thing to consider is that the prices you're seeing on new cars is MSRP, but you're usually able to get them for very close to (or even below) invoice, which is roughly 10% less than the MSRP. So a $17.5k (including destination) Matrix is really closer to $16.5k. If you include the cash incentives most manufacturers are running, you can shave off an additional $500 to $1000 (which may be combined with low APR financing).

But the whole "X is just a little more than Y" can definitely lead to a very slippery slope for these kinds of purchases, so I can understand if you don't want to. For used cars, I just did a quick search on cars.com and found a lot of what I would consider to be better deals. Anywhere from $0 to $1k more for 2009 models with 0-10k more miles. The Matrix went through a model change in 2009, so both the inside and outside are different from your listed 2006 model.

Here are my results. It's obviously a different area, but yours shouldn't be too different:
http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...MENT&pgId=2102

[Komm Suesser Tod]

At this point, I think the ideal answer were to be to get a bicycle, but I can't ride those either -.-;

Nothing seems to be a good answer anymore lol.

You can't ride a bike? I thought everybody learned to do that.

[Ksandra]

TLDR version:
I think you could find better used car deals than that, but I'd recommend taking a deeper look at new cars. Try using www.cars.com or www.carmax.com to search for used vehicles (if you aren't already).

Long version:

Spoiler: show

I think $14k for a 4-5 year old Matrix is really pushing it (even though it is the mid-range model and it has low miles), and I doubt you'd be able to get it for much less than $13k. For maybe $2-3k more, you can get a completely new 2010 model. One thing to consider is that the prices you're seeing on new cars is MSRP, but you're usually able to get them for very close to (or even below) invoice, which is roughly 10% less than the MSRP. So a $17.5k (including destination) Matrix is really closer to $16.5k. If you include the cash incentives most manufacturers are running, you can shave off an additional $500 to $1000 (which may be combined with low APR financing).

But the whole "X is just a little more than Y" can definitely lead to a very slippery slope for these kinds of purchases, so I can understand if you don't want to. For used cars, I just did a quick search on cars.com and found a lot of what I would consider to be better deals. Anywhere from $0 to $1k more for 2009 models with 0-10k more miles. The Matrix went through a model change in 2009, so both the inside and outside are different from your listed 2006 model.

Here are my results. It's obviously a different area, but yours shouldn't be too different:
http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...MENT&pgId=2102

well keep in mind that it has a sunroof which usually adds to the car. Looking at cars.com in my area they are all about the same price but that was the one one with a sunroof. XD


I did find this fit, but it's 88 miles away @@;

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

You can't ride a bike? I thought everybody learned to do that.

I used to when I was young but was never a strong biker. When I was in college I bought one to get around campus but I couldn't do it. I have terrible balance, and trip all the time, so I can imagine that has something to do with it.

[Byrthnoth]

While most of this is true and pretty good advice, even if I did touch on a bit of this a page back. One thing is incorrect that I need to point out. The interest is not calculated as a direct percentage. You're saying that if you financed 13,500 you'd end up paying 14,000 or 14,500 after the total of payments (if I'm reading your post correct). Interest is not calculated like that at all. It's calculated on the remaining balance of the loan in monthly intervals. Realistically, if you get a 5 year loan, the first 2 1/2 - 3 years, you are just paying interest. You could pay the car note for a year or two, you still owe as much the "selling price" of the car. The first two years you are really only paying interest and you don't start chipping away at the principal until much later in the loan. Just thought I'd clear that up.

Sorry, I read up on how it worked and thought I had it figured out that the monthly payment would work out to a percentage of the remaining loan (that added up across the year to be 5%) and then you'd be paying down your principle with the rest of each monthly payment. So, like, .42% of your remaining loan every month, and then whatever is extra in your monthly payment plan goes towards principle. That's a much worse deal than I understood, especially considering how much value (even used) cars lose when you drive them off the lot. I've never financed a car, so I don't really know.

I've only ever bought outright. Haggle them down, give some signs you might finance/are worried about the price, haggle them down some more, pull out the chequebook and write them a cheque for the total. Get a good deal, get some funny looks.

[Anakron]

I did find this fit, but it's 88 miles away @@;

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

I think the owner made a mistake when posting that ad--Honda Fits don't have a factory sunroof option in the US. You can also kinda tell from the 2nd pic that there isn't one.

[Zhais]

Never too late to learn.

I have this irrational fear that I'll burn out engine parts within a day of owning a brand new car with manual. I want a new car so I don't have to take in to the shop every 2 weeks

[archibaldcrane]

TLDR version:
I think you could find better used car deals than that, but I'd recommend taking a deeper look at new cars. Try using www.cars.com or www.carmax.com to search for used vehicles (if you aren't already).

Long version:

Spoiler: show

I think $14k for a 4-5 year old Matrix is really pushing it (even though it is the mid-range model and it has low miles), and I doubt you'd be able to get it for much less than $13k. For maybe $2-3k more, you can get a completely new 2010 model. One thing to consider is that the prices you're seeing on new cars is MSRP, but you're usually able to get them for very close to (or even below) invoice, which is roughly 10% less than the MSRP. So a $17.5k (including destination) Matrix is really closer to $16.5k. If you include the cash incentives most manufacturers are running, you can shave off an additional $500 to $1000 (which may be combined with low APR financing).

But the whole "X is just a little more than Y" can definitely lead to a very slippery slope for these kinds of purchases, so I can understand if you don't want to. For used cars, I just did a quick search on cars.com and found a lot of what I would consider to be better deals. Anywhere from $0 to $1k more for 2009 models with 0-10k more miles. The Matrix went through a model change in 2009, so both the inside and outside are different from your listed 2006 model.

Here are my results. It's obviously a different area, but yours shouldn't be too different:
http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...MENT&pgId=2102

I was going to post basically this exact same thing. The Matrix is identical to the Vibe (which is the car I flipped for profit). For your purposes I think you would enjoy it, but don't get a 4+ year old Matrix (regardless of mileage) for 14k.

I did find this fit, but it's 88 miles away @@;

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

This Fit looks like a pretty good deal if you could talk him down more - but it's completely dependent on the details of that "salvage" title. He claims just a fender-bender with no airbags deployed, but I don't think that alone should warrant a salvage title. You'd need to get it inspected by a trustworthy mechanic for sure - but if it checks out that could be a good way to go (although the "hatchback" storage space is a fair amount less in a Fit compared to a Matrix).

edit:
From that Fit dealer's website (http://www.gtautopros.com/):

GT Auto specializes in high end insurance vehicles with light damage. We work with all makes and models from 2003 and up. All our vehicles come with a 60 day warranty. All vehicles are professionally repaired and laser aligned to make sure vehicles are back to manufacturers specifications. All our vehicles are test driven for at least 1,000 miles before they are put up for sale. We have been proudly bringing our customers high end insurance vehicles for over 15 years. If there is a specific vehicle you are looking for that we don't have in our inventory give us a call and we can locate one for you. Mechanic inspections welcomed. etc.

The "insurance vehicles" thing makes me think they are cars that were totaled (and therefore essentially "bought" by the insurance company, then sold to this place) and rebuilt, hence the salvage title, but I'm not sure. I don't know how else this company would end up with these vehicles otherwise. It must have been a significant fender-bender to cause 13k+ damage needed in order to "total" the car. It would be a risk, but if you can get it for under 10k and it passes a trustworthy mechanic inspection, could be a good deal.

[Ksandra]

(honda fit is a good deal but as you said it's small )

I think I either need to just get myself into another lease to buy at a later date. As you guys said it's hard to get a good deal on a car I want when it's used, and new is a little bit over than what I want to pay.

I know you usually lose out on money on a lease but if it ends up being better than buying used then what can I say? Sucks cause no matter what I do I won't enjoy it ><;

wish I had just gotten the white rabbit in the op in the first place. ;_;

[archibaldcrane]

(honda fit is a good deal but as you said it's small )

wish I had just gotten the white rabbit in the op in the first place. ;_;

No you don't. A new Matrix would be better than that $15,500 Rabbit (you wouldn't have been able to haggle much lower at all.)

Also, check my edit in the previous post.

[Ksandra]

No you don't. A new Matrix would be better than that $15,500 Rabbit (you wouldn't have been able to haggle much lower at all.)

Also, check my edit in the previous post.

something weird happened with that fit or something. Your page to the dealership no longer pulls up (I could before),

and there's no longer a link to it from the website I showed...wtf?