New car. Suggestions?

[archibaldcrane]

Can get a Sentra for under 13k new (been driving one myself for 9 years and it gets the job done just fine.)

http://www.truecar.com/prices-new/ni...entra-pricing/

Heck, here: http://www.truecar.com/best-new-car-...in=0&max=15000

Sentra, Lancer, Corolla, Mazda3, Cube, Jetta are all available new right now new for under 15k (as well as some shittier options). If you know how to negotiate and actually get these prices (not that hard, honestly - especially since you're paying cash) you won't be getting hit much by the "new car devaluation", especially considering the shitty economy has the used car market inflated.

However, if you can wait til July or so, there will be bigger incentives on the 2011 models as they're trying to get rid of them and a few more cars will fall into your range.

[shiarua]

Hm, thanks. I'll have to check some of those out. Mazda 3 sounds especially good. My dad has owned 3 Mazdas and I like 'em.

[Diamicles]

You can get a really nice and well equipped Honda Fit in that price range as well. One of the most dependable and robust compacts on the market today. 5 years in a row on Car and Driver's 10 best list, and on Forbes' list of Most Dependable cars.

[fussel]

Dunno what you think about EU cars, but me and my gf bought a new Skoda Fabia last December. Under the hood, it's all Volkswagen technology.

~13000 new, but that's in eurobucks.

[Elesirdur]

We don't get the fun and cheap European cars in North America :\ Though the Fiat 500 should be coming soon.

[Ksandra]

bg makes me lol sometimes (I had a similar thread wanting to buy used for the same price bracket as you, but everyone wanted me to buy new lol).

anyway, if you want new, I ended up getting a versa 2011 and I <3 it. I got the basic one, so no fancy gps stuff or anything, and it was 15k flat (pre tax, post is about $18,500). Monthly I'm paying $302 and didn't put anything down.


On a note too, I did a lease previously on a vw bug convertible which I loved to fucking death and if it wasn't practical as a family car I would have bought it. Normally leasing will lose you money, BUT Nissan seems to offer deals a lot where you lease an altima for 3 years for $100 a month. Since you said you wanted something cheap for now to upgrade later, if Nissan is still doing that deal (or you could probably haggle them to), that's also an option. Paying $3600 over three years is not bad at all, while you save that extra $200~ a month to get ready to buy something nicer.


Also, haggle haggle haggle. My versa initially they wanted to sell for $17,500~ pre tax and I got them down to $15k flat. Don't let them pity you into paying more than you need to.

[*Shinzon*]

Just an FYI, any Japanese car at that price range, at any price range for that matter, is going to cost you a premium. Toyota and Honda dealers, along with Infinity and some Nissan models, are starting to see shortages caused by the disaster in Japan. So if you are expecting a bargain basement price like everyone is implying, you're not going to get it. Simply put the factories aren't running and aren't producing cars to be shipped. Dealers had a 60 day stock of cars, but they don't expect to be seeing any new models until the crisis with power in Japan is resolved. If you are looking for a car in that range the only one you're going to be able to get is a Jetta New, assuming you're still going that option.

[archibaldcrane]

Normally leasing will lose you money, BUT Nissan seems to offer deals a lot where you lease an altima for 3 years for $100 a month. Since you said you wanted something cheap for now to upgrade later, if Nissan is still doing that deal (or you could probably haggle them to), that's also an option. Paying $3600 over three years is not bad at all

$100 a month with no down payment?

I call bullshit.

[Ksandra]

$100 a month with no down payment?

I call bullshit.

not the same commercial I see, but I see it advertised now and then on TV. And when I went to get my versa there was a marine there getting one for the same deal (that was in november)


http://altima99.com/

[shiarua]

Update:

Looking at getting a 2011 Elantra. Gonna spend a bit more money, go with the Elantra Limited with the premium package. Doesnt seem to be a lot of wiggle room in the price though. Anyone got some negotiating tips?

Bottom line is 19712, msrp is 20945. Dealer invoice is 20,099.

Premium package is 2100 msrp

[Khajit]

Be sure to buy the anti rape accessories.
http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/104...ith-1-000-cars

[archibaldcrane]

Update:

Looking at getting a 2011 Elantra. Gonna spend a bit more money, go with the Elantra Limited with the premium package. Doesnt seem to be a lot of wiggle room in the price though. Anyone got some negotiating tips?

Bottom line is 19712, msrp is 20945. Dealer invoice is 20,099.

Premium package is 2100 msrp

http://www.truecar.com/prices-new/hy...2011/5ABDDE17/

Go to your bank first to get approved for an auto loan so you have it in your back pocket in case you don't want to use the auto dealer's financing.

When you start negotiation in his office, don't let him talk to you about "how much you want to pay a month" - that's sucker talk. Tell him you'll worry about financing later, and you just want to establish the purchase price. Tell him you'll buy it right now if he can do it for $19,500 (plus tax, title, etc.). He'll blanche and probably go talk to his manager, and come back with something around $20,800. Write your phone number down and tell him if he can do it for $20,200 to give you a call.

Then leave. He'll call.

Hope that helps.

[shiarua]

http://www.truecar.com/prices-new/hy...2011/5ABDDE17/

Go to your bank first to get approved for an auto loan so you have it in your back pocket in case you don't want to use the auto dealer's financing.

When you start negotiation in his office, don't let him talk to you about "how much you want to pay a month" - that's sucker talk. Tell him you'll worry about financing later, and you just want to establish the purchase price. Tell him you'll buy it right now if he can do it for $19,500 (plus tax, title, etc.). He'll blanche and probably go talk to his manager, and come back with something around $20,800. Write your phone number down and tell him if he can do it for $20,200 to give you a call.

Then leave. He'll call.

Hope that helps.

That helps. Any idea how to go about adding in incentives? Im eligible for the college grad discount ($400) and possibly a first time buyers discount (if they offer it). I also have a vehicle to trade in, but I dont know how that all works and if they even would accept it (as mentioned in OP, its a van on its last leg. Still runs but in poor condition)

[archibaldcrane]

That helps. Any idea how to go about adding in incentives? Im eligible for the college grad discount ($400) and possibly a first time buyers discount (if they offer it). I also have a vehicle to trade in, but I dont know how that all works and if they even would accept it (as mentioned in OP, its a van on its last leg. Still runs but in poor condition)

Negotiate the sale price. Once that's set, then mention that you are a recent college graduate and you'd like the $400 incentive. (bring your diploma and/or grades or whatever to verify your status - might want to call a different Hyundai dealer ahead of time to ask what kind of proof you need.) If your salesperson tries to back out of his offer once you bring up the incentive, ask to talk to his manager and lose your shit - it may or may not work. Find out via phone whether there is a first-time buyer's discount as well, and if there is make sure it can be combined with the college grad discount - do this at a different Hyundai dealer that you aren't buying the car from.

Then once all that's done, say "and I'm not sure whether I want to trade in my current car or sell it myself - what would you give me for it?" He'll go out or send someone out to take a look at it, and tell you it's worth $50 or something. Up to you to decide whether to accept that or sell it on craigslist or something.

Set the sale price first, then tack on each of those one by one. If he asks you before you've set the sale price if you have a trade-in, say no.

[archibaldcrane]

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/financial-...d-program.aspx

The $400 discount is for cars financed through Hyundai only. Still get your bank to issue you a financing letter first, and then go in and determine whether it's better to go with your bank's financing or Hyundai's financing+$400 off.

I'm not seeing a first time car buyer credit for Hyundai at this time.

[Skjie]

Write your phone number down and tell him if he can do it for $20,200 to give you a call.

Then leave. He'll call.

Hope that helps.

By far the most important advice. Walking away and coming back is the best thing you can do. More than anything, it gives you time to cool your head.

EDIT: for example, last car I bought ended up being about 2/3 of the original price and the only reason I didn't wait and try for longer was insurance breathing down my neck about taking too long.

[Odesseiron]

Going to recommend something else here that I don't think that has been.

Hyundai Elantra. It's probably the best economy size car on the market right now, and has all the best ratings and best in class in a lot of categories. My mom got the 2010 just recently, and after driving hers, I'm going for the 2011. They start at 16k for manual. They also get 29/40 mpg which is some of the best you'll find. They also have the best warranty on the market. Has a nice redesigned look as well. Not too sluggish either. I'm definitely going with one, at the very least you should check your local dealer out.

I don't claim to know a lot about cars, but Hyundais just keep getting better and better and will only improve as we go on. Their ratings keep getting better as well.

[Skyylya]

If you want to by new for that price, your going to get a shit car. If you buy new used at that price, youre going to get a great car.
You can get '10s under 30k miles for $15~20k, and '09 and earlier for under $15k easy.

Never buy a new car unless you feel like wasting money; go around and look at used lots, and even better buy from local mechanics or people selling in their yard. There's a local mechanic here that pretty much my whole extended family has bought cars from; theyreinexpensive good cars with low miles, and known to be good since he's already looked at them.

That's funny considering dealerships make most of their money on used cars by ripping people off. You'll get the best deal on a new car, you just need to do your price range. You could get a decent Kia for 10-15k new with a 10 year 100k warranty and be just fine.

Don't buy used unless you want a sore ass when you unknowingly spend 150% more than what they own it for. New car you can ask for the invoice and negotiate to that.

[*Shinzon*]

Just FYI the market for used cars is the highest it's been in 10 years. Meaning anything you pay for a used car now, is going to be 6-7 thousand dollars more expensive than it should be. So no, you're not getting ripped off. Also the Elantra has been getting pretty great reviews as commuter car. Loaded with tech and features so it's a great choice at that range OP. Anyway, I'm not really sure how you could haggle too much. Most manufacturers have been having supply issues with the quakes and factors have had to be shuttered in some places. Hyundai is Korean though.

OP do a search on edmunds.com for the elantra and check out incentives and what people are paying nationwide. That should help somewhat.

[ArchDizzle]

Update:

Looking at getting a 2011 Elantra. Gonna spend a bit more money, go with the Elantra Limited with the premium package. Doesnt seem to be a lot of wiggle room in the price though. Anyone got some negotiating tips?

Bottom line is 19712, msrp is 20945. Dealer invoice is 20,099.

Premium package is 2100 msrp

Good luck getting the limited premium package my sister was trying to buy one for the last 3 mnths and was on every dealership call list within 200mi and no dice, they are very popular atm and hard to find around here (might be different in your area) msrp started around what u quoted by the time she found one three months later they wanted right at 25k and would not haggle she said fuck it and went with the 11 Kia Forte full decked out with every option for 20k. Goodluck!


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