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Author Topic: Buying a new car, need some advice  (Read 341533 times)
TheWalrus
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Reply #245 on: September 10, 2011, 01:59:35 AM

And yes I am and it depends on what you mean by maintenance. it will cost no more or less to do regular maintenance on than any other vehicle of its class. Or I should say, it shouldn't. For some reason, euro car lovers are extremely fucking weird people who feel their car needs to be serviced only by the dealer because it's "special" and that paying 150 an hour labor is normal. Reality is that it's just a fucking oil change. Use quality parts and a competent guy and you'll be fine.

That said, if you do buy, enjoy. They're a pretty ride and damn comfy. (Additionally, I've heard that the engine is ridiculously powerful too. Not that I've tested it.  Oh ho ho ho. Reallllly?)

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Sheepherder
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Reply #246 on: September 12, 2011, 10:16:33 AM

The Mitsubishi Outback is supposed to be a vaguely car-ish SUV in terms of handling.
Sky
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Reply #247 on: September 12, 2011, 10:59:32 AM

Use ... a competent guy and you'll be fine.
That's the tough part.
Merusk
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Reply #248 on: September 18, 2011, 08:42:16 AM

Bought an '08 Altima yesterday as a final close-out to my vehicle drama.  When I did the salvage title on Friday so I could get the insurance payout, I'd not known that you can't drive it after that until it's repaird. (D'oh.)  So I went and rented a car.  They gave me a '12 Altima and I liked driving it so much I decided to get a new car.

Went to Toyota and didn't see anything I liked, then Hyundai and they were closing in 15 mins. (Really? 6pm on a Saturday? Really?)  Got a quick test drive on the Elantra - which was the only thing they had in my "$350 or less a month" price range - and didn't like it.  Wife suggested just going into the Nissan dealership since I was enjoying the Altima so much anyway.  They had an '08 with everything I wanted in the color I wanted for $19899, and dropped $1k off the price for me so I was sold.

Plan is to repair the Saturn eventually (as I just blew the $3k the insurance is giving me on the down payment) and give it to the daughter since she'll be driving soon.

Pics for the interested:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2200218578306.117429.1632567670&l=6da6b88789&type=1

The past cannot be changed. The future is yet within your power.
Nebu
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Reply #249 on: September 18, 2011, 09:32:36 AM

Beautiful car and only 36k miles (if I saw that correctly).  Congrats! 

I really like the look of the Altima as a sporty sedan.  I think you'll really enjoy the car. 

"Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other."

-  Mark Twain
Arthur_Parker
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Reply #250 on: September 18, 2011, 10:09:10 AM

Nice car Merusk.  We bought a Nissan Juke Tekna on Friday, first time I have ever bought brand new.

Nissan Juke

White like this one, only with grey inside instead of red.  Love the intelligent key that you don't even have to take out of your pocket and the camera for reversing is great.

Selby
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Reply #251 on: September 18, 2011, 10:09:30 AM

My ex-wife has one of those (hers is a 2006).  Very nice cars and dependable.  450 miles may be a bit much on the tank range, but don't be surprised if you get 350-375+
Merusk
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Reply #252 on: September 18, 2011, 12:23:24 PM

Thanks, all.  I'm enjoying it immensely so far.  I still enjoy the Saturn and will miss it greatly but it was nice to find a car that just felt right when I drove it.  I'd tried a few others via family & recent rentals in addition to the test drives and nothing "clicked."  My instant love for the rental plus finding this car at the dealership was just one of those, "ok, guess this is how it's going to be, universe," moments.

Yah I figured 450 will be a miracle but anything north of 350 will be awesome.

The past cannot be changed. The future is yet within your power.
Selby
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Reply #253 on: September 18, 2011, 01:23:18 PM

Yah I figured 450 will be a miracle but anything north of 350 will be awesome.
I think it's a 20-gallon tank in hers and she lets it get RIGHT down to the empty line and gets around 19-22MPG.  She has the 4-cylinder version (which drives like a 6 honestly, it's plenty quick).
SnakeCharmer
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Reply #254 on: September 18, 2011, 01:58:33 PM

Bought an '08 Altima yesterday as a final close-out to my vehicle drama.  When I did the salvage title on Friday so I could get the insurance payout, I'd not known that you can't drive it after that until it's repaird. (D'oh.)  So I went and rented a car.  They gave me a '12 Altima and I liked driving it so much I decided to get a new car.

Went to Toyota and didn't see anything I liked, then Hyundai and they were closing in 15 mins. (Really? 6pm on a Saturday? Really?)  Got a quick test drive on the Elantra - which was the only thing they had in my "$350 or less a month" price range - and didn't like it.  Wife suggested just going into the Nissan dealership since I was enjoying the Altima so much anyway.  They had an '08 with everything I wanted in the color I wanted for $19899, and dropped $1k off the price for me so I was sold.

Plan is to repair the Saturn eventually (as I just blew the $3k the insurance is giving me on the down payment) and give it to the daughter since she'll be driving soon.

Pics for the interested:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2200218578306.117429.1632567670&l=6da6b88789&type=1


Was that ($18,899) the final sales price? Tax, tag, title, and interest on the loan? 

If not, but I hate to tell, you paid about 4K too much.  According to kbb.com, trade-in value (assuming it's a 2.5S with automatic) is about 13,500.  You can bet the dealer paid about that, give or take 500 bucks either way.  If it's a higher end model or that price was tax/tag/title/interest, the ignore what I said. 

First step to dealer negotiation on a used car is to find the 'round about trade in value and offer 5-10 percent above that.  If they don't bite, walk.  I've bought and sold enough cars to have buying from a dealer down to a science.
Merusk
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Reply #255 on: September 18, 2011, 02:38:28 PM

Final price with everything, yes, including the "never get it" extended new-car warranty.  I only drive about 12k miles a year, and the warranty lasts to 100k miles or 2015, whichever comes first.  It's a certified pre-owned so the warranty might have been a waste, but I've had to pay to replace water pumps etc before and this covers them so overall as long as I get one repair covered it will have been worth it.

Going to KBB says I should have paid $18,975 for the car alone, once I added-in the features.  Oh ho ho ho. Reallllly?

The past cannot be changed. The future is yet within your power.
TheWalrus
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Reply #256 on: September 18, 2011, 08:20:46 PM

Yah I figured 450 will be a miracle but anything north of 350 will be awesome.
I think it's a 20-gallon tank in hers and she lets it get RIGHT down to the empty line and gets around 19-22MPG.  She has the 4-cylinder version (which drives like a 6 honestly, it's plenty quick).

I keep telling my wife if she runs it that low all the time she's gonna burn up the fuel pump and I will not pay for another one. It falls on deaf ears.

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Sky
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Reply #257 on: September 19, 2011, 06:55:56 AM

That KBB site says my FJ trade-in is $24.5k, I owe about $15k on it. The cheapest one within 75 miles is an 07 with 77k miles on it, going for over $20k.

Mine's an 08 with 17k miles on it :)
Viin
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Reply #258 on: September 19, 2011, 09:21:10 AM

I'll give you $16k for it.

- Viin
MisterNoisy
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Reply #259 on: September 19, 2011, 10:11:15 AM

Nice car Merusk.  We bought a Nissan Juke Tekna on Friday, first time I have ever bought brand new.

Nissan Juke

White like this one, only with grey inside instead of red.  Love the intelligent key that you don't even have to take out of your pocket and the camera for reversing is great.


I love seeing these funky little things zipping around - they look like angry frogs.

Also, congrats on the new car, Merusk.  :)

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Selby
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Reply #260 on: September 19, 2011, 06:55:43 PM

I keep telling my wife if she runs it that low all the time she's gonna burn up the fuel pump and I will not pay for another one.
Oh believe me I've had that lecture 2-3 times.  I told her it's an in-tank pump, costs ~$300 for the pump and another $200 for the labor to install it.  She's an ex for a reason.

I bought a new ride the other day, but it's hardly worth bragging about ;-)

MisterNoisy
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Reply #261 on: September 19, 2011, 09:33:26 PM

I keep telling my wife if she runs it that low all the time she's gonna burn up the fuel pump and I will not pay for another one.
Oh believe me I've had that lecture 2-3 times.  I told her it's an in-tank pump, costs ~$300 for the pump and another $200 for the labor to install it.  She's an ex for a reason.

I bought a new ride the other day, but it's hardly worth bragging about ;-)


Oh man, that takes me back.  You planning to fix it up and make it fast?

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Sky
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Reply #262 on: September 19, 2011, 09:41:35 PM

Chimpy
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Reply #263 on: September 19, 2011, 11:41:53 PM

He's got a long way to go, and a short time to get there.

'Reality' is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes.
Merusk
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Reply #264 on: September 20, 2011, 04:28:57 AM

Verah nice, Selby.

When's Sally Field coming over?  DRILLING AND MANLINESS

The past cannot be changed. The future is yet within your power.
Selby
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Reply #265 on: September 20, 2011, 05:35:09 AM

You planning to fix it up and make it fast?
It doesn't need much to be fixed and it's already plenty fast!  It's a fun car to drive.
TheWalrus
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Reply #266 on: September 20, 2011, 11:56:48 AM

I'll just put this here.

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Nebu
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Reply #267 on: November 01, 2012, 12:56:34 PM

Need some advice... so UP YOU GO THREAD!

I'm in love with the Audi TT.  I also loved my VW GTI.   I recently bought a Subaru Outback to be practical and I HATE HATE HATE it.  I'm going to find myself something fun to drive that is also decent for cross country road trips.  Coupes/hatchbacks only.  (thought about Mazda3 speed, but too many doors)

Anyone have a comparable suggestion to a TT or GTI?  I plan to buy something 1-4 years old with 30k miles or less, so no new models (unless < 30K).

Thanks!
« Last Edit: November 01, 2012, 01:03:13 PM by Nebu »

"Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other."

-  Mark Twain
Hammond
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Reply #268 on: November 01, 2012, 01:05:54 PM

Go for the Audi :) it may be easier to find a used A5 instead of the TT.  I have a A4 and that is the nicest road car I have ever drove.
Nebu
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Reply #269 on: November 01, 2012, 01:09:19 PM

Go for the Audi :) it may be easier to find a used A5 instead of the TT.  I have a A4 and that is the nicest road car I have ever drove.

Do they make a 2 door A4?

I'll check.

"Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other."

-  Mark Twain
Viin
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Reply #270 on: November 01, 2012, 01:09:54 PM

You musta skipped the turbo version of the Outback.

How about a G37 coupe?

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Nebu
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Reply #271 on: November 01, 2012, 01:12:08 PM

You musta skipped the turbo version of the Outback.

How about a G37 coupe?

I'll check it out. 

Compared to my GTI, the Outback handles and drives like a pig.  I thought I could get used to it, but I just can't.

"Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other."

-  Mark Twain
Hammond
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Reply #272 on: November 01, 2012, 01:17:45 PM

Go for the Audi :) it may be easier to find a used A5 instead of the TT.  I have a A4 and that is the nicest road car I have ever drove.

Do they make a 2 door A4?

I'll check.

A5 for the most part is the 2 door version of the A4.
proudft
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Reply #273 on: November 01, 2012, 01:31:57 PM

You musta skipped the turbo version of the Outback.

How about a G37 coupe?

Our WRX wagon handles far, far better than our G35.  There's a bunch of apples-to-oranges going on here but they are, like, not even comparable.  Now I'm morbidly curious how much the different body/engine on the Outback could screw it up so badly (and also I think they keep changing the body of the damn thing - is it back to looking like an Impreza?)  The WRX has been awesome and totally sold us on Subaru.  A Forester with the turbo will probably replace it when it dies, but it is still going strong at 160k and so that isn't likely until 2018.

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Reply #274 on: November 01, 2012, 01:47:18 PM

Go for the Audi :) it may be easier to find a used A5 instead of the TT.  I have a A4 and that is the nicest road car I have ever drove.
Do they make a 2 door A4?

I'll check.
A5 for the most part is the 2 door version of the A4.
It's priced like an A6, though.

There's also the BMW 3 series Coupe. I used to drive one (323ci). It was great to drive, when it was actually running properly awesome, for real Ohhhhh, I see.

I drive a Infiniti G37 Sedan now. Drives very similarly to the previous gen 3 series (new 3 series has electric steering, bah).
Hammond
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Reply #275 on: November 01, 2012, 04:37:14 PM

I test drove the G37 and it was a nice car!    As far as the A5 goes if you are buying it used the price drops significently.  30k miles may be a little tough but there are a lot of lease returns around the 3 year mark with decent mileage.  30k should be doable.
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Reply #276 on: November 01, 2012, 06:46:26 PM

Buy another GTI!

You can get a brand new one with everything but the Autobahn package for less than 30k. Hell you can probably still find 2012 models around that are discounted.

(Though looking at it, the 2013 doesn't have the Detroit wheels which is lame cause they are cool!)

'Reality' is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes.
Soln
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Reply #277 on: November 02, 2012, 11:09:59 PM

Someone want to offer some general buying tips?

And what's the real skinny on buy vs lease?  I'm tending towards a lease because I might want to give it back in 2 years.  Thx
Merusk
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Reply #278 on: November 03, 2012, 07:28:01 AM

Leasing is the same as renting anything else. You still are making the monthly payment and have to front the down payment and some maintenance costs and at the end you get to have nothing to show for it.  You're paying the depreciation costs to the dealer and doing them a favor while they make money. 

If you want to give it back in 2 years, find a beater and buy it. Most leases I've seen are 36 month minimum with a penalty for breaking them early. (i.e. "Sure you can walk away, just pay us the next year's lease value and you're out of the contract!  Heck since we're such good guys we'll just roll that in to your next lease payment for you.")    You can try transferring the lease to someone else, but that's as big of a pain as trying to sell a car, and again you don't get anything out of it.

The past cannot be changed. The future is yet within your power.
TheWalrus
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Reply #279 on: November 03, 2012, 08:32:10 AM

I'm with ^ that guy. Why would you blow cash on something you're just going to hand back? I mean, unless you're rolling in the deep. (Pockets)

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