Community Chat

[terrier3]

When my car was totaled back in August, I had a rental (paid for by the other driver's insurance) for a month until the police released my car (they were keeping it for evidence because she was in critical condition).

When I went to buy a SUV to replace my 8 year old Santa Fe - I knew that I wanted a new Forester.

I had one HORRIBLE experience at my usual dealership. They had one 2015 on the floor - fully loaded and they said it was at a closeout deal. The car was $36,000 list. The salesman first asked me what I would pay for it - I asked him to get me the best price. He came back (after 20 minutes) with his best deal - $1,200 off. I actually laughed, it was so insulting. So then he asked me to give him a price, I said 28K and he said that was too insulting to even present to his manager. I got up to leave and his manager came out and told me that he had 2016s - mid-range model for 26k. I told them that I wanted to get into the car within one week (end of Sept.) and I wanted a blue SUV.

I called them back a few days later and told them I had the settlement check and did they have the blue SUV and what was the final price. The salesman said that they wouldn't look for a blue SUV UNTIL I came in and gave them a $2,000 deposit - it then would be worth his time to call around and get the car I wanted. He also said it might have extra equipment on it and I might have to pay more! This was Sept. 29th - supposedly a great time to buy. I explained that I had just started a new job and didn't have time to go to the dealership - he should call me when he had the car.

I then (on a hunch) drove 30 minutes away to another Subaru dealer that night after work. They had one blue Forester, the model I wanted, but it had a $500 car starter (which I didn't want.) I told him that I would pay 26K (I had looked up info in advance online and that was the going rate), but wouldn't pay the extra $500 for the starter. I would write him a check for the full amount right then and there. He went to his manager, came back in 10 minutes with my deal but suggested I finance some of it with the .01% special rate - which would add $250 TOTAL in interest over 4 years - I'm sure he made a miniscule amount of money on that - but I have 12K in the bank. So we had a deal. They returned my rental for me and I drove away in the new car. They had a lot boy come to my place of work the next day to change to my permanent plates and put on my registration.

GREAT service!

[sunshine45]

i would never lease a car and never trade in a car.

i dont even buy new cars anymore (last time was in 2006, and i still own that one).......i buy excellent to very good quality used cars and sell them every few years.

[sfnative]

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@Lotus wrote:

I'm thinking of purchasing a new SUV.    I haven't bought a new vehicle since 2006 and I don't even know where to start.

I know what I want and I went to a dealer today and listened to an hour and a half of BS.    JUST CUT TO THE CHASE AND GIVE ME THE BEST DEAL YOU CAN!!!

Well......it appears that unless you are a rocket scientist, it's hard to read between the lines and know what the best deal really is.    It's as bad as buying a mattress and trying to price compare.

Things have really changed since I bought my Explorer.    

Any advice?

Would you buy or lease?   And why?

TIA

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@ Lotus

Cutting to the chase:

At the end of the terms of your lease, let's say 4 years, you will have RENTED a car for 4 years.  What have you gotten out of that deal?  Nothing, except that you will have to look for another car again. Ask yourself:  Do I really want to lease-RENT a car, then another, etc., and have no fiscal relief from monthly payments?

When you purchase, you're buying a capitol piece of equipment which has a value, which you can do with what you want, even if still making payments.  When your car is paid off, it's yours and you have no more payments.

The dealers will try to get everyone and their dog through their door to LEASE a car, becase they make a bundle on that transaction.  If, however, you NEED a car for looks and updates only, then lease a car, because you will get that status, plus the new bells and whistles you're looking for.

Have a good talk with yourself and determine what's going to be the best, in the long run, for you and your budget.

[Lotus]

Thanks again to everyone's advice and experiences.    

I am sure I will end up buying.

Years ago my dad was a car salesman.....times when you didin't have soooo many negotiables.

When I went into the dealership yesterday I was actually going in on a fact finding mission.  Two hours later I was walking out with the most ridiculous quote (to think about) I could imagine.....and I nearly fell for it.    I KNOW BETTER!!!  

And boy did he push for a lease.....to the point where he totally turned me off.

I will be calling him later and tell him I'm not intererested in buying OR leasing from him.

[Lotus]

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@sunshine45 wrote:

i would never lease a car and never trade in a car.

i dont even buy new cars anymore (last time was in 2006, and i still own that one).......i buy excellent to very good quality used cars and sell them every few years.

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The Explorer I have now I bought pre-owned......best deal I ever made.   It was 3 years old when I got it from a dealership and I've had it for almost 10 years.

I will probably go pre-owned again....IF I can get another great deal like I did on the Explorer.