Buying a new Car

[Mac]

The new Impala's look nice, but really, you can get a nice Cadillac CTS. Not too flashy, but not a Ford either.

Nice gig.

 

[Cavsfan1985]

Do you think SUV or Car? It would be nice to have a SUV as we just had our first child, but currently having a escape and elantra has worked. My wife likes the elantra, but wants a sub/ mini van in the next couple of years anyway. Do I save a little money and get a nice car.

This is a great situation to be in, but I have always been a conservative when it came to money. But being in the car so long, and like you said it's my office, I need some nice features.

 

[The Oi]

Doesn't matter. Just so long as it's roomy in the driver seat, the seats are a nice material (leather ideal) and there's room in either the trunk or backseat for your sales materials...you'll be happy.

Driving that much sucks, but it sucks less when you're surrounded by a quality car. I could bang out a 200 mile drive, make a few sales calls on my phone and flip between Stern, classic rock and talking to friends and be happy for the whole drive.

 

[KB]

Do you think SUV or Car? It would be nice to have a SUV as we just had our first child, but currently having a escape and elantra has worked. My wife likes the elantra, but wants a sub/ mini van in the next couple of years anyway. Do I save a little money and get a nice car.

This is a great situation to be in, but I have always been a conservative when it came to money. But being in the car so long, and like you said it's my office, I need some nice features.

If you're looking at SUV's you should look at the Acura MDX or a Honda Pilot

MDX:

http://www.acura.com/modellanding.aspx

Pilot:

http://automobiles.honda.com/pilot/interior-photos.aspx

Pilot would be better if you're looking for something less expensive, if price doesn't concern you the MDX would be a good grab

Family member works for Honda as a VP. They get new cars every two years and the 2012 Pilot was loaded, sunroof, multiple usb connections, vid screen rear view camera, gps, sat radio, all leather, dual area climate control, climate controlled seats for the front and middle row.

 

[oasis05]

If you can afford gas get a Vespa!

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

Similar situation to you, as I'm in sales covering 7 states. Had a Grand Cherokee paid off when I started the job about 4 years ago and would pocket the allowance - real nice. Got up in mileage so bought a fully loaded used Ford Edge - and love it (even though it is a bit girly):

Not my Edge - but looks like it:

Got Sirius for driving across states, full moonroof with back seat too. Drives nice, no problems.

In hindsight, I wish I stayed with a newer Grand Cherokee, as I like their new body style.

But for business and driving colleagues and customers around, the Edge is a great option. Lots of backseat space, room in back for golf clubs (has the auto liftgate too).

What are you selling?

 

[David.]

Is it safe to buy cars from dealers who get their inventory from auctions?

 

[Norm]

Is it safe to buy cars from dealers who get their inventory from auctions?

Be careful. Carfax history is a must. Don't want to buy a vehicle that was sitting in flood waters only for ir to rust quickly. In my area, the majority of dealers will occasionally buy vehicles from auctions. The auctions around me are open to the public, so it's easy to see what came from an auction and what didn't.

It's also nice because you can see the same vehicle that sold at auction for 2k and the dealer has it for sale at 9k a few days later and did nothing more than give it a bath.

In short, it depends. Make sure you know a mechanic you can trust to give it a full inspection if you go that route.

 

[TheISHT]

Warning! CarFax isn’t always accurate. I was in an accident with my civic where the airbags went off and the Honda dealership sold it as certified even though I told them about accident. They advertised it as 1 owner, clean CarFax. There was also a police report made as well so not sure why it wasn’t on there.

 

[David.]

Nothing seems to get to carfax.

2007 prius base 103k miles for $6000
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/m-Aria-Auto-Sales-sp410244#listing=211583938


2012 prius c 107k miles for $7300
http://www.ariaautosales.us/vehicle/198823/2012-toyota-prius-c-for-sale-in-san-diego-ca-92111


These are the two I'm deciding between. Dealer is fine with me taking them to my mechanic.

 

[Zog]

Is it safe to buy cars from dealers who get their inventory from auctions?

Yes, lots of dealers have to go to auctions to get inventory. Particularly dealers that only sell used (and therefore don’t have as many trade ins).

You are doing the correct thing in taking any cars you’re interested in to your mechanic to have checked out. That’s the most important thing when buying a used car.

 

[TheISHT]

Nothing seems to get to carfax.

2007 prius base 103k miles for $6000
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/m-Aria-Auto-Sales-sp410244#listing=211583938


2012 prius c 107k miles for $7300
http://www.ariaautosales.us/vehicle/198823/2012-toyota-prius-c-for-sale-in-san-diego-ca-92111


These are the two I'm deciding between. Dealer is fine with me taking them to my mechanic.

Make sure they have a warranty and/or new batteries. Batteries have a life span of roughly 10 years or 200,000 miles. They cost $3500 to replace. Id go with the one that is 5 years newer personally. It seems like the battery in the one that is 11 years old would have a higher chance of failure.

 

[inliner311]

Make sure they have a warranty and/or new batteries. Batteries have a life span of roughly 10 years or 200,000 miles. They cost $3500 to replace. Id go with the one that is 5 years newer personally. It seems like the battery in the one that is 11 years old would have a higher chance of failure.

If he is mechanically inclined enough, he can test and replace cells one at a time. The dealer will replace them all at once but from what I've research rarely does more than one cell go bad at a time. Prius are the hybrids the easiest to find cells for, they are on eBay. It doesn't seem hard at all to test and replace them.

I researched it for other cars like some of the Lexus hybrids and came to the conclusion that Id have to hunt pretty hard for cells if they went bad. I looked into seeing if the Prius batteries were compatible but it didn't appear they were.

 

[David.]

@TheISHT

In California they have 15year 150k mile warranties and cost 2000 to replace, parts and labor.

The way I see it I'm going to replace the battery on either one one time for the life I have the car. I think they should have the same charge seeing as they have the same miles but idk.

I hear the C is uncomfortable and slow. It looks so much better than the other one, but is 1300 more. Couple of dings in the white one too. But gray is so boring and it's an older bodystyle

 

[Juice is Loose]

Anyone drive a GMC Terrain? I’m starting to kick the tires on researching new cars and seems to be the one I keep coming back to. Wondering how it is and if there’s any common issues you might’ve come across.