Comments on: How To Buy a Used Car (without sipping lemonade)

By: Thicken My Wallet » Blog Archive » Effective negotiating strategies: using deal fatigue against you

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:55:41 +0000

[...] Deal fatigue is a term often used to describe negotiations which tend to drag on and, having lost all patience, one side or the other gives in. Deal fatigue is often a good opportunity for that most despised negotiation tactic- trying to renegotiate or slip in new terms at the last minute (as Squawkfox found out when buying a used car). [...]

By: Susanne

Susanne — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:53:48 +0000

I bought a used car from a small local garage. If you live in a small town, just ask around, you will find out who sells lemons and who knows their cars.
I have a 1992 Acura Integra with 225K on it. Though I’ve replaced the rusty drivetrain/muffler/fuel components, this car just keeps on giving. I’m only the third owner and I’ve put almost 100K on the car.

and yes, push the dealer’s buttons. Years ago I bought a Honda civic, the dealer wanted almost $10 000, I laughed at him, offered him 6 and walked away.
A week later he called to say the car was being moved off the lot and that I could have it for 6500.

By: Fox

Fox — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:24:57 +0000

@Doctor S So sorry to hear about your car woes. Can you get a second opinion? Sometimes one mechanic’s “worst ever” is another mechanic’s “whatever”.

By: Doctor S

Doctor S — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:38:31 +0000

haha thanks for using my thoughts, I never thought they would come in handy!

I am in a weird pickle now, the car I bought 3 years ago has had some issues lately. One mechanic told me he has never seen more rust underneath a car in his life. I wish i did a better job of inspecting the underneath of the car when I first checked it out. I did not think to ask them “Can you guys get this car up in the air so I can take a look at the undercarriage?” Not sure how that would have flown with the dealership.

I hate cars.

By: Jude

Jude — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:34:02 +0000

Kerry-

My dad swears by the car buying process here: http://excarsalesman.typepad.com/

I haven’t tried it yet, but I might because it looks good. However, I’m probably not going get a car for a long, long time.

Jude K.

By: Hayden Tompkins

Hayden Tompkins — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:46:30 +0000

You honestly, cannot overestimate the importance of an honest mechanic who is on your side. Getting a car checked over first by said mechanic is worth its weight in gold.

P.S. Our SAAB has heated seats and YES! we are fans.

By: Loan Guru » Blog Archive » Best of Personal Finance: Go Forth and Save Edition

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:15:45 +0000

[...] has plenty of tips on buying a used car, which, let’s face it, is all that there will be in this country in ten [...]

By: Sara

Sara — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:27:58 +0000

I third walking away at a dealership because of fees. I was working with a dealership in town that I liked their service folks, not so much the salesmen. I wanted a base Jetta TDI because I hate spoilers and lots of extra things I never use. I went to another dealership slightly out of town that had the exact car I wanted at a better price but I wasn’t sure about their service dept. So I let the in town dealership know about it to see if they would beat the price. They bought the car from the other dealership instead and matched the price.

BUT, they started tacking on the fees, including a “coating” on the undercarriage that supposedly helps you find your car if it has been stolen and sold for parts (in Mexico is the implication as I live in TX). I refused to pay it that $500ish – told them I didn’t ask for it and wouldn’t buy it. Finally, the manager dropped the price of the vehicle by that amount “so that they could sign me up for the insurance”.

Since I was okay with the price I negotiated, I agreed, but the real moral of my story is they will keep coming down if you can wear them down. I should have said don’t bother with the insurance papers but I will take the extra discount for my trouble.

By: Friday Links | The Canadian Finance Blog

Friday Links | The Canadian Finance Blog — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:04:18 +0000

[...] Squawkfox gives advice on how to buy a used car. [...]

By: Weekly Review- June 8th- Winner Announcement- Book Giveaway | Financial Highway

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:36:55 +0000

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