I need your help, ya'll.
My crapola 1999 Jetta VW is at the shop today. It will cost $2000 to get it fixed. That piece of sh*t ain't worth $2. I told them to forget about it. It's not going to pass E-testing and my tags expire in 30 days. So, I need to buy a new car ASAP.
I'm clueless about cars. All I know is I need an SUV so my baby and I will have room and feel safe, gets great gas mileage, and I can drive in the winter without crying. (I'm from LA... so driving in the snow freaks me out.)
So.... if you can give me some suggestions of good SUVs and how to get a great deal, that would be greatly appreciated!
Car salesmen scare me.
And that title, it's from Billy Ocean, in case you have the song stuck in your brain.
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36 comments:
*evil grin* You could always buy a minivan! Just Kidding!
So seriously, how did an LA girl end up in the snow belt?
I hate to sound so 50's, but the best way to get a good deal is to take a guy with you. Then you stand behind him and tell him everything you supposedly "hate" about the vehicle and look very disapproving. In this age of "enlightenment," even men who dont' know their head from a hole in the ground STILL don't get jerked around nearly as much by the salesmen as women do.
We've found that the best way to get a good deal on a vehicle is to hit the year-end sales where they're trying to get rid of the previous year's models. We got our last car with a massive factory rebate...spent $9000 brand new out the door. I know that's probably not helpful for right now, though.
Aw, I'm no help. Good luck shopping, though!
Min
My vote would be to check out SUVs online at somewhere like carmax - where they have all the different kinds to compare. They also have set prices, so no "let me check with my manager" crap. Buy something a year or 2 old - brand new cars are worth less than you paid the instant you drive off the lot.
I'm no help with car buying...but thanks to you, I'll be humming that song all day now.
Here's what you do. It's amazing how well this works. I leaned it on MotleyFool.com. Once you've done some test drives and settle on a make and model (I settled on a Hyundai Santa Fe - a mid-sized SUV that I adore, but would adore it more if it were a hybrid), fax or email the Sales Manager at all the dealers of said make within a 50 or 100 mile radius of you. In the fax/email tell them you will be buying a Ford Model T, or whatever, this week and are looking for the best offer. Include all the specs: color, accessories, HP, etc. Ask them to fax or email you their offer. This way, they're bidding against each other, not haggling with you. You accept the lowest offer, drive in, pay them, drive out in your new car. It's stress-free and you save a wad of cash. I'll never buy a car any other way.
For the detailed, step-by-step process go to motleyfool.com and search under buying a car or some such thing.
As for car reccos, I say go hybrid. Check out the Ford Escape Hybrid. It wasn't ready yet when I bought my car 5 years ago. If it had been, that's what I'd be driving now.
Good luck-
Suzanne
Quick message for Chou-chou:
Can you email me at flyingfish347 at yahoo dot com? I want to reply privately to your comment on my blog before posting it. I can't seem to figure out how to do that directly from the comment in my inbox. Thanks for stopping by!
-Suzanne
Wow...I wish I knew what to tell you. If it makes you feel any better I just sunk about $2000 into my car recently. Money pit that it is.
I have the car for you! I love, love, love my Subaru Outback. It is great in the snow/rain and it has PLENTY of room for strollers and all the crap that you will be toting around once your daughter is home. The back bay is as big as an SUV! (I've measured b/c friends and husband thought I was crazy to say it was just as big.) Mine is a 2003 and has been very dependable (hope I'm not blog-jinxing myself here) and it is a great car for kids and dogs. And, it looks a little cooler than a wagon (even though it is a wagon) and rides a bit higher like an SUV. Oh, and it gets good gas mileage. Seriously, I love my car.
And, Suzanne's input about the Motley Fool - smart!
I have heard good things about the Hyundai. A girl I work with got one because they have a bigger engine than the Honda CRV and cost less. A Subaru might be a good choice for you as well, if you are open to a wagon.
Find out what the invoice price is...don't pay more than that! Do you need to borrow Jim? He can be a real As*hole to the salesmen if needed.
I recently bought a 2005 Toyota Rav 4 and love it! I bought a brand new one in 2001 and traded it a couple years ago for a convertible. When we decided to adopt, I went back to the Rav 4. I agree about buying a slightly used car. A brand new car depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot.
Good Luck!
I am no help, I drive a big gas guzzling mini van that just screams desperate soccer mom housewife who needs sleep, caffeine or both desperately!
Now before the environmental people get mad at me, I barely ever drive it. It has hardly any mileage. I fill it with half a tank of gas once a month or so.
Good luck, I heard the Hyundai SUV was decent, but I think you should test drive a few different models and check out Consumer Digest and car safety ratings on your preferences before you make a choice which to buy. Then haggle, walk away (trust me they will call you back!) and take your time.
Another hybrid SUV is the Toyota Highlander.
I would encourage a KIA minivan or a minivan of some sort. The benefit is on rainy days being able to get in the back with child and move to front of car without getting back out or rained on. Also as child gets older can climb in by themselves. Also room and SUVs tend to drink in the gas and aren't that much more room for extra people than a car. I was totally ready to go the minivan route when I left my job in 2006. I drive an SUV now but would love to get a minivan soon or a station wagon for the gas savings.
Beverly
Never get another VW again - that is my advice. We have gone through 3 I think...
We loved Carmax. Plus they drove me around in a golf cart so I didn't have to walk. If they would have fed me I would never have left.
I'm all for the subaru. They have some sort of mini-wagon that performs great in the snow.
My in-laws have two of them as do my hubbies best friends in upstate NY. They also seem to last forever!
I second the raves about the Subarau Outback. I lvo emine, although the gas mileage doesn't seem great compared to my previous Honda civic. However, I get about 22 mpg, and my friend with a Highlander Hybrid gets the same (despite the company's claims to the contrary).
I did a search on yahoo cars. They allow you to send a request for quotes to dealers in your area. At least with me, they knew I was getting other quotes and gave me low, no haggle prices. When I was at the dealership closing the deal, I overheard a couple buying the same model who were trying to do their own haggling. I paid a grand less than they did. But I bought on July 31 - end of month, end of model year.
I drive a Toyota RAV4 too.
LOVE MINE!!! It's a little SUV so not like driving a tank, gets good gas mileage and has plenty of room for me and baby (and all the gear that comes with that baby). I don't think I'd buy anything but Toyota again. I've not had one problem with mine.
what's your budget?
i love the hybrid SUV idea - my friend has the Lexus and LOVES it.
If you are looking for a new car, I HIGHLY recommend using a broker. You pay them a few hundred bucks, tell them what you want, and THEY do the negotiations with the dealers. And usually save you a lot. I save over $4000 on my last car using a broker, and never had to set foot inside the dealership, which was a huge plus.
I love my Honda and soon hope to trade in my Accord for a CRV. In the last 11 years, I have only owned 2 accords- they run forever and I think the SUVs are a reliable. Here's my little car shopping secret if you're looking for a new car/SUV. I got a great discount by buying my last 2 Accords through Sam's Club. You get hooked up with a "Sam's Club dealer" and you really do get a good price!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. We adopted from Kazakhstan and now are adopting from China. Your blog is so funny. Love it. About the car thing. I have heard if you sleep with a car salesman you can get a good deal. OMG, I can't believe I just said that. Just kidding. My dh is always a total a-hole when we are shopping for big ticket items that seems to work and he is also 6'7 so that works too. I always get hosed cause I am too nice. You would look hot in a minivan.
I just added you to my adoption posse hope that's ok w/ you.
LOVE your blog. I just keep laughing. Um, I drive a minivan but only because I have 4 kids and my Yukon XL died. If I could choose amongst the smaller SUV's, I'd probably buy one of the Jeeps.
I love my Pontiac Torrent.
I had a POS VW jetta. As soon as that puppy rolled 100K the rest went faster than Joan Rivers facelift.
Hubby has a Honda CRV and we have not had a single problem in 4 years.
Good luck getting shafted at the dealer!
I have a mitsubishi outlander. I like it. its suv like. best gas mileage of the suvs i think. i have had it for 4 years and not too bed. some minor issues but i drive tons!
I have a Trailblazer and can't wait to get a car again:-) Gas mileage sucks!!! I didn't have a choice, had a boat to tow...selling that!! So, you should just buy my car...hee hee!!!
I'm so passionate about the Subaru that I came back to check what others were recommending. Looks like the Subie is popular, but so is the Rav-4. Screw that. Go with the Subie!
(I've had wine)
Hey you should try the Honda CRV! It gets great gas mileage. It will last forever~As far as car salesmen go...you should pick up and auto dealer mag from your area and try to buy from an actual person..against popular belief car salesmen are not people.
Love your blog
becky
We're up on our Altima's lease soon, and Nissan has some great leases on the Murano and Rogue. Super cute, and reasonable to lease. They might even take the old Jetta as your downpayment!
p.s. RIP, Jetta. R..I...P...
(I'm sure she's been good to you til now.)
Lots of good suggestions & advice here - wish I had that suggestion from motleyfool before I bought. But I traded in my Jeep Liberty for a Jeep Patriot last year and I LOVE IT!!!!
It's very good on mileage (unlike the Liberty) and rides wonderfully. It's a compact SUV so same size as a Rav 4, CRV, or Ford Escape.
My sister has a Murano which she loves but they are pricey. The Patriot is amazingly well-priced.
My best advice is to take a 24 hour test drive before buying anything.
Good luck and let us know what you get!!
I agree with Suzanne! We did the fax thing with several dealers, when we were buying my 2000 Hyundai Tiburon several years ago. We gave a week deadline on price offers from the dealers and got our best offer 15 minutes before we closed the bidding. Saved a good $5,000 on a car that was hard to find and got our spoiler thrown in!
I vote for Honda CRV. It's comfy, roomy, reliable. Yet not too big, so it has good gas mileage and is easy to drive and park.
If you want to go slightly bigger, the Honda Pilot is a good choice.
One note of advice - make sure the care seat you want fits in your new vehicle properly. Actually, I'd say you should probably pick a vehicle, then choose a carseat that fits. And I'm talking - take the carseat out of the building and physically try to install it. Most stores will let you do this. If they don't, then take your business elsewhere.
Ok, all I can say is that I have a Dodge Durango that I got when I traded in my beloved 2000 VW Beetle. I got it specifically because I moved to the moutain country and needed something that hubby didn't refer to as "the sled" when it snowed...lol.
If I had to choose btwn keeping my unbelievably fantastic husband and my Durango? Well... I'd lovingly wave goodbye to him as I sped away ;)
I know several people that have the Subaru and love it. I also know people love the Acura MDX as well as the Murano and the Lexus. I have the Infiniti FX35 and I love, love it.
I just had to make the decision to trade in my old car (01 Buick) because it was about to cost me alot of money. I had been thinking for awhile of buying an SUV or a minivan with AWD (a rare commodity) because I live in Canada - the part that gets winter - and I do a lot of driving. I went with the Chev Equinox (05 - compact SUV - AWD) - got it a week ago and love it so far - fuel economy is similar to my Buick. It seats 5 but I don't really need more seating than that and has a nice amount of cargo space
We've spent $3000 on our Subaru in the last six months. Hate that car!! I really want a RAV4. Good mileage, big enough but not too big, Toyota reliability. I wish they made it in a hybrid though. Try shopping online before you go to the dealer. When we bought the piece of crap Subaru we did that, and the dealer had the one we bought listed for $1000 less online than on the sticker on the lot.
I stumbled upon you from "crazies" site. I love your site. As far as SUV's or any type of car shopping. My honey pot does all his research on line. Once he zero's in on what he wants he heads out to the dealership for a test drive. He knows before arriving what he's going to pay and baby he doesn't pay a cent more! No way to the mini-vans!! We bought a Acura MDX and love it. We get about 24 mph highway and about 17-18 city. Of course we don't drive that far.
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