Car buying advice

[tomterp]

some shops report, others don't, some are negotiable if you're looking for multiple estimates - it's a voluntary reporting scheme that can only work against the customer, so I wonder why any customer would knowingly use a shop that reports

As a car buyer, I want to see all the dirt.

[HalfSmokes]

As a car buyer, I want to see all the dirt.

as a seller, I'll give all the dirt I'm required to and won't get out of my way to create proof of more (then again, I just sell to car max, and their inspection last time around was half assed at best)

[tomterp]

as a seller, I'll give all the dirt I'm required to and won't get out of my way to create proof of more (then again, I just sell to car max, and their inspection last time around was half assed at best)

Last time I got a quote for a car from Carmax it was $1,500 for a Jeep Cherokee that I sold direct to a buyer for $5k.

[HalfSmokes]

Last time I got a quote for a car from Carmax it was $1,500 for a Jeep Cherokee that I sold direct to a buyer for $5k.

last car I sold was a corolla that had frame damage they missed (not bad, but it was straightened). I know they don't give the best deal, but they cut a check, and I know I don't have to worry about them coming back three months later with problems they expect me to take care of - knowing that the end of the transaction is the end is worth it to me 

[CALSGR8]

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/04/best-worst-used-cars/index.htm

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Don't buy a Yaris.

And if you do, don't drive in front of a tank:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/32973341/british-tank-crushes-learner-drivers-car-in-germany

[Baseball is Life]

I've bought my share of used cars and Carmax prices are usually a couple of thousand dollars higher than most used car dealerships.

[HalfSmokes]

I've bought my share of used cars and Carmax prices are usually a couple of thousand dollars higher than most used car dealerships.

but they have ill conceived warranties http://jalopnik.com/my-horn-stopped-working-another-carmax-warranty-update-1616487343 (seriously, less than 4k for a 6 year 125,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty on a used range rover is about as customer friendly as you can get)

[dracnal]

I've bought my share of used cars and Carmax prices are usually a couple of thousand dollars higher than most used car dealerships.

Carmax no haggle prices are there for one simple reason. They're set at least 10-15% above market and they're comfortable with that margin. Let advertising convince people who find research dull that they're getting a great deal on a car and value for their trade in.

[Dave B]

Engine blew last weekend. After having a car paid off for six years and lasting eleven, I really liked not having a car payment. So for a replacement I wanted pretty much the cheapest car possible that wouldn't get totaled in a collision with a bike. Got a manual kia soul for 15500 total. I figure at that price with 10 year powertrain warranty, this can't be a bad decision. God I hate paying for cars...now. Eleven years ago I spent almost $20k on a Mazda3 fresh out of college. If I had that attitude back then, I'd be like ten grand richer. Stupid kid.

I did splurge on $500 rims over hubcaps this time around though

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Since we no longer have vehicle safety inspections in DC, I think my next conveyance is going to be some rusty old hooptie from one of the used car lots/chop shops out Route 1. You can read a map with the 'check engine' light, and if it is stolen or buried by a snowplow, no big deal.

Engine blew last weekend. After having a car paid off for six years and lasting eleven, I really liked not having a car payment. So for a replacement I wanted pretty much the cheapest car possible that wouldn't get totaled in a collision with a bike. Got a manual kia soul for 15500 total. I figure at that price with 10 year powertrain warranty, this can't be a bad decision. God I hate paying for cars...now. Eleven years ago I spent almost $20k on a Mazda3 fresh out of college. If I had that attitude back then, I'd be like ten grand richer. Stupid kid

[Dave B]

Since we no longer have vehicle safety inspections in DC, I think my next conveyance is going to be some rusty old hooptie from one of the used car lots/chop shops out Route 1. You can read a map with the 'check engine' light, and if it is stolen or buried by a snowplow, no big deal.

As much as I may fancy myself a savvy shopper, I don't trust myself to make a good purchase on a used car. I'll pay a little more to have a warranty and one less headache.

Almost decided to go the no car route but my wife needing one a half hour a day made relying on car2go just too expensive. If she didn't need a car for work, it'd be a no brainer

Funny that you mention inspection, ours expired a couple days before it blew. So now I don't have to pay inspection or the late fee. Put that in the win column.

[Nathan]

I like the way the Soul looks, I think a small torquey turbo 4 with a manual transmission and AWD would be a fun and versatile vehicle.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I wonder how they can possibly make money with a 10 year warranty. Nothing lasts for 10 years.  Maybe Korean chaebol are like Amazon & don't need to actually turn a profit.

[imref]

I wonder how they can possibly make money with a 10 year warranty. Nothing lasts for 10 years.  Maybe Korean chaebol are like Amazon & don't need to actually turn a profit.

fwiw, GM just shortened the powertrain warranty from 10/100k to 5/60k as they discovered that the cost of supporting the warranty wasn't offset by any measurable increase in sales from it.

[HalfSmokes]

I wonder how they can possibly make money with a 10 year warranty. Nothing lasts for 10 years.  Maybe Korean chaebol are like Amazon & don't need to actually turn a profit.

They almost had to- people associated Korean cars with crap, so they put the best warranty in the car business behind them and then based their marketing around the warranty

[Mathguy]

With this warranty, one has to have work done at a dealer.  Costs can be controlled better at the dealer, so it makes the warrantee possible for the dealer

I wonder how they can possibly make money with a 10 year warranty. Nothing lasts for 10 years.  Maybe Korean chaebol are like Amazon & don't need to actually turn a profit.

[MarquisDeSade]

I wonder how they can possibly make money with a 10 year warranty. Nothing lasts for 10 years.  Maybe Korean chaebol are like Amazon & don't need to actually turn a profit.

They deny the majority of warrantee claims that aren't obvious factory issues. Good luck getting the transmission replaced or repaired when it craps out at 60K.

[HalfSmokes]

Dealer maintained plus decent record keeping on your part makes a denial for something like a power train issue pretty hard in their part, if you don't have records of manufactur maintenance, good luck

[MarquisDeSade]

I don't really care since I have a new Subaru every two years for free.

[GburgNatsFan]

Keep your paperwork or get your maintenance work done at the dealer and of course they will honor the warranty. Only the powertrain is warrantied. Most cars have power trains that last much longer than 100K.

They deny the majority of warrantee claims that aren't obvious factory issues. Good luck getting the transmission replaced or repaired when it craps out at 60K.

[Mathguy]

MDS - did you win the lottery ?

I don't really care since I have a new Subaru every two years for free.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Paxil settlement?

I don't really care since I have a new Subaru every two years for free.

[MarquisDeSade]

Paxil settlement?

Let's put it this way - there are perks to memberships to one of the world's smallest clubs.

[tomterp]

Engine blew last weekend. After having a car paid off for six years and lasting eleven, I really liked not having a car payment.

Just curious, did you consider just replacing the engine?