Car Shopping

Bobw235

Bobw235

Senior Member
Location
Massachusetts
I went looking at new cars today. We're looking to replace my wife's 2002 SUV (Lexus RX300), thinking that if we're going to do a bunch of traveling in the US and Canada over the next few years, we'll want something comfortable and dependable. We'll also need something with a bit of room if we're going to be on the road.

It's always an interesting exercise and I generally hate the process. The two dealerships I looked at were totally different in terms of experience. One dealer (Audi) had a very soft approach from the sales guy. Never asked us to take a test drive, never even asked our names. Nice first visit. Other dealer (Acura) was not as pleasant. Told the guy I had a low mileage, hard to find Acura model to trade in and the guy was practically salivating. Guy wanted us to take a test drive, wanted our info, pressure to set up a date to test drive the car, etc. Over the next few days we'll check out other models (looking for a mid-size SUV) that might be a good choice. Plan to look at a Volvo and maybe another Lexus.

So I'm curious. How to do others approach the car buying experience? Any SUV recommendations? Does it stress you out, or do you love the game of negotiation? For me, I hate the back and forth. I'd rather just know that I'm getting a good car for a fair price and be done with it. So much to research and so much time to invest before making such an important decision.
 

We bought a new car for the wife last January. I have a 2008 GMC Envoy Denali, which I won't give up until the wheels fall off. That's how much I enjoy it. I approach car buying like "I don't care if I get it or not. I want my deal and that's how it will be. Otherwise, see ya'." Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
 

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Forget all the fol-de-rols and gimmicks.

Must have fold flat rear seats and a totally flat boot (trunk), with no "step" so that I can get my power wheelchair in and out!

Surprising how few there are which meet this requirement!
 
Loved my new Jeep Cherokee so much I bought another one... now we have TWO..

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The last new car that I bought was in 2001 and I still have it as my only vehicle. I bought it on the Internet while I was in New Zealand. I knew exactly what I wanted and what I wanted to pay and had researched what a good price would be. It is a 2001 Toyota Camry XLE with now, 86,000 miles.It was the best and most convenient car purchase that I have ever made. I picked the car up three days after getting back to the U.S. at a dealership within 10 miles from where I was living.
 
jujube said:
I'd rather have a wisdom tooth pulled without Novocain than shop for a car (which might explain why I've had my present car for 13 years now).

The song, the dance, the back-and-forth, the outright lies......just thinking about it makes me want to go take a Valium.
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Jujube, I've had my present car for 14 years now -- it's a 2002 Saturn, and I love it. I'll drive it till it falls apart.
 
Yesterday was another full day of shopping and test driving. Looked at BMW this time (Wow!) and Audi and Volvo. Loved the BMW, but may be too rich for our blood. But what a sweet ride.
 
About to conclude our search. Ended up with a Volvo SUV, the XC-90. Nice car. Should get it on Friday. Very exciting and the sales experience has been good so far.
 
Picked up the car yesterday and the process could not have gone smoother. I got the number I wanted for my trade-in; with one quick discussion they came up to my figure. Got the financing rate I was hoping for (1.9% for five years) and drove away in a new car. Hope it gives us lots of years of adventures.
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I've shopped for myself and helped others over the last few years. The biggest change I notice is the emphasis on leasing and all the electronics, gimmicks and controls that belong on a home computer screen but not in a car which can cause visual clutter & distracted driving. I can't stand the newer radios, you have to press buttons too many times to do one thing. I also miss the analogue gauges, many cars don't even give temperature anymore. I want to see how the car is running, I just don't want an alarm when it has failed-duh.

Cost has always been a factor for me so I've had to sit through too many pitches, presentations etc. The movie Suckers has several scenes where the mindset & techniques of the car dealer that are frighteningly accurate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2wLlrfU89E

Sidenote there is a meeting scene in the movie that not only is about selling but also shows the attitude of many a manager out of the sales profession. Sat through many of those as well.
 

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