I Am The Worst Car Shopper Ever.

[Thordic]

As some of you know, I crashed my saturn a few weeks back. Despite what the pics showed, it was deemed a total loss to the cosmetic damage, a bent axle, and a bent frame.

So, I've been needing a new car.

I've liked Nissan Sentra's for a while, and may still get a new one, but first came the wondeful world of used cars.

I'm one of those people who likes to research before they buy, learn all the specifications, read reviews, and cover all my angles before making a purchase. I'm finding its next to impossible to do that with a used car and it's driving my insane.

Much like the paintball world, there is no such thing as a "standard opinion". Everyone has different opinions on cars and if you listen to your friends, you'll never buy anything.

First I looked at Mustangs. 2000+ coupes only, really. Lots of people (*cough* Pyro *cough*) like to crap on them, but I happen to like them. But its tough finding one in my price range. So I figured I'd move on.

Dealers want way too much damn money for their used cars. Its ridiculous. Whether you can negotiate the price or not doesn't matter, they are asking way too much. A 4 year old used car should cost less than a couple grand less than a brand new car of the same model.

And I hate the idea of going to the lot and looking around. I like looking at a car, checking it on Carfax, looking up the price and specifications on Edmunds, etc, until I know what the guy who put in the floormats ate for breakfast the day he touched the car. I think I'm going to start bringing my laptop so I can check carfax at the lot...

I am just way too picky about this, and its causing an issue because I have no car and keep having to borrow my dads and/or bum rides from co-workers. It sucks so bad.

Someone cure my insanity. I need to buy a car by proxy or something. "Here is $10,000, go buy me something I'll like".

Just a rant...

[krafty]

Gimme 10 grand and I'll be happy to buy you a car. Do you like 1984 Sunbirds? (The rust is barely visable, I swear!)

I know exactly what it's like to be forced to look for a new car after an accident. You want to take your time, but you need transportation now! I went through it last year after a drunk driver totalled my RAV4 for me.

[logamus]

it could be worse, i mean it could be snowing like crazy. oh wait, it is. sorry.

[cphilip]

I bought Calebs Sentra that was a program car with not quite 8K miles on it for $12,000. Its got all the bells and whistes they got for em I think. Spoiler and all that look stuff too. I think its a 2002 and I bought it last year about this time.

So far a pretty darn nice car. I think a new one is what? 15K? about that?

Look at a program car. Save the depriciation.

[Thordic]

My problem with Sentra's is I don't want the 1.8 or 1.8S, I want the 2.5S.

But no one keeps the damn thing in stock because the SE-R is about the same and costs more.

Stupid dealers.

[Dubstar112]

Know any body who owns a dealership or repair shop? Have them take you to an auction and pick out a car you like there. Its basically "dealer cost", but you'll have to give a more than generous tip to the guy who brought you. Still, ends up cheaper and most of the time the cars are in excellent condition.

[theraidenproject]

Problem solved

[cphilip]

Originally posted by Thordic
My problem with Sentra's is I don't want the 1.8 or 1.8S, I want the 2.5S.

But no one keeps the damn thing in stock because the SE-R is about the same and costs more.

Stupid dealers.

Oh I gotcha. Yea finding a program car with that engine might be difficult. But a good dealer can search other dealers for one for you. And make a deal for it. Or pick one up at the next program car aucion easy enough. Won't be a lot of them but will be a few.

You looked Altima? They got the 2.4Ls I think still in them. Might be even 2.6 by now. Nice cars they are.

[Ironmag]

The 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R is probably the better one to get, they just look damn awesome (Skyline style front and hella nice red and black seats). The 2k3 and 2k4 look just like the other Sentras, just with bigger rims. That's what I wanna get soon. I currently have a 1998 Sentra SE and it still runs really good, can't go wrong with Nissan.

[FalconGuy016]

www.cars.com ?

[Cheeseball24]

screw the car, if u have 10 grand build a paintball tank and drive it around

[OfficerGoat]

You are doing the right thing. Keep your eyes peeled and be patent something will come along.

Couple of things to be able to deal better. 1) Get a loan first.. have cash in hand.. money talks. Also remember car dealers get bonuses for signing loans.. .so the loan in your best interests may not be what they offer. This is ESPECIALY true come used cars. Most banks offer auto loans.. don't be afraid to go to your local branch and ask.

2)Go over and make them a silly offer. Being an ahole one day I was looking at vettes.... found an 01 for 31k ... knew I dint want it so to get the sales slut off my hands I offered 20k on it. Beleve it or not they countered with 24k. Apparently they really wanted rid of that car. <shrug>

3)Be patient... if something sits on the lot a bit they are going to want to sell it more than if they just got it in. When I first looked at my WS6 convertable they wanted 47k for it (5 over msrp), three months later I got the car at 28k.(At that point how can I say no?) It can REALY pay to wait.

4)Make an offer then walk off the lot. If a salesman knows you have the cash and really are a buyer they WILL chase you to the door.

[CoFFeY[NiTrO]]

Go check out some of the like 97-00 Audi A4's. I will probably end up getting one of those. Nice little cars. They are usually around 10,000.

[Miscue]

Originally posted by CoFFeY[NiTrO]
Go check out some of the like 97-00 Audi A4's. I will probably end up getting one of those. Nice little cars. They are usually around 10,000.

Holy depreciation Batman! You sure?

[CoFFeY[NiTrO]]

Yessir

97 Audi A4

98 Audi A4 W/LEATHER