CarBuyingTips #FirstCarPurchase #UsedCarExperience
Hey everyone! Just wanted to share my recent experience buying a used car for the first time in 2024. 🚗 I learned so much from the amazing advice here, so I wanted to give back by sharing my journey.
Here’s a quick rundown of how I tackled each step:
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Step 1: What to buy
- Avoided cars high on the "Most Stolen List"
- Looked for reliability and good reviews on longevity
- Prioritized nice interiors and Apple CarPlay
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Step 2: Where to look
- Started with Clutch but found AutoTrader more helpful
- Checked price ratings and listing duration
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Step 3: Initiating contact
- Shortlisted cars and reached out to authorized dealers
- Asked for quotes, CarFax, and current promos
- Step 4: Day at the dealership
- Prepped with a friend, CarFaxes, and inspection checklist
- Visited two dealerships and negotiated prices
Some common tactics faced:
- Financing offers
- Urgency to buy due to car popularity
- Add-ons like warranties, coatings, etc.
Possible Solution:
- Do your research and have a clear pricing strategy
- Bring a calm friend for support during negotiations
- Check all details before signing any papers
Hope this helps anyone else going through the car-buying process! Feel free to share your own tips and tricks in the comments. Let’s make car buying a smooth ride for everyone! 🌟🚗 #CarShopping2024 #CarBuyingExperience
I don’t think avoiding the most stolen car list makes sense, unless you’re adjusting the number by popularity. The Honda CRV for example is a commonly bought car, so of course it’s going to be stolen more because there’s simply more of them out there. Do you have statistics to show such cars are disproportionately stolen? Without looking at statistics, the only car I’d avoid is luxury vehicles.
Wow, that was…way overkill, but good work! Really good results, and a good deal. You definitely did your due diligence.
I’ve bought a number of used vehicles. What you need is 1) cash, 2) an ability to read people, 3) a basic understanding of vehicles.
Then, you don’t need to go to dealerships. Private sale all the way. Better deals, regular people typically don’t manipulate you as much, and if you can read people you won’t get screwed over with a bad deal.
Thanks for the story,
Can you post that list of items to check on the car?
This is a great blow by blow recount. The research and having a short list of cars was really excellent. Having the car faxes ahead for time, super smart. I appreciate you taking the time to recount it the story. I would be interested in your 6 month and one 1 year later and further experiences at the dealership.
Reflecting on my own experiences;
I wonder how the bullcrap 15 min wait can be avoided? I don’t have a lot of patience for that.
I often wanted to use a reverse pressure technique where I start slightly higher, and then warn the sales person that I’m waking or going to lower my offer if they make me wait more then 10 mins
Getting worn down is another problem that I’ve experienced. That’s my “walk away” point. But, I find my reaction after that is I’m in the “get it done” mindset and I don’t get the best deal. The only way I think I can avoid this is even more research.
Great post. i bought a used car a few years ago and man the dealership story thing is real. I’m fascinated on all these little sales tactics they use. (let me speak to the manager) and leave you sitting all day in a little office.
I despise the car buying process now. Went to this “shall not be named brand” and Ordered a car that was in stock on my phone and picked up the next day after. Price was clearly written and broken down, gov’t rebates provided. No sales commission, no dealership staff overhead, No salesman to speak to, just a staff to help sign contracts. Handed the keys over and everything was done in 15minutes.
Never doing the traditional dealership process again.
I don’t see a point in using clutch. They’ll just post on autotrader. Stolen model is more important than brand. Corollas are finez
Thanks for for sharing. I went to a place that says they don’t negotiate so now it feels much more relaxed. There was no back and forth. I went to one of those giant used car dealers and they barely knew about the car, which was to my advantage, as it had lots of little options worth a few grand that weren’t factored in to the price.
I leave out that there was a check engine issue that got resolved quickly after purchase but that was very stressful and pretty stupid of me.
What was your inspection checklist?
Great post! Where do you see in Autotrader ads for the date posted?
As far as I’m aware, you would’ve had an easier time getting a lower price through financing because at least the salesperson would expect a commission so he’d fight for the lowest price to his manager. Then you just pay it off in full the next few days after financing. Telling them you have the cash to pay for it does nothing but hurt you which you wouldn’t expect. Made that mistake years ago as the companion but she was gifted the money from her rich uncle anyway.
Are you available to come with me to buy me a car? Lol
I am looking for a used car for my wife mainly cx5-7-9 or Subaru Outback or murrano
Ur steps will help me a great deal
Thanks
I’m keeping my old car as much as I can just to avoid going to the dealership. It’s pain in the butt and all the process drains a lot of energy from you. The way Tesla sells their cars is the future and those dealerships vampires shouldn’t exist anymore.
Do Let us know the price. You can also share your checklist with the group so it helps everyone.
Thanks for reminding me how shitty buying a car is…
Did you consider trying the “email/call” method where you just email your best offer to those six dealers? While I like negotiating, I’ve found that method saves a lot of time and hassle. Curious if it’s working in the post-Covid world.
So you were able to get just over $2000 off on cash deal and no finance. I call bs. How much did you pay for the car?
I read the whole thing and appreciated your breakdown, will be very helpful for when we shop for a used car!
Thank you! I’ve never bought from a dealership before but will have to get a replacement car soon. I’ve looked at autotrader a lot but never known what the process looks like once you decide on a vehicle. Thanks for sharing tips on how to get the best deal!
I wonder if the ‘one key’ can be a negotiating point.
It costs anywhere from $350-500 to get a new key at my local dealer. If I knew that when I was buying, I would have asked for a discount of $350. I’m surviving with one key, but it would be great peace of mind to have two.
Edit: wrote ‘piece of mind’ by mistake
Tldr by gpt;
The user shares their experience buying a used car in Toronto, focusing on the process and key takeaways. They prioritized avoiding commonly stolen cars, reliable models, and good interiors with Apple CarPlay, narrowing choices to Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. They used Clutch and AutoTrader for searches, favoring authorized dealers. After contacting six dealerships, they test-drove two cars and engaged in detailed negotiations. They avoided financing, declined add-ons, and stayed firm on their budget, ultimately securing a satisfactory deal. Recommendations include thorough research, having multiple options, bringing a companion, and meticulously checking details.
So all of that and you didn’t share which model you ended up purchasing or how much you paid for it?
Only thing I could say is I bought a used car, got the extended new car warranty because it was within 5 years I believe, and this was another 4 or 5 years protection. Ended up saving me approx $6k on a turbo that needed replacing in the 3rd year. So some time the warranty works out! Happy you got what you wanted!
So after all that, what was the car you got!
I always enjoy a good negotiation! This was a good one. Thanks for sharing with the group!
Wow, this is great! Smart to not get into financing and knowing how to negotiate and not be manipulated by the manager.
TLDR all of it: a storey about you buying a car…good job.