Originally posted by AThousandYoungJust go to kelly blue book (I believe that is the kbb link?). They'll offer lots of options like condition and features. Print out or right down different variations of options (like side airbags, power windows, etc.) that you would be satisfied with.
Yaris look like my old Geo Metro, and the Tercel was apparently a Corolla variant. Camrys look to be a little too high end, so I'll probably go with a 2006 Corolla or something like that.
What sort of price should I try to get? How should I handle features? I want AC, power windows, and other goodies, but I hear the dealership will ream you if you ...[text shortened]... ese links for research:
http://www.carmax.com/
http://www.edmunds.com/
http://www.kbb.com/
Then get the Kelly Blue book retail price and don't offer the dealer any more than that. In fact, make your first offer a little lower than it even. Either way, stick to your guns. They'll eventually come down but you will have to dig your heels in or even threaten to leave.
Prepare to spend the better part of a couple of hours on negotiating alone. They will act like you are really getting a great deal when it is just a fair price. It's the way it is.
- Joined
- 16 Aug 08
- Moves
- 35812
Hello.🙂 The actual difference in monthly expenditures on fuel between one car and other isn't really as striking as some might believe. Fuel efficiency hasn't really changed that much.My first car that I was driving in high school ( late 80s,early 90s) was a 1966 Ford Mustang that had a six cylinder motor, three speed manual transmission, and it got about 20 mpg around town and about 23-24 on the highway. The car I drive right now is a 64 1/2 Mustang convertible with a V8, automatic transmission, and it gets about 18 mpg around town with the A/C going. If I decided to get rid of this car and get something like the cars that have been mentioned, ( I would rather hitchhike than drive a Geo Metro😀) it could possibly save me as much 10 dollars a week. If you were driving a raggedy old Suburban or something, which gets like 12 mpg around town, then, yes, fuel costs would be an issue, but the difference between 20 and 23 isn't going to be the same as hitting the lottery. Get a car that you like, can afford and can be comfortable in.🙂
Originally posted by DjincI get 35 mpg in my Corolla on average. I think that would be about $20 per week savings for me in comparison to 20 mpg. That's the micro-economic side. Imagine if we all drove cars that had 35 mpg.
Hello.🙂 The actual difference in monthly expenditures on fuel between one car and other isn't really as striking as some might believe. Fuel efficiency hasn't really changed that much.My first car that I was driving in high school ( late 80s,early 90s) was a 1966 Ford Mustang that had a six cylinder motor, three speed manual transmission, and it got about 20 same as hitting the lottery. Get a car that you like, can afford and can be comfortable in.🙂
Originally posted by AThousandYoungNot sure what exactly you want but you can't go wrong with a Hyundai or Kia, they are very cheap, some under 10K and get great gas milage and have 100,000 mile warranties.
Anything I need to watch out for?
I want a compact with good gas mileage, less than $25k with everything (so I don't want a $24,343 vehicle which will then go up in price when I need to consider the variables like features or whatever)
We bought a Hyundai Santa Fe (small minivan or station wagon) and it has 100K warranty it has about 60K on it now, its a 2004, and have had no problems with it drive train wise. I think it will do more like 200 or 300K before it needs an overhaul.
- Joined
- 16 Aug 08
- Moves
- 35812
Originally posted by MrHand35 is very good around town. But, even with that, 240 bucks a year isn't exactly life-changing money. To me, the big thing is to be driving something that the payments aren't crippling you, that you can be comfortable in, and that you don't have to cover your face every time you see someone that you know. Corollas are actually kind of cute IMO, but a lot of the economy cars are just plain hideous, and god help you if you run into anything in a Scion XB. Which is pretty likely, since the rear brake drums are about the size of a cereal bowl.😀
I get 35 mpg in my Corolla on average. I think that would be about $20 per week savings for me in comparison to 20 mpg. That's the micro-economic side. Imagine if we all drove cars that had 35 mpg.
Originally posted by rbmorrisI'm skeptical. Everyone told me how wonderful public transportation was in the Bay Area...how it was so much better than LA's. It's not. Now I'm once again hearing the call..."Public transportation is better in some foreign place I haven't been" - but I've heard this song before, and it LIED! 😠
They're both in the stone age as far as public transportation is concerned.