FREE NEWSLETTER
As I approach my 70th birthday I’ve decided it’s probably time to buy a new car even though my nearly 19 years old car runs well . Given my proclivity for keeping cars a long time, this is almost certainly going to be my last car.
My question is what are your thoughts on approaching this? I am not interested in leasing or buying used. My sources of funds are a tax deferred account, a brokerage account and a money market account . My house is paid off and I have no other debt. I should probably mention I dislike the process of buying a car. In my past experience even if you think you’ve negotiated everything online they still find a way to waste your time.
Thank you.
We’re in the process of buying our first new car in 11 years. Probably will be a Subaru Outback (that is what we have now and it has been very reliable). We are working thru the Costco auto buying service and I’ve got a pretty good offer already, 18% off MSRP. Of course all the fees, taxes, etc (including a tariff charge of almost $1000 since the Outback is now made in Japan) will add back most of the discount. Sales tax is almost $3500 alone. I haven’t sat down with a Sales Manager yet, probably do that tomorrow. The car they quoted is a black car with black interior — definitely a no no in the desert southwest. We’ll see what happens when I ask for a quote on a light colored car. I did notice that the car we drove had Dunlops on it. I thought was sort of tacky for a top level trim car. Subaru used to fit Bridgestones to most models. Our current Outback was bought thru an Autonation Subaru dealer and it was no hassle at all. They took about 12% off the MSRP and offered a few “add ons” at the Finance desk but there was no pressure to accept anything.
Consumer reports helps me narrow down my choices for a new car. I then narrow the selection further by using YouTube to view numerous hands-on testing videos.
When I’ve made my choice, I go to Truecar.com. Here I can find out what others in my area paid for the car I am interested in. The downside is that you have to supply your contact information. You will be contacted by 3-5 dealerships selling that car and sometimes 2-3 different salespeople from the same dealership.
The upside for me is that this process saved me $2000+ over my best negotiated price.
The more I have read and written on HD all these years, the more I am convinced I am not “normal.” In this case I have never test driven a car, never shopped dealers, never looked up a rating on a car or considered buying online.
I just go to a dealer selling what I am looking for. I have in my mind what I want to spend and where the money will come from. When the car and what’s in my mind match, I buy the car. It usually a one trip task.
That might work with new cars. Buying second-hand is a different story.
Must do a test drive. Even the hint of cigarette smoke will send me on my way.
Perhaps as we age it isn’t worth the negotiating hassle and just want to enjoy our remaining years…and the car of our dreams.
I read an article this