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NFT: New Car Buying Advice needed

TommyWiseau : 3/25/2019 11:50 am
The wife and I are looking to get a new car, we work in the city and sometimes the parking is a pain in the ass. With that said we are looking at smaller cars or hatchbacks (ease of fitting in to tight parking spots).

The wife kind of likes the Volkswagen Golf GTI and I don't think it looks too bad. Does anyone have any advice on the negotiation side of buying a new car? This will be our first new car purchase (we have always drove beaters). We would be buying not leasing.

Any advice would be much appreciated
Test drive/car jack  
Sneakers O'toole : 3/25/2019 11:53 am : link
combo works great. I got a steal that way.
Research and be prepared  
MotownGIANTS : 3/25/2019 11:55 am : link
end of month and end of year (best time)


I came with a spreadsheet once I knew what car I wanted and which options.

When I say spreadsheet I had the prices, colors options etc on the vehicle and a price quote from each dealer ...

That allowed me to force the guy's hand ... vs I go to another dealer, so he tossed in extras and brought down the price even more. Also make them give you tire & wheel hazard for free. Potholes are a BI#$@ here in MI.

Good luck.
New car in NYC??  
EricJ : 3/25/2019 11:55 am : link
.
RE: New car in NYC??  
TommyWiseau : 3/25/2019 11:57 am : link
In comment 14356046 EricJ said:
Quote:
.


We don't live in NYC, we live on Long Island. We commute to NYC
Are you commuting into the City with this car?  
ZogZerg : 3/25/2019 11:58 am : link
If so, you may want to lease one instead. Although, you would need to calculate your mileage.
Mazda is redoing the Mazda 3.  
ZogZerg : 3/25/2019 12:02 pm : link
It looks really nice.

Subaru Impreza is also a nice, although not the most powerful engine around.

I like the Golf GTI.

You should test drive, figure out what car you want.
Then shop for Internet pricing. You can usually get very deals that way.
Check the cost ...  
BronxBob : 3/25/2019 12:10 pm : link
of the insurance in advance. it might or might not nudge your choice of make and model.
How bad is public transportation for commuting purposes?  
EricJ : 3/25/2019 12:27 pm : link
I ask because if I was buying a car, my choice would be much different if I was or was not going to commute with it.
If you live on Long Island  
give66 : 3/25/2019 12:35 pm : link
I highly recommend getting a car that will get you into the LIE HOV lane single passenger.
I'd second the Mazda's  
SCGiantsFan : 3/25/2019 12:55 pm : link
I owner and 2016 Mazda 3, but there the refreshed the interior in 2017. I traded in the 2016 for a 2017 and enjoy all the time. routinely get 36 mpg on the 40 minute drive to work. some days If I go easy I get 38.7 mpg. I own the hatch which as worked out well. I have had no issues with the car, knock on wood.

Personally, I am not thrilled with the 2019 hatch update. I'd go with the sedan or the Cx 5.

The interior styling is spot on and the tech is really good. I do plan to add the android auto upgrade in a few months. current models have started coming with Apply car play and Android Auto. The latest infotainment graphic have gotten better and more responsive.

Ideally, I'd love to drive a further coming skyactive X engine. With that said, they current car is paid off and those fund are going else where.

Take a look a Mazda. They are a quality product and have dedicate people building and designing their vehicles
I own a 2007  
beatrixkiddo : 3/25/2019 12:58 pm : link
VW GTI, bought new in 2006. Thing runs great still, living in the city for awhile i barely put any miles on it, hoping to get a couple more years out of her. The interior looks just as good as when I bought it, the Mark V and newer models are quality cars, well designed, and feel bigger on the inside than they look on the outside. Love the hatchback too, very convenient. Wish they still made diesels as that is the route I would go if I could do it over again, but really can't complain.
A few tips  
armstead98 : 3/25/2019 12:59 pm : link
Shop around and offer to pay $500 over invoice price. Make them show you the invoice and then pay something above that.

If you're not comfortable doing that shop at the end of the month when they're trying to hit their bonuses.
Do you have USAA or  
rnargi : 3/25/2019 1:00 pm : link
Any access to a car buying services? Seriously...don't by a new car. You can get a great deal on a used car with very low mileage at a huge discount. I bought a 2013 MB C250 with 9k miles in mint condition for 18500 in 2015. Couldn't even get a new Corolla for that back then.
Shop around at the end of the month  
Ed in Ann Arbor : 3/25/2019 1:47 pm : link
The last 2 days of a month are typically best if a dealer has to make their month for incentives. The USAA and Costco buying services as good. I use USAA if you can get it. Regarding vehicle choice. I looked at the VW GTI vs the Mazda 3. Both are extremely close in handling. GTI has slightly better acceleration but the fuel is the problem. The GTI runs like crap on regular. It really need premium. That jumps the operating cost significantly. I bought the Mazad 3 and am very happy with it.
I love my 2013 GTI  
phil in arizona : 3/25/2019 1:51 pm : link
I'd check out something like Carvana/Carmax before going through a traditional dealer and buying a new car.

I bought my GTI used in 2015. I remember going to the local VW dealer and attempting to buy new. Trying to get an actual price from them was like pulling teeth so I walked out. I then went to a highly rated used dealer that specialized in VW/Audi. They had no hassle pricing like Carmax. The guy handed me sets of keys to 4 different cars and said to have fun test driving. Can't beat that!
Why not lease?  
Steve L : 3/25/2019 2:10 pm : link
Lower payment by at least $100 easily. I know you commute but a 12,000 mile a year lease on a smaller car can be very reasonable.
RE: Why not lease?  
Jim in Fairfax : 3/25/2019 2:32 pm : link
In comment 14356247 Steve L said:
Quote:
Lower payment by at least $100 easily. I know you commute but a 12,000 mile a year lease on a smaller car can be very reasonable.

Cheaper in the short term, more expensive in the long term.
Agree with lot of the posts here already  
TurdFurguson : 3/25/2019 2:38 pm : link
1. Don’t buy new, especially if you’re going into NYC. Streets are a mess, and avoid low profile tires. All 4 rims bent on a friend’s car due to street disrepair.

2. Golf GTI: Like the car. Be wary of long-term cost of maintenance (also think it needs premium gas). German cars get finicky around 100k miles. If you’re used to driving cars into the ground - Japanese.

3. If you’re trading a car in, do it in 2 separate transactions. Negotiate the car purchase first then bring thr trade in. They’ll play games between the two if you do them at the same time.
2018 Ford Focus has $5k back until end of month I believe  
schabadoo : 3/25/2019 2:40 pm : link
Clearing out old inventory, seems like a good deal.
RE: 2018 Ford Focus has $5k back until end of month I believe  
Jim in Fairfax : 3/25/2019 2:44 pm : link
In comment 14356299 schabadoo said:
Quote:
Clearing out old inventory, seems like a good deal.

They’re clearing out ALL inventory because the Focus has been discontinued.
GTI . .  
haper : 3/25/2019 3:08 pm : link
I have a good friend that had two minis over the space of 7 years and had nothing but trouble w them. Switched over to a GTI two years ago and has been very happy so far.
GTI  
JerseyCityJoe : 3/25/2019 4:57 pm : link
Nice choice. Those GTI's are a blast to drive. Your going to love the way they handle.
LIR  
gtt350 : 3/25/2019 5:24 pm : link
or bust
RE: Why not lease?  
TommyWiseau : 3/25/2019 6:27 pm : link
In comment 14356247 Steve L said:
Quote:
Lower payment by at least $100 easily. I know you commute but a 12,000 mile a year lease on a smaller car can be very reasonable.


My commute is about 68 miles round trip which comes out to around 16k or so just getting to and from work with my weeks off and whatnot. I was told the more miles you need the price goes up considerable (not sure how true that is).

I never considered Mazda, how is their reliability?
RE: LIR  
TommyWiseau : 3/25/2019 6:34 pm : link
In comment 14356543 gtt350 said:
Quote:
or bust


I work night shift, LIRR is not really an option unless I want to increase my commute by at least an hour each way.
Advice  
Thegratefulhead : 3/25/2019 7:01 pm : link
Do not get emotionally attached to anything on the lot. The salesman can tell you won't be able to hide it from him.

Have your financing taken care of before you go in there. If you have a trade in, sell it first. They negotiate everyday all the time they are better and more experienced at it than you they will rob you on the trade-in as well.

Walk out at least once. Everytime you walk out the deal will get a little bit better. If you lose out on a car so be it they'll make more. Do research before you go in you can find out what a brand new car costs the dealer.
I just Factory Ordered a Challenger Hellcat Widebody  
Somnambulist : 3/25/2019 7:39 pm : link
4 days ago. 717HP!!! 29" 305 tires all around. 6-speed manual trans. WOOHOO!!

Got it for $5K below sticker prices after shopping around for a couple weeks.

Sometimes you just have to say WTF...
20" tires  
Somnambulist : 3/25/2019 7:40 pm : link
Not 29". LOL...
So I guess my advice is  
Somnambulist : 3/25/2019 8:15 pm : link
Get a series of quotes for the exact car you want; it helps to build it online and send the build sheet to each dealer with the quote request. Then collect the quotes, pick the best, and bring it to one of the others and ask them to beat it.

Worked for me.
RE: RE: Why not lease?  
Jim in Fairfax : 3/25/2019 8:33 pm : link
In comment 14356598 TommyWiseau said:
Quote:

My commute is about 68 miles round trip which comes out to around 16k or so just getting to and from work with my weeks off and whatnot. I was told the more miles you need the price goes up considerable (not sure how true that is).

I never considered Mazda, how is their reliability?

More miles definitely cost you more on a lease. Typically you’ll pay 25-30 cents a mile for miles over the typical 36K allowance on a 3 year lease. So for example if you turned the car in with 60K miles on it, you’d owe $6000 at turn in @ 25 cents a mile. You can save money by buying a bigger mileage allowance at inception - say about 15 cents a mile instead.

Mazdas are definitely reliable - much more so than Volkswagens. Also less expensive to fix when they do break. And it runs on regular gas vs the recommended premium for the GTI. But while the Mazda has a pretty zippy drive, the GTI beats it hands down in that department.
RE: Research and be prepared  
eric2425ny : 3/25/2019 9:38 pm : link
In comment 14356045 MotownGIANTS said:
Quote:
end of month and end of year (best time)


I came with a spreadsheet once I knew what car I wanted and which options.

When I say spreadsheet I had the prices, colors options etc on the vehicle and a price quote from each dealer ...

That allowed me to force the guy's hand ... vs I go to another dealer, so he tossed in extras and brought down the price even more. Also make them give you tire & wheel hazard for free. Potholes are a BI#$@ here in MI.

Good luck.


Good advice, agree with you on the potholes here in MI. Our roads here are crap.
RE: RE: RE: Why not lease?  
eric2425ny : 3/25/2019 9:42 pm : link
In comment 14356719 Jim in Fairfax said:
Quote:
In comment 14356598 TommyWiseau said:


Quote:



My commute is about 68 miles round trip which comes out to around 16k or so just getting to and from work with my weeks off and whatnot. I was told the more miles you need the price goes up considerable (not sure how true that is).

I never considered Mazda, how is their reliability?


More miles definitely cost you more on a lease. Typically you’ll pay 25-30 cents a mile for miles over the typical 36K allowance on a 3 year lease. So for example if you turned the car in with 60K miles on it, you’d owe $6000 at turn in @ 25 cents a mile. You can save money by buying a bigger mileage allowance at inception - say about 15 cents a mile instead.

Mazdas are definitely reliable - much more so than Volkswagens. Also less expensive to fix when they do break. And it runs on regular gas vs the recommended premium for the GTI. But while the Mazda has a pretty zippy drive, the GTI beats it hands down in that department.


You are probably better off buying vs leasing with your commute. The extra mileage you add to your lease lowers the residual value of the car, making it more expensive over the course of your lease term. Most car companies advertise a lease payment based on a 10k mile per year lease. The reality is most customers are opting for at least a 12.5k or 15k lease. Typically the residual value goes up at least 1-2 percent with every 2.5k increase in annual miles. That will significantly impact your payment.
SCCA  
Colossus of Rhodes : 3/26/2019 9:18 am : link
Golf git fun, affordable , practical. Pay 500 under invoice with no negotiation needed and still get any rebates. Join sports car club of America to get preferred employee discount. I did this myself years ago. Full instructions on vwvortex forums.
RE: SCCA  
TommyWiseau : 3/26/2019 7:47 pm : link
In comment 14356979 Colossus of Rhodes said:
Quote:
Golf git fun, affordable , practical. Pay 500 under invoice with no negotiation needed and still get any rebates. Join sports car club of America to get preferred employee discount. I did this myself years ago. Full instructions on vwvortex forums.


Oh cool, did not know that. I think me and the wife are going to look at the new Mazda 3 and the Mazda 3 hatchback as well as the GTI. Go for a test drive and see what kind of deals I can get. Thank's all for the advice, I really appreciate it.
If  
mitch300 : 3/26/2019 10:38 pm : link
Your a Costco member that is the way to go. Bought two cars that way. Mazda 6 and Honda Accord. Paid 200 over invoice on the Honda we bought in January. No haggling.
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