looking into buying a used car..

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

and need some help/opinions/advice on what to look for, haggling tips with dealerships, etc. i came across this website as well which has TONS of info on what to do, but it's still overwhelming. http://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm

only criteria is that i'm limiting myself upto ~$20k. i will be using a loan of some sort. i have to have full coverage which is gonna be somewhat costly for me depending on year/model of vehicle. (was quoted $535 A MONTH on a $500 deductible policy on an 02 tahoe).

I'M wanting to stick to an suv/truck. something with towing/hauling space. also wanting something at least 2000+ (preferably 02+).

i'm wanting some help on deciding between some vehicles i already have in mind, as i have to get insurance quotes as well and don't wanna deal with 15 different vehicle quotes. also i'm gonna have to run a carfax report (but that will be later unless someone has an account they can run vin#s for me).

mainly open to dodge/ford/chevy/jeep.

thanks

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[Vicodin113 10+ year member]

and need some help/opinions/advice on what to look for, haggling tips with dealerships, etc. i came across this website as well which has TONS of info on what to do, but it's still overwhelming. http://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm
only criteria is that i'm limiting myself upto ~$20k. i will be using a loan of some sort. i have to have full coverage which is gonna be somewhat costly for me depending on year/model of vehicle. (was quoted $535 A MONTH on a $500 deductible policy on an 02 tahoe).

I'M wanting to stick to an suv/truck. something with towing/hauling space. also wanting something at least 2000+ (preferably 02+).

i'm wanting some help on deciding between some vehicles i already have in mind, as i have to get insurance quotes as well and don't wanna deal with 15 different vehicle quotes. also i'm gonna have to run a carfax report (but that will be later unless someone has an account they can run vin#s for me).

mainly open to dodge/ford/chevy/jeep.

thanks

Ive always liked dodge.

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

Ive always liked dodge.

see i've been in some dodges and they are pretty quiet and smooth rides. only thing was, my uncle had a flatbed and it kept having problems, so he just got rid of it. thing was a 6 speed manual. very quiet and ultra smooth supsension. i loved it.

but dodge-wise i was looking at something like an 02 ram/durango. (though i think the durango would be just as expensive on insurance as the tahoe was).

 

[Vicodin113 10+ year member]

Get the Ram and use the bed. Durangos have bad transmisions most of the time.

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

see i was mostly eyeing these in particular but i'm still open to suggestions.

05 chevy 1500

02 chevy trailblazer

01 chevy blazer LS

02 dodge durango

02 dodge ram

03 ford F150

02 Ford Ranger EDGE

00 Isuzu Rodeo

and insterest in jeep as well.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Interest rates on used are usually higher than on new.. maybe you could get in on like the ford 0% interest thing right now and get brand new for about the same payment?

Lots of good rebates and deals to be had on brand new full size trucks.. you can get a nice f150 for 25K..

like this lol

http://siouxfallsford.com/show.asp?vtype=new&vid=708162

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Enter the stupid question ~

If you're looking at borrowing $20K why buy used?

Lower your expectations a bit and get something new, maybe???

Personally I'd rather have a lesser model NEW-something than a loaded used car //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

Interest rates on used are ussually higher than on new.. maybe you could get in on like the ford 0% interest thing right now and get brand new for about the same payment?
Lots of good rebates and deals to be had on brand new full size trucks..

see, i talked to my dad about that 0% interest stuff on new vehicles. come to find out, you have to make those up after the 72 months or whatever time frame it is. that's where the dealership makes their money.

and also, to get full coverage on an 06/07 vehicle for me, would probly be 1 1/2 of my paychecks alone on top of the bills/student loan i'm paying now.

i'm only 21, i have a somewhat bad driving record (2 major accidents in the past 2 years, within a year of each other, and 2 tickets equaling $375 on my first accident). i'm also gonna look into defensive driving courses to lower my insurance.

also, i really wouldn't have use for a full-size truck. but if i can find a good deal on one then maybe.

 

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

as far as dodges, i've also had bad dodge transmission experiences. i bought an 89 dynasty off my grandma. She was the original owner, and put ~40,000 miles on it, and it never made it to 50k.

I had the thing fully serviced when i took over ownership, it just stopped shifting into 4th, and then finally refused to engage anything but 1st... i even lost reverse, and had to push it out of a parking spot i sought refuge in on my final drive.

And for used cars, the absolute best way to get a deal, is to seel your own financing, or save up the full amount, and buy privately, unless it's a low mileage lease with a full warranty.

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

Enter the stupid question ~
If you're looking at borrowing $20K why buy used?

Lower your expectations a bit and get something new, maybe???

Personally I'd rather have a lesser model NEW-something than a loaded used car //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

i understand where you're coming from.

but, what's gonna hold me back is having to get full coverage and that's gonna be costly especially on a newer vehicle for me.

that's one of the reasons i'm trying to buy used (and alot of the 02-04 models i'm looking at are ~$15-$20k).

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

as far as dodges, i've also had bad dodge transmission experiences. i bought an 89 dynasty off my grandma. She was the original owner, and put ~40,000 miles on it, and it never made it to 50k.
I had the thing fully serviced when i took over ownership, it just stopped shifting into 4th, and then finally refused to engage anything but 1st... i even lost reverse, and had to push it out of a parking spot i sought refuge in on my final drive.

And for used cars, the absolute best way to get a deal, is to seel your own financing, or save up the full amount, and buy privately, unless it's a low mileage lease with a full warranty.

there are ways to get extended warranties on used vehicles as well. i just read about it, but haven't looked into it yet. and the amount of time it'd take me to save up that much money, it'd be time for me to retire. financing is really my best option right now. i wanna do this on my own. my uncle gave me my s10 for $400 (first vehicle), then my grandma bought me the escort i'm driving now for $3k 2 years ago. i need something a little more roomy, and higher off the ground, hauling space, and more reliable. i just don't like how low cars sit and the limited space in the cabin especially when you get 5 people in the car.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

shop around for better rates?

Have you thought about gas cost on a big *** truck? If your already strapped for cash.. maybe you should look into a car.

I started out looking at used cars over the summer.. but quickly decided it just made more sence to get new.

Have you gotten financing yet?

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

lol my last car was an escort.. and i bought a new focus.. i really like it.. way beyond what my escort was. Oh and it sits higher, and has more room.

 

[60ndown 10+ year member]

best mechanic i ever used said you never know what your buying. if i were you id buy a $4000 ride, and save $16000, for upgrades and emergencies.if you spend all your money on your ride, what will you buy gas / a new clutch, or some subs with? you could end up with a $20,000 lemon.

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

right now i was just browsing around trying to get an idea on what kinda vehicle i want. i was starting the process. i still have a year before my student loan and xbox360 are paid off. (and by that time, i should be making more than i am now). my parents had browsed around for insurance and went with geico cuz they really were the cheapest at the time. but i'll probly still browse around and get quotes for my current car and see.