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Buying Tips - How Do I Get the Best Deal?

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Comments

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,199
    "...or maybe a Ford/GM truck, I wouldn't touch anything that's got 156K miles on it..."

    That's the milage on my Ford truck 10 years ago. Still starts up every morning.

    "...I'm not quite sure why Mitsubishi is still in the U.S. market..."

    Actually Mitsu is making a modest comeback. Lancer is up over 100% in sales this year and Outlander is doing good too. They actually made money this year.

    Quality is way up too. I think that It was Road and Track that did a long term test on the Eclipse and beyond oil changes and tire rotations it cost them NOTHING after 40,000 miles. I read a similar report in another car mag.

    It's amazing what car companies can do if their back is against the wall.

    BTW, I loved the style of the Crossfire and it had really great handling but with only 215hp. it was DOA for the gear head crowd.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,199
    "...I couldn't even tell you where to find the Mitsubishi dealer..."

    Excellent, I just put Mitsu on my "Dogs" list. That's the list of decent cars that get no respect from the general public. I can then go in and get a decent deal on a decent car.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    /agreed

    This is probably some of the most laughs I've gotten out of a forum. A lot of fun, and thanks Edmunds for letting us have fun on here.

    -Moo
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    I agree with you. There are actually some quality Mitsus out there. SOME of the models. However, they get murdered on their resale value. Just not a great rebuy market, at least on the SE side.

    And correct, XFire.... I think it got caught in crossfire or friendly fire. Not sure which, but you will be murdered on a trade in value there as well.

    Sidenote: Porsche interview went well. I actually did all three interviews at once. GM, SM and a finance manager. I was talking with them about 2 hours. I THINK it went well. I'm crossing my fingers b/c I believe this is a great opportunity. Again.... thanks for the well wishes and encouragement from some of the guys in the biz. It made me feel good to know that I'm making a good decision based on their previous experience with highline.

    I'll post that real quick to Storie from Frontline as well. Keep everyone up to date.

    -Moo
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    Actually Mitsu is making a modest comeback. Lancer is up over 100% in sales this year and Outlander is doing good too. They actually made money this year.

    Oh, man that is like when Toyota said their Tundra sales are up like 150%. Last year they sold 3 and this year they sold like 10 lol. Its not hard to get crazy increases when you only sold them to the salespeople's kids.

    That said, one of my first cars was an '89 Mitsubishi Galant (was car of the year at the time :P) bought used in '91 w/40k or so for like 6k. Sold in '98 for 2k w/180k miles or something like that. Maintenance was 1 clutch (for how many people learned to drive stick on that car, I cant complain), a few CV joits, tires, and a couple of timing belt changes. That car went all over CA, OR, WA and NV for collegiate bicycle races. Mileage was well over 30 mpg at speeds well over the legal limit. It handled very well for the time, it was just a great car.
    When I went to replace it, I wanted to get an eclipse GSX but found it they changed it from a 210 hp turbo AWD sports car to a fat secretary's car.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Unfortunately, they don't perform lobotomies.

    No, we don't perform lobotomies but our patience has limits. :)

    As all of you know, we are here to discuss the designated topic. Personal attacks are inappropriate whether they are based on a person's job, hobby, location, gender and so on. Such postings are not welcome in our Forums.

    If we can't agree on issues then we should disagree agreeably and with civility. We do appreciate the vast majority of users who contribute to these Forums and who recognize these principles.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,199
    "...I wanted to get an eclipse GSX but found they changed it from a 210hp turbo AWD sports car to a fat secretary's car..."

    What you want is the new Lancer EVO with AWD and about 290hp. The Eclipse is more of a touring coupe which appeals more to fat secretaries and fat old farmers who already have grey hair. ;)

    As a car buyer I love to hear comments like that about certain cars. "Eclipse is a girl's car" "Buick is for old guys". "All domestics are crap". Those are the cars I research. I know that I can get a better deal on cars that don't have high snob appeal.

    I have driven cars that were the macho man's favorite pick or those that "everybody" wanted to be seen in. In the end I was always happier buying cars that I liked rather than following the cool crowd.

    Are there some cars out there that deserve the hype? Sure. But are they worth the ADMs and lack of good deals, I'm not so sure?

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    farmer....kyfdx and I are from similar parts of our 'burg. He just happens to reside on the other side of the OH river. I went "upscale" and live on the OH side.... ;);)

    I'm sure there are some Mitsu dealers around us, because I see new Eclipses on the road. But like kyfdx, I'd be hard pressed to tell you where they are.

    mako, like tidester, I've read about Corinthian leather...., that's it :P :P

    ....getting this mental image of William Shatner yelling.....KAHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    moo....when did you get a Porsche interview? DId I miss that post? How do Porsche's stack up against Stealths? Good luck!

    Last I looked, new Crossfires were being advertised in the low $20s around me....about $12K off MSRP. Maybe if one could find an SRT 'vert version, might be something fun.

    blufz....I think we have worn out this poor guy. I'm getting a sneaky suspicion that our good friend PCH/SOCAL is back, too.....with many different user names, some of them females. S/He comes here with different monikers, but all of the different names don't hide the same rhetoric.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Went 2 days ago, GG. I'll keep you posted. Some real potential at that store.

    As far as multiple posters, there is no question. I love folks who make other usernames and then agree with themselves.

    Corinthian Leather : I remember when I first got into the business and was at training, our head trainer talked about that and I think he meant it as a joke. Unfortunately, I had no idea what he was talking about. I did like the sound of "corinthian leather" though. :blush:

    -Moo
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    I'm getting a sneaky suspicion that our good friend PCH/Socal is back...

    LOL... I hope so. That guy(s) was a professional buyer/negotiator who had some very good ideas on buying tips and purchasing strategy. He was a polite and respectful poster, who our salespeople didn't care for. I suspect because they couldn't win a debate with him. But, that's okay, neither could I. ;)

    I would suggest anyone interested in some good buying tips to do a search at top of page using "socala4"... or "pch101" (I think they were brothers).
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    There's a poster called "pch101" here in some of the comments.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    Thanks for the link 210delray. pch101 alive and kicking... making some interesting comments on CAFE.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    jipster....we'll just have to disagree. socala, pch, becca, or whatever the moniker, never had much to offer, other than some observations from all those "secret car buying schemes" books/web sites that are selling their wares/subscriptions.

    When s/he was asked for any sort of proof of their alleged skills....s/he got very defensive and insulting. Just like our friend TB. There was never any evidence to support his/her claims. After being debunked, s/he would slither away....only to return months later, under a different user name, spouting the same blather.

    For me, the Stealth debacle was just icing on the cake as far as what I had suspected all along.

    Professional buyer/negotiator? Not by a long shot!!!!

    Come to think of it, you seem to know an awful lot about socal/pch. Moreover, we've never seen the two of you, in the same room, at the same time..... ;)
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • jlawrence01jlawrence01 Member Posts: 1,757
    And don't forget the long diatribes, the lack of respect for other members of the forum, etc.

    Thank heavens for the scroll button.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    Come to think of it, you seem to know an awful lot about socal/pch. Moreover, we've never seen the two of you , in the same room, at the same time...

    LOL. The guy would argue with me when I tried to agree with him.

    I've always been suspicious of snake being the double agent though. ;)
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    I found TB deep within delray's link above doing Kia reviews using JK43123 and listing as John from Central Ohio. That's what had me going being from California then from South Carolina didn't make sense. Ohio makes sense. The "rust" post gave it away.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Um... OK, can we stop talking about other members, past and present? That would be super-duper.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
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    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    I untrack this thread for a few days and it turns into an huge fiasco.

    I only came back in here because I saw Terry had made a post.

    Too funny just too funny indeed.

    I always liked the Stealths but I wouldn't pay 3,000 dollars for one now and definitely not a regular RT model.

    Good luck on the 1,000 dollarish spark plug change.

    A friend of mine in college had a 3000 GT VR4 and got rid of it just in time. I think he had 75,000 on it and traded it in for an Acura TL. The dealership that he traded it into lost the tranny a week later on the test drive. He babied the car too so it was not abuse. I doubt he floored that car more then once or twice and it was never driven in anger. I think the junked the car after that.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    mako....any car that's done "time" in central OH, has seen it's share of salty roads. While galvanized steel has cut out most of the rusty cars, you keep one in OH long enough, and it will eventually rust.

    Kirstie......"super-duper"...."SUPER DUPER".

    Girl, we've got to get you out and about more. You're spending way too much time with the kiddies.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    As a car buyer I love to hear comments like that about certain cars. "Eclipse is a girl's car" "Buick is for old guys". "All domestics are crap". Those are the cars I research. I know that I can get a better deal on cars that don't have high snob appeal.

    I am always one to vote for the underdog. What I meant by:

    "...I wanted to get an eclipse GSX but found they changed it from a 210hp turbo AWD sports car to a fat secretary's car..."

    was that they made it go from a "sprts car" to a "sporty car." The turbo AWD car was fast out of the box, and could be easily modified and built into whatever one wanted. The 3G+ lacked the ability of the earlier one.

    Wikipedia: he 4G63 was replaced by two powertrain options, a 150 hp 2.4 L 16 valve SOHC 4-cylinder (4G64)[read- Neon motor] and a 205 hp 24v SOHC 3.0 L V6 (from the Diamonte). AWD was no longer an option. The suspension setup was adjusted to provide a softer and more compliant ride quality.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,199
    No argument there. From what I've read Mitsu didn't make any money off those AWD pocket rockets. The 3G went more mainstream and sold a lot more units. But it was no longer a "sports" car. The 4G tried to recapture some of the jazz of the 1G and 2G but it is mostly a "sporty" car. My point is you can still get that rush the old car gave you with an EVO. Me, I'd sit my old behind in something like an Eclipse and enjoy the ride.

    Different strokes. If the "sports" car community bashes cars like the Eclipse or the Altima coupe fine by me. I'll just pay less.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I've always been suspicious of snake being the double agent though.

    Me? No. I don't use my sock puppet in the forums I am active in.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    farmer....those Altima coupes are quite the lookers. They're kind of like 95% of a G coupe at 80% of the price.

    Eclipses? I kind of lost touch with them when they strayed from their turbo charged AWD configs.

    Funny, Just in the last month, I've run into two people who've snagged an Altima coupe. Both had a G coupe on their shopping list but couldn't justify the price difference the G coupe demanded.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    The 3G went more mainstream and sold a lot more units.

    Which is partially because they would finance anyone with a pulse and had things like no payments for a year. Its interesting that Subaru is going this route as well (partially due to Toy-blanda's influence I'm sure).

    The 4G tried to recapture some of the jazz of the 1G and 2G but it is mostly a "sporty" car. My point is you can still get that rush the old car gave you with an EVO.

    Yeah, except the EVO is 32-35k for a hot rod econobox. That much coin isn't really an option for me at this point.

    Me, I'd sit my old behind in something like an Eclipse and enjoy the ride.

    I don't know how old your behind is, butt if you are really in an upper age category, why would you want a 2 door coupe that is hard to get in and out of, even more so for the back seat, has less visibility then sedan, doesn't get that great of fuel economy, is typically costlier to insure, and doesn't have a whole lot of sport attributes (besides a firmer ride, which reduces ride quality)? Its the Japanese equivalent of a Monte Carlo.

    Different strokes. If the "sports" car community bashes cars like the Eclipse or the Altima coupe fine by me. I'll just pay less.

    Its not so much that it gets dissed but the sports community, its that there are reasons for it. Its a category also-ran. Unless there is a strong preference towards styling, I don't see a selling point.

    I do understand your viewpoint about pricing on the underdog, which makes vehicles like the Sonata so attractive, but I don't know how well it works out in the "poser coupe" class.
  • iblokhiblokh Member Posts: 3
    One question - in your experience, once model wide rebates expire, do they tend to be renewed? Is it usually at a lower or higher value? I'm wondering specifically about the $1,000 rebate on 2007 Pontiac Vibes that expires on September 4th. Thanks.
  • micosilvermicosilver Member Posts: 212
    Once the inventory gets low - rebates might not get renewed.
    There will not be a big manufacturer support if there are about 2 cars per dealership left - then it's not really their concern.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Rebates are determined by "Days Supply" in your region. If at the current rate for example your region all the dealers combined have been selling 500 Zorchs a month but they have enough to sell 1000 a month then the rebates go up. If they have been selling 500 a month but only have enough left to sell 300 a month then the rebates go down.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,199
    "...I don't know how old you behind is, BUTT..."

    Oh, that is TOO funny! :)

    "...Why would you want a 2 door coupe..."

    Because after working like a dog for many years I can now afford one. Never had one as a kid and it wasn't practical when I had young kids. Now it is.

    As to the age of my backside let's just say it's too old to be bounced around in the likes of a 350 Z and it's too young to be put to sleep in a Buick. I don't mind a little difficulty getting into a car as long as my head doesn't stick up over the windshield like in the Solstice.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    I get sick again and miss all the fun.

    I must be insane myself.. took me 15 minutes on the phone to get a killer deal on my STS, but then again, what do I know, right? :)
  • geffengeffen Member Posts: 278
    Deal by phone? Any techniques you care to share?
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    As you may or may not be aware.. I've been in the biz a while and can talk shop quite well.

    I called up, spoke to a salesman who was a real pro. Basically hashed out the equipment and color I wanted, I knew the lease programs, had a targetish price, and in 15 mins we got there on a service loaner.

    Basically I figured I could be $570/mo and $1500 total in on a cheap deal on a new car. I got to $515 on a loaner, had 2 k miles on it and had been RDR'd 6 months before. Who cares.. I leased it for 36 mos, got the full warranty, no worries.

    After about 2 mins on phone he figured me out for being in the business tho :)
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,199
    "...and had been RDR'd 6 months before..."

    What's RDR'd? Rotten,Dirty,Reeking---Reliable,Drivable,Returnable---Run Directly off Roof? :confuse:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,120
    What's RDR'd? Rotten,Dirty,Reeking---Reliable,Drivable,Returnable---Run Directly off Roof?

    Too funny...... :P
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    It means "Retail Delivery Report" aka when the warranty card gets punched.

    It means the car was reported sold/first placed into use.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Had me baffled to. We call it an ISD. In Service date
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Joel,

    You didn't know the term RDR????
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Sounds like that very expensive transition from New to Used.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    You didn't know the term RDR????

    Nope, thats two terms I have learned here at Edmonds now. RDR and Slush Box. :D I have also learned what a Galves Book is to. Had never heard of that either

    So now to confuse my fellow managers this morning I think I will ask them, "Hey has that 500 with the Slush Box we sold Friday hit the RDR yet"? Also what do you think the sled they traded in Galves for? :D
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    UhOh Southern man using northern terms. I'm fixin to get out the dictionary.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Anyone else feel a big letdown from this forum after our favorite Tbaxxon left? I'm just bored. /sigh

    Oh wait, now I'm starting to get a smile again. 156k '92 Dodge Stealth. AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH!!!!!!!

    /wipes tears from eye

    ;)

    -Moo
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Whatever happened to tb? He go to a dealer and pick a fight yet?
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    Was gone last week and so could only read about the Stealth "discussion" in retrospect.

    IMHO, very few folks came out of that looking particularly good.

    Bringing it to the fore again now is, well....it reminds me of the old saying about not kicking someone when they are down.
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Ok, let's drop the PC jargon for a minute. That was A LOT of fun that we had. You're just jealous that you didn't get to join in the whole time. :P

    -Moo

    Edit: FWIW, noone is kicking him when he's down. We're kicking that 156k Stealth, ROFL!!
  • lianlian Member Posts: 2
    Hi,
    does anyone knows anyone who can offer to run a report for free because they have bought multiple reports and don't need them all? I need one on a car with VIN 2g4ws52j2y1172534. Thanks a lot.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    Sorry, no jealously or PC stuff there, Moo.

    And my point about kicking when down had to do with how such action makes the kicker look.

    But everybody's entitled to their own definition of "fun." Mine just happens to be different from yours.
  • blufz1blufz1 Member Posts: 2,045
    He probably lost the wing off the trunk and has be working to keep the trunk shut at speed with loss of down force.
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Ahh ok.

    So no PC jargon here, huh? Our fun MUST be different, b/c he had me laughing for 3 days straight. I can't buy that kind of entertainment.

    -Moo
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    LOL,

    See, that's funny. ;)

    -MO.o
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I don't think it's proper to be asking others to violate the terms of their agreement with CARFAX.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Anyone else feel a big letdown ...

    You'll get over it - or should have. Let's move on. :)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
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