Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Stories from the Sales Frontlines
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Absolutely that is the Cadillac of tires. Many of my customers, especially those who reside in the high country, purchase those. Another great (and less expensive choice) are the General AT2 Grabers. UTOG is about 640, 60k warranty, smooth, quite and aggressive. I put thm on the 4Runner and have done some heavy trails in snow without a problem.
Well, well, well, so the cat came back. Nice to hear from you again. I was afraid you might have had a breakdown somewhere on Route 66.
Hope you are enjoying the new kitchen. Now that it is finished you'll have some time to shop for the new furniture. That car is costing you a lot more than you thought. :shades:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Good story nyc, but it brings to mind that saying, "something about more money than brains" :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'd be curious about the hit he took, too. At least the sales person came out of the whole ordeal happy.
I always was curious about some of the cars I see on ebay motors. Just some wishful thinking, but on occasion I'll look at some of the listings there for "high end" cars. A 2009 or 2010 model, with a few hundred miles (or less, as I've seen some with less than a hundred miles) listed as used, selling at 3/4 the price of a new one. What would possess someone to drive their new car for a week (or maybe less) and decide that they'd rather take a huge hit on it, and get something else. How bad would the car have to be?
We're not talking about a Kia Rio. But, some really nice cars like BMWs, Jags, Porsches, etc. How bad could those cars possibly be?
j....good to see you back. Glad your Genesis made it through the winter (without snow tires, no less). I've done that home remodeling thing before. I turned my basement into a home theater a few years back. Glad I did it. Wouldn't do it again myself, though. I'd hire someone to do it if the want ever resurfaced again.
I think a wash and wax/detail job is in the cards for me today, too.
burner....nice job on the kitchen. I like it.
Regarding the Corolla vs the Civic. I'm thinking that they'll be pretty close in price, when all's said and done. Get the one you like driving the best.
Seriously, though... our kitchen is painted the same color as yours (gold)... 11 years now... thinking of changing it..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Jmonroe - if you think the food and beer is better from the new appliances just wait until you have them on a new dining room table! Oh, and be sure to send me pictures of the old dining room furniture. Let's make a deal!
Hey rb, what did you do with those beautiful copper colored appliances?
Kitchen does look nice now though. Mortgage payments hopefully end one day, but home renovations go on forever.
A place near here makes retro style new appliances.....not my thing, but kind of interesting.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I know when I was married, my former spouse would say..."you'd be happy in a single wide trailer".
I tended to agree. Got a bathroom, a fridge, a bed, a nice set of wheels.....I'm all set.
Funny thing; the stove was a 1967 model and the oven was installed in 1973. I guess we were due for an upgrade.
My wife and I worked out a deal; she upgraded the kitchen and I upgraded my home theater system from 6.1 to 7.1 along with a new TV.
Everyone is happy.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I'd guess at least $10k-$15k.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
New Corolla makes more financial sense than a three year Civic. It has new car warranty. You don't have to worry about its maintenance history, or if it has any issues. Many people trade-in recent model cars because it was in an accident or has some mechanical issues. Also, most Civics don't have Stability Control, Corolla does. Stability Control is an important new safety feature that might come in handy for new driver.
I have two fifteen year olds who will be eligible for their permits in two months. They will be driving an 06 Corolla that my mother gave them last fall. If it wasn't for that, I would be buying new Hyundai Sonata GLS for them. It is same price as Corolla LE, at least in my region. It is mid-size to full-size, safer. Just as reliable as Corolla, but has better warranty (6yrs/60K mi). Much nicer inside and out with better materials and look and feel. Seat and ride comfort is much better than Corolla. Has all the safety features. The only shortcoming is its resale value. However, since you are buying it for your doughtier, it is probably not an issue.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Whatever you get for your daughter, it sounds like she is well deserving.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I'll admit the Elantra Touring is pretty appealing.
They give you a parking spot number and you get your car yourself. They must have special cars for the hotwire clients. Ours was parked halfway to Palo Alto way off by itself. A filthy excell with scratches and dents over every square inch. If I would have had some of those paper seat covers from the public toilet, I would have used them. At exit marked every scratch on the form and tried to complain about the dirt but the lady at the gate spoke no english. Stopped at a drugstore and bought one of those sticky rollers to hit the seats and our pants.
The car itself drove fine -- no issues and everything fit in the trunk. Just basic transportation.
Really? In California?
Say it isn't so!
That's funny, and similar to the treatment I got through Priceline. My Yaris didn't have any serious dents but it was scratched pretty bad. Same deal at the exit gate. Maybe they put the non-English speakers there on purpose. Even though I mentioned the scratches I was sure I would find a bill on my CC for a new paint job.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I got about two blocks on a very busy street when one of the rear tires blew out.
I got out and looked and both rear tires were completly bald. That really ticked me off to the point I grabbed my bags, threw on the flashers and left it right in the middle of teh lane. I walked back to the rental office and threw the keys on the counter. They told me they couldn't believe I had left it blocking traffic!
I told them I couldn't believe they would have rented a car like that!
I tore up the contract and walked a block to an Avis rental place.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
it was just a little clean up.
don't give that rental company your business next time unless they try to make up for their bad service.
Let's get back to our usual good-natured and friendly discussion of front line stories.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Right now, seems like every major brand is offering 0% financing. If I pay cash instead of taking the financing, can I get an extra, oh, say few hundred bucks more off for that? I am assuming that they are not getting 0-percent money from the bank, so this offer has to be costing them something.
If I can't get any more discount, then I guess it would be worth while to finance at 0%.
I just hate being in debt and would rather pay cash, especially if it helps me get an even lower price. But will leave it in the bank if it doesn't work that way and I'd get the same price for financing vs. cash.
Great question Biancar, and I am sure one of the sales experts here should have an answer. My guess is you should be able to get an extra discount somewhere along the line......somebody is paying for 0% financing.
Hope you get a real answer, and I hope that is just water you are drinking at the cooler. I don't know what that means, but welcome aboard, enjoy the ride.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I believe that's been asked before, and IIRC, the answer is no, as it's not the dealer that pays for the financing, it's some bank, credit union, or the manufacturer's financing arm. A $25K car still nets the dealer $25K whether it's financed or paid with cash.
But I believe most 0% financing deals usually are "0% financing or several thousand off", so you usually are better off paying cash and take the discount if that's the case.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Also i would like to mention this is in Canada, so im not sure if the States offers similar deals.
Roadburner,
I assume it wasn't completed in that picture since someone left a note on the island that appears to be unfinished.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
biancar, I know when I was looking at Infinitis, when I told them I was paying cash, no financing, they lowered the price of the car. So, while I don't think anyone knows what the "dealer participation" is on those special finance rates, it's something....even if we don't know what that "something" is.
While not a "bald tire", nor garbage rental car story, I do rent a lot of cars, at least 2, usually 3-4 cars/mo when I travel for business. This was a few years ago, before San Jose airport redid their entire rental car area. But, I went to return my rental in San Jose on a Sunday. Usually you pull in, a nice person comes up to check mileage and fuel levels, then print out a receipt while I unload luggage.
This time, there was a line outside the rental lot extending well into the street. Several of us were puzzled by this. We all conferred. Apparently, whomever was supposed to work at Avis that day, did something of a wildcat strike. Everybody had a plane to catch. And, there wasn't an extra inch of room to get the cars off the street into the lot.
We had no choice. We left the cars on the service road leading into the rental lot, and hustled to the terminal.
A week later, my credit card company called me (AMEX) questioning an extra large charge levied on my account for ~$27K. I told them I didn't charge anything for $27K......ever. I asked them who tried to levy the charge. Sure enough, it was from Avis, charging me the replacement value of the rental car. I denied the charge via AMEX, stating I did return the car, only there was no place to put it. I got it close to the lot, but not ON the lot.
Got to give AMEX credit, they fought for me. This took about a month to work out. Apparently, the car logjam got so bad, that the SJC airport police ordered all of the cars on the street towed. Avis found the car, impounded (along with a bunch more). They tried to charge me for towing and impound fees, though. Neither I, nor AMEX was having any part of that. Finally, it was straightened out....after AMEX refused all charges from them.
It was then that I switched to Hertz, and have been happy ever since.
Nice detail on the doors and island. Ours are Shaker influenced; we made many pilgrimages to Pleasant Hill Shaker Village in the past and my wife loves the simplicity.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I know this happens. For a business person who writes off his cars, and who is making more money than he really needs to live on, what does it matter? He should buy whatever he wants.
In my opinion, some people buy an expensive car because they really appreciate all that it offers, and some buy it to show off that they can afford it. The show-off group, are seldom satisfied with their beautiful car (boat, home cottage, vacation home, etc) because it won't be long before they will want something even better.
Your friend sounds like someone who worked hard and smart to get where he is, and he is enjoying his rewards, and that's great!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Maybe the accountants or people who are good with numbers could tell me what they think of my theory. My formula for buying a car was very conservative, but generally I thought you should spend about 50% of one years salary, maximum, for a new car. For example, if you earned $60k the car should be around $30,000. I would go over or under by $5k or $6k if I really wanted a particular vehicle.
The person buying the $150,000 car, might be making $500k or $600k or more, so although the car costs a lot to us mortal people, it might not be as much of his income as it is to most people.
The car sales people, might not like the 50% of income rule, because they can sell a more expensive car, using payments as a way of selling a more expensive car. I think, if I was to use payments, the payment each month should be around 10% to 15% of income.
If you have expertise in this area, and I know some of you are good at it, let me know if a formula works....and if it is different from mine.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Ok. it sounds good however everyones situation is different. Someone making $50K a year who rents a small apartment and has no kids can afford more than someone making $60K with a mortgage and a kid in college. Also the more income you make the more disposable income you have so a higher percentage of your income can go towards something like a car. Example: Someone making $25K may need to spend no more that 35-40% of their yearly income on a car while someone making $125K could spend 60% of their yearly income on a car (price of the car that is).
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
20K car. 0 % or 5K rebate.
Take the 0, and owe 20K. Take the 5K rebate, and owe 15K.
Guess which one is better for you if you total the car or for some reason have to sell it not long after you buy it?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Thanks for your comments SW, I appreciate those variables.
At one time you were supposed to dedicate 1/3 of your income to housing payments. I thought it would be good to have a formula for car payments as well, probably 10 to 15% for most people. Some people by nature are more careful than others, so of course one exact set of numbers won't work for everyone. I think it would help if students were taught some formulas and principles in high school, because a lot of people don't have a clue about how money works. Many of those people appear on Judge Judy every day.
Maybe there should be a car dealership that offers credit counciling advice with your purchase. "We know you want an 8 cylinder CTS sir, but with your debt load we suggest you take this nice yellow Cobalt out for a spin".
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I agree. While I put aside money for his college education over the years, it didn't come close to the amount it actually cost to put him through school. It took me 4 years to get my degree. He informed me it takes 5 years now (as it did for him). When did that change? :confuse:
In any case, I've got myself a little more disposable income right now than I used to have.
Good catch; at the time the picture was taken the cutting board we wanted was on backorder.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Thanks. We also like Shaker furniture(and Pleasant Hill). My late father collected antiques and as a result we have a real Shaker bed in the basement. Our house is patterned after the George Wythe House in Colonial Williamsburg so we didn't want a kitchen that resembled the bridge of Battlestar Galactica.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive