I Hate Car Shopping!

[Az Pirates]

Originally posted by luvmarypoppins
Wow I am dreading this too. We did it 10 years ago together and I felt like dh would have agreed to anything. I stood my ground. Now we have to do it again, but I am so out of the loop. Has anyone e mailed a couple of dealers, asked what you wanted specifically and waited for a response. I figure that might cut down some of the headache. We will buy the stow and go caravan for all cash. We have saved up years for this. So I want the best deal possible.

If you know exactly what you want I think this is a great way to start. We e-mailed 5 or 6 dealers with a request and got quotes back within 48 hours. We took the best price quote to the dealership with the best customer service ratings and they agreed to match the price. We actually ended up not buying the car (long story) but had we followed through I think it would have been pretty painless and a pretty good deal too.

We ended up finding our car online. Bought it from a wholesaler out of Texas - but that was because we decided to go used and a tough to find model. We had several dealerships around here looking for one and they couldn't locate what we wanted. It was a little scary sending the money off for a car we had never seen - but has been the best deal we ever made on a car. I did do LOTS of research first - both on the car and on the co. we bought from.

 

[bobcat]

I feel your pain! It took me a year to find a car I wanted and a dealer that I wanted to do business with. Since I am single I did all the negotiating and research myself and a few times I walked out of dealerships because they treated me like I was a stupid female and some even asked if I wanted to wait for my husband to look over things with me. My Dad sold cars for many many years so I was prepared and when I did find one I liked I took him with me to do the final paperwork so I was sure I wasn't getting screwed on something. I am very happy with my minivan and feel I got the best deal available.

Cindy B you can get an extended wheelbase on many minivans. This added a ton of storage room. I like my minivan because I wanted tons of room but I wanted something that drove more like a car.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Doesn't Saturn have something where the price is non negotiable. I wonder how well that works.

You need to take me with you. I research everything first, and I'm very stubborn. Car salespeople hate me. I also got an excellent deal on the last car that I purchased.

 

[Planogirl]

I second the Carmax suggestion. It was nice to not be hassled.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Planogirl
I second the Carmax suggestion. It was nice to not be hassled.

There's no Car Max's around here. There is a Car Sense, which may be the same company. The closest one in about 1.5 hours away in another state.

 

[ripleysmom]

I bought my Aztek on ebay!

 

[LindaG4458]

m&m's mom,

That sounds reasonable for a XLE Camry, it's about what we paid for ours. Hope you bought it and enjoy the car.