I'm breaking down and buying a new car...need some help....

[AllyandJack]

It's time. My baby is 4 years old and has 135,000 miles on it. I've narrowed it down to visiting one dealership that does Ford, Honda and Hyundai. I'm going to check out the Explorer, Escape, Freestyle, Santa Fe, and Pilot. Honestly, they're all the same to me. I just want a V6, at least 200HP, at least 3.0L, 4WD/AWD and power windows and doors. I don't need all the fun stuff - give me a radio and a place to plug in my iPod and I'm happy. They all seem to be roughly the same with safety. The Pilot is my first choice, but I put so much mileage on a car that I can't imagine paying $28,000 for a car that I'll have to trade in 4-5 years. So, unless they're giving me a GREAT deal, it's not going to happen. Can't hurt to ask though.

Anyway, my question is this: I want to finance with AAA (5.7%). I did that last time and they were great. But, at that time, I was refinancing. Do I get an approval before I see the dealer or do I work out a deal for the car and then secure the financing? Is it like a house where you should show up with the approval? I have no idea how this works.

What do you guys think?

 

[malibuconlee]

My DH hasn't done it yet, but he says next time we buy a car we're going to decide what we want, then fax over the specifics to several dealerships and see who give us the best price. (Can you tell he's a construction project manager and has dealt with bidding out jobs? )

I would check online to see if there are any special financing options going with the models you're interested in, and if not secure your financing before you go in.

 

[tiff211]

FYI.......my friend has a santa fe and has had nothing but problems from day one! I vote for the ford explorer. We have a 2001 Expedition that we bought in 2002 and (knocking on wood HARD), it's been to the shop twice, once for brakes, and once for a wire that came loose. And, I admit I am not as good to the truck as it is to me

 

[Christine]

I got approved for my loan through our credit union before I went to the dealer. I didn't know what car I was buying, but I knew that I was not going to spend over $21,000. So, I sought approval for a $21,000 loan. They sent me a check that said "not to exceed $21,000" and I just wrote the check out for the sales price.

I've always had my financing done before I walk in. I let the dealer know and there have been times that they have beat my credit union, so I go with the dealer financing. This last time, they couldn't beat it.

I also suggest that you do some *serious* on-line research on each of these vehicles before you walk into the dealer. Know exactly which model you want on each of the vehicles. If you go in there unsure, they will have your head spinning. Good luck.

 

[AllyandJack]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

My head is already spinning.....I still like the Saturn Vue and the Mazda Tribute and the Mercury Mariner and Mountaineer and the Chevy Trailblazer. I'm having such a hard time deciding that I'm just staying with my Blazer. But, with interest rates going up, I need to make a move before I end up losing money.

I didn't know you can get a check like that....I'll check with my credit union and then AAA....maybe if I go in there with a check, they'll come down on the price to make the deal.

I hesitate to get the Hyundai because my parents had a Hyundai when I was little and it was awful. But, my mother has a Sonata and has had a good experience and I talked to someone who has the Santa Fe and they liked it. The price is right....but, I still hesitate because of past experience.

I could fill out those online quote request things....but, then I'll have dealers e-mailing and calling me - not interested in that.

 

[gris gris]

I would get pre approved first. We just bought a Jeep Liberty and I had planned on using an equity loan for it. The equity loan was in approval process when we bought the Jeep so we financed through the dealership and then 2 weeks later paid off the loan to their bank with our equity loan. At the bank the lady said to me "It must feel nice to be paying off your new car". And I told her sure, for that moment it did, but it's really not paid off". LOL It is kind of nice to have the title in my hand though.

Anyhow I did look at an Explorer and sometimes wish I had gotten that for the 3rd row of seats. But I drive about 500 miles per week and needed decent gas mileage which the Liberty has. Also the Liberty fits better in the garage

That being said, I've owned Hondas my whole life previously to this Jeep and would have bought another one if I could have afforded it.

A website to check out - autos.msn.com - it's awesome for comparing cars & reading reviews.

 

[Crankyshank]

A friend of mine puts in a lot of miles on different road conditions every day and loves her Escape. The gas mileage is good, it's comfortable, and the 4 wheel drive comes in handy.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Christine said what I would say. As for online sites, good choices are www.kbb.com and www.edmunds.com.

 

[HayGan]

I own an Explorer and while it isn't the worst vehicle ever, I doubt I will ever own another Ford. Ford trucks are known for being very hard on brakes because they are not properly engineered to handle the weight of the vehicles. We have also had several other problems with it that we luckily overed by our extended warranty. We are thinking of trading it in next year after our extended warranty is over. I think we may go with a Toyota or Honda but we are seriously considering a Hyundai. You certainly can't beat the warranty! My MIL has a Hyundai and she loves it!!!

 

[tinaluis]

If at all possible, I'd go with the Honda Pilot. I realize that it's priced higher, but the reliability and resale value of Hondas make them SOOOO worth it. I realize that you don't want several dealers emailing and calling, but you may get your best deal that way. We bought a Honda Civic last year -- got several quotes from local dealers for the exact model we wanted, right down to the color. The dealer we went with was lower by $100 than any other and threw in free car washes for as long as we own the car. We paid well below invoice on the car and did all of our negotiating by phone and email. We went to the dealer for the first time in person after we'd negotiated the final price (taxes and fees included) and wrote a check. It was the least stressful of all our car purchases. It may be worth a try.

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[nordkin]

Another vote for the Pilot. I have had mine for 3 years and do not regret the purchase at all. I would also suggest negotiating via the internet. We went to the dealer, test drove the Pilot, and started negotiating. The salesman would not come down in price. We walked away. I had written down the VIN number of the car prior to negotiating (I am skeptical that they will deliver the car you test drove) and I am glad I did. We went home and went to the internet for the same dealer and ended up buying the exact same vehicle over the web for $3000 less than in the showroom. I also purchased the extended warranty on line through another Honda dealer for $600 less. When we asked the internet salesman why the vehicle was so much cheaper through the web, he said the internet salesmen are salaried, do not work on commission and therefore are more interested in making the sale rather than selling for the higher price so they get increased commission.

Check the web before you buy.

 

[agnes!]

Before you buy anything, research how much *insurance* is going to cost you. That can help you make your decision...a car can seem cheaper, but if you end up paying lots more $$$ in insurance? that will wipe out any possible savings.

agnes!

 

[caitycaity]

we always do what christine suggests - get a preapprovla from our credit union and then see what the dealer can offer.

when i bought my car the dealer was able to give us better financing than the credit union (5% from suntrust - credit union was closer to 6%).

 

[DawnCt1]

We are on our second Ford Explorer. The first one went 200,000 miles. If you plan to put a lot of miles on it while you own it, what difference does it make if the resale value is higher. I would rather spend a few thousand dollars less up front than have an extra thousand at the end of the life of the vehicle. Watch for financing programs, I wouldn't be surprised if there will be more available as spring and summer approaches. We have a 0% on our Ford, can't beat that!

 

[RC Fan]

Of the vehicles you mentioned, I would go with the Pilot. My second choice would be the Santa Fe; Hyundai has come a long way!

 

[LuvTigger]

Just FYI, considering the mileage you anticipate putting on your car, Saturn is coming out with a hybrid VUE this year (if you can wait a few months). I have a Saturn ION which I love, and a friend and her husband both have VUE's which they love.

I'm not a big fan of Fords because almost everyone I know who has one has had some pretty serious problems with them. However, if you do decide on one, they have an Escape hybrid which you might want to consider for the mileage.

Ditto on those who said the Pilot would be the most reliable of the vehicles you mentioned in your first post. While I probably wouldn't buy a Honda (mainly because those are the most stolen cars here), Hondas and Toyotas have proven to be some of the most reliable cars.

The Hyundai's in the earlier days weren't so great, but I've been reading things on car-related discussion boards that say that Hyundai is rapidly catching up to the major car makers in all areas, including reliability.

I agree that you should seek pre-approved financing first, and if the dealer has some kind of special financing that is better, you could use theirs instead. Keep in mind that some dealers offer various rebates or lower percentage rates, so you'll have to carefully consider those. With pre-approved financing, you could also use that as a bargaining chip with the dealers by saying you were only approved for a certain amount.

Good luck!!

 

[Disney-Kim]

I had a Mazda Tribute that I just traded for a Nissan Murano.

I really loved that car and can only say positive things about it. It did have a little wind noise...but it was speedy, powerful, decent gas mileage, and very comfortable for 4 adults to ride in.
I had it for 3 yrs and would definately give it a positive review. and I bought it fully loaded for way cheaper than Honda/Toyota/others.
oh...and nothing but oil changes in 3 yrs. NO problems.

I would also consider the Ford Hybrid, but its pricey.

Ps..I absolutely love my Nissan Murano more than any car I have owned. it rides so smooth and quiet. very plush !!

 

[emilymad]

I have had my Santa Fe for almost two years and I love it! I have never had any problems with it. I had looked at the Pilot but for that price I could get a top of the line Santa Fe.

 

[AllyandJack]

Wow! Everyone has been so helpful....well, except for the part where everyone loves their cars....doesn't make my decision easier!

I looked into the hybrids. But, I'll never recoup the extra money it costs. I've read that most of savings is on city driving and I drive all highway miles. I only keep a car for 4-5 years, so I don't want to spend tons of money and they seem to run about $6,000 more than the regular models. I can't get an extended warranty on a hybrid - at least not through the company I used for my current car - so I'd be stuck after the manufacturers warranty was up (probably within a year!). I don't even think I can get the tax benefits because I always get hit with the AMT.

I still have a lot to think about.....I just hope my Blazer holds up while I make up my mind!

Thank you, all!

 

[mookie]

I hesitate to get the Hyundai because my parents had a Hyundai when I was little and it was awful. But, my mother has a Sonata and has had a good experience and I talked to someone who has the Santa Fe and they liked it. The price is right....but, I still hesitate because of past experience.

I just traded in my Hyundai Santa Fe last weekend for a minivan, and I can say I'm still upset about it. (With our growing family, we needed a bigger car.) I absolutely LOVED that car, and once we scale back down, I'll definitely get another one. I drove ALOT for my job, and had a 2002 that had 109,000 miles on it when I traded it in Saturday. The best part? The only time it ever went in for service was oil changes and tires. Otherwise, it never had a thing wrong with it.

Good luck, but I'll always vote for the Santa Fe!!