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Used Vehicles Best Values

970 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2010 at 5:00 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Car Values, Certified Used (CPO)

Messages Page 94 of 97

#930 of 970 Re: Looking for a used car for my daughter [steff1] by lilengineerboy

Jun 25, 2009 (8:22 pm)

Replying to: steff1 (Jun 25, 2009 7:53 pm)
I am in the process of searching for a used vehicle for my daughter. She wants something sporty. Price range of 7000-9000. We have been looking at Chrysler Sebrings (2004) any one have any advice? Thank you
 
That would likely not be it.
 
Do you have an age range or mileage constraints? Are any features manditory? You might be interested in anti-lock brakes, stability control systems, and various air bags to help young drivers stay out of trouble and mitigate injury should it be necessary. Does it need to be a sedan? Automatic or manual? Do you have a target fuel economy in mind? Does it snow where you live?

#931 of 970 Re: Looking for a used car for my daughter [lilengineerboy] by plekto

Jun 26, 2009 (12:16 am)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 25, 2009 8:22 pm)
Used Lexus IS300.
 
Nothing's going to be more reliable and provide a "European" type feel that's just right for the average driver. I't's the only car in the last 5 years or more that I drove and it reminded me of the old 1990s Volvos. Tight, controlled, and a great car to drive.
 
The IS250 is underpowered and pricey for what it is.
The IS350 is more of a muscle car - it doesn't have the same light on its feet feel as the older IS300.(plus is hugely expensive, even used)
 
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=262303550
Good example. Built to last 15-20 years, so 7-8 years old isn't a problem at all.

#932 of 970 Re: Looking for a used car for my daughter [steff1] by qbrozen

Jun 26, 2009 (11:38 am)

Replying to: steff1 (Jun 25, 2009 7:53 pm)
She wants something sporty.... We have been looking at Chrysler Sebrings
 
Huh. Ummmm..... huh.
 
Sooo... when you say "sporty" you obviously have a very different definition than me. Can you be more specific?

#933 of 970 Re: Looking for a used car for my daughter [qbrozen] by fezo

Jun 26, 2009 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Jun 26, 2009 11:38 am)
Unless you are talking about a Sebring convertible I don't think there's any case to be made for a Sebring. There's one thing to be said for a Sebring convertible - the top comes down. Actually if you can find one of those cheap they're OK for what they are because they are pretty much their own market.
 
I have a soon to be licensed driver who I may be buying for. Right now my plan is for her and I to split two cars - our Ody van and my Celica convertible. If I could find a cheap Mazda 3 or some such thing maybe I'll yield...

#934 of 970 Re: Looking for a used car for my daughter [steff1] by morin2

Jun 26, 2009 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: steff1 (Jun 25, 2009 7:53 pm)
Can't recommend a Sebring. There are more great used cars to choose from than ever before. I'm partial to subarus. An Impreza would be more responsible for a new driver than the WRX - which it resembles. A used Corolla or Camry would be a good choice but not sporty. How about a Vibe/Matrix? - its basically a sporty Corolla wagon... I think a Malibu Maxx, a car you rarely see recommended, could be a darkhorse bargain candidate - if it has been fully checked out by a mechanic and is cheap enough. There are many others and as always, condition is everything, so get a carfax and bring it to your mechanic.

#935 of 970 How to Buy a CPO car? by soylentgreen

Jul 03, 2009 (10:33 am)

Unlike buying new cars, how would you find out if the dealer's price for a CPO car is just right and is not inflated? For new cars, there's Edmunds to find out the TMV and a bunch of other sites where you could find out the invoice price.
 
How about for used cars? Besides KBB, how and where would you start negotiation? It would be impossible to compare the same models because the trim level is not always disclosed.
 
As an example, we're trying to buy a 08 RX350 CPO starting at 31,999. To start, should I undercut this price by 3K?

#936 of 970 Re: How to Buy a CPO car? [soylentgreen] by morin2

Jul 03, 2009 (9:30 pm)

Replying to: soylentgreen (Jul 03, 2009 10:33 am)
Do you realize there's $5000 marketing support on the new 09 RX350? People are getting into these brand new for under $30K. This is one of those cases where it makes no sense to buy used. In addition, the interest rate will be lower on the new car than the used one.
 
If you offer 3K less than 32K for this used RX350, the salesman would set the hook and you would have paid about the same for a used vehicle as for a brand new one. The way people drive today and abuse their vehicles with jackrabbit starts and hard braking, used vehicles are only worth the risk if they are very cheap. Every used car cost the dealer something different and you have no idea what that is. Unless you are a professional negotiator by trade, you will be at a significant disadvantage. I would take 3 days minimum to negotiate for this car and would not pay more than 22-23K with the known risk of walking and allowing it to become a lot queen.
 
Are there no new ones around you? The incentives are listed as expiring 7/6/09 which is monday. There is no way of knowing if they will be extended. The salesmen don't know either, so the playing field is level.

#937 of 970 Re: How to Buy a CPO car? [morin2] by soylentgreen

Jul 05, 2009 (8:59 pm)

Replying to: morin2 (Jul 03, 2009 9:30 pm)
No, I didn't know the new ones had a $5K adv support. Since I see a lot of those here in Dallas, I figured they didn't need the incentive to move them .Is that cash to dealer or cash to customer?

#938 of 970 Re: Looking for a used car for my daughter [steff1] by oldfarmer50

Jul 06, 2009 (8:15 am)

Replying to: steff1 (Jun 25, 2009 7:53 pm)
"...used vehicle for my daughter. She wants something sporty...looking at Chrysler Sebrings (2004)..."
 
In considering the advice you receive here remember that when you say "sporty" to the mostly male members of this board, they think in terms of performance and handling, not looks. So a sporty car for guys might be pug ugly to your daughter.
 
I must admit a bias in favor of Chryslers. They do have a lot going for them in the looks department. Reliability is as good as any domestic and in my experience somewhat cheaper to fix.. I have owned several including a Cirrus which was later re-named Sebring in the four-door version.
 
For 2004 you have 3 Sebring choices. The sedan which is a newer version of my Cirrus. Reliable transportation. You also have the Sebring convertible which I don't think is sporty looking but young people like those drop tops. Finally you have the Sebring coupe which I think is the most sporty looking of the three. The coupe is based on the Mitsubishi Eclipse and most of the mechanical parts are identical.
 
None of the Sebrings is a "sports" car but should be able to provide safe, reliable transportation with good looks. Good luck shopping and please come back and tell us how everything goes.

#939 of 970 Re: Looking for a used car for my daughter [lilengineerboy] by igozoomzoom

Jul 06, 2009 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jun 25, 2009 8:22 pm)
Sporty- how about a sporty 4-door like the Nissan Altima? A 2004-2005 could easily be found for under $9k. They look sharp and they're reliable.
 
For 2-doors, I'd look at the Honda Civic Coupe and Toyota Celica. Even a well-maintained 2002-2003 Acura RSX would be a very good choice.

Messages Page 94 of 97

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