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Reephdweller

03-30-2005, 02:50 PM

This weekend I plan to go out and shop around for a new car. I would like to get a brand new car if possible, though an off year car with low miles I would consider as well. 
As some of you know, I've had a Jeep Cherokee for a long time and have a TON of miles on it. At least over 200k so I've gotten my money's worth out of it. I'm presently torn between getting a Jeep Liberty or a Toyota RAV4. Most importantly I would like to get something with 4 Wheel Drive. I've had other cars without it, and once you get 4 wheel drive there is just no turning back. Especially when there's snow on the ground.
What I'm most interested if any of you can give me advice on, is what should I be looking for from the dealer to offer and asking the dealer in terms of questions in order to get the best kind of deal I can. I'm concerned about the best way to finance. If I should buy or lease. As well as what kind of money should I put down. Some people I've spoke to have said to trade in my car, as well as put down $3k at the max. I don't know if this is the right thing, or if I should put more down. 
I'd like to keep my monthly payments as low as possible within reason. Any advice you can give I"d appreciate. I've never had a brand new car, always used or passed down cars so I'm not familiar with everything. Any help you could give me would be appreciated.

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Snoogans

03-30-2005, 02:53 PM

check out the ford escape and the new CRVs as well, same class. the land rover freelander is in that class too but its overpriced from the name

best advice is go to all the nearby dealerships, get quotes, make them work each other. and be tough, cause you have alot of room to move down the price, but they try to make you think they are already giving you an amazing deal

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FUNKMAN

03-30-2005, 03:02 PM

from what i hear being i have a neighbor who became a salesman for a little while is the dealer makes very little on new cars but alot on used cars
it makes sense because they will normally offer you very little money on your trade-in and then they will mark it up. 
if you go for a new Toyota you will find very little room to bargain. They are one of 'if not' the best selling vehicles and they don't have to bargain. There are alot of incentives and rebates on American cars. 
i would say if you go used try to go to a private owner like through the classifieds

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Hottub

03-30-2005, 03:07 PM

Don't forget about the Saturn Vue. That is what we have for company cars. 
Good car, good price. Check out the 4WD, 4 cyl model.Oh yeah, Saturn is big on 0% financing. <IMG src=" http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/artemisentreri/hottub2.gif" align=right border=0> so does that mean that it was "THE ORANGE BOWL OF FAILURE?" Staples <A href="http://www.silentpix.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Myalbums&file=thumbnai ls&album=41" target=blank>See The Cruising Vessel</A> Check out silentpix.com

This message was edited by Hottub on 3-30-05 @ 7:09 PM

mdr55

03-30-2005, 04:24 PM

I've driven alot of cars at work (since we go into the field alot). The Suburu Outbacks and the Forrester are good in the snow (I'll never forget the blizzard in Newark---it handled pretty well), the Saturn Vue is also good (although I haven't drove it in the snow to tell you how it handles).

Good luck.

badorties

03-30-2005, 04:35 PM

motley fool's car buying guide (http://www.fool.com/car/car.htm?source=PFinAg)
 

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Hottub

03-30-2005, 04:43 PM

Done the Vue in a foot of snow. (the fwd not the awd) It rocked.
When It snows bad, I don't take my Caddy. If the fwd is good, I imagine the 4wd is awesome!
But then again, the Wrangler is the ultimate bad weather car. But not great for long distance driving.

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so does that mean that it was
"THE ORANGE BOWL OF FAILURE?"
Staples
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Check out silentpix.com

Recyclerz

03-30-2005, 04:51 PM

What Badorties said.
also  
www.edmunds.com
The internet gives the buyer the pimp hand in these deals now.  There's a lot of competition in the NYC metro area so treat Edmunds TMV price as a ceiling not a floor.  Don't forget you best tool is just walking out the door; the dealers understand the competitive environment and will usually give you a reasonable deal if you've done your homework.
I bought and can recommend the Subaru Forrester.  It doesn't kill you on gas, gives you 80% of a bigger SUV's utility and has the all-wheel drive.  The factory sound systems suck though.
Good luck.

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JPMNICK

03-30-2005, 05:03 PM

Every few months I think about getting a new car, and then I never do because my blazer is the right price.... free. It only has 91,000 miles on it and it is a 96 in excellent shape. 
 
Reef - would you look into getting a used car?

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Reephdweller

03-30-2005, 06:14 PM

<FIELDSET>Reef - would you look into getting a used car?</FIELDSET>
It's something I'm looking into now. I did pricing on the manufacturers websites from Toyota, to Jeep, to Saturn, etc and all of them had way too much money per month, like over $350+. I'd prefer to be in the $150-250 range if possible. A off year car with relatively low miles seems like my best bet at this point.

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sr71blackbird

03-30-2005, 06:27 PM

A girl I wok with has the Saturn Vue and she likes it.  But she took me for a ride in it and I find the seats to be very low..as if you were in a sports car.  I prefer a seat thats high off the floor, especially for a long trip.  
The steering wheel for the Vue remins me of Goofy.. 
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http://www.laserdisken.dk/billeder/diverse/anmeldmanual/101877364264390637-1.jpg 
Id say go used or Certified Used for a better warrantee and go through the motions as if you were about to do it, and go to walk out and they will jump through hoops for the sale!!!  The more you pull away, the more theyll take off to entice you.  Be firm!  Get the lowest figure you can for the monthly payment.  Even fake it as if you were "going to check with your bank tomorrow for a loan option" and they will knock $$ off.  There are many many dealers out there hungry for a sale, just walk out and they will come after you begging to buy! 
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This message was edited by sr71blackbird on 3-30-05 @ 10:29 PM

JPMNICK

03-30-2005, 06:43 PM

98-99 chevy blazer

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Evilpete

03-31-2005, 05:47 AM

also look into the Honda CR-V (4wd, but 4-cyl engine)
also don't rule out the Subaru Outback or one of their AWD cars

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fiestygal

03-31-2005, 08:38 AM

currently i drive a '97 avalon with almost 101,000 miles on it... i am currently trying to save up for a ML ....
 
now i brought my car in for service and they want me to put another $1,200 into the avalon- now without going into a loooong story ..the dealership ALWAYS finds something wrong pretty much each time...
 
basically (IF I COULD) i'd want to pick the car up and THROW it at the dealership and tell them to keep it.... so until i have enough money to put down on the ML i will be driving the avalon until it falls apart...
 
 
GOOD LUCK MAN ON WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DO! :)

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StupidGirlllll

03-31-2005, 08:49 AM

I have a 2003 Honda CRV & I love it. I think I will be getting a Pilot next time around.

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LordJezo

03-31-2005, 09:47 AM

carsdirect.com (http://www.carsdirect.com)

Once you find a car you want go to that website, select it with all the options you want, print it out, and tell them you want it for that price or you will go somewhere else.

They'll cave. Worked twice for me, once with a 2003 Chevy and another time with a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer.

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Doctor Manhattan

03-31-2005, 10:13 AM

Reef, Would you concider All Wheel Drive? unless you have a need for going off road you may enjoy driving something that doesn't destroy the environment as fast as an SUV.

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Reephdweller

04-04-2005, 07:09 PM

Just an update. I finally got a new car. I had looked and found that brand new cars that I was interested in were just a little too much money for me, so I decided to get an off year car. I ended up getting a 2003 Jeep Liberty Limited. I love it. The guy who had it before me absolutely babied the car so I have lots of extras. I also added XM from my old Jeep to the truck. I love this truck, it's such a dramatically smoother ride. Of course anything with 202,000 less miles on it would drive better than what I had. Here it is...<img height="390" src="http://www.osirusonline.com/reefmobile.jpg" width="500" border="0" />

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Alice S. Fuzzybutt

04-04-2005, 07:11 PM

CONGRATS on the SWEET ride!!!! <img src="../../../../../..//tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/thumbup.gif" border="0" />NICE plates!!! <img src="../../../../../../tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/wink.gif" border="0" /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/Kevin2700/FUZZYcopy.jpg" border="0" /> I hope if dogs ever take over the world and they choose a king, they don't just go by size, because I bet there are some Dachshunds with some good ideas.

This message was edited by Alice S. Fuzzybutt on 4-4-05 @ 11:13 PM

JPMNICK

04-04-2005, 07:34 PM

Dude thats beautiful. and the car is nice too. congrats   <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~nickcontardo/rfnetjp.jpg" border="0" />  Thanks to Reef for my sig. You rock 

This message was edited by JPMNICK on 4-4-05 @ 11:47 PM

Zipgun

04-04-2005, 07:40 PM

<img height="390" src="http://www.osirusonline.com/reefmobile.jpg" width="500" border="0" /> You ever take it off any sweet jumps?

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FUNKMAN

04-04-2005, 07:42 PM

nice vehicle! Best Of Luck!

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ThePointer

04-04-2005, 08:30 PM

Reef  congrats and good luck.   My sister has that same model and  she has had no trouble with it.  I even used it off road until I got My grand cherokee.   once you go 4  you never go back .   

you have two choices: Castration or a one way ticket to New York

LordJezo

04-05-2005, 04:07 AM

How much.. ish?  Did you get a good deal? 

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Reephdweller

04-19-2005, 09:58 AM

Quick question, the key for the truck comes with a chip in it (aka a Transponder key). As far as I know to replace the key from the dealership it costs around $200+. I want to have a few extra keys so I went looking on ebay and found a blank spare key for the Liberty. With it are instructions which I've included below... I went to a locksmith and had the key cut and they had me sign a form that said that I brought them the key. The girl proceeded to explain to me that if the programming isn't done right that the electrical system will cut itself off. If anyone is familiar with programming these kinds of keys can check the instructions below and let me know if it sounds ok. I'm a little nervous now about trying this. I think it would work, but I'm not sure. "Don't pay the high dealer programing fees when you can do it yourself! Programming Additional Keys.  Must have 2 Existing Pre-Programmed Keys.1.  Insert one of the pre-programmed transponder keys into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the switch to the ON position.2.  The key should remain in the ON position for 5 seconds but not more then 15 seconds before you turn it back to the OFF position.3.  Within 10 seconds, insert the second pre-programed transponder key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the switch to the ON position.  The VTSS(Vehicle Theft Security System) or Sentry Key Immobilizer System lamp (depending on model ) should start to flash.  This along with a audible tone will indicate to you that the system has entered the "Customer Learn" programming mode.4.  Within 45 seconds, turn the switch to the OFF position.  Insert the new transponder key and turn the switch to the ON position.  After approximately 10 seconds an audible tone will sound and the Indicator lamp will stay illuminated for 3 seconds.  This will be your acknowledgement that you have successfully programmed in the new transponder key.5.  To add additional keys, repeat steps 1 through 4."

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Reephdweller

04-19-2005, 03:05 PM

Update: It worked.

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JPMNICK

04-19-2005, 03:06 PM

quote: Update: It worked. very nice. How much were the cheaper keys on ebay?

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Reephdweller

04-19-2005, 03:18 PM

$13.95

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