Buying a used car - am I crazy? [Archive]

Tenbatsuzen

09-06-2008, 12:30 PM

OK, I think I may be crazy.

About 3 years ago, I bought a pickup truck from my father. It had relatively low mileage, and it was under warranty, and it was cheap, but those were the only attractive things for it to me.

I don't like Ford pickup trucks. I drove Dodge Rams for a while, and then I switched into a Ford Explorer Sport which I ADORED.

Then this happened:

http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/9808/daylightruck16uc.jpg

Black ice a bitch.

So I was driving a pickup truck, which I hate. it handles like shit in the rain.

But my truck is paid off, and it has relatively low miles (under 60K).

I've been seriously thinking about trading/buying for a Ford Explorer Sport.

Is it possible to trade a used car for another used car? Am I crazy for wanting a discontinued Sport Utility vehicle in this day and age? It's 15,000 cheaper than the other car I want, the Ford Edge.

besides, a baby seat can fit in an Explorer sport a lot easier than a pickup.

Thoughts?

Don Stugots

09-06-2008, 12:34 PM

i will never buy a used car again. new cars only.

Fallon

09-06-2008, 12:37 PM

Hottub

09-06-2008, 12:43 PM

I have not bought a new car in 12 years.
Anything coming off of a 2 year lease is the way to go. I got my chick's Vue at 1.5 years.

As far as car seats go, a pickup is right out. We traded in our Pontiac Turbo Coupe for a goddam minivan after dealing with Sean for 6 months. Miss that car.:sad:

But with the new crossover category, you can find a happy medium. As I said, the Vue is a great car. I know the Murrano is also a winner. Escape is too.

The point is, there are now options. You don't have to go minivan, or full size SUV to get a vehicle to fit your needs.

I'll guess Juggy will pick up on this thread and give you all an education.

My bottom line. 2 yaer lease is most cost effective.

Tenbatsuzen

09-06-2008, 12:53 PM

My bottom line. 2 yaer lease is most cost effective.

OK, how do I find these cars? Just certified used cars?

A.J.

09-06-2008, 12:57 PM

I have not bought a new car in 12 years.
Anything coming off of a 2 year lease is the way to go.

My bottom line. 2 yaer lease is most cost effective.

I've been leasing for the last 10 years. I usually do 2 to 3 years at 12K miles per year. The bright side is a brand new car every couple of years.

Don Stugots

09-06-2008, 01:01 PM

I've been leasing for the last 10 years. I usually do 2 to 3 years at 12K miles per year. The bright side is a brand new car every couple of years.

this is what i am doing and so far i love it.

P.S. Matty is crazy.

RoseBlood

09-06-2008, 01:03 PM

I've owned two cars in my life; both were used.

My first car had no heat, so I drove around with a blanket on my lap in the winter months. The gas gauge was also broken, so I had to keep track of the mileage every time I filled up. :wacko:

My current car is like 11 yrs. old and hasn't given me any issues. I can't wait till I buy my first brand new car, however, leasing is sounding more and more attractive to me. For now, I'm going to continue in my old used car, it's nice not having any car payments. :happy:

KidNothing

09-06-2008, 01:26 PM

I had 2 ford trucks (94 Explorer and 98 expidition) both suck ass....i own a 2007 G6 and a 2007 Chevy Avalanche. I bought both slightly used and i WILL NEVER GO BACK TO FORD! i havent had a problem with them....and the dealerships around me are good

Ive had more better luck with the GMs......but those Nissan and Toyota trucks are cool too..

EddieMoscone

09-06-2008, 02:23 PM

I think with all the money car companies are dumping in hybrids, electric, etc. it's better to lease for 2 years if you can to see where the technology goes. I think 2010 is the year a shit load of new cars are coming out, including the chevy volt and the new plug-in prius, (which can get something like 100 mpg).

tele7

09-06-2008, 02:40 PM

One of the newer Consumer Reports magaize issues has the low down on used cars. There are some guidlines of couse, but they give it the thumbs up.

P.S. Just make sure not to read the ratings on the Ford Explorer.

spot

09-06-2008, 02:58 PM

I drove a few of the Sports when I worked for Ford. They're built on the Ranger chassis, and more stable and less top-heavy than the regular Explorer. I liked them.

Chigworthy

09-06-2008, 03:23 PM

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d61/BBuffet/fordfail.jpg

SatCam

09-06-2008, 03:26 PM

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d61/BBuffet/fordfail.jpg

:laugh:

BlackSpider

09-06-2008, 03:29 PM

I'm selling my van if you are interested...
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/spidescorp/CandyVan.jpg

Tenbatsuzen

09-06-2008, 04:07 PM

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d61/BBuffet/fordfail.jpg

You weren't here when I posted the story, but incidentally, the truck was totalled due to black ice, I wasn't wearing my seatbelt, the sonofabitch rolled, and I walked away without a scratch.

So "Fail" can fall on a lot of things, but not the Ford product in this case.

DonInNC

09-06-2008, 04:15 PM

Ford Explorer Sport handles almost as bad as a pickup in my opinion. I had one as a company car once and hated it. When it came time to trade-out, I was given the option of getting a stripped down Toyota Highlander but would have to wait four to six months or get another loaded Explorer almost immediately. I took the Highlander without thinking twice.

Chigworthy

09-06-2008, 04:51 PM

You weren't here when I posted the story, but incidentally, the truck was totalled due to black ice, I wasn't wearing my seatbelt, the sonofabitch rolled, and I walked away without a scratch.

So "Fail" can fall on a lot of things, but not the Ford product in this case.

No insult was meant towards Herr Ford. I just had idle time is all. If I had more time, I would try to find a picture of the car I rolled in high school, and make a logo in Toyota font that said "Fail", in the interest of fairness and harmony. I did have time to make this, however:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d61/BBuffet/failbelt.jpg

cougarjake13

09-06-2008, 05:23 PM

Buying a used car - am I crazy?

yes

BlackSpider

09-06-2008, 05:26 PM

no...

Fez4PrezN2008

09-06-2008, 05:29 PM

Let the guy in line ahead of you take it in the shorts on depreciation and buy a 2 yr old car w/ low miles. Brand new cars are nice but they have always turned on me some how - i.e. never ending high pmts where a year into it I was wondering what the hell was I thinking when I brought this thing and now I'm upside down and can't get out of it for 4 more yrs etc... Or when after a year things start going wrong, even if it is covered under warranty its like your little beauty is letting you down. That new car shine wears off real quick. I have been just as happy over all with 2 yrs old cars that I got good deals on. No more brand new ones for me, they are a money pit trap.

Thebazile78

09-07-2008, 05:25 AM

But with the new crossover category, you can find a happy medium. As I said, the Vue is a great car. I know the Murrano is also a winner. Escape is too.....

He test-drove the Vue before he bought the Explorer and hated it. Not enough leg-room and not enough head-room.

The Murano is effectively the same car as the Edge; is it any cheaper?

The Escape is too small for him to be comfortable in it.

The only thing wrong with him getting another Explorer is ... I hated the Explorer. (Of course, it won't be my car, but if there were ever a time I needed to drive it, we'd be screwed because I refuse to get behind the wheel of another Explorer.)

Don Stugots

09-07-2008, 05:34 AM

i like the crossovers more and more. the explorer sport is not comfortable at all.

lleeder

09-07-2008, 07:11 AM

He test-drove the Vue before he bought the Explorer and hated it. Not enough leg-room and not enough head-room.

A convertible doesn't have enough head-room for that man of yours.

drjoek

09-07-2008, 07:42 AM

quote from my old man when I wanted to buy the 73 camaro with a shit load of rust and a blown headgasket

"Why would you want to buy someone elses problems? Now go get me a cold beer from the fridge and get a friggin' haircut. Who do you think you are one of those Beatles? Is your homework done"

lleeder

09-07-2008, 07:45 AM

JimBeam

09-07-2008, 08:57 AM

The onlhy 2 cars I've ever owned were both bought used.

I had a Grand Cherokee which I ran into the ground for 6 years and after I gave i to my sister it still ran fairly decently for another few years.

Current Tahoe I'm driving I bought used, a 2000 w/ 45K miles, and now it has 120K+ and I've had no major problems with it.

I guess it's the luck of the draw but if I had my choice I'd buy new.

Next car will be new.

JPMNICK

09-07-2008, 09:07 AM

Chigworthy

09-07-2008, 09:29 AM

i think you are crazy to buy a new car. with how much they depreicate you are just taking a beating on money.

certified pre-owned is the way to go. still have a warranty for as long as you would have had on a new car. plus, if you saved 12k from the original sticker price, even with 2-3k in repairs you are WAYYY ahead.

The instant depreciation of a new car is only a factor if you plan on selling the car. If you plan on using the car for 6-10 years, who cares what the book says it's worth.

If you go into a dealership this time of year and ask to pay cost on a vehicle, most salesman are looking to sell off this year's models before the new ones come in. We've done this twice, saving about $6000 and $14000. If the salesman won't give you a vehicle at cost, just leave. The last thing they want is for you to walk without buying anything.

Farmer Dave

09-07-2008, 09:58 AM

Nothing wrong with buying used if you have a little knowledge of the cars history. If you are buying from a dealer make them supply you with a service history. If the work was done buy a dealer anywhere it will show up on the report. You can also use the VIN to do the search yourself. Check a message board dedicated to the brand of car and you should be able to find someone how will do the VIN check for you for free.

Tenbatsuzen

09-07-2008, 11:45 AM

He test-drove the Vue before he bought the Explorer and hated it. Not enough leg-room and not enough head-room.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I thought we were just looking at the VUE for you before we got your Neon. I bought the Explorer after we had only been dating for 3 months, and I remember that we were looking at the Vue for both of us to drive; that would seem strange if we had only been dating a couple of months.

The Murano is effectively the same car as the Edge; is it any cheaper?

Not really, plus it handles worse than the Edge.

The Escape is too small for him to be comfortable in it.

This isn't right. I wanted an Escape to replace the Explorer when I was going back and forth between Mustang and Escape. I don't like the redesign of the Escape, plus the Escapes are not seen as that "manly" nowadays with the Edge being out. Escapes are seen as more "soccer-mom-mobiles".

The only thing wrong with him getting another Explorer is ... I hated the Explorer. (Of course, it won't be my car, but if there were ever a time I needed to drive it, we'd be screwed because I refuse to get behind the wheel of another Explorer.)

OK, but our situation is a lot more different than it was before. You had a POS Neon that was falling apart. Now you have a much newer, much nicer car. Why would you need to drive my car? The only situations that we've driven each other's car is primarily me driving your car into the city.

ahhdurr

09-07-2008, 09:17 PM

Nothing like a new car investment for depreciation. A friend of mine just bought a new truck with about 15,000 miles on it and loves it... it's basically new but he was able to get the used discount on it.

The only issue I'd have in this situation is - fuck, the pickup's paid off.

ChrisTheCop

09-07-2008, 09:54 PM

besides, a baby seat can fit in an Explorer sport a lot easier than a pickup.

Thoughts?

:unsure:

:blink:

:ohmy:

:smile:

CONGRATULATIONS LIZ AND MATTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:clap::clap::clap::drunk::drunk::drunk::thumbup::

Thebazile78

09-08-2008, 04:58 AM

CONGRATULATIONS LIZ AND MATTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:clap::clap::clap::drunk::drunk::drunk::thumbup::

Sorry to disappoint, Unca Chris, but no, not yet.

It's just our new criteria for purchasing another vehicle because I refuse to be the only one who's lugging any baby Fridays-es around in my car.

JPMNICK

09-08-2008, 05:30 AM

Sorry to disappoint, Unca Chris, but no, not yet.

It's just our new criteria for purchasing another vehicle because I refuse to be the only one who's lugging any baby Fridays-es around in my car.

why are you baby sitting Friday's kid? i am so confused

biggestmexi

09-08-2008, 05:44 AM

Buying a used car is not a bad experience and i WILL only buy used. and not from dealers. NEVER DEALERS.

I found my Grand Prix in a autos paper and talke the person down about 2 grand and had it checked out by a shop(this little bit goes a loong way). the car had 70,000+ miles. now it has 110,000+ and still gets 20+ mpg and has a lot of power. this is great mileage for a 11yr old car that will eat you mustang(hexy)

I would say sell your car out right. Put it about 2grand over what you want for it. Then when people "haggle you down" you know you can go 2g's down (or less) and you have the satisfaction of selling your vehicle for what you want. The people who bought your vehicle will have the satisfaction of "haggling" you down "so much" but it was actually what you wanted. GET IT?!.

If you take it to a dealer they will give you A LOT less then what you can sell it for. Then when you go to buy a car from a private party YOU haggle down farther than you could a dealer. easily. and pay for an inspection. it will be worth it

Freitag

09-08-2008, 05:48 AM

Friday's kid?

Coincidentally, this was a punchline to a private joke that had to do with Brady's injury.

I'll let you figure out the setup.

Freakshow

09-08-2008, 05:51 AM

I'm selling my van if you are interested...
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r221/spidescorp/CandyVan.jpg

can you tell me more about the candy?

JPMNICK

09-08-2008, 06:04 AM

can you tell me more about the candy?

yes its free and needs to be eaten without underwear on

oldladyfacepuncher

09-08-2008, 06:45 AM

i will never buy a used car again. new cars only.

I'll never buy a new car. Our personal rigs are all paid for, the insurance is ridiculously cheap, and if something catastrophic happens to them, I've got cash to go buy more.

Jughead

09-08-2008, 07:23 AM

And I thought I was the old guy on here??? a lot of you sound like my dad...:smile:.....There are so many things I would have to know to advise anyone on which way to replace a vehicle.. (used or new or leasing)....But I do know one thing.. Retail leasing will be gone totally in the next 18 months...Go to Chrysler and ask them to lease anything right now???? And here is some secret stuff..Gm's certified program is getting even better on Sept 13th!!! It is the best thing to happen to me in a long time....We are the number 1 certified dealer in Indiana and 46th in the country........Leasing now???..Not for long...http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/AUTO01/807250441 Gm to follow soon along with Ford Toyota and Honda......