NHG: used car shopping? long!

[bunnymendelbaum]

Anyone want to help me find a used car that doesn't make me feel like I've given up on life?

I currently drive a '05 mini cooper with 70k miles. It is red w/ white top. Kelly Blue Book = about $11k

I freaking LOVE this car. Love it! It is paid for.

BUT, as much as I hate to admit it, with the new baby we need a bigger car. Not huge, just a little bigger.

Please note: I'm a self-confessed car snob. My dad worked for GM for 30+ years and I've always been "into" cars. Love muscle cars. Own a '67 mustang that lives in Ohio (dad is restoring for me). I judge ppl based on the car they drive. I tie my identity to the car I drive. Sad, but true. So I need a car that makes me not feel like I'm completely lame.

Question 1: Is the end of the year the best time to buy used?

Question 2: Will I still get a good deal if I'm looking to almost do a straight trade my car in for a car of an ~equal value?

Question 3: Recommend a used car please?
I like wagons. MAYBE a CUV or larger hatchback, no SUVs.
I loathe sedans.
No subaru or VW wagons (I live in a hippie town and would like to be able to locate my car in a sea of these two.)
Probably no Toyotas (do they even make a wagon?)
My mini gets great mileage, but we don't drive much so it's not a huge concern.
I like mazda 3, vibe, matrix, but too small for 2 car seats? Love mazda 6, but discontinued in 2007. Like new Ford Focus, but too $$.

Question 4: Is a dodge magnum too hoopty? Love this car.

[thewop]

My DH works in the auto industry, dealing heavily with repairs and defects and Dodge/Chrysler is the WORST offender. He says they're notorious for design flaws and cheaping out on things that are important such as engines and transmissions. He forbids me to drive one.

[sailorgray]

I am a former car snob. I dated a guy who was huge into VWs. He is long gone (still alive, but we broke up...lol), but my fondness of cars still sticks. That being said, I threw in the towel and bought a mini-van (Odyssey) a couple of months ago. I always said no never to mini-vans, but I got over myself quickly when I saw how perfect they are for my family.

I know I am not answering your questions about when to buy or about a trade, but I would definitely keep your mind open to the min-van. All I will say is that sliding doors have changed my life

ETA: Definitely sell your car on your own. The dealer was going to give us $1000 for my H's 1998 Civic, but we were able to sell it on our own for more than twice that.

[thewop]

And the Mazda 6 is still in production.....I found a bunch on my local dealership site. 2009-2013's. I'm a fan. It's one of the cars DH "approves" of. :-p

ETA: I didn't answer the rest of your questions...

1. No idea. I haven't bought a car from a dealership in a long time.

2. No. Most of the time you'll get ripped off when trading in. You'll definitely get more selling it privately.

3. A lot of smaller "SUV's" are actually made on a mini-van platform (frame). My Ford Escape (go ahead and judge me, if I sold my car tomorrow I'd MAKE money on it, so it was a smart buy) is technically categorized as a wagon, even though most call it an SUV. Also keep in mind the Vibe has a Toyota motor...so when you say no Toyotas.....How do you feel about the Chevy Cruz? It's a small sedan that looks smooshed kind of like a wagon. My FIL is a HUGE car nerd, has raced/owned some pretty $$$ cars, and drives one and loves it. FIL/MIL each have one. I'm also a huge fan of the Nissan Morano and Mazda CX7. Still in the small SUV/crossover category, but not lame IMO. And you said no mini vans, but everyone I know who has a Honda Odyssey, friggin loves it.

[thewop]

Nov 15, 2012 11:58:19 GMT -5 sailorgray said:

I know I am not answering your questions about when to buy or about a trade, but I would definitely keep your mind open to the min-van. All I will say is that sliding doors have changed my life

I hear this a lot about mini-vans. I know a lot of converts- even dads who said they'd never drive one. I'm even open to the idea if/when we ever need a new car, and I said years ago I'd never drive one. Haha.

[kaylie]

Question 1: Is the end of the year the best time to buy used? Maybe? I know September/October is the best time to buy new because they're trying to get the old models off the floor for the new year. I'm not sure if the used car market has good times and bad times.

Question 2: Will I still get a good deal if I'm looking to almost do a straight trade my car in for a car of an ~equal value? I don't think so - usually you do better if you sell your car to someone and then use the money to buy the new car.

Question 3: Recommend a used car please? Totally ignoring a few of your criteria, but the Toyota Prius is the best car ever and I think they make a wagon now. Maintenance costs are low, mileage is great and the car is roomier than you'd expect. Seriously, I love mine and when it comes time to get a new one it will be another Prius. The entire engine system is warrantied for 8 years or 100K miles and they are so well made. Used ones tend to hold their value because they're known for lasting a long time.


Question 4: Is a dodge magnum too hoopty? I don't know what hoopty means, but to me it looks like a mom car crossed with the bat mobile.

[emoflamingo]

I have an 06 Focus and I wish it was a smidge wider. I can't fit the seats next to each other (well, I have a Snugride 35 and a Nautilus, so both are kind of big seats) and it's awful for long rides where the baby is crying and brother can't soothe him. My brother has a Fusion though and it is really nice. I know it's a sedan, but it's sporty. My H is also a car snob (he has a 94 Mustang, which isn't the epitome of snobbery, but champagne tastes with beer budget..) and he really wants a Fusion as his next car. He drives an Equinox right now which isn't bad at all. It's a little tall for me (I'm 5'1") as far as getting the infant bucket in and out, but it's not as tall as the last SUV we had (Expedition and yes, I did have to use the running boards), but it still feels like a wagon to us.

I wish I could fit (safely) 2 car seats in an old Mustang because I would be all over that lol.

[hausfrau]

Question 1: The used market, at least where I am, has been slim pickings lately, but towards the end of the year most dealers are trying to hustle things off the lot.

Question 2: I think generally you always get less money with a trade-in compared to selling your car outright to someone else and then using that money.

Question 3: Until I saw no VW, I was going to suggest a GTI or a Jetta. The GTI is bigger inside and still sporty and fun. I've test-driven the newer Mazdas, and I do like the 3. It's hard to tell with car seats unless you bring them with you and try it out. The hatchback is pretty roomy, but I hated the dash. My aunt has a 6 and enjoys it a lot, and as far as I know, hasn't had any complaints. My husband and his step-brother have both had 626s that lasted for around 15 years without serious issues until the end. Mazdas are fairly reliable.

Also, even though you probably live in a heavy Subaru area, what about the Impreza WRX? It looks different from the Outback and Forester, so maybe you'd find it

Question 4: I'm not a fan of Dodges in general, and the Magnum is awful in my opinion. I've ridden in one that a co-worker had as a rental, and it was really hard to see out of for parking and just generally weird inside.

[bunnymendelbaum]

Thanks SO MUCH!
I know I sound like a complete asshole in my OP.

-The mazada 6 sedan is still in production, not the wagon.
-I would rather eat my arm then drive a mini-van. Yes, I'm one of those ppl. ;(
-I think the prius wagon is sort of fug.
-Good to know about the focus. I wish they made a fusion hatchback.
-Going to check out the impreza.

Nanny is leaving now, I'll post more later. but THANKS!

[lgb78]

I have no kids (so take this with a grain of salt) but I am also a "car snob". I recently had to replace my Saab 9-3, it had 195K miles and it was just not worth fixing any more (plus, parts were getting harder to come by with Saab no longer in business). I loved, loved, loved my Saab! I had a 4 cylinder turbo and it was fabulous and got great mileage as well.

I test drove a few cars... Volvo XC60 (was considering a cross-over for awhile), Volvo C30 (2 door hatchback, so probably smaller than you can really go), Subaru Legacy and the BMW 3-series. I was looking at buying used (around 2009), with the exception of the Volco C30, which was new (used are nearly impossible to come by). I was also going to drive the Mazda CX5 (cross-over SUV), but never worked out.

My favorite was the Volvo C30, which is an in-line 5 cylinder with turbo. I loved the way it felt and it totally reminded me of my Saab. However, after a lot of soul searching, I decided it was really just too small and I was worried about handling in the snow (I always had a lot of issues with my Saab in the snow). And I only have to worry about carting a dog around. I also liked the Subaru, but it just wasn't me. I ended up with the BMW 3 series in all wheel drive. I really like it, it is def. a driver's car. The 6 cyl is certainly a different feel from my turbo, but it is really fun to drive. Plus, I was able to check out it's snow handling because of our freak snow storm a couple weeks ago and it handled superbly in the snow.

I really liked the Volvo XC-60 as well and think this might be a good choice for you. I have heard good things about the Mazda CX5, so that might be worth while checking out too. I also had a couple recommendations for the

I think the end of any month is best to buy because they are trying to make sales numbers. If you trade in your car to the dealer and don't sell privately, I suggest negotiating a price for the new car before ever bringing up your trade. Also, I find that car salesman like to talk monthly payments rather than total cost of the car. I try to steer away from that because I find it is easy to get talked into a bad deal that way (i.e. end up buying more car than you really intended to because the care payment they quoted you was for 72 months).

Good luck!

[lgb78]

Oh... my dad works for Ford... supposedly there is a new high performance Focus (the Focus ST) that he kept trying to convince me to get. However, I didn't have a working car at the moment and it wasn't out yet and had to get something so I couldn't wait. But I think it is out now.

[texassmith]

I have a large SUV (Honda Pilot) and am dying DYING for a smaller car. My current top picks are the Audi A3 or Volvo V50 (but it was discontinued as of 2011). Really, I am just dying for the A3. I don't know when we will be car shopping though (probably not anytime soon).

[jayhawkbecca]

I know I am not answering your questions about when to buy or about a trade, but I would definitely keep your mind open to the min-van. All I will say is that sliding doors have changed my life

at.[/quote]

I also love love my mini van.

[thewop]

Nov 15, 2012 13:13:05 GMT -5 texassmith said:

I have a large SUV (Honda Pilot) and am dying DYING for a smaller car. My current top picks are the Audi A3 or Volvo V50 (but it was discontinued as of 2011). Really, I am just dying for the A3. I don't know when we will be car shopping though (probably not anytime soon).

Oh man, if I could afford it, I'd totally be looking at an Audi. I always swoon when they drive by.

[sailorgray]

Nov 15, 2012 12:59:01 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

-I would rather eat my arm then drive a mini-van. Yes, I'm one of those ppl. ;(

I used to say the same thing. You will come around to the other side. You will, Bunny. I see the looks of jealousy when the "too cool for the mini-van" moms see me open my side doors and rear hatch with the touch of a button before I even get to car...(I hope you realize this in tongue-in-cheek).

[emoflamingo]

Bunny, I'm doing that whole "point to my eyes and point to your eyes" thing about the minivans. I cannot do them. My parents had one when I was a kid and I always got dizzy looking out the front window because of the angle and THEN my sister put that thing in neutral in our driveway (which was a huge hill) and it flew backwards slamming into a semi trailer. Yes, my childhood WAS exciting and tragically trashy at the same time. So minivans are no good for me.

[ssmjlm]

Just a heads up they are reporting used cars are going to skyrocket in price due to slim pickings bc of the hurricane.

[mrs.jacinthe]

I'm a major subaru fan. With them excluded, however ...

What about a Scion xB or xD? Mazda5? Honda Crosstour? Volvo XC60?

[sierramist03]

I currently drive a Chevy impala and I hate it I'm not a car person and DH talked me into a car when we bought it. We had two SUVs before and he didn't think we needed two but we are both tall 5'10" and 6'4". I can't wait to be able to trade for a SUV. I really want a ford escape I would love an edge but its out of our budget. I would try to sell out right before trading. We got screwed last time we traded a paid off vehicle. The impala is a nice big heavy car that still gets good gas mileage though. I do have a hard time gettin stuff in and out of the backseat because of my height though. I personally burnt out on Chevy vehicles. Once they hit a 100k they kinda fall apart. We have had 3 Chevy vehicles do this

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2012 13:38:56 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

I'm a major subaru fan. With them excluded, however ...

What about a Scion xB or xD? Mazda5? Honda Crosstour? Volvo XC60?

Definitely :Y: :Y: for the crosstour. Dh had narrowed his choices down to the Crosstour or the Tundra. He loved his old truck so he stuck with the Tundra but that Crosstour was lovely.
I have a Pilot which falls in the SUV category so that is out. However, if you change your mind about an SUV, I really do like the pilot. It has plenty of room and doesn't drive like a big beastly SUV.

[bunnymendelbaum]

Lgb- we like the same cars. I LOVE the Volvo c30 but I need 4 doors. It's such a cool looking car.
I also really like the cx5 but haven't had luck finding a used one in the 100-150 like radius.
I have spotted a few audio wagons that I like. We'd have to get older to be able to afford pre-selling house.

IDK, it's like my style is between a magnum and the Audi wagon. Ha!

(Oh and I love the bat mobile/ mom car = magnum. So true. My DH days he'd feel too pimp-y driving it. Ha!)

Emo- I'm doing the eye thing right back. I know in my heart of hearts I'll never drive a minivan. Our million astro vans growing up ruined me. I'm just not that much into convenience. I'll suffer a bit for style.

[candreco]

Nov 15, 2012 12:59:01 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Thanks SO MUCH!
I know I sound like a complete asshole in my OP.

-The mazada 6 sedan is still in production, not the wagon.
-I would rather eat my arm then drive a mini-van. Yes, I'm one of those ppl. ;(
-I think the prius wagon is sort of fug.
-Good to know about the focus. I wish they made a fusion hatchback.
-Going to check out the impreza.
Nanny is leaving now, I'll post more later. but THANKS!

We currently have an Impreza hatchback, and are getting a slightly bigger car before this baby is born. We think the Impreza will be fine for short around-town errands and stuff, but no way could we get two carseats and gear in for anything longer, like a weekend trip somewhere. We're looking primarily at the Forrester, but Subaraus in general aren't that prevalent in our area.

I do love that car though, so if you're not going to need it for longer stuff, do check it out.

[emoflamingo]

Another thing about the Focus that candreco reminded me. I can fit everything in the trunk but because I can't fit our two monster carseats next to each other (I may swap DH for his booster and put the big seat in his Equinox) is that the passenger seat cannot go back any at all. I fit, but barely. And I'm 5'1 so that's no good.

[bunnymendelbaum]

Ah! Thanks for info about focus. We are used to being pretty squished in the mini and want to avoid moving the seats too much.
I'll take less trunk space for a cooler/nicer car. I've thought of getting a roof rack and capsule up there for longer trips (3xs a year). I just NEED 4 doors.

[lgb78]

What about the Hyundai Elantra GT (hatchback and it's 4 doors), it's pretty nifty looking

www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicles/2013/elantra-gt/?

[kellikans]

I have a BMW X5 that I absolutely love.

a pp mentioned a BMW 3-series... if you do look at them, whatever you do, avoid the 335 like the plague. I had a 2008 that I only kept for 2 years because I was at the dealer every other month for issues. I had to have my fuel pump replaced 3 times, injectors once and the engine was still misfiring. if you look at a 328i, you should be golden.

I really like the Ford Edge. I also really like the new Jeep Grand Cherokees and the Kia Optima.

[emoflamingo]

Does the Honda Fit come in 4 doors? I saw one today and it was really cute and sporty.

[Susie]

Nov 15, 2012 11:50:04 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

No subaru or VW wagons (I live in a hippie town and would like to be able to locate my car in a sea of these two.)

I am officially unqualified to answer. But good luck in your search!
:heart:,
owner of a Forester and a Jetta with 150k+ miles - with plans to replace with a TDI Jetta wagon eventually

[Deleted]

Nov 16, 2012 11:19:40 GMT -5 emoflamingo said:

Does the Honda Fit come in 4 doors? I saw one today and it was really cute and sporty.

I was wondering why this one hadn't come up, but I'm not a car person, so I thought maybe it wasn't cool We just bought one and really like it, but we don't have kids. It's super roomy for the size of the outside. And when everything is folded down, we're able to use it for a good bit of hauling. We got the basic one, not the sport, and the finishes sort of feel a little cheap and plasticy, but that's the only complaint I have about it.

[emoflamingo]

Nov 16, 2012 11:42:39 GMT -5 @juno said:

Nov 16, 2012 11:19:40 GMT -5 emoflamingo said:

Does the Honda Fit come in 4 doors? I saw one today and it was really cute and sporty.

I was wondering why this one hadn't come up, but I'm not a car person, so I thought maybe it wasn't cool We just bought one and really like it, but we don't have kids. It's super roomy for the size of the outside. And when everything is folded down, we're able to use it for a good bit of hauling. We got the basic one, not the sport, and the finishes sort of feel a little cheap and plasticy, but that's the only complaint I have about it.

I don't like Hondas that much (my family leans towards Ford or Chevy) but that was super cute. It was black, so that helps. I like black cars, they look sleek.