Car shopping!

Tree0164 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-14-2005, 03:09 PM

Not one of the funniest things in life.

We went shopping at several places today. No decision want to think about it.

The first place that we went to... it is the "in" place to shop. No pressure, no hype. You look around and let the associate (they don't like to call them sales man) which ones you want keys to and you can do a test drive. We really were looking for a 2003 Montana that they had on their site but it sold yesterday We test drove at 2001 Chysler Town and Country that has 26k miles on it for $14k. They didn't have much of a mini van selection in our price range that seem to have as good mileage as this one. It doesn't have the "in stuff" like a CD player or bucket seats-I can deal with that. A similar van with mileage of 38k was the same price but with those options. The thing is that it is a 2001... I was planning on getting something newer. The year is holding me back.

We wanted to see what else was out there so we went to 2 Ponitac dealerships. Neither one of them had any used Montanas in stock but both of them are getting one this week. One is getting a base model 2004 Montana for 16k with 29k miles. I looked it up on vehix and it looks nice-of course we would have to drive it.

Also at one of the dealerships, it was pathetic how the salesman tried to talk me into this special loan for a new car. It is a not a lease but called the Smartprogram-talk about a marketing giminic. Basically a lease but you got the title and then there would be a balloon payment at the end that of course you could refinance. Iky factor all over that.

Going to sleep on it! I don't like car buy decisions. We would go with a 3 yr loan on the 2001 car and a 4 yr loan on the 2004 or in that price range. Both would be about $210-$225 monthly payment.

terry1156 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-14-2005, 05:33 PM

Good luck with the search and purchase. I'm like you and hate the whole process. I have friend who actually love it (go figure?). You know what you want and aren't going to get suckered into a loan that isn't what you need, so it should work out fine. Just make sure that you do the shopping on a day when you're not tired and have lots of patience!!!

Tree0164 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-17-2005, 03:23 AM

We decided to go with the 2001 Chysler. Tweaking the budget a bit! We got a 3 yr loan but would like to pay if off in 2 yrs.

Also DH's car decided to breakdown yesterday on the way home from work. So, a sigh of relief that he wont need to worry about his car anymore.