How Picky are You When Used Car Shopping?

[QuarterMillionMan]

This was the closest matching thread that I could find, not wanting to create a new thread thus causing more clutter so to speak. Anyway this past weekend I bought this new 2018 Dodge Journey for $16,307, exactly as the sale ad illustrates. I'm very happy with my purchase.

[james.hendrickson]

Next time get a car, I'm going with Costco.

[disneysteve]

Next time get a car, I'm going with Costco.

I’ve heard that their service is good but since we don’t buy new, it doesn’t interest me.

[~bs]

since i generally like sports cars with original msrps in the 50-100k range, i'm pretty picky.

i'd look only for low mileage, and regardless of mileage, I pay for a PPI.
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I'd also like to say that sometimes going with very cheap cars isn't the smartest decision. The safety features of late model & luxury vehicles are way better than your average clunker. You get into a bad situation, and you'll wish you had those upgraded brakes, side curtain airbags, 5* crash rating, etc etc. Going too cheap on your vehicle is a pennywise pound foolish situation IMO.

[disneysteve]

I'd also like to say that sometimes going with very cheap cars isn't the smartest decision. The safety features of late model & luxury vehicles are way better than your average clunker. You get into a bad situation, and you'll wish you had those upgraded brakes, side curtain airbags, 5* crash rating, etc etc. Going too cheap on your vehicle is a pennywise pound foolish situation IMO.

That's true, but the purchase still needs to make sense financially. We've seen endless posts from people who are buried with car debt because they had to have the latest and greatest features. So maybe that means buying something with higher mileage or a year or two older. You need to find the sweet spot where the car has all of the major features but still fits your budget.

[~bs]

That's true, but the purchase still needs to make sense financially. We've seen endless posts from people who are buried with car debt because they had to have the latest and greatest features. So maybe that means buying something with higher mileage or a year or two older. You need to find the sweet spot where the car has all of the major features but still fits your budget.

Yeah, it does really depend on what you can afford, weighed against other priorities. If you are having trouble making rent monthly, then perhaps a bus pass or a really cheap car is all that's reasonable for you to own.

I thought I alluded to it in the post, but guess it was only in my mind.

[disneysteve]

I thought I alluded to it in the post, but guess it was only in my mind.

LOL. I've done that many times. I thought I said something but turned out I had only thought it but it didn't make it into my actual post.

[msomnipotent]

I think I might have to buy a used SUV this time. We want towing power and I just can't bring myself to spend over $50,000 on a vehicle, especially if we buy a travel trailer or wave riders. In that case, I would care more about capacity than style.

But we might just have to forget our plans for a while and go with a minivan. All the elderly relatives live near me, so I am the one that takes them to their appointments and surgeries. The Outback isn't big enough because they like to travel in flocks for emotional support, and it would be really hard for an old bat to climb in to an SUV after a surgery. We would just buy new then because we get a discount. I would want exactly what I want, which is usually heated, light colored seats, premium sound, backup camera and lane assist. We usually order our vehicles with the DVD player, but I have noticed that a lot of companies are packaging them into the luxury group, so I have to get leather seats and panoramic sun roof and all. I hate leather seats. I don't mind the sun roof because it really cuts down on the claustrophobic effect, but my hair is long enough to fly out the roof while I'm driving. It looks like my car is cruising down the highway sporting a mohawk, and the knots take a toll on my hair.

[disneysteve]

We usually order our vehicles with the DVD player, but I have noticed that a lot of companies are packaging them into the luxury group, so I have to get leather seats and panoramic sun roof and all.

I understand why they do it, but I hate the way they package options. If you want one thing, you have to get all of it, even though they are often things that have nothing at all to do with each other - like a DVD player and leather seats.