Car buying experiences

[sdduuuude]

I’d say it’s pretty close unless you buy used from a private party. The dealers mark those used cars up quite a bit now (the ones with the 100 point inspection, certified and all that.)

When I bought my Accord 2 years ago, there were actually certifed used vehicles with 30K miles on them that had higher asking prices than the new price I paid.

Pre-tax price on the car was about 19,500.

I found a couple used ones from private parties for 15K or 16K with 30K miles on them, and lots of used ones with 30K miles or more from private parties in the 17K – 19K range, and several used ones from dealers in the 17K-21K range.

So, I went new. I had a similar experience recently when I was looking (never bought) for a Mazda3. I’d say buy new or buy used from a private party, but that’s me. Buying used from a dealer seems oddly overpriced in my experience.

October is a better time to buy. Wait for 2010 models to come out, then shop for a new 2009.

[sdduuuude]

The costco price varies based on the model. For each model, they have a price relative to invoice.

For less popular cars, it is as much as 1K under. For popular, there is no deal. I remember a Honda minivan was “no deal” at Honda when they were backordered, but an Accord was $100 below invoice.

I shopped for toyota trucks once (didn’t buy) last year. Costco prices varied from $500 under to $200 over. They pull out the actual invoice on the car you buy, and that’s the price.

Turns out, last year models were even cheaper than the costco price on this year models, so I did that.

The nice thing about Costco, is they usually walk you right back to the fleet sales rep who usually just wants to get you out of there in a hurry. What car do you want? OK – here’s the price. Then you decide.

I was greeted at Mazda by 5 smiley sales reps. Their faces went sad when I said I was here to see “Bob” (forgot his real name) on a Costco purchase.

[sdduuuude]

The costco price varies based on the model. For each model, they have a price relative to invoice.

For less popular cars, it is as much as 1K under. For popular, there is no deal. I remember a Honda minivan was “no deal” at Honda when they were backordered, but an Accord was $100 below invoice.

I shopped for toyota trucks once (didn’t buy) last year. Costco prices varied from $500 under to $200 over. They pull out the actual invoice on the car you buy, and that’s the price.

Turns out, last year models were even cheaper than the costco price on this year models, so I did that.

The nice thing about Costco, is they usually walk you right back to the fleet sales rep who usually just wants to get you out of there in a hurry. What car do you want? OK – here’s the price. Then you decide.

I was greeted at Mazda by 5 smiley sales reps. Their faces went sad when I said I was here to see “Bob” (forgot his real name) on a Costco purchase.

[sdduuuude]

The costco price varies based on the model. For each model, they have a price relative to invoice.

For less popular cars, it is as much as 1K under. For popular, there is no deal. I remember a Honda minivan was “no deal” at Honda when they were backordered, but an Accord was $100 below invoice.

I shopped for toyota trucks once (didn’t buy) last year. Costco prices varied from $500 under to $200 over. They pull out the actual invoice on the car you buy, and that’s the price.

Turns out, last year models were even cheaper than the costco price on this year models, so I did that.

The nice thing about Costco, is they usually walk you right back to the fleet sales rep who usually just wants to get you out of there in a hurry. What car do you want? OK – here’s the price. Then you decide.

I was greeted at Mazda by 5 smiley sales reps. Their faces went sad when I said I was here to see “Bob” (forgot his real name) on a Costco purchase.

[sdduuuude]

The costco price varies based on the model. For each model, they have a price relative to invoice.

For less popular cars, it is as much as 1K under. For popular, there is no deal. I remember a Honda minivan was “no deal” at Honda when they were backordered, but an Accord was $100 below invoice.

I shopped for toyota trucks once (didn’t buy) last year. Costco prices varied from $500 under to $200 over. They pull out the actual invoice on the car you buy, and that’s the price.

Turns out, last year models were even cheaper than the costco price on this year models, so I did that.

The nice thing about Costco, is they usually walk you right back to the fleet sales rep who usually just wants to get you out of there in a hurry. What car do you want? OK – here’s the price. Then you decide.

I was greeted at Mazda by 5 smiley sales reps. Their faces went sad when I said I was here to see “Bob” (forgot his real name) on a Costco purchase.

[sdduuuude]

The costco price varies based on the model. For each model, they have a price relative to invoice.

For less popular cars, it is as much as 1K under. For popular, there is no deal. I remember a Honda minivan was “no deal” at Honda when they were backordered, but an Accord was $100 below invoice.

I shopped for toyota trucks once (didn’t buy) last year. Costco prices varied from $500 under to $200 over. They pull out the actual invoice on the car you buy, and that’s the price.

Turns out, last year models were even cheaper than the costco price on this year models, so I did that.

The nice thing about Costco, is they usually walk you right back to the fleet sales rep who usually just wants to get you out of there in a hurry. What car do you want? OK – here’s the price. Then you decide.

I was greeted at Mazda by 5 smiley sales reps. Their faces went sad when I said I was here to see “Bob” (forgot his real name) on a Costco purchase.

[donaldduckmoore]

Looks like Mazda has good deal, but what about toyota, honda, or lexus?

[donaldduckmoore]

Looks like Mazda has good deal, but what about toyota, honda, or lexus?

[donaldduckmoore]

Looks like Mazda has good deal, but what about toyota, honda, or lexus?

[donaldduckmoore]

Looks like Mazda has good deal, but what about toyota, honda, or lexus?

[donaldduckmoore]

Looks like Mazda has good deal, but what about toyota, honda, or lexus?

[EconProf]

In the contest between buying new or used-and-nearly new, I’d suggest new. The deals are terrific, and I’ve heard of new car prices being less than some used car equivalent.
Besides, the hefty CA sales tax is tacked on to the used car, giving the state an inequitable windfall gain (that hurts the poor who must buy used). A car could theoretically change hands enough times that the sales tax collected by CA would exceed its price when new.
The way to beat this is to buy your car new and drive it into the ground.

[EconProf]

In the contest between buying new or used-and-nearly new, I’d suggest new. The deals are terrific, and I’ve heard of new car prices being less than some used car equivalent.
Besides, the hefty CA sales tax is tacked on to the used car, giving the state an inequitable windfall gain (that hurts the poor who must buy used). A car could theoretically change hands enough times that the sales tax collected by CA would exceed its price when new.
The way to beat this is to buy your car new and drive it into the ground.

[EconProf]

In the contest between buying new or used-and-nearly new, I’d suggest new. The deals are terrific, and I’ve heard of new car prices being less than some used car equivalent.
Besides, the hefty CA sales tax is tacked on to the used car, giving the state an inequitable windfall gain (that hurts the poor who must buy used). A car could theoretically change hands enough times that the sales tax collected by CA would exceed its price when new.
The way to beat this is to buy your car new and drive it into the ground.

[EconProf]

In the contest between buying new or used-and-nearly new, I’d suggest new. The deals are terrific, and I’ve heard of new car prices being less than some used car equivalent.
Besides, the hefty CA sales tax is tacked on to the used car, giving the state an inequitable windfall gain (that hurts the poor who must buy used). A car could theoretically change hands enough times that the sales tax collected by CA would exceed its price when new.
The way to beat this is to buy your car new and drive it into the ground.

[Author]

Posts