True, but if it's a car less than 5 years old, I don't get too wrapped up in that. Right now I would be nervous about buying Southern cars because they could have come out of Houston.
Car Buying Process
- Thread starter CloneFan4
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True, but if it's a car less than 5 years old, I don't get too wrapped up in that. Right now I would be nervous about buying Southern cars because they could have come out of Houston.
At least on Siennas and Odysseys the Chicago area was lower than around here so we were debating going in there to get something until it became a needs to happen now situation.
Yes, but, if the vehicle was insured with just liability and the owner was able to dry it out, get engine running and sell, trade, etc the flood damage wouldn't show on the report.
If its a private sale that would pose a little risk that they lied on the claim about flood damage. IIRC, flood is a specific part of a question. If you find out later, you can sue and recover damages, as long as you can track them down. Going through the dealer in those situations are much better, gives you brick and motar to go back against and not having to hunt someone down.
1. I saw this earlier but wanted to reiterate it: When comparing trade-ins with another dealer. Don't look at the amount they are "giving" you for your used vehicle (if you're trading something in). As someone who has been on the other side of the desk (salesman at a farm equipment dealer) some dealerships will make it look like they're giving you the world but to do that they raise the price of what you're buying. The trade price is all that matters.
2. I've also noticed their are two types of ways to "buy". Some people like to bicker back and forth. We give a price, you give one back, we give a price, you give one back, and so on and so forth. Other people ask for your lowest price, you give it, and they either take it or don't. There are some variations to each type of person but these were the two "categories" I noticed. This probably isn't helpful information, just interesting.
3. I've personally never done this, but my uncle (who buys a new truck every couple years) will always get to the last part of the deal where the paperwork is getting written up and they're going over it one last time and be like "whoah whoah whoah, I thought this deal included ________ (free bed liner, mud flaps, tonneau cover, etc) and he gets it EVERY TIME. This isn't exactly the most ethical thing, and it takes some big melons to be able to pull it off and be able to walk out the door... but it's worked every time for him.
4. Also saw some people on here saying don't buy black. I bought a black truck when I was a senior at Iowa State. Loved driving that thing around Ames.. all shiny and pretty. Now I farm and live on a gravel road. Black vehicles are flipping awesome looking when they're clean.. but they're only clean about 10% of the time you'll have it.
2. I've also noticed their are two types of ways to "buy". Some people like to bicker back and forth. We give a price, you give one back, we give a price, you give one back, and so on and so forth. Other people ask for your lowest price, you give it, and they either take it or don't. There are some variations to each type of person but these were the two "categories" I noticed. This probably isn't helpful information, just interesting.
3. I've personally never done this, but my uncle (who buys a new truck every couple years) will always get to the last part of the deal where the paperwork is getting written up and they're going over it one last time and be like "whoah whoah whoah, I thought this deal included ________ (free bed liner, mud flaps, tonneau cover, etc) and he gets it EVERY TIME. This isn't exactly the most ethical thing, and it takes some big melons to be able to pull it off and be able to walk out the door... but it's worked every time for him.
4. Also saw some people on here saying don't buy black. I bought a black truck when I was a senior at Iowa State. Loved driving that thing around Ames.. all shiny and pretty. Now I farm and live on a gravel road. Black vehicles are flipping awesome looking when they're clean.. but they're only clean about 10% of the time you'll have it.
Yes, true, I can't remember if they added "flood" to the disclosure or if it's just a damage over a certain amount disclosure. But yeah, that's the risk you gotta watch for.
Yeah, usually what I like to do is look up the NADA trade in on my vehicle and the trade in on their vehicle. If I can get their offer (or my offer accepted) close to that number I know I probably got a good deal.
^^^This right here. For the last decade or so have bought many vehicles on Ebay from Texas. ALL dealers down there have treated us MUCH better than hot shot lots here in central Iowa. Always flew one way....picked up at airport...and drove home. Whether it be Houston, DFW or Austin...never been stranded or had any trouble whatsoever. Only time we had trouble was when we had one delivered 11 years ago in the month of February because my wife was afraid I might run into some weather on the way back. Well, the transporter had 6 other cars to deliver and we were his last stop. While jockeying cars at each stop, he managed to break both back rims on her little two seater. We called the dealer in Dallas when we received the car and sent him pictures and told him of what happened. He said because they are a custom rim it might take a few days to find them. We did our own homework, found the rims in Indiana, sent him a picture and their cost, and the next day had a check Fed Exed to us for cost of rims and delivery to Iowa. I challenge anyone to find a dealer here that would do that WITHOUT question!
What I HIGHLY recommend is that you do not buy from a private individual, only people who make a living selling on Ebay. Make sure they have a ton of feedback and no less than 99% positive. Buy my used trucks from Diesel of Houston. Lee has treated us great. Texas_Auto is another good one along with e-carone in Carrollton. E-carone is the one that reimbursed us in record time for the rims. So do not count out Ebay, deal with a DEALER, check the car fax and good luck if you do. Oh and the best part.......like the above poster.........every deal was cheaper than anything equivalent here in Central Iowa.
Talked to a salesman at Bob Brown and set up a test drive for Saturday morning. First time, so should be interesting.
In regards to your first question about customer service in Iowa. I bought a work car for my wife about a month ago from a dealer I hadn't bought anything from and only done a little service and parts with. After 2000 miles I had added my second quart of oil (car has 70k on it). Called him up and told him. Told me to drop it off in about two days. He called me back three days after dropping off and told me the overhaul was done, pick it up at my convenience. Btw, no bill.
Always, always get the car fax. Even if you have to pay for them, the $100 spent to look at them could save you thousands.
At the risk of offending someone here on CF, the majority of car salesmen are the scum of the earth. The kinda people that would sell their own mother away for a dollar. Just always assume they're lying.
If you're looking online before you go to the dealership (which you should do), call to see if the car is actually there. I bought a used 2016 Ford Explore back in August and I ran into the issue of the car that's online not being at the dealership. Extremely frustrating showing up to the dealership expecting to see a car and it not be there, then to have the sales guy try to sell you another car that isn't close to what you want because they don't have the inventory. A lot of Iowan dealerships have issues with used car inventory (I bought mine in Dubuque).
I will say that Dahl in Davenport was an absolutely horrible experience. Flat out rude.
I would also suggest staying away from the handful of warranties they'll offer you when you buy it. There's a reason they wanna sell you those warranties... they make money off them.
At the end of the day, just pick the car that's right for you. A car loan isn't a bad thing. Get the lowest rate you can get and put the most money down you can.
Good luck.
At the risk of offending someone here on CF, the majority of car salesmen are the scum of the earth. The kinda people that would sell their own mother away for a dollar. Just always assume they're lying.
If you're looking online before you go to the dealership (which you should do), call to see if the car is actually there. I bought a used 2016 Ford Explore back in August and I ran into the issue of the car that's online not being at the dealership. Extremely frustrating showing up to the dealership expecting to see a car and it not be there, then to have the sales guy try to sell you another car that isn't close to what you want because they don't have the inventory. A lot of Iowan dealerships have issues with used car inventory (I bought mine in Dubuque).
I will say that Dahl in Davenport was an absolutely horrible experience. Flat out rude.
I would also suggest staying away from the handful of warranties they'll offer you when you buy it. There's a reason they wanna sell you those warranties... they make money off them.
At the end of the day, just pick the car that's right for you. A car loan isn't a bad thing. Get the lowest rate you can get and put the most money down you can.
Good luck.
Yeah, this happened to me once. Found the car online on a Wed, emailed to make sure they still had it - yep, all good. Called Thurs at about 1 pm & told them I'd be there at 5 - sounds good, it's ready for a test drive. I show up right at 5 - ah man, we just sold it a couple hours ago, sorry! Check out these other cars we have, though.
Didn't buy it for a second, and didn't even look at anything else there. He'd have said anything to get me in the door, I don't understand how that works on anyone.
It's a huge tactic of theirs. They'll leave a car online for months after they've sold it. Scam artists.
Yup, I told a salesman the exact model I wanted. He told me he’d let me know when they got it in. He emailed me that it was in. I went there. It had a sun roof and the whole sport package I said I didn’t need. He told me it must not have came in. HE WALKED ME TO THE DAMN CAR. It’s seriously the dumbest of people trying to sell cars. Or are there that many dumb people that they just try it on everyone?
When we were looking at vans the last couple of months one of my searches was for Odysseys which I didn't realize had a big recall on them. Found one that matched our criteria at Zimmerman Honda in Moline and sent them an email..."Sorry that was supposed to be removed due to a recall. Would you be interested in a Pilot?" Nope. Haven't responded since. Mistakes are mistakes but come on man.
If that dealer did a complete overhaul i.e. pull block, boil block, bore cylinders, new pistons and rings, new bearings, turn crank, grind valve seats, new valves and springs, plain a deck block for heads, balance crank, install back in car, test run and drive........in THREE DAYS for NO COST......you better not buy another car from anyone else for the rest of your life!
Didn't have time to read the entire thread, but if CF is known for anything it's giving very sound financial and investment advice.
The dealers used to "steal the trade" and make money that way. With car value info so easily available now it seems like they've changed tactics.
Last car we financed the dealer tried to bump up the rate a few times. Finally had to tell the kid that if he moves me off of 1.9% again that he will have an unhappy customer.
(They also dropped the rate a full point when I showed up. I'm SURE that wasnt because a man came into the picture)
The dealers used to "steal the trade" and make money that way. With car value info so easily available now it seems like they've changed tactics.
Last car we financed the dealer tried to bump up the rate a few times. Finally had to tell the kid that if he moves me off of 1.9% again that he will have an unhappy customer.
(They also dropped the rate a full point when I showed up. I'm SURE that wasnt because a man came into the picture)
Never said complete, (btw, a complete also includes the fuel pump also). New rings, pistons, rods, bearings and such, so basically a low side overhaul. Still not bad, IMO.
