I will be looking to purchase a different vehicle

[BCClone]

Yep, there is pretty much no room for negotiation right now. They may throw you a few more bucks for your trade in but that's about it. Right now the dealerships are rolling with the "if you don't buy this car someone else will"approach.

Negotiating has basically fell apart on all used vehicles now also. It had been a few years since I had purchased a vehicle, and the last couple I had to work with, you were lucky to get them to budge a couple hundred dollars. I don't mind that, since I've always hated peeing around for a couple days for 500 bucks on something I will have for 10-15 years, but also didn't want to feel like I was hosed over. Had a dealership owner friend tell me that most places do set the numbers very close to spot on now.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Negotiating has basically fell apart on all used vehicles now also. It had been a few years since I had purchased a vehicle, and the last couple I had to work with, you were lucky to get them to budge a couple hundred dollars. I don't mind that, since I've always hated peeing around for a couple days for 500 bucks on something I will have for 10-15 years, but also didn't want to feel like I was hosed over. Had a dealership owner friend tell me that most places do set the numbers very close to spot on now.

Interest rates have been so low for so long sticker price has basically become the new norm.

 

[BCClone]

Interest rates have been so low for so long sticker price has basically become the new norm.

I am a cash buyer for nearly all my vehicle purchases. First thing they always ask is what payment I can afford. I generally say none because I hate payments. They seem to struggle with someone writing a check and not trading something in. I usually run mine into the ground and just drive them to the scrap yard and leave it on their scale and take my $150.

 

[cyfan92]

I was thinking of starting a thread but I put here for now... we are soon to be in the market for a mini van :-(. As I understand there is Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna. Any and all feedback would be much appreciated. This is a total function over want vehicle for us, so quality and features are all that matters. No real concern for brand or actual look.

We just bought a van last week. So PM me if you want to have a longer discussion. To summarize here is why we chose the 2020 Odyssey.

1) Pacifica seats in my opinion are beyond uncomfortable. I road in one last year from DSM to the Ozarks and couldn't believe how uncomfortable the stow and go seats were. Cant speak for the driver and passenger seats as I was in the back. So we didn't even consider.

2) Sienna XLE trim and has no memory seats (Mrs cyfan and I trade cars often depending on if I am haling peopleor that she works downtown and likes to drive a smaller car when possible). Used don't have Andoid Auto. That's a feature we love in our sedan and really don't want to live without.

We loved the EX-L trim on the 2020 Odyssey. Had leather, memory seats, heated seats, power lift trunk and they started offering the 10-speed tranny in 2020 which allows us to pull 3500 pounds (small pontoon may be in our future). We were going to get a used Odyssey. But used with low miles are quite pricey relative to what a new one costs

 

[cyfan92]

I am a cash buyer for nearly all my vehicle purchases. First thing they always ask is what payment I can afford. I generally say none because I hate payments. They seem to struggle with someone writing a check and not trading something in. I usually run mine into the ground and just drive them to the scrap yard and leave it on their scale and take my $150.

I just went through this. It was beyond frustrating. The sales people were like "well the difference in payment is only like x per month". My wife and I have 3 degrees in accounting/finance. We can talk circles around sales people when they want to sound technical about financing so it mostly doesn't work. It's pretty sad how people get sucked into the payments conversation without knowing what that really means.

 

[flynnhicks03]

I just went through this. It was beyond frustrating. The sales people were like "well the difference in payment is only like x per month". My wife and I have 3 degrees in accounting/finance. We can talk circles around sales people when they want to sound technical about financing so it mostly doesn't work. It's pretty sad how people get sucked into the payments conversation without knowing what that really means.

I think most people, for the most part, understand what they're getting into with making payments; they just don't have the option of paying cash.

 

[KnappShack]

Ha, all these ******* so insecure in themselves that they talk down about the Minivan.

ETA: We've been minivan owners for over 10 years. We had a 2008 Grand Caravan that we bought new and drove for 9 years / 120k miles. Never had a single problem with it. Traded it for a new 2018 Chrysler Pacifica about 16 months ago. We had the TCM crap out within 48hrs of taking delivery, making it undriveable. "Fortunately" it happened in our driveway so we weren't stranded anywhere. Fixed under warranty within a couple days. Also just had the radio replaced. It had been acting up since we bought it - randomly restarting - but I finally caught it acting up on video so they replaced that under warranty too. I loved our old van, but have been a little frustrated with the new one.

This is a REAL man (or woman) right here!

A reasonable and responsible American! DGAF about anyone's opinion!

I'd love to trade right now but we are payment free. The first time in my wife's adult life that she's not putting $500/mo out there for a car

 

[KnappShack]

I just went through this. It was beyond frustrating. The sales people were like "well the difference in payment is only like x per month". My wife and I have 3 degrees in accounting/finance. We can talk circles around sales people when they want to sound technical about financing so it mostly doesn't work. It's pretty sad how people get sucked into the payments conversation without knowing what that really means.

I've told this story before. Last car purchase my wife went in and got a decent rate quote from the dealer.

I walked in the door when she was ready to really get serious and mysteriously the rate was automatically cut a point. Cool.

But then when signing docs they tried hard to move us off of that rate. Selling the payment. I finally told the kid that if he tried to move me up from the rate again I was gone.

Dealers try to steal the trade. Now that it's harder they are trying to steal the rate

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Chevy had a engine problem in the 2009-2013 area vehicles. (not sure of exact year and engine but was a 2.something four cylinder) Many have extended warranties on them to cover the issue. The rings go bad seize up and you burn oil. Can be very severe. Had a guy who owns a chevy dealership tell me about them and said they don't question much when you say they are burning oil and will OH the engine on Chevy's dime for you. I bought an equinox with the engine, waited a month, went back and said it was burning oil, and they scheduled the OH and there was no bill.

I had a 2006 Colorado with a 2. something and the head gasket had to be replaced. They did it for free even though it was well past the 3 years, 36,000 miles. The guy told me it was a known issue that Chevy was fixing for free. Mileage seemed to drop off after that so I traded it in.

 

[BCClone]

I just went through this. It was beyond frustrating. The sales people were like "well the difference in payment is only like x per month". My wife and I have 3 degrees in accounting/finance. We can talk circles around sales people when they want to sound technical about financing so it mostly doesn't work. It's pretty sad how people get sucked into the payments conversation without knowing what that really means.

I managed a car dealership for a couple years, so I knew what was going to happen with that part. Sad part is, probably 90% of the sales we made were needing financing, several for full value.

Many people may be surprised at the amount of loans and the LTV percentage of house loans even. FHA and VA are huge markets right now, many only having 3-5% down. Savings is terrible. When you buy a farm, you generally need to drop a check for 10% down on the day of auction or at the offer. When we bought the lots to build on, I asked if I needed to put 10% down, the realtor laughed. She said if I did $500, I would be a rarity in the market. She said many times they are lucky to get 50-100 bucks of earnest money at time of offer. Sales concessions are running 3-6% routinely and that is so the buyer can get a 5-10% down that is required for the house.

 

[besserheimerphat]

Pacifica seats in my opinion are beyond uncomfortable. I road in one last year from DSM to the Ozarks and couldn't believe how uncomfortable the stow and go seats were. Cant speak for the driver and passenger seats as I was in the back. So we didn't even consider.

Yeah this is a legit gripe. As convenient as second row Sto-N-Go is - and we use it often since our minivan doubles as my "truck" (because it can, which adds to the awesomeness of the minivan life) - it makes the seat padding fairly thin. I do think its better on the current generation than the previous, but if you anticipate adults spending a significant amount of time back there it may be worth going with Honda/Toyota.

 

[cyfan92]

I think most people, for the most part, understand what they're getting into with making payments; they just don't have the option of paying cash.

And there in lies one of the reasons why lower and middle class people cannot move up...

 

[Tre4ISU]

Anyone taking advantage of the interest rates and other incentives they are throwing out? I am going to wait until fall to start looking around.

If you have decent credit you can't afford not to finance things right now. Interest rates are an absolute joke and the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. I just financed a ******* mower this summer because it's 0% for 36 months.

 

[Tre4ISU]

The Traverse Redline is a pretty sweet looking vehicle, if you ask me. I wanted to get one for my wife, but she wanted an Explorer Sport instead.

My fiance is dead set on a Telluride. I've been working the Traverse angle but I'm sure we will compromise and get a Telluride eventually.

 

[cyfan92]

I managed a car dealership for a couple years, so I knew what was going to happen with that part. Sad part is, probably 90% of the sales we made were needing financing, several for full value.

Many people may be surprised at the amount of loans and the LTV percentage of house loans even. FHA and VA are huge markets right now, many only having 3-5% down. Savings is terrible. When you buy a farm, you generally need to drop a check for 10% down on the day of auction or at the offer. When we bought the lots to build on, I asked if I needed to put 10% down, the realtor laughed. She said if I did $500, I would be a rarity in the market. She said many times they are lucky to get 50-100 bucks of earnest money at time of offer. Sales concessions are running 3-6% routinely and that is so the buyer can get a 5-10% down that is required for the house.

This chart says a lot. Great borrowers pay less than terrible borrowers. Auto lending data can make your stomach turn.

Average Car Payment | Loan Statistics 2020 | LendingTree

With the average car payment up to $550 for new vehicles, car loans have become the largest debt burden for many Americans. Here are the auto loan trends.

www.lendingtree.com

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At least rates are low....

 

[cyfan92]

My fiance is dead set on a Telluride. I've been working the Traverse angle but I'm sure we will compromise and get a Telluride eventually.

Loved test driving the telluride! Holy crap are they expensive though for some moderate amenities on trim levels.

 

[brokenloginagain]

In March, dealers by me were getting >2k over sticker on a telluride. Was a six month wait to order one. Good luck.

 

[motorcy90]

y

Yep, there is pretty much no room for negotiation right now. They may throw you a few more bucks for your trade in but that's about it. Right now the dealerships are rolling with the "if you don't buy this car someone else will"approach.

but it really is true right now with how few of inventory they have.

My fiance is dead set on a Telluride. I've been working the Traverse angle but I'm sure we will compromise and get a Telluride eventually.

Loved test driving the telluride! Holy crap are they expensive though for some moderate amenities on trim levels.

go look at the Palisade really. it is the same exact vehicle. and looks way better too.. the options are spaced out a bit more and the top trim is a bit cheaper then the Telluride even before the dealer mark ups on them

 

[besserheimerphat]

Hauled some lumber in the minivan this afternoon - (8) 1 x 4 x 8ft and (5) 1 x 6 x 8ft, plus some other odds and ends. With the windows down, and my hair and beard flowing majestically in the breeze. Nothing beats a Saturday afternoon Lowe's run in the minivan.

 

[BCClone]

Hauled some lumber in the minivan this afternoon - (8) 1 x 4 x 8ft and (5) 1 x 6 x 8ft, plus some other odds and ends. With the windows down, and my hair and beard flowing majestically in the breeze. Nothing beats a Saturday afternoon Lowe's run in the minivan.

You do understand that the OP is a single guy? Are you trying to tell him that a minivan would be chick magnet?