Buying a Car

Ha! I did the same thing almost 4 years ago. My car was literally falling apart. The driver-side window would not stay closed, the hood of the car would not close properly, the front panel of the driver-side was missing, the windshield wipers were malfunctioning--all because my husband had wrecked my car and then refused to get it properly fixed. Anyway, my car was not just an eyesore, it was downright dangerous.

I spent almost a year trying to convince my husband that I needed a new car, while he spent the entire time blowing me off. So I did my research, found a car that I could afford and met my needs, and then bought the damn thing myself. He was pretty hacked off but I didn't care. I'd been driving myself and the kids around in a deathtrap and he was OK with that. I figured he would eventually get OK with the fact that I had a new monthly payment. (and he did, after muttering about it for a few months.)

You can probably haggle your interest rate some if your credit is decent. You can absolutely haggle on the price of the car. I actually got a better deal with dealer financing because they really wanted to make the sale, so they dropped the interest rate to .5% lower than my bank.

If you bring your husband, a lot of salesmen will talk to him instead of you. So leave him at home and don't be afraid to walk out if you get what I called "the little lady" treatment. I did not buy from one dealer specifically because the salesman kept discussing all the color options instead of answering my questions about the drive train, the safety record of the car, mileage and the warranty. When he suggested I go home and ask my husband what he thought before "we" came back and made "our" purchase, I left. I went to a rival dealer and bought my car there (and then called the obnoxious salesman's manager and told him what I'd just purchased and why.)

edmunds.com has good info on new cars to begin your research. Take test drives. The car I initially wanted to purchase based on its safety record was really uncomfortable to drive around. And if you have a subscription to Consumer Reports, they have outstanding info on cars.

I bet the other moms here on mamsource have some outstanding advice--can't wait to see what they say!!!

Good luck and GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!

I would have to fall under the independant-minded tough chickie mamas catagory. I got a new car a little while ago and I am the one that did all the talking even though my husband was there. He would have totally gotten taken to the cleaners if I didn't speak up. A trick is to go at the end of the month to the dealership because they are trying to get that sale and improve their numbers before the month ends. Another thing to do is to take your time and waste as much of their time as you can. Then by the end of it they won't want you to walk away from the deal and will negotiate with you a little more because they have invested so much time into you. Don't let them tell you "this is the lowest we can go" because it's not. Go on www.kellybluebook.com and find the value of the car before you go in there so you know what it's really worth. When you first get there and they ask how much are you looking to spend, don't give them a number because that takes away your leverage on your negotiation. Just tell them you are not sure and you are just looking right now. TEST DRIVE for as long as you want. Some places will even let you test drive overnight, just make sure it's the car you want.

Always remember, you do not need to be in a hurry. The dealerships are having a hard time getting rid of vehicles so it will probably be there tomorrow when you get back. Just take your time, ask a bunch of questions and don't let them bully you. They NEED the sale and you can always go somewhere else and find what you are looking for if they treat you poorly.

Also about the financing, if you know who you want to go through, when you get there just tell their finance person you want to use your credit union. They can set everything up for you so you don't have to get a check before hand.

Well I hope some of this information is helpful to you. I'm sure you will do fine because it sounds like you are doing your homework. Good luck and congrats on the new purchase!!!

Definitely haggle on the price of the car. Be tough about it. Definitely go through your credit union and tell the dealer you are pre-financed. Don't tell them for how much, or if you do, tell them its for less than the car's sticker price. You'll need to pay sales tax so don't even tell them you have the stimulus check for the "down payment." Unless you are financing through them, you may not need a down payment. You will need to pay tax, title and lisence though.

Bottom line, don't let them try to confuse you. If you find the car you want, tell them you'll pay a set amount, at least a thousand below sticker price and then if they try to say they can't do that, walk away. They want to sell cars. They will call you. YOU have the power.

Good luck.

From an Independent-minded Tough Smart Chickie :),

Do you know the moment you drive off the lot with a new car - the car loses 10% of it's value automatically? I would not buy a new car. If you look you can find a gently used almost new car that is fabulous and the 10% loss will be out of someone else's pocket. But if you do, like buying a used car - you can't act like you "Love" the car. You have to be willing to walk out and leave the table if they don't want to give you - your deal. They will act like your being silly and you just don't know how it works.
I'm not married anymore but if my husband was totally against me buying a new car - I wouldn't.

Good Luck,
L. B