confused with dealerships and buying a car
#16
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
When we first got here Mrs L had already decided she wanted a particular Subaru. We went to the local dealer and they had what she wanted in stock so we negotiated a price. When asked how we were going to pay we said check and got our check book out. Mrs L wrote a check for the full price. I expected to come back in a few days when the check cleared, but they got the car ready and we drove it home straight away. Gobsmacked to say the least.
#17
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
If they don't get their money, they just report the car as stolen. That's why they're 'laid back'. Usually happens to buyers who's financing gets rejected after the 'sale'.
#18
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: Currently Cheshire in UK but soon to be an Expat....
Posts: 98
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
thanks for all the replies been very helpful.
I am very tempted to buy a manual, firstly I miss having the gearstick when driving the fiesta we have and 2nd them seem to be good value for money. I know it would be difficult to sell maybe in a couple of years?
So my next question. How easy is it to sell a car here. I am thinking about if we move back to the uk in 3-5 years time and want to get rid of the cars.
Also seen an Elantra, manual 2009 for $9,900. 51k on the clock I am thinking of offering $8,000 for it as I they are not so popular, (manual gears I mean not Elantras)
I am very tempted to buy a manual, firstly I miss having the gearstick when driving the fiesta we have and 2nd them seem to be good value for money. I know it would be difficult to sell maybe in a couple of years?
So my next question. How easy is it to sell a car here. I am thinking about if we move back to the uk in 3-5 years time and want to get rid of the cars.
Also seen an Elantra, manual 2009 for $9,900. 51k on the clock I am thinking of offering $8,000 for it as I they are not so popular, (manual gears I mean not Elantras)
#19
in Northern California
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 284
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
I think this depends of where you're living. In a sizable metropolitan area I've had good luck selling cars for cash via Craigslist. Way better prices than you'd get from any dealer and really quite painless if you plan and execute carefully.
#20
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
The vast majority of US checks now clear overnight, often scanned and submitted electronically by the retailer, so it is unlikely these days that checks will bounce more than one day later.
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Charlotte,NC
Posts: 1,717
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
I just bought a new mustang convert for cash and I paid by check - my next door neighbor is the GM of the Ford dealership so I guess she figured I was good for it.
She advised me to sell my Hyundai Tuscon on craigslist as I'd get a better price than she could give me. Advert went in on Thursday - car was sold for cash on Friday..
She advised me to sell my Hyundai Tuscon on craigslist as I'd get a better price than she could give me. Advert went in on Thursday - car was sold for cash on Friday..
#22
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
Dealers can make a nice little business from bad credit risks, repeatedly selling a repossessing the same cars, because every time the car "goes around" they pocket the down payment.
#23
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 333
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
Just bought a car on credit card. They asked me to pay $50 on debit card and put the rest on credit card.
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
Even though you have a chain that doesn't need to be replaced you also have a "chain tensioner" that your friendly local Honda dealer will tell you that you should replace at about the same interval as you would have replaced a timing belt ...
#25
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
Issues with the car, as mentioned. The battery. It might be getting close to replacement and it's expensive.
Regular car maintenance might be more expensive or a hassle. I know a lot of garages where I live won't touch them for anything but the basics like oil changes.
Buy the car in the last couple days of the month, that's when they'll be most flexible.
Never mention you're paying cash till you drop it on the table. Always get a final price on the car first.
Getting financing for a car loan is a fab idea on building up credit history. Get a loan else where and if you can, pay most of it off straight away and leave a minimal amount to pay over 12 months to build up credit history and minimise interest charges. Do check that you don't have a early pay out penalty.
Regular car maintenance might be more expensive or a hassle. I know a lot of garages where I live won't touch them for anything but the basics like oil changes.
Buy the car in the last couple days of the month, that's when they'll be most flexible.
Never mention you're paying cash till you drop it on the table. Always get a final price on the car first.
Getting financing for a car loan is a fab idea on building up credit history. Get a loan else where and if you can, pay most of it off straight away and leave a minimal amount to pay over 12 months to build up credit history and minimise interest charges. Do check that you don't have a early pay out penalty.
#26
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
I've bought cars for cash (way more than $10K) I signed an IRS form, forget the number of the form. I've also paid with a personal check and the dealer kept the title 'till the check cleared. Also paid with a cashiers check. Don't sweat it, you tell the dealer how you want to pay and if they don't want to play, just walk away (hey that rhymes!)
#27
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
...... Getting financing for a car loan is a fab idea on building up credit history. Get a loan else where and if you can, pay most of it off straight away and leave a minimal amount to pay over 12 months to build up credit history and minimise interest charges. Do check that you don't have a early pay out penalty.
#28
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
I've never seen one though and not even sure they can do that in MA/ME.
#29
Re: confused with dealerships and buying a car
We've bought all of our cars with a standard bank check. The first car we bought within a couple of weeks arriving, we just drove away with the car saying we'd be back with the check! Similar to the truck we bought last year. Told the dealer that we had to transfer the money from the UK and he said just write the check and then call him back when he could deposit it! Very laid back here