Let's talk about cars
#7351
Re: Let's talk about cars
We are not CostCo members, so couldn't use that program. I found out about TrueCar, is that the same premise? And do these websites often come back with good, no BS, deals? I have little patience and know I'll walk out of the dealership once the BS starts because I don't have time for that!
1) log in and choose a specific make/model.
2) Based on your location, they send you dealerships to choose from (assuming you live in an area with >1) (these dealerships have agreed in advance to work with the costco program).
3) You pick a dealership - typically the one closest to your home or most convenient.
4) They send you a name/number of a salesperson at the dealership to contact. YOU MUST contact this person, and NOT wander into the dealership and start talking to any old sales person. Once you talk to 'any old salesperson', you get into complications.
5) You go to the dealership and meet the specific person you were introduced to; this is a person within the dealership who knows how the 'costco' program works (other sales people aren't aware of the details and will latch onto you and then want their commission if you buy - hence, you need to NOT strike up a relationship with random sales people as you walk in).
6) This person will present to you the 'costco price'. From here, you can take a test drive, walk out the door, do what you like. If you decide to buy, you'll get it at the price offered. It's up to you to decide whether that price is good or not; they won't haggle. You can now leave, do more research, check a gazillion car buying websites, and decide for yourself if you like the costco price or not.
7) If you like the costco price, you go back and finalize the deal. Financing options, 'rust protection bs', 'extended warranty options', etc are still all going to be pitched at you and you just decline.
Like I said, I can't say Costco's price is any better than anyone else's; but Costco has a good reputation and they work hard to maintain it, so you can at least be assured that the price is 'within reason'. Costco membership is about $60 so it may just pay for itself with this one service.
When I used their service (twice), I satisfied myself that the price they offered was certainly no worse than any other option.
#7352
Re: Let's talk about cars
I've used TrueCar and you don't necessarily get the best price as TrueCar take a cut of the money too. It basically lets you contact multiple dealers in one go, but only the ones signed up with them.They'll all e-mail, call and want you to come in to test drive etc so you have to be prepared to tell them you're not coming in until they have the deal you want. You're probably better off contacting the dealers directly though as TrueCar seems to have reduced it's functionality and forces you to give them your contact details.
#7353
Re: Let's talk about cars
Looking to replace my wife's car at some point this year, have only heard good things about the CostCo program so will certainly be worth investing a little bit of time on to see if the price is any better than what I've found so far.
Also, small update - Raptor barely gets used anymore, purchased a 1992 F250 with the 5.8 V8 off a neighbor whose wife wanted it off the drive as he couldn't use it anymore as it's a manual (stick shift ffs...) and his back is out of wack. Most fun I've ever had! Maybe more fun the Raptor!
Also, small update - Raptor barely gets used anymore, purchased a 1992 F250 with the 5.8 V8 off a neighbor whose wife wanted it off the drive as he couldn't use it anymore as it's a manual (stick shift ffs...) and his back is out of wack. Most fun I've ever had! Maybe more fun the Raptor!
#7354
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,034
Re: Let's talk about cars
Looking to replace my wife's car at some point this year, have only heard good things about the CostCo program so will certainly be worth investing a little bit of time on to see if the price is any better than what I've found so far.
Also, small update - Raptor barely gets used anymore, purchased a 1992 F250 with the 5.8 V8 off a neighbor whose wife wanted it off the drive as he couldn't use it anymore as it's a manual (stick shift ffs...) and his back is out of wack. Most fun I've ever had! Maybe more fun the Raptor!
Also, small update - Raptor barely gets used anymore, purchased a 1992 F250 with the 5.8 V8 off a neighbor whose wife wanted it off the drive as he couldn't use it anymore as it's a manual (stick shift ffs...) and his back is out of wack. Most fun I've ever had! Maybe more fun the Raptor!
When do you get the Dually?
We have been living in our RV for a month now and decided to upgrade to something bigger. Looked at 5th wheels but need a bigger truck. Looked at a Sierra 2500HD Denali diesel. Very nice truck but couldn't justify dropping $50k on a 4-year-old truck, particularly when I still had to buy the 5th wheel. We ended up getting a bigger travel trailer that we could pull with the existing truck (Silverado 1500). It's pushing the limits but tows great.
#7355
Re: Let's talk about cars
Mostly for camping/hunting trips, I got two quotes for toppers for the Raptor, one from Leer for $3400 and one from ARE and that was $3200. This truck was $1200, I put new plugs, oil, filters, flushed the coolant and that cost me about $70 with a coupon at Advanced. Seemed like a more sensible move considering I could buy a truck for not even half the price of a topper
#7356
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,034
Re: Let's talk about cars
Mostly for camping/hunting trips, I got two quotes for toppers for the Raptor, one from Leer for $3400 and one from ARE and that was $3200. This truck was $1200, I put new plugs, oil, filters, flushed the coolant and that cost me about $70 with a coupon at Advanced. Seemed like a more sensible move considering I could buy a truck for not even half the price of a topper
#7357
Re: Let's talk about cars
Regarding car buying ... I think it's worth noting that any car that is trendy or popular is going to command a higher price and you may never get a 'good deal' in that context. I've always been a fan of utterly boring cars like Honda Accords (or CRVs these days) which has to be the quintessential 'average car'. If I were looking to buy a 'mini cooper' or a BMW blah bla, I'm sure I'd find it much harder!
#7358
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 520
Re: Let's talk about cars
Regarding car buying ... I think it's worth noting that any car that is trendy or popular is going to command a higher price and you may never get a 'good deal' in that context. I've always been a fan of utterly boring cars like Honda Accords (or CRVs these days) which has to be the quintessential 'average car'. If I were looking to buy a 'mini cooper' or a BMW blah bla, I'm sure I'd find it much harder!
In my experience it is exceptionally difficult to find gently used japanese autos in decent condition - I don't even get to the point of finding the price of them because they just don't exist here in LA. You're either on a 3 year old civic with 91,000 miles or 24 year old Lexus with 300,000.
Conversely, I found a very high spec, well serviced Mini with 43k on the clock for about $2k under the equivalent japanese box with double the mileage. Paid to get it inspected, inspected it myself, and I'm a happy camper. It took me about 5 months of searching for suitable hondas to no avail, and then I found this in about 10 days. Maybe I was lucky, who knows.
Broad strokes rarely work in the used "daily driver" market here in the US, or certainly here in LA. I find UK prices to be much more predictable.
#7360
Re: Let's talk about cars
YMMV.
In my experience it is exceptionally difficult to find gently used japanese autos in decent condition - I don't even get to the point of finding the price of them because they just don't exist here in LA. You're either on a 3 year old civic with 91,000 miles or 24 year old Lexus with 300,000.
Conversely, I found a very high spec, well serviced Mini with 43k on the clock for about $2k under the equivalent japanese box with double the mileage. Paid to get it inspected, inspected it myself, and I'm a happy camper. It took me about 5 months of searching for suitable hondas to no avail, and then I found this in about 10 days. Maybe I was lucky, who knows.
Broad strokes rarely work in the used "daily driver" market here in the US, or certainly here in LA. I find UK prices to be much more predictable.
In my experience it is exceptionally difficult to find gently used japanese autos in decent condition - I don't even get to the point of finding the price of them because they just don't exist here in LA. You're either on a 3 year old civic with 91,000 miles or 24 year old Lexus with 300,000.
Conversely, I found a very high spec, well serviced Mini with 43k on the clock for about $2k under the equivalent japanese box with double the mileage. Paid to get it inspected, inspected it myself, and I'm a happy camper. It took me about 5 months of searching for suitable hondas to no avail, and then I found this in about 10 days. Maybe I was lucky, who knows.
Broad strokes rarely work in the used "daily driver" market here in the US, or certainly here in LA. I find UK prices to be much more predictable.
#7361
Re: Let's talk about cars
The prices here seem to wildly from state to state for used cars. My first car here was a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. I knew exactly what spec/options I wanted and searched around Colorado for a good month before giving up. I finally found one, but it was the wrong color and way too expensive. Ended up purchasing it in Stockton CA, was cheaper to fly out there and drive it back!
If I remember rightly it was described as a 'voluntary repo', owner purchased it new, couldn't make the monthly payments and just drove it back to the dealership and handed them the keys.
If I remember rightly it was described as a 'voluntary repo', owner purchased it new, couldn't make the monthly payments and just drove it back to the dealership and handed them the keys.
#7362
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: Let's talk about cars
My Jaguar X type finally started costing more than it was worth so it got traded in yesterday.
My new work vehicle is a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe ( also named Santa Sleigh by M as it is a pretty Santa red colour)
For a small sized suv it is very comfortable and a smooth ride. I think im going to like it!
My new work vehicle is a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe ( also named Santa Sleigh by M as it is a pretty Santa red colour)
For a small sized suv it is very comfortable and a smooth ride. I think im going to like it!
#7363
Re: Let's talk about cars
I've been a citizen for just under a month and I've just bought my first vehicle for me rather than getting the wife's hand me downs or a work vehicle. I actually went to the dealership to look at a grey LT Trail Boss but it had 5800 miles on which I don't really consider to be new, plus the grey wasn't as nice as I'd hoped in person so red it is, which is actually nicer in person.
#7364
Re: Let's talk about cars
Nice!
I really do hate the front ends of those Silervados though.
I'm seriously thinking about a Colorado as my next truck, since I hardly ever tow anything. It's hard to justify the insane prices that they are asking for these things right now.
I really do hate the front ends of those Silervados though.
I'm seriously thinking about a Colorado as my next truck, since I hardly ever tow anything. It's hard to justify the insane prices that they are asking for these things right now.
#7365
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,379
Re: Let's talk about cars
Great looking truck. Is it a V6 with automatic? When I bought my Tacoma last year I reluctantly went with a automatic but so far think it was a good idea.