https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 16:04:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834497 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 10:10:23 +0000 Mrs D 2834497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: So the dealer hold back is just extra money that the dealer gets from the manufacturer for seller a car - so it is extra money they could "give you" and still be made whole. So knowing all the ways the dealership is compensated for them making a sale - helps you know what they can afford to pass on to you. I'm not sure how it could hurt - but I am not familiar with the consumers report either.</p> <p>I live in Detroit (OEM city) and was raised in a dealership family so I am all too familiar with the good, the bad and the ugly about dealerships.</p> <p>Sounds like you have a good plan in place and all the right items to line up a good deal. Best of luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834470 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 09:14:51 +0000 PurplePumps 2834470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second truecar.com to find the lowest price cars have sold in your area. We used that for both our new cars and was able to match one, and beat the other. I think you just need be stubborn with your price, making it clear from the start that's what you expect to pay, and be willing to walk away. (Dealers are plentiful here, so it's easy to just go to another and I think they know that). My parents just bought a new car a few months ago, used that site too, and was able to beat the lowest price (by like $20 bucks, but, my stubborn dad just stuck to it and told them he wanted the *best* price, not just to meet the lowest but they eventually came to agreement. They started at like $100 lower, but the dealer wouldn't go for that. I'm pretty sure they each just wanted to "win" at that point haha) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834427 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 06:07:46 +0000 LCTBQE 2834427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: ah, I got it now, super informative, thank you. and roger that on the paperwork/chasing toddler issue ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834407 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 22:16:02 +0000 birdofafeather 2834407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: no kids because it takes so dang long! We went in the evening when DH was home from work on a Friday and had to call my parents at 8:30 pm to pick them up because the financing took forever and we hadn’t planned on staying that late!<br /> Ford had 0% or a rebate with their regular rate and it was cheaper to in the long run to do the rebate and refi immediately at our CU. Our CU was only 1.75% or something. Very low! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834389 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 21:11:49 +0000 LCTBQE 2834389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: haven't found a 2017 except for 110 miles away and in the one color I hate, but I put my husband on the job of looking :) good luck with the move! that is such a huge change. but you'll be there in time for foliage season, it's *gorgeous*. </p> <p>@catgirl: ooooh great tip, also sounds like a husband job to me :wink: </p> <p>@birdofafeather: Subaru is offering 0% interest right now anyway, I think we'll put like half down and do a 36-month loan on the other half. did you just get a much better rate through your CU? we're looking at going in the last weekend of the month anyway at this point... maybe July will be super slow because everyone's on vacation and they'll be extra desperate. Why do you recommend without kids? do they make you look weak? :) </p> <p>@Mommy Finger: hmm, sounds like might not be worth the trouble. we've gotten some decent pricing today just on email responses anyway. </p> <p>@gotkimchi: yes we are doing that :) they're so tricky, thanks for the tip. </p> <p>@Mrs D: nope, we don't know anyone even like by 4th-degree association who works in that industry, that's awesome that you do. we aren't trading in and we have decent money to put down and great credit, so it's a pretty straightforward transaction which we'll try to use to our advantage in getting a good deal. my husband has an opinion re a consumer reports article saying not to ask for the holdback because it hurts more than it helps? eh, I don't know. for sure we can wait for the right package/color/price and aren't afraid to walk away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834310 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 15:42:54 +0000 Mrs D 2834310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any chance you can get friends/family pricing? Have you checked on Facebook if anyone has any connections? Its a great way to get the best deal.</p> <p>Beyond that, you can inquire about getting the holdback, it can be another $500-1000 depending.</p> <p>If you are trading in a car absolutely do not tell them that until they have given you all the numbers.</p> <p>Dealers should be able to hunt down the proper trim/model/color scheme you want. Especially if you can wait a week or two.</p> <p>I pride myself in the deals I have scored - but I also generally have family pricing on my side... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834296 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 15:26:25 +0000 gotkimchi 2834296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to add if your emailing dealers make sure you ask for out the door pricing! Don’t want to think your getting a good price and then get hit with taxes fees etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834290 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 15:00:18 +0000 snowjewelz 2834290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree car shopping now doesn't have to be painful as long as you do your homework! I got several quotes plus know the # from kbb what a fair price is. I'm not out there to get every last dollar from the dealer; as long as I'm getting a good enough deal, I'm not gonna "go there" as I don't like conflict/awkwardness. So as long as you know what you're talking about and know your bottom line, I think it's actually enjoyable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834273 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:34:29 +0000 Mommy Finger 2834273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We tried the Costco pricing but I didn't think it was a good deal. It was only like $1k off the sticker price. I was able to negotiate a much better deal without it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834198 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 11:45:00 +0000 birdofafeather 2834198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluemasonjar: we did the same thing but the finance guy was a total a-hole and I wish I would have known my options a bit more before we went in. </p> <p>We went in unprepared to buy: no financing secured from our credit union, no ideas about warranties, etc but I had found a perfect fit for what DH wanted online so we took our kids to check it out. It ended up being the last day of the month/quarter so when we were ready to walk, they came back with another $1K off. We also did Costco pricing but they dont tell you what it is until you go in so it’s a whole song and dance there too. </p> <p>Next time we buy, I’ll have preapproval from our CU and definitely go in the last day of the month WITHOUT our kids. </p> <p>In my next car, I want a backup camera, auto lifegate, lane assist and other safety features. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834087 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:54:13 +0000 catgirl 2834087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: best thing you can do for the leather is to take car seats out and condition the leather once a month or so. It will make a HUGE difference! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834086 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:35:22 +0000 youboots 2834086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: I bet if you find one you could save thousands. It would be worth looking a bit out of your normal radius a bit for the right color/trim.</p> <p>No yet. 5 weeks from yesterday we will be on the road driving cross country. Not in my Flex sadly. It is getting shipped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834085 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:25:31 +0000 LCTBQE 2834085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: it never even occurred to me that there *are* any 2017s left but now I'm looking online as I write this! I think I'm going to do the emailing thing so the kid aspect isn't a factor ;) ps did you move yet?</p> <p>@erinbaderin: it's winter like 8 months out of the year here so not too worried about hot leather--agree it's uncomfortable but I kind of like the smell of it! </p> <p>@808love: damnnnn I don't think this car has them, but nor do any of the other models we were considering--I think because they're smaller ?? I don't know. that is a great point but I think everything else we love about it and how it'll fit our lifestyle outweighs it for me :bummed: </p> <p>@lady baltimore: I *hate* push button starts, this car comes with a regular key. both my husband and I commented on it to the sales guy. I actually borrowed my girlfriend's 2017 Forester when she was out of town a few weeks ago so effectively did get an extended test drive, but that is an awesome tip if I wasn't already sold on the model :) </p> <p>@agold: yesss, I know a lot of people, including some pp's, don't care about sun roofs but I LOVE them, they make me feel so much less claustrophobic and the light just makes me happy. it does have an automatic trunk closure option with this trim package! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834084 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:09:52 +0000 LCTBQE 2834084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you everyone, this is great! </p> <p>@petitenoisette: @Corduroy: I talked to my very competent brother just after I posted this and he also recommended checking local stock online/emailing seven dealers method; we are definitely going to do that. That's awesome that you did it all by yourself @petitenoisette.<br /> @Jennibenni: @bhbee: @Foodnerd81: @Charm54: yes, we're looking at the trim level that it's the very nicest, but it's the second-nicest--all the stuff I want but I don't think many bells and whistles that I don't want--it has leather and a backup camera and the blind spot thing. I wasn't sold on paying for leather until my prior post a few months ago here asking about make/model recs and *everyone* said to get it. I think it'll be nice even though I expect the car seats to fuck it up and dent it :) great tip on replacing the factory mats with Weathertec mats, I will do that for sure--the back/trunk area will also be where our Labrador rides.</p> <p>@Corduroy: you sound like such a good negotiator!<br /> @Kitkat: I *think* my husband is already using truecar, I will check with him. Had no idea Costco had that perk, damn they have their hand in every cookie jar. sounds like it would be worth joining just for that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834083 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:09:01 +0000 lady baltimore 2834083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: Yes! This was a feature I hadn't thought about until I test drove a car without a driver armrest, and even for that short time I found it SO uncomfortable!</p> <p>I just returned a rental car with push-button start. On the one hand, it was easy, but I found I missed being able to easily turn on the car to get the air flowing while I buckle LO into the car (the push-button start only worked with a foot on the break). YMMV.</p> <p>When I bought a new car last summer, my mom clued me in to ask for an extended test drive. I was able to take the car out for a few hours on my own, try parking it on our street, let my husband sit in it, etc. It was nice to have a little more time to get a feel for the car without feeling pressured by the presence of a sales person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834081 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 15:58:00 +0000 agold 2834081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always get a new car that is the last years version at a time when the next years' edition is coming out. I hope that makes sense. I wanted a specific car that I couldn't afford. Finally, the sales guy called and told me that they had one that had been sitting on the lot for a year and I got an awesome deal on it. Brand new with only 8 miles on it. </p> <p>Bluetooth, gps and a sun/moon roof are must. ETA: yes to the back up camera. </p> <p>If its an SUV, i really like to be able to close the back with a push of a button.</p> <p>Good luck and a congrats on the new car! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834079 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 15:14:34 +0000 808love 2834079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love and miss my car with the driver armrest. I may make it a dealbreaker on my next car. Also I love the bluetooth and gps in my car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834077 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 13:41:57 +0000 youboots 2834077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you can try and find a new 2017. We bought a 2014 Ford Flex in December 2015 and got an amazing deal. Don’t bring a kid, be willing to walk out and or shop around- don’t give into pressure. Also yes to research/calling around before going in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834075 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 13:34:12 +0000 erinbaderin 2834075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It’s funny, for me I would never get leather seats - there’s nothing worse than getting into a hot car and sticking to the leather! One of our cars has a sunroof and we never use it. The only thing in our car I couldn’t live without is the ability to connect my iPod and control it through the touch screen display on the dash, but we added that ourselves pretty easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834071 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 12:33:42 +0000 Kitkat 2834071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely use truecar.com or the Costco program if you’re a member. They will give you a fixed price at a specific dealership, but we took the quote to other dealerships to see if they would match or beat it, and someone always did. I think we ended paying something like $4k under MSRP for my car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834067 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 11:26:30 +0000 Corduroy 2834067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: +1 on the back up camera.</p> <p>I also did the emailing internet sales contact method. Per a strategy I read I emailed seven dealers. I ended up paying $2200 under invoice - I forget how much under sticker. I knew it was a good deal when I had most of the other dealers stumped as to how I could get that price. They all told me it was a bait and switch. I told them that if it was they would hear back from me. It was real. We paid cash and our trade in (or lack thereof) was not discussed as part of the deal. </p> <p>I’m not a confrontational or outgoing person and I found the method really easy. The internet sales managers know you’re shopping atound so they cut to the chase quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834062 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 10:46:29 +0000 bhbee 2834062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: agree on the math we also did this when we bought 4 years ago. I’m forgetting all the details but there were several advantages to taking the car at the lower price vs 0%. Not only monthly payment but also maybe taxes and something about what happens if you trade in early - might be worth trying to read about. </p> <p>Leather is a must for me, we bought the highest trim to get it (but on a cheaper car so still not very fancy). I wish we had more safety features like backup camera (mine just beeps) and blind spot notifications and such - but assume Subaru would have that stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834057 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 10:04:19 +0000 Foodnerd81 2834057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ive never bought a new car, but I will say one feature I will never go without now is a rear view camera. I’m pretty sure they come standard on suvs now anyway but it’s a game changer. And my car is pretty old so it’s a basic one, the new ones I think are even better. I also love having navigation built into the dashboard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834056 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 09:55:52 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2834056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Best time to buy is the end of the month when dealerships are trying to hit their monthly sales numbers.</p> <p>We financed through the dealership to get the $2k discount and then refinanced at our credit union for a lower rate a few days later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834046 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 09:01:01 +0000 petitenoisette 2834046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a brand new Subaru Outback last year once we realized how little we’d save buying a newish used one. I do wish I’d gone up a trim level to get leather seats. We have a dog and it’s really hard to vacuum dog hair out of their seat fabric. </p> <p>I got a good deal by emailing the internet salesperson at different locations for quotes and then I brought he best price I’d been quoted to the dealer I actually wanted to buy from and they matched it. Doing it this way I had the easiest and least awkward car negotions of the theee cars I’ve bought and I did it by myself. :happy: At the very least don’t let them play the game where they try to discuss monthly payment versus actual car price. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834044 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 08:47:12 +0000 Charm54 2834044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought a Subaru Ascent this month. So far we love it. My must haves when buying were retractable sunshades, captains chairs, leather, heated seats and steering wheel, and AWD. The only thing i really didn’t want was seat back DVD players - that would have been a deal breaker for me but luckily the Ascent doesnt come with them at any trim level.</p> <p>Have fun!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834040 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 07:45:07 +0000 gotkimchi 2834040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: agree totally about features it’s all a “package”. Yes weahertecs are awesome!</p> <p>0% financing is as available as it used to be - when we just bought a car you could pick a cash rebate or the financing and we actually came out ahead doing the rebate and not doing 0% so just be ready to do the math </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834036 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 07:32:31 +0000 Jennibenni 2834036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As far as features a lot of it just depends on be package/trim level. Like for example I have a sunroof I never use and never will use, but I couldn’t not get the sunroof without also not getting leather seats which I definitely wanted. So at least in my experience you can’t really pick and choose individual features very easily. That being said I 100% recommend leather seats! I also bought aftermarket Weathertec floor mats and they are great! They basically cover the entirety of any carpet in my car and are vinyl I think but can be easily taken out and rinsed. So the carpet and original factory carpeted mats are in mint condition which will be great if I ever sell my car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834034 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 07:19:45 +0000 LCTBQE 2834034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any advice on negotiating or anything in retrospect you wish you'd said/done? My husband and I are getting a new car (2018 Subaru Forester) this month and both of us have only ever driven used beaters before. </p> <p>He has an app that gives regional guidelines on pricing per model that's pretty specific, so we're working on what number we want to pay. We're definitely going to buy and I think we'll easily be able to get 0% financing.</p> <p>ETA any feature on your new/newer car that you can't live without, or any feature that is extraneous/annoying that you wish you hadn't paid for, lay it on me :) </p>