Car Buying for this Dummy

[kybearfuzz]

I was getting an oil change the other morning when the grease jockey beneath the car noted that I have a small transmission leak, he thought, though it could be just water splashed up on it. Well, being the worrier I tend to be, it seems like now would be a good time to turn in old faithful for something new. I've pondered this for a long while. My car is a 1997 Honda Civic and it's had a good run, turning over 150,000 miles just this past weekend. However, I despise the haggling of buying a new car.

I need any advice you wish to give a guy in my situation. I am looking at either another Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla, though a friend just showed me a Scion Xa, which looked kinda cool. I'm all about reliability and gas mileage. Any opinions? Do any of you own one and can share experiences? Any advice on handling salesmen and haggling?

HELP HELP HELP!

Comments

Cars

[pink-halen.livejournal.com]

There's a book but I don't remember the title. (I'll keep looking.)

1. do you homework
2. Try for the youngest saleman on the lot.
3. Take a friend when you negotiate. Their job is to keep track of what has been offered or withdrawn during the negotiation.
4. Don't let emotions rule. They will press you to buy now while you're emotionally down from negotiating.
5. Don't appear eager even if you are walking because your car is dead.
6. Ask about the prep charges and the sales tax so you know the exact bottom line.
7. If you are going to pay cash, Don't tell them that up front. That goes for non-dealer financing. They don't need to know that your bank gave you an OK. They will be factoring in some of the interest profit.
8. Don't play their games. Throw them off balance.
9. Compare online and off line prices with the same dealer. Sometimes one will give you a better deal.
10. Be prepared to walk away if the negotiations aren't going as you like.

I'll withhold my opinions of the kind of car you should have.