The Truth About Cars » Car Buying Tips

Editorial: MSRP RIP

Steven Lang — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:40:12 +0000

Everybody who knows me knows I'm a tightfisted son of a bitch. I may own Benzes for their profits, but gas sippers are my daily drivers. My wife's daily driver has been an old Volvo wagon (which she loves). And like many of you, I'm nearly OCD when it comes to buying quality on the cheap. When Robert asked me to find him a $5000 car, I found a $4000 car. Why? Because $4000 is the new $5000. For those of you contemplating a new ride and have the cash, now's a good time to buy. The Manufacturers' Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is dead.

Lifers

Steven Lang — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:57:04 +0000

For 33 years Jane Hoyt has been driving her baby blue 1975 VW Beetle. Is it love? Madness? A '70's thing? When I asked her about the appeal of her longtime automotive companion, it was none of the above. "It's a story of inertia. Really, it's a metaphor for my life. I always stay too long at the fair." That last word struck me as kinda funny. If a car ownership is a metaphorical "fair," can you get a lifetime of kicks from a four-wheeled Ferris Wheel?

Dealing with Dealers

Steven Lang — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:18:20 +0000

Once a car salesman "data captures" you, the calls never stop. Some are rude. Some are sweet. All are pushy. The salesman's goal: get the sale. Meet the quota (placate the Alpha Dog). Pay the bills (placate the Ex). In America's cratered new car market, the chances of a car salesman making his nut are only slightly less than that of the squirrel in Ice Age. Has this stopped dealers from getting up to their old tricks? Hell no. If anything, they're abusing their customers MORE. Still, if you know how to handle the heat, this is The Mother of All Buyer's Markets. Here's how to work the system...

SUrVival Guide

Steven Lang — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:08:19 +0000

All across the nation, SUV Sally's and Sam's are cussing at the pumps. They're watching the readout with mounting horror: $80, $100, $120+ per fill up. The automotive source of this pain of portly plenitude is has become the pink elephant of the American lifestyle. And it's true: SUVs suck. Not just gas. Depreciation, insurance and street cred. And so, the "Livin' Large" folks of the Oil War Era are giving up their SUVs en masse. Which brings us to a simple question. Should you?

PT Cruiser?

Steven Lang — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:56:26 +0000

$11,800. That’s the price for a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser down at my local Chrysler dealer. Throw in the “Refuel America” $2.99 per gallon guarantee into the equation and you end-up with a pre-tax, tag, title price right around $10,200. Not bad. Not bad at all. Then again, is it? There are a lot of factors to consider when approaching any of the bargain basement cars currently on offer during this, Detroit’s [most recent] dark days. Join me as we journey down the PT-shaped rabbit hole…

Negotiating Today’s Car Parts Mine Field

Steven Lang — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:05:32 +0000

Last year, I scored over $400 worth of auto supplies. All it cost me was sales tax, a few stamps and about thirty minutes of my time. It was a lot of good stuff too: 24 quarts of synthetic motor oil, six gallons of coolant and a seemingly endless amount of top quality car waxes and detail products. Heck, I was even able to get three different tool sets and free wipes once all my maintenance work was done! Unfortunately, for a frugal enthusiast like me, that was then and this is now.

The Epistemology of Buying Tires

William C Montgomery — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:17:31 +0000

I studied epistemology in a college religion class. Epistemology is a fifty cent word for the branch of philosophy that explores the way in which man learns truth. What leads a person to the certain conclusion that God exists? Is it the conclusion of a logical process? Or personal spiritual experience? Maybe it’s embracing family tradition? At the risk of offending deity and condemning my soul to an eternity burning amid fire and Bridgestone, I liken the process of buying new tires to the quest for faith.

Nissan GT-R: What Price New Hotness?

Jay Shoemaker — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:25:55 +0000

In Michelangelo Antonioni's film "Blow Up," Thomas (David Hemming) watches a rock guitarist smash his ax and toss the remnants into the audience. Caught up in the spirit of the moment, Thomas joins the scrum scrambling for a piece of the dead guitar. He grabs the lion's share and runs away. Dozens of fans give chase, attempting to wrest the prize from his grasp. Finally, Thomas is clear of the crowd. Alone with his treasure, he contemplates his booty-- and then casually tosses it into a nearby trash can. Nissan GTR anyone?

In Praise of: Brand New Old Cars

Michael Martineck — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:39:20 +0000

When it comes to buying fish, stocks, bonds or cars, timing is everything. The factors determining a savvy buyer’s ideal window of opportunity are mercurial. And, like the mystery surrounding a good fishing hole, there are plenty of industry professionals whose livelihood depends on shrouding the “inside line” in secrecy. For example, you won't find prices for “leftover” ’07 Chevrolet Malibus on Edmunds or kbb. Of course, when it comes to car buying advice, The Truth About Cars is on YOUR side. We’re here to help.

The Truth About Craigslist

Steven Lang — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:50:36 +0000

From candy corn to Lincoln Continentals, Craigslist is the ultimate Turkish bazaar. It's an almost universally accessible free market for millions of folks who once paid (and paid) for the ‘privilege’ of selling their stuff. From a pistonhead perspective, Craigslist seems to be a great place to buy and sell automobiles. Even a brief scan shows that the site offers a vehicle for every type of appliance seeker, enthusiast and hobbyist. I’ve been using Craigslist as my site du jour for nearly three years. During that time, I’ve sold more than a hundred vehicles through the service. But I'm a pro, and I’m here to warn you that there's a dark side to the deal.

In Praise of the $500 Car

Steven Lang — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:10:27 +0000

“Wooden Shoe Rather Be Dutch?” Sigh. Bumper sticker humor aside, the Subaru Legacy had 140k miles on the clock and a well-maintained powertrain (records in the glovebox). The hardback book about Abraham Lincoln under the driver’s seat gave me hope that the owner was equally conservative with his driving. After a bit of tire kicking, I slowly concluded that the old girl had plenty of life left. Fortunately, the kicked-in driver’s door and smelly interior made the other dealers turn-up their nose when the Subie went across the block. For $500, the Legacy became mine… all mine. BWAHAHAHHA!!!!

Depreciation Kills

Steven Lang — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:18:53 +0000

“Is that yours?” Millions of car buyers spend billions of dollars hoping that this statement will be born of admiration rather than pity. When these words come out of a car dealer’s mouth at trade-in time, they can be especially hurtful-- even if the salesman is as honest as their spiel is long. That’s the moment when most car buyers finally discover whether or not their automotive “investment” has walked off a cliff and fallen into the financial abyss known as depreciation. Here’s how to avoid the freefall…

The Truth About Filling Your Tires with Nitrogen

Michael Martineck — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:10:25 +0000

Jet planes, armored personnel carriers and racecars all have nitrogen-filled tires. So it’s got to be cool, right? I mean, I wish my Honda Odyssey minivan was more like an F-22 in some way. Or in any way. Anyway, is it worth an average five bucks a tire to stuff your rubber with the seventh element? For the majority of American drivers– those who do not routinely drive through flaming pools of fuel, off-road on dunes hotter than Scarlett Johansson’s hips or hit 200mph on the straight-aways– the answer is a simple “no.” Yet thousands of vendors are setting up nitrogen pumps and enticing people to pop open their stems. What’s the point?

Get Over it: Car Dealer Rip-Offs Abound

Frank Williams — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:33:00 +0000

Scared of car dealer scams? Detroit News writer John McCormick says chill. In an editorial entitled "Afraid of shopping for a car? Get over it;" McCormick chronicled his recent car buying experience. The automotive scribe claims it's no biggie; car dealers are populated by "courteous, knowledgeable and professional" sales staff. While we're all glad Mr. McCormick's had such a wonderful experience securing a new whip, the chances of anyone else emerging with similar satisfaction makes Powerball look like a safe bet.

How to Buy a Used Car Part 4: Negotiating

Steven Lang — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 11:38:11 +0000

When it comes to buying a used car there are two basic negotiating mindsets. You can either be fair and decent or unfair and obnoxious. You need only visit a used car lot to know that unfair and obnoxious works. But it is also true that many sellers respond extremely well to honesty and decency. Win - win is no sin. So, karma lovers, here's some tips for negotiating the purchase of a used car by traveling down the righteous route.

The Truth About European Delivery Programs

Alex Dykes — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 11:18:11 +0000

In 1959, William Lederer and Eugene Burdick wrote The Ugly American. The novel was celebrated by self-loathing intellectuals, who agreed with disdainful Europeans that Americans are far too stupid and arrogant to play any "useful" role in world politics. Yeah, well, screw that. If you're a latter day pistonhead willing to represent in the Eurozone, I suggest you do your bit to grace the Olde Worlde with American wit, intelligence, insight and humility. Buy your next ferrin' car via a European delivery program.

How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 3: Due Diligence (The Inspection)

Steven Lang — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:09:08 +0000

You can rigorously apply the tests described by previous installments of this series without encountering a single setback. However when it comes to buying a used car, it pays to assume one simple salient fact: you don’t know the complete truth. At least not yet. When it comes to pursuing the deeper truths about a used car, an experienced mechanic will inevitably become your greatest ally and advocate. For most consumers, finding a knowledgeable mechanic will be the most important step in the used car buying process.

How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 2: The Test Drive

Steven Lang — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:08:31 +0000

Schedule the test drive for a time when there’s no rush. If it’s bad weather, reschedule. Take a little notebook, write a quick check list based on this article, and make notes. When you approach the car's owner, be friendly, polite and courteous. Do NOT try to “beat them down” to get a better deal. While you have every right to ask direct questions, you have no more right to insult their car than one of their children.

How to Buy a Used Car - Pt. 1: First Contact

Steven Lang — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:34:02 +0000

Used cars give automobile buyers the best possible bang for the buck-- except when they don’t. As a professional dealer, I could tell you stories of used car calamities that would make public transportation seem like the only sensible option. Tales of stitched together death traps that looked as new as the day both cars were born. Cars with supposedly clean registration papers that turned out to be hotter than Peachtree Street in mid-August. Instead, I’m going to tell you how to buy a used car without getting your proverbial clock cleaned.

Autodealerphobia

Matthew Danda — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:31:00 +0000

I have a conflict-avoidant personality. I never lose my temper and I hardly ever engage in verbal jousting (never mind confrontational conversation). That’s why I wander around new car lots on Sundays. The dealership is closed, locked and silent; I can browse in pleasant solitude. Otherwise, conflict is inevitable. I can count on my fingers the number of times in my life that I got so angry my legs started shaking. Half of those instances occurred in car dealerships and that ain’t right.

Car Buying Tips: The Truth About Factory-Fitted Satellite Navigation Systems

Megan Benoit — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 16:43:39 +0000

It’s hard to believe global positioning satellite technology was once the sole purview of the U.S. military. It’s equally difficult to comprehend how James Bond’s first in-car tracking device thrilled pre-pubescent boys. These days, a luxury car without a satellite navigation system is like a luxury car without dual-zone climate control. Still, it’s a pretty pricey item that’s bound to bite you in ass at trade-in. So should you listen to your oleaginous salesman and tick that option box?

Car Buying Tips: Three Ways to Reduce The Cost of Owning a Car

Steven Lang — Thu, 31 May 2007 10:41:30 +0000

The American Automobile Association recently calculated the average cost of driving a car. News flash: your automobile is devouring your children’s college fund to the tune of 52.2 cents per mile. Multiply that number by 15k miles and decades of driving, and automotive ownership costs make Ivy League tuition seem like a bargain. Thankfully, you can lower your cost of ownership (of the car) with three strategies. Each one will put a nice six figure dent back into your savings account, and a big fat smile on your face whenever you turn the key.

Car Buying Tips: Sales Prevention Officers and “Demand Pricing”

Justin Berkowitz — Thu, 17 May 2007 11:00:18 +0000

My father is a car guy in his late fifties. One day, he decided he wanted a sports car. Anyone who’s clocked the age of the men in the Viagra’s ads should realize this isn’t an unusual phenomenon. Men fifty and over are the heart and soul of the U.S. sports car market. And the Chevrolet Corvette occupies the bulls-eye center of that prime demographic. The ‘Vette is also one of GM’s few bright spots: the only world class car in Chevrolet’s showroom of mediocrity. Anyway, my father tried to buy a Corvette-- and failed.

Car Buying Tips: The Contrarian’s Guide to Used Car Buying

Matthew Danda — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:12:25 +0000

In the late ‘90s, a popular consumer magazine claimed a certain SUV rolled over easily. This study was strongly debated; I doubt anyone remembers who was right. But the damage was done. The vehicle fell out of favor into the one-way pit of corporate neglect. As the dust settled, I purchased a used example of this otherwise reliable, well-built machine at an exceptionally low price. After five virtually trouble-free years, I’ve decided to replace my ‘98 Isuzu Trooper with something newer. And so begins my hunt for undervalued quality.

Car Buying Tips: The Games Car Dealers Play

Brad Kozak — Tue, 01 May 2007 10:17:22 +0000

Sometime between the sale of the first Model T and now, the automobile business has come to represent all that is wrong with sales, marketing and advertising. According to the surveys that track respect for professions, automobile salesmen are bottom feeders, swimming just above the mud with politicians and marketing folk. Do new and used-car dealers deserve such scorn? Absolutely. The truth about car dealers lies far closer to the stereotype than what they’d like you to believe.

Car Buying Tips: Feeling Used

Steven Lang — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 10:27:24 +0000

Every year over ten million vehicles pass through U.S. auto dealer auctions. This decades old free market has always been dependent on you, the consumer. Dealers will bid up those models that are popular with buyers, while those with a limited audience are stuck in what’s commonly called ‘wholesale heaven’. This is a place where thousands of unappreciated and unloved models go until the market dictates otherwise. Over the course of time, consumers dictates the winners… and the losers.

Car Buying Tips: European Delivery

Jay Shoemaker — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 11:41:12 +0000

This wasn’t the first time I’d opted for European delivery. In fact, after counting all the license plates I’d collected from these international adventures, I discovered I was on my eighth visit. Normally, when my wife learns I want to go to Stuttgart or Munich, she digs in her proverbial heels. So I had to package my automotive connection with a week in Paris. I made the arrangements to pick up a BMW 335 at the Munich factory. Here’s how the deal went down…

Car Buying Tips: Consumer Reports, You Decide

Michael Karesh — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:32:02 +0000

Consumer Reports has released the 2007 edition of its “Annual Auto Issue.” For the second year in a row, all CR’s “Top Picks” come from Japanese makes. For some industry observers, that’s a problem. They believe the magazine’s results indicate a hidden bias, especially against vehicles produced by domestic manufacturers. Which both is and isn’t true.