Anyone else think used car prices are outrageous

[Ah Pook]

as has been said.

cash for clunkers.

Unintended consequences.

I don't think it was unintended.

Take a chunk of the used car market out of circulation.
Used car prices go up closer to new pricing.
Consumer spends the extra for new.

Same thing for parts.


I've been looking for a used commuter and can't find anything "realistic".

[RonMexico]

In a bad economy used prices go up cause people cant afford newer or dont have good credit. Simple economics. This is why i charge $200 more a month for my rental, cause people Arent buying homes, plus millions of Americans have f credit from foreclosures

[Great-Kazoo]

Or you can take advice from someone who's been selling for a long time and not be a douche towards your sale guy. Customers make buying a car much more difficult on themselves then they need to by following your advice.

Do some research on the car you want to buy and know the market. If your budget is 10k then look at car at or near 10k. Don't shop for 18k cars and expect us to come down just because that's all you can afford.

Average return on a used car is under 2 grand after the car has been reconditioned and made fit for sale. Car is priced more so there is "wiggle room" cheaper cars will have less margin.

Know that older cars (ie 06 and older in the eyes of the banks) will not offer financing more then 48 months and the rate willbe higher than what you want to hear. If you belong to a credit union it's better for older cars.

Unless you are writing a check the whole "don't discuss payment" thought process towards car buying is stupid. FACT-99% of the people I talk to have no idea how much a car payment is. No, you cannot buy a 50k car for 400 per month.

Cheap math for a 60 month car purchase.
200 per month = 10k financed
300 per month = 15k financed
400 per month = 20k financed

Best advice. Start with Internet department. Typically people there are more seasoned and work under a different set of standards. This gives you a chance to develope a relationship with someone before you go into the store. If you dont click with the sales person, call back and ask to speak with the used car manager. Shop the person as much as you shop the car. I sell 6 figure vehicles sight unseen over the phone because I take the time to develope a relationship with my clients.

Best advice if your treat me decent I'll return the favor. Treat me like a lesser human being and we are both going to dislike the process.

That's you this is me. I know what i want, how much monthly and what my down stroke
When i go in and look at vehicle x with these options don't steer me in to a vehicle with $5k more in acc that i have no need for, DVD for kids etc, Wheel package because ordering one without will take a few weeks to get in, OR tell me with my credit i can afford to upgrade to a loaded package for only $250 more per month.
AND when i tell you for the 3rd time I'M JUST LOOKING TODAY, you lost the sale.
Some don't, some do and loose customers.

ETA: I'v already been on line and know what i am looking for, is on your lot as well as 3 other dealers along the front range.

[XC700116]

Don't worry, the sale guy at a Jeep dealer isn't to worried about the $100 mini commission he didn't get on your deal. All you are doing is ensuring your status a second class citizen when you come back. Common decenancy goes both ways.

I don't understand the thought that some dealers have that think that because I go into their dealership to LOOK and PRICE a vehicle that I'm somehow required to buy it from them. Facts are facts and if I can get the same vehicle somewhere else for less $$ Guess what, I'm going to buy it there.

I priced a new truck a while back and simply put the deal wasn't going to work so the dealership acted like I stole from them when I didn't buy the damned thing from them. They couldn't match the other dealers deal and called me a liar when I told them the price I got from the other guy. So guess what, I walked out the door and went back to the first dealer and laid my money down. They treat me like crap and they receive in kind. I'm the one dropping $35K on a new truck, they should be happy to have my business and resist the urge to call me a liar when the guy down the street beat their price.

Car salesmen have largely earned their reputations, I've dealt with few that haven't and I continue to go back to them when I can. If place number 2 wouldn't have wasted my time by trying to rake me and just gave me their bottom dollar price it would have wasted a LOT less of my time and theirs.

[buckeye4rnr]

So I was up pretty late last night looking for SUVs/trucks... what do you guys think of the Nissan Xterra, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Rav4? I'm looking at cars from the 2002-2010 range and that I can spend less than 15k on but ideally less than 10k.

If I can get a truck for 10k I'm pretty confident that I can sell my current car for 9-10k and hopefully keep doing this forever to avoid a payment.

I also need a decent body shop to pull a dent out of my drivers side door because some jackass ran into my car and left.



Also, I'll be using the truck for mostly outdoor activities so there will be some offroading involved but nothing too intense as I'm going to avoid most of the rough trailheads for 14ers and I'll need room to toss my mountain bike in the back.

[BigNick73]

Also, I'll be using the truck for mostly outdoor activities so there will be some offroading involved but nothing too intense as I'm going to avoid most of the rough trailheads for 14ers and I'll need room to toss my mountain bike in the back.

You given any thought to keeping your sports car as the daily driver and getting a beater for the outdoor stuff? I was going to sell my wrx and buy a nice 4x4 a year ago and instead bought a 89 full size bronco for $2500. Parts are cheap I just replaced the motor a couple weeks ago (cost about $2000) and there's no note and I don't worry about tearing it up.

I'll probably have 10 grand in the thing before it's over and done with, but its a toy rather than my primary means of transportation.

[buckeye4rnr]

You given any thought to keeping your sports car as the daily driver and getting a beater for the outdoor stuff? I was going to sell my wrx and buy a nice 4x4 a year ago and instead bought a 89 full size bronco for $2500. Parts are cheap I just replaced the motor a couple weeks ago (cost about $2000) and there's no note and I don't worry about tearing it up.

I'll probably have 10 grand in the thing before it's over and done with, but its a toy rather than my primary means of transportation.

Yeah I've definitely considered it but I can walk to work so I'm not sure the extra insurance and parking spot($35/month) is quite worth it. On the other hand... I know my current car will last at least another 100k miles unless I get in an accident so I'm pretty torn on what to do.

[BigNick73]

Yeah I've definitely considered it but I can walk to work so I'm not sure the extra insurance and parking spot($35/month) is quite worth it. On the other hand... I know my current car will last at least another 100k miles unless I get in an accident so I'm pretty torn on what to do.

Ahh paying for parking. The insurance is nothing, just get liability only, mine runs about $300 a year plus $100-$150 for the tag.

[kidicarus13]

Don't worry, the sale guy at a Jeep dealer isn't to worried about the $100 mini commission he didn't get on your deal. All you are doing is ensuring your status a second class citizen when you come back. Common decenancy goes both ways.

In this case I wouldn't be back.

Car salesmen have largely earned their reputations, I've dealt with few that haven't and I continue to go back to them when I can. If place number 2 wouldn't have wasted my time by trying to rake me and just gave me their bottom dollar price it would have wasted a LOT less of my time and theirs.

Everyone knows that the majority of salesmen play games with numbers and emotions. If I could find one that didn't I may become a repeat customer but after many, many vehicle purchases I have yet to find a salesman at a dealership or car lot not willing to play the numbers game.

As a buyer I'll tell you what I want that's sitting on your lot and ask for the bottom dollar after doing my research. If I know I can get it somewhere for less money I will buy from them. Don't come chasing after me or calling on me two days later because you now have a mortgage payment to worry about.

[Sharpienads]

Cash for clunkers and like somebody else said, just like rent prices, people can't afford to by new so they have to buy used and used prices go up.

In my experience, the only time the salesman has been a douche was when we tried to buy a car we really couldn't afford. Well, we could afford it, but it wouldn't have been a financially sound decision. Other than that, if you have the money and/or credit, there's no reason for the guy to be a jerk. But that's my experience, and I've never bought a car here in CO.