Life Car buying advice?

Lono · 05-11-2009, 07:55 AM

Ok, my wife might be selling her chevy trailblazer. She is wanting a car. She really likes the pontiac grand prix. I would prefer something else because i have heard they have a lot of trouble around 100k miles. Plus everyone and their brother has one. What are some good cars that are kind of sporty with 4 doors. And do I get a loan from my bank, or do I try and finance through them? What do I want to look for and what do I want to stay away from with car dealers. I normally have the money through my bank and just go in and offer what I want and they take it or dont and I write a check. I have seen all the good offers on t.v. and thought we might be able to get a better deal through the dealership. Advice?

dilligaf · 05-11-2009, 08:21 AM

Just go in and do everything the nice honest salesman says.

Simply Red · 05-11-2009, 08:28 AM

German, lono, German.

Great Expectations · 05-11-2009, 08:31 AM

The dealership will have better interest rates available if your credit score is above 660.

I just bought a car using dealerships online/e-mail. The negotiating was much, much more enjoyable.

**The Bad Guy** · 05-11-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

The dealership will have better interest rates available if your credit score is above 660.

I just bought a car using dealerships online/e-mail. The negotiating was much, much more enjoyable.

Bullshit.

Your credit union will have the best interest rates available.

**Scorp** · 05-11-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Bullshit.

Your credit union will have the best interest rates available.

I don't know of many credit unions that offer 0% financing.

**The Bad Guy** · 05-11-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorp

I don't know of many credit unions that offer 0% financing.

And who is offering zero percent financing now? Don't you have to have superior credit to qualify for that offer?

Great Expectations · 05-11-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Bullshit.

Your credit union will have the best interest rates available.

Maybe older cars, but not newer ones. The F&I guy may not offer you a rate better than your Credit Union's, but he could.

burt · 05-11-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

Maybe older cars, but not newer ones. The F&I guy may not offer you a rate better than your Credit Union's, but he could.

Our Finance department beats just about any CU out there....with the exception of maybe USAA.

modocsot · 05-11-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

German, lono, German.

THIS.

**Bwana** · 05-11-2009, 08:31 AM

The biggest issues with a Grand Prix si the tranny will go out. If you get one, make sure you get the 3800 engine and NOT the 3100. The 3100 engines go through head gaskets like crap goes through a goose.

I would stick to a Honda Accord and make sure the T belt gets changed.

**SAUTO** · 05-11-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

The biggest issues with a Grand Prix si the tranny will go out. If you get one, make sure you get the 3800 engine and NOT the 3100. The 3100 engines go through head gaskets like crap goes through a goose.

I would stick to a Honda Accord and make sure the T belt gets changed.

add the 3400 to the one NOT TO BUY same problems they SAY that the dexcool caused it but i'm not too sure about that. take it from a guy who has changed probably over a thousand head gaskets on 3.1 and 3.4 engines(not to mention intake gaskets on the 3.1 3.4 and 5.7 that used the plastic/silicone gaskets) oh yeah also MANY lower end bearings went bye bye too. i havent seen many problems with the 3.8 except with the plastic upper intake warping and leaking internally(rare but have seen) and having to replace the whole upper intake.

Sure-Oz · 05-11-2009, 08:31 AM

I heard pontiac and gm cars are going super cheap right now, saw a new grand prix ad in the paper from a dealer selling for $11k.

Lono · 05-11-2009, 08:38 AM

Bwana I like the honda accord also but the wife is pretty set on buying american. I have already filled out one of those things requesting for the best offers and financing for dealers in my area. I am thinking I can drive to springfield which is like 80 miles from here and get the best deal. How much should I expect to be able to haggle them down? If I can get a great % I can afford to probably buy a little more expensive car but I dont want to end up head over heals on one either. Thats what scares me about buying new, the moment I drive it off the lot its 3grand cheaper.

Sure-Oz · 05-11-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lono

Bwana I like the honda accord also but the wife is pretty set on buying american. I have already filled out one of those things requesting for the best offers and financing for dealers in my area. I am thinking I can drive to springfield which is like 80 miles from here and get the best deal. How much should I expect to be able to haggle them down? If I can get a great % I can afford to probably buy a little more expensive car but I dont want to end up head over heals on one either. Thats what scares me about buying new, the moment I drive it off the lot its 3grand cheaper.

I'd rather buy an accord than a pontiac, that said they are super cheap, and should last for atleast 7 years id think.

05-11-2009, 07:55 AM	Topic Starter
Lono Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mo Casino cash: $9933836	Car buying advice? Ok, my wife might be selling her chevy trailblazer. She is wanting a car. She really likes the pontiac grand prix. I would prefer something else because i have heard they have a lot of trouble around 100k miles. Plus everyone and their brother has one. What are some good cars that are kind of sporty with 4 doors. And do I get a loan from my bank, or do I try and finance through them? What do I want to look for and what do I want to stay away from with car dealers. I normally have the money through my bank and just go in and offer what I want and they take it or dont and I write a check. I have seen all the good offers on t.v. and thought we might be able to get a better deal through the dealership. Advice?
Posts: 811

05-11-2009, 08:21 AM	#2
dilligaf AKA bigpepe Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Idaho Casino cash: $7474958	Just go in and do everything the nice honest salesman says.
Posts: 1,225

05-11-2009, 08:28 AM	#3
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	German, lono, German.
Posts: 71,691

05-11-2009, 08:31 AM	#4
Great Expectations MVP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Joplin, MO Casino cash: $13252338	The dealership will have better interest rates available if your credit score is above 660. I just bought a car using dealerships online/e-mail. The negotiating was much, much more enjoyable.
Posts: 7,233

05-11-2009, 08:31 AM	#11
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139013647	The biggest issues with a Grand Prix si the tranny will go out. If you get one, make sure you get the 3800 engine and NOT the 3100. The 3100 engines go through head gaskets like crap goes through a goose. I would stick to a Honda Accord and make sure the T belt gets changed.
Posts: 69,824

05-11-2009, 08:38 AM	#14
Lono Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mo Casino cash: $9933836	Bwana I like the honda accord also but the wife is pretty set on buying american. I have already filled out one of those things requesting for the best offers and financing for dealers in my area. I am thinking I can drive to springfield which is like 80 miles from here and get the best deal. How much should I expect to be able to haggle them down? If I can get a great % I can afford to probably buy a little more expensive car but I dont want to end up head over heals on one either. Thats what scares me about buying new, the moment I drive it off the lot its 3grand cheaper.
Posts: 811