Best current car shopping procedures

[Thump553]

I tend to buy cars new and then drive them into the ground. The last time I bought a new car was in 1999, so I'm a bit out of the loop. My wife needs a new car (ideally before Xmas, so the purchase serves two functions). I thinking of a Grand Caravan, fairly stripped down (no DVD players, AWD, captain's chairs, etc.-we tend to use these things as quasi-pickup trucks.

Any suggestions on the best way to go about the purchase? It will be a cash deal.

 

[iamwiz82]

Find someone with employee discount. No need to haggle.

Are you looking for an 07 (huge discounts now) or an 08 (almost no discounts)?

 

[Thump553]

07 or 08 doesn't really matter to me, unless there is some substantial actual improvements made that I am not aware of.

Unfortunately the only people I know in the car business are with VW.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: Thump553
07 or 08 doesn't really matter to me, unless there is some substantial actual improvements made that I am not aware of.

Unfortunately the only people I know in the car business are with VW.

VW GTI :thumbsup:

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Thump553
07 or 08 doesn't really matter to me, unless there is some substantial actual improvements made that I am not aware of.

Unfortunately the only people I know in the car business are with VW.

08 is a complete re-design.

 

[evident]

www.carbuyingtips.com

 

[Pacfanweb]

Same as it's always been. Best way is to figure out what you want, go the the dealership, ask for the invoice, and see if they'll take invoice price, or even less. THEN, and only then, do you talk about rebates, trades, etc.
If the dealer won't show you the invoice, walk. The next one will. You should be able to buy most anything for invoice or less, without much hassle at all. Especially a 2007 model right now.

Note that this will not apply to high-demand or low-production vehicles.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Thump553
07 or 08 doesn't really matter to me, unless there is some substantial actual improvements made that I am not aware of.

Unfortunately the only people I know in the car business are with VW.

08 is a complete re-design.

And therefore you want to buy a 2007 and have nothing to do with the new model.

Never, ever buy the first year of any car. Give 'em a couple years to get the kinks worked out, not to mention make the extra options available that aren't for the first year.