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YACT: Buying my first car: Help!

F

flyboy84

Golden Member
I'm 21 and looking to get my first car. My 21st birthday was about a month ago, and my parents said they would help me out on getting a car. I've settled on a Civic EX Coupe. I was originally planning on looking for a used 2001-2004 model, but Hondas really don't depreciate that much, so it made more sense to me to get a new one. I've got a few grand saved up, make some money at school, and should be making good money over the summer (maybe as much as 5 Gs). I'll be graduating June '06, and have not decided if I'll be working or going to grad school (studying EE and doing a good job of it 😉). Regardless, I think I can throw together my resources to just make ends meet on a new car.

I've been asking around at a few dealers, and the lowest sticker price I've been given is ~17k. With current Honda financial incentives, that turns into ~242/month at 2.9% APR for 48 months (7.5k down, bless the 'rents). Does this sound about right? Should I press for lower? I think if I can get them down to 16,500 sticker, I'd really be able to put this together. I just don't know if that's possible. Does 17k sound very low already?

Any and all advice is appreciated!


Thanks!:beer:
 
Originally posted by: flyboy84
I'm 21 and looking to get my first car. My 21st birthday was about a month ago, and my parents said they would help me out on getting a car. I've settled on a Civic EX Coupe. I was originally planning on looking for a used 2001-2004 model, but Hondas really don't depreciate that much, so it made more sense to me to get a new one. I've got a few grand saved up, make some money at school, and should be making good money over the summer (maybe as much as 5 Gs). I'll be graduating June '06, and have not decided if I'll be working or going to grad school (studying EE and doing a good job of it 😉). Regardless, I think I can throw together my resources to just make ends meet on a new car.

I've been asking around at a few dealers, and the lowest sticker price I've been given is ~17k. With current Honda financial incentives, that turns into ~242/month at 2.9% APR for 48 months (7.5k down, bless the 'rents). Does this sound about right? Should I press for lower? I think if I can get them down to 16,500 sticker, I'd really be able to put this together. I just don't know if that's possible. Does 17k sound very low already?

Any and all advice is appreciated!


Thanks!:beer:
Click to expand...


Civics haven't been selling as good as expected, and there's a new model coming out at the end of the year. You should be able to get the price lowered quite a bit more.
 
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Civics haven't been selling as good as expected, and there's a new model coming out at the end of the year. You should be able to get the price lowered quite a bit more.
Click to expand...

I don't think there is much "wiggle" room on Civics....the profit is coming from volume and not markup.

That said...unless you will be living at home, I would recommend against getting a new car when going to school. It's just not worth it.
 
Don't buy a civic. The model is old and will be replaced soon.

That aside, go to another dealer and ask them if you can beat what this first one is offering. If they can return to the first dealer and tell them what the other one said.
 
17k for a fuggin Civic ?
and a used one at that.

Why not just forget about the down payment and get yourself a Scion ? putting down 7500 with the APR so low is kind of a waste don't you think ?
 
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Originally posted by: flyboy84
I'm 21 and looking to get my first car. My 21st birthday was about a month ago, and my parents said they would help me out on getting a car. I've settled on a Civic EX Coupe. I was originally planning on looking for a used 2001-2004 model, but Hondas really don't depreciate that much, so it made more sense to me to get a new one. I've got a few grand saved up, make some money at school, and should be making good money over the summer (maybe as much as 5 Gs). I'll be graduating June '06, and have not decided if I'll be working or going to grad school (studying EE and doing a good job of it 😉). Regardless, I think I can throw together my resources to just make ends meet on a new car.

I've been asking around at a few dealers, and the lowest sticker price I've been given is ~17k. With current Honda financial incentives, that turns into ~242/month at 2.9% APR for 48 months (7.5k down, bless the 'rents). Does this sound about right? Should I press for lower? I think if I can get them down to 16,500 sticker, I'd really be able to put this together. I just don't know if that's possible. Does 17k sound very low already?

Any and all advice is appreciated!


Thanks!:beer:
Click to expand...


Civics haven't been selling as good as expected, and there's a new model coming out at the end of the year. You should be able to get the price lowered quite a bit more.
Click to expand...

How much lower do you think I could go? What kind of lingo should I use when bargaining?
 
Originally posted by: isekii
17k for a fuggin Civic ?
and a used one at that.

Why not just forget about the down payment and get yourself a Scion ? putting down 7500 with the APR so low is kind of a waste don't you think ?
Click to expand...


New, not used.
 
Originally posted by: flyboy84
Originally posted by: isekii
17k for a fuggin Civic ?
and a used one at that.

Why not just forget about the down payment and get yourself a Scion ? putting down 7500 with the APR so low is kind of a waste don't you think ?
Click to expand...


New, not used.
Click to expand...

Oh...
Get the TC instead 😛
 
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Another car in that price as well is the Mini Cooper.
Click to expand...


don't like the mini

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Why get a Honda Civic for $17k?

Have you looked into the Scion tC?
Click to expand...

don't like the tC.

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Don't buy a civic. The model is old and will be replaced soon.

That aside, go to another dealer and ask them if you can beat what this first one is offering. If they can return to the first dealer and tell them what the other one said.
Click to expand...


I like the styling of the '01-'05 civic, therefore, the '05 would be the best of that generation, right? I don't like they styling I've seen for the '06 Civic Si, so I might not like the styling on the regular '06 either. Regardless, I need this car by June for work (guess I should have added this).
 
Originally posted by: flyboy84
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Originally posted by: flyboy84
I'm 21 and looking to get my first car. My 21st birthday was about a month ago, and my parents said they would help me out on getting a car. I've settled on a Civic EX Coupe. I was originally planning on looking for a used 2001-2004 model, but Hondas really don't depreciate that much, so it made more sense to me to get a new one. I've got a few grand saved up, make some money at school, and should be making good money over the summer (maybe as much as 5 Gs). I'll be graduating June '06, and have not decided if I'll be working or going to grad school (studying EE and doing a good job of it 😉). Regardless, I think I can throw together my resources to just make ends meet on a new car.

I've been asking around at a few dealers, and the lowest sticker price I've been given is ~17k. With current Honda financial incentives, that turns into ~242/month at 2.9% APR for 48 months (7.5k down, bless the 'rents). Does this sound about right? Should I press for lower? I think if I can get them down to 16,500 sticker, I'd really be able to put this together. I just don't know if that's possible. Does 17k sound very low already?

Any and all advice is appreciated!


Thanks!:beer:
Click to expand...


Civics haven't been selling as good as expected, and there's a new model coming out at the end of the year. You should be able to get the price lowered quite a bit more.
Click to expand...

How much lower do you think I could go? What kind of lingo should I use when bargaining?
Click to expand...


Maybe bring it down $1000 or so at best. It really depends on you dealer, and how much time you want to spend haggling over the price. It could take up to 3 hours or more depending how stubborn they can be.
 
my take is get an older used civic.

ps, if you crash it, you won't feel so bad (from experience, friend bought new cavalier - she totalled it two months later) 😛
 
I have a Scion TC and a 2004 Civic EX coupe. One good thing about the Civic is the highway gas mileage is excellent, 40+. Do you have long commutes? That is something to consider. I also think the current Civic EX coupe looks better than the Scion TC. Something about the Scion TC makes it look bloated from a direct side view, although from angles it looks good. I also dont like the low profile tires, I prefer standard tires.
 
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Originally posted by: flyboy84
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Originally posted by: flyboy84
I'm 21 and looking to get my first car. My 21st birthday was about a month ago, and my parents said they would help me out on getting a car. I've settled on a Civic EX Coupe. I was originally planning on looking for a used 2001-2004 model, but Hondas really don't depreciate that much, so it made more sense to me to get a new one. I've got a few grand saved up, make some money at school, and should be making good money over the summer (maybe as much as 5 Gs). I'll be graduating June '06, and have not decided if I'll be working or going to grad school (studying EE and doing a good job of it 😉). Regardless, I think I can throw together my resources to just make ends meet on a new car.

I've been asking around at a few dealers, and the lowest sticker price I've been given is ~17k. With current Honda financial incentives, that turns into ~242/month at 2.9% APR for 48 months (7.5k down, bless the 'rents). Does this sound about right? Should I press for lower? I think if I can get them down to 16,500 sticker, I'd really be able to put this together. I just don't know if that's possible. Does 17k sound very low already?

Any and all advice is appreciated!


Thanks!:beer:
Click to expand...


Civics haven't been selling as good as expected, and there's a new model coming out at the end of the year. You should be able to get the price lowered quite a bit more.
Click to expand...

How much lower do you think I could go? What kind of lingo should I use when bargaining?
Click to expand...


Maybe bring it down $1000 or so at best. It really depends on you dealer, and how much time you want to spend haggling over the price. It could take up to 3 hours or more depending how stubborn they can be.
Click to expand...


You really think I could get it down to 16k? The MSRP on the car is like 18,200 I think.
 
Originally posted by: miri
I have a Scion TC and a 2004 Civic EX coupe. One good thing about the Civic is the highway gas mileage is excellent, 40+. Do you have long commutes? That is something to consider. I also think the current Civic EX coupe looks better than the Scion TC. Something about the Scion TC makes it look bloated from a direct side view, although from angles it looks good. I also dont like the low profile tires, I prefer standard tires.
Click to expand...


I'll have a 5-6 mile commute to work over the summer. I'd also plan on doing some 2 Hr drives through highway/country roads to make it to my family's summer home 2hrs from my college.
 
They all look about the same, which is pretty plain if you ask me.

But honestly, everyone telling you to buy a used car is right. This is going to be your first car, and youre going to do stupid things to it. If you search around enough, you can get a great deal on a used car. If youre so dead set on a civic, get a 02/03 with low mileage. I personally picked up an 02 neon sxt for $5k with 15k miles. No need to spend over $17k plus interest to get a new car when you can get an almost new car for a fraction of the price.
 
Are you getting manual or automatic? Theres a big price difference between the two.

16k for a brand new Civic EX coupe automatic would be a very good price.

The 127hp Vtec in the Civic is weak though, even though the car is light, it doesnt compare to the Scion TC with its torque.
 
Originally posted by: flyboy84
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Originally posted by: flyboy84
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Originally posted by: flyboy84
I'm 21 and looking to get my first car. My 21st birthday was about a month ago, and my parents said they would help me out on getting a car. I've settled on a Civic EX Coupe. I was originally planning on looking for a used 2001-2004 model, but Hondas really don't depreciate that much, so it made more sense to me to get a new one. I've got a few grand saved up, make some money at school, and should be making good money over the summer (maybe as much as 5 Gs). I'll be graduating June '06, and have not decided if I'll be working or going to grad school (studying EE and doing a good job of it 😉). Regardless, I think I can throw together my resources to just make ends meet on a new car.

I've been asking around at a few dealers, and the lowest sticker price I've been given is ~17k. With current Honda financial incentives, that turns into ~242/month at 2.9% APR for 48 months (7.5k down, bless the 'rents). Does this sound about right? Should I press for lower? I think if I can get them down to 16,500 sticker, I'd really be able to put this together. I just don't know if that's possible. Does 17k sound very low already?

Any and all advice is appreciated!


Thanks!:beer:
Click to expand...


Civics haven't been selling as good as expected, and there's a new model coming out at the end of the year. You should be able to get the price lowered quite a bit more.
Click to expand...

How much lower do you think I could go? What kind of lingo should I use when bargaining?
Click to expand...


Maybe bring it down $1000 or so at best. It really depends on you dealer, and how much time you want to spend haggling over the price. It could take up to 3 hours or more depending how stubborn they can be.
Click to expand...


You really think I could get it down to 16k? The MSRP on the car is like 18,200 I think.
Click to expand...


It's all about persistence, It'll also help if you already have the financing taken care of. To take advantage of the 2.9% apr you can probably get qualified on Honda's website. With that already taken care of, you can tell them the exactly how much you want to pay out the door. So the dealer would have to work around that price.
 
Originally posted by: miri
Are you getting manual or automatic? Theres a big price difference between the two.

16k for a brand new Civic EX coupe automatic would be a very good price.
Click to expand...


yeah auto. I doubt I can get it down to 16k...but I'm hoping 16.5
 
Originally posted by: miri
Are you getting manual or automatic? Theres a big price difference between the two.

16k for a brand new Civic EX coupe automatic would be a very good price.

The 127hp Vtec in the Civic is weak though, even though the car is light, it doesnt compare to the Scion TC with its torque.
Click to expand...


I'm not into the whole performance thing...I just want a safe, reliable car.
 
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