YACT: Car shopping

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MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
I found out yesterday that my Dad was looking for a car when he dragged me to the dealer. His first two choices were a Chevy Aveo for no-frills cheap transportation, or a Chevy HHR for a bit more cargo room. He likes them so far (hasn't driven either yet) and got the dealer down to a little over 16,000 on the HHR before we left. I also had him look at the Pontiac Vibe\Toyota Matrix (basically the same car) which he really liked but "there was something about it" that made him feel uneasy for whatever reason. He also got the dealer down around $16k on the Vibe.

Is there anything else to look at (either a dirt cheap econobox or ~$15k wagon\crossover) that really stands out? He's basically looking for gas mileage and low price. Crank windows and manual locks are no problem for him since anything is an upgrade from his current 86 Nissan Stanza Wagon. Also, is getting the dealers down to $15k on the Vibe\HHR and $8.5k on an Aveo completely insane?
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: Mike
Why would he spend time haggling the dealer without driving them?
Click to expand...
It was raining at the time, and he was really just starting to look today and they asked, "What price would make you take the car home tonight?" and then proceeded to call over a parade of "managers" trying to get him to cave.
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
From looking on Edmunds, he actually got pretty good offers on the HHR and Vibe. I'm trying to talk him into an 05\06 Cobalt for slightly more than the Aveo, but he just brushes me off. Am I crazy?
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
I like the HHR. It's a neat little car with a lot of functional space. Same with the Vibe, but I think overall the HHR has a little more room.

It also wouldn't hurt to look at the Malibu Maxx. Gas milage isn't as good, but it's a very miserly 6 cylinder. A little more comfortable in passenger space too. You can probably pick up a new one after incentives/rebates for around 15k-16k
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
I showed him the Malibu and he didn't like it, I think the Maxx would be a harder sell (more money, unique styling to say the least).
 
DougK62

DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
8,035
6
81
HHR is a good choice. May as well look at the PT Cruiser if all he's after is a cheap and practical car.

 
nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
61,572
17,181
136
Originally posted by: MDE
I showed him the Malibu and he didn't like it, I think the Maxx would be a harder sell (more money, unique styling to say the least).
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You know, I like some "unique" cars, but that thing is butt-ugly.
 
T

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
Mazda 3 hatch?

why was your dad haggling on cars he hasn't even driven?! and BTW, there's no point haggling if you aren't buying that day. the dealer will conveniently "forget" about their old offer and you'll have to start all over again anyway.
 
V

ValValline

Senior member
Feb 18, 2005
339
0
76
Be sure to have him look at the Mazda 3 hatch. The wife and I absolutely love our '07. Dollar for dollar you get a hell of a lot more car with the 3 than you do with the other cars in the same class (Matrix/Vibe, Rabbit, Caliber, HHR, etc)
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Mazda 3 hatch?

why was your dad haggling on cars he hasn't even driven?! and BTW, there's no point haggling if you aren't buying that day. the dealer will conveniently "forget" about their old offer and you'll have to start all over again anyway.
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I think he was just trying to get a quick deal. He did have them write their offer on a business card or a dealer offer sheet. For the Mazda3, I think that's a bit out of his budget. He's really only looking at the HHR trying to get a really good deal, and mainly after something like an Aveo. I keep telling him to look at a Certified used 05 or 06 Cobalt or something similar but he won't listen. I'm surprised I got him to even look at the Vibe.
 
PingSpike

PingSpike

Lifer
Feb 25, 2004
21,756
600
126
We just got an 06 Elantra last year. We recently had a cobalt as a rental. After being in the elantra I found the interior to be pretty underwelming on the cobalt...but it was just a base model rental. The car seemed to have decent power, but I didn't care for the seating either.
 
M

Mellman

Diamond Member
Jul 9, 2003
3,083
0
76
little smaller but look at the mazda 3, fun cars to drive, the hatch has a good bit of cargo space, comfortable holds 4 large adults, and they are relatively cheap if you go for the base models, loaded for around 19-20.
 
J

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
In my opinion it's a waste of money to buy an econobox new. You get much more for your money buying used, and it's not like you care about flashiness.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Originally posted by: jagec
In my opinion it's a waste of money to buy an econobox new. You get much more for your money buying used, and it's not like you care about flashiness.
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Well, buying American cars new that is certainly the case but it's not true for Japanese cars which tend to hold their value much better than the domestics.
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Resale value isn't going to really matter, he's probably going to keep it until it dies.
 
Ktulu

Ktulu

Diamond Member
Dec 16, 2000
4,354
0
0
Originally posted by: MDE
Resale value isn't going to really matter, he's probably going to keep it until it dies.
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Well it would still probably be better to look at some used HHR's with GM new warranty you can't really lose.
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: Ktulu
Originally posted by: MDE
Resale value isn't going to really matter, he's probably going to keep it until it dies.
Click to expand...

Well it would still probably be better to look at some used HHR's with GM new warranty you can't really lose.
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You don't need to convince me about that :p
 
P

Parasitic

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2002
4,000
2
0
The Aveo is a pretty unimpressive piece of shopping cart though. It's tiny and very quirky, not to mention not a horribly safe vehicle.

What about a Ford Focus? Or does it have to be a Chevy?
Maybe it's time to convince him to get a used Z28. It can be ecnonomical if you got the 6-speed...almost 30MPG on the highway.
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: Parasitic
The Aveo is a pretty unimpressive piece of shopping cart though. It's tiny and very quirky, not to mention not a horribly safe vehicle.

What about a Ford Focus? Or does it have to be a Chevy?
Maybe it's time to convince him to get a used Z28. It can be ecnonomical if you got the 6-speed...almost 30MPG on the highway.
Click to expand...
He doesn't like Ford or Chrysler and is being stubborn about wanting new. Trying to get him to even look at a used car is about as useful as substituting a javelin for a toothpick.
 
Ktulu

Ktulu

Diamond Member
Dec 16, 2000
4,354
0
0
Originally posted by: MDE
Originally posted by: Parasitic
The Aveo is a pretty unimpressive piece of shopping cart though. It's tiny and very quirky, not to mention not a horribly safe vehicle.

What about a Ford Focus? Or does it have to be a Chevy?
Maybe it's time to convince him to get a used Z28. It can be ecnonomical if you got the 6-speed...almost 30MPG on the highway.
Click to expand...
He doesn't like Ford or Chrysler and is being stubborn about wanting new. Trying to get him to even look at a used car is about as useful as substituting a javelin for a toothpick.
Click to expand...

Does it have to be an SUV? You can get a no frills Colorado for around 14k.
 
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