Car buying: New vs. pre-owned

NovaGator

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Dec 10, 2015
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It’s like finding a leather glove in pristine condition that fits to perfection.
The prosecutors in the 1995 OJ Simpson murder case should have been so lucky!
 
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Spectator

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In '99 I bought a Ranger brand new. Kept it 20 years, 5 years too many. I bought a new '18 F150 in Sept. of '19. I also have two 15-20 yr old cars that were so cheap I couldn't say no. '04 Elantra is mechanically flawless, and a '95 Miata that is going to be a track day fun car but with extra weight from a new custom stereo w/ 6 speakers plus two in each headrest. A pair of custom seats is costing me more than the whole car.
 

AlexDaGator

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In '99 I bought a Ranger brand new. Kept it 20 years, 5 years too many. I bought a new '18 F150 in Sept. of '19. I also have two 15-20 yr old cars that were so cheap I couldn't say no. '04 Elantra is mechanically flawless, and a '95 Miata that is going to be a track day fun car but with extra weight from a new custom stereo w/ 6 speakers plus two in each headrest. A pair of custom seats is costing me more than the whole car.

:eek3:

Uhhh, does @oxrageous know about this???




Alex.
 

Spectator

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:eek3:

Uhhh, does @oxrageous know about this???




Alex.
I was saving up for a simracing rig last summer when a friend messaged me selling it because she bought a new jeep. She had it 17 years and put most of the 170k miles on it. I had no plans to buy one but having the opportunity to do laps at Sebring and Daytona, I couldn't say no. This week its getting all new belts, hoses, clutch master & slave, battery, brakes, rotors, calipers. To do list is adjustable coil overs, sway bars, and eventually paint.
 

oxrageous

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I was saving up for a simracing rig last summer when a friend messaged me selling it because she bought a new jeep. She had it 17 years and put most of the 170k miles on it. I had no plans to buy one but having the opportunity to do laps at Sebring and Daytona, I couldn't say no. This week its getting all new belts, hoses, clutch master & slave, battery, brakes, rotors, calipers. To do list is adjustable coil overs, sway bars, and eventually paint.
We are always suspicious of new members. Tell us more about yourself and what made you choose Gatorchatter.
 

Spectator

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We are always suspicious of new members. Tell us more about yourself and what made you choose Gatorchatter.

I like women. Gatorchatter was found by interwebz 'search for a better Gators forum than an old worn out cyberhole'

edit - new vs pre owned is a choice of warranty. Certified pre owned is usually the best value. My Ranger was great 10 years past the warranty I never used. I babied the F150 and it still blew the engine w/ 2k miles on it and died again in the first 4 months (Ford said it was the alternator).
 
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jeeping8r

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BTW getting rid of a miata for a Jeep is smart. Gonna put an LS in that miata?
 

Spectator

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BTW getting rid of a miata for a Jeep is smart. Gonna put an LS in that miata?

Her husband can't get in or out of it anymore so they got a Jeep. I have no plans for LS swap but if I keep the car long enough it may happen.
 

Spectator

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I know they are chick cars. This one will be a chick magnet. It'll be fun to autocross it until my grandkids can drive then I'll give it to them.
 

AlexDaGator

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I know they are chick cars. This one will be a chick magnet. It'll be fun to autocross it until my grandkids can drive then I'll give it to them.

Nope.

Not chick cars. Not chick cars at all.



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Alex.
 

g8tr76

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I needed a knock around truck about 10 years ago; I took a risk on a 7- owner 2003 F150 lariat with 110K on it for $5500; it was a deal too good to pass up; it has 230K now and runs great (no special maintenance). I had also been looking for a Caddy DTS because I like its size and comfort. I got a deal on a 2006 for $5400 with 61K; a one owner and looks and feels like it has been garaged.

I will buy a new work truck (not too equipped), but I won't buy another new car; my last was a 2009 Caddy CTS4 ($43,000). Beautiful car but recalls,and small issues occurred right away; those seemed to be corrected, but in 2017 i was lucky enough to spend $10,000 in repairs. Starting with a couple of grand to fix sensors sending engine lights on; electical problems that caused electronic information data to be wrong followed by a transfer case and transmission replacement. I sold the vehicle with an engine light on.

If you are looking for a used (politically incorrect-preowned) vehicle, get to know the general manager of a long-time new vehicle dealership. They see lots of vehicles and, if they see one that you might be interested in, they won't pass up on the opportunity to get their dealer fee. I buy from established dealers because they check the vehicle out for all safety issues, you will see a carfax, and you can haggle with them.
 

Swamp Donkey

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If you are looking for a used (politically incorrect-preowned) vehicle, get to know the general manager of a long-time new vehicle dealership.
Same person who sold you that turd of a Cadillac?

I've known a few, mostly old people, who bought that same car and have the same experience.

Not really sure what you're bragging about here: become friends with the general manager, who will screw you blind.
 

g8tr76

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Same person who sold you that turd of a Cadillac?

I've known a few, mostly old people, who bought that same car and have the same experience.

Not really sure what you're bragging about here: become friends with the general manager, who will screw you blind.

We were buying new so we bought our CTS4 from the best price dealer. We have other vehicles, but the DTS was purchased from a friend who is a general manager of another dealership. He has sold us several "pre-owned" vehicles for our kids all of which were fine automobiles. Our friend could not match the price for the CTS4.

I agree some general managers have no heart and will sell any piece of junk they can find for as much money as they can get. I don't think there is anything wrong with that, because it is a buyer beware business. But I was not bragging, I was simply saying, walking in off the street to buy a used vehicle is risky, but, if you get to know the general manager of a responsible dealership, you can get good vehicles at affordable prices.

So what do I mean about getting to know a general manager. I have lived in this community for the past 30 years. I am a member of three Chambers of Commerce, two service organizations, three advisory councils, four networking groups, three other business organizations and a church (not bragging it is what I have to do to make a living as a business owner). Unfortunately I bought the CTS4 outside of these groups, and, as I said. it was purchased for the price. There are indivuduals in these groups that I do business with that are more than casual acquaintances and a few are car dealers So if you (figurative) are sitting at home watching the tube instead of getting to know your community; how can you know "who will screw you blind" and who won't..

I know that most people cannot afford the time to do my level networking, but my point is simply find the time to find the person that you can deal with. Don't jump in and buy for the best price and don't fall in love with a vehicle. I have walked away from a deal more times than I have purchased. I should have done that with the CTS4, but it was a fine vehicle until the warrantee ran out after 6 years.
 
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