Hey All,

First time poster here.

I'm getting ready to start the buying process for my next car and I'm looking for some feedback on the method that I plan to use and the vehicles that I'm looking at.

I'd prefer to deal only with the internet/fleet managers in my next purchase. So, with that in mind I plan to do the following.

1. Request quotes on the cars I'm deciding between through Edmunds.com (see list below)
2. Reduce list of cars based on quotes
3. Test drive remaining
4. Choose favorite
5. Complete the deal

I haven't done any testdrives yet and want to follow the process above so that I only deal with the internet/fleet manager and not an on-the-lot salesperson. Is there another way to do that? The list of cars I'm looking at are as follows (in order of preference based on paper only).

1. G35 Sedan 6MT
2. Acura TL 6MT
3. Mazdaspeed 6 6MT
4. Lexus IS300 5MT
5. Volvo S40 T5 AWD 6MT
6. Acura TSX 6MT

As you can see, the G is the top choice . I'm pushing to make this decision soon, because Infiniti is running the 2.9 for 60 months thru the end of this month. One problem with my list above is that the Mazdaspeed 6 won't be out until fall, so it is off the list unless I decide to wait.

Any feedback on my buying process plan or the list of cars above (missing any?) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Damon

 

Just my opinion, but the Mazda doesn't really belong on this list of cars. Different quality and price range.

 

I wouldn't be so quick to rule out dealing with a lot jockey. The bottom line is find out what their invoice is on the car, Allow them to make a reasonable profit on it and stick to your guns. Walk away if you need to and try other Dealerships

 

Really? The Mazdaspeed 6 Grand Touring trim has an MSRP of 30k.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...er=mazdaSpeed6

 

The Mazdaspeed 6 is a whole different animal from the run-of-the-mill 6. It's AWD for one. It's loaded with a turbocharged 2.3-liter Four that cranks out something on the order of 270-plus horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque for another. And finally, it may end up leaving the G35 in the dust on the dragstrip. It'll certainly be a good match.

Neat car. Definitely belongs on the list if you're not a badge queen. If any car doesn't deserve a $30K-plus purchase, it's the aging, underpowered, oh-so-nineties IS300 that's been around in current form since Clinton was in the White House.

And damon, my advice would be to head out to a dealer, grab the first salesperson you see and ask for a test drive to get started. Whittle your list down first, then present serious purchase inquiries to the fleet guys.

Good luck!

 

Actually if I had to pick a car that doesn't belong on that list it would be the TSX. While I really like them there is no way 2.0L 200HP is going to compete with the rest of your list in terms of power.

I totally agree with JKWright on the Mazdaspeed 6 - it might be a dark horse in your test drive comparo, but is certainly worth a look. Please let us know how it goes.

 

I just spoke with my insurance company to get an idea of how the rates break down between the cars. I currently drive a 2000 Eclipse GT at 579/6 mo. Here is how the others compare.

1. G35 - 737
2. TSX - 652
3. TL - 752
4. S40 - 654
5. IS300 - 931!!! WTF!

Needless to say that basicly moves the IS300 way down the list.

I don't disagree with you on the TSX. I just left it in there, because it is probably the best value. It is just underpowered. I probably won't like it, because it won't have the power I'll want.

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming.

Damon

 

I'd test drive the cars that are in a reasonable price range for you before trying to get the lowest price by a few dollars. You don't want to spend alot of your time (or their time) getting a great price and then finding out you don't like the car. Just my 2 or 3 cents.

 

Dude, we have bought a lot of cars and the hubby worked with a company for a while that wrote software for used car lots. My suggestion to you would be to go take a test drive of each of the cars you are interested in. That should change the list a little - always has for us. Then decide what options you want. After that pick up the phone, call a dealership and tell them what you want. Go with the one that breaks their neck to find it for you. We drove a little over 90 miles one way to get our 2nd G because the dealership/salesperson broke his neck to dig up the car we wanted. We ended up buying a car they had on the lot already but we still bought there because of the service we had gotten.

The biggest thing is know what you want and tell them the first time out that you are ONLY doing a drive. The other thing is go at the end of the month. They are usually more willing to deal on those times.

Good luck and let us know how it goes,

C

 

This worked for us to get an invoice+ pricing on an FX35. Get a copy of Consumer Reports Car Buying guide, which has great detail for invoice pricing for base prices and options, carry it into the dealership. Also get business cards from your other short list dealers and make sure your salesperson sees them (accidentally). Don't be afraid to keep coming back to the same salesperson to let him know you are serious about getting the best price. Be patient and clever, sooner or later they will give in.

 

Months end is totally not a myth - that "trick" really does work. It took me almost three weeks to close the deal on my new sedan after a series of walking aways, driving other cars, calling fleet managers etc... Just be patient and don't get too attached to any car before you own it. If you manage to stay aloof odds are you will get the car you want at a good price.

 

Thanks for all the advice. It sounds like most people are suggesting just going in for a testdrive before getting any internet quotes. I was afraid that if I did that I would end up being tethered to the specific salesperson that handled the testdrive. So, if it's no big deal to just switch up salespeople to another on the lot or the fleet manager, then I'll try to take some testdrives this week.

 

One issue on which no one has touched is location of the drive wheels. In my book, a performance car must be RWD, which leaves the G and the IS. The soon-to-be-replaced IS is hardly a valid competitor to the G, which by elimination leaves.......the G. Wasn't that easy?

True the Mazda is AWD, but it still has a FWD weight and handling bias, not to mention its over-the-top appearance.

 

Make no mistake, my hands-down leader right now is the G. I'm just trying to be thorough this time around, just in case I miss something. My last purchase I basicly bought on site without looking at anything else. Didn't really have any remorse, but it doesn't fit who I am. I am more of a research, analyze, then make the decision type of guy.

As for the drivetrain point you make. I'm excited about a RWD car, because I've never owned one and I'd love that additional performance. However, I live in Minnesota, so AWD with the Mazda or Volvo (or to a lesser extent FWD) is still worth considering.

 

Damon, if you truly want the best price on a car, I highly recommend that you visit this website and take down some notes.

http://www.carbuyingtips.com

They tell you everything you need to know about buying a new car. As a matter of fact, I'm going to be using all their tips when negotiating the best price for my new G35x in a few months. If you decide to go that route, please let us know how it works out for you.