Ask an automobile mechanic.

JonF said:
Dang, its just not your week is it? Water is a real sumbitch...

I got 180k out of this one so i guess i can't complain. Went to start her up the other day and it was turning over reall sluggish. It fired but then was howling like a banshee. Popped the hood only to see the serpentine belt turning and smoking but the alternator pulley was not. Ran around the door to kill the ignition and hear the *POP* as the belt let go with vivacious enthusiasm!

Bearings locked up tighter than a nun's... well.. you know. Housing cracked in several places and falling apart. There goes my core return credit...

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It's still a core, I don't think there is a condition clause. 😁
 
JonF said:
Dang, its just not your week is it? Water is a real sumbitch...

I got 180k out of this one so i guess i can't complain. Went to start her up the other day and it was turning over reall sluggish. It fired but then was howling like a banshee. Popped the hood only to see the serpentine belt turning and smoking but the alternator pulley was not. Ran around the door to kill the ignition and hear the *POP* as the belt let go with vivacious enthusiasm!

Bearings locked up tighter than a nun's... well.. you know. Housing cracked in several places and falling apart. There goes my core return credit...

View attachment 224370
Click to expand...
180k miles, or 180 leagues under the sea?
 
Not sure where to ask this and avoiding a new thread, so what's the protocol for buying a car new or used when you have a trade-in with some problems. Car leaks oil badly but runs well with a recent timing done and new AC compressor. Do you first get a trade-in price then ask to look at the car you want to buy? If the demand wasn't still high on cars I'd check out the car I'd want then come back the next day with the trade-in.

Also, I hear cash is not king when it comes to buying a car. So do I tell them I'd like to finance up front even though I intend to pay it off in a few weeks, or wait till we've agreed on a price. Lastly, I was arguing with MrsQ that it wouldn't help with her being there. The last time she bought a car with here parents in 2019, the three of them went together and paid sticker including some dealer mark ups...

Think @Carson is the local expert here but sure there's others with good advice.
 
qclabrat said:
Not sure where to ask this and avoiding a new thread, so what's the protocol for buying a car new or used when you have a trade-in with some problems. Car leaks oil badly but runs well with a recent timing done and new AC compressor. Do you first get a trade-in price then ask to look at the car you want to buy? If the demand wasn't still high on cars I'd check out the car I'd want then come back the next day with the trade-in.

Also, I hear cash is not king when it comes to buying a car. So do I tell them I'd like to finance up front even though I intend to pay it off in a few weeks, or wait till we've agreed on a price. Lastly, I was arguing with MrsQ that it wouldn't help with her being there. The last time she bought a car with here parents in 2019, the three of them went together and paid sticker including some dealer mark ups...

Think @Carson is the local expert here but sure there's others with good advice.
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I always want to know - 1 Out the Door Price, 2 know how you will finance the purchase. Trade in value can always be negotiated.
Good luck
 
qclabrat said:
Not sure where to ask this and avoiding a new thread, so what's the protocol for buying a car new or used when you have a trade-in with some problems. Car leaks oil badly but runs well with a recent timing done and new AC compressor. Do you first get a trade-in price then ask to look at the car you want to buy? If the demand wasn't still high on cars I'd check out the car I'd want then come back the next day with the trade-in.

Also, I hear cash is not king when it comes to buying a car. So do I tell them I'd like to finance up front even though I intend to pay it off in a few weeks, or wait till we've agreed on a price. Lastly, I was arguing with MrsQ that it wouldn't help with her being there. The last time she bought a car with here parents in 2019, the three of them went together and paid sticker including some dealer mark ups...

Think @Carson is the local expert here but sure there's others with good advice.
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Get quotes from Carvana, Carmax, Vroom, etc on what you can sell your car for. At least you'll know what you can get without the hassle of a private party sale. Don't let them know about the trade until you have a the best price from the dealer. Otherwise you'll never really know what your paying.

Maybe @Carson should set up a car buying service. You shop, get your best price, he shops and you split whatever savings he can negotiate. Fun for all.
 
qclabrat said:
Not sure where to ask this and avoiding a new thread, so what's the protocol for buying a car new or used when you have a trade-in with some problems. Car leaks oil badly but runs well with a recent timing done and new AC compressor. Do you first get a trade-in price then ask to look at the car you want to buy? If the demand wasn't still high on cars I'd check out the car I'd want then come back the next day with the trade-in.

Also, I hear cash is not king when it comes to buying a car. So do I tell them I'd like to finance up front even though I intend to pay it off in a few weeks, or wait till we've agreed on a price. Lastly, I was arguing with MrsQ that it wouldn't help with her being there. The last time she bought a car with here parents in 2019, the three of them went together and paid sticker including some dealer mark ups...

Think @Carson is the local expert here but sure there's others with good advice.
Click to expand...

Having just assisted my two oldest boys with buying cars, this is fresh in my mind and I use a few hard and fast rules:

1. Cost of the new car - meaning what is the actual cost of just the car without fees, taxes etc.. This is the price you negotiate the hardest on.
2. Pick apart their fees, costs extras - this is where the dealers make the most money off you with dealer add ons like window etching, doc fees etc.. This is where you tell them what you are or are not willing to pay for and where you tell them to take it off the price of the car in #1.
3. Trade in is to be treated as a separate transaction as if you are selling the car to someone else. You can reveal whatever you want or let them assess it and see what they find its on them to check it over.
4. Do not let them push you to tell "what you want your payment to be" this will be the green light for them to mess around with the numbers to land at that amount without understanding what you are really paying for.
5. I always tell them I will sleep on whatever deal they present. Do not fall for the sale pressure about if you leave the deal is no good tomorrow or next week. if thats true then tell them you wont be back. You run the risk of them selling the car you want but I would expect youre shopping it around anyway.

edit - its true cash is NOT king they will lose money when they dont finance but you can put down a substantial deposit and pay it off early. Most dealers charge MORE when you pay cash since that cuts the finance guy out of the picture.

However they wont miss an opportunity to try and upsell more warranty coverage etc... so just stay alert and dont concede just because you got a great deal for the car from above.
 
qclabrat said:
Not sure where to ask this and avoiding a new thread, so what's the protocol for buying a car new or used when you have a trade-in with some problems. Car leaks oil badly but runs well with a recent timing done and new AC compressor. Do you first get a trade-in price then ask to look at the car you want to buy? If the demand wasn't still high on cars I'd check out the car I'd want then come back the next day with the trade-in.

Also, I hear cash is not king when it comes to buying a car. So do I tell them I'd like to finance up front even though I intend to pay it off in a few weeks, or wait till we've agreed on a price. Lastly, I was arguing with MrsQ that it wouldn't help with her being there. The last time she bought a car with here parents in 2019, the three of them went together and paid sticker including some dealer mark ups...

Think @Carson is the local expert here but sure there's others with good advice.
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Some good advice above. I think more specific advice can come after we have more details. What are you looking to buy? What are you trading/selling?
 
qclabrat said:
2015 Tiguan with 107k for 2020 compact SUV, Toyota or Honda with under 40k miles
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So they are just going to wholesale that Tiggy. I would look into Carvana, etc and also see what they are selling for used on ebay, FB marketplace.

Additionally, 3 year old Hondas and Toyotas go for staggering amounts. They hold their value so well that it almost makes no sense in this market. I would at least consider buying new. Price it out. If you would be happy with base model levels of options, you might be surprised that the cost difference between them isn't as much as you thought, plus you get the benefit of full warranty coverage and lower interest rates.

The new Honda HR-V is much nicer than the older model and it starts at the same price as the Civic sedan. Downside is a CVT but they have gotten better.
Mazda CX-5/CX-50. Smallest mid-size SUV with a sporty nature and good old regular transmission.
 
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Carson said:
Additionally, 3 year old Hondas and Toyotas go for staggering amounts. They hold their value so well that it almost makes no sense in this market.
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I can confirm this. I have noted that we have been leasing Honda Odyssey's since 2002 and when I returned my 2019 to get the 2023 last summer, we had a huge equity in it to lower my next lease.

Meantime last week the dealer called me and wants to buy me out of my current lease and put me in a 2024 - im considering it only if they can lower my payments. Current 2023 only has 11000K miles on it after 14 months on a 12K a year lease. If the equity value they want to give me makes sense the wife said do it.
 
Carson said:
Additionally, 3 year old Hondas and Toyotas go for staggering amounts. They hold their value so well that it almost makes no sense in this market. I would at least consider buying new. Price it out.
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Can confirm.
When I was looking ~18 months ago, used Hondas were legitimately more expensive than new.
And this is comparing listings at the same dealership.
 
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