Comments | jodimuse: A Car Question...

jodimuse

A Car Question...

Mar 07, 2011 19:22

Hi folks! Lots has been going on here - including a brief trip to Atlanta for Anachrocon to sing with Play It With Moxie (w00t! Note our fantastic new logo - Thanks Brian!) and participate in a voice over UNconference :) called Faffcon (Faffcon3 is already being advertised - and I'm really looking forward to going to it. I was at Faffcon2). I ( Read more... )

car questions

Comments 23

moebiuscat March 8 2011, 03:49:54 UTC

Hi Jodie, it's Roman - here are my 2 cents ( ... )

jodimuse March 8 2011, 23:19:46 UTC

Awesome advice, Roman! I appreciate the thoroughness! Lots of things to consider. I've now talked with someone about a new VW Jetta Highline model ... and it's proving to be about the same cost as the Chevy Cruze I looked at, believe it or not ... They do tell me though that I'll need to order the car 8 weeks before I can pick it up because they have a shortage after the new 2011 model was introduced. Ouch. In my experience, the Mazdas have been the most expensive out there - including VW. And they haven't been all that willing to do any bargaining.

But are you suggesting that I bargain for the cash price and then introduce financing afterwards? Will they do that?

moebiuscat March 9 2011, 00:47:54 UTC

Yes, exactly. Financing or lease is a separate process from everything else, so it's not connected to final price. They earn on your financing, so there should be no problem to talk about it separately, when the cash price is set.

They just use financing to trick you because with downpayment and other variables you're not immediately know what you're getting. Just tell them "let's talk about final all-inclusive cash price, we can talk about financing later, if I like the price" or something like that. I can also compare your own financing options when you have that price.

jodimuse March 9 2011, 03:09:18 UTC

A good point, Roman. And I'll definitely take your advice! Thanks!

starmalachite March 8 2011, 06:20:33 UTC

I don't know if it's available in Canada, but the Consumer Reports car issue just came out down here. This is always a good place to start looking. Want me to bring a copy for you to FKO ( ... )

jodimuse March 8 2011, 23:22:45 UTC

I hear ya on the cup holders. I'm pretty sure that CAA offers a kind of consumer report on the best cars in their class so I will likely take a look at that (thanks for the offer though!). Ford Fusion... You know, you're about the third person to mention that to me. I've been avoiding Ford mostly because of perceived lower resale value ... but I'm wanting to buy a car here that I'll adore for 10 years so... who knows? Maybe it's something to seriously consider. Thanks for your input! :)

madfilkentist March 8 2011, 10:52:09 UTC

Avoid remote start, or make sure that it can be disabled. There have been reports that remote start systems are very easily broken into.

jodimuse March 8 2011, 23:23:01 UTC

Ah. Thanks for the warning!

sexybass March 8 2011, 14:46:24 UTC

We have been very happy with our Ford Escape and it is very quiet and gets excellent fuel economy and has lots of room for 4 people and luggage and stuff. It is a Hybrid which are very costly but Sue's daughter Liz bought the non Hybrid one and loves it as well and they get good fuel economy and are a lot cheaper. The options we got are moon roof and all wheel drive which isn't a must but we love the moon roof. The back seats fold down which is nice as well. I love the fact it beeps when it detects objects behind you. Excellent view of the road and instruments and handles nicely. Heated seats are nice as well. I also like the Ford Fusion.

jodimuse March 8 2011, 23:24:15 UTC

Ah. Heated seats. :) I am trying not to go the route of the SUV though, Tom - as wonderful as that car sounds. Bottom line is that I don't think it'll fit in our small garage!

autographedcat March 8 2011, 15:47:05 UTC

I am extraordinarily happy with the 2007 Toyota Prius I bought last year. Great gas mileage and with the back seats down I can carry an impressively large amount of stuff for the overall size of the car.

jodimuse March 8 2011, 23:25:00 UTC

Mary has one of those too and loves it. Something to consider ... Thanks for your opinion!

seishonagon March 9 2011, 01:40:31 UTC

The Prius, being a well-made hybrid, is much quieter when it moves than most cars are. If you get a Prius, you should make sure to get all the sound alerts you can get, so it beeps loudly outside the car when you do certain things, like going in reverse. Otherwise, it can be extremely dangerous to people around you who are even slightly hearing- or vision-impaired.

jodimuse March 9 2011, 03:10:13 UTC

A very good point - and one I'll keep in mind. Thanks!