I Hate Car Shopping

I hate to shop for cars.

My youngest needs a car.  I have saved for years to buy him a new one when he graduated.  Does he need a new car?  No, he needs a car.  I decided to buy him a new one for my peace of mind.  I want him to have a car that is safe, reliable, and not going to cause me any undo headaches down the road. 

Now it is hard to buy a car for a child that does not like to drive, and the only the he knows cars is how to identify a truck, a van, a sedan, and a SUV.  He does know he does not want a truck, SUV, or a van.  He wants a car with 4 doors.

I sat down with him on Thursday night and had him look at KIA, Honda, and Ford.  I wanted him to be an informed consumer.  We looked at safety ratings and reviews.  

Yesterday, we went out and he drove a KIA Forte, Ford Focus, and Honda Civic.  He decided he wanted the Civic mainly because it has a digital speedometer.  

I called Mina "The Negotiator" and asked if she could go back to the dealership with us to talk pricing.  Mina is the person you want with you when you are getting ready to spend the money.  I am proud of the job I did getting the price I did on my van, but I hated it.  Mina had offered in the past and I knew I wanted her there.  

I called the salesman to tell he we were on our way back.  We arrived to find the car detailed and waiting.  He even put a temporary tag on it while we watched.  Then we went inside for the fun stuff.  Only it wasn't fun.  Let's just say that they would not budge, and I would not give.  I offered cash, and I offered to finance, whatever would give me the deal I wanted.  I wasn't even being unreasonable, but they wouldn't move over $700 off the first time, and then $500.00.  That wasn't enough.  

They then said they had some 2011 pre-owned low mileage on the lot.  We went to look at those. They had stickers on them $3-4,000 more than the new ones.  That was enough.  After talking about it we decided to leave.  As the salesman was walking us off the lot I made one more offer.  He wouldn't even take it in.  

Today we go go a new dealership.  I hope we come home with a car.  

I am not being unreasonable in my offer.  So hopefully my "Negotiator" will work her magic.