Hey guys, long time no speak. Well the integra finally quit on me a few weeks back, with 232k plus miles on it. Time for a new one. Last 2 cars i have owned have been a 90 and 92 teg. I love the cars but im looking for something a little newer, keeping in mind a 90 will be considered an antique in a few years...

Anyways, i have 9g's to spend on a car. I want a walk in, buy it, be done with it kind of deal. I dont want payments i just want it flat out. I been looking around the last few weeks and have been eyeing a mid 2000 mazda3 or 6. Test drove an 07 3 and was very happy with it. Anyone have anything to say about those cars? I am still looking around at the civics and accords as well. Can you guys recommend another car out there that would fit my budget and what i need. Has to be 4 door (between me and gf we have 5 kids) and we already have one car big enough for everyone, but i still want a 4 door, just easier that way. Decent gas mileage.... And thats about it. Any help will be appreciated.

Oh, one more question. I know dealers come down on price when paying with cash. Is there a certain amount they normally come down? Another words if there is a car thats 10,500 would it be insulting to them to offer 9g's cash?

 

I don't care about dealers feelings. If I have 9k and I want a car, I'll put it out there.. 9k is all I have. if they get insulted so what? There are plenty of cars out there and plenty of dealers who need the business.

 

Dealers won't be insulted if you low-ball them, they get that ish all the time. They just won't sell you the car if they won't make enough. Private sellers might feel insulted if you lowball them, but so what? If you can't buy their car for the money you have, you'll never see them again. And I don't think dealers will knock much off because you are paying cash -- they make more money when you finance through them. Private sellers might knock some off if you've got hard cash, as it decreases the hassle significantly over writing a check, getting a money order, meeting at a bank, etc.

I also don't think $9k is really a lowball on a $10.5k car, that seems like a solid starting offer. I helped a buddy offer $9k to a private seller on an $11.5k car once, and he ended up buying it for $10k. I say you need to offer at LEAST 10-20% off the asking price to start, on just about any car. If they're asking $10.5k and you want to spend $9k, start at $8k and stand firm at $9k.

The Mazda 3 is a good bet, as is a the others you mentioned. Subaru Impreza is pretty reliable as well, though gas mileage is probably not as good as the others.

 

Thanks for the advice, think im goin car shoppin this weekend. Just tryin to get everything in order before i do. I need this one to last me a while.

 

You'll get more for your money buying from a private seller. However, I prefer going the dealer route because any reputable dealer (or less shady dealer if you believe there's no such thing as a reputable dealer) will have their techs inspect the vehicle and do a few maintenance items like change the oil as well as clean up the car inside and out. Unless you buy from a extra shady dealer, you're less likely to end up with a car with problems that the seller has tried to cover up. Once a private seller has your money and signs over the title, he could care less what happens beyond that. A dealer probably doesn't want the bad publicity associated with misrepresenting the conditions of the used cars they sell.