buying new car

I'm sure there are some car experts on here, would like to here your thoughts. I am looking to get a certified preowned vehicle. I think i have narrowed it down to two. I am looking at an 08 maxima (like the car) and an 11 sonata(like the gas mileage)(I know insert buy american here, you sell out). I haven't started haggling yet but I am not sure where to start they are asking 19995 for the maxima. Would 17k be insulting to offer, I don't know how much wiggle room there is on a CPO. I know used have a big margin and new are pretty tight, but I am unsure on CPO. Any other suggests I am open to, just want four doors 25+ fuel econ. and leather. Thanks for any advice and warnings

 

Personally i'd go nissan....and who cares if you insult em....they are basically calling you a fool with the first price...i'd low ball the crap out of them and see what they counter....then low ball the crap out of them again...make them feel like YOUR in control...and you'll get a better price

I did this with my wife's yaris....i told them the BOTTOM line that I was going to pay...they didnt like it...at all...lol But I wouldnt budge...i ended up getting up and walking out and leaving...2 days later i got a call that they were ready to sell...lol

 

Kelly blue book the trade in value of the car then subtract $500-1000, that's prob what they have in it!

 

I have a 2012 Sonata. Very happy with it. I believe 40% is made in USA FWIW.
That said, I am not getting nearly the milage they advertise. My right foot is pretty heavy though.

I agree about low-balling and going off of blue book.

Do either have warranties?
I paid a little more for bumper to bumper and my warranty is transferable if I sell it.
matt

 

I agree with the above, I would walk out at least once to make them nervous if you haven't already done so. If you are going to finance, have that in hand before you walk onto the lot. Dealer financing will always be higher than it could be. Do your research, go to cars.com, kbb.com, etc. I would stay with Nissan, I am on my 2nd in 12 years and I have nothing but great things to say about Nissan. CPO is a good way to go, I did that on an Acura and a Jeep years ago and they were a little more to start with but gave me no problems. Have you considered any other Japanese models? Honda and Toyota make some fine cars as well if you are looking for a basis for comparison. I used to sell cars so I know a lot of the "tricks of the trade" beware of trade ins and always insist on a car fax. Good luck, sounds like you are off to a good start!

 

I believe they both have 100,000 mile power train and the sonota has a bumper to bumper out to 30k i think. How much of a difference in gas mileage are you seeing?

 

Thanx for the advice already got loan approval from personal bank and I haven't looked at toyota or honda yet.

 

I had a 2003 Maxima and liked it a lot. The engine in the Maxima is one of the best ever made. You get a great combination of power with "decent" gas mileage. Mine had terrible torque steer and the turning radius of a school bus, but those are the only negatives. I read that the torque steer is still an issue with more recent models, but hopefully you can do a u-turn without needing a couple extra lanes.

And if you don't insult them with your offer you are doing yourself a disservice. They expect that and price the car accordingly.

 

I am getting 23 so far. But a lot of that is city driving. And I only have 700 miles on it, so it just broke in. Real time MPG shows me I could get a lot more once I do highway a lot more. I take the train to work so it doesn't get that much action .. yet.

 

+1 Since ya already got loan approval through a bank, you know what APR ya can get. But most dealerships can take that bank offer and knock off 1/4%-1/2% off that, even with the same bank. So let them try to get ya a lower APR.

Personally I'd go with the newer hyundai, almost bought one last fall.