New car shopping has changed

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

The last time I shopped for a new car they actually had them on the lot. It would seem that all the cars I'm even slightly interested in are made out of unobtanium.

Subaru WRX, why Sir you'll have to order one of those if you really want one.
Subaru BRZ, why Sir you'll have to get on the waiting list if you really want one. I couldn't get lucky and walk onto the lot the day a new one shows up like Scott Johnson and buy it on the spot.
Hyundai Genesis coupe, Um yeah we don't have them and we aren't sure when they will be coming in.
Hyundai Velocitor Turbo, Um yeah we don't have them and we aren't sure when they will be coming in.
Toyota FR-S, why Sir you'll have to get on the waiting list if you really want one.
Ford Focus ST, Focus what? We have plenty of Focus Titanium editions. After asking about three people one person thought they might get them in sometime around November. I actually thought they were coming out later in the Fall so this wasn't a surprise but I wanted to see if the dealership had a specific date.

On a side note they do have a used Nissan GT-R at the Toyota dealer in Cary. I tried to convince my wife to sell the house so we could buy it but she wasn't going for it. I even tried the old "You can sleep in your car but you can't race your house" line on her.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:41 pm

Interested in a used 2009 WRX, under 30k mileage? I might know a guy....

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:52 am

So Shawn, based on all of this "wanting to buy a car" nonsense, I'm going to assume the Civic is history and it's totaled? I have to admit, it's fun buying a new car. At least you have some options.

JohnByers · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:18 am

Is it bad, that I want a new car. Even though it's not in the budget and the Buick is paid for and returns 25/30 mpg's regularly :lol:

I keep window shopping these as DD's. Maybe in a couple years.

http://www.cjwilsonmazda.com/web/new/Mazda-Mazda2-2012-Countryside-IL/3715863/?condition_id=10425

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:50 am

Used car shopping ain't that great either :soap:

It mostly goes like this:
1. Find a cool car listing on craigslist,
2. Of course there is no phone number
3. So you send an email
4. and why would anyone respond to emails :stick:

5. Lather, rinse, repeat

:banghead:

Cash Davidson · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:52 am

Shawn - I hear ya. Unless you are looking for plain vanilla, we have found dealer to be nearly useless. We have bought 3 of our last 4 new vehicles over the internet, sight unseen, after several dealers told us they were unavailable or would have to be ordered:

2000 Excursion (We wanted cloth seats, 2WD and Diesel) - Found it in Georgia
2009 Bullitt - Found it in Philly
2011 Fusion (We wanted 4cyl with Nav) - Found it in DC

I think with the increase in internet sales, most dealers are less interested in dealer transfers. We found we could get a much better price haggling with the dealer that had the car in hand than with a dealer that was going to "find us one".

The lesson is: Prepare to spend time scouring the internet, you'll eventually find what you want. It has taken us several weeks and sometimes a couple months.

Good Luck!
Cash

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:19 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

Used car shopping ain't that great either :soap:

It mostly goes like this:
1. Find a cool car listing on craigslist,
2. Of course there is no phone number
3. So you send an email
4. and why would anyone respond to emails :stick:

5. Lather, rinse, repeat

:banghead:

I'll say it again, CRAIGSLIST SUCKS. If someone was giving away a free car I'd never know because I simply refuse to shop there.

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

Yep the Honda is history. The plan now is to buy something older and reliable to act as a DD and hopefully find something cooler over the next 2-6 months.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2012 10:19 am

shawnwhipple wrote:

Yep the Honda is history. The plan now is to buy something older and reliable to act as a DD and hopefully find something cooler over the next 2-6 months.

Not sure what your spend meter will allow, but the Mini in the link I posted was under NADA by 2k. Not sure the dealer knew what he had. You could also consider a used mustang like Art and I have. I'd consider an 07 if you even think this is an option for you. 07 and up mustangs had a stiffer chassis due the GT500 being offered. Same chassis for all the cars. Pretty robust car w/ tons of options and a great FS car, but sucks as an STX car.

I've always had a pension for BMW's as well, damn nice driving car. You could consider a '00-'05 330i. Should be a lot to chose from at a decent price. I know VK will jump on this, and yes the car does have some soft spots, but that in line 6 is sweet w/ good low end torque. If you could find a ZHP package car like the one that Chuck won't sell, that would be worth picking up. Maybe you can fit in one w/ a sunroof.

Whatever you do, have fun hunting for the car!

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:16 pm

Wait for the Focus ST to arrive?

Jeremy Ellison · **Joined:** Fri May 13, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 186

Get an s2000 and come play with us in STR :twisted:

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Fri Aug 17, 2012 4:49 pm

WRX 2005. that is what i got, plenty happy with her. Although we got her from a college girl from almost w va. Blacksburg va.
then close to 40k miles. now 80k miles. hahaha. impressive huh, Also, a little older STI could be alot of fun. Many of my subie freinds have older STI sedans. They are plenty quick, pretty, and great car.

Craigslist, paper, KBB, used car websites, there are ways to get car info online if used .

Get a subaru and come rallycrossing! Or lower it and beat Sebastien in track stuff.

We used a GRM issue and some heresay to inspect my wrx in va, before buying her. Would you believe i almost spun my future car in the rain? It was wet that day,
and it had bald tires.. My test drive was entertaining! fun cars. Ask Mike Whitney or Kevin or many people. I dont know wether I would fit in a BRZ.. tall waisted people are not exactly sports car people.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

shawnwhipple wrote:

and hopefully find something cooler over the next 2-6 months.

Here ya go! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Mazda2. Even Andy Hollis is doing it.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Silence. What did Shawn buy?

I guess the black Boss 302 didn't meet Shawn's requirements. He needs more power. And here it is: http://www.universityforddurham.com/new ... 2D5245923/

As of two weeks ago, they were only asking a $10000 'market adjustment' surcharge. Even with that, you're paying less than $117/hp. If you think about it, that's very reasonable.

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