This last week I purchased a new car. Although there was nothing technically wrong with my old 2006 Dodge Charger, time had passed as had the miles and little by little the resale value of my car was diminishing. The leather interior had not weathered the elements too well and was cracking and the paint although not bad had seen better days.
My faithful old steed
So I looked online for about 2 months and last week I came upon an offer I could not pass up and that I knew was not likely to be repeated so after much hemming and hawing I finally went ahead and did it.
The new warhorse
Basically it’s an updated version of the same but it’s all the extras and new features that cinched the deal. I am quite satisfied that it will give me several years of faithful service.
Shiny new toys
I haven’t always been this deliberate in my purchasing process. I suppose my experiences mirror that of the typical American car consumer. Although to be honest with the way car prices are headed I may be among the last generations to think of purchasing a car as a given rather than the exception.
Growing up, a car seemed to almost be a given. You “would” get a car. Something on 4 wheels that rolls. Your financial situation may not be great but you would get something.
My first car was six years old, a hatchback, and had over 60000 miles on it but I adored it because it was mine and mine alone and I could command it to take me wherever I wanted. Such a sense of power for someone so young. Never mind that it looked like a humpbacked monstrosity. To me it was a formula 1 racer. I couldn’t wait to give the salesman my money and he knew it. No haggling, no back and forth. If he would have wanted to, he could have skinned me like a catfish, but the amount in question ($1200) wasn’t too much to bother with so I didn’t get fleeced that badly.
I couldn’t say the same for my 3rd car. I leased an Isuzu rodeo. Leasing is probably the biggest waste of money ever invented in the realm of car financing. A true waste of money. At the end of the lease you have nothing to show for the years of payments that you’ve made. Never again.
I’ve matured somewhat in my last 2 cars and have done extensive upfront research before I even stepped into a showroom. I’ve wrestled salesmen, finance managers, and evaluators to get the best deals for the new car and for my trade-in that is possible. Most importantly I’ve learned to minimize the importance of the extras.
Things like new electronics, leather seats, are nice but the really important details about a car are in the financing documents, the warranty, and the insurance. Set aside all those other considerations and focus on these three aspects of the purchasing process. If they don’t make sense then walk away from the deal. Go back and find another car you want.
It’s no good owning a car you can’t drive because you’re too scared that you might hit something or that empties your wallet as you drive it.
What’s more I think that if you take these factors into consideration that you will make a choice that is more reflective of the real you and will complement your personality better.
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