OpinionatedCyborg
Member
As an 18 year old male who's been privileged with a nearly free education, many job offers without making inquiries, and a bit more financial sense than the average white 16 - 21 year old guy, I have enough cash kicking around to purchase my first vehicle. Now, while I have some financial sense compared to my frivolous peers, I'm pretty sure I'm lacking in that department when contrasted with some of ya'll, which is why I'm here for your sage advice.
So here's my quandary: I like fast, good looking cars. And unfortunately for my bank account (and safety--for myself and others), I have the cash to purchase one. Now, in better judgement, I've decided that my dream of cruising the city in a/an MR2/Corvette/Type-R/WRX/Charger/Porshe 911 etc should be put on hold until I'm a little older (aka, early to mid 20s), wealthier, wiser, and more mature.
Flying around the streets in mid-engine, rear wheel drive car, with 3 - 4 grand in aftermarket upgrades (I hear you can buy pretty nice coffee cans and 12 ft spoilers for that amount of cash) is appealing as it is stupid. So, I'm sacrificing speed, handling, and general impractibility for a car that can be winter driven (Canadian lolz), carry lots of cargo and have enough room for friends and dead bodies,
I've decided that an Acura Integra probably would fit the bill nicely. It's cheaper, both at the pump and at the sales lot, than most other cars I had in mind, so I think my decision to seek this model out is a good one. It might be generic, and abused to death by the ricer crowd, but it's a good car that fits my situation nicely.
OK, the real point of my post, besides using GAF as a personal blawg: I'm going to visit a couple dealers tomorrow that Integra, and other similar vehicles I'm interested in, and I'd like to hear some of your thoughts as to how I should handle myself.
How does one get the best deal out of a salesman?
What things should be warning bells to me?
How does one properly balance questioning with friendliness (I'm a bit interrogative and brisk with salesmen...not a bad thing, but it doesn't hurt if they like you either)?
I'm not a total idiot when it comes to this kind of stuff, but any input would be helpful, if for nothing else but to solidify what little common sense I have before potentially throwing 15k+ away on a car.
Stories of how you swindled a dealer/got ownt yourself are also welcome.
So here's my quandary: I like fast, good looking cars. And unfortunately for my bank account (and safety--for myself and others), I have the cash to purchase one. Now, in better judgement, I've decided that my dream of cruising the city in a/an MR2/Corvette/Type-R/WRX/Charger/Porshe 911 etc should be put on hold until I'm a little older (aka, early to mid 20s), wealthier, wiser, and more mature.
Flying around the streets in mid-engine, rear wheel drive car, with 3 - 4 grand in aftermarket upgrades (I hear you can buy pretty nice coffee cans and 12 ft spoilers for that amount of cash) is appealing as it is stupid. So, I'm sacrificing speed, handling, and general impractibility for a car that can be winter driven (Canadian lolz), carry lots of cargo and have enough room for friends and dead bodies,
I've decided that an Acura Integra probably would fit the bill nicely. It's cheaper, both at the pump and at the sales lot, than most other cars I had in mind, so I think my decision to seek this model out is a good one. It might be generic, and abused to death by the ricer crowd, but it's a good car that fits my situation nicely.
OK, the real point of my post, besides using GAF as a personal blawg: I'm going to visit a couple dealers tomorrow that Integra, and other similar vehicles I'm interested in, and I'd like to hear some of your thoughts as to how I should handle myself.
How does one get the best deal out of a salesman?
What things should be warning bells to me?
How does one properly balance questioning with friendliness (I'm a bit interrogative and brisk with salesmen...not a bad thing, but it doesn't hurt if they like you either)?
I'm not a total idiot when it comes to this kind of stuff, but any input would be helpful, if for nothing else but to solidify what little common sense I have before potentially throwing 15k+ away on a car.
Stories of how you swindled a dealer/got ownt yourself are also welcome.