Car buying + SPS search

[dawgstate]

First off, I recall threads on this topic but, is it just me, or is there no better way to search past topics on this message board? I see a ton of folks rehashing the same topics and there can’t be that many narcissistic fools like myself out there. Thanks for any help.

Back to the topic at hand…I admit I enjoy the bigger ones, SUVs that is. So, to cover all the uncomfortable items for all you that are concerned…I’m old enough that it’s not a status symbol for me but definitely for comfort + for a large family - it will not be financed as I budget and have no need - we have one vehicle. I’ve always treated this as an investment (although a sh1tty one) or like most other large purchases - researched to death, but these things are out of control with most being $1,000/mo based on a normal 60-mo amo. and we normally keep them 8 yrs/less than 100k mi. or whatever maintenance dictates. My wife thinks we just go pick these out in one day on adrenaline and dopamine. The manufactures/dealers (I believe) relish in the chaos created by all the models/package differences when trying to compare prices - good for them, I guess that’s good marketing. Lastly, there’s little appreciation for the cash buyer anymore.

Any advice (+/-) on recent large SUV buying experience, vehicle recs, research, etc. Always been a GMC/Chevy person but leaning Wagoneer (not Grand) or Expedition for ride comfort now. This process drives me nuts as I feel it should when sinking $$$ at or near a mortgage payment for a depreciating asset. Thanks for sharing in the rant!

 

[8dog]

I’d buy something quickly.

 

[Dawgbite]

Cash used to be king but no more. Couple of years ago I was buying a new Jeep. This was pre Covid so negotiations were still a thing. i knew exactly what I wanted and finally found one a a nearby dealer. Went and looked at it, test drove it but didn’t buy the first day. I never buy the first day, it’s something my father taught me. It removes the emotion aspect of the deal. Went back and forth on price with the salesman over text and call and we finally agreed on a price, financing was never discussed. I went to pick it up with a check in hand for the full amount. They refused to sell it to me for cash. They would honor the price only if I financed it. I walked away, found the exact Jeep at another dealer weeks later and paid cash for it. I’m a Jeep guy, always have been and always will be but the Jeep isn’t as good a vehicle as the GM SUVs. Recently saw a list of vehicles that you can reasonably expect to go over 200,000 miles. All four of the big GM SUVs were in the top ten. The rest of the list was primarily Toyota’s and Honda’s. Wasn’t a Chrysler of Ford product on the list.

 

[40 acres and a mule]

I have been a Chevy fan as well. We have a later model Tahoe, and I was surprised at how uncomfortable it was. It has all the new-fangled warning vibrators in the seats which makes them as hard a rock. The seats are also narrower. Add to that on ours the upholstery fabric had a design with piping that dug into your thighs and ***. On a long trip it was brutal. I later told the dealer the seats were like sitting on a cypress knee and it was the most uncomfortable vehicle I had ever bought. He was not amused. It has aged and broken in some now so it is not as bad.

It it also hard to see out the sides and rear. With out all the lane change warning gadgets and back up camera it would be impossible to drive safely.

 

[Dawg Raid]

Buy with cash, keep until the wheels runoff

 

[dawgstudent]

Search instructions (it's much easier to search on non-mobile device)



Results - https://www.on3.com/boards/search/4080747/?q="car+buying"&t=post&c[child_nodes]=1&c[nodes][0]=151&o=relevance

 

[jethreauxdawg]

First off, I recall threads on this topic but, is it just me, or is there no better way to search past topics on this message board? I see a ton of folks rehashing the same topics and there can’t be that many narcissistic fools like myself out there. Thanks for any help.

Back to the topic at hand…I admit I enjoy the bigger ones, SUVs that is. So, to cover all the uncomfortable items for all you that are concerned…I’m old enough that it’s not a status symbol for me but definitely for comfort + for a large family - it will not be financed as I budget and have no need - we have one vehicle. I’ve always treated this as an investment (although a sh1tty one) or like most other large purchases - researched to death, but these things are out of control with most being $1,000/mo based on a normal 60-mo amo. and we normally keep them 8 yrs/less than 100k mi. or whatever maintenance dictates. My wife thinks we just go pick these out in one day on adrenaline and dopamine. The manufactures/dealers (I believe) relish in the chaos created by all the models/package differences when trying to compare prices - good for them, I guess that’s good marketing. Lastly, there’s little appreciation for the cash buyer anymore.

Any advice (+/-) on recent large SUV buying experience, vehicle recs, research, etc. Always been a GMC/Chevy person but leaning Wagoneer (not Grand) or Expedition for ride comfort now. This process drives me nuts as I feel it should when sinking $$$ at or near a mortgage payment for a depreciating asset. Thanks for sharing in the rant!

Recently got an expedition. Expected to get a suburban but the ride of the expedition is noticeably better. I’m nervous about the turbo V6, but we’re not gonna be towing anything with it. Whatever you go with, compare prices between different dealers of the same brand in town. We got a much better price at one for dealer the same vehicle

 

[ETK99]

Here's a secret, you can get over 300K miles out of any U.S./Japanese made automobile if you properly maintain it, except for Dodge/Jeep and Nissan. Read the info on which have what problems, don't buy a first year model. Good luck, dealerships suck, so don't fool with one that won't attempt to work with you. Oh, and look at their inventory days, At 90 days on the lot, they start working with you more. Just bought a Ford Truck and got a great deal!

 

[17itdawg]

Back to the topic at hand…I admit I enjoy the bigger ones,

 

[GloryDawg]

 

[Puppers]

My last truck I bought I emailed all of the dealers close to me and told them what I wanted and got each to give me the best price. A few dealers wanted $10k more for the exact same truck.

Be sure to cast a wide net and find a dealer who is willing to negotiate. I'm not sure what area you live in but in my past experiences the DeSoto Co./ Memphis dealers were were higher and less flexible than the other MS dealers I talked to.

 

[The Peeper]

My last truck I bought I emailed all of the dealers close to me and told them what I wanted and got each to give me the best price.

If you do this get a new throw away email address to use and a burner wifi phone number from somebody like "Text Now" that you can use because they will harass the hell out of you. The burner can work off just wifi or you can get a SIM, I just use it for a number when I buy something and have to put a phone number in, seldom even turn it on.

 

[thatsbaseball]

My last truck I bought I emailed all of the dealers close to me and told them what I wanted and got each to give me the best price. A few dealers wanted $10k more for the exact same truck.

Be sure to cast a wide net and find a dealer who is willing to negotiate. I'm not sure what area you live in but in my past experiences the DeSoto Co./ Memphis dealers were were higher and less flexible than the other MS dealers I talked to.

Good advice. Service departments no longer care if you bought your vehicle at their dealership so buy wherever you can get the best deal. I have flown to Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and Lexington , Ky to pick up vehicles I bought. The dealership will send a driver to pick you up at the airport and bring you back to the dealership. It's all good.

 

[The Cooterpoot]

Don't be scared to walk away from a bad deal even if you like the ride or the sales guy. And buy used, no point in wasting that depreciation.
I've been known to tie down a sales guy for hours arguing. Had one tell me to get the 17 out one time and one that finally just said, WTH do I have to do to get this done and we got it done.

 

[jxndawg]

I'm in the market too - I've had two Fords over the last 10 years. Current one is a 2020 Expedition with the turbo V6 (EcoBoost). Bought it new and it now has about 180k miles on it. It's been a good car, and the Ford I had for about five years before it was good, too - generally just changed the oil and did routine maintenance. I think between the two of them the only decent sized repairs I've made were replacing a catalytic converter at around 125k miles (around $1k) and fixing a sunroof leak that happened somewhere >100k miles (think it was around $900).

They've just refreshed the 2025 Expeditions, and I'm looking at those and 2025 GMC Yukons. One thing I've noticed is that Platinum trim-level Expeditions look like they're close to $10k cheaper than a similarly-equipped Denali trim Yukon. Haven't tried haggling with anybody yet so I don't know if the gap will get closer in the real world, but that'd definitely be a factor.

 

[Xenomorph]

First off, I recall threads on this topic but, is it just me, or is there no better way to search past topics on this message board? I see a ton of folks rehashing the same topics and there can’t be that many narcissistic fools like myself out there. Thanks for any help.

Back to the topic at hand…I admit I enjoy the bigger ones, SUVs that is. So, to cover all the uncomfortable items for all you that are concerned…I’m old enough that it’s not a status symbol for me but definitely for comfort + for a large family - it will not be financed as I budget and have no need - we have one vehicle. I’ve always treated this as an investment (although a sh1tty one) or like most other large purchases - researched to death, but these things are out of control with most being $1,000/mo based on a normal 60-mo amo. and we normally keep them 8 yrs/less than 100k mi. or whatever maintenance dictates. My wife thinks we just go pick these out in one day on adrenaline and dopamine. The manufactures/dealers (I believe) relish in the chaos created by all the models/package differences when trying to compare prices - good for them, I guess that’s good marketing. Lastly, there’s little appreciation for the cash buyer anymore.

Any advice (+/-) on recent large SUV buying experience, vehicle recs, research, etc. Always been a GMC/Chevy person but leaning Wagoneer (not Grand) or Expedition for ride comfort now. This process drives me nuts as I feel it should when sinking $$$ at or near a mortgage payment for a depreciating asset. Thanks for sharing in the rant!

2 weeks ago Enterprise at MCO (Orlando) was out of almost everything so I took a brand new Grand Wagoneer and that damn thing was plush. It’s a big vehicle but really no different than driving a truck every day.

If I was in the market for a big suv I’d probably still go with an Escalade but that Jeep GW was no slouch.

 

[NTDawg]

My last truck I bought I emailed all of the dealers close to me and told them what I wanted and got each to give me the best price. A few dealers wanted $10k more for the exact same truck.

Be sure to cast a wide net and find a dealer who is willing to negotiate. I'm not sure what area you live in but in my past experiences the DeSoto Co./ Memphis dealers were were higher and less flexible than the other MS dealers I talked to.

This and Cargurus can really help your search. I bought my last truck in Cullman AL, and I'm the the Jackson area. Saved nearly $10,000 compared to local GMC dealers.

 

[MrKotter]

If you go the GMC route Laura GMC is worth a look or to price check. They beat everyone in my area a couple of years ago for my GMC 2500 by a good bit. They are in the St Louis, MO area and deliver if you don’t want to drive. I haven’t checked them out lately so things could have changed but they were the #1 GMC dealer

 

[johnson86-1]

Don't be scared to walk away from a bad deal even if you like the ride or the sales guy. And buy used, no point in wasting that depreciation.
I've been known to tie down a sales guy for hours arguing. Had one tell me to get the 17 out one time and one that finally just said, WTH do I have to do to get this done and we got it done.

I don't think this is as rock solid of advice as it used to be, unless you are buying older model cars. Last time I looked the depreciation didn't really look like it slowed down much until year 4 and then it took another huge hit as you get close to 100k miles, which I guess makes sense as that's something of a psychologically significant number, so you really almost need to buy at 100,000 miles. I think if I were looking to minimize depreciation expense, I'd probably buy something just over 100k and sell it after a year, but I just don't like dealing with it that much plus you have the sales tax to deal with if you aren't buying 10+ year old cars. Buying at 60k or 100k and running it till the wheels fall off is not a terrible approach depending on make and model, but it also isn't ridiculous to buy new and run it til the wheels fall off if you look at the impact over a 10-12 year period.

 

[johnson86-1]

Good advice. Service departments no longer care if you bought your vehicle at their dealership so buy wherever you can get the best deal. I have flown to Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and Lexington , Ky to pick up vehicles I bought. The dealership will send a driver to pick you up at the airport and bring you back to the dealership. It's all good.

Yup. When I have looked high volume dealers outside of Dallas and Atlanta were the best options. I have had mixed success on it, but take those offers to your local dealer and basically tell them you are going to service the car with them and want to keep the money local, but they need to be within $1,000 dollars (or whatever you value the cost and hassle of getting a car from out of state).

 

[Puppers]

One thing I've noticed is that Platinum trim-level Expeditions look like they're close to $10k cheaper than a similarly-equipped Denali trim Yukon. Haven't tried haggling with anybody yet so I don't know if the gap will get closer in the real world, but that'd definitely be a factor.

When I was truck shopping the best deal I could find on an XLT F250 was $8500 less than the best deal I could find on a comparable GMC 2500.

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

I don't think this is as rock solid of advice as it used to be, unless you are buying older model cars. Last time I looked the depreciation didn't really look like it slowed down much until year 4 and then it took another huge hit as you get close to 100k miles, which I guess makes sense as that's something of a psychologically significant number, so you really almost need to buy at 100,000 miles. I think if I were looking to minimize depreciation expense, I'd probably buy something just over 100k and sell it after a year, but I just don't like dealing with it that much plus you have the sales tax to deal with if you aren't buying 10+ year old cars. Buying at 60k or 100k and running it till the wheels fall off is not a terrible approach depending on make and model, but it also isn't ridiculous to buy new and run it til the wheels fall off if you look at the impact over a 10-12 year period.

Depends on the manufacturer. Looking at Toyota and Honda I hardly see the point in buying used. Just buy new and drive it for 10+ years. US based manufacturers and luxury you see more depreciation and it makes more sense to buy used.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

First off, I recall threads on this topic but, is it just me, or is there no better way to search past topics on this message board? I see a ton of folks rehashing the same topics and there can’t be that many narcissistic fools like myself out there. Thanks for any help.

Back to the topic at hand…I admit I enjoy the bigger ones, SUVs that is. So, to cover all the uncomfortable items for all you that are concerned…I’m old enough that it’s not a status symbol for me but definitely for comfort + for a large family - it will not be financed as I budget and have no need - we have one vehicle. I’ve always treated this as an investment (although a sh1tty one) or like most other large purchases - researched to death, but these things are out of control with most being $1,000/mo based on a normal 60-mo amo. and we normally keep them 8 yrs/less than 100k mi. or whatever maintenance dictates. My wife thinks we just go pick these out in one day on adrenaline and dopamine. The manufactures/dealers (I believe) relish in the chaos created by all the models/package differences when trying to compare prices - good for them, I guess that’s good marketing. Lastly, there’s little appreciation for the cash buyer anymore.

Any advice (+/-) on recent large SUV buying experience, vehicle recs, research, etc. Always been a GMC/Chevy person but leaning Wagoneer (not Grand) or Expedition for ride comfort now. This process drives me nuts as I feel it should when sinking $$$ at or near a mortgage payment for a depreciating asset. Thanks for sharing in the rant!

Get a Wagoneer if you like things with poor quality. Toyota Land Cruiser would be my goto if I needed one right now. Honda Pilot is an affordable, reliable, 3 row vehicle. Expedition is still the best if you actually need adults to sit in the 3rd row.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

If you do this get a new throw away email address to use and a burner wifi phone number from somebody like "Text Now" that you can use because they will harass the hell out of you. The burner can work off just wifi or you can get a SIM, I just use it for a number when I buy something and have to put a phone number in, seldom even turn it on.

I highly recommend the Burner app for your phone for any buy/sell related activity. Very cheap way to not have your mobile number all over the place.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Related: anybody have any experience with an M340i? I'm considering it for a daily driver.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

If you do this get a new throw away email address to use and a burner wifi phone number from somebody like "Text Now" that you can use because they will harass the hell out of you. The burner can work off just wifi or you can get a SIM, I just use it for a number when I buy something and have to put a phone number in, seldom even turn it on.

Also good advice for handling a side piece

 

[Dawgbite]

Related: anybody have any experience with an M340i? I'm considering it for a daily driver.

Not that model specifically but have a BMW sitting in the garage. Wife likes German vehicles. Owned VW’s , Audi’s , BMW’s and Mercedes. They are all expensive to work on and once they exceed 150,000 miles they need constant maintenance. Mercedes is the best of the bunch in my opinion and BMW is the worst. Ours is a convertible Sunday driver, her daily is a Subaru! I wouldn’t want one as a daily driver unless I was able to trade every time it’s warranty expire. There is no finer automobile than a Mercedes Benz with a warranty.

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

I just bought a used M1 Abrams from a buddy of mine. He just finished a tour in the middle east and he said it was an allowed souvenir. Great price but I'm a little concerned he didn't have a title. Seats 4 but I can put 8 of my kids on the outside. The wife wants me to weld some handlebars for the kids or family, especially after we lost the middle one chasing a deer through the back forty with this baby. Not great on gas mileage, but hell who cares with these giant SUVs, its all about comfort, right. Probably the best thing about this cool vehicle is that I can take out left laners from a half mile on 25 on my way to Vegas!

 

[Anon1690211352]

2 weeks ago Enterprise at MCO (Orlando) was out of almost everything so I took a brand new Grand Wagoneer and that damn thing was plush. It’s a big vehicle but really no different than driving a truck every day.

If I was in the market for a big suv I’d probably still go with an Escalade but that Jeep GW was no slouch.

Bought the Ms a 24 Grand Wagoneer Obsidian package. She’s a mad mamma jamma. Most importantly momma loves it. Got an “out the door” number I was pleased with and pushed hard and got 36 month/0% with 3 year maintenance contract. Sweet ride.

Good luck. I do not enjoy car shopping. At all !!!

2 weeks ago Enterprise at MCO (Orlando) was out of almost everything so I took a brand new Grand Wagoneer and that damn thing was plush. It’s a big vehicle but really no different than driving a truck every day.

If I was in the market for a big suv I’d probably still go with an Escalade but that Jeep GW was no slouch.

 

[El Perro Grande]

Here's a secret, you can get over 300K miles out of any U.S./Japanese made automobile if you properly maintain it, except for Dodge/Jeep and Nissan. Read the info on which have what problems, don't buy a first year model. Good luck, dealerships suck, so don't fool with one that won't attempt to work with you. Oh, and look at their inventory days, At 90 days on the lot, they start working with you more. Just bought a Ford Truck and got a great deal!

Nissan trucks, including Armada will go 250-300k like everyone else. Like you said, it just takes proper maintenance. Bonus, Nissan is made in Mississippi.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

For goodness sakes man, most vehicles suck. Only buy a Honda or Toyota and don't buy a Toyota with the engine that replace the 5.7.

 

[Crazy Cotton]

Related: anybody have any experience with an M340i? I'm considering it for a daily driver.

I've driven BMWs for the last 20 years. I tend to keep them 5-6 years. The absolute best way to buy one is a 2 year old BMW certified. It will have about 20% or more of new price shaved off, and it should have a year of new car warranty left, which includes all maintenance, and the certified adds another 2 years of full maintenance warranty after the original one expires. I've never had one of the 4 cylinders, always the straight six, which I love, or the diesel 6. I work on them myself once the warranty expires, and I don't find them more expensive to maintain than my wrangler of Nissan pickup

 

[Wesson Bulldog]

I'd go with the Adobe, the little car that's made out of clay. German engineering and Mexican know-how...

 

[horshack.sixpack]

I've driven BMWs for the last 20 years. I tend to keep them 5-6 years. The absolute best way to buy one is a 2 year old BMW certified. It will have about 20% or more of new price shaved off, and it should have a year of new car warranty left, which includes all maintenance, and the certified adds another 2 years of full maintenance warranty after the original one expires. I've never had one of the 4 cylinders, always the straight six, which I love, or the diesel 6. I work on them myself once the warranty expires, and I don't find them more expensive to maintain than my wrangler of Nissan pickup

United in Alpharetta seems to have a lot of CPOs at good prices. I’ll keep my eyes open and fly over there and get one maybe. Got about a one year horizon to see how the economy fares before I pull the trigger.

 

[RBDog82]

Jeep can’t give away Grand Wagoneers. You can probably negotiate a good bit off on one of those.

 

[FreeDawg]

Def wouldn’t buy a Jeep… We’ve been a Toyota family for a while but just got my wife an Expedition. I think it’s the best value for what you get out in full size SUVs rn. We looked at Sequoia, Armada, & Expedition. We didn’t consider a Jeep or Chevy.

 

[SteelCurtain74]

Does anyone here currently drive a Tahoe? I'm a Toyota guy but the wife is wanting to look at a Tahoe. What are the pros/cons and how reliable has it been for you?

 

[lowdawg]

Be careful with those Wagoneers. Some major problems that require it to come off the frame to fix. Bad design and the resale values are in the tank.

 

[RotorHead]

Geez. The truck I drive is an ‘03 that I paid cash for in ‘11. Bought a Buick (which I hate, NEVER buy because “it’s a good deal and was my grandmothers car”) but needed it for driving 3+ hours to work twice a week. Since I’ve bought the Buick, wife is on her second GMC Acadia. 1st one was totaled last Christmas, took the insurance $$, added $4K and got a second that’s a year newer. All in all, $27K for 2 SUVs ain’t bad. But you fellas swapping cars every few years is mind blowing. Good on yall, because I obviously missed that boat. Granted, I’ve got a truck, sedan, SUV, and motorcycle….but no car note on any of them.
I also boiled crawfish today and have been knocking back beer like water; so, if this post doesn’t make sense….cool

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

Def wouldn’t buy a Jeep… We’ve been a Toyota family for a while but just got my wife an Expedition. I think it’s the best value for what you get out in full size SUVs rn. We looked at Sequoia, Armada, & Expedition. We didn’t consider a Jeep or Chevy.

If you buy a Jeep, trade it prior to the warranty being out.