Nathanial Garrod

Car Hunt 2k12

Recent events have made me realize that I need to begin the hunt for a new car. This is something that has been in the back of my mind since last summer when I had a ton of car trouble and sank more money into my car than it is worth. No, really. It’s way more than it’s worth.

Then the other day one of the dashboard lights (ABS) turned on, which has me a bit freaked out. Today as I was driving home from work all my gauges went down to zero as I was moving from I-35N onto SH-51E. I realized that my car had turned itself off and was able to turn it back on in time to avert catastrophe. It happened again as I was on my way to the rec center to work out this evening, and again as I pulled into parking at the rec center. Additionally, I have had to turn the key in the ignition several times to get the car to turn on.

So now I’ve begun Car Hunt 2k12. I’m looking right now mostly online at cars. I’m mostly looking at Honda’s. I’ve kinda have my heart set on a CR-V, but if something else catches my eye (and pocketbook), then I’m gonna go for that.

You can follow Car Hunt 2k12 on my twitter (linked at the side). All relevant posts will be tagged #carhunt2k12

Do you have any car buying advice as I begin this delightful adventure? Leave it in the comments below!

2 Comments on “Car Hunt 2k12

  1. Erin
    April 4, 2012

    Research research research. Know what the three most important things you want in a car are and don’t settle for less. Search dealerships for certified-used or for better prices. You can get a better car for less if you look in the right places. I would recommend not getting an SUV unless you go off-roading all the time. Remember that gas prices and insurance costs are higher the bigger and newer the car

  2. Nick
    April 4, 2012

    Ahh, do I have any suggestions? Of course. I had the unfortunate luck to get T-boned back in October, and I had to find a new car in a matter of days. Luckily, I had some car buying and negotiating experience. Here’s what I’d recommend:

    1. Set your budget for what you can comfortably afford and stick to it! If you are in a situation where you’ll have to deal with a salesperson (versus a private party), they might try to talk you into something you can’t afford over the long run.

    2. The Internet is your friend! Negotiate the price of the vehicle online only. If you are going the dealership route, do not step one foot onto the lot until you’ve gotten the price you want, and it’s time to test drive and sign papers.

    3. Check KBB.com to get a good idea of what you can reasonable expect to pay – you don’t want to terribly low-ball someone, because that’ll just offend them and likely sour the deal, but you don’t want to go in paying too much either.

    I suppose my other advice depends on how you plan on purchasing your car! 🙂

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This entry was posted on April 3, 2012 by in Adventures!, Events and tagged , , , .

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