used car hunting?

[mellowtigger]

I'd appreciate either A) general suggestions on how to find/purchase a used car or B) specific suggestions from local Minneapolis people on dealerships that treat customers fairly.

I'm 41 years old, and technically I suppose I've never bought a car on my own before.  Sad, isn't it?  The car that's now totaled, I bought it through a special program service at the place where I worked that bypassed the usual haggling process and went straight to a fixed price through authorized sales reps at certain participating dealerships.  The vehicle before that was found and financed by my boyfriend at the time.  The two vehicles before that were found and purchased by my parents.

I intend to hunt for a new vehicle this weekend, as much as the work pager allows me anyway.  I'm not quite sure where to start, though.  I really dread the whole "haggling" thing if it comes up.  Why can't a sticker price be "real" and mean what it shows?

Comments

[bearbarry.livejournal.com]

I guess much of it depends on what you get for the settlement on your car. One thing you should not do is let them know that you have a certain amount to work with because they will do all they can to get every penny from you. I don't know you're area at all, so I can't recommend anyone. You might consider looking on Craigslist to see if someone has a car they want to get rid of. Some people are trying to clear a car loan, and will let a car go for less than it might really be worth. If you have a good mechanic, he/she could check it out for you before you buy it.

[dangerdhotrod.livejournal.com]

My roomate wants to sell her old van for 300 bucks. It does run. Let me know if you want to talk to her she is really nice it is probably a pretty good deal for what it's worth.

[mellowtigger]

That's in my price range. :) I'm wanting something that I can easily use to haul equipment around too, so a van would be good. But I don't know that I could drive a van (low visibility) without becoming a nervous wreck. :(

I wish Mazda hadn't given up on their mini-trucks. I'd really like to pick up a used Mazda B2200. They're not making those vehicles any more (or any trucks in the B-Series apparently, so repair parts will be increasingly difficult to find.
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2007/11/ford_rangers_an.html

It looks like an Indian company is breaking into the mini-truck market here in the USA in recent weeks. At new prices, it's far far beyond my ability to purchase. I wish there was already a selection of used ones. :/
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/08/taj-mahauler-we-drive-the-mahindra-diesel-pik-up.html

What to do, what to do? *ineffectual twiddling*

[mellowtigger]

*ponder* Hrmmm. I suppose I could customize it to give me more visibility while driving, eh?
http://peopleofwalmart.com/?p=166

[dangerdhotrod.livejournal.com]

that's amazing.

if you're interested in talking to my roommate about her van let me know :)

[mellowtigger]

Notes to self:

Other vehicles to consider for being small (good gas mileage), cheap (<$5000), and decent repairs...

Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Honda Insight

Always check consumer reports.

[chernovog.livejournal.com]

Saturn was always no haggle on new cars. Not sure how they work their used car sales, though. :/