Buying a new car

Parent Cafe
1

<p>This isn’t really a question but more of a vent. S who graduated and is moving to a new city also needs a car. The car he is driving has 233,000 miles on it and he doesn’t really want to drive it across the country.</p>

<p>So he’s looking for a new car. Smaller, nice, good gas mileage car. The problem: between gas prices and the tsunami, it’s a perfect storm and there are very few small cars out there to even buy. Ugh! </p>

<p>We thought we could look here in Michigan and buy a car when he got to TX but I don’t know if that is going to be realistic. We looked the other day and pickings are slim. Most places said they will be out of small cars soon and don’t expect anything new for a while.</p>

<p>Honda, nothing, nada
Hyundai, one Elantra, probably sold by now
Mazda, drove a 3, didn’t really like it
Toyota, had one, probably sold
VW, nada
Ford, drove a Fiesta, didn’t like, and a Fusion, liked but kinda big. Wants to drive a Focus but none to be had. New style coming out soon, dealer will call.</p>

<p>He is not looking at GM or Chrysler, didn’t see anything he is interested in.</p>

<p>Forget about getting a good deal, it’s hard enough just finding what he wants.</p>

<p>Anyone else looking for a car or have any suggestions.</p>

2

<p>Ford dealer inventory search:
[Ford</a> Vehicle Showroom](<a href=“http://www.showroom.ford.com/FDShowroom.jsp?makeTransition=inventory]Ford”>http://www.showroom.ford.com/FDShowroom.jsp?makeTransition=inventory)</p>

<p>Hyundai:
[Hyundai</a> Motor America: New Cars, Sedans, Coupes, SUVs, Compacts, Luxury, Performance, Vehicles](<a href=“http://www.hyundaiusa.com%5DHyundai”>http://www.hyundaiusa.com)
Use that web site to locate dealers in your area. There should be on-line inventory search links included.</p>

3

<p>Does he really really need a new car? Can he live close to his job and walk or ride a bike or ride the bus? Can you spend $2000 and make his new car safe and reliable?</p>

4

<p>Do I think he needs a new car? No, I think he could live with the car he has. It’s a fine car and hasn’t given him any trouble. But if he doesn’t want it I’ll give it to his sister who will be thrilled to have a car next year.</p>

<p>But I don’t really care if he buys a car or not.</p>

5

<p>Can he wait for a couple of months? Next year’s models are coming out soon, so there’s not much ordering of last year’s models.</p>

6

<p>Have him fly, and buy the new car in Texas. Lots of cars here, and zero problem with rust - no snow, no salt on the road. I’m in Austin, and we have dealerships with tons of cars (lots of people still buying big pickups and SUVs here!) Scion XDs, priuses, we got 'em all…</p>

7

<p>deb, would he like a scion tc? that’s about the size of the cars you mentioned.</p>

8

<p>There are a lot of cars between 0 miles (new) and 233K miles. has he thought about a used car, maybe 2-4 years old with around 15K-35K miles with a decent warranty? He’ll get more for his money, have the warranty to cover any issues, and have an almost new car compared to the one he has now. He could see what carmax.com has to get a rough idea and also check online to see what the new car dealers in your area have available in their used car inventory.</p>