Comments on: Car Shopping Short List http://www.mt-olympus.com/apollo/archives/2008/05/11/car-shopping-short-list/ Snippets from the life of Apollo Lee Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:23:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: soulcamp http://www.mt-olympus.com/apollo/archives/2008/05/11/car-shopping-short-list/#comment-163773 soulcamp Wed, 14 May 2008 03:49:09 +0000 http://www.mt-olympus.com/apollo/?p=683#comment-163773 I have never had a dealer refuse to allow me to test drive a vehicle, ever. That included my Honda S2000, several Mercedes, BMWs, Lexuses, Audis, etc. When I walk onto a lot, I simply tell them I am looking to get a new car, I am considering models X, Y, and Z, and I am only here to test drive those models right now as part of my decision making process. They take my license, go into the office, and return with the keys. Perhaps it is the sight of your current automobile that is creating the apprehension on their part. I have never had a dealer refuse to allow me to test drive a vehicle, ever. That included my Honda S2000, several Mercedes, BMWs, Lexuses, Audis, etc. When I walk onto a lot, I simply tell them I am looking to get a new car, I am considering models X, Y, and Z, and I am only here to test drive those models right now as part of my decision making process. They take my license, go into the office, and return with the keys. Perhaps it is the sight of your current automobile that is creating the apprehension on their part.

]]> By: soulcamp http://www.mt-olympus.com/apollo/archives/2008/05/11/car-shopping-short-list/#comment-163766 soulcamp Mon, 12 May 2008 23:41:15 +0000 http://www.mt-olympus.com/apollo/?p=683#comment-163766 On second thought, have you searched for a used Honda S2000? I owned one, but had to give it up when Spencer was born. However, it was the single best car I have ever had, and the second Spencer is big enough to ride in one, I will buy another. A used 2001 model (which is the year that I had) goes for between $12-14K. 26 mpg for a 240hp race car is about as respectable as you can get. And as for sexy - I used to get Porche drivers stare at me and drool on themselves as I cruised through Malibu on PCH with the top down. On second thought, have you searched for a used Honda S2000? I owned one, but had to give it up when Spencer was born. However, it was the single best car I have ever had, and the second Spencer is big enough to ride in one, I will buy another. A used 2001 model (which is the year that I had) goes for between $12-14K. 26 mpg for a 240hp race car is about as respectable as you can get. And as for sexy - I used to get Porche drivers stare at me and drool on themselves as I cruised through Malibu on PCH with the top down.

]]> By: soulcamp http://www.mt-olympus.com/apollo/archives/2008/05/11/car-shopping-short-list/#comment-163765 soulcamp Mon, 12 May 2008 23:36:23 +0000 http://www.mt-olympus.com/apollo/?p=683#comment-163765 Have you checked out edmunds.com yet? As I said in my comment on your last post, I always like to go to a dealership fully prepared. Edmunds is a good site - not only can you get all the technical details about the cars, but you can also get dealer invoice as well as what Edmunds calls TMV (True Market Value), which is supposedly based on what others are paying for the same car with options in your area. If nothing else, it's a good starting point for negotiating. Also - personally, I'd choose the Honda. However, I'd also look at a Civic because they get even better (highway) gas milage than a Fit and you can probably find a 2-year old one (the current model started in 2006) for a decent price. I talked my parents into getting a Civic Hybrid a little over a year ago and they absolute love it. My next car with either be a Civic Hybrid or Prius (unless Honda winds up making a hybrid CR-V by then). Have you checked out edmunds.com yet? As I said in my comment on your last post, I always like to go to a dealership fully prepared. Edmunds is a good site - not only can you get all the technical details about the cars, but you can also get dealer invoice as well as what Edmunds calls TMV (True Market Value), which is supposedly based on what others are paying for the same car with options in your area. If nothing else, it’s a good starting point for negotiating.

Also - personally, I’d choose the Honda. However, I’d also look at a Civic because they get even better (highway) gas milage than a Fit and you can probably find a 2-year old one (the current model started in 2006) for a decent price. I talked my parents into getting a Civic Hybrid a little over a year ago and they absolute love it. My next car with either be a Civic Hybrid or Prius (unless Honda winds up making a hybrid CR-V by then).

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