GoldenBird

Ignoring private sales and those who bought new, I'm curious whether most of you went through GM dealers, non GM new car dealerships, or used car lots. As a first time buyer, it's a really nerve-wracking experience to figure out where to make an investment like this and what type of place is going to offer the most reasonable financing to a first time buyer. I'm probably going with that GM Certified 2000 TA I mentioned that is just under 20k miles, but I found two deals at used car lots possibly more attractive. A black WS6 with 37k for $1000 more, and a Sunset Orange regular TA with *5k* for $2000 more. They might even come out to less of a difference if they could offer better rates. I just don't know a thing about the companies and would feel much better dealing with a GM dealership. I hope I'm not coming across as some sort of flip-flopping tire kicker. I am absolutely getting behind the wheel of one of these in the next few weeks I just want to get something I'm totally happy with, within my budget, that isn't going to turn into an expensive lesson. Thanks.

bad2000ss

iTrader: (6)

In my experience it seems like the buyer has more of an advantage over the dealership on a used car purchase. If you are not satisfied with the deal, ask them to throw in a warrantee for no extra cost.

The one downside to buying a used car would be the interest rate that you would get through a dealership/bank/lender. Interest rates are always better for new cars. I just bought a 2000 Silverado for $5500 and the best interest rate any lender would give me was a 9.95%, and I have excelent credit. I ended up putting the entire cost of the truck on my credit card to get a 6.9% fixed.

If you do get a loan from the dealership or bank make sure there are no "Early Pay" or "Overpayment" penalties. This way if you have a good month and have a little extra cash left over you can throw some more money at your payment.

GoldenBird

They have "early pay" penalties? WTF? I would never have even thought of that. My plan was definitely to get the best rate I could but still try to get it paid off as quickly as possible (ie throw my whole Xmas and Spring bonuses at it, pay extra if I'm having a good month, etc). I thought that meant less interest, not penalties.

bad2000ss

iTrader: (6)

95% of the time you will not run into an early pay problem. If you get a SUPER low interest rate they will want you to drag it out till the very end so they can make as much money as possible. That's when you will run into the "early pay" penalties. Just make sure you ask beforehand. Most dealerships finance through one bank or have a few different lenders they use. Make sure if you have more than one option you pick the one that best suits what you need.

If your credit is in the 750-770 range you should qualify for the best possible loan. If you are in the 800+ range you will have no problem qualifying anywhere.

badhoopty

i bought from a ford dealer of all places... i just had to rescue it.

1998 ws6 ram air 6speed with 28k miles unmodded and super nice. 14,000 at 7% for 4 years with a 2year/24000 mile warrantee. the warrantee really sold me, its nice to have a little security. ya i know i paid more than i should... but i'm happy with it.

i've been meanin to re-finance, but i forget and put it off... if you go to a dealer, make sure you know for damn sure what the loan terms are 100%, i drove off thinking i had a 5% rate, but somehow i got slightly swindled or was so jazzed by knowing i was getting it that they slipped it by me...

jammon46

I bought mine from Mark Heitz Chevrolet and it came with a 3 month/3,000 mile warranty. I sure am glad about that because I had them replace the guage cluster, catalytic converter, rear brake pads, and stereo *****. That would have cost my atleast $600. Very good experience for me.

wbw2

iTrader: (1)

bought mine from a ford dealer also...

98 z28, 32,000 miles, I gave $12500 for it.

2kt/a

iTrader: (1)

I bought my '00 Firehawk from a used car lot. 21k miles all stock, super clean. I paid $17,5, but I think it was worth it.

blkZ28spt

I got mine used from a dealer that had nearly 20 Corvettes on the lot. Previous owner (older guy) traded up to a Corvette. Got it for ~$14,000 with ~32,000 miles 3.5 years ago.

It came from a dealer right near Chicago, forget the name.....team chevrolet maybe?

sgtjed

I have pretty good credit and just bought my 2000 ws6 for 13k at a used lot,went through my credit union and got 3.9% for 48 months with 0 down

Now the car lot wasnt too happy,cause they thought they had the deal on the financing and when I got the car down to what I wanted I called the credit union and financed it through them right in front of the salesman,needless to sayi didnt get any freebies from them,but I could care less

Camaro Hamster

I did a really risky thing. I bought my 98 Z28 off EBAY. Ya I know but hear in Phoenix 98-99 Zs are about 12k with 80k miles on them. I paid $9900 delivered with 40k miles. And I saved on paying sales tax. It cost me $117 to register. My rate from my credit union is 5% for 4 years @ $217 per month. As for the car it came loaded and I was happy with it except for the stinking 10 bolt rear end. It whines pritty good. I complained to the dealer and he gave me a warrenty. It will cover $400. I figure the bill will be about $600 to rebuild. Would I buy from out of state again, I don't think so.

Flaminchiten67

Got my SS from a Mazda dealer, payed 12k for it with 17k miles. Talked them down a ton cause they said they've had it for 3 months and wanted to get rid of it. Guess not many people think of mazda dealers when they want a f-body.

The old man

iTrader: (1)

Bought my 98Z from a car lot.. $8000 financed with a credit union at 5.5. No problems, love the car. Drove it and checked it out for about 5 hours before buying.

LiquidFire350

iTrader: (8)

found it online at Bill Kay Honda, then i realized that my mom and i bought both of our cars from Bill Kay Chevy, i called the salesman, he had the car shipped from Honda to Chevy, so i found it on a Honda lot and bought it from a Chevy lot

LSWannabe

I got mine from a Chevy/Buick dealer in Oklahoma. Road tripped down there in my old car to trade it in. 15,750 for an '02 Z28 w/ sport appearance package. The car had 25K miles and has bumper to bumper coverage until Sept 1 of '05. I think I might look into extending the warranty if I can. I've had a couple claims already, one of which would have left me stranded without it. The bolt that connects the clutch pedal to the rod broke. Didnt cost me anything and got a free rental to beat on. A warranty can be a very good thing. Paid 1500 for a warranty on my last car and ended up getting 2300 out of it.

isiahstites

I just bought my 99' z28 with 40k on it for $9995 last Sunday from a car lot in San Diego, Ca. I took 6k with me for a down. My opinion is the more you take for a down the better bargaining power you have. I took my down payment and told them I wanted to do an optional contract which would allow me to take the remaining balance to my bank and do the loan through them. I have great good credit (742) and got 6.9% for 36 months through one of my credit unions. There are a few things to consider....if my car would of been a 00" I could of got 4.9% so try to buy a newer car and second I have three differnet banks/credit unions. All three of there rates were 2% different for the same car so shop around. If you have a nice down payment and a pre-approval from your bank you will have much better barganing power. Also my credit union offered several warranties to fit my needs that were much cheaper than the dealers were.


Scott

Ptvolly

If you have decent credit, go to your financial institution first and get the info (interest rate by length of loan etc).
In my area T/A's aren't cheap. I found mine at a mom and pop used car lot about 40 miles from me. Went there and talked the talk, got the price I wanted. They set everything up, checked my credit (800+) and gave me their deal. Their % rate was about 1.5% more than my bank. As soon as I told them what I was prequalified with through my bank, they came back with .5% less! Check EVERY available resource to you before buying!

baddogz28

iTrader: (6)

I sold it to myself in march of 02 , and yes, I got a good deal.

I paid $16.5k for my 00 w/ 27000 miles on her. Retail was $21k.

Danny2tek

iTrader: (1)

I got mine from Carmax

luvmeZ28

iTrader: (3)

must you rub that in every chance you get?

i bought mine as a certified used from a GM dealer in abilene, with warranty and 22k miles(i think, give or take a few) for 16k and some change.

if the dealer will give you what you think to be a good deal i say get a certified used car. they are usually the cleaner of the bunch.