car shopping

towards the end of October I decided to buy a car. It was an idea I was throwing my head for some time but the desire to buy a car was growing and growing and so I started to look.

side note: I love my scooter, but it can only do so much.

As I started to look for cars I wasn't sure what type of car to get: used, private, used dealership, or new. Buying a brand new car I wrote off relatively quickly, mostly because I still have plenty of student debt and didn't want to be making large monthly payments while still having all my student debt looming. So anyways, I decided to buy used and so I started looking and man was it frustrating.

inevitably there were two main issues: 1) when a private sale the car seemed to be a good deal but there was always something wrong with it> oh it's great but it needs new tires, oh it's great but is missing a strut, oh it's great but the timing belt is going to need to be replaced soon. every car I looked at there was at least one major issue that would have taken more time and money to replace therefore eliminating any cost savings. I actually found one car that I really loved but as I arranged with the guy to buy it from him someone else had looked at it and offered money on the spot. 2) when looking at a dealership you have to deal with car salesmen. normally salespeople are kind of irritating but they are just doing their job but I really hate car salespeople. they try and create a person connection with you and be your buddy at the same time try to manipulate you every step of the way. I just hate the power game they play trying to make you feel like they are in charge and you march to their drum. I'm the one who's willing to pay the money, might not hurt treating me like an intelligent human. the worst is when you start doing the price dance. you haggle and the sales person inevitably says "I'll bring this to my manager". suddenly the guy who's been telling you everything he can personally do for you such as maintenance and special offers has absolutely no power and must go to a different room and talk to someone that I as the consumer don't even see or talk to and come out with a slightly number. and then the sales person tells you "that's the best I can do". my initial reaction is "F*#& you that's all you can do" this guy is suddenly helpless and wants to convince me he did everything he could to get me the best deal. YA RIGHT!

I went and saw a number of private sales and even went to a few dealerships and when the dealers were just too big of schmucks I left. regardless of how good the car is, if the experience of buying the car is bad.... I'm out.

In the end I bought an old toyota. I could have probably have gotten it cheaper but I was done with the car search and just wanted a vehicle at that point.