NGC-need car buying tips

[berniebee]

My current car. A paid for 2000 Mercury Sable. 127,000 miles. Figured it would get me through till prices got reasonable for a replacement.
It's been dependable.
I had front end steering popping and a heater that didn't heat well. Replaced tie rod ends and went ahead and replaced front wheel bearings. Alignment. They flushed the cooling system and replaced the thermostat. That helped with the heater. Not 100% but it works. Front end and cooling system flush R&R cost about $1200. Then I had a coolant leak when I got the car back. Took it back in and they said it needed a new water pump. I do understand that flushing the cooling system can start leaks that were just waiting to happen. New water pump installed about $400. Had a coolant leak when I got it back. Took it back in and they said the timing cover has a hole in it caused by coolant eating it. $1100 to replace.

You didn't mention rust issues, so I'm going to assume it's not a problem. $1100 is less than the premium/surcharge you'll pay for any vehicle now, let alone the transfer and plates cost and possibly higher insurance rate for a newer car. ( I hope you're only paying for liability insurance on the Sable.)  At 127,000 miles the Ford has plenty of life left. You can get parts anywhere. The recycling yards are full of cheap Taurus/Sable replacement parts. It can definitely be driven past today's supply chain issues and crazy car prices, which should  be resolved within a year or so.  Yes, you may also need a hose or a starter or an alternator in that time. So what? Peanuts compared to $15k-$20k for a replacement vehicle. If you're concerned about failure, replace 'em now. But I wouldn't bother.

Look, if you want another vehicle, you want another vehicle. But remember that at this point the Ford's depreciation from year to year is about zero. From a financial perspective, in today's terrible vehicle market, keeping this car for at least a year or two more is a no brainer.

[MMRanch]

Here's what my New  Zealand buddy posted :

"Oh dear, you should try New Zealand 3.8x$3 NZ =$ 11.40NZ and that's not factoring in a$NZ=about 68 cents US."

3.8 Lt/us gal.

If I had to buy a new car right now ... 50 mpg would'nt be enough !   

[Two Checks]

A 00 Sable with only 127 k on it? Drive it! That car will rust away hefore it dies. Hopefully it has the pushrod (Vulcan) engine. Most call it the OHV engine but dont realize the OHC engine is also OHV.
Those cars run forever. Keep the heater core flushed and the trans fluid/filter changed. OHC engine uses a different trans than pushrod engine.
At 127k keep an ear out for a chirping noise (if pushrod engine). This is the cam position sensor failing. Do not put it off, failure can destroy the engine.
You have had most of the bad stuff taken care of already. Drive it and smile with a full wallet.
They go 200k easily.

[Kev m]

Spent yesterday morning test driving and negotiating at my preferred Jeep dealer.

He's got very little inventory and what he has is expensive. The used stuff is at a premium and the new stuff has some crap accessories taking them slightly above MSRP. But he's WAY better than many of the dealers around here right now.

He offered a decent trade on my 2016 JKUS and he is willing to honor an affiliate price code for 1% below dealer invoice. However since it could take 3-4 months for a new order he is not willing to guarantee current trade value unless we lower it by $2k which means most of the affiliate pricing benefit goes to him.

Still a way better deal than most dealers around here right now and still under MSRP with a not horrible trade value.

But I don't think I "need" a new Jeep bar enough (even though there's a lot I like about the new platform).

In other thoughts the staff are coming across a little like the Harley dealers from the 90's. They made an appointment with me to test drive a new PHEV Wrangler 4Xe. They followed up confirming said appointment with two emails and two texts.

So if you go through all that trouble to make sure I'm coming in to drive a plug in electric hybrid vehicle do you think you would make sure the battery had it's first charge and wasn't reading " < 1% Electric Motor Not Available" ?!? 

I was seriously considering it because the range, though small, would cover most of my local errands and running kids around without needing the gas motor. And the electric combined with the gas motor would give my wife's Defender a run for the money on power (375 hp / 475 ft lbs torque). Not to mention the price difference between a lower trim and it would be covered by the government tax credit of $7500.

They said they could charge it and I could come back... But I'm not sure I care enough anymore.

[drburt]

Berniebee and Two Checks - Before I read your posts referring to the Sable specifically, I had decided to go ahead and pump a bit more money into the Sable. Ya'll (and others) gave sound advice on why NOT to replace. No rusting and it has a Vulcan engine.
I would *like* another 4WD SUV or pickup with towing capacity, but I've survived 3 years without and I can survive longer until the time is more right. I can rent a flatbed from Home Depot for $20 for 75 minutes. That's cheaper than calling a friend with a pickup.

I visited the mechanics yesterday and am going for the timing cover for $1100 *PLUS* timing chain, plugs and wires. Might as well get at things while the front end is off. This total will be adding another $1500 or so to the $1600 already spent.
I'm okay with that now. Much better than spending $10K to 20K out of my bank account.
Thank you everybody for your insight, expertise, opinions, and advice.
Now I think I'll go ride my EV and GRiSO for a bit...
Thanks!
Brent

[LowRyter]

I had no idea a Jeep was $60k+

[Bulldog9]

I had no idea a Jeep was $60k+

Crazy days.... Look up the Jeep Grand Wagoneer........... ...

[Kev m]

I had no idea a Jeep was $60k+

They start at $30k.

But there are a lot of variables and a dozen different models.

Also BD wasn't kidding about the Wagoner.... That is easily more expensive than our Defender.

[Kev m]

Interesting updates.

Nissan dealer who WAS adding +$3500 "market adjustments" - just contacted me and said they are trying to meet numbers for end of month, quarter, and fiscal year and are trying to sell 35 more vehicles by end of business today.

I wrote them back saying "remember that unreasonable market adjustment of $3500 you wanted, well, give me $3500 off MSRP and I'll grab my checkbook and be there in an hour".

They responded that they are "selling AT msrp today".

Not enough. But interesting.

[Tom H]

If your serious about buying. They are serious about selling today. I would go down there and make your offer. The worst that can happen is you waste some time and gas going there.

Good luck!
Tom

[John Ulrich]

Crazy days.... Look up the Jeep Grand Wagoneer........... ...

Yup, Grand Cherokee series III $111K. A new longer version is coming in 2023 or 24.

[Kev m]

If your serious about buying. They are serious about selling today. I would go down there and make your offer. The worst that can happen is you waste some time and gas going there.

Good luck!
Tom

They missed their window with me. I was ready to pull the trigger the past few weeks, but not motivated now.

My real point in updating this thread is that it might take a little more work right now, but you can still get a fair deal on a new vehicle, maybe even used depending on the model. Just stick with it.

Yup, Grand Cherokee series III $111K. A new longer version is coming in 2023 or 24.

I THINK the new Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L are both already out. The Grand Wagoneer is even bigger, think full size Tahoe or Expedition competitor.

Edit yeah it's available in both a 2-row or new "L" model w/ 3-rows for 2022.

[Moparnut72]

Yup, there is a Grand Cherokee L  parked in the driveway right now. We got it in late  August. They were kind of far and few between. One dealership had one on the lot and had marked it up $6,000 over MSRP. We got ours from a no haggle dealer, they knocked off $500, not much but better than anyone else. It is a three row. It was my understanding that the Wagoneer is built on a Ram chasis.
kk

[John Ulrich]

Sorry Kev,

I meant the Grand Wagoneer XL version is coming.

[Kev m]

Sorry Kev,

I meant the Grand Wagoneer XL version is coming.

Holy crap, isn't the damn Wagoneer big enough already.

Rhetorical

[John Ulrich]

Holy crap, isn't the damn Wagoneer big enough already.

Rhetorical

Not if the Expedition Max or Caddy are longer.  The new "Wopper" Wagoneer will best them.

[Bulldog9]

Not if the Expedition Max or Caddy are longer.  The new "Wopper" Wagoneer will best them.

I really had Wagoneer fever a few months ago. VERY impressive vehicle and drives much smaller than it is. I had a series of Jeep SUVs going back to the Cherokee in 85, then a Grand in 96 and a Commander in 2006. When I bought my Tundra in 2017, I wanted a truck, and Jeep had nothing. The Gladiator was too small and I would be giving up too much.

Almost pulled the trigger ordering a Series II and a few upgrades to the tune of $72K..... Dealer was going to give me $40K trade, and Vroom $43K.... Then I looked at what else I could do with that $30K over the next 3 years and came to my senses.......... The Tundra with the TRD PRO suspension and trim is perfect. I love the beast.

Right now, I am 90% planning that black V85 75th anniversary police model. Will only be 2 hours from Cadre. Plan a visit up there when I settle in late July.

But back on cars, there are deals to be found, and reasonable dealerships that don't play games.

[John Ulrich]

But back on cars, there are deals to be found, and reasonable dealerships that don't play games.

A site that tracks gouging....   https://markups.org/