about to buy a new car, advice wanted

[Zech Marquis]

in the few 2-3 months, I plan on buying my very first car :bounce: my plan is to have between 1700 to 2000 for the downpayment, with about 300 or so a month for the car note. The 3 cars I'm considering are the 2007 Honda Civic LX, 2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S, and the 2007 Ford Fusion. If I could find a pre owned 2007 Camry or Altima, I'll save up a bit more and consider those too. my main needa are ease of driving for a new driver, good on gas, good legroom for the driver's seat. Nissan and Ford both have good first time buyer programs, and the Honda dealer is a very good one. So any advice form my fellow DUers would be good!

[AlCzervik]

1. i've had 2 nissans, i'd go with the Honda.

[achtung_circus]

2. RULE #1

Don't buy a new car. You lose 20% the instant you drive off the lot.

Look at lease returns, many available with 1 year of driving on them.

[Zech Marquis]

4. where?

I saw one local Toyota dealer with a certified pre owned 07 Camy for 18,990 (only 4,000 miles)..where can I find the leased cars going back on sale?

[achtung_circus]

7. Any place that offers leases

has lease backs for sale.

[amitten]

9. Not with a Honda. I've owned three, and been able to sell them

years later for not much less than their original price.

They absolutely retain market value like no other. They're the only car I would ever buy new.

[itsmesgd]

3. RULE#2

Get one with an auxillary plug for your Ipod. I originally didnt get the aux input and thought that it would be no big deal. I gotta have tunes and have sccheduled to go back in a week to have one put in.

Gotta have tunes

[Zech Marquis]

5. Civic and Nissans have one

The Civic in particular, but for some reason Ford doesn't mention anything about having an aux port in the Fusion (odd)...

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. Do NOT tell them what you want for a monthly payment.

Secure lower interest financing before hand with your own bank so you're essentially doing a "cash" purchase. Keep the focus on price of the car, not monthly payment. Know what price will result in what monthly payment before you get there. Dealer cost v. list prices are available from a variety of sources. Contact your local AAA. These reports are worth the price.

I have had a Nissan Sentra, Altima and Quest (well, Mercury Villager, but at the time it was the same thing). Love them all.

[hatredisnotavalue]

8. I'm 49 and have never bought a new car

I always buy a pre-owned, with a year or so of age on it. And I always get at least ten years from the car. My rule of thumb is can my local mechanic maintain it and fix it. I go to him for help in choosing my cars.

[gr8dane_daddy]

10. Edmunds has a great guide online to researching and buying

a new car. I would recommend starting there. They suggest a number of things including financing through your bank and not telling the dealer what you want to pay monthly.

[Poiuyt]

11. Consumer Reports has been ranking the Hondas as best lately

both the Civic and the Accord in their respective categories.

I would also advise buying a late model used rather than new. If you have the nerve, look at eBay. That's the way I bought my last car.