First Time Car Buyer Advice....
 

So, I am in the process of trying to buy my first car. I am trying to do this on my own, because my parents are trying to get me to push off buying a car until they want me to buy me. At the moment, I am trying to buy a Honda Accord or an Acura.

For the current car owners, what advice were you given prior to purchasing your first car? Also, pertaining to the process of buying a car and obtaining tags and insurance, was the process difficult for you?

Good car choices. I've owned two Acuras - drove one into the ground and then bought the other - and I've been very happy with both. I've also driven my dad's Acura Legend and Honda Accord (we're going back around 15 years here) and both cars handled very well. Dad drove both into the ground and was very happy with them.

If you're buying a new car, the dealership should assist you with registration, but you should arrange for insurance on your own.

Do your research. Narrow down your choices to the three or four vehicles you like most. Then research those again. Go to the dealership with your research in hand. When you get to the bargaining point, make your offer (based on your research, of course), then leave if they don't accept. Give them your name and phone number, and ask them to call you if they change their mind.

I have done this twice. I walked off the lot both times after making an offer the dealership declined. The first time, they called me back within a week; the second time, they called me back the next day.

are you buying this on your own,meaning do you have cash to pay for the car, or are you looking for finance options? Make sure you know your credit score, so the dealership wont have to put an inquiry on your credit, and you not even end up with the car. You don't need excessive inquiries that can hurt you. Don't do lease options. That's just my personal opinion. I think leases are crazy, but others could probably give you insight on to why they think they arent.

echoing the comment above. please note that credit score will also affect your insurance rate, which leads me to my nugget of advice:

shop around for car insurance in advance. if you're debating between makes and models, seeing the insurance rate might help you better frame your monthly obligations.

when i bought my first new car, i couldn't decide between car A and car B - i loved them equally and they were similar on every other aspect (size, gas mileage, cargo room, etc). Insurance was the deciding factor... even though they were both coupes, my insurance co one was going to charge as a sports car and the other as a sedan. I went with the sedan and saved a pretty penny.

Thanks all! This is very helpful. I have been looking for cars, and I have narrowed it down to three so far. An explorer, an acura, and a honda. The insurance part i have not done yet, but I will look into that one asap. Anymore advice is welcomed! What is a good insurance company for first time buyers? All State?

I'm still driving my first car (a Honda Civic), more than 10 years after I bought it. Here's what I did:

- Researched a couple of cars hardcore online before I went to the first dealership. I knew exactly which car I wanted to test drive when I got to the dealership, and I told the sales guy that when he approached me. Go there with purpose.
- Find out what the dealer invoice is (what the dealer paid for the car). The dealership should get a profit, so you don't want to offer below dealer invoice, but try going for just a little above it. I got my car for a screamin' deal...just a few hundred dollars over invoice.
- Try buying during a time of the year when they're offloading the current year models. I bought mine in December, which is why it was on sale.
- Once you have an agreed price, go home and call a couple other dealerships to see if they can beat it. In my case, two dealerships told me they couldn't beat the offer I had from the other dealership, which convinced me I had a good deal.
- If you're looking at a Honda (and I'm going to guess the same goes for Acura), don't buy the extra warranty. Honda makes dependable cars and covers really anything that would go wrong as a fluke under standard manufacturer warranty. Chances are that anything that would go wrong will go wrong after even the extended warranty runs out. I didn't buy it, and I'm glad; I'm at more than 100,000 miles now, and the only non-standard maintenance I've had done was to replace the catalytic converter and exhaust manifold, which the manufacturer covered under warranty up to 80,000 miles. My friend got the extended warranty and it was a waste of money.

Hondas are extremely dependable. Great cars. We have two. Actually, all the cars that my hubby's side of the family owns (has owned) are (were) Hondas. Every one. Never had a thing go wrong with any of them.

Acura is an affiliate of Honda- but they are more "high end" cars. I'm guessing the insurance and the car would be cheaper with the Honda, but not entirely sure.

I want to agree with PeppyGPhiB about one thing: find out what the dealer paid for the car and refuse to go more than $1,000 over. My first car had a roof rack, I never use roof racks. We went back and forth because I felt I shouldn't be paying for an option I wouldn't use. A few more cars later, I'm the family go-to person for getting a deal. The most I've ever knocked down off of the list price is $5,200.

The latest car we bought does have crappy upholstery, though. That's one upgrade I wouldn't skimp on again, as you're forever worried about spilling something or doggie paw marks.

Check and see if your employer has any "deals." We are offered several options through my husband's employer, and were able to get his truck at dealer's invoice price plus incentives ($3,000 cashback). I know some large employers offer great deals like that.

We use Unitrin Direct for our car insurance and have never had any problems. We carry a lot of insurance on both of our vehicles (Honda CR-V and Ford Ranger) and it's a little over $1200 a year. Remember your credit rating matters too.

Check into getting financing outside of the dealership. Sometimes credit unions have really great deals!

Go get the copy of April edition of Consumer Reports. They list the best cars in each category and actually put "check marks" on ones they recommend. I have always been happy with their recommendations and keep my cars "forever" by passing them down to my high school and college kids as needed.
Edmunds.com can give you prices of what the dealer paid.

I just spent the entire day testdriving cars with my bf who is looking to buy his first car. Things I learned:
Most companies now offer rebates for new grads (anywhere from 500 to 1000).
Ford is offering a 1000 rebate if you trade in a GM, Chrysler, Jeep.
The model year is ending/about to end for many models (extra discounts)
Some dealers are so desperate to make a sale that you can get a car for a ridiculous price right now if you're willing to haggle.

I think he is going to end up with a Corolla or Civic but we looked at the Accords too. It's a beautiful car and you can't go wrong with Honda (I drive a Civic myself-no problems in 3 years).

another question for prospective new car buyers: anyone checked out the kia forte? i'm doing some work with kia - what do you guys think?

http://image.motortrend.com/f/168670...ter_motion.jpg

I have a two-year-old Acura that I bought new and love it...BUT I would not buy another one. It requires at least mid-grade gas, does better with premium...the tires cost about $225 each and have to be installed by an outfit that can connect it properly back into the electrical system so that the computer can monitor its pressure, AND are only good for 35,000 to 40,000 miles...every part is expensive to replace...

So be careful that you can afford to maintain your car, too!

A Nissan, Honda or Toyota with 50,000 miles is just beginning to get broken in good, so don't be afraid of buying a used one with that kind of mileage on it. Checked out by a mechanic you trust, of course.;)

I have a friend with a new Kia, and she likes it very much. However, the local dealer they bought it from closed. Not sure where they will get it serviced.