This is a guest post about one of the sponsors of the FamousBloggers CommentLuv $3550 CASH PRIZES Blogging Contest by Stephanie Suesan Smith. Stephanie is a Master Gardener who offers gardening advice based on years of experience and extensive course training.
Buying cars can be a frustrating experience, particularly if you are a woman. I drive my vehicle until the mechanic finally tells me there is nothing more he can do to keep it running, or that it will cost more to fix it than the car is worth. Then the search for another vehicle begins.
I admit that I do not know all that much about cars. My main objective is a pickup (I do live in Texas, after all) that runs and gets me where I need to go. Creature comforts like cruise control and a good radio are nice, too. Everything sold in Texas has an air conditioner because riding around in 100 degree F heat without one is dangerous.
In the past, I have had to deal with condescending sales men who though I was stupid because I was a woman. That made buying a car rather miserable. With the internet, however, I can research a car and buy it online. Or, research it and then go to the dealership armed with the knowledge I need to strike the very best bargain possible.
You can go to the website of the car manufacture if you want a list of the features available on a certain model. However, they are not exactly unbiased when it comes to telling you the features of the vehicle and any drawbacks it might have. For that you need a third party site.
Auto Monster Cars Blog gives information about different makes and models of cars and trucks. It is aimed at Canadians, but the information is helpful to everyone in North America. Once you read their reviews and pick out a car or truck, you can look at Monster Auto’s classifieds and find one at a price you can afford. They have new and used cars.
Buying a car should not be torture. While it will probably never rank right up there on your top ten fun things to do, Auto Monster Cars Blog can give you the information to get the vehicle you need without all the hassle.
stephaniesuesansmith
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Hi, I agree with you, you are right. buying a car should not be torture. nice informative article. thanks a lot.
This is why having the right knowledge about things like this is an essential thing that one must do before purchasing a car. You should always be backed up with the right information to prevent possible hassles that you may encounter. Your post is very helpful and informative. Thank you so much for sharing this information, looking forward to your next article!
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i read your article its really informative..i love your blog.i just scroll and see your beautiful thinking .thanks for sharing.superb!!!!!
Thanks, Stephanie 😍
To buy a car it is big trouble if you are a woman.
It’s a very relevant topic, I think.
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I have bought my first car 1 year ago that was BMW and it was awesome. Now I am going to buy my second car and I need a suggestion which car should be more suitable for me?
Sometimes the hardest part is choosing what kind of car you’re going to purchase, but yeah i agree with you that it shouldn’t make us feel so stressed out
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I agree that car salesmen can be condescending when dealing with a woman. That’s why having the information beforehand will go a long way in the negotiation process. Armed with the right information and the knowledge that I can walk away from a negotiation and get the same deal down the street gives me power. Thanks for the write up.
The internet definitely levels the playing field because knowledge is power. I totally agree with this article. Thanks for sharing!
one thing that people can do , is to get recommendation from people , you can leverage their experience inorder for you to avoid making their mistake!
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Hey,
I am completely agree with you that buying a car shouldn’t be a torture. But there are many things that we have to check before buying any vehicle and that are budget that how much we can spent on buying a car, fuel efficiency, etc.
It is good to always maintain your car, you don’t have to wait till it breaks down or you can as well sell it off when it still has value and purchase another one. We must all learn maintenance culture especially when it concerns cars.
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I always bought new cars and drove them forever. My current cars ( BMW and Honda city) are 10 and 6 years old. they could last forever. But, I think I will replace them during next 2-3 years.
Hi George,
That isn’t a bad idea. I bought one new car and drove it almost 200,000 miles. After that, I bought many used Hondas with 100,000 miles on them and drove them another almost 100,000 miles. That is the least expensive way to have a decent car.
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Doing your homework can change the entire game when it comes to car buying experience.Buying a new car is a huge decision for most of us. Taking someone with you who already owns a car can be a great option too. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your heartfelt, but if you are the woman, the first I recommend that you ask one person understand about the car to be able to help, choose the car well. Glad to read her post.
LOL, Tracy. Not all men know anything about cars and not all women don’t know cars. Today, most people whether male or female don’t know much about their cars because of all the computers and electronics. The best person to consult is a mechanic who can plug in a diagnostic machine and check the car over before you buy it.
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I think that looking up cars online before going to a dealership is a great idea! I’ve also had experiences with condescending salesmen and feeling absolutely clueless about cars. However, I’d feel much more comfortable walking into a dealership if I had done my research ahead of time. Thanks for the advice!
Hello, stephaniesuesansmith! I agree that buying cars can be a frustrating experience. However, this can happen with both unprofessional men or women without only women.
Cruise control is something that I also look when buying a car among other features. But other ones like climate control, alloy wheels, ESP or electric immobilizer are also good to have.
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It’s really good to hear about your experience. It’s also encouraging to know that you have had good experiences buying new cars. I can see how it would be frustrating, especially if it’s your first time. I’ve never bought a new car before, always used, so I’m sure I’ll have a similar experience to yours when I buy one.
I lease new cars every 3 years. I always begin with the manufactured websites. I look for subvented lease deals. These are ultra-low payment leases made possible through aggressive rebates and discounts from the manufacturers. You can usually find these deals when a car is very late in its latest model generation, just before the new model is introduced.
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I always take my own mechanic, which also happens to be my uncle, when I buy a new car. I don`t like to take any chances when paying a few thousands of dollars. A quick test drive and if my mechanic says it`s a GO, I buy it. I don`t always take into account what the salesman says about the car. You can`t always trust them.
Wow, such a nice article. my younger sister was planning to buy a new car but cause of some maintenance and fuel cost she was confusing. well we tried our best to tell her to buy a car for her cause she’s doing her own business and she get upset when she not get bus or taxi on time so i think your post will help her a lot and i m gonna suggest her to read your post at once. i am sure your this post will work 100 %.!
Hi James,
The best advice is to have a mechanic check the car over first. I told my sister I would help her buy a car. She didn’t listen and ended up buying one that was missing required smog parts. (She was in California.) She took a loss selling that car to someone who could never register it in that state and I found her another car and had it checked out by my mechanic first.
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I don`t know what to say. I bought many things from online sources, including eBay. But never a car. And I don`t think I would ever make something like this, even if we are talking about used cars.
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Buying used car through ebay can be a very good one. You can have a great range of choice and you might be able to get a very good car within your budget.
I remember when I bought my first car. It wasn`t complete torture, but I was very emotional. Fortunately, all things went well in the end! I was pleased of that car.
I have to agree that buying a used car is not very fun. I would have thought so at first but now that I have some experience in it, it is a hassle. I always find myself looking for flaws in the car and why I think I made a bad choice in getting it when in reality it\’s fine. It is a hassle for me at least mentally. http://bestusedautopartsnc.com
I would recommend to take along someone like an auto mechanic or one who already own a car. It will be a great help as they already knows a lot about cars. Don’t be shy of asking questions before buying a car. Keep asking questions as long as you are not satisfied.
Thats true, “Buying a Car Shouldn’t be Torture” because we are living in an era where car is much necessary for a family. We can’t always travel in public transport. I liked this post and you have elaborated it very nicely! Cheers!!
I’m always afraid of buying car because i don’t know much about cars. I have started to learn on web pages regarding that. I find it something useful for me!
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I definitely agree that buying a car shouldn’t be torture. Thanks for sharing these awesome tips. I read some helpful tips most especially in forum car sites as well.
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I definitely agree that buying a car does not have to be a torture. It is a beautiful journey that you have to enjoy. You also have to be patient so you can find the best deal. You can purchase pre-owned cars and make it appear new with vehicle wraps.
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Buying a car think more practical. Go for your budget, and know a tips in how to proffer maintain your engine. You don’t have to go for a brand new that’s so expensive. Just know how to maintain.
This is a horrible process. Since I don’t care about cars, it was really hard to narrow it down to the one I want. My original list was many, many cars long. My only real stipulation was that I wanted a hatch back…do you know how many cars come with a hatchback? I went for a test drive at one dealership and the salesman asked me what other cars I was looking at.
There are many resources to buy a used cars, internet market where the great number of cars available Quikr, ebay the source to make a great deal. The used car is also a great option if you learning the car driving.
Great stuff…
Thanks for sharing..
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I also agree with @stephaniesuesansmith’s statement about ebay. But I always trust in online resources. I always prefer to research about the car which I am willing to buy.
Buying a new car isn’t a torture for anybody because it’s very enjoyable. Gathering information about car buying from various resources and get advice from experts may help to make car buying more interesting and enjoyable.
Buying car is not a torture … it is very joyful for me . If you have done research about it then you can make a nice deal . Before doing any deal you have to check multiple resources to find the best of them .
The main thing I always look is the pick up of the car. Apart from that, I look on the entire vehicle for scratches, dings, and engine.
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Watching my friend and her mom pick out a new car for her had me pulling at my own head of hair because of the amount of unneeded stress they put on themselves going through all the motions of buying a new car. They really could of used the help of a website like the one you posted, Auto Monster Car Blog. I even directed their attention to shows like BBC’s Top Gear who I feel always have very level headed and smart opinions about cars.
It doesn’t have to be a hassle buying a new car, the advice you gave of preparing yourself with knowledge of the vehicles will take you light-years ahead of the pack.
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Very inspiring title, Buying a car really not an easy task. Today used car market growing day by day so deal with an used car better than new. But, you must be clear about some aspects of used cars. There are many websites online where you can find all the information about used car market which would favor you a lot while purchasing a used car.
Hi,
Buying a car was, it is and will be a torture, it is very hard to find a good car at a normal price, a price that the car really deserves. It also is a matter of passion, how much do you wish for that car and how much are you going to work to earn the money to buy it ? It all depends on you, and how ‘cool’ do you want you car to be?
Best regards,
Maria
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Women seems to be so confused when it comes to buying a cars as very few of them know about the technologies and engines ..they just check out the exterior and interior of the car if they like it they will buy that car ..this sales person also have a big role in frustrating then by keep telling them about technology…
I’m surprised the stereotypes about women and cars are still so strong. Some women are just as knowledgeable about cars as men are; most just have many other interests they find more important.
Today there are probably just as many men who only care what a car looks like and don’t know anything about the mechanical aspects.
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Yes you are right buying or selling a car is too difficult work for a women.I have my grandfather’s BMW car which was good till last year but now it has started giving problem..which is very difficult to maintain…
Hi Shirlyn,
The main reason many hate buying cars is because of high pressure sales people – not because buying or selling a car is “too difficult” for women or anyone else.
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Well, we share the same sentiment. Since I had my own place, I’ve been driving my car till it cannot start anymore, I haven’t checked it yet, though I am planning to shed some bucks again for a mechanic since it is really helpless to fix it by myself. Unlike when I was still living with my parents. ugh.
Unfortunately, it is true that women have a tougher time. But if you do your homework ahead of time and understand the true cost of things (ie:Invoice price, financing rates etc, then you should have no trouble getting a good deal whether you are a man or a woman.
You really hit the nail on the head with this post. There are darn few blogs other than football or cycling that I even bother to read.
I am always looking for blogs dealing with organic ideas and after reading this I now I am convinced the time has finally come to give up my personal automobile. In the future i will only use public transportation and my bicycle. I suspect it will be a challenge at the beginning but I am convinced that it is possible.
Hi!
I agree. Buying a car or buying anything at all shouldn’t be torture. Sometimes, we oversee things that’s beyond the scope of what we really need. Just in case you’re not sure of what you really need,you may ask someone who’s expert enough to come with you and give you ideas on what suits you best. You can bring a friend that you trust enough and whom you also know is quite an expert on cars.
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Thanks for the compliments. Thanks for stopping by.
Stephanie, I forgot to mention the “back end” of the deal when purchasing a car. This is the part that deals with Finance and Insurance (F&I). Dealers make money off of the front end of a deal ( i.e. the marked up price), or on the back end of the deal from finance and insurance.
For example, even if you purchase a vehicle at cost you can still over pay if you are not careful about how you deal with the back end of the deal. If you are financing make sure that the terms are competitive and be careful about the additional warranties and other items that they try to sell you.
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This is very true. Of course, cash helps that, but not everyone can pay cash.
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Another thing you should have mentioned is the COSTCO AUTO BUYING PROGRAM for Costco Members.
We have never paid more than $100 over the dealer invoice for our automobiles. (Examples: Dodge Caravan SE 6 cyl $17k, sticker $25k — Toyota Avalon for $27.5k, sticker $35k.)
With the Costco program, you are given a Fleet Pricing which is the same price the Rental Car companies (Hertz, Avis etc) pay for their automobiles.
Costco Auto Program is a great tool and its FREE to all Costco members, even the Gold Star peons.
I guess if that is true, the annual fee for Costco members might be worth it. There isn’t one near here, but there is about an hour from here. Would they accept a membership over the internet?
When buying a car, I think it is best to bring along a friend who knows more about cars than you (so that even if you don’t know much about cars, you won’t be taken advantage of by the salesman). It is also most advisable to bring your own mechanic too if you are going to buy immediately. Also, test drive the car twice or thrice so you will really see what are the things you like and don’t like about the car, and not just believing everything the salesman is saying.
That is a good idea. I bring my Dad, who gets a good deal. I usually test drive cars to see which one I want, he looks at what I can afford, and then we go after it. We are fortunate in that Dallas/Ft. Worth has a lot of car dealers, so if one is unreasonable, we just go to the next one.
We are kinda lucky in the car purchase area. My husband is on the National Ski Patrol here in the states and Subaru sponsors the NSP. We get Subarus at 5% below the dealer’s price, so there is no negotiating. We simply pick the car, pay the price, then Subaru sends the dealer the discount plus some profit. We are about to purchase our second car this way.
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That is cool. Of course, the National Ski Patrol is hard work and you earn your discount. I wonder if one of the car manufacturers would sponsor a blogger? Probably not, huh?
Stephanie, you are soooo right. Buying a car should not be torture, but the process can be grueling. For most people, next to their home, it is the most expensive purchase that they will ever make.
Information is king. You must do your research to arm yourself. The use of the source that you mentioned, Autotrader.com, local newspapers, and trader magazines are good sources. Do not rely on NADA or Blue Book unless you really know what you are doing. These are tools that the dealer uses to establish their asking price. It is important to remember that market conditions establishes the value of a vehicle. It dosen’t matter what is printed in a book. One should also look at mileage and vehicle condition.
The bottom line is you should do your research before making an offer. Try to be rational when making your decision.
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As a research geek, going in armed with information is my game plan. Currently, I also go in armed with my Dad, who negotiated contracts for a living, but he won’t be around forever so I better learn to do it on my own. Thanks for stopping by and making some suggestions.
If you are buying a used car another good resource is eBay. Especially if you look at the completed auctions section as it will give you an idea of the current market price. If you go to a dealer and they tell you the car is worth 15k and you know nothing over 10k has sold in the past 6 months you’ll have more bargaining power.
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I agree that checking different sources is a good idea. Ebay can be way under priced or way overpriced, though.
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