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re: Ugggghh shopping for a car. Start today.

Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:10 am to
Posted by DustyDinkleman
Here
Member since Feb 2012
20343 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:10 am to
quote:

Do not finance through the dealership if you opt for financing.


This.

Dealership said they couldn’t allow outside financing and so we threatened to walk. After 30min of him and hawing the finance manager said ok, we’ll take it

Posted by tigersownall
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2011
17199 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:11 am to
They still make integras?!
Posted by udtiger
Over your left shoulder
Member since Nov 2006
117059 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:15 am to
quote:

They still make integras?!


Yep. Got one this year. Quick as hell and nimble.
Posted by LSU alum wannabe
Katy, TX
Member since Jan 2004
27869 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:18 am to
How did you fit in an integra? How big of a baw are you?
Posted by Sofaking2
Member since Apr 2023
22132 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:22 am to
I used to not mind doing it as a recently as a few years ago. Now I hate it. I do it for my wife or kids, but I’m putting it off for myself. I’ll probably drive my vehicle to 250k. The older I get the less patience I have for car dealerships.
This post was edited on 8/15/26 at 11:23 am
Posted by KosmoCramer
Member since Dec 2007
80723 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:23 am to
quote:

I’ll never buy a new car again unless I can just order it and pick it up like anything else.


The Tesla buying experience is this right now.

You can order through your phone, enter limited info proof of insurance, get approved for financing in minutes all through their app if wanted, then they give you the VIN number after a few days.

Set the delivery date once it arrives at the store. Walk in, show them the app, they take you to the car and answer any questions you have, and you drive away. It was astonishingly hassle free.

Same with the test drive. Zero pressure to buy. Full hour with the car.

Can't recommend enough based on the buy process alone.
Posted by RoyalWe
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2018
5324 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:23 am to
I'm in the same boat. Thankfully I don't have to do anything because my 2012 Tundra is still reliable, but I'm ready for a change. I am probably going to hire Delivrd to do the deal for me because I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate the games.

It's a damn shame when they've made the process so difficult that I'm willing to pay someone $1000 to negotiate the deal for me.
Posted by dandan
Member since Nov 2007
5104 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:24 am to
General tip just be willing to walk out of a few places until you get a price you feel good about.

Almost all of them have those add ons but will throw those off as a negotiation tactic. But the real discussion begin after that.

Also know any incentives on the car. Was surprised some of the salesman didn’t know and I was able to get more by mention what I found online

Most of them will play dumb and act like they can’t go lower but if you stay on them and shop around you can find someone to willing to deal.
Posted by Sofaking2
Member since Apr 2023
22132 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:26 am to
quote:

General tip just be willing to walk out of a few places until you get a price you feel good about.

I haven’t gone to a dealership in years to settle on a price. I get the price I want in writing over text or email or I’m not coming in.
Posted by nuwaydawg
Member since Nov 2007
2432 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:32 am to
Bookmarked this years ago. Let's see if it works. Tigerdroppings thread.

TD 2018 will cover buying guide
Posted by America250
Member since Jun 2026
150 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:33 am to
Narrow your choice down to 2-3 models. Do your research on them: known engine and transmission problems. I'd avoid cvt transmissions. Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord are known for reliability, and will last years if well maintained. Regular oil changes and having transmission serviced regularly is essential.
Posted by Sofaking2
Member since Apr 2023
22132 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:36 am to
quote:

• The average auto loan now exceeds $30,000.00 – CNBC • Consumers borrow an average of $19,329.00 for used vehicles and $30,621 for new vehicles
That’s a blast from the past, lol. What’s the average now?
Posted by ThatTahoeOverThere
Member since Nov 2021
5166 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:44 am to
quote:

Do not finance through the dealership if you opt for financing. A dealership arranges financing through a lender, typically a CUDL system (Credit Union Direct Link) they secure a "buy rate" the lowest interest rate the lender offers you based on your credit score. However, they are legally allowed to add a markup, typically between 1% and 2.5% to the APR before presenting the offer to you. This markup goes straight into the dealership’s pocket as profit, costing you thousands of dollars in extra interest over the life of the loan. Secure financing on your own, don't let them know you have done this and focus the negotiation on the price of the car not monthly payments.


Very few customers can go to a bank and get a better rate than what a dealership can offer. Maybe your credit union can but I only see that with credit unions that have certain criteria for membership. Banks sell loans to dealerships at a lower rate because dealerships buy a lot of loans. Its like the Sam's club effect, its less because they buy in bulk.

Your best bet is to negotiate with the finance manager(If you're walk on water credit) for a shave on the rate.
Posted by Willie Stroker
Member since Sep 2008
17107 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:50 am to
quote:

Secure financing on your own, don't let them know you have done this and focus the negotiation on the price of the car not monthly payments.

This is good advice.

But why not give the dealership an opportunity to beat your best financing offer that you secured separately? I’ve tried. They never beat it. But I would never recommend to someone that they not try.
Posted by LSU alum wannabe
Katy, TX
Member since Jan 2004
27869 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:52 am to
quote:

Very few customers can go to a bank and get a better rate than what a dealership can offer. Maybe your credit union can but I only see that with credit unions that have certain criteria for membership


This was definitely the case with our last 2 cars. Dealer financing was 0 of 60 months and 0 for 72 months.
Posted by RolltidePA
North Carolina
Member since Dec 2010
5748 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:55 am to
Nope. It still sucks. There’s a Mazda dealer in my areas (Southern States in Raleigh) that doesn’t pull BS and finance / GM doesn’t try to do any upsells.Got 0.9% rate through Mazda and was fine with that. So, I’ve been driving Mazdas the last few go rounds because they are fast to get to a good price and easy to deal with.

I did my last negotiation with them over text without ever going into the dealership. Got the deal I waned, went in to drive the vehicle just to make sure I didn’t hate it and was out of there in less than an hour. Longest part of the experience was them prepping it for delivery.

Kind of crazy that the only reason I’m driving a particular brand of car is because the dealership doesn’t suck.
This post was edited on 8/15/26 at 11:57 am
Posted by udtiger
Over your left shoulder
Member since Nov 2006
117059 posts
Posted on 8/15/26 at 11:57 am to
quote:

How did you fit in an integra? How big of a baw are you?


Lololololololol

Not that big. Just a shade under 6 feet

My 6'3 son fits in it just fine.
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