Vehicle help please

**mountainchick** · 03-08-2007, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by snapdragen

As a devout Subaru fan, I say Forester.

I have one of these back in the States! I loooove it...but am willing to sell if someone wants to buy

Its a 2005 Forester X and I got 30mpg on the highway with it.

**mimitabby** · 03-08-2007, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by mountainchick

I have one of these back in the States! I loooove it...but am willing to sell if someone wants to buy

Its a 2005 Forester X and I got 30mpg on the highway with it.

The states are a big place, where in the states is your car?

**pepe6599** · 03-08-2007, 02:43 PM

My girlfriends cousin bought his car from Las vegas and even with shipping the truck to Hawaii it was cheaper then if he bought it on island. Just an idea.

Good luck car shopping.

**xeney** · 03-08-2007, 02:46 PM

The RAV4 is little if you need to transport more than two people (including the driver). But the older models (before last year) have rear seats that come out completely, and then you have a ton of room.

We tend to leave the seats out for months at a time.

**mountainchick** · 03-08-2007, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by mimitabby

The states are a big place, where in the states is your car?

Colorado

**KnottedYet** · 03-08-2007, 03:18 PM

chick - try asking your credit union in AZ about the loan. with the new CU Service Center (1-866-692-8669) you can get your loan anywhere, not just in the state of your credit union. I got 4.5% loan through my credit union and they arranged the whole thing from the dealership through the CUSC in about 20 minutes.

**chickwhorips** · 03-08-2007, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by KnottedYet

chick - try asking your credit union in AZ about the loan. with the new CU Service Center (1-866-692-8669) you can get your loan anywhere, not just in the state of your credit union. I got 4.5% loan through my credit union and they arranged the whole thing from the dealership through the CUSC in about 20 minutes.

i did call my credit union. they said they could do it, but it would take 2 weeks for everything to go through.

**Lifesgreat** · 03-08-2007, 04:36 PM

I love my 2005 Honda CRV. Not as much as my bike, though.

**emily_in_nc** · 03-08-2007, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

I love it! The women I bought my red mercedes from is 70 and drives a mini-cooper now!.

See? No need to avoid a particular vehicle because of your age! I bought my Element at age 43, and my step-mom bought one in her 60s. We both love them. The salesman when I bought mine said that boomers were loving and buying them just as much as the target 20-somethings demographic, much to Honda's surprise!

Emily

**emily_in_nc** · 03-08-2007, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin

Subarus are very popular in New England, but my personal experience (good friends have 2) is that they are sluggish on the highway and we couldn't really fit 4 bikes and luggage for 4 people going on a trip in the station wagon.

Agreed. I drove a Forester for four years, and my DH always complained about how tiny it was on the long trips we take. With suitcases and a dog kennel, it was packed. If we took bikes in it, we had to stack them on their sides and there was no room for luggage or dogs then. The Element is much, much roomier, and bikes go in upright!

Plus, my Forester needed a new transmission after four years, and I was plagued by a "check engine" light that just couldn't be fixed for any length of time. I put a lot of miles on that car, but that just didn't seem right. The dealership where I live were jerks too, so I've sworn off Subies, even though I like the company's values.

We also used to have a Rav4, which was really tiny, but it was one of the earliest ones with 2 doors. They've changed a lot since then.

Emily

**Mr. Bloom** · 03-08-2007, 07:15 PM

Chick:

I am a banker, albeit, a commercial one, not consumer. What you've described sounds like good potential for a great credit rating...but there are other factors (it's a top secret black box that is more protected than the secret formula for Coca Cola).

Be Self Aware: If you're interested in getting your credit bureau, you can go to www.freecreditreport.com but beware, I don't think that it's "Free" to get your actual credit score.

Don't Just Compare on Rate: The two week lag in getting the 'best rate' from the credit union can wind up costing you more...say you save 1/2% on the rate (about $150 over four years on a $15,000 loan)...you could save considerably more than that by being able to negotiate a better price by having the loan "locked up" or getting it through the dealer. In other words, the dealer will not negotiate the best price if they have to wait two weeks to close the deal. Use www.edmunds.com to help determine fair value of the car you're considering.

My bank doesn't do many car loans primarily because we can't compete with the rates that are offered through the dealer. SO, I recommend you pay a few $ to get your actual credit score...if it's over 750, then you'll be able to get the best deal possible with a low/no down payment. If it's over 700 or 720, you'll still get a good deal, no matter where the money comes from.

Strategy: Also, you might consider working with a male salesman. WHile they've gotten more 'sensitive', Silver and I learned long ago that many don't know how to negotiate with a strong-willed woman...and this tends to accrue in your favor.

Beware: If you know your credit score and the dealer asks for your name/address/ssn BEFORE you've picked out a car, give them your credit score instead...otherwise, they may be running a credit bureau report on you and every time someone (not you) pulls one, it's about 18 points off the score. SO, save them the trouble in 'prequalifying' you by giving them the score and making them wait to pull the credit bureau once you've settled on the car and the price.

Sorry to be so long. Good Luck

**snowtulip** · 03-08-2007, 07:30 PM

I have an XTERRA and I love it! It does get horrible gas mileage compared to everything nowadays, but I bought it primarily for my recreational activites (camping, hiking, biking) and try to make up environmentally in other ways (less driving). When I went shopping I was looking for a vehicle with good clearance and this has it. Apparently 2003 and 2004 models are good, the newer models have some issues I've heard.

**chickwhorips** · 03-08-2007, 08:45 PM

mr silver thank you for your insight! i appreciate it.

i will have to pull my credit report and see what my score is. i've been on edmunds.com a bunch looking at their advice. i also found out my friend use to work as a new/used sales girl, and she also worked in the financial department. i'm taking her along for ammo.

this next vehicle i get, i'm going to be well armed! watch out sales man! you have a wild one who is well armed coming your way!!!!!

**Hub** · 03-09-2007, 07:43 AM

Remember to check Kelly Blue Book online to get pricing when shopping for used.

Happy Shopping

**roguedog** · 03-09-2007, 08:24 AM

Hey CWR,

I agree with Mr Silver...

Other info for you for what it's worth...

Two of the largest auto lenders are Citi and Capital One. I'm not sure if you're going to run into problems with other lenders because you're in Alaska.

I know our auto division didn't lend in some states.. and I *think* Alaska was one of them. Only telling you this in case you run into issues.

I'd follow Mr. S's advice and definitely shop for a loan. Also, I believe it's very powerful to come to the table prequalified. At the place I worked, once you applied, we fed ex'd you a check basically so you can buy on the spot.

And lastly, as you know.. I'm a Toyota person

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