freaking out about having to buy a car.

[smilingcat]

I don't have anything meaningful to add to this thread since am so car clueless.

HOpe you a vehicle that meets your budget and for certain times of convenience.

It would be very nice if I could be like you and be car free and worry free about transportation. But this is LA.

The boys at the office are not much help when it comes to advising on models of car to look. I think they were just trying to tweak me. In there were some helpful hints though.

Get a Chrysler. They are dumping them so should get a real bargain.
Ford Focus or Fusion. Now that's interesting and never thought about.
Or one of the Saturns forgot the model name.

Regardless, I'm really not looking forward to car shopping. I hate haggling. I find most car salesmen to be bit "dirty" and untrustworthy. I get a feeling of their sole interest is to separate you from your hard earned cash and as much cash as possible. It's making me have an upset stomach. blach... didn't have time to drop into a car dealer today so try again tomorrow. meh. How can car buying be fun? shopping for a new bike, cloth, shoes, pottery, which I collect, buying sculpture is fun but a car??? Oh visitng an open house is always fun.

[badger]

I'm not sure if it's the same here, but here in Canada, both Toyota and Honda are haggle-free. Everyone pays the same price.

[sgtiger]

Regardless, I'm really not looking forward to car shopping. I hate haggling. I find most car salesmen to be bit "dirty" and untrustworthy. I get a feeling of their sole interest is to separate you from your hard earned cash and as much cash as possible. It's making me have an upset stomach. blach... didn't have time to drop into a car dealer today so try again tomorrow. meh. How can car buying be fun? shopping for a new bike, cloth, shoes, pottery, which I collect, buying sculpture is fun but a car??? Oh visitng an open house is always fun.

Internet car shopping is the way to go. No haggling. No mind games. The dealerships have a set internet price. Usually you have to go through your bank, credit union, buying club (Costco), etc., auto buying program. You just enter in the models and trim level you're interested in and the car dealerships email you with a set price.

Also, edmunds.com lists the average price that a particular model is selling for in your area. I highly recommend doing research on dealerships there.

[crazycanuck]

Is there something similar to a novation lease available through your company? That might be another idea.