Buying a car

[mahina]

Well, it’s been 17 years since I bought a great hybrid from a neighbor, and looking at my fourth hybrid battery replacement, its time to change cars.

Everything new seems insanely expensive and everything used seems almost exactly the same price with free risk. Any tips on negotiating on a used car? I need something modest a d not big.
Not in the market for a Tesla, Cadillac, Lincoln, anything fancy. Thanks for your insights. Aloha.

[ebbie15644]

1. There is a

Really good website that's free and they have many videos on YouTube to walk you through both used and new cars. It's called CarEdge.com

[mahina]

2. Thanks, I appreciate the tip.

Last edited Fri Jul 28, 2023, 02:32 PM - Edit history (1)

My old, wonderful mechanic, long retired, said, buy a Toyota, Honda, or a Nissan in that order and don’t buy anything they haven’t made 1 million of.

He was right about this car. I’m sorry to say goodbye to it. I may still pop for another battery, but I’m ready to call it.

[Meadowoak]

5. What is the cost for a hybrid battery? Just curious.

[mahina]

6. New installed labor and all 3100

But its my 4th. I thought I could wait for the eventual made in the US electric car that was affordable - not yet.

[Meadowoak]

7. If it's still a decent, reliable car, it might be worth the battery replacement.

I believe we are still about 3 years out to affordable EVs.

[True Dough]

9. Has the battery life improved

as the years have gone by?

[masmdu]

11. Try the Hybrid Geek. Battery replacement

I used them on my 2006 Prius. Mechanic wanted $3500 / dealer $4200 , but hybrid geek will come to you and do the swap in your driveway. Lifetime Warranty included for $1550. I did this 3 years ago and still functioning just fine. Hope this helps.

https://www.thehybridgeek.com/specials/?gclid=CjwKCAjwq4imBhBQEiwA9Nx1BsFOT-IZyH5g39NJvzbXs5ONSXIApBgv8DTvEBsOmxcvxl6deycljRoCDIkQAvD_BwE

Eta: they are in my area, NC. But there are similar services around the country.

[Think. Again.]

15. Chevy has decided to continue building the "Bolt"...

Full article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/07/25/chevy-bolt-ev/

GM will introduce the new Bolt on an “accelerated timeline,” but said it will announce timing and more details, including the manufacturing location, later.

GM still intends to stop producing the legacy Bolt at a plant in Lake Orion, Mich., at the end of this year, a spokesman said. The company earlier said that factory would be retooled to produce electric trucks.

The sticker price starts at $26,500, with the car also qualifying for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

[Liberal In Texas]

20. This is good news. The fed rebate gets it under $20K. And many states have their own additional

rebates.

Many of these threads talk about how they can't afford a new car but it is seldom mentioned and would be helpful to know how much $ the person is able to spend on a car.

[Chi67]

12. $3100?

For a battery replacement? Oh hell no. I would not have done that one time. And you have done this three times? Get rid of that thing, whatever it is. Don't even think abut replacing that battery again.

My advice is this, if you go used, buy only certified pre-owned cars. Anything wrong with the car will have been repaired by the dealer and you still get a warranty, in some cases, for a longer term than you would get if you bought new. It's the best deal out there, and most carmakers offer this option. Even Toyota and Honda.

[mahina]

22. As the fourth. W the first under warrantee, Im still ahead

3600. on gas over 17 years though, remember.

If i drove more the batteries would all have lasted longer. They need to cycle three or four times a week. With the pandemic and more working from home the last battery didnt stand much of a chance.

[kabi knit]

3. I Cannot Make A Serious Suggestion

However, I have had very good luck with anything 'Toyota'. Currently driving an older 2011 Toyota Rav4 with just over 200,000 miles.

Sure there have been tire replacements (Michelin only, of course), battery replacements, and even a few steering gear replacements, but no major equipment failures. Why I even had to have the Toyota (dealer) technicians replace the driver-side sun visor, because it would not stay 'in-position'.

I wish you the very best of luck with your next choice of vehicle.

[meadowlander]

14. Me too.

I have a ten year old Toyota and never a moment's worry about it.

Go for a used car - the biggest hit in value you will take is the second you drive a new car off the lot - but no more than 3-4 years old. I got a 3 year old ex-fleet car with low mileage. A lot of companies will replace all of their cars every three years or so and you can pick up a relatively gently used one with a good maintenance record.

Expect I'll still be able to drive my current car for another 10-15 years but when I finally have to replace it, I'd do exactly the same again - 3-4 year old Toyota from an auction house that also provides a warranty, an EV if I can afford it, the highest end model I can reasonably afford but not a lot of unnecessary electronic stuff that's just another thing that can go wrong.

[Snooper9]

4. 2022/23 honda insight

NT

[usonian]

8. I have had a Forester for 5 years.

Of course the old Tacoma lasted 20 years until a deer played chicken with it. Too bad. Forester has been running well, and of course, in 20 years of development, faster and about 50% better gas mileage. Reliability seems in the ballpark with Toyota. Time will tell. Subarus are rampant in the Sierra Foothills. Snow and ice. Don't imagine you get much.

Dealers and shops matter.

[diva77]

10. Consumer Reports has useful info. and ratings based on real data

You can gain access for short periods of time without having to buy a full subscription.

Also be sure to get the carfax report (usually free from a dealer) for any car you are considering -- it'll provide info. such as number of previous owners, out of state origin, any accidents, major repairs, etc. It's amazing how many people don't disclose this kind of info. up front.

[Celerity]

13. The new Chevy Equinox EV comes out this fall, starts around only $30K and is rebate eligible

https://www.chevrolet.com/electric/equinox-ev

[mahina]

23. Cool looking, thanks celerity.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

16. Tip: compare the cost of new to the cost of making yours like-new

[dembotoz]

18. have it inspected by an independent mechanic

currently looking and have had too many rejected by a mechanic

2 rejected yesterday.....

[Jedi Guy]

19. If you don't want to get gouged on a used car, try this.

Doing research on the make/model you want is crucial to knowing what a fair price is. Kelly Blue Book is your friend. That's the first step.

The second step is to make sure you don't get screwed on the lot because many dealerships don't visibly display prices on used cars, hoping you'll name a figure higher than they want. Look for a lot where the used cars have a sticker on the windshield or letters written on them. If you see this, the dealership is using the Blackstone system or something like it.

B = 1, L = 2, A = 3, and so on. So if the sticker says LC, the price they want for the car is $24,999 but they don't want you knowing that. There are other systems that work the same way, so be observant and do the research there too.

Hope this helps!

[mahina]

24. Great to know for the future. Thanks!

[marble falls]

21. GM is bringing the Bolt back ...

https://www.caranddriver.com › chevrolet › bolt-ev
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV Review, Pricing, and Specs - Car and Driver
Bolt EV 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV Starting at $ 27,495 8 / 10 C/D RATING Specs Photos Chevrolet Select a year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Highs Tempting starting price, spacious interior...

[sarcasmo]

25. My 18 month old Honda Odyssey already has its first recall. Cars suck.