How much research do you do before buying a new car? (vehicles, 2010)

[Go Blue 99]

What goes into your research process, and how much time do you spend on it before making a purchase?

[Chango]

I decide what kind of car I want first, learn everything I can about it and then go look at it in person.

I usually decide what I want in the first place through pure, irrational and hopeless emotion though.

[Cheektowaga_Chester]

I wish there were really good online databases I could use Excel to look at. I'd love to see a database with things like MPG, Number of airbags, price, and weight.

[North Beach Person]

Price and availability. I also don't go crazy trying to negotiate to the lowest price. "Here's what I'll pay, these are the terms I want. Can you sell me this truck?".

I know what's in the dealer inventory when I get there. When we bought Mrs. NBP's Forester in July 2009 (2010 model, fresh off the truck that morning) we didn't know it was there. She had looked at the Ford Escape earlier that day although she was leaning toward Subaru anyway. Drove by the dealer, said let's go in. Two hours later she was driving it home. She knew about the rebate offers (something I didn't know). That was somewhat unusual.

[raveabouttoast]

I've only bought used cars. So I first decide what kind of car I want or need. I'll usually have a good idea of which brands and models are out there that would meet my requirements.

I'll browse through the reliability ratings on New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing - Edmunds.com and look for any major problem areas.

Then I look online for cars that meet my budget. If it happens to be a car that has lower reliability or problem areas, I'll do more research into the problems and fixes. Either factor that into the offer for the car, or pass on it.

If I decide it's worth buying, then I'll test drive it. As long as the seller's not shady, it's pretty easy to find a good deal. And I've had fairly good luck with used cars.

Sometimes, I'll do the steps out of order. Like, I'll see a Subaru for sale parked in a driveway and then convince myself that I could probably use one of those. But then I'd still look into the reliability of the car and all that.

[jtur88]

Lst time I bought a new car (1985) I knew what I wanted, went and picked out the one with the options I wanted, and made my best deal.

Used cars, when I'm in the market I keep my eye out for anything suitable, and if it's a very good car at a very good price, I buy it.

[oh-eve]

I usually pay cash for the cars I buy. So I save up over a few years and do ALOT of research online and asking people.

I never regretted a purchase and since I am saving up for it, I really appreciate what I have. Much more as if I would get up on a Saturday morning and suddenly decide I want a car and then pay for it for 5 years.

I look for price, resale value, mpg, comfort, speeeed, FUN factor. Compare it to other cars. And if it fits my lifestyle. THEN I go testdrive and THEN I start seriously looking.

[GnomadAK]

I check the owner forums first, and those have saved me from some very serious errors. Real life owners aren't afraid to heap praise or scorn on their own vehicles. Take a look at Mercedes R series or Landrover Freelander comments in the various forums, I wish I'd have paid more attention to the M series owners but we've gotten off light compared to some!

[SabresFanInSA]

I do so much research to the point of being annoying and yet I still missed a known problem with the SHO (that I also suffer from). I will say though that its the first time I got burned like that. Overall I have a good grasp on what I am buying.

[BostonMike7]

A lot.

Each time I bought a car, a year of research, test drives, and maybe offers on 3-4 cars occur before I get one I like.