Anonymous wrote:Look at three-year-old cars coming off lease. Just the right balance of newness, well maintained by contract, and not too expensive because someone else took the initial depreciation hit. If you live in DC, put ease of parking over everything else. You do not want to have to park an SUV on the street. I gradually downsized my cars until I ended up in a Mini Cooper, and I'm seriously debating going smaller still.

All the way to a Matchbox car, bro.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RAV4

No.

No. No.

Hyundai Tucson. It'll last you until you're making more money and are ready to trade up, and won't break the bank until then.

Get one with AWD, and you'll have a vehicle that will do everything you'll need it to as a young person out on their own. And for about $10,000 less than a CRV or RAV4.

Look at three-year-old cars coming off lease. Just the right balance of newness, well maintained by contract, and not too expensive because someone else took the initial depreciation hit. If you live in DC, put ease of parking over everything else. You do not want to have to park an SUV on the street. I gradually downsized my cars until I ended up in a Mini Cooper, and I'm seriously debating going smaller still.

If this is strictly a utilitarian purpose, look for reliable, good gas mileage, relatively inexpensive and reasonably comfortable (probably in that order of importance). Welcome to adulting!

Anonymous wrote:RAV4

No.

Get financing set BEFORE you go to the dealer. They will try to push you to financing through them because they get a cut. Don't let them do it.

Negotiate the PRICE of the car, not the monthly payment. Google "4-square sales method" and you'll see how they can fudge the numbers to meet the monthly payment you want while not actually changing the price of the car.

Be very skeptical. Be prepared walk out if you feel for one moment like you are being railroaded. (It's actually a very empowering feeling!) There are plenty of cars and plenty of dealers out there.

If you belong to a credit union they often have programs to help with car buying. They will do the negotiating for you. If you have a friend who likes to haggle take them along.

Go with a friend or older relative.

There are many steps and they keep passing you to different people. They want to overwhelm you and make you lose track of what was said and what's on paper.

Also, pay a little extra every month and make sure it's going to principle. I paid off my car loan a year early by adding $15/month from the beginning.

Buy a Civic or a Corolla or something else relatively inexpensive and reliable. Do your price research in advance; don't want into a dealership cold.

unless you need a AWD/4x4, i suggest Corolla

Anonymous wrote:first dont lease. you will gets tuck in a rut forever "renting cars and having payments.

how much cna you afford. payment wise. that will largely dictate what you buy.

crv, prius, corolla, civic

True, but do NOT tell the dealer that you want to have (X#) payment, and do not act like you have not done your homework, because the dealer will take advantage of your inexperience. Look online at low priced new cars or used cars (not that old, not too much mileage on them) with a bumper to bumper warranty. Figure out what you can afford. Also, look at your credit history, and know your rating from (3) major credit bureaus. This is where the dealer tries to ding you, and give you a large percentage rate, so that they get higher payments from you. Dealers are notoriously skeevy. There are buying programs from Costco and USAA (and some others), if you belong. Know the inventory of the dealer of the car you find, and negotiate online, in writing. Good luck.

first dont lease. you will gets tuck in a rut forever "renting cars and having payments.

how much cna you afford. payment wise. that will largely dictate what you buy.

crv, prius, corolla, civic

RAV4

I am going to be buying/leasing my first car, my job new is too far for metro. Any advice with buying/leasing a car. My drive will be 1 hr a day, I can’t afford anything too expensive being 3 years out of college. Any advice?