10 Things About Buying a New Car...we saved some money!

We just bought a new car today. Phew! Trust me there is a reason why we only do this every nine years! But there were a few things that were different this time around. We actually enjoyed the experience.

Interest rates for those of us with good credit are REALLY LOW!
The gadgets on cars are absolutely amazing. Because the interest is low we can afford better stuff. Blue Tooth, Alarm Systems, Tire Pressure Warnings, Sound System that searches for the kind of music you want, 4 wheel drive, etc.
More power! We purchases a Subaru Outback Limited. We found the size and configuration to be perfect and the 2.5i 4 cylinder had a lot more power that the old Forester.
Our American Express Credit Card paved the way for Fleet pricing on the car saving us several thousand dollars.
We discovered that we we could do most of our research and decision making before we even left home. By going to American Express Auto Purchase Program, we could compare prices, amenities and view the interior of all those cars we felt might be in the running. That site is available to you even if you don't have a card. This is good information to have even if you don't have the card. More information makes you a better bargainer.
The warranty we got this time was 6 years. We both like that a lot.
We are a lot smarter...we did not get the service package when we found out it would only save us $70 over the length of it's use. Ask how much it will save you. The service package was only good at the dealership we bought it at.
Sales practices by car salesmen may have changed in the last nine years...for the better. At any rate it worked that way for us.
We discovered that you can get a good price even if you don't trade your car in and it is a whole lot easier. We liked that a lot.
Dealers will take your credit card for $2000 on the down payment. Airline miles are a good thing.

I don't know about you but I hate to feel like I have been taken. This is the first time in many years I have walked away from the purchase of a motorized vehicle that I have had a good taste in my mouth. That, my friends, is a very good thing.
Incidentally, Brian at Royal Moore Subaru in Hillsboro, Oregon is a very good person to deal with.

b

Comments

Five Little Ducks...stories played out!

The children's song about the little ducks leaving the nest to fly away has always been one of my favorites. Every mother has seen their babies fly away and rejoiced. Life comes full circle. Animals live that same cycle. Babies grow up. Birds leave the nest. Life goes on. So when the three ducks show up every year near my patio I am not surprised. But I am puzzled that it always seems to be the same three. Something just doesn't seem right. It appears the one did not fly away at all. Five little ducks Went out to play Over the hills and far away. The mommy duck went "quack, quack quack," Four little ducks came swimming back... And then Three Two and One. A drake, a female duck (a hen) and a not quite a drake but still not a hen gather here on the 5th green of the golf course. She leads and the other two follow along obediently. They eat, sleep, and guard each other. Each and every day this time of year they come. I have not named them. Jinxing them would be very pos...

How to be a 12 Month Snow Bird

Vacation Rental in Mexico I live around snowbirds 6 months of the year. I have heard those people say that they all want to live the "snowbird" lifestyle when they go home. But it just is not possible. They are isolated and cold. Social activities with friends and beautiful weather are greatly missed when they return to the realities of their "real" life. One couple I visited with lately returned to Florida this morning where they own a home. The woman is a nurse and works in the summer. They are not going home until May this year. It is too cold in Michigan in the spring so they are hoping to extend their good weather season by simply staying away. Besides that they love their Florida lifestyle a lot. Last week I visited with a woman that lives the snowbird lifestyle year around. No going home to the Midwest in the spring. They essentially vacation 12 month out of the year. And I thought their solution for avoiding unpleasant weather and keeping their lifestyle in...

If You Build It, They Will Come...Maybe!

It all began with a antique window in front of a local shop. It had been painted yellow, the glass was loose and all of the hinges and latches were gone. My old friend Betty would have approved...she would tell me it was just broken enough and damaged enough for me to drag it home. When my dear husband saw it, he wondered what he was meant to do with it. Imagine his surprise when he was presented with the plan to build a small neighborhood library exchange. It wasn't the first time he had heard me ask "How hard could it be?" Now it is six weeks later and we mounted the darling little library exchange on two posts in our front yard. I love it. Now the question is, will they come or has the time passed when people actually read something made of paper? Our association president stopped by and admired the box but left after telling me that he only read books on his Kindle. We will see. Would you bring a book and take a book? b+

Retire In Style Blog Too

Search This Blog