tips for buying a new car?

[buddhadog]

Im not so sure a dealership would be too keen on you doing IPA wipe downs on their vehicles ?

The only advice I have is to buy it on a sunny day if you can .

[yakky]

And also, I have seen thousands of virtually defect free vehicles on dealer lots in multiple states.

I think its time to go to the eye doctor.

Back to the OP's question, if its brand new, use IPA or just find a touchless car wash near by and run the car through. The real concern shouldn't be swirls as much as paint thickness as you can pretty easily correct swirls that can be covered with a glaze. However if the car has been polished before and has a thin coat of paint, you are screwed. A friend with a PTG is a good thing to have. You'll also quickly find repainted panels, and yes, plenty of brand new cars have repainted panels. Good luck with your new car search!

[FUNX650]

Im not so sure a dealership would be too keen on you doing IPA wipe downs on their vehicles ?

The only advice I have is to buy it on a sunny day if you can .

Which is more important, a new car with a perfect factory paint job (no such thing), or procuring a car at the best price one can negotiate? Do your homework--research the car you want (ex.Kelly Blue Book), if financing get a pre-approved loan other than the dealership for comparison (they hate that), test drive this and similar vehicles, etc. etc.

No IPA wipe downs, Brinkmans, MF towels, nothing-- don't touch it--whose car is it anyway? Try to remember: It is not your car until you buy it, then you can do what you please with it.

[Flash Gordon]

I've noticed in the past 2 or 3 years that dealers here are hardly doing any prep work other then washing. Its very rare to see a paint job jacked up with rotary swirls like were so common in the past

I don't know if its that dealers are getting wise, or just being cheap. Regardless, the consumer wins

If at all possible carry a paint thickness gauge. If you don't have one, ask your salesman to go to the used car dept and borrow theirs

Regards

2 Cents

[Quattro3.2]

Thanks everyone. I am definitely more interested in getting the best deal possible. I am looking at a 2007 Volvo XC90. How is the paint with Volvos? I have an Audi A4with rock hard clear.

I know that a majority of car have their defects. The car looks good right now from what I can tell. There are not any major body issues, but a couple swirls. If I get it, I will at least have another project. I appreciate all of the feedback.

[Flash Gordon]

Thanks everyone. I am definitely more interested in getting the best deal possible. I am looking at a 2007 Volvo XC90. How is the paint with Volvos? I have an Audi A4with rock hard clear.

I know that a majority of car have their defects. The car looks good right now from what I can tell. There are not any major body issues, but a couple swirls. If I get it, I will at least have another project. I appreciate all of the feedback.

Volvo clear is very easy to work with. Actually, IMO its very thin. I did a burn thru a couple years back

[MI Mike]

All of us are giving you our opinions. Like others have mentioned. When I was looking to purchase a new car, I did all my research before going into the dealer showroom. I knew what the price was, options, rebates, etc. I even checked the vehicles beforehand. Not during the week but on the weekend, were the dealership was closed and I could walk around the vehicles without having a salesrep. hovering all around. If you are looking for a perfect finish, remember that your warranty for paint is very short.

[ScottB]

Go 15 minutes before they close on a Friday or Saturday night and at the end of the month.

They can't leave until the deal is done or you walk out. On those days of the week the salesman have somewhere to be and want to get out of there and are more willing to work on the price just to get you out.

At the end of every month the sales manager is trying to hit the monthly quota. If he is short he will more than likely work with you to get you to buy.

Following these three tips will save you money. Trust me, I worked at a dealership goof through school and had guys like you come in making me wait to go out. Moat of the time the manager did what the buyer asked to get them to leave so we could all go home.

If it doesnt work I will be surprised. I guess their could be the manager who just doesn't care but I doubt it. Those guys work 14-16 hour days and are ready to go.

Happy hunting!

Since I have it on great authority from a long term manager at local dealer, you do not want to come in the last minutes. They, like all want to go home and wont be more helpful usually less compliant. Plus some financing options arent available as closed. Usually a car deal takes over an hour from start to finish even with all variables in order.

Best advice is to shop closer to month end as indeed a push to move inventory for floor financing, spiffs, and quotas. Best to bring in info on car including costs and expect to pay something reasonable OVER cost. Limited editions will likely bring less negotiation. (ie. GTR vs. Altima) Bring your title in hand as possible to assure you are ready to deal. Clean your car in advance and realistically evaluate its cost. You are not selling it privately and should also measure sales tax savings as part of your deal. Ask about rebates, financing offers, and dealer cash. You expect to make a profit in your business and so do they ...

As for paint on new cars .... its under warranty and certainly can be buffed up and shined your way. I would suggest they dont even do any additional prep or washing prior to delivery. They likely only washed it before it hit lot, ask them to leave it alone. On used models you can certainly bring a better deal and do the work yourself.

[RaskyR1]

I really don't like the idea of people going to new car lots and doing IPA wipe downs.


The condition of any new car is going to depend on how long it's sat of the lot (LOT ROT). If you can get one the day it arrives it should be free of defects and only need a light claying. If it's sat on the lot for months it will likely be marred up.

My advice, order the car you want and have them call you the day it arrives. Give specific instructions that it's not to be touched other than the pre delivery inspection. Remove all the plastic yourself and it should be defect free.

I got my new '06 Civic Si a couple days after it arrived (custom leather seats installed), and it was free of any marring and only had one tiny area where I could tell they popped out a ding....lol, actually it was pretty funny when I asked the manager about it as he couldn't believe I could tell it had been done.

My 2007 Mazda 6 was 100% free of defects. My '08 TSX on the other hand was pretty marred up, which I new before buying it. However, it was the end of model year and the only one left, which had been sitting for a while. Even with the plastic still on the car it was marred up.

Rasky

[Laura]

Thanks everyone. I am definitely more interested in getting the best deal possible. I am looking at a 2007 Volvo XC90. How is the paint with Volvos? I have an Audi A4with rock hard clear.

I know that a majority of car have their defects. The car looks good right now from what I can tell. There are not any major body issues, but a couple swirls. If I get it, I will at least have another project. I appreciate all of the feedback.

Though somewhat obsessed with this, I haven't worked on many cars other than my Audi (Toyota, Ford, Lexus, Honda). But correcting mine has definitely been harder than any of those others. The way I look at it, of all the possible problems I could have with that car, the only thing I can fix myself is the paint, so that part wouldn't worry me nearly as much as how it runs. Just my thoughts...