Car broker?

[tlarson58]

Can anyone reccomend a good car broker?

[uwmcscott]

Are you looking to sell or buy?

[Rollin Hand]

Tom McParland. He writes for Jalopnik as well as having a consulting business:

https://automatchconsulting.com/

[tlarson58]

Are you looking to sell or buy?

Buy.

[uwmcscott]

Are you looking to sell or buy?

Buy.

Depending on what you are looking for, it is swinging back to a buyers market in some segments so I’m not sure a broker is needed. Almost all dealers of size have staff dedicated purely to Internet/online sales so you can get multiple quotes over the web. Most manufacturers also have very detailed inventory search tools as well so you can literally find Every car on every lot within any radius in a few minutes. We just got a new Mazda CX-9 for my wife and ended up about 12% off sticker price between factory incentives and dealer discount, and I never stepped foot on the lot until the day I took delivery.

[tlarson58]

@uwmcscott - Trying that right now.

@Rollin Hand - This will be our first call if the dealership route doesn't work out.

Thanks guys.

[uwmcscott]

@uwmcscott - Trying that right now.

Good luck. I've purchased 2 vehicles over the last year, the first one was last fall when prices were completely out of whack and inventory was still short. It's amazing how quickly things changed from then to now. The prices are still out of whack, but at least negotiation is possible again.

If you are looking for new though, it makes things significantly easier to compare apples to apples. What kind of vehicle are you looking for if you dont mind sharing? Some vehicles are still in high demand so there might be an alternative to explore if you are having trouble finding what you want.

[tlarson58]

@uwmcscott - Trying that right now.

Good luck. I've purchased 2 vehicles over the last year, the first one was last fall when prices were completely out of whack and inventory was still short. It's amazing how quickly things changed from then to now. The prices are still out of whack, but at least negotiation is possible again.

If you are looking for new though, it makes things significantly easier to compare apples to apples. What kind of vehicle are you looking for if you dont mind sharing? Some vehicles are still in high demand so there might be an alternative to explore if you are having trouble finding what you want.

Subaru Forester Wilderness. They'll be tough to find.

[uwmcscott]

Subaru Forester Wilderness. They'll be tough to find.

Yes, likely so - but a very cool car indeed. Last fall we needed a third vehicle and were looking for something relatively inexpensive, but used cars were ridiculously overpriced. What we ended up with was a Mazda CX30 - smaller than an outback or forester, but AWD and really high-end interior/quality overall. Mazda has quietly been creeping up on Toyota and Honda, and IMHO surpassing them. They have focused their tech development on refining standard gasoline engines to run very efficiently via higher compression and tuned airflow vs complicated start/stop or cylinder deactivation systems. And even back last fall when prices were stoopid, we got a base CX30 ( still with AWD and a very nicely appointed cabin ) for $22,500. We liked it so much that we just got a CX9 carbon edition for Mrs. Uwmcscott to finally break out of the Minivan era.

You might want to check out the CX50 Meridian Edition just for kicks and see what you think.

[tonebender]

Dude! I started to mention Subaru in a post when this thread started. I know a few people including my next door neighbor that drive a Subaru and they love them. My neighbor is a doctor and she said she will never own any other car. My wife drives a 2016 Lexus 350 and is has been rambling about
a new car. It is a wonderful, trouble-free vehicle so I am advising her to keep it. I did mention to her that if she just has to get a new one then consider a Subaru.

[mozz]

Of course i have bad news about Subaru's, a lot of them are known to burn excessive oil. Before you buy one please type it in google and read on a bunch of websites about the problem. Reason i was reading about that, 2 people at work have them and i asked how is that car running/do you like it. Answer was no, many check engine lights and they both burn oil. Reading on them i saw a few class action lawsuits and the factory even extended the warranty period.

Well, you may say it was only this or that certain year. From what i have seen, it usually covers a lot more years than they will ever admit too. Example, over 20 years ago, Toyota pickup trucks had the frames rusting out(under warranty), major problem. They appear to never have done anything about it, as repairs were probably cheaper than solving the problem at the build factory. Last year, my friend at work had a Toyota pickup, and guess what, his frame rusted away he was not able to drive the vehicle and they wouldn't inspect it. It was still under factory warranty. They replaced the frame, would not like to be the one working there doing that job. So they never fixed the problem that was happening over 20 years ago.

So when i see, "Oh, that was only the older ones that burn oil", i call bullshit.

[Rollin Hand]

Of course i have bad news about Subaru's, a lot of them are known to burn excessive oil. Before you buy one please type it in google and read on a bunch of websites about the problem. Reason i was reading about that, 2 people at work have them and i asked how is that car running/do you like it. Answer was no, many check engine lights and they both burn oil. Reading on them i saw a few class action lawsuits and the factory even extended the warranty period.

Well, you may say it was only this or that certain year. From what i have seen, it usually covers a lot more years than they will ever admit too. Example, over 20 years ago, Toyota pickup trucks had the frames rusting out(under warranty), major problem. They appear to never have done anything about it, as repairs were probably cheaper than solving the problem at the build factory. Last year, my friend at work had a Toyota pickup, and guess what, his frame rusted away he was not able to drive the vehicle and they wouldn't inspect it. It was still under factory warranty. They replaced the frame, would not like to be the one working there doing that job. So they never fixed the problem that was happening over 20 years ago.

So when i see, "Oh, that was only the older ones that burn oil", i call bullshit.

FWIW, those frames were made by Dana. I wondered (just a musing, no evidence) if they were poorly rustproofed on purpose?

Just be aware that, on Subarus, they have historically liked to eat head gaskets in non-turbo applications. IIRC, the 2.5 was/is the worst. I still want a WRX (not a new one) anyway.

[Mr. Leyvatone]

[tlarson58]

Decided to order a Forester Wilderness. It'll be 2.5-3 months. Kinda iffy on the financing rate (can't lock one in yet).

@mozz , @tonebender , @Rollin Hand and @uwmcscott ,

Subaru was the car of choice here until Covid hit and a flood of Range Rovers and Audi's elbowed their way into town. It still is for anybody who wants a dealership in town and a practical, tough and reliable car.