Healthy pocket book - question

[luv2cook]

I bought a car in June. Found/kept new dog. That makes 2. I saw an ad today in the paper that Nissan and Jeep were having 3.9% and 0.9% financing deal. I was *thinking* about trading in my car with 9,000 miles for a utility vehicle. I am concerned car won't hold camping stuff + extra dog.

Dumb idea? I don't really know how to ask what I want to know. I know there's got to be a financially car savve person or ex-car salesperson or current car salesperson to smack me if I need to be smacked.

I know this sounds dumb but if I trade in the car, they pay off the car and...? help. Might I add that I took a 3-yr note at 5.9% on the current car...

[This message has been edited by luv2cook (edited 02-23-2001).]

[MrsReber]

Well, I probably don't have much advice to offer. My husband and I thought about trading in my car for a utility vehicle. We go camping quite a bit and we just load up the car. We don't bring the dogs, though. While we're travelling, we notice other people with SUV's and the like and it doesn't look like they really have that much more room. You may want to find out what your car is worth first and then see what you'd owe on a loan. You can look that up on line under bluebook or - I can't remember the other one now! My brother always tells me not to buy anything new since you take such a beating on the value as soon as you drive it off the lot.

Good luck with whatever you decide! We chose to stick with the car for now. Less gas!

[luv2cook]

yeah, I know you take a beating on new cars, BUT the interest rate on a used car vs. a new car - esp. if you're buying high end is just not doable...I know how much I owe and leaving the dogs home would be a travesty! well, one dog we'll leave until he's trained...

[Kristilyn1]

Trading in your car, you will never do better than if you sell it yourself outright. You are right that new cars usually get a better interest rate, but one trick my friend taught me is when you buy new, buy a leftover. Meaning if the year 2001 cars are out, like now--buy a 2000. You still get the "new" interest rate, the price is cheaper as the dealer has paid interest on the vehicle longer so has more incentive to sell it AND the best part is, you know how you have a certain # of miles a year that are considered average? If you buy a car today that is last years model, it's almost like getting the 12,000 miles for free. It's the difference between selling a two year old car with 12,000 miles or 24,000. Hopefully, I wrote that so it makes sense.

As far as cargo room--that's where my buddies at Consumer Reports come in handy. They can tell you the cubic feet of cargo space you have--like did you know that some Volvo wagons have more cargo space than a Ford Explorer? Very useful tool. I never buy a car without it--and as my husband and I own our 7th and 8th cars respectively in 5 years of marriage, they have been right on with the advantages and disadvantages of each vehicle.

Being a big family camper--we have an Explorer. There is absolutely no question that we have way more storage than we do in our Honda Accord, but the main reason we have it, is we have a pop up camper to haul and needed something to pull it. Personally, I am happy with my Explorer, though I know it's not for everyone. I enjoy it's "trucky" ride and since we live in the Northeast where it snows and actually travel on roads that are closed in the winter, and are miles of dirt road (my grandmother lives in just such an area) it is the right vehicle for us. Though if I could afford a Volvo wagon--I would be sorely tempted. A better camping vehicle and everyday luxury ride I can't imagine.

Kristi