Don’t really need something new, but a truck or midsize SUV would suit our lifestyle better over the next few years than my current luxury car. I’m well aware of reliability ratings and resale values for toyota, honda, gm, ford, etc. That information is all relatively easy to find.
Rather, I’m more interested in a specific vehicle, dealer, or offer out there that is exceptional at the moment. Was thinking we might take less of a hit on a certified used vehicle, if we decided to sell and buy something different in a couple of years?
Why buy a car? Buy a screwdriver and a coat hanger. Red wire to brown wire and get on with your day.
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I am not a dealer or wizard, but I have bought many cars over the years. The best ones I have found were due to ‘grinding’ within the market. As in, I look everywhere. Dealerships, facebook marketplace, autotrader, whatever is active in your area. I sort roughly by vehicle type, mileage, and whatever photos are available. And then I spend time driving around, test driving, comparing, etc. until I land on the winner.
It takes more time than I want it to. However, if I am going to have a vehicle for several years (and repairs/etc can become very expensive), I am willing to take the time to do it. I don’t really trust sellers, dealers, or postings, because they tend to be ‘fluffy.’ I am not a mechanic, but I have driven a lot of vehicles of varying levels of ‘busted,’ so my gut feelings end up being decent. If it feels like something might be wrong, assume it is. Don’t let them convince you it’s ‘not a big deal.’
I know you asked for something more specific. But I have driven different versions of the same vehicle, or different cars from the same dealer, and they ended up being wildly different in terms of quality, value, and condition. So I can’t offer much help there. Hopefully my two cents is worth at least half that!
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This is what I was thinking. This is the part that takes effort if you are buying certified…
Basically, what @mojofilterx said.
Also, you have to be patient and not picky about unimportant stuff. If you have a tight timeline or need a specific color, feature, etc., the likelihood of finding a deal diminishes significantly.
One tip I have is to look closely at the tires. It’s one of the few things that is extremely obvious, and the difference in value between nearly-new tires and those that need immediate replacement can be a thousand dollars or so.
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If you can predict the future, that is always your best bet. My buddy bought a F150 Raptor right before the covid outbreak and man did he score a sweet vehicle. He was a vehicle platform engineer at GM and according to him giving the sales guy an old business card and telling him he could brag about selling a Ford to a GM platform engineer really worked in getting such a great deal. Rare vehicles that are in high demand can really hold their value, of course they can also cost a lot up front.
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Sounds like your Bud is making a statement on GM junk. 
I got a van for sale. It’s parked down by the river and needs a bit of work.
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The Raptor is really nice. I’m not usually a pickup truck guy, but that things off-road capability is amazing. And it drives really nice on the roads too. I wish I could get the deal he got.
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It’s a nice-looking pickup.
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You could probably get a good deal on an Escape. Ford is discontinuing it to focus on the Bronco Sport and dealerships want to clear space for the better selling model. They aren’t amazing vehicles but they work as general purpose family haulers.
What color? Wife kinda likes the all white ones….
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Is rusty considered a color?
What it lacks in paint, it makes up for in tires. I got 3 fully inflated ones.
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Nothing wrong with the Escape at all … just need a little more room and ground clearance. There are a couple of places we need to get to that probably require the regular Bronco, 4runner, f150 type vehicle.
Dont ask me…I’m the guy who lives in wintery traverse city and bought a toyota gr86 rear wheel drive manual shift sports car a couple years…love the car, but I failed to consider the possum tits of not really being able to drive it 6 months out of the year
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I had a mechanic in grand blanc… dude was a former head mechanic at both Ford and Chevy dealerships. He also worked at an import dealership for awhile.
He said the best truck he ever encountered was between 2001 & 2006 Silverado 2500. On his advice, I bought one, drove it up to 336,000 with zero major issues. Sold it because I needed a 4wd… bought the exact same truck in 4wd…it was also amazing up to well over 300k, until it got stolen (and I’m sure parted out).
Gas milage WILL be an issue. Aside from that, I towed a 42 1/2 ft 5th wheel all over the country with it -->. Amazing trucks. Search in Florida…fly down, take a free vacation with your savings, buy a $10,000 truck, and drive it home!
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Yup - also, you can research which years they had more favorable dependability ratings for the vehicle you want. I’m driving a Camry now, and that thing is AMAZING, in terms of dependability and fuel efficiency.
I sold cars at a big dealer in Michigan in the late 80s/ early 90s and most of how cars were sold then are still the same now, believe it or not.
Based on what you said, I’d really consider a Nissan Rogue. They’re bigger than they used to be, smaller than a Murano but bigger than the comparable Toyota and Jeep. They’re very reasonably priced, get incredible gas mileage and have shockingly good acceleration.
My wife has a 2023, bought new, and I’ll tell you it’s a much better vehicle for the money than the Murano she had previously. As a family, with my kids, we’ve probably bought 10 Nissans and have great luck with them. I don’t drive a Nissan but I used to and was very pleased.
A certified pre owned can be a good route but you are always taking a bigger chance with any Used vehicle. I sold a lot of cars and have bought a lot of cars over the years and I love the process. If you would want more info, IM me, I’d be happy to talk off line.
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Would love it if we could make something like a Rogue work, as they get great reviews … but need a little more room and ground clearance for a rutted out road to a family cabin. Probably limits us to a 4runner, Bronco, F150 type vehicle.
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I’m the 2nd owner and paid under $4,000 for it 5 years ago, now has just under 110k. AWD with a Northstar V8, I park my 94 F150 in the garage for the winter. Has very little rust and the BOSE kicks, leather heated seats, etc. Hit a deer and won but am still having problems getting the front passenger signal to stay put. Tires were new. I buy when I see a deal, not when I actually need something.
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