[Superman]

A good friend who is retired and one of the smartest people I have ever met, spent his career in car selling of one kind or another. Owned plenty of lots. Was a Honda executive. Etc.

On at least his last two vehicle purchases, he went to a car-finding outfit. The kind that can find cars anywhere and get them transported. And he went there will some very specific instructions. He did his homework first. "I want to buy a Toyota Tundra (I think he may have specified what years, or perhaps what years he will NOT buy), automatic transmission, FACTORY tow package, FACTORY air, under 100K miles." He may or may not have specified whether 4WD or 2WD. He still drives it. Loves it. It happens to be red. He thinks the mistake people make is in not making the whole decision first. It is a mistake to shop for a vehicle when you have not yet decided what vehicle your are looking for, he says.

I am not suggesting you are doing this wrong, but just what I learned from him. Of course, he paid a pretty penny for that truck. But he knew it was a very popular and well-performing truck when going in. And a well-performing truck was his target. And as the saying goes, the quality stays after the selling price has been forgotten.