hate car shopping

[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.

[Superman]

Oh....and you hate car-buying. Phillip's method solves that problem too. And gets a professional to work finding his vehicle for him. Phillips has personally sold thousands of used cars.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Superman

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.

Yup that is probably half my problem - what I want isnt available so kinda spinning trying to figure out what I should be looking for

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

Don't laugh if it works.

Saw this last week at a riding area.

If it was interstate legal and capable of cruising at 65 I would be very tempted. Ive seen a couple being driven around and both owners I talked to said highways were pretty much a no-go zone

[Superman]

Ummm.... if what you are looking for does not exist, then I suppose it might be more difficult to find than something that does exist. But if you are looking for something that exists, and are having a hard time finding it, then enlist a professional. Perhaps I will ask my friend who he spoke with. It might be as simple as finding a reputable, diligent used car lot/sales person. Describe what you want and ask them to find it. When they do, they would show it to you and discuss price before they arranged shipping. You'd be the customer. They'd do the work.

[Tobra]

It is a mistake to shop for a vehicle when you have not yet decided what vehicle your are looking for

Sort of backwards though. He knows what he wants, it is just not available.

[berettafan]

budget?