Before our first daughter was born, my good old Pathfinder finally drove its last mile and we went searching for the perfect family vehicle. My husband and I ended up at a dealership in Delaware and got a great deal on a gently used, fully loaded Lexus RX350. It was exciting for both of us, because neither one thought we'd be driving a Lexus, but the price was right and the need was there. The car was wonderful, did what we needed it to do. It even drove almost 3,000 miles from Pennsylvania to California for our move in May.
However, when we realized we were going to have to squeeze a second carseat into the back of my small SUV, we saw a need for more room. Not to mention the luxury automobile we had been able to enjoy was getting a little messy from our toddler's messes and spills. Once we were somewhat settled in California, I started researching larger SUVs online and looking around. We were also looking at the cost factor, and decided that if we bought something that was less expensive than the Lexus, we might actually be able to get money back.
I did my research, decided what vehicle I wanted, and then found out what the Lexus was worth and what I should pay for the "new" car. We visited a couple dealerships, and did the test-drive thing with the salesmen, and got a feel for what we liked and what we didn't. I definitely noticed that I knew enough about the car I test-drove before driving it, that I could get a feel for whether it was a good buy or not. I also adopted the mindset that the salesmen did not have my best interest in mind, and that I would have to be blunt with them to get what I wanted. I used to be afraid to go car shopping by myself, but after a little practice I had really gained the confidence to try it alone. With my husband's schedule growing busier and busier, it looked like that might be the only way I was going to get another vehicle.
The first time I went to a dealership by myself, one of the salesmen actually said to me, "You're not going to buy a car without you husband, are you??" I was kind of shocked, but just told him that my husband trusted me. I did test-drive a Tahoe at that dealership, but I didn't end up buying it. The next dealership visit, my husband did go along, but I did the test-driving and was so put-off by the salesman's incompetence and condition of the truck they were trying sell us, that even though my hubby was ready to make a deal, I told him we were going to walk. After that, Andy really did trust me.
Finally, I found a great truck online that I wanted to go see. It was about an hour away, so one day while Andy was at work, McKenna and I went to see it. Although it was a GMC Yukon, it was being sold by a BMW dealership. I went prepared with what I wanted for my trade-in, and what I wanted to pay for the Yukon. After a test-drive and a thorough inspection, the salesman and I sat down to talk numbers. The first offer he gave me was really bad. He wanted to give me very little for the Lexus, and said and done I'd only get $1500 back. I told him we were not even in the same ballpark. He went and changed some stuff and gave me a second offer where I'd be getting $2400 back. This time, I told him that I loved my Lexus, and I would keep it for that little amount of money. The salesman told me that his other manager had just gotten in, so he would got check with him and be back. Meanwhile, McKenna was getting antsy and we started walking around the dealership. We ended up wandering into the pro shop in the lobby, and McKenna found a baby BMW ride-on toy that was being displayed. She almost threw a fit because I wouldn't let her get on it.
When the salesman came back, he had a much better deal for me. They were prepared to give me Kelley Blue Book value for the Lexus, and they brought the cost of the Yukon down a bit as well. This meant I'd be getting around $6,000 back! So I told him I wanted to look at the truck one more time. After another look at it, I told him I was going to drive a hard bargain but if he brought the price of the Yukon down $200 (to Blue Book value) and threw in the $100 ride-on toy for my daughter, that we would have a deal. The salesman went back to his manager, and when he came back we signed the papers. In the end, I traded my 2008 RX350 with 70k miles for a 2002 Yukon XL with 83k miles, and I got $6,000 and a BMW toy car for my daughter (who was elated, by the way)!
It was an exciting day for me, and I was proud that I did it all on my own. I got Blue Book value on the deal, and was able to get some cash to help pay off our outstanding student loans. Plus, now I have a HUGE truck with enough room for a big family!
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