Originally Posted by
CathyA
I need a new car. Mine is 15 years old, around 170,000 miles and is failing. When I go to buy a new one, my DH will go with me and he'll drive. We'd both go at once, except that the dealer I like the most is about 43 miles away through lots of traffic, and I don't want to drive both cars if it isn't necessary. (And I don't want us to drive my car, since if it dies, there's no one to come get us!)
My question is this........If my car is 15 years old and has multiple things going wrong with it, is it important to actually have the car with me when I "deal"? I have had this car serviced at this place on schedule for 15 years, so they can see what's been done. I haven't done anything for it in over a year though, because at the last service they said not to sink any more money into it, and just drive it 'til it quits.
If we go in to look over/buy a new car, is actually having my old car there (for trade-in value) that important? DH says we're just going to look, but if they offer us a really good deal, I would like to buy it then. Just didn't know (with all the games that are played) if actually having my car there for a trade-in matters. If it doesn't really matter, I would rather donate my car to PBS and get at least a $400 tax deduction. Usually there is time to come back to get a new car, and I could bring my car in then.
I just wish there weren't so much game-playing when buying a car.
Thanks.