Used cars, JC area

mbcdefg · August 2010

Anyone know of a reliable used car dealer in the Jersey City area?

There are a ton of car dealerships on Rt. 440 in JC. Has anyone ever bought a used car from them?

My family buys from a really reliable dealer in Bayonne, but he's got a really small inventory and the cars usually aren't newer than 2001. That's the only suggestion I got from my family. I was hoping for something from the past 5 years or so.

I'm also debating if I just want to look for a new car (but I could only afford maybe $15K or less). I've never bought a new car before. MH, my parents and our friends only lease or buy used cars, so I have nobody to ask. Any advice? I'm thinking it's better to just look for a newer used car from maybe 2007-2010, but what do I know.

peaches85 · August 2010

Hahaha... I feel like there's really no such thing as a reliable car dealer.

I just bought a used car last year from a dealership where a friend works (he does all the detailing there) and it was such an easy-going experience... it's in Plainfield, though. Prior to going to his place we went to about 7 other dealerships and I have honestly never felt more anxious and stressed in my life. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to purchase yet another car when this one dies.

The only good car that I know of that I think you can get for around your price (and it might even be a bit higher) is a Hyundai. Don't quote me on that because I could be wrong, but I remember those were the cheapest, yet reliable, cars.

rlb81 · August 2010

MH bought a 2006 "certified pre owned" Camry in December 2008. I think he paid around what you said you could afford for a new car. This was from a Toyota dealership in Hillside on Route 22. The car was in amazing condition, maybe a little over 30k miles on it.

Rather than limiting yourself to looking for a used car dealership, how about figuring out what kind of car you're interested in, and then go straight to the dealer and look into certified pre owned?

Prior to the Camry, MH had been driving a 1992 Honda Accord (he was only the second owner) and that thing went through hell and back. When he was looking for a "new" used car, it was between another Accord, Nissan Altima or a Toyota Camry... he did TONS of research and those cars are known to hold up well. But then again, you might not even be interested in an import

mbcdefg · August 2010

Thanks Peaches ... haha, I hear you on car dealers. I'm really not looking forward to this. The guy in Bayonne that my family buys from is super-honest and sweet as pie, but I already drive a clunky 1997 car and I'd like to move into the current century if possible, so I don't think he can help me :P

I was researching and I agree, it looks like if I buy a new car I could afford a Hyundai. Kia also looks like it has a few in the $15K price range.

Thanks rlb ... certified pre-owned is a good idea as well. MH leased his Nissan from the Rt. 440 dealer and is pretty happy with it, and I like driving it as well, so they might be worth checking out.

IDK what kind I really want, just I definitely know I want some kind of sedan. I drive a Jeep right now and it's a gas guzzler, plus I don't need an SUV for anything. And it wouldn't fall in my price range anyway, but I wouldn't want a VW ...my BFF had a Jetta and it was a giant expensive PITA to replace any parts. She's driving a Honda Fit right now and I really like her car. When my clunker was in the shop a few months ago, I rented a Ford Focus from Enterprise and I really liked that a lot, so I might look for one of those or something similar.

uppereastgirl · August 2010

MB, have you thought about maybe looking on ebay too? I've heard several ebay success stories. And the nice thing is that you can read feedback, and cut out the wheeling and dealing aspect of the sale.

viviannac · August 2010

I agree with PP, I think certified pre-owned or a new smaller new car would be your best bet. I know a few Hyundai owners and they seem to really like them.

I purchased a certified pre-owned Toyota years ago from Fair Lawn Toyota and had a good experience with it but that's not in the area you are looking in.

peaches85 · August 2010

Oh! I also want to add that Hertz has a rent-to-buy program. My parents just used it to help my younger sister get a car... I think it's a 2009 Nissan Rogue. It was in great condition, aside from a few little scratches near the trunk area (most likely from past renters banging their suitcases against it).

My mom explained to me how it works awhile ago (you could look online or call), but basically they "rented" it for a day to test it out and make sure it was something she'd want and then purchased it (I think the price you pay for the rental comes out of the final price) and I believe you still have financing options through the program. My sister got a really great price and couldn't be happier with the way it worked out. Again, though, I'm not sure of all the details and logistics. And I don't know if it's a reputable program or not... it worked out for my family, but I had never heard of it prior to my mom looking into it.

akmackay · August 2010

Do you have a Costco or Sam's Club membership? They both have great car buying programs- it eliminates the hassle of going to a dealership and negotiating, as they give the actual price that they pay. I am a negotiator at heart (DH wasn't allowed to talk b/c he gives in), and as we had a car to trade in (which I assume you are doing as well?) we got a Honda Civic (2-dr) for under the 15k mark b/c I asked about other deals they had going, plus got way more $$ back from the trade-in than we should have (I was willing to walk out if they didn't meet my needs, I did and was contacted back about the trade-in, which then I gave the ok). Never go for sticker price, if they want to get rid of the car they will work with you, especially at the end of the month like now. This is true for the used cars as well (Costco and Sam's also work with these). It's on their websites and you can search even if you aren't a member I believe. Definitely worth the $40 annual fee to save $$$.

HobokensFury · August 2010

I have a certified used car from Difeo on 440. I haven't has any problems at all.

jamtom2011 · August 2010

It's not in JC area but my family has bought several cars from Marano & Sons in Garwood. They have 2 places, one for cars and one for trucks/suvs. Here is their website http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/index.jsp?dealership_view_name=www.maranosonsauto.com

mbcdefg · August 2010

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice!

I remember from renting a car that Enterprise has some kind of program where you can buy used cars from them. Maybe I will look into that as well.

I don't have a Sam's Club or Costco membership, but that's definitely worth looking into! What a great tip.

No, I'm not trading my car in, but my father said he wants to buy it from me if I'm getting rid of it, so I'd have the cash for a down payment on another car.

uppereastgirl · August 2010

Some reading that may be helpful (I

consumerist):

http://consumerist.com/2010/05/tips-for-buying-a-used-car-this-year.html

I'd probably do a lot of reading up before buying a car that was a rental car in a past life. People have a natural tendency to treat things that they're only borrowing like crap, so I don't know that I'd want to spend that much on something that wasn't loved (or even liked) in its prior life.

I also highly recommend a Honda as one of your options. My husband has a 2000 Accord that has been in the shop once, when he got in an accident. It lives on the street so it isn't pretty (I swear there's a new gash every day, but we just don't fix those because we don't use the car enough nowadays to justify repairs) but the car has been unbelievably reliable.

akmackay · August 2010

mb- also note that the quote on the Costco/Sam's website it almost always higher than the quote they will give once you contact them also. My mom and grandpa also bought this way and loved it, and they didn't negotiate any further like I did.

Julephenia · August 2010

I'm going to chime in with the certified pre-owned. I've gushed about Baby (the certified pre-owned 2005 Prius) on here before.

Use Kelly Blue Book, too. It helps establish value and talks about reliability.

Good luck!

mcgoveer · August 2010

You can get some really great deals right now on new cars... I bought a new one last year and got it down to a decent price. My sister just bought a new Mazda this year with 0% interest! Search around, read up on the cars as uppereast said and you'll be able to find a great deal that suits you!

nessi979 · August 2010

i second the "really good deals on new cars" comment. I bought my car in march. the sticker price was 36,000 and I took it for 26,000. Maybe you can negotiate yourself into a new car.

before i went shopping i did a lot of research on edmunds. they offer a lot of advice for car shopping. i think it helped a lot. and dont forget, sometimes you can get a better deal on "internet deals" through a dealer website.

good luck!!!!!

Just Jen · August 2010

MH and I both drive certified pre-owned Toyotas.

We use the Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide to narrow down what cars to look for, and then hit a variety of dealerships until we found the best car/lowest miles/ best price combo.

Used cars, JC area

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