Help a newbie out in purchasing his dream car!! =)

[E13MentX]

Hey guys! I have been a long time lurker here on the forums. I still remember when the car was first confirmed and I was so excited. I was refreshing like crazy as new info was coming out. But due to my financials at the time I looked on with envy as you guys got your BRZ/FRS. However, I have saved up enough money to finally purchase this car!! At first, I looked into getting a FRS since it would be the cheapest option. (the BRZ were super marked up). after going to my local scion to put a deposit and getting all the price info, I went home pretty excited. But still I was a bit disappointed at HVAC looked even with the touchpad. I had fallen in love with what the 86 looked like in japan when it first came out. After putting the deposit down I researched to see if I got a reasonable offer. I live in a small town with only 1 scion dealership so I was afraid there was a markup. After reading almost every single thread (not joking), I came across reviews/ advertisement for Clint in CO for the BRZ. I Thought it was too good to be true! but still I called him to get a price quote and sure enough he quoted me a white limited BRZ with auto transmission that was barely above the FRS even with shipping. this means I could get the my dream car at a price I could afford. But this will be my first car AND my first online out of state purchase. I have no idea what I need to be careful about or any tips in purchasing an out of state car? Also, what options should I get with the car? I read that some of you guys got the clear bra with the car especially since the car is shipped. Should I also purchase that or anything else? What about the finance extras? I read that it's a good idea to get gap insurance should I order anything else? Also, since I will be buying the car out of state how does shipping work? Clint quoted $650 to ship from Colorado to Texas but if there are any problems with the car or anything like that how would that be handled? Sorry about all the dumb questions, I'm really nervous and excited about this process. But I don't know nearly enough about this process. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!!

[Frstorm]

Gap insurance only if you don't put alot down, more than 2k. Get everything you can at time of purchase since it will be pricier to get afterwards.

[E13MentX]

I will probably putting ~$5k down. So you would recommend getting the GAP insurance? And by getting all options i can at the time of purchase, but I'm not sure which option to get. Obviously my budget is pretty limited so probably will be getting only the necessary items. Just not sure which are the necessary ones...Thanks for the reply!

[poundsand]

ugh. there's nothing to worry about purchasing out of state, other than relatively random things (like the car falling off the carrier). any issues arising with the shipment of the car you'd handle through clint and the delivery company. other issues that fall under warranty you'd handle at a local dealership.

but dude. you had to wait a year+ to supposedly get your financials under order and save to afford the car, and you need gap insurance? this means you probably don't have your financials in order and you can't afford the car. what you need is a cheap beater that costs like $2000, save for an emergency fund, then think about a "dream car," which will probably be a different car by then. if you do end up buying this car, which i suspect you will, for the love of god don't buy extras with it (you know, since you can't really afford the car in the first place).

[E13MentX]

Hey poundsand! Thanks for your advice. Part of the reason I had to wait was to pay off my student loans. But now that's taken care of, I can finally buy my car. I've driving a 270k mile Camry since high school =) I'm just not sure what options to consider since I've never bought a new car. I will be financing this car with about $5k down. I have really good credit so it shouldn't be an issue. Just worried about the out of state and what options to get etc... Thanks for your reply!

[Turbowned]

Sounds like your taking the right path. You're looking at a Premium or Limited AT?

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by E13MentX

Hey guys! I have been a long time lurker here on the forums. I still remember when the car was first confirmed and I was so excited. I was refreshing like crazy as new info was coming out. But due to my financials at the time I looked on with envy as you guys got your BRZ/FRS.

However, I have saved up enough money to finally purchase this car!! At first, I looked into getting a FRS since it would be the cheapest option. (the BRZ were super marked up). after going to my local scion to put a deposit and getting all the price info, I went home pretty excited. But still I was a bit disappointed at HVAC looked even with the touchpad. I had fallen in love with what the 86 looked like in japan when it first came out.

After putting the deposit down I researched to see if I got a reasonable offer. I live in a small town with only 1 scion dealership so I was afraid there was a markup. After reading almost every single thread (not joking), I came across reviews/ advertisement for Clint in CO for the BRZ. I Thought it was too good to be true! but still I called him to get a price quote and sure enough he quoted me a white limited BRZ with auto transmission that was barely above the FRS even with shipping. this means I could get the my dream car at a price I could afford.

But this will be my first car AND my first online out of state purchase. I have no idea what I need to be careful about or any tips in purchasing an out of state car? Also, what options should I get with the car? I read that some of you guys got the clear bra with the car especially since the car is shipped. Should I also purchase that or anything else? What about the finance extras? I read that it's a good idea to get gap insurance should I order anything else?

Also, since I will be buying the car out of state how does shipping work? Clint quoted $650 to ship from Colorado to Texas but if there are any problems with the car or anything like that how would that be handled? Sorry about all the dumb questions, I'm really nervous and excited about this process. But I don't know nearly enough about this process. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!!

Sorry, had to break up your paragraph to make it easier to read.

Some answers:

• Gap insurance only applies if you put very little down, as others have stated. Does not apply if you end up putting $5k or more down, generally speaking.
• You should do research into what "out of state vehicle purchases" require in your state.
• Do NOT rely on other people's experiences as your only source of information. Frankly, you should have already figured out how to buy an out of state car from your state's DMV website and from your insurance company BEFORE you ask us for advice...
• You can install anything you want before the car is shipped... or after. It is entirely up to you, but this is a financial advice type of decision that is never the right answer for different people with different financial circumstances
• The dealer has responsibility up to the point where the shipping company takes the car. The shipping company's responsibility is to deliver the car to you in the condition it was received in. Any damages will be limited to the shipping contract per the company, much like shipping a package via UPS.
• Lastly: tips and advice from forum members should be in addition to whatever info you have already been able to find. Don't use what we say as the first source of info, because no two people will have the same identical experience.

http://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buyin...reign-vehicles
http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/ho...ht-online.html (you won't need this since the dealer handles the shipment from their end, you just have to sign for the car and note any damages upon delivery)

-alex

[uEih]

Originally Posted by poundsand

ugh. there's nothing to worry about purchasing out of state, other than relatively random things (like the car falling off the carrier). any issues arising with the shipment of the car you'd handle through clint and the delivery company. other issues that fall under warranty you'd handle at a local dealership.

but dude. you had to wait a year+ to supposedly get your financials under order and save to afford the car, and you need gap insurance? this means you probably don't have your financials in order and you can't afford the car. what you need is a cheap beater that costs like $2000, save for an emergency fund, then think about a "dream car," which will probably be a different car by then. if you do end up buying this car, which i suspect you will, for the love of god don't buy extras with it (you know, since you can't really afford the car in the first place).

I don't know the OP's exact financial situation but I agree with this. Buying out of state is fine, however dumping all you have at the moment to a down payment a car isn't the smartest choice. Like I said I don't know what you're capable of but from what you wrote it doesn't sound like you're grounded financially at the moment. Correct me if I'm wrong. There's more than just the car price for purchasing a car, you're gonna have to pay tax(probably another 2k), insurance can vary, etc. If you have disposable income and saved up more than 5k, then go for it.. But if you're dumping every penny into this, it's not the best idea.

[Frost]

Do you guys in the US need someone to co-sign if your credit history is non-existent or inadequate?

When I bought my first car, if I didn't have enough down payment and lacked a credit history, my parents or someone else would have to co-sign the papers and pick up the slack if I ever defaulted.

Luckily, I wound up saving up over 20% of the out-the-door car price (taxes in) before pulling the trigger and I lived at home so I didn't have to get them to co-sign.

OP might want to consider that if that is how things go in the US ... unless that is what the gap insurance represents.

$5k down on a $25k (pre-tax) car isn't that much. Keep in mind, I am biased and I am holding back from buying till I can do closer to 50% down.

Have you run a credit check on yourself and see if you look good? I did one on myself before buying my condo and it is very enlightening to say the least.

[Akari]

Cosigners can be required if the person doesn't have a good credit history but it doesn't sound like that is the case here. A cosigner may however get you a better interest rate.

Putting more down isn't always the best choice. I could have paid for mine in cash but instead got a 0% down loan. The $25k that I'm paying <2% interest on has earned 24% from my investments in the past 6 months.

[E13MentX]

thank you so much for the useful replies.
Alex: I have done the research to buying my car out state from DMV and other sources like you have pointed out. I completely agree with you that everyone's situation is different. I am using info from this forums to help supplement the info I have gathered. everyone experiences different situations so it's kind of helpful to me to see what others have gone through. But nevertheless, very useful info.
uEih: my financial situation is pretty steady right now. I am by no means using every penny for he car. but it's not chump change to me. I'm a pretty frugal person and I kinda worry so just want to make sure I do everything right. this is one of my biggest investments so just want to make sure I don't regret anything.
as for consigning and putting money down. I do have pretty good credit and do not need a co sign. however like others have pointed out, I do get a better rate so I am having my dad cosign the car but not really necessary.
thank you for all your helpful posts. I think I'm just worry about my first big investment and being able to see what I am purchasing. jus wanted to see others experience especially with buying from Clint. thanks again guys!!

[Akari]

Buying from Clint was honestly the easiest experience I've had with any car dealership. He will take care of you for sure from start to finish.

[sklimo]

Your in good hands with Clint. As far as options it's up to you. My car came with the chrome fender accents and gas door sticker. Took them off 20 min after purchased. I like the diffuser but not Subaru price. You can get same for less then $100 here on forum. What are your plans for the car? What do you like?? Get the car the way you want not what we tell you to get. Not trying to sound like an ahole bud.

[Frstorm]

Yes don't get gap if you put 5k down