I agree with shopping based on "out the door" price. And some places will agree to a price and then when you go to the next guy and start signing papers he will try and add shit back in (fees and such). I raise hell and am willing to walk out if they even try to add another $50 back in after I've agreed to a price.

My best deals have been private - not from a dealer.

Thanks for all the input guys.

I was planning on spending around 15k and already have that amount saved in cash on hand.

So in order to increase my credit from 780 I was wondering how to purchase the vehicle that will also increase my credit rating. If I finance I'll just put my cash in a bank account with auto pay set up. Does the amount financed increase my credit when payed off differently? If I gave 10k down then financed 5k is it the same credit score increase as financing the whole thing. Does paying it off early change the credit score in anyway. I'm trying to maximize the effect of my car purchase on me credit score. I'm tired of having "good" credit that doesn't ever get me any benefit because it's not really the good "good".

I wanted to buy used because the SUV's I'm looking at are 40 thousand or more and it will be a secondary vehicle. Not sure I want to invest that much in something for the winter driving, range trips and outdoors adventures.

The enterprise used car's was not something I was aware of. I always thought they just auction those off at car auctions that require a dealer pass to get into. I will have to rethink things if I can get something much newer at a good price.

I will expand my search to states down south with no salted streets. That makes sense and with internet shopping, is not hard to do.

As far as haggling and hidden fee's it is not my style. I am always interested in the bottom line before agreeing on any deal. Having worked with salesman as a technician I am all to familiar with the way they hook you on a great deal then make all their money back on addon's.

Thanks guys.

Opening the line of credit will likely increase your score by itself. Then, when it comes to auto loans, banks like to see that the loan is opened for a minimum of one year. Any auto loans opened for less than a year will not be considered when looking at your credit for the next loan.

quote:

Originally posted by racer313g:
Opening the line of credit will likely increase your score by itself. Then, when it comes to auto loans, banks like to see that the loan is opened for a minimum of one year. Any auto loans opened for less than a year will not be considered when looking at your credit for the next loan.

Thanks, that was the info I was looking for.