Anyone have lots of experience in car purchasing?

[CodeRedR51]

So the dealership I bought my GTi from last June keeps calling me, trying to get me into something else with a better interest rate. Needless to say it's pretty high, and am not willing to share what it is. My plan was to refinance it in June or July and then trade it in next year when the Nissan Sentra NISMO finally comes out. Every one of my payments has been made on time or early.

Now, they called me again today because they are having some sort of tent sale this weekend, and as much as I tried to tell the guy no, he offered a free tank of gas if they couldn't help me so I figured what the hell. Here's where I need some advice/info: If I were to trade in the GTi on another vehicle, how hard would it be for me to then trade that car in for the Sentra Nismo in a year or so? I don't want to get into something else and then not be able to purchase the car I really want when it comes available.

My main reason for getting rid of the GTi would be all of the issues I have had with it since I bought it. The car has relatively low miles for a 2009 (60k) but so far I have had to replace the coil packs, coolant temp sensor, thermostat, water pump, and clean the intake valves. Now I'm looking into changing the timing chain tensioner because they are known to fail. Add to this the electrical gremlins it has and the odd misfire I've tried to track down since after I got it, Volkswagen hasn't given me a great impression of their products.

 

[Joey D]

You can trade in cars as much as you want, I have a buddy who's gone through at least 10 new cars in the past 2 years, all of them traded in at the same dealership for another vehicle. However, expect to lose money on this since the trade in price is almost never as good as what you can get in the private market. Your bank might also not like that you are switching loans around so much either, but this depends on the bank and your credit score.

I think your best bet, if you have the time to do so, is to hold onto the GTI until you are ready for something new and then try to sell it privately. If that's not an option, I'd wait to trade in the GTI until you're ready for the Sentra so that way you aren't taking two hits financially.

 

[CodeRedR51]

That's what I figured, although I don't think private sale is an option with what I owe. Then comes the question of whether the additional money put into the balance of the GTi to pay it down enough that I could sell it privately is worth it, or do I save that money instead for the down payment on the Sentra?

 

[CodeRedR51]

Talked to a few people last night and they talked me out of it.

 

[05XR8]

You can trade in cars as much as you want, I have a buddy who's gone through at least 10 new cars in the past 2 years, all of them traded in at the same dealership for another vehicle. However, expect to lose money on this since the trade in price is almost never as good as what you can get in the private market. Your bank might also not like that you are switching loans around so much either, but this depends on the bank and your credit score.

I think your best bet, if you have the time to do so, is to hold onto the GTI until you are ready for something new and then try to sell it privately. If that's not an option, I'd wait to trade in the GTI until you're ready for the Sentra so that way you aren't taking two hits financially.

Good advice there.

Don't ever buy what you don't want. They prey on people they break down.