[me and my metro]

I have a friend that was a used car dealer for many years. I have purchased most of my cars from him over the last 25 years. I have a good job but I know better than to ever purchase a new car. I am also a professional mechanic and have advised my car dealer friend about repairs for years. We used to go to the auctions together and when I had a special request he would buy me something. We bought a Lincoln Towncar back in the mid 90s, after 11 years we were ready for something else. I decided on another Lincoln but this time I wanted a Navigator 4x4. I did all the research on the used car auction sites. With his dealer logins I did market search on prices and past sale histories on similar rigs. I was also able to see rigs in inventory at the auctions and watch sales on line. I enjoyed looking and watching sales as much as going to live auctions with my friend. I lined up my financing and found the Navigator I wanted. My friend’s wife bid on it and bought it on line. It was a one year old Ford lease return with 30,000 miles. She was bidding against Ford dealers and I was willing to “pay up” so I own it! I paid 1/2 the sticker price of $65,000. I had to drive 500 miles to pick it up at the auction. This was in October 2007, we still have it and don’t plan on ever replacing it. It has 186,000 miles now and is still as nice as the day we picked it up.

I said all that to say this: don’t ever buy a new car!
Things I have learned from my friend. Cars are only worth what will sell for at the auction.
Shop wisely and study the market.