Hello, I'm new to the forum and have enjoyed reading all of your informative posts. I appreciate all the time the members take to give objective advice and feedback. I'm hoping to get a few questions answered as I'm now in the market to purchase a terrain. Thanks for your time and help in advance.
I guess I'll offer some background and explain a little bit about why I'm purchasing a terrain. I've never considered myself a car person -- I have never been in love with a car and could never understand why someone would look at a car as an investment. I have been driving a used ford focus since I graduated high school (endearingly I call it my ****us). It's gotten me through college and through my first few years of teaching. I didn't really mind driving it, although it's slightly embarrassing that many of my students drive nicer cars than me (ha!). Now, however, after a test drive in a new terrain, I'm finding myself loathing my focus every time I look at it! I am sooo IN LOVE with the terrain that I begrudgingly get into my focus everyday wishing it was a terrain. I have researched this car so much, my boyfriend says I’m borderline obsessed. I’m anxious to get into a new car, but I want to make a smart decision and not rush into anything.
I’ve been to a few dealerships and have been in contact with dealers through email about purchasing a 2012 SLT-1, 4cylinder FWD. I want the remote start and heated seats that the SLT-1 comes standard with, but I would also like to add on the option of a sunroof. I want the 7inch back up camera that the 2012 comes standard with as well, that’s why I haven’t really been looking at any 2011s or 2010s. If I had an extra $2700, I would probably go with the SLT2 because I think the chrome finish is amazing, but the extra features in the 2012 (power liftgate, memory seats) don’t seem to be worth the money.
The best price I have gotten on the SLT-1 with sunroof has been $28,500. With taxes, title, etc, I will be over $30,500. I’m ok with that price, but it makes me slightly uncomfortable going from a car that’s worth roughly 2k, to one that’s worth 30k. I’m sure I’ll get over that quickly though
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During my search for new vehicles, I also have been looking at used terrains. I haven't really come across too many used terrains for sale, and if I do, they are usually pretty close in price to a brand new terrain, or they lack some of the features I'm looking for. I found, however, a private seller who is getting rid of his 2011 SLT2. He pretty much got every upgrade in his terrain, except the V6 and the AWD. He has navigation and the entertainment package with the rear seat monitors in addition to all of the other upgrades I wanted. If I was buying new, I wouldn’t really care for the navigation or the entertainment package, but I'm not gonna lie, it would be pretty sweet to have those features in this vehicle! The terrain has around 37,000 miles on it, mostly highway, according to the seller. He has only had the vehicle for 11 months and is looking to trade it in for a truck with more towing capabilities. I don’t know how many miles he will end up putting on it in the next month or so, or if he has stopped driving it altogether, but I imagine it could be up past 40k in a few weeks. He has posted the terrain for $30,000 (with an original MSRP around $33k). I told him I’d want it for 26k, and he told me he wants at least $28k for it.
So, after a lot of writing, I’m finally getting to my question -- which is the better purchase? I won’t be paying taxes or dealer fees if I go with the used vehicle, and it has more options than the SLT-1. However, the mileage makes me a little uneasy. Maybe if it were a four year old vehicle with that many miles I wouldn’t even have an issue. Should I be concerned about the mileage? What is a fair price for this used vehicle? Most of the terrains I have found are lower trim levels with a lot less mileage, and worth considerably less. Some of the (very few) used SLT-2s I’ve found are priced around 28-30k through dealerships. I think most of these are certified pre-owned. I’m a little nervous about not having a warranty on the vehicle if I purchase through a private owner. I don’t want to lowball this guy, and I don’t want to pass up a good deal either, so at what price would you purchase this terrain? I should mention that the used terrain has some damage to the rear bumper. I haven’t seen any pictures of it, but he described it as minor damage and he got a quote to fix it for around $500.
Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy post! I really appreciate any and all help!
I guess I'll offer some background and explain a little bit about why I'm purchasing a terrain. I've never considered myself a car person -- I have never been in love with a car and could never understand why someone would look at a car as an investment. I have been driving a used ford focus since I graduated high school (endearingly I call it my ****us). It's gotten me through college and through my first few years of teaching. I didn't really mind driving it, although it's slightly embarrassing that many of my students drive nicer cars than me (ha!). Now, however, after a test drive in a new terrain, I'm finding myself loathing my focus every time I look at it! I am sooo IN LOVE with the terrain that I begrudgingly get into my focus everyday wishing it was a terrain. I have researched this car so much, my boyfriend says I’m borderline obsessed. I’m anxious to get into a new car, but I want to make a smart decision and not rush into anything.
I’ve been to a few dealerships and have been in contact with dealers through email about purchasing a 2012 SLT-1, 4cylinder FWD. I want the remote start and heated seats that the SLT-1 comes standard with, but I would also like to add on the option of a sunroof. I want the 7inch back up camera that the 2012 comes standard with as well, that’s why I haven’t really been looking at any 2011s or 2010s. If I had an extra $2700, I would probably go with the SLT2 because I think the chrome finish is amazing, but the extra features in the 2012 (power liftgate, memory seats) don’t seem to be worth the money.
The best price I have gotten on the SLT-1 with sunroof has been $28,500. With taxes, title, etc, I will be over $30,500. I’m ok with that price, but it makes me slightly uncomfortable going from a car that’s worth roughly 2k, to one that’s worth 30k. I’m sure I’ll get over that quickly though
. During my search for new vehicles, I also have been looking at used terrains. I haven't really come across too many used terrains for sale, and if I do, they are usually pretty close in price to a brand new terrain, or they lack some of the features I'm looking for. I found, however, a private seller who is getting rid of his 2011 SLT2. He pretty much got every upgrade in his terrain, except the V6 and the AWD. He has navigation and the entertainment package with the rear seat monitors in addition to all of the other upgrades I wanted. If I was buying new, I wouldn’t really care for the navigation or the entertainment package, but I'm not gonna lie, it would be pretty sweet to have those features in this vehicle! The terrain has around 37,000 miles on it, mostly highway, according to the seller. He has only had the vehicle for 11 months and is looking to trade it in for a truck with more towing capabilities. I don’t know how many miles he will end up putting on it in the next month or so, or if he has stopped driving it altogether, but I imagine it could be up past 40k in a few weeks. He has posted the terrain for $30,000 (with an original MSRP around $33k). I told him I’d want it for 26k, and he told me he wants at least $28k for it.
So, after a lot of writing, I’m finally getting to my question -- which is the better purchase? I won’t be paying taxes or dealer fees if I go with the used vehicle, and it has more options than the SLT-1. However, the mileage makes me a little uneasy. Maybe if it were a four year old vehicle with that many miles I wouldn’t even have an issue. Should I be concerned about the mileage? What is a fair price for this used vehicle? Most of the terrains I have found are lower trim levels with a lot less mileage, and worth considerably less. Some of the (very few) used SLT-2s I’ve found are priced around 28-30k through dealerships. I think most of these are certified pre-owned. I’m a little nervous about not having a warranty on the vehicle if I purchase through a private owner. I don’t want to lowball this guy, and I don’t want to pass up a good deal either, so at what price would you purchase this terrain? I should mention that the used terrain has some damage to the rear bumper. I haven’t seen any pictures of it, but he described it as minor damage and he got a quote to fix it for around $500.
Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy post! I really appreciate any and all help!
