Need help with new purchase

Wildcat_1 said:

Hey all, brand new here and have some questions regarding my impending purchase. I am currently weighing up the 2007 Expedition Eddie Bauer and the Tahoe LT3 (with or without the Z71) so any help you can give here would be greatly appreciated.

First question is I have priced up the following Tahoe LT3 and get my supplier discount on it. MSRP is $50,220.00 and total minus incentives (still need to add TTL) is $42,734.68. Compared with some peoples deals the supplier discount still leaves the cost quite high. What if anything can I do to bring this down more ?:

Options & Packages
Audio system with navigation, , AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD/DVD player and DVD-based navigation, seek-and-scan, digital clock, auto-tone control, Radio Data System (RDS), speed-compensated volume, TheftLock and voice recognition, plays CD or DVD in upper slot $2,250.00
Body, , liftgate with liftglass, power rear door system with rear-window wiper/washer $350.00
Cooling, , auxiliary transmission oil cooler, heavy-duty air-to-oil $95.00
Differential, , heavy-duty locking rear $295.00
Entertainment system, , rear seat DVD player, with remote control, overhead display, 2 sets of 2-channel wireless infrared headphones and auxiliary audio/video input jacks $1,295.00
Luggage rack center rails $45.00
Rear axle, , 4.10 ratio $100.00
Rearview camera system $250.00
Seats, , heated second row $200.00
Sunroof, , power, tilt-sliding with express-open and close and wind deflector $995.00
Tire, , spare P265/70R17 $0.00
Tires, , P275/55R20 all-season, blackwall $0.00
Wheels, , 4 - 20" x 8.5" (50.8 cm x 21.6 cm) painted aluminum $1,195.00
Windshield washer fluid system, , heated $85.00
Wipers, , front intermittent, Rainsense $95.00

2nd question - I assume the NAV system gives you voice prompts through the stereo speakers but there is no voice commands where you can control the NAV by voice correct ? Also is this NAV based on teh Eclips NAV systems and if so anyway of incorporating XM Navtraffic ?

3rd Question - Anyone know if you can unlock the rear entertainment DVD to play multi region disks ?

4th Quesiton - I've heard about lane changing feature what is it or am I going insane here ?

5th Question - What range do you get from remote starter and can this be increased by adding a pager alarm or cell phone type hookup to the existing system ?

6th Question - I am looking at the bench seats for my needs. If I have these how flat do they fold ? I know they probably don't go into the floor for level load like the Expedition.

7th Question - I am looking at leasing this vehicle and was wondering what leases people have seen on this type of config

8th Question - What are the biggest things to look out for (problems) on these units ?

Finally, when is the best time to buy, now or wait until after April 2nd (end of this incentive and start of another) ?

Thanks so much, sorry about all the questions but am looking at buying ASAP and want to make sure I have all my ducks ion a row

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2nd question - I assume the NAV system gives you voice prompts through the stereo speakers but there is no voice commands where you can control the NAV by voice correct?

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hyperlite91193 said:

Wildcat 1,
I leased an LTZ with everything you listed, less the Nav, Entertainment and Rear Camera. I do have the:

Suspension: Autoride, includes bi-state variable shock damping and rear, air-assisted load leveling

Some people love or hat the Autoride. I really like it. Plus the load leveling is pretty sweet.

I pay $565/month total. It's a 3yr lease with 17,500 miles per year. I pre-paid for the extra miles. I'll get the money (or a portion of it... I forget) if I don't use the miles. So far I'm under on the mileage which is good, but we'll see by the end of the lease. If you are to lease, just be sure you have adaquate miles on your deal.... if not, you'll pay for it in the end, and it may hurt.

I can't vouch for the Ford Expedition. And I won't talk bad about Ford since I came from a '99 Ford Explorer. It was a great car. NOT one problem. Changed the oil and put 1 set of tires on it. Just filled it with gas and put126,000 miles on it.

As far as looks are concerned. I'd go with a Chevy. I didn't test drive the Expedition, since I wanted a Tahoe from the beginning. All I can say is that the Tahoe is AWESOME. I actually love everything about it. Not one complaint.

I personally don't enjoy anything about the buying/leasing process. I feel like I'm gonna puke or I want to tell the Salesman to just give me the best deal and stop jerking me around with the "I never do this, but for you I will" line!

Wish you the best!

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hyperlite91193 said:

Yes, the good 'ol purchase vs. leasing debate will always be in existence. There are pros and cons to each.

The problem with Purchasing is that you have to put a hefty down payment so you’re monthly won’t kill you. Plus you’re praying you’re gonna have a reliable car once the factory warranty expires. And then you risk if it’s even worth anything once you’re ready to unload it. The good is that if you have a car that is realiable and you love to drive it and WANT to keep it for a long time, then Purchasing makes sense.

The problem with Leasing is that if you do decide to buy at the end, you’re gonna be paying more than if you would’ve purchased it from the beginning. But the advantage of Leasing (or the way I look at it) is that you walk away at the end and then get the latest model that comes out. No warranty issues (typically)… but in my case due to my mileage, I’ll be out of warranty during my lease, which really is a no-no when it comes to leases. The way cars are changing these days and with possible advancements in fuel economy, your current Tahoe/Yukon or any other big SUV out there may hit all of us fossil fuel lovers harder in the pocket. I live in Southern California and the prices are quite high. But Boo-Hoo, I can’t complain about it and none of us should. We knew what we were getting into.

Of course these are my personal opinions as I’ve been down both roads and have had good and bad experiences with Purchasing AND Leasing. It all boils down to what fits your particular needs, what you can afford, and if you can have any business write off advantages.

I wouldn’t say that one is better than the other (Purchase vs. Lease). They are completely different and both have there place.

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