What we need is more government oversight

[Ed in Tampa]

I bought a car today to replace my 12 year old van.
I got writers cramp from signing all the papers.
I know I signed more papers today than I did when I bought my house 30 years ago.

The financial guy who does the paper signing at this dealership said that when he started he had 3 papers to sign if you were financing and only 2 if you were paying cash.

Today you have to sign a paper to allow them to transfer your title. Then a paper to allow them to know enough of your information to transfer the title. And then a paper that gives them the right to make a correction should they make one. Then another paper to limit their ability to make changes only to names and addresses they can't correct amounts. Then you have to sign a paper that allows them to share your information on the title with the DOT. And another paper to allow the DOT to give them back the changed paper.

I must have signed fifty papers today. Oh yeah I had to sign a paper that said I would not crawl under my car and change the emissions system in a negative way. Then I signed a paper that attested that my wife was who she was and she had to sign a paper to attest that I was who I was, so we could sign all the papers.

Oh my aching back!!!!!!

[hdoilcan]

Welcome to the New America!

[JPG]

Welcome to the New America!

Must be a FL thing!

[rlkeeney]

You didn't mention all the taxes that pretend to be something else.

[swampgator]

It's just a Florida thing. When I signed for my house in 1973, it took an hour to sign all the papers. But, now, it's state law for all these papers you just described. And, they keep saying they are getting government out of our lives. Hmmmmmm!:rolleyes:

[dforeman]

I don't think it is only a Florida thing. I bought a car a couple of weeks ago also and I had to sign all the stuff you described. I wasted over a half day there just on all the paperwork crap. And, of course there was also the sales schlep on all the warrenties, deals, etc.

[brad_nalor]

Thats why they give you the 'free' 0.29 logo pen.

[nuhobby]

I bought a car today to replace my 12 year old van.

So.... which new car was chosen by the Forum's #1 Shrewd Dude?

[Ed in Tampa]

So.... which new car was chosen by the Forum's #1 Shrewd Dude?

Chevy Equinox.

Only car worthy of my approval after 2 years of intense research, testing and negotiations.

GMC Terrain was a close runner up and the Toyota Prius V came in third.

If the Toyota had a power drivers seat and was an American car it probably would have been number one.

Chrysler Town and Country came in fourth with a Sorento a distant fifth.

By the way I traded my Chrysler Town and Country and they said they "gave" me $4000 for it. It was 2000 I bought for $22000 and if I deduct the $4000 trade it means it cost me $18000. Spreading that over 12 years and 135,000 miles it works out to around $1500 a year. Most people pay $1200 in two or three car payments.

I had all the service records and kept my gas mileage.

Interestingly in Florida around town I got 18-18.7 on the highway in Florida I got 23.5 however when driving north from the Carolinas on North I got 24-24.5 highway and 19 city. Always thought it had the wrong computer chip but the dealer had all kinds of explanations why gas in higher elevations has more energy hence better gas mileage.

Never did any major repair, tires, oil, battery and front brakes.

Now to see if the Equinox can better those numbers. Already looks like it is going to beat the gas mileage by 6 miles for gallon city driving, but it is way to early to tell anything for sure.

[nuhobby]

Good choice!
I am lately driving a Chevy Cruze ECO for my excessive commuting. I've found their MPG claims (28 city, 42 highway) to be within my achievement. Of course I don't go over 62mph, so that helps.