Originally Posted by vtec to vvel

OP, you got taken for a ride, which alot of it you could have avoided.

1. you never EVER trust a used car salesman.
2. you should never rely on verbal confirmations. you should have requested adamantly for pictures on the specifics you were looking for (i.e. pics of rims for any curb rash).
3. never ever give into the sign/drive gimmic. you're basically buying a car in the blind without knowing anything about it.
4. you should have gotten a pre-approval from your bank, which they would give you a draft which is equivalent to a blank check for up to a certain amount your bank approves you for. i did this and used the verbiage "i can buy this car in cash" and that will give you the upper edge when negotiating.
5. get everything that was agreed upon IN WRITING. verbal confirmations, again, means nothing.
6. even if you have multiple inquiries on your credit, if it is done at one time, it shouldn't have taken that big of a hit on your credit.
7. buying a car, new or used, is like playing poker. you never show your cards and in your case, it seems like you really wanted the car, which is fine, but don't let the dealer know that. make them think that you can walk out at anytime and that you could go to another dealer to do business.

i was in the market for a 370Z for a while, and when i was seriously looking, it took me 8 months to find mine. i made many long trips, spent countless hours, walked out of many dealerships after giving them the middle finger, etc., but when I found the right one, it was worth the wait.