Got a Quick Question for a Car Dealer?

jayrider

A current tooth chipper would be the mini-cooper. The old mgb sprite was my favorite. Short wheel base and super firm suspensions. Drive one over a nice set of railroad tracks and all will be clear.

chuckfromli

Gotcha, but ssshhhhhhhh........some people here love Minis!

imidazol97

Saw a mini this morning with 18 inch squares on the roof in black and white checkered flag style! I believe there were a couple of black stripes or white stripes on the lower part. The car's base was dark green. Neat .

jayrider

No problem with mini's or any other similar vehicles -- just not for me anymore.

isellhondas

It wasn't directed to anybody here but I deal with this every day.

The people with marginal credit and low incomes just seem to be the same people who always have to have everything. On used cars, I'll try to steer them toward something that makes sense but, oh no, they want the used BMW or Mercedes.

I'll barely get them approved credit wise and they will drive out in a car that requires a lot of expensive maintenance and care.

It seems that the people with money are happy to settle with an LX Accord. They don't care about leather or sunroofs etc.

Just an observation on my part.

Some people want leather so they can use their cars as rolling restaurants and portable dog kennels. I see these cars at trade in time and they are often so bad that we just take them to the auction.

I just don't understand but that's just me.

imidazol97

>The people with marginal credit and low incomes just seem to be the same people who always have to have everything. On used cars, I'll try to steer them toward something that makes sense but, oh no, they want the used BMW or Mercedes. I'll barely get them approved credit wise and they will drive out in a car that requires a lot of expensive maintenance and care

But in many cases that lack of ability to choose what is economical and appropriate for their financial circumstances is why they don't have discretionary funds in the first place. On the other hand, those who choose purchases with sagacity save money. I think what you observe is the result of the people's ability to spend wisely.

A neighbor up the road got licensed as a dealer and was buying and selling quite a few cars on the side. He got one in as a trade that was a rolling pig sty. The owner was a young assistant pastor.

isellhondas

Exactly!

Speaking of pig stys, I have seen trade ins that were so filthy inside that the people appraising the cars wouldn't get into them.

We had a Subaru Outback traded in a couple of years ago that the detail people refused to touch it. It had dog hair an inch thick everywhere. The floors had piles of Cheerios, Mc Donald's wrappers, french fries and assorted filth. The smell was beyond description. I've seen others nearly as bad but nothing like this one!

Mr_Shiftright

Not surprising. Outback TV commercials actually encourage abuse.

RE: tooth-chippers, small seats, foot room, etc.

Did you know that a recent survey says about 30% of all buyers of new cars never drive them first? Not sure if that means "never drive them FAR or LONG" or "never drives them" period.

Still, a surprising number.

Has that been the experience of those of you in the trenches at the showrooms?

lrguy44

I can think of 2 buyers in 16 years who bought before driving. Now, there have been many people who drove a car and bought another of the same model without driving it. On the used side - 1 person. We found the car they wanted out of state.

isellhondas

Yes, it happens.

Sometimes I'll hear.." I've owned four Hondas, I know how they drive"

Or the've driven the same car at another store.

I've had to insist that some people drive USED cars.

The opposite of this is the person who wants to drive four different cars.

british_rover

I have sold a few cars to people who never drove them period including a 2007 96,000 dollars Supercharged Range Rover.

I have sold plenty of cars to people who had the same model previously and said they didn't need to drive the new one.

I always recommend that people drive the car bu not everyone takes that advice. The nearly 100,000 dollar Range Rover I really, really recommended that he drive it but he didn't want to and he loves the vehicle so everything worked out.

vicenac

I got burned like that. I drove a CX-7 before and when I went to buy my own, I didn't care to drive it. I did in the end, but I did not pay attention to anything.
I noticed that the car did not drive straight on my way home.

Oh... the horror....
I learned. I thought new cars are like new TV's. They all work ok out of the box.

jayrider

Decided to buy a new 1992 plymouth sundance 4 door --4 speed/ac radio. The dealer had a sale price on for about 7k -- forget. There were 4 on the lot. Drove all 4 around the lot and picked the red one because it drove the best. The others had idle and hesitations. This one was fine -- kept it for 114k miles. A/C was poor but the car never let me down. Identicle cars can drive differently. Always test drive.

chuckfromli

Conspicuous consumption is the enemy of wealth accumulation.

jayrider

Unless you have unlimited wealth or a retired teacher on a conventional pension.
If you have it -- spend it. Saving for a rainy day or when you are too old to enjoy it ain't my m.o.

chuckfromli

I bought a 1988 Plymouth Reliant 2 dr. for cash brand new without ever driving it. When I left construction I got some annuity fund money, around 10K. I wanted a new car and wanted to pay cash. There wasn't much available for that price, even in 1988. It was bacically a Sentra or a K car. The K car was a little bigger, and I really liked the looks of the 2 dr. in charcoal grey. $9100 MSRP. I was all set to pay that when the salesman mentioned that there was a $300 rebate. I thought it was a steal! I kept that car for about 7 years, sold it around 1995 with about 85K on it, all city miles. It still looked good and never had a problem with it other than a sensor or two. I think it was my first car with buckets and a console.

Of course, in those days he seats didn't adjust all the ways they do now. And who has arthritis in the spine when you're 20 something years old. In those days, you just adjusted to the car and drove it.

chuckfromli

Believe me, pensioners have to be smart about money. I think I mentioned before, no more OT, no more holiday pay, no more uniform allowance, no more counting on 3,4,5 % raises every year, and no more retroactive payments when your contract isn't settled for a few years.

djhitman3am

Hi I was just hoping for some help here. I'm buying a Certified Pre Owned BMW from an out-of-state dealer. He sent the paperwork over which includes my financial contract and sales contract, both of which reflect the correct price of the car. However, the credit application we have to sign shows a higher purchase price and monthly payments. The dealer said that the credit application is not important and they just put in an estimated amount. Is this normal and is it ok for me to sign?

jayrider

Retired teachers in Illinois have a pretty good deal. Not the best but enough to keep spending if you don't gamble or drive range rovers. Honda's are fine. After dealing with all those dedicated scholars for 35 years and paying 10% of earnings, the state says thanks. I say -- your welcome. But the big reward is reasonable insurance coverage. Going to Penny's to buy some fall/winter duds.

chuckfromli

If the sales contract and the financial contract reflect the correct price, my GUESS would be that it's OK.

I doubt a BMW dealer is going to do anything underhanded. I suspect they deal with a lot of lawyers and people that know how to complain.

I am not a car dealer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night!

oldfarmer50

"...I've seen others nearly as bad but nothing like this one!..."

Sounds like KBB "excellent" to me.

Can you imagine what the mechanicals are on a car like that? Somehow I don't see Mr. rolling garbage dump changing his oil every 3000 miles.

My two son are kinda like that. Their cars are usually filthy inside. I try to bug them about at least keeping up with maintaince but at this point in their lives the old man is still "stupid".

I guess when they have to pay for new wheels I'll smarten up a bit.

oldfarmer50

"...I bought a 1998 Plymouth Reliant..."

My son had an '88 Reliant for a while last year. It was a $300 hooptie but I loved the visibility of those 80s cars with the low beltline. He drove it over a gravestone or something and ripped the oil pan out. Nice while it lasted even if we did have to weld in a new floor to keep his feet from dragging. :lemon:

oldfarmer50

"...dealer says that the credit application is not important..."

Are you financing through the dealer? If so and you sign a contract, the figures on the contract are what you have to pay.

If the credit application is not important write "VOID" in big letters across the front.

Believe it or not, those pre printed contracts can be modified.

snakeweasel

Hey, don't knock Timex. I just spent $12.95 on a band and battery for my 15 year old $30 Timex and it keeps perfect time.

Hey I have a 130 year old railroad watch (Missouri Pacific RR) that has never needed to have a battery replaced. Keeps as good time, or better, than most newer watches. :P

lrguy44

In the old days before we did apps online, the deal structure was on the credit app and faxed the he bank. A good F&I guy would always ask for more than he needed in case the bank wanted to alter the structure or the customer wanted to buy add on products they could be financed. I do not know why they would do that now as deals are mostly submitted online.

oregonboy

If they are giving away a free Nav system it must consist of a map and a compass.

Actually, my daughter got one of the free nav systems for opening an account with (I think it was) Key Bank. It was a very nice Garmin 200-W. In truth, it wasn't the 200, but rather a later model... 202 or 205 or something.

Way better than a map and a compass.

8sparkplugs

The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want now. ~ Zig Ziglar I think this applies to alot of the people who are credit challenged.

chuckfromli

.......over a gravestone??????

chuckfromli

Going to Penny's to buy some fall/winter duds

You playa, you. Stop at Chess King or Sid's Pants and liven things up!

jayrider

I usually shop at Brook's Brothers but Penny's had scratch off discount cards 15-30% off sale prices. Got an extra 20% ---JACKPOT !!!!!!.

jmonroe

.......over a gravestone??????

That sounds like a killer to me.

jmonroe

chuckfromli

Brooks Bros.???

You must be right. IL. teacher's pensions must be much better than NYPD pensions.

I go to Kohl's once or twice a year. That's enough clothes shopping for me.

oldfarmer50

"...over a gravestone?..."

Actually I don't know what he hit but the oil pan was split right down the middle. You could have stuck your head in the hole.

I guess I liked the car more than he did. :sick:

jayrider

Well it's like this re the pension -- I'm fully vested so I have that going for me but my wife was a teacher so we both get checks every month. No matter how lazy or misbehaved we are -- the checks still come. Good thing these pensions aren't merit based. I'm going to send you a request to be friends -- may have some car stuff to discuss off the grid.

chuckfromli

Yes, mine is guaranteed to. I could do a homicide tomorrow and collect in jail, LOL.

I convinced my wife to go from half time to full time when I retired. She's an RN
Hey, somebodies got to work!

Are you going to send me pictures of you in your new clothes?

jayrider

Cops & teachers -- keeping anarchy at bay. Got a question for the car dealers. I see adds from dealerships that they can get you a car with no credit,bad credit,bad breath, bankruptcy, and other assorted felonies and misdemeanors [including wearing expando-pants from Penny's]. What is the deal with that stuff. Seems even legitimate dealers have the familiar "For the credit challenged, call Mr. Nicely at extension xxx.

jmonroe

What is the deal with that stuff.

What's so surprising? If you pay me a high enough interest rate I'll finance your parakeet.

jmonroe

chuckfromli

It was all fun and games until the government forced the banks to finance their houses too.

Mr_Shiftright

How long does a parakeet live? Can I get 72 months?

grandtotal

Generally much longer than 72 months. But just to be on the safe side can I interest you in a warranty? Of course getting the loan is not conditional on taking the warranty.

isellhondas

I know of one parakeet who lasted 20 years.

A parrot can live much longer that that.

oldfarmer50

"...I could do a homicide tomorrow and collect in jail..."

Funny you mention that. An employee of a local school district has been indicted on dozens of felonies related to years of terrorism directed at other employees. The charges include everything from car bombings to requiring female employees to look "sexy" while at work.

He is collecting a full pension while in jail.

jayrider

As long as the crime is committed after you retire, you can continue getting the pension.Your victims can of course get a civil judgement against you to attach some or all of it. If you commit certain crimes as a teacher, you forfeit your pension. They refund what you paid in and sayonara.

british_rover

Churchill's Parrot is still alive IIRC. Some museum found him a couple of years back and was able to identify him.

isellhondas

I believe a parrot can live over 100 years.

I KNOW they can bite! I have a scar on my thumb to prove that.

Our frat house had a parrot who could swear in both English and Spanish in addition to biting people!

jayrider

Not only do parrots swear -- they lie, which is why you need to check them with a polly-graph.

british_rover

That was baddddaaddd

snakeweasel

Our frat house had a parrot who could swear in both English and Spanish

My sister has a parrot that mimics her cell phone ringer. Every now and again she has to change her ringtone so she can tell when the phone is actually ringing.

chuckfromli

I never understood it until lately. It seems outrageous to civilians. But a pension is earned by a persons years of service. Once they retire it can't affect the pension because that is a done deal.

Unless of course they never really earned it, like so many lawyers on Long Island who were "full time" employees of one or more school districts while maintaining their private practices. Those people have had their pensions taken away, and rightfully so. They were only full time employees on the books. In reality they weren't even present.

chuckfromli

Not only do parrots swear -- they lie, which is why you need to check them with a polly-graph

LOL. I love it. I don't care if you wear spandex pants from Penney's. That was funny!