Got a Quick Question for a Car Dealer?

1679111266

Comments

  • joebertjoebert Member Posts: 22
    Thanks...any other advice on the offer?
  • wesleygwesleyg Member Posts: 164
    Now I even have a sales story about this subject since I responded before.

    In 1977, I bought a brand new Corvette sitting in my dealer's showroom as I was driving by the place without any intention of buying a car. Course this is always the way I work, so my fiance (now wife) just shook her head. She says now she should have learned from that incident then. (joke I hope.)

    Anyway, look it over, see my friend who's sold me many cars, sign the papers, they start it up to move it out of the showroom, and I glance at the odometer, it says 146. UH OH! stop the presses. A Vette in my thinking can't have 146 miles on it brand new, where's it been, who has driven those miles?

    So I ordered a black '77 and got it in about 2 months. Now I just posted that I picked up last week a new 2008 Impala for wife with about 186 miles showing and that is perfectly OK in my book, the driver is not likely to be using that 3.5V6 in a 4 door like the 350 V* in the Vette, does my rationale make sense?.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    does my rationale make sense?

    Emotionally yes, logically not really. In 148 miles how much damage can be done on a Vette? Not much unless its something like crashing the vehicle or putting it into a forward gear while still going in reverse (or visa versa). Those things can be done to just about any car.

    So unless you use feather like touches on the gas and brakes and turn corners really slow all the time you will do a lot more to that Vette than can be done in under 148 miles.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • wesleygwesleyg Member Posts: 164
    I agree with your logic, I always drive em hard, biggest engine etc. but I take care of them, baby em even. And yes, the car was perfect and probably had not been abused in any manner, but I just couldn't get over that 2 hours of driving by someone not me.

    More emotion than logic, definitely.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Any one else care to contribute?

    With Ford the Warranty runs 3 years from the in service date (the date the car was sold or put in Demo service) or until the odom reads 36,000 miles.

    If you buy a demo with 35K on it then you have 1K of factory warranty left.

    The only time warranty is added to the existing time/miles is if you buy a used car warranty, those are sold in 12/12 blocks. So if you have a used car with 40K on it and you buy a 36/36 service contract today the contract would run till 10/31/2011 or 76K on the odom what ever comes first.

    FYI I am talking about the bumper to bumper the Powertrain works the same way it is 5 years or 60K on the odom
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    If you buy a demo with 35K on it then you have 1K of factory warranty left.

    That's not a demo in any normal sense of the word. I have personal experience with pre-delivery mileage being added to the base number with GM, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. Indeed until this topic got an airing I didn't know it was done any other way. A pal of mine bought an ex-demo with 5500 or so on the odometer and that was added (in writing) to the sale document as the mileage when the warranty expired.
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Industry wide, your warranty starts from mile 0 and ends at whatever the manufacturer has stated. If it is 36,000 miles, then it ends at 36,000 miles. You don't get mileage concessions unless you purchase an extended warranty.

    A demo with 2k miles on it does not magically get a 2k mile extension on the warranty. To be clear, no manufacturer extends their warranty without purchase of an extended warranty.

    Is this mystery solved? A dealer has no authority to say that your warranty ends at 36,250 miles. Only the manufacturer can do that. No matter what the salesperson tells you.....

    Ok, there ya have it.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Is this mystery solved?

    Yeah, but what about Bigfoot... Mr. Know It All? :P

    Ok, there ya have it.

    For some reason I have the feeling this is only the beginning.

    I tend to agree with the 2 or 3 of you that say the manufactuer warranty ends at i.e 36,000 miles, reguardless of pre-existing mileage. As a customer service benefit, the dealership may be covering the extra 100-200 miles as a goodwill gesture. Knowing fully well the odds of any problems arising in that small time frame of mileage, would be slim to none.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    For you to make such a sweeping statement is as ridiculous as me making such a statement. I believe that the sale documents I have in my possession showing coverage beyond the nominal number are valid and binding.
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    GT,

    How is it ridiculous? Your experience with a dealership says that they will extend the warranty. It's not happening. They have no authority to do so. Perhaps they lied to you.

    My statement is true. Call the manufacturer to get confirmation or call a sample of 25 dealerships who are not selling you a vehicle. They will all confirm my statement.

    Sorry to break your reverie in fantasyland, but it just isn't true. :sick:
  • bvdj84bvdj84 Member Posts: 1,724
    I would like to know if doing a lease transfer through Swapalease.com is advisable and safe, efficient way to get rid of a lease,
    I am wanting to get rid of my 08 G6 lease, so I may get a Honda product.
    I have been told to post my car on the site, but wondering if this will give me good results and if there other ways to do this. My current lease is going to look very attractive, as GMAC does not lease anymore. I currently pay $319 with tax a month. The features of the G6 are, Leather, sunroof, cd changer, XM, onstar, remote start, salsa red. Apparently they cannot come close to that kind of payment with that kind of car. I think I have 32 months left. 12k miles a year allowed. So with that said, I am thinking I should not have a problem in doing so.
    Also, there is a $595 processing fee from GMAC, but then then the new owner would take over, and I walk away. I hear people do this all the time! taking over, selling.

    If there is anything I should know about all of this, please let me know.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    May I ask what other manufacturers that you have worked for? Every car I have bought the warranty started from delivery. So if the car has a 3 year 36K mike warranty and you took delivery on it today and there are 60 miles on it the warranty will run out on 10/30/2011 or at 36,060 miles whichever comes first.

    I've worked for Volvo,Acura,Mercedes,Cadillac and Dodge.
    While the warranty TIME starts at delivery,the mileage starts from zero.

    Now, it is not unusual for a manufacturer to cover a warranty item(esp if it's a small one) if you are only 50-100 miles out of warranty. Especially if you have a long service history w/ your dealership.
    thats isn' to say that they will buy you a tranny at 36,060 miles, but they would probably replace a window regulator.
    Remember that a warranty administrator doesn't know how many miles were on the car when you bought it, only how many are on the car when the claim is filed.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I've actually had a warranty repair done at some silly mileage like 36,060. I forget what it was - it was something pretty insignificant. It did actually say on my paperwork that the warranty went to 36,089 or something near it. This was maybe 5 years ago. I suspect it was the dealer actually doing it as a courtesy. Might have been different if it had dropped an engine.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    What a great question. I never thought about this.

    I would have to say though that I agree, the dealer has no authority to extend a factory warranty on his own unless he is paying for it out of pocket or perhaps he is counting on some discretionary funds he may or may not get because he's a high volume dealer in good standing.

    Maybe the dealer is just gambling that you'll never be in to collect on his promise.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,565
    ...regarding GM vehicles, mostly..

    Buyers claiming they were told the warranty extends for 36K miles forward from the delivery mileage.

    But, not on import nameplates, before..though..

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I believe that most manufacturers DO NOT extend warranty to compensate for the miles on the clock at time of delivery.

    However reading some posts here from folks who have contracts in hand with such extensions, leads me to conclude that these mileage extensions are done solely by the dealers, as a goodwill gesture, and would not be otherwise supported by a manufacturer if a problem should arise during the questionable mileage period.

    The reason dealers might be providing such extensions, as somebody mentioned earlier, is because the chances of something going wrong during the 100 or so miles is rare.

    If such mileage extensions would be in place from the manufacturers, then you'd see a ton of dealership driven unregistered demos with 10k-20k miles that a manufacturer would be obligated to give warranty on, waaaay beyond normal period (up to 56k miles instead of 36k).

    That's my final ruling and answer. ;)

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,359
    The GM owner's manual I looked at would only extend the warranty on a demonstrator if it had fewer than 1000 miles.

    I would assume that dealers are within their discretion to goodwill a repair under warranty if the car is slightly over the 36,000 mile limit. The selling dealer might be more accommodating than someone else, though.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Its called AWA After Warranty Assistance and still has to be approved by the manufacture. it is almost non-exsistent any more. If you did not have you vehichle serviced at a dealership don't even ask.
  • mlacombemlacombe Member Posts: 10
    I'm looking to purchase a 2005 mazda mpv lx with cloth seats, 60000 miles, and NO power sliding door, and NO side airbags. I want to trade my 1999 honda crv with 110,000 miles its also the plain version with cloth seats. What would be good numbers for this deal. Thanks for your help. Sorry, if I'm posting the the wrong forumn.
  • dbtdbt Member Posts: 298
    Post your message over here:
    Real World Trade-In Values
    Also, note the information requested in orange on the "Post a Message"
  • sunsetssunsets Member Posts: 10
    UPDATE: Well, I called my attorney about the slimebag who repeatedly for several weeks ran my credit when I did not buy from him. He looked at the info & agreed I should fill it in & send it, so I did. Next, he advised me to call Equifax w/ this story & I did that. They looked at my credit report & agreed immediately that this was unethical & excessive. They said they would investigate & within about 10-12 days I got back a credit report showing Equifax had removed all 20 inquiries he made. Today I have to call my homeowners & auto insurance company because the time he did this was my renewal time on the policies & my car & home insurance went up because my credit scort was not as high. My attorney said I can sue the guy if I want to go through the trouble. I am thinking that over. I will make that decision after I see what the insurance companies say. My attorney told me to explain the situation & they do not go along with me, we can sue right here locally. I will keep you informed. Thanks again. ;)
  • sunsetssunsets Member Posts: 10
    By the way, what I filled in and mailed was the complaint forms to the Federal Trade Commission. Sorry, forgot to put where I sent the complaint.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Thanks for the update sunsets. Hope things work out to your satisfaction.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Wow. Good for you. I'm glad to hear that it is starting to work in your favor.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Yeah, good to hear that you sorta fixed things.

    If you won't sue, you should at least complain to the BBB and the local dealer association if there is one in your area. A short letter to the manufacturer might be in order too.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    My attorney said I can sue the guy if I want to go through the trouble. I am thinking that over.

    Way to go ‘sunsets’. Don’t drop the ball now. Slimeballs like that car salesman should be driven out of that profession. Problem is he’ll only wind up somewhere else but if you nail him hard enough he might get the idea.

    I think a poster mentioned going to the TV station Consumer Advocate person. They should eat this up given your lawyer thinks you have a case.

    Personally, I’d go for the jugular.

    Again, nice work.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    If you push it make sure you sue him quick before he is broke. If the FTC gets ahold of him they could fine him $10K per occurance.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    If you push it make sure you sue him quick before he is broke

    Speaking of going broke... is the current delima with Ford a surprise? You've always posted before about how financially strong Ford was. Yesterday's paper stated they would be out of cash/business in 8 months without a bail-out. What a sad sad time for the once mighty American automotive industry.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Jipster, what doom and gloom oh my god the sky is falling publication did you read that in.

    As of Friday I thought this was Fords official stance

    Despite the $7.7 billion cash drain during the quarter, CFO Booth said Ford remains comfortable that it will have enough to sustain operations. The company doesn't plan to tap its available credit lines anytime soon, he said.

    But Ford decided to make additional cost cuts to improve its automotive cash position by a total of $14 billion to $17 billion through 2010. That will help Ford continue new product investments and offset the continued industry weakness, company officials said


    It does not suck every where. We posted a profits in our over seas operations and FMCC still is operating in the black. I think it was $160,000,000 profit last quarter
  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    Is it Ford or GM? Or both? I recall reading that GM was likely in need of a bailout without a significant turnaround in business.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Jipster, what doom and gloom oh my god the sky is falling publication did you read that in.

    Saturdays front page story in, The Courier Journal, "Weak economy could doom Ford".

    "Ford Motor Co. may not survive through next year if the economy doesn't improve, CEO Alan Mulally said yesterday..." "With only $18 billion cash on hand, a deeper recession next year or one that lasts beyond 2010 would make a multibillion dollar loan critical to the automakers survival"

    The article did go on to offer examples of "reasons for hope".
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Jipster, can you send me a link if possible? I would like to print it and shove it down his &&^%$#&^*())_ throat. It is one thing to listen to the talking heads on TV spew there crap but when the CEO starts spouting off that is a ridiculous move on his part.

    The only slack I would cut him is if he was talking to the goverment trying to get some of the free money they are passing out. Ya I call it free, 2/3 will never get payed back IMO

    Seriously though can I get a link to share the article with my GM and DP
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008811080423... hope this works. :blush:

    Looks like the C-J sensationalised the heading in Saturday's paper, as the article is called, "Ford's fate may hinge on economy" on it's web site.

    The only slack I would cut him is if he was talking to the goverment trying to get some of the free money they are passing out. Ya I call it free, 2/3 will never get payed back

    That seems to be the case, or the impression I get, now that you mention it.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    I thought Ford had access to a credit line that will get them through 2010???

    Ford has the products to make it and their quality has improved. they need to clean up their lineup a bit. Do you really need the Explorer, Flex, Edge and Taurus X?
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    IMHO

    Do you really need the Explorer, Flex, Edge and Taurus X?
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Ford needs to bring some of their European cars over. I think the Ka might do good here.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • fordfoolfordfool Member Posts: 240
    G.M.'s CEO Rick Wagoner chimes in:

    link title

    "GM has lost $22.9 billion so far this year,"

    "For the quarter, Ford reported a net loss of...$2.9 billion on its global automotive operations."

    "If GM files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Fitch Ratings analyst Mark Oline said there is “a very high risk” that it would pull in Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler, too, because GM probably would be forced to discount vehicles deeply to generate cash for creditors, and other automakers would have to follow."
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,583
    If a car company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, that would be a big disincentive for anyone considering buying a car from them.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    If a car company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, that would be a big disincentive for anyone considering buying a car from them.

    Not necessarily so. Though I agree in the unlikely event that they file for chapter 7.

    It's possible that the management oversight provided by the court in the case of chapter 11 could improve the situation.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    GM probably would be forced to discount vehicles deeply to generate cash for creditors, and other automakers would have to follow."

    Thats not what worries me. What worries me is the suppliers and vendors it would put out of business which would in turn make it hard for us to get parts to build and repair cars.

    If ABC Brake Pad Company has a contract with Ford and GM and are rolling along then we have no problem getting brake pads and at a grea price because of the volume they sell the two companies. If GM goes under and ABC Brakes loses the GM contract then they can either close there doors or the price on the pads they are selling us.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Ford needs to bring some of their European cars over. I think the Ka might do good here.

    The European Focus launches her in the Fall of 2009 I believe.

    image

    And also we will have a new car called the Verve launch around that time to

    image
  • rose22rose22 Member Posts: 2
    How long do Colorado dealerships have to payoff loans on trade-ins?
    Son purchased new car, trade-in was accepted and balance on existing loan transferred to new car purchase. The dealer sent Wachovia payment, but caused about $41 to $57 balance due. Wachovia sent notice to son of balance due (he's on the road for work so found too late), (Sept. 15) went to dealership about a balance due, they told him just to pay it.
    That same day he called Wachovia and they said just to ignore letter he had received as the balance had been paid on Sept. 11.
    But when he checked his Credit reporting service it showed:
    10/03/08
    WFS/Wachovia Dealer Svcs Inc.
    Acct status: 30 days past due
    Bal. Amt. $41
    Status date: 9/30/2008

    10/05/08
    WFS/Wachovia Dealer Svcs Inc.
    Acct status: Not more than two payments past due
    Bal. Amt. $41
    Status date: 9/1/2008
    Balance date: 08/01/2008

    Apparently dealership did not send full amt. the first time and had to send the extra payment in September to get title from Wachovia.
    Signed purchase for new car 7-29, his next payment was due 8-8-08 on vehicle he traded in.
    He called Wachovia ex. cust. service and was told that if Wachovia did not make the mistake they would not remove these negtives from the credit reporting agencies.
    Current plan is to write to dealership to ask for date and amounts (but they have a bad reputation with the BBB - I just found this out a few days ago, so not expecting much),
    and to write to Wachovia to see if they will provide copies of the payoff amts. and dates.
    Thank you for any advice/assistance.
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    fordfool wrote :
    "GM probably would be forced to discount vehicles deeply to generate cash for creditors, and other automakers would have to follow."
    To which joel0622 responded:
    "Thats not what worries me. What worries me is the suppliers and vendors it would put out of business which would in turn make it hard for us to get parts to build and repair cars. "
    Both very good points. I guess we'd have to depend on the Chinese for our domestic auto parts. After all we trust them for toothpaste, pyjamas, kids toys and baby food . ;)
  • rose22rose22 Member Posts: 2
    Great news!
    Son received letter and a call from Wachovia ex. cust. service - the letter said it submitted request to the big 3 credit reporting agencies to remove the 2 (30 day) delinquencies for Sept and Oct.
    It is so great that they did this! At no point was Wacovia doing anything wrong.
    It was the dealerships responsibility to pay the quote Wacovia gave them in a timely manner - since they did not the dealership actually caused the late fees.
    It was hard lesson learned, if anyone trades in a vehicle with an existing loan, stay on top of that account until you are positive it is clear.
    Wachovia Dealer Services - you are great!!
    Still plan to complain to the dealership and BBB about this. It is so wrong that bad credit stays on your reports for 7 years can be caused by someone else. Just leaving a consumer stuck with it for years.
    And like I said, don't just assume it is being taken care of - will never make that mistake again.
    Again a great big thank you to Wachovia Dealer Services and Mr. Scott.
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    We posted a profits in our over seas operations

    I just came back from overseas. It's no wonder they're making money with the cool models they have. The redesign Mondeo and Fiesta are gorgeous. And the Kuga is a pretty cool CUV. And of course the Focus as Joel already mentioned.

    Hope they bring them here soon.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    The European Focus launches her in the Fall of 2009 I believe.

    I really hope that's true, but I'll believe it when I see it. Another thing I'd like to see (but I'm certain I won't) is the Mondeo replacing the Fusion. Now that's a car that could play on a level playing field with Camry and Accord and win.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Mondeo would cost way to much to bring here.
    Look at what it sells for in Europe.
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    Mondeo would cost way to much to bring here.
    Look at what it sells for in Europe.


    I realise that, however it would not be the first car to be sold more cheaply in North America than it is in Europe. I see Mondeo as very real competition for Accord et al, whereas Fusion is not. No doubt if Ford did decide to bring it here they would have to "dumb it down" for the US market, just as they did with Focus and Escort
  • traindrivertraindriver Member Posts: 328
    Verdugo, I couldn't agree with you more. I don't usually follow what is being offered overseas but your praise of the Mondeo, Fiesta, and Kuga intrigued me enough to google for more information. I think all three are desperately needed here in North America and would be a huge success for Ford. I hope they are moving heaven and earth to get products like these over here as quickly as possible.

    Next summer I will be in the market for a sedan in the mid $30k range. It disappoints me that there's not a domestic model on my top ten list of candidates. Nothing worth serious consideration to a 35 year old looking for something that is a happy balance of sport and luxury. Personally I don't believe that there is a tangible quality gap between foreign and domestic as I have been very pleased with the domestic trucks and SUVs that we have owned. Bailouts might provide enough oxygen to get through the tough times but compelling product will ensure ultimate success.

    By basically slapping two extra doors on the old Bronco II and calling it the 1991 Explorer, FMC in my opinion set off the SUV craze that spanned a good 15 years. Detroit can do it; I hope they will again with some interesting sedans.
  • lemmerlemmer Member Posts: 2,689
    Same old story. Everybody assumes Americans won't pay for value when buying American cars even though they happily do it with European and Asian cars. The big three have to try something other than offering cars that are cheapest per pound. That clearly isn't working. If you ignore the big truck/big SUV craze, it hasn't worked in 30 or 40 years.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.