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Any Questions for a Car Dealer?

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,428
    I have a feeling the dealer is putting it in on site, just given the number of units. I really was curious if it is a really involved job, or something not too invasive.

    It's also possible they have it on the extras sticker, but it's not installed until you purchase. I will have to inquire next time I visit the dealer.

    Just one more reason to pick an incoming unit, to not have to deal with junk that you don't want being pre-installed.

    And no, if the car is stolen, I don't want it back.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,485
    And no, if the car is stolen, I don't want it back.

    Only if my child is in the car.. 50/50 if the wife is in it....

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  • abisabis Member Posts: 4
    Hello,
    I have bought a 2004 Pilot EXL from a local honda dealer in SC couple of days before. The dealer brought this Pilot from another dealer since the color was not available with them. Today, when I was checking the manual and other documents, found a loaner aggrement from the other dealer. The dealer has loaned this SUV for three days in Aug 2004! My dealer didn't tell me about it. I am concerned about it and felt I bought a used vehicle. The mileage on the vehicle is 176. Can I return this vehicle?
  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    Has the recent (relatively) dramatic change in value of the Canadian Dollar versus the US Dollar stopped the trade in used Canadian cars south of the border?
  • driftracerdriftracer Member Posts: 2,448
    the dealer attempted to cover himself with a loaner/rental agreement, and mileage was put on - I'd say the mileage is low, considering it was driven for 3 days AND driven to you dealer from the trading dealer.

    No, you can't return it, there's nothing wrong, and certainly no need to disclose that a new car was test driven, that's a "given".
  • guitarzanguitarzan Member Posts: 873
    Would not a car have to be titled to be rented out? Look at the contract-does it have information about this vehicle on it? I am doubting that.

    Also, it would not be smart to throw in a rental contract if the vehicle had not been rented. That would only add suspicion.

    John
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Theres a difference between a "loaner" and "rental". If it were loaned to another dealer for whatever reason, then yeah it would still be considered new. If it were a rental...then I'd say you have a case that it wasn't new.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Could have been loaned out on an unusually long test drive.

    I sell Hondas (in Canada) and there's three possibilities for cars:

    Used: pre owned, registered to a private owner before, warranty started on the day it was first registered (or rolled off the lot).

    New: Brand new vehicle, NEVER REGISTERED or TITLED, no matter how many miles or km's even with as much as 200km, or in your case 170 miles. This means warranty starts on the day a private party titles, registers it, and drives off the lot.

    Demo: Vehicle TITLED and REGISTERED under the dealer's name only, and driven by the dealer staff, employees, or used as a loaner car.

    Even though yours had a loaner agreement, it doesn't mean it's a demo, as long as it had not been registered or titled before you.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Car was loaned out either for an overnight test drive, or possibly display at a mall or golf course etc. Not at all uncommon.
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    In the Syracuse NY area 05 Stangs have $2500 ADM stickers currently.

    How about your area?
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    Seen an 05 Stang at the Ford dealer..........was there yesterday. Alaska seems to be last to get anything cool.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ..... Good morning Aka, haven't you been to bed yet.?

                  You should see the new 05 Stangs in and around 07 .. but who cares, because you need to: STAY AWAY FROM THE CAR LOTS .......... ;)

                                 Terry.
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    AKA - I'm not sure where you are in AK but Cal Worthington in Anchorage has or has to be delivered, 4 '05 Mustangs, according to the Ford website.

    Great Bear Ford in Soldatna has 1 '05 Mustang.

    Now, of course, who knows how often they update but at least, it would seem, that they are getting them in. You could try doing a inquiry and see if they actually have them there or if those are on their way/have to be delivered to people who have already bought them.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    lol, don't worry, Akangl knows her way to Cals. Not much more effort for her to get there than her usual 4 hour grocery run :-)

    Steve, Host
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    4 hours! I'm going to have to go back and read some of her posts. Although, sometimes I wish I were 4 hours away from civilization. :)
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    **don't worry, Akangl knows her way to Cals. Not much more effort for her to get there than her usual 4 hour grocery run :-)** ......

             Aint that the truth .l.o.l......

                                 Terry.
  • bluedevilsbluedevils Member Posts: 2,554
    What kind of a discount should I expect to negotiate for a demo model? We are shopping 2004 Malibu Maxx LTs. There are dozens of them in the southeast Michigan area. Vehicle has $3,500 rebate on it now, so they are obviously trying to clear them out at the model year end (although the Sept rebate was higher -- $4,500).

    We qualify for GM employee pricing. Local dealer has offered $500 below GM employee price via phone, minus rebate. So we are looking at about $20.2k for a $27.6k MSRP vehicle.

    One dealer has a demo with 5,000 miles. They offered $1,000 below GM employee price and said if we called or visited they would be willing to discount it further.

    My thought is a fair discount for a demo model on a $27k vehicle is in the $2-3k neighborhood.

    Any thoughts?
  • bh628bh628 Member Posts: 100
    Hi,
    I have narrowed down my choices to 3 cars, and would like to take test drives. It's important to me to test drive the cars, because I have to see how the car feels when I drive it. I have a back problem, and the car seating has to be just right (I bought the wrong car last time, and had back pain).
         I sat in several possible cars, but found that things were different when I did a test drive. My back went into severe spasm after a Camry test drive, even though I had sat in several of them to evaluate them.
         I know I am entitled to test drives, but it's such a hassle having to deal with high-pressure salespeople. I'd like to check out both the Impala bench seat and an Impala with a bucket seat, but I don't think a salesperson is going to give me that opportunity without high pressure to buy. And I am not ready to buy yet.
         In addition, a Honda salesman only gave me a 5-minute right turn route around the block. He wouldn't give me the choice of the route or time limit. He said that they like to keep a minimum number of miles on it. When we were done, we told him the test drive was too short, and we wouldn't be able to decide. He told us that Honda Accords aren't used by rental agencies (a lie), so we wouldn't be able to get a longer test drive.
         I did rent a Camry already, and I would like to have some sort of test drive before trying to rent a car again. Also, it was really hard to find a rental agency that would allow me to specify the car that I wanted to rent.
         Any suggestions on how to get the test drives? I know that I won't go toward the end of the month, when salespeople are really high-pressure to make their monthly goals.

    THANKS!
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    To worry about new cars. The Focus will turn 10k tomorrow and 12k within 2 weeks. All I do is drive, work, drive, sleep. I'm not interested in the new Stangs other than to take a glance and move on. I'm behaving (more or less) and staying away from the car lots. Now if I could just stay away from the TIRE DEALER........14 new winter tires and $2000 spent in just ONE month there.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Forgot to add:

    Go on a slow day like weekday morning or weekday evening, not on a Saturday or Sunday when it's really busy and you wouldn't be able to get the full attention you deserve.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • peterdh2000peterdh2000 Member Posts: 54
    I don't know where you live, but most decent sized cities have 10+ Honda dealers and probably more Toyota and Chevy dealers within 50 miles or so. No way do you need to pay to rent a car just to evaluate it. That's BS. Go down the street to the next store. It's hard to believe that anyone would expect you to commit to a car for 2-5 years on a 5 minute test drive.

    Go on a slow day at a slow time for best results. I wouldn't mention your back problems, that's your business. Just say how anxious you are to buy a car and if a good, reasonably long test drive seals it, you'll buy today, because it's true. If the car is right, the price is right, you'll buy, because you wouldn't be shopping for cars otherwise, right?

    Just for fun, sometime, see what happens when you get on the freeway after the salesman tells you that you can only go around the block. I can't say the results, but I'd be willing to bet five of my own bucks to say that the salesman will do...um...nothing. Sorry to any good salesmen who might take offense, but you probably wouldn't restrict a reasonable test drive anyway.

    And you DO want to buy at the end of the month, when salespeople want to make their goals. Your sale is the goal, remember that. You drive, you like, you buy, they get paid. You don't buy, they don't get paid.

    The pressure thing sucks, true, but remember you're the boss because you have what they want, your money. If anything is wrong, leave. You'll be amazed at how much better the deal gets as you're getting into your old car to leave.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ...... Perhaps you might consider a 04 pre-owned Maxx LT if your looking at demo's .. loaded up ones with 5/7/9k are doing "around" the $16ish range at the auctions and I'm sure you can find one for the $18's on most dealers lots ....

                                 Terry.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ..... Simple .. call the SM in advance, make a appointment so you and yours can drive the vehicle without a salesperson, bring your ID and off you go ................ ;)

                                     Terry.
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    I bought my used ('04) Hyundai XG350L last Saturday. I had been emailing the Used Car Sales Manager at a local Hyundai dealership about the car, which I saw on their website. He was very friendly and invited me down (about 15 miles from Atlanta proper). Anyway, he had one of his salesmen take me for the test drive and I enjoyed it very much and knew I wanted the car.

    The Salesman seemed pretty cool and when I asked him about the Owners Manual and floor mats (that were missing) he said they would make sure I had them, no problem. There are two issues that make me wonder if I can really answer their customer survey as being "totally satisfied".

    First, and this is minor because I know the drill, when we started negotiating price I had offered a price right at the point where the various websites listed "Private Sale" (Not Full retail but not their "trade-in" (which I know is still high). He told me "no way". I then offered about about 95% of "retail". He told that he could not do that because "he had more into the car than that". I told him there is no way he paid & reconditioned the car for retail. I knew from the carfax report that he had gotten it auction. He ended up coming down to just a little over "Private Sale" with a lot of groaning about how much money they were losing. Here's my dilemma. While the negotiations were cordial, and I know the business practices should be "get as much as you can", he clearly lied to me. Why would they sell a car for $2k less than they had into it? I'm just not sure how I should evaluate him.

    Second, and more important. The salesman had promised floor mats and an owners manual. When I went into F&I I made sure they put these on the Due Bill. When I went to pick up the car on Tuesday, the Salesman came up to me and told me they couldn't find any '04 manuals or mats but that I could pay for new ones ($20 for the manual, $76 for the mats, their "Cost"). Now, first, I called around to some contacts in California and they told me their cost on mats (for GM cars) were around $60 and they sold them for $90 (or about a 150% markup). Not sure what the Hyundai markup is but I can get retail mats from the dealer for $89. So should I fault them for most likely lying about their "cost"?

    Most importantly, when I said "no way", you promised me floor mats and an owners manual, he said that he thought he had some in old inventory or he would pull them from another car (they didn't have anymore used '04s) but they didn't/couldn't. I said they were obligated as they had promised and it was on the Due Bill. To this both the Salesman and the Manager looked surprised and then asked to see my copy of the Due Bill (He HAD the original in the deal folder in his hand). I showed them it and the salesman actually took it and made a copy. I was like "What the...". In any case, they ordered new ones and acted like they were all put out about it.

    As I was leaving they were very cordial and thanked me and I've received and email from the Manager thanking me again.

    As professionals, what do you think about their actions (especially with the Due Bill items) and would you feel that I am justified by giving less than a "fully satisfied" and stating WHY? I am very happy with the car and the deal as a whole, I just was disappointed because they seemed very honest and straighforward in the beginning. Luckily, I stuck to my guns and I didn't come away feeling I'd been "had".
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    If nothing else, I would be "less than satisfied" that my time had been wasted ironing out things they promised, IN WRITING, to do. Once it's promised in writing, it's their problem to sort out how they come up with the items, and how to balance their books - not yours.

    kirstie_h
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  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,681
    drivers license required was a discussion here earlier:

    Heard on the radio about a Cincinnati Porsche dealer selling a person a $50000 car and then finding the check was no good -- after the person already was in Florida with the car. Also the person did NOT have a valid driver's license.

    In Florida the person had written an even larger pair of checks for a condo and for something else...

    Wouldn't the dealership have checked with the bank about whether the account had enough funds to cover that check. And no valid license... grin... I'll bet a salesman or someone is out of a job today with all this publicity; they even gave the name of the road for the Porsche dealer on the radio.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,485
    You know... I don't envy the high-end dealerships.. They deal with a lot of people that think their poo doesn't stink.. and feel insulted that you would ask them about their finances, etc..

    There aren't too many people that will buy an Accord with a $22K check, that would not expect you to call the bank about it... But, question the guy about his new Porsche? I'll just take my business elsewhere, I can buy and sell you.. How dare you question my yada, yada, yada...

    It reminds me of the latest popular nightclubs... people getting huffy, because the bartender doesn't remember what they drink..

    It puts a lot of pressure on the dealers to act like they aren't concerned about the financials, but sometimes you get burned.. It has to be a tough balancing act.

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  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    The funny thing is the person who is buying the Accord probably can afford it more than the Porsche guy. I have found that the guy who makes the most noise about his finances usually has the least amout of finances. haha
  • flfungirlflfungirl Member Posts: 19
    I'm buying w/ Crown Acura and they said they charge a standard $397 dealer fee...not to be confused w/ the mandatory $570 destination charge. Is this fee legit and non-negotiable or is it bull?
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    All dealerships add a dealer(or doc. fee)to handle all their expenses not directly related to the purchase of the car.These expenses are negotiable.A lot of people can get them waived or bargained down to around $100-$150...depending on your bargaining skills.The easy way to do is is tell them what your out the door price is.What you want to pay for the car, plus tax,plus liscene,plus dealer fees if you choose.Let them worry about how to split it up.$397 is at least $150 to high.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Of course you can avoid all of the anxiety about each line item by bargaining for an OTD price. See our discussion here:
    Out The Door (OTD) Pricing questions

    If you have questions about OTD pricing, that's the place - it looks dead, but will spring to life if you post a question!

    kirstie_h
    Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

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  • bluedevilsbluedevils Member Posts: 2,554
    I'm not an auto sales professional, but here's my 2 cents. You aren't satisfied, and you have good reason to be. Smiles and a friendly attitude are nice, but they don't make up for misinformation and unfilled promises.

    Even if your paperwork did NOT say anything about floor mats or an owner's manual, you would have every right to be unsatisfied if the dealer did not make good on the salesman's verbal promise.
  • bluedevilsbluedevils Member Posts: 2,554
    Well, the phone prices are currently as follows:

    Dealer A - nearest to home. $500 under GMS, but they are adding a $50 charge for pinstriping in their GMS price.

    Dealer B - $550 under GMS after I mentioned dealer A was $500 under GMS.

    Dealer C - demo vehicle. $1225 under GMS. This is what they offered after my wife told them $2000 under GMS would get us there today to sign the deal.

    I am disappointed. To me, 5000 miles of demo use should be worth more than $700 off vs. the brand-new vehicle price. Plus, dealer A will probably be sweetening their deal because we told them we are considering the demo deal (which we really are). Am I off base?
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,485
    I just read the article in the paper at lunch time.. (happened locally, in March BTW). I guess it just hit the papers because the guy just got released from jail...

    Anyway, he has some kind of delusional disorder.. Not excusing the dealership, but the guy is grown, and his mother had just bought a Porsche from the same dealership the year before.. So, at least there was some family history with the dealership...

    He drove it to Florida... they found him a couple days later and the car was returned without a scratch.. though with a couple thousand miles. It must have been a 911.. $90K check.

    regards,
    kyfdx

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  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,485
    Demo cars rarely come with enough a discount to make them worth buying... Doesn't make sense or make it fair, but there you go...

    I always recommend buying new, or buying a truly previously owned late model instead..

    What you are experiencing is pretty much normal.

    regards,
    kyfdx

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  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I don't think you will get a survey for buying a used car.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ... **dealer selling a person a $50000 car and then finding the check was no good --**

                What the heck was that dealer thinking.!?! .. the check should have been certified or the funds wire transferred, that takes all of 15 minutes, 30 on a push - and when there were no funds, then there would be no vehicle ...

                    No ticky - No washy.!

                       ... can we spell: STUPID

                               Terry.
  • bluedevilsbluedevils Member Posts: 2,554
    surprisingly, dealer A ($500 below GMS) could not/would not budge on its price. Dealer C agreed to go to $1,500 below GMS, so we are going with that deal. $1,000 is on the low end for what I consider an acceptable demo discount, but in a strange way this also buys me some peace of mind...I'm assuming the demo will not be 100% showroom new and will have a couple scratches/etc. already on it. This will allow me not to obsess over it as if it were a brand-new vehicle.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
  • jlawrence01jlawrence01 Member Posts: 1,757
    Before I dropped big bucks on a new chariot, I would go out and RENT the car for an entire day and give it the test drive of your life under the driving conditions that you encounter.

    You can **generally** get most vehicles to rent from various sources. Personally, I often call around to Enterprise here in Chicago and specify a model and ask the folks if they can locate me one in their fleet locally. I let them know what I am looking for and they let me know if they can get oit to me or not. Generally, it is easier to get the car you want on a weekend.

    Often, a dealer will rent you one also.

    Do remember that this is something that may require a few phone calls to agency managers. This is NOT a situation where you book through Orbitz or Travelocity and show up and demand.

    You would be surprised what people will do for you when you ask them in a professional manner.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I'm confused as well!
  • driftracerdriftracer Member Posts: 2,448
    I'm looking strongly at buying a 2004 Ford F-150 Supercrew 4x4 (this week) - Edmunds shows an additional $500 Ford rebate for former and retired military, honorably discharged (not to be confused with the $500 active duty rebate) - the problem is, the dealer has no knowledge or documentation of it.

    Can anyone clarify this for me? I'd sure like that $500, if it's for real.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    But why in the heck would a dealer promise floor mats & an owner's manual in writing and then not deliver it?

    It seems we're hung up on questioning mfullmer's knowledge of the business rather than answering a legitimate question about the validity "we owe" slips.

    kirstie_h
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  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Not that I'm thinking of starting a new career.But,on the front page of every Sunday papers job listings is several large ads about becoming a new car salesman. Typically states,"earn $50,000-$100,000 first year, 4 or 5 day work weeks,paid training..yada yada yada".
    I understand there is extremely high turnover though in this position.So, I'm assuming that the new car saleman... after selling to his family and friends..just doesn't have the referrals to make enough money to want to stay with the company.Is it usually the old timers that have been there 5-10 years that do well? How many hours a week do you salesmen have to put in a week? Does this job interfer with your home life?
    Or, is this a career best suited for singles.Pros& Cons? Just curious...please no one send me any job applications/offers.This goes for you too Edmunds! ; )
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • driftracerdriftracer Member Posts: 2,448
    they hire you, train you,and promise you a base salary, say $1200-1500 a month, which is more than most 18-22 year olds make working at Lowe's or The Gap. They get you to sell your family and friends cars, plus they get you to do all the 3-4 hour tagalong while Mr and Mrs Car Shopper and their kids drive everything on the lot. This gets you to get them to a desk, where a real salesman, the closer, has a chance to lock in a car deal.

    It's a win-win for the dealer - he can stack up green peas like cordwood, pay them a small salary, have them line customers up for the closer to knock down, and if this isn't your cup of tea, you're down the road in 60 days, no harm, no foul.

    1 out of 10 sticks around for a year, and it's a cheap way to do recruiting and retention...
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Have the dealer run a "VINCENT" on the F-series you want....he plugs in the Vin # and your Zip code and it spits out every possible incentive available on the truck. He can check off the ones you qualify for and see if they are all compatiable.

    Today is Ford's month end close.
  • driftracerdriftracer Member Posts: 2,448
    he's got my zip code - buying out of state, can't really buy locally due to conflict of interest...even service/warranty stuff is hinky with my position...

    I noted that all the incentives expire today and they'll reissue - any ideas of overall changes?
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    If your really serious about the car business figure in 12 hr days every day of the week and forget about your family.
    Its a simple numbers game, the more people you can get in front of the more chances you'll have to sell a car. Plus, being a greenpea you'll burn alot of "ups" through inexperience.
    Generally, it takes 3 yrs to build enough of an ownership and referal base for you to ease up on the floor traffic, that is if you survive.
    Most places that run the ad you saw are car factories, they'll burn through a hundred greenpeas to find one keeper.
    My advice is to find a smaller store to start out in and make sure that they offer some training in sales.
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    Survey is from dealer group, not Manufacturer and I'm just going on what they told me.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Guys, the hostility has to stop here. If you don't find someone's posts or credentials to be believable, ignore them instead of insinuating that they haven't told the truth or aren't properly "credentialed."

    Just answer the questions straight up, or not at all.

    kirstie_h
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