Any Questions for a Car Dealer?

dgsxrr

My agent tells me to deal with it my self. They also said that they would most likely rec. used parts as well. They're fired when all is over. I told the Honda Dealer Friday to do whatever.

manamal

They're fired when all is over. I told the Honda Dealer Friday to do whatever.

The real problem with shopping for insurance is that you do not know how they are with a claim before you have a claim. I had my first claim (and only) with USAA about 3 years ago after 10 years of coverage. After my experience, I do not expect to ever work with another company. They were that good.

jlawrence01

***The real problem with shopping for insurance is that you do not know how they are with a claim before you have a claim***

The OTHER issue is that once you have a claim, most will drop you like a hot potato even if you had never had a previous claim in ten years.

gregjohnson

The idea of diminished value seems to have gone by the wayside. I recall a notice from State Farm saying something about diminished value in their repairs not being collectible...

I've recently been reminded to watch my P's and Q's, so I will use my one last "See Kirstie, I'm not really rabid after all" on this post. Obviously, I mention this so you can imagine this post in it's true, inhibited glory, but more importantly because you concern me in the way Black_Tulip[1] concerned me, but in a sort of embryonic way that allows experimentation.

You spend the bulk of your post on the right track:
...your right...your car repaired...original state...good parts is your choice. ...If...insurance...doesn't...pay...sue the individual...insurance coverage[doesn't]...release...him from...fixing your car to the original condition....use Honda parts on a Honda car, [or] look for a new company

Then, you say:

The idea of diminished value seems to have gone by the wayside. I recall a notice from State Farm saying something about diminished value in their repairs not being collectible...

Huh?!? You're all sorts of froggy over this guy suing whomever hit him, but State Farm sends a notice that they'd rather not pay DV claims and that is gospel? Granted, there are a few benighted states that do not recognize DV, but the market sure does. Unless you're living in a state that has declared it's inhabitants not to care whether a car has been wrecked[2], I'd hope you were advocating suing the individual for the DV State Farm won't cover.

[1] Speaking of which, I can't make the connection between the handle and the story, but it's not a bad story at all, and definitely echoes The Count of Monte Christo's milieu. Alas, early writing does not play well in a globally televised world.

[2] I can only [non-permissible content removed]-U-ME they mandate disclosure... It wouldn't be a noble sacrifice otherwise, now would it?

manamal

The OTHER issue is that once you have a claim, most will drop you like a hot potato even if you had never had a previous claim in ten years.

I can't speak for anyone elses experience, but my company did not drop me. they did not even raise my rates. They gave me an excellent valuation on my car (totalled), and took care of the other party (also totalled). They paid out over 70K on the accident.

mikefm58

" The OTHER issue is that once you have a claim, most will drop you like a hot potato even if you had never had a previous claim in ten years. "

I've been with State Farm for 25+ years, only increase in premium was for my son's policy after a couple minor accidents by him, $400 accident surcharge out of his pocket every 6 months.

jlawrence01

One burglary in my house (~$500-1000 in loss) was enough to get my insurance cancelled by State Farm ... and notification five days before the expiration of the policy.

isellhondas

On a lot of things including the length of time you've been with your insurance company. I do know the companies that always claim to be the cheapest, whose names end with a "co". These seem to be the quickest to drop people once a claim is made.

I stick with State Farm because I like talking to a person and not having to push the buttins on my phone twelve times before getting through.

mikefm58

" One burglary in my house (~$500-1000 in loss) was enough to get my insurance cancelled by State Farm ... and notification five days before the expiration of the policy. "

But wasn't that your Homeowner's policy? State Farm also cancelled my homeowner's policy a couple years ago after a very small claim (my mistake for reporting a claim of that size), but I'm in the Hurricane State so all companies are looking to get out of insuring homes here.

audia8q

I would like to know how many people, when shopping for auto insurance, actually read the policy before purchasing??? Admit it, you didn't. (speaking to everyone)

I bet the huge percentage of folks only shop the price and not the insurance company...When the time comes to make a claim you find out that they can install any junk they want on your car at flybynite autobody.

kyfdx

A lot of it is based on individual state insurance laws... Where I live, State Farm only uses new parts.. Their preferred auto body shops only use new parts.

I've been with them for 20 years.. In '02, I totaled a car.. my fault.. but I didn't even lose my accident free discount, since I'd been accident free for over ten years..

Just one homeowner's claim in that time.... About $4K in damages from a burst pipe..

I can't gripe..

regards,
kyfdx

jlawrence01

The problem is these days is that you have to keep all of the policies together (Car, homeowners, etc.) together to get a good rate and to use most umbrella policies together. I did not object to the cancellation pre se but that I was notifies on January 3rd on a policy that expired on January 8th.

volvomax

Diminshed value is awfully hard to claim in most cases.Certainly w/ a 100,000 mile Honda.
By all means they should use factory parts in the repair.

manueltrans1

Been shopping for a car. Have no car right now, the repair cost exceeds the book value of the car and donated it to charity. The new cars are on the verge of coming in but none of the salesmen I met wanted to tell me when. When do they mostly come in? I noticed several that were in before the summer, and some arrived in July. I am looking for 2006 listed prices and consumer reviews. Does anyone know when they are coming in?

manueltrans1

The combination of features in a car could not be easily found on the lot. I might have to resort to ordering one. I want a manual transmission with the latest safety features and a navigation system. The existing manual transmission cars are stripped. They wanted me to put money down to get the car, but they do not have a listed price yet? Now, how do I bargain for the price of this car?

mirth

...if you order now, you can't bargain. Well, you can when the car gets in, but if you walk they could keep your deposit. I understand that you don't have a car right now, but if you can afford to wait until the car can be ordered and shipped, can't you wait until the prices come out?

qbrozen

So I'm surfing some used car ads online. What does it mean when, next to the number of mile, "(combination)" appears?

considering i'm seeing it on a number of suspisciously cheap cars, I'm thinking this is bad.

thanks.

dukehoops

Hi,

I'd like to sell my 2001 acura cl-s and get a new tl while the 2005 ML is still available. Trying to determine whether I should trade-in (more convenient, less money), or sell to private party (more money, easier to negotiate new car price). From an edmunds.com article about trade-ins:

"Work the tax advantage. In most states, you only pay sales tax on the difference between the new car and the trade-in. This means that, on top of what you receive for your trade-in, you are paying less sales tax. This is a net savings for you and could make you decide that trading in is worth it."

Does anyone know whether this is true in CA? If so, sounds like i could close trade-in/sell yourself gap by about $1k, based on 8.25% sales tax rate.

thanks
-nikita

capitano

Betcha it means there is a difference between mileage on the engine and transmission or maybe between powertrain and the rest of the vehicle. Rebuilt engines and/or trannies.

kyfdx

Link one of the ads....

qbrozen

if you insist ...
let's try this bimmer

kyfdx

Hmmm.. too low a price for even salvage, I'd think.....although, that is what I thought also..

Not familiar with how Yahoo autos works.. They don't give you a direct telephone number? My first inclination is this is just a scam..

Still... I don't have an answer to your question..

qbrozen

well, my problem with it is ... if its a scam, they wouldn't come right out and tell you its a scam by putting that disclaimer next to the miles. So they are trying to outright tell me SOMETHING by putting that word there ... I just don't know what it is.

kyfdx

Do you have to give them your contact information, before you can learn anything else about the car? Or, is it an auction of some kind?

You can find out real quick.. Send an e-mail.. If you get the story about he is in Spain, but the car is in Philly, etc... send me a deposit by Western Union... you'll have your answer...

regards,
kyfdx

bdr127

Every manufacturer has different model year (MY) calendars.... Some release 2006 models at the end of 2004, some at the end of 2005. What makes are you interested in, specifically?

qbrozen

not an auction.

well, i went ahead and set a message. I'll let you know.

It insisted on a phone number, but didn't have a problem with me putting in my area code, followed by 7 "9"s,

paolo

I learned several factors to appraising a trade-in.

1. Kelly Blue Book - KBB
2. What a dealer would pay in relative to KBB
3. Similar car models sold at the auction

For example, two identical vehicle, one a trade-in and the other is a certified vehicle on the dealers lot. The appraise value is nowhere close to each other. Factors 1 & 2 are nowhere in the negotiation table except for the wholesale value that makes everyone puke. :sick:

The 3rd factor is where I'm troubled by. Is this another dealer trying to pull a fast one? :confuse:

dgsxrr

I've been with them for over 15 yrs. with 2 sons and home owners coverage. I will pay closer to the "fine print" when I drop them in 2-months. As far as their ins. co.; It's small claims court for diminished value or something. The ins. co. will get a letter of how their agent took a week to get me a rental (wanted me to take a sub-compact), left me a message that Honda Dealer wouldn't work with me (Honda will, Honda didn't like it when I asked them- when did they start letting a ins. agent determine who they would or wouldn't do business with), Damage disclosure > $500(CARFAX etc.), anyone worth their rusty snow-salt can tell when a car has had repairs. The agent offered me $250. as a first time settlement over the phone after I told him I was seeing a Dr. for my sore neck.

gregjohnson

Diminished value is awfully hard to claim in most cases.

Hmm... You're probably right there. Since I'm in Georgia at the moment and Georgia may well be one of the most pro-DV states and I can't see how anyone could argue against the economic reality if DV with a straight face, I probably underestimate the difficulty of actually prevailing on a DV claim...

Maybe we can change this... Anyone for a DV hunger strike on the Capitol Mall? (I hear the Crawford spot is already taken...)

-Greg

british_rover

If it is a very popular car with limited avaliablity and you put in a deposit for special order you are going to have to pay sticker. Thats what I did with my MINI I probably could have taken one off the lot and gotten a little discount but they didn't have anything like I wanted so I just put in an order plus $1000 deposit and waited for six weeks.

robr2

...Georgia may well be one of the most pro-DV states and I can't see how anyone could argue against the economic reality if DV with a straight face, I probably underestimate the difficulty of actually prevailing on a DV claim...

Well here in MA, diminished value claims are not even possible. A recent court decision ruled in the favor of insurers and stated that returning the vehicle to it's pre-accident condition is what they have responsibility for.

gregjohnson

My Mother's family settled in Western Mass after arriving from the old country. Thus, I am not all that shocked that they might take this position.

....returning the vehicle to it's pre-accident condition is what they have responsibility for.

Is this on contractual or liability claims? (or both) The insurers should have a lot of leverage on a contractual claim, but not much on a liability claim....

-Greg

2099

Just received my semi-annual bill from Nationwide (2 cars,20 years with them).

Effective September 6, 2005, we reserve the right to repair your automobile with new OEM parts, non-OEM parts, and/or recycled (salvage) parts. If you want only OEM parts used in any repair, please notify your agent and your collision premium will be adjusted.

They want 8% more if you want OEM parts.

Anybody else seen this?

Tom

mazda6iguy

Just joined the conversation, but I think I heard that Allstate within a certain timeframe buys a new car automatically. At least that's what the commercial said.

Kirstie_H

Don't forget tonight's member-to-member chat - it's open mic night, so come and discuss whatever's on your mind.

6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Drop by for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

kirstie_h

followyourblis

Manueltrans didn't reply, but I am interested in Toyota Tacomas and Highlanders. Does anyone know when the new 2006 models will be on the lots?

british_rover

We already have 2006's on the lot for Land Rover I think VW has some 2006's as well but I am not sure.

dgsxrr

I just received a letter from the individual's (driver at fault) ins. co. that they will not use aftermarket parts in the current year or the two previous model years. I do have the option to upgrade to OEM if I want to pay the diff. My ins. says they would do the same if I went through them, plus my premium would increase most likely.

witty2

What are the dealer requirements for selling a car to a person who is paying cash for a used car at a dealership in California. The price is under $10,000. What documents am I REQUIRED to show in order to purchase the vehicle versus financing it?

steine13

Dunno about CA state law.

The federal law says that a cash transaction over $10k has to be reported.
The law also has a provision that says anything that might could be fishy should be reported... so if someone pays $9,995 down on Tuesday, adds $9k on Wednesday, and picks up the car Friday with $8,950, all in green bills, a report is due.

In order to do the registration for you, the dealer will have to see your proof of insurance, and if it was me, I'd probably ask to see your driver's license, just to make sure that "you" is really you. And I would do that because it don't cost nothing, 'cuz I shoulda done that for the test drive, and cuz if anybody comes asking questions, for whatever reason, I've covered my little heinie. So don't be too surprised if you're asked to show some ID... I'd argue against cash anyway cuz most car dealers aren't used to handling the stuff... last time I did it, they miscounted by $1k. In my favor, but still... that was a laugh...

Not in the business, I remain,
-Mathias

basscadet

Time to look for a new insurance company.

I would shoot any mechanic who tried to put non-OEM or salvage parts on my car.

This country needs auto insurance reform almost as badly as it needs health insurance reform.

basscadet

4-weeks ago I purchased a used 2002 Honda Accord with 99,000 mi. on it.

Good God.

paolo

Why cash? If you don't want to be questioned, write a check for $10k or get a loan and pay it off right when you get the first bill.

isellhondas

Why that reaction? 100,000 miles is nothing for a well maintained Honda!

I'm sure the price paid reflected the high miles.

zodiac2004

Why are you asking questions here? Doesn't the dealer know what needs to be done.
Anyway if memory serves me you need a bill of sale and a passed emissions certificate and the old title signed over by the previous owner. If you are a AAA member they do the registration and title transfer for you.

mazda6iguy

When someone gives you their drivers license, what info do you take off of it for the test drive? There is a perception that you check out a persons credit while customer is out on test drive... Is that so? Just wondering...

volvomax

Most states require you to show a drivers license and proof of insurance.

If you are writing a check, dealer may require a credit app to confirm identity and payment credentials.

audia8q

We make a copy to identify the person who is leaving the dealership with our car and salesperson....We also like to see they actually have a license. We don't run credit reports unless authorized by the customer and never with just a drivers lic.

I'm sure some dealers do run credit reports with just the lic but it's not our policy.

british_rover

Since most states no longer put your SS number on the Drivers lic now just a copy of the Drivers lic would not be enough to do a credit report. None of the dealers in our group run credit reports that way not with out you writen consent.

I have had one or two people balk at giving me their lic when doing a test drive though.

Why do I have to do that they say and I am not going to give it to you you are going to sell my information to someone. Come on people this is not some fly by the night car dealsership here we don't need to sell your personal info to make money.

mazda6iguy

When I bought my car, when I took delivery they gave me a thank you gift of Starbucks coffee and a nifty Mazda acrylic coffee mug. Also a pewter keychain with Mazda M logo and dealer phone number. What little thank you items does your dealership give out?