Any Questions for a Car Dealer?

kbt

In the case of the Suburban, I wanted to see if it would really fit my lifestyle (my garage... lol!). The last two I've known exactly what I want, so it wasn't a "test drive" in that sense, but because they're used I always have a mechanic check them out, which is easier for me to arrange when I have the car, especially since he'll come to my office. Like I said, nobody has ever balked or squawked or even seemed surprised.

isellhondas

You can "insist" on a locate but there probably aren't any out there.

audia8q

Letting somebody take a car or whatever overnight is an actual sales technique that works very well. It's called the puppy dog close.

Imagine this...you take the shiny new car home that night, chances are you will be out driving all over town showing your friends the new ride...bragging about how you slayed the dealer on price, etc...Many ego driven folks would rather get a root canal than explain to their friends they didn't get the new car...so they take the car. Closing ratio's are very high with the puppy dog close.

graphicguy

I can see the flip side of the "puppy dog" close (how did they come up with that name?) would be the "tire kickers" who run up a 100 or more miles on a brand new car and then decide they want one with 3 miles on the odo.

qbrozen

i'm guessing the tactic was named as such because the prospective buyer would go home saying "oh, look at what followed me home. can i keep it? can i?"

mikezoomzoom

The flip side definitely exists.

Two months ago a woman takes the 2005 Mazda 6 she wants to purchase overnight to show her husband. Not a problem... happens all the time. With such a variety of schedules we have to try and be as accommodating as possible.

Long story short... car comes back with an additional 200+ miles and a front clip with about $600 of damage. She still wants the car, BUT NOT THAT CAR! I trade a fresh new stock unit for one just like it from another dealer and satisfy her feel for a brand new car.

After bending over backwards to take care of her... she was then fuming when she was told that she and, her insurance company, is liable for the repairs on my now wrecked stock unit. Thank goodness for Texas laws.

She should be getting her survey soon... what do you think she'll focus on? :confuse:

Zoom Zoom

landdriver

Am planning on factory ordering a new Ford pickup -- if for example the truck is ordered in November and arrives in January, which rebate applies -- the one in effect in November or the one in effect in January? I asked several Ford salespeople and everyone gives a different answer ("rebate that was in effect when order is placed" "rebate that is in effect when delivery is taken" "the lowest of the two rebates").

robr2

Typically the rebate in effect at the time of delivery.

Negotiate your best price now without rebates. You'll know your bottom line price now. Any rebates in effect at the time of delivery will be a bonus. But there's no guarantee it'll be better than what's offered today.

bmw3434

I would say I let 5-10 customers per month take home a car overnight for the weekend. It really doesn't matter if it's new or used, just as long as they have shown serious interest in the car.
We don't require a deposit or anything. Just a loaner agreement with insurance information.
On average, I would say a good 50-60% buy the car. So, by allowing someone to drive a car on their normal routes for a day or so about doubles my closing ratio.

Thanks!

mvs1

I'll admit this technique has been used on me and with the exception of one time, I purchased the vehicle. The lone time I did not, a Chevy Blazer, which rattled me home the entire drive. i dropped it back off and I walked next door and leased an RX300, same salesmen. So I guess that counts as one in his book?

There is absolutely nothing better then having the salesmen toss the keys and say, "Bring it back tomorrow."

A customer expecting to not pay for a car they damaged is unexceptable.

bcmalibu99ls

after reading all this "my closing ratio goes up by 200% when a customer takes a car home overnight" stories,
as to why no one except Toyota USA rents new vehicles in the dealerships.

What is your explanation, dear dealers?

raybear

Beats me, I've worked in two Subaru dealerships that use other cars as rentals, yet our nearby Hertz has Outbacks available....but they're $5 more a day.

mitzij

I work for a Chevy dealer, we have two rentals. One is an Impala, the other a Cobalt. Usually we have 3 or 4 rentals, usually including a minivan. Last time the boss changed vehicles, we only got 2. We use them as both rentals and loaner cars. We use used cars as loaners, usually they're Chevies, sometimes a Pontiac or Buick sneaks in.

GM has a program, called DRAC, that dealers can subscribe to. It's (more or less) a leasing program for rentals. Some dealers do rentals, some don't.

Some dealers will let you have a new car overnight to test drive, some won't.
It probably has a lot to do with who you know, how many cars you've bought there in the past, and your attitude.
We have a few customers who buy new Corvettes every year or so. I'm guessing if they want to test drive anything overnight, the SM would deliver the requested vehicle to their front door.

volvomax

Mostly, it a cost issue.
Generally, you can't floorplan rental cars, then there is the fleet insurance, then invariably someone wrecks one. Depreciation, reconditioning, etc.

bcmalibu99ls

I agree there is a cost issue. I don't know what Toyota USA charges for renting its new vehicles, or if it all makes financial sense at the end. It must be

But I would think if you charge, say, 15-20% over the regular rental rates in your area, it would keep away "the regular renters," and woule leave only those who are considering to buy, and would not mind spending an extra $10-20 a day for a private test-drive of a vehicle which the rental agencies do not have. And that extra cash would cover some additional expenses for the dealer

tina5

Hi,
I ordered a 2006 Chevy Impala about 4 weeks ago and the dealer and me agreed on a price, though I didn't sign anything. Now GM has come out with a new incentive so that people can buy GM cars at the supplier price. I expect my dealer to go with the new low price when I pick up the car. What do you think ? Is the dealer obligated to offer the car at the price set by GM ?

mirth

...but they will, because if they don't you'll probably walk.

dpat

I'd check what the difference in pricing is. If you negotiated a good price, the "red tag" price is probably not much less, and it may even be more. Supplier pricing isn't that great of a deal unless you hate negotiating, or you're buying a really hot model like a Pontiac Solstice. (Which is conveniently exempted from the red tag promotion)

tina5

I already checked the pricing and the supplier price is less than the price I negotiated. I'd save about $1000. And yes, I hate negotiating. I know I didn't fare that well in the first place.

nwalbert

Hey Guys,

I recently purchased an Acura TSX from an out of town dealer. My local dealer wanted $3800 more than the out of town dealer, and in fact would not beleive me on the out of town quote so was not willing to negotiate or match the price. So I bought from the out of town dealershp.

Now eventually I am going to be needing service from my local dealership, should I expect a loaner from them? By the way, I know its normal for them to provide loaners as my mother in law bought an MDX from them. Just curious how dealerships generally behave in these situations.

robr2

Now eventually I am going to be needing service from my local dealership, should I expect a loaner from them?

Probably not. I know Acura doesn't require dealers to offer loaners. When I was looking at a TSX earlier this year, the dealer closest to me told me upfront that loaners were reserved for customers that bought there. It was one of the perks they offered.

qbrozen

All depends on the dealership. There are no universal rules for loaners. If they want to refuse you a loaner, they certainly are within their rights.

ddudley

If you wanted a car/truck/suv to last 300,000 miles with minimal problems, which car/truck/suv would you buy?

bretfraz

If you wanted a car/truck/suv to last 300,000 miles with minimal problems, which car/truck/suv would you buy?

A vehicle which replacement parts were in plentiful supply and could be repaired by almost anyone anywhere, including myself. If I've got to take the thing to a dealer or some specialist every time the muffler bearings wore out, I'd scratch it off my list.

landdriver

Thanks robr2.

audia8q

bretfraz brings up some good points...I will go a step further and say the Lincoln Town Car is one of the most durable cars available. We are one of the few dealers in our area that can service stretch limo's so we see alot of livery service town cars, stretched and not stretched. It's not uncommon to see them with 300K miles...

ddudley

Thanks to both; bretfaz and audia8q

qbrozen

Wow!

well... that's really tough. I don't think I can come up with a single NEW car that fits the bill. I guess it depends on your definition of minimal. I think audiaq's suggestion is a good one (by the way, that would also include the Mercury Grand Marquis) ... but it WILL have problems. Its just a matter of cost and frequency compared to other vehicles.

I think Toyotas and Hondas have gotten more complex over the last decade and, therefore, more expensive to fix.

Hmmmm... possibly a diesel chevy/gmc. The Allison tranny is bulletproof. The current engine hasn't really proven itself yet, though. But I believe it comes with a really long warranty, so I would think if it lasts through its warranty, it will probably last for a LONG time to come.

kdhspyder

I've had 4 camry's .. 3 with 175K+, which is about the time I tire of the interior. Treat them well and do the correct maintenance and any Toyota, Honda will take care of you up into the 200K+ mileage range. Basically all you have to do is change the oil and hoses when specified.

300K miles for most people is 20 yrs of driving? Is that realistic for you? Or do you drive 80K / yr? My own experience is to avoid Chrysler products; Fords little or no knowledge; GM spotty.

volvomax

I don't think ANY modern car is going to fit those parameters.
Even the japanese cars are getting more complex and will require special parts. Maybe a 4 cylinder base Corolla or Civic.
The answer is probably a Ford or chevy pickup.

bcmalibu99ls

Is it not true that there is a combination of age+mileage which needs to be considered? For example, it would probably not be impossible to get 300K miles out of a car in 10 years, especially with lots of highway miles.

But if you want to keep the car for 20 years, the aging parts and structure would make it much more difficult to get to the 300K point without something major quitting to work

robr2

If I've got to take the thing to a dealer or some specialist every time the muffler bearings wore out, I'd scratch it off my list.

Aw c'mon Bret - would you really trust any generic shop to work on muffler bearings? Seeing a dealer/specialist is the price you pay to maintain an exotic with muffler bearings.

jlawrence01

If you wanted a car/truck/suv to last 300,000 miles with minimal problems, which car/truck/suv would you buy?

Unless you are looking for a theoretical amswer, you really haven't specified what you are doing with the vehicle. I mean, you can buy a Freightliner Tractor which should easily make it well over one million miles, if maintained properly.

If you are looking for a passenger vehicle that will last forever, a Ford Crown Vic would be a top choice.

A Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter Van would probably get you 500k miles if you are looking to haul goods.

However, the real issue is not just the mileage but the time factor. You are more likely to get 300k out of a vehicle if it is driven in 4-6 years than if you are planning to hold the vehicle for 20 years.

Finally, to keep a car that long, you ***MUST*** service the vehicle religiously. Most people don't get 300k largely because they do NOT keep up with the maintenance.

mikefm58

" Basically all you have to do is change the oil and hoses when specified. "

I'm sure the owner's manual has a whole lot more maintenance items than just oil and hoses.

kdhspyder

outside of wear items..not any more. All 4c have timing chains. Change the oil/filters every 5K miles ( they are free for life at our store ), change the tranny fluid once a year, check the hoses every 100K mi. On my 3 175K Camry's thats been about it. They were all timing belts so I changed them in the 70-80K range but not anymore.

No exhausts at all. I'm easy on brakes, so it's tires and wipers.

mikefm58

Oh, no other filters? Air filter? Cabin A/C filter? And never change the spark plugs? And batteries don't last forever.

So we've now gone from just oil & hoses to oil, hoses, timing belt, tranny fluid, brakes (I'm sure at least once in 175K miles), tires, wipers, oil filter, air filter, a/c filter, battery, plugs. And I didn't even get in to the acc. belts and water pump that are usually changed with the timing belt.

Anything else? 'Nuff said.

qbrozen

i MIGHT add a 4-cyl manual-tranny Camcord/Civrolla to the possibility list for relatively cheap 300k miles. BUT, the reason I hesitate is because they have changed over the years. Today's Camry, Accord, Corolla, Civic are not the same as the last gen or gen before ... the ones that earned those cars good reps. So the reliability of the newer ones has not yet been fully time-tested.

Geez, ya know, for some reason, i didn't think they were offering the Crown Vic anymore. So, yes, that is the same as the previously mentioned Towncar/Grand Marquis ... so any of those 3 fit the bill.

That would be my top car choice if all i cared about was getting 300k miles. My top truck choice, as i stated before, would be a diesel chevy/gmc with the allison tranny (i think maybe that's standard on the diesels now?).

kdhspyder

YMMV..
At our store oil and filter are free for the life of the vehicle. That's easy.
I specifically exempted wear items tires, wipers, which are no different from anyother vehicle.
There are no timing belts any longer on 4c Camry's beginning with the 2002 model..non issue.
I have never replaced brakes or batteries, EVER, on any Toyota I've owned even up to 175K. YMMV.

Tranny fluid yes every 100K or so, as stated.

For 20 yrs I've driven in excess of 50K miles annually but most of it has been commuting or on business at Interstate speeds.

On the last Camry which I sold last year with 185K on it, I had the original battery and brakes. There was no cabin filter in that model. One AT fluid replacement, one timing belt on that model, some hoses. TRADED it for $2000.

dsattler

I was talking to a guy who drove a tow truck, and I asked him what cars he towed the least. His answer: Subarus. (And, yes, there are plenty of them around here.)

qbrozen

that's because you can't (shouldn't) tow a subaru. It requires a flatbed.

but, although you say there are plenty around, it also stands to reason that the fact they sell subarus in small numbers compared to many many other vehicles on the market also means there are less that break down. Heck, even if all subarus break down at double the rate of just Accords, for instance, you'd still be picking up less broken Subes.

jasmith52

I have a friend coming into town for around 3 months who will need a car to get around in. Renting a car at $200 a week seems kind of pricey.

is it possible to get a 3-month short term lease on a used car. Alternately buying from a private party and then re-selling might fir the bill.

Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

robr2

Many rental agencies have monthly rates. Try Enterprise - they gave me a monthly rate when a previous vehicle of mine was in the body shop for 6 weeks.

jlawrence01

All rental agencies offer a monthly lease. However, finding a vehicle for under $200 a week will be a challenge in a lot of markets.

One recommendation that I would look at is Hotwire/Priceline. They generally offer cheaper rentals than market and they use Avis/Hertz/Budget for the most part.

Enterprise offers some pretty good rates. However, most of the best rates come when you are booking through an insurance company or an auto repair shop with which they have a contract. The other problem with Enterprise (and other smaller companies) is that there classification of car sizes are well, let's say unique. I do not consider the Chevy Cavalier a midsized car or the Toyota Camry a premium car.

ALWAYS rent OFF-AIRPORT at a neighborhood location. For example, if you rent a car at $16/day at the Cleveland Hopkins airport, you pay almost $35 with taxes and fees. Rent the same car 6 miles north in Lakewood, OH, and the taxes are 6-7%, a significant savings.

One issue that your friend will have to deal with is insurance - CDW and liability. Those two fees can easily double the cost of a rental car. If your friend owns a car, he may be covered by his home policy. If not, you have to buy it through the agency.

On travel websites, I strongly discourage short-term purchases, especially for non-US residents. It is very hard to buy a good car and to sell it for a reasonable price three months later ... unless you plan to buy a beater ...

Sorry for the long response but it is a complicated question.

dino001

If your friend owns a car, he may be covered by his home policy.

Usually insurance policies have 15 or 30 day clauses, i.e. they cen get transfers only to short term rentals. Anything beyond that gets it void. However, there may be possibility of adding the vehicle to the policy for that short period of time. I don't know how it works, though.

I would be very uncomfortable to say the least without any insurance for 3 months.

robr2

The other problem with Enterprise (and other smaller companies) is that there classification of car sizes are well, let's say unique. I do not consider the Chevy Cavalier a midsized car or the Toyota Camry a premium car.

Check that - I rented a 626/M6 through Hertz a couple of years back. They were out and offered as substitutes a Cavalier, Corolla, or Optima - none of those were exactly mid-size.

jlawrence01

I have the opposite experience with Avis/Hertz. I will reserve an economy car and I end up with vehicles such as a Pontiac Vibe, Buick Century, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Sonata, etc.

bretfraz

I know companies like Hertz will negotiate a rental for almost any length of time but the packages are usually tailored to corporations instead of individuals. I know I can "rent" a 20ft box van for months at a time, if I need it. Pretty much the same with cars.

I'm sure the no-name local rental outfits will rent you a car for one month intervals. I just found this with a 10 second Google search:
$399/month
Unlimited Miles
$139 / Week
Ford Aspire Stick Shift
Vehicles must stay in San Diego
Ford Aspire Auto $449/month

At least this will get you in the ballpark - Click for monthly rental prices

jasmith52

Bretfraz:

Well thats a good rate, however I don't think my friend Aspires to an Aspire. That same link shows that to get a normal car will be around $7-800 a month (or around $200 a week). Add in taxes and insurance and were talking some real money for a three month rental. That cheap rental could easily cost $4500 with insurance and taxes over 3 months.

No, in spite of what Laurance posted, I think the beater car may be the way to go. maybe we can get a 6 year old Taurus (or whatever deal we can get) for around $1500-$2000, insure it for liability only. Then sell it quick for close to what we paid less any repairs. Even if the car has to be sold for scrap metal at the end I think that we'd come out ahead.

- Thanks for the discussion

graphicguy

jlawrence....it could be because I rent at least 3 times a month from Hertz, but I always reserve the cheapest car they have (usually the sub-compact class). I always end up with a Malibu, Mazda 6 or something of that ilk. I'd say 50% of the time I end up with a Lincoln or a Volvo....all for the rental price of an Aveo.

jlawrence01

Long time no hear from ...

Actually, it might also be that you have a HERTZ GOLD CARD. Generally, you will never get anything smaller than a compact if you book using your number.

AVIS PREFERRED will generally get you the same treatment from Avis.

One more thing. E-mail me - I have an idea that might help you with Hertz.