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Comments
A bank draft is a fancy word for a check. It would be made out to the other dealer you are buying from. This way they are buying the car from the other dealer, not from you. Technically, you are still trading it in.
It will work as long as the dealer you are buying from is willing to accept the "draft."
Is it legal? That's up to the lawyers to decide.
BTW Mike - tax avoidance is perfectly legal. Tax evasion isn't. The former is done by smart people, the latter those not so smart.
BTW Mike - tax avoidance is perfectly legal. Tax evasion isn't.
Uh- oh --- I "might" be in trouble.
"BTW Mike - tax avoidance is perfectly legal. Tax evasion isn't. The former is done by smart people, the latter those not so smart."
You are correct. I meant tax evasion. We all try to avoid paying more taxes by looking for and using tax loopholes.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
The salesman at the dealership bough the cars from said he had never seen that transaction before.
In non car news, I had my HVAC, plus water heater replaced today. Everything is good, other than the Wifi isn't working yet.
Here's a question for Mike, something along those lines. If someone is trading in a bmw 535 for an E400, would you keep the bmw for your lot or do you arrange to trade cars with a bmw dealer. It seems to me most people looking for a used bmw first go to a bmw dealer, and might pay more and they can buy an extended warranty if they so desire.
When I traded in my wifes 2008 335 the Audi dealer said he could give me more for it than the bmw dealer, because he wouldn't have to go over it as well, and offer a 3 or 4 year warranty.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I would keep any clean trade for my used car lot. It's the only way to make money. If I sold it to a BMW dealership, they would give me much less than I could get selling it on my lot. But it must be a clean trade.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My my new car was supposed to be at the port yesterday, but the ship was late getting in due to weather. Supposedly it is in Brunswick GA now.
You would think Mercedes USA would have my new car expedited at the port and shipped down to my dealership ASAP. There are two port installed options they need to attend to - rear spoiler and locking wheel lugs. But from what I was told from Mercedes is that I won't have the car for 2 weeks. I think that is outrageous! If they wanted, I could have the car by Monday orTuesday of next week. So it would appear they are not living up to their promise.
This could be the end of my relationship with Mercedes. They have done nothing for me whatsoever. Like I said, not one contact from Mercedes management here in the USA to apologize for their mistake or offer me anything to make up for that error - build me a car and leave off 2 standard pieces of equipment.
I don't think I could ever bring myself to forgive Mercedes for that!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I got my windshield fixed at Safelite and they went beyond my expectations. Courteous, fast, excellent service, great warranty. The collision shop too, friendly, fair, on time, excellent work, even washed the car inside and out. They had 15 reviews on Angie's list all A's.
Car companies run on the same principle as airlines and cell phone providers;
We aren't happy unless we can make you unhappy.
And then they wonder why we aren't loyal customers.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
A local dealer here that has both stores (ok he has a total of 52 stores). He keeps the bulk of his used higher end cars at the respective brand stores. You might find a couple of Audi/Acura/BMW/Lexus/MB at his other brands stores but none that could be certified.
Before he bought the local Audi/Porsche dealer, the previous owners only kept used cars from those brands that they could certify. Everything else went off to auction including higher end brands. They never had anything but certified Audis and Porsches at that location. For instance, there is a nice 2009 C300 at the local Honda store but is has 112K miles on it.
Yes! When I traded my Lexus GS 350 in 2013 for a 2014 E350, they transported the car to their Lexus dealership in Palm Beach. It sold right away. I would do the same if I was in the business and we owned a BMW dealership.
These huge dealership holdings (AutoNation, Penske, Berkshire Hathaway, etc.) are the future of the automobile business in this country.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2018 430i Gran Coupe
To be honest, two weeks sound just right to me, considering the scale of things. It may take them a week to find the car on the lot
BTW, I just would like to see a survey coming from MB to your house. If they took it seriously, they'd probably disband operations in North America altogether
2018 430i Gran Coupe
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Nyccarguy said aid it all! Lexus could not and did not solve the problem so I went back to Mercedes quickly!
as for those posters who responded to my "expedite" post, Mercedes originally promised me they would expedite delivery to my dealer ASAP! Well, they promised the world and delivered nothing!!! They said as soon as the car came off the boat, it would be immediately transported to the dealer. So Mercedes lied to me just to solve the immediate problem of them producing a car without standard safety features. I guess the wanted to avoid paying a hefty fine to the Feds.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Especially CRVs. Our buyer would pay WELL above wholesale book when he could find a nice one. They go crazy at auction.
I didn't understand the tax situation either but it sounds pretty murky to say the least.
A "draft" is nothing more than a check with strings attached. No smart store would take one I wouldn't think.
I have heard that term used by both the dealerships, and the credit union. I have no idea how they actually transfer the funds, and don't really care as long as it works and causes me no problems or extra work.
On the Honda values, I think the CR-V is an excellent vehicle to buy new and keep trading back every 2 to 3 years. The depreciation is down close to zero, especially if you buy at the end of the model year and get a closeout deal. If you check the 2014 CR-V Prices Paid forum here at Edmunds, you will see people (multiple people, in different parts of the country) buying the last of the leftover 2014s for $2,000 under invoice, or even less. That same car, if you take care of it and don't wreck it, will be worth very, very close to what you paid 2 years from now.
I can see your frustration, but I also think some of that is really self-imposed. Also I'll ask again - knowing your patterns, who are you going to buy your next car in a year or two from now? Cadillac? Lexus? BMW? Audi? You (or somebody you know) have had some sour experiences with every one of those guys, or you didn't like their product. Perhaps Kia, or Hyundai then?
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Mike - you need to sit back and take some deep breaths. You are starting to sound like there is some conspiracy by MB against you. Keep in mind that you are dealing with what I like to call a "First World Problem." Put it in perspective - it's a car. A new $50K car. It's not a kidney. It's not a child in a war zone. It's not persecution by an evil dictator. It's steel and plastic and rubber and right now you have a pretty nice one. There would be millions of people willing to switch places with you in a heartbeat if this was their biggest problem.
Peace Out.
Mike...here's the good news. You have a very nice car you can keep for a little while longer. Then, you can make up your mind on what else you might want, and take your time doing it....with no pressure.
Lots of mighty nice cars out there right now. I got to drive a CTS V-Sport last week that my dealer let me have a spin in. MERCY....what a very fast, great handling, very nice car. Don't remember if you gave that a look or not.
Aside from all the Audi issues that have been reported around here, the S7 is getting rave reviews in the trade rags. Might be worth a look.
My BMW dealer seems to be sending me daily emails reminding me how good their deals are right now.....maybe a 7 series?
Lots of options to do something, or to do nothing and keep driving a very nice car that's already sitting in your driveway.....no stress involved.
And that's what I always did.
If I sold an incoming car that I knew would be arriving in a week, I would always tell my customers that it would probably be 10-12 days. When I called five days later to tell them
their car had arrived they wee always very happy.
Some other salespeople wouldn't do that and they were constantly being bugged by phone calls..
" Has my car arrived yet...you SAID five or six days and it's been SEVEN" Etc...
That Mercedes store should have set Mike up like I used to.
I didn't need the stress and I had happy customers.
Just checked his web site to view leftovers and I find a NEW 2011 Fusion. Still holding out for full price.
huffonline.com/new/Ford/2011-Ford-Fusion-2a6293cb0a0a00de3f9ec135b139dab7.htm
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
The only problem is the severe side effects of these very intense radiation treatments. But living with those side effects is far and away better than the alternative.
Thanks for all your prayers for Justin - keep them coming!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Hope it continues to shrink away.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I absolutely love the car so far. It is extremely tight and solid, not a rattle or a buzz. Handling and steering continue to impress. I find myself driving much more aggressively than before; in a way it takes me back 25 years to when I had my MR2 and then the GTI - not necessarily a bad thing, but something I will need to watch. Yesterday I was driving home from a trip to the doctor and got it up to 140km/h (about 85 mph) on a short stretch of expressway just before my exit. Effortless. The power is subtle - in typical driving it seems fairly sedate, but if you put your foot into it you get pushed back in the seat. If it is in Sport mode that is more noticeable.
The colors continue to make me happy. The Red Obsession paint looks wonderful and coordinates well with the black interior. While I have not been a fan of black interiors previously I must say that I am coming to like it. I am enjoying CUE although the learning curve is very steep. I was able to get it to respond to voice commands when playing music from my iPhone the other day - "play Bruce Springsteen" I said, and it did. But I couldn't figure out how to get it back to playing the rest of the music library after a while without shutting everything off! I have begun to enjoy using the phone as my music source in the car, and even made my first iTunes purchases to add to the selections available.
No real negatives to report, but a couple of things to keep an eye on - some of the outside window moldings seem to have some sort of deposit on them and it seems unaffected by application of car wax. Whatever it is, is stubborn. Also, a couple of times when I have started the car after it has sat for a day or two, I thought I had seen some smoke drifting past in the low sun. It is not consistent and it could be vapor I suppose, but I am curious and will be more attentive over the next while.
All in all, I am really enjoying it. I had an acquaintance in it last weekend and after she got home her friend texted me to say that she had said she really liked it and wanted to drive it because she thought it was hot! It has been nearly 30 years since a girl thought my car was hot!
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2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
On the other hand a local screamer dealer is touting a big supply of 2013 Hyundais for $3000 off MSRP like that is some kind of earth shattering bargain.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
So nice to hear that you continue to keep falling in love with your new ATS every time you drive it. I felt the same thing with my '66 Fire Engine Red GTO 4-speed stick. I know the feeling AB, I know the feeling!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Sometimes you have to take a bit of a risk, to get a reward. You did it, and you are enjoying it.
Good for you!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD