Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

suydam

I drove a rental Soul a couple of years back. I liked a lot of aspects of it, but thought it woefully underpowered. And I bought an Encore which reviews find underpowered but that has not been my experience at all -- maybe it's the turbo, but I have no trouble scooting up and down hills in it. The Soul was also a little scary in windy situations, as you might expect in such a boxy car. But for what it is, a very economical runabout, not bad.

Michaell

suydam said:

I drove a rental Soul a couple of years back. I liked a lot of aspects of it, but thought it woefully underpowered. And I bought an Encore which reviews find underpowered but that has not been my experience at all -- maybe it's the turbo, but I have no trouble scooting up and down hills in it. The Soul was also a little scary in windy situations, as you might expect in such a boxy car. But for what it is, a very economical runabout, not bad.

I believe you can now get the Soul with a 164HP engine, so not as underpowered as before.

suydam

A good thing unless it lowers fuel economy.

stickguy

Does on sticker. Maybe not real world.

Michaell

suydam said:

A good thing unless it lowers fuel economy.

Compared to the base engine? Absolutely.

driver100

I made a mistake. I read a review in todays paper and my friend didn't get an S6, it is an S8! His is fully loaded so would be about $140k in Camada, about $130k in the uS.

The interior in his is blck, which is nice, but I really like the contrasting interior:



20 inch WHEELS;



520 hp. 0 to 60 in 4 seconds.

It's a nice car, but, I don't know, I don't care how much money you got....$140k is a lot of money for a car.

abacomike

@driver100:

For $95,000, you can now get a fully loaded S550 - MSRP $112,000.  There is big trunk money available on them.  I'd much rather have the S550 than the A8L.  Much better car all around!

driver100

abacomike said:

@driver100:

For $95,000, you can now get a fully loaded S550 - MSRP $112,000.  There is big trunk money available on them.  I'd much rather have the S550 than the A8L.  Much better car all around!

Comparing the S550 and A8 would be a fair comparison.

S8 is really a different animal....V8 engine, 520 hp.

I agree, and S550 would be more than enough car for me, but I think the S8 is in a different category,

bwia

2016 Camaro--Feast your eyes on the next Camaro iteration. Very nice car, but that wide-mouth grill fetish is off putting to me. Apparently this is a generational thing as younger buyers seem to embrace this new trend.

bwia

A Buick?---That's not a Buick. That commercial tag line is probably more consistent with this 2017 model.

For older gents like us who lurk on this thread perhaps the new 2017 Buick Regal (a.k.a Grand National/GNX)may be more agreeable with our more sedate (spirited for some) lifestyle.

fezo

Buicks look way better these days but you can still spot them as a Buick a mile away. These days that's a good thing.

abacomike

fezo said:

Buicks look way better these days but you can still spot them as a Buick a mile away. These days that's a good thing.

If they made the LaCrosse in the same lines/styling, it's a car that would even tempt me. Great looking vehicle - just wish they would offer a RWD version.

Mr_Shiftright

Does that Camaro come with a rear-facing periscope? Early Lamborghini Countach used to have them. It was roof mounted in a very subtle fairing. Now of course we have rear cameras, which would seem to be mandatory on this Camaro. Drove a 2015, very impressed, but man, you really can't see much rearwards.

abacomike

Mr_Shiftright said:

Does that Camaro come with a rear-facing periscope? Early Lamborghini Countach used to have them. It was roof mounted in a very subtle fairing. Now of course we have rear cameras, which would seem to be mandatory on this Camaro. Drove a 2015, very impressed, but man, you really can't see much rearwards.

You know what they say - it's "what's up front" that counts!

jpp75

fezo said:

Buicks look way better these days but you can still spot them as a Buick a mile away. These days that's a good thing.

The "that's not a Buick" campaign would have made more sense in 2011 when the cars actually debuted.

jpp75

bwia said:

A Buick?---That's not a Buick. That commercial tag line is probably more consistent with this 2017 model.

For older gents like us who lurk on this thread perhaps the new 2017 Buick Regal (a.k.a Grand National/GNX)may be more agreeable with our more sedate (spirited for some) lifestyle.

That seems way overdone to me, I like the Avenir concept though. A very sharp looking car, but I've read the odds of it being produced are slim.

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

Does that Camaro come with a rear-facing periscope? Early Lamborghini Countach used to have them. It was roof mounted in a very subtle fairing. Now of course we have rear cameras, which would seem to be mandatory on this Camaro. Drove a 2015, very impressed, but man, you really can't see much rearwards.

Personally, I can't see much out of any window of a Camaro. I have to lie down to fit in the darned thing.

Mr_Shiftright

Well true enough, Mike, but with all those ponies up front I'd like to know what's stalking me from behind. As I get older, I don't have that "owl neck" I used to have, and rely more now on mirrors.

Some cars, you sit in 'em, they just feel "right"; others seem awkward no matter how you adjust everything. Every---body----is different.

First things I check out my first time in the driver's seat are items like pedal offset, if there's an adequate "dead pedal", rearward vision, clearance for my right calf against the console, leg room, head room and of course, seat comfort. These are things that, if deficient, I doubt I would "adjust to" over time.

Last year I came *this close* (picture if you will the thickness of a nostril hair) to buying a beautiful dark blue Porsche Boxster S, but I simply could NOT get comfortable in the car. And yet, in the smaller MINI, fits me like a glove. Go figure.

abacomike said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Does that Camaro come with a rear-facing periscope? Early Lamborghini Countach used to have them. It was roof mounted in a very subtle fairing. Now of course we have rear cameras, which would seem to be mandatory on this Camaro. Drove a 2015, very impressed, but man, you really can't see much rearwards.

You know what they say - it's "what's up front" that counts!

abacomike

@Mr_Shiftright:

I would love to own a Corvette Stingray.  The only problem is it would have to be my very last car!  I can get into it quite comfortably - but once I'm in it, I'm in it for the rest of my life.  I just cannot get out of it.  I would need "the jaws of life" to pry me out OR use it as my coffin and just bury me with it - nice way to go - don't you agree? 

ab348

jpp5862 said:

That seems way overdone to me, I like the Avenir concept though. A very sharp looking car, but I've read the odds of it being produced are slim.

I assume that is the GS version if not the rumored Grand National. The more pedestrian Turbo version of that might tempt me when the lease is up on the ATS.

Speaking of which, I am in the midst of my first service experience with the ATS. Same dealer from which I got my 2011 Regal but quite a difference in treatment so far. Everyone snapped to attention when I pulled in and gave me the royal treatment. Service is gratis and on this one that saved me about $150. They even wash it, which is a first for me at this place. No free massages or toasted bagels though. They offered me a free rental but I just needed a lift home and the same once it is ready. Hopefully all will be well. It is only there for the usual oil change and 6-month inspections, etc., no warranty issues.

I have an acquaintance who recently was appointed editor at one of the better-known auto websites, and had never driven the ATS 2.0T. He asked me if he could borrow mine to drive for a bit, so I let him have it for a while earlier this week. He quite liked it from what I could tell. Be interesting if it comes up on the site.

suydam

I thought car washes were part of the service experience for some time now. Am I wrong? I have owned Nissan, Mazda, and now Honda, and they all do free car washes with service.

Mr_Shiftright

I don't mind struggling to get into a car---for instance, after a while I learn that if I tilt my head a bit I won't get a skull fracture every time I try to enter a BMW 3 Series. But once in the car, I need a place for my left foot when I'm not shifting, and I need my left knee to be clear of the steering wheel when I am shifting, and I don't want sport seats so tight as to instigate kidney failure or a sun roof that is rubbing even more hair off my head.

Very often as host I see comments from people who bought a new car only to discover that they can't get comfortable in it. Well, too late for them to have figured that out, unfortunately. When someone says "Can I have the seat tracks moved back 6 inches", one has to wonder what they were doing/thinking on the initial test drive.

Maybe the intoxicating aroma of that new car smell just got to them? It is alluring I must say.

abacomike said:

@Mr_Shiftright:

I would love to own a Corvette Stingray.  The only problem is it would have to be my very last car!  I can get into it quite comfortably - but once I'm in it, I'm in it for the rest of my life.  I just cannot get out of it.  I would need "the jaws of life" to pry me out OR use it as my coffin and just bury me with it - nice way to go - don't you agree? 

't

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

I don't mind struggling to get into a car---for instance, after a while I learn that if I tilt my head a bit I won't get a skull fracture every time I try to enter a BMW 3 Series. But once in the car, I need a place for my left foot when I'm not shifting, and I need my left knee to be clear of the steering wheel when I am shifting, and I don't want sport seats so tight as to instigate kidney failure or a sun roof that is rubbing even more hair off my head.

Very often as host I see comments from people who bought a new car only to discover that they can't get comfortable in it. Well, too late for them to have figured that out, unfortunately. When someone says "Can I have the seat tracks moved back 6 inches", one has to wonder what they were doing/thinking on the initial test drive.

Maybe the intoxicating aroma of that new car smell just got to them? It is alluring I must say.

abacomike said:

@Mr_Shiftright:

I would love to own a Corvette Stingray.  The only problem is it would have to be my very last car!  I can get into it quite comfortably - but once I'm in it, I'm in it for the rest of my life.  I just cannot get out of it.  I would need "the jaws of life" to pry me out OR use it as my coffin and just bury me with it - nice way to go - don't you agree? 

't

Shifty, the ease of entry/exit was one of the biggest issues I had when shopping for my most recent car. Given that I'm in and out of it a dozen times a night when I deliver, I wanted to not have to worry about bashing my skull every time.

Most of the cars I looked at weren't terribly accommodating in that respect. The Elantra GT that I ended up getting has enough door for me to get in and out comfortably.

ab348

suydam said:

I thought car washes were part of the service experience for some time now. Am I wrong? I have owned Nissan, Mazda, and now Honda, and they all do free car washes with service.

At this dealer you only get them if you bought a Cadillac or a Corvette, apparently. I know they never did it when I brought my Buick there.

Got it back now with no issues other than one of their shuttle drivers who tried to ruin the whole experience by not wanting to come and pick me up due to "traffic". After a bit of calling back I got the other shuttle driver who had no problem since there was no unusual traffic and got here in short order. It is remarkable how a bad shuttle driver can wreck the service experience - I had a similar experience with another driver at another dealer a few years ago.

driver100

suydam said:

I thought car washes were part of the service experience for some time now. Am I wrong? I have owned Nissan, Mazda, and now Honda, and they all do free car washes with service.

Dealers are washing cars frequently these days. I can get the E400 washed any week day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.. I wonder what this will do to the car wash industry? I have decided not to buy a car wash franchise, though the America's Car Wash we have near us near Tampa has huge line ups all day long....they do a great job.

stickguy

my dealers (acura and volvo) make a big deal about complementary car wash with service. I would just as soon not bother, since it is a lousy job at best. Not at all up to my standards!

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

I don't mind struggling to get into a car---for instance, after a while I learn that if I tilt my head a bit I won't get a skull fracture every time I try to enter a BMW 3 Series. But once in the car, I need a place for my left foot when I'm not shifting, and I need my left knee to be clear of the steering wheel when I am shifting, and I don't want sport seats so tight as to instigate kidney failure or a sun roof that is rubbing even more hair off my head.

Very often as host I see comments from people who bought a new car only to discover that they can't get comfortable in it. Well, too late for them to have figured that out, unfortunately. When someone says "Can I have the seat tracks moved back 6 inches", one has to wonder what they were doing/thinking on the initial test drive.

Maybe the intoxicating aroma of that new car smell just got to them? It is alluring I must say.

My favorite example of that was the poor sod in RWTIV who was asking for a number on his wife's virtually new JK Wrangler. She didn't like it because-among other things-the convertible top was hard to put up and down, it had a rough ride, and it had no trunk space. The guy was a bit irritated when I suggested that in the future he needs to have his bride test drive the car BEFORE she buys it...

ab348

stickguy said:

my dealers (acura and volvo) make a big deal about complementary car wash with service. I would just as soon not bother, since it is a lousy job at best. Not at all up to my standards!

I was surprised at the good job they did. Dressed the tires and everything.

driver100

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I don't mind struggling to get into a car---for instance, after a while I learn that if I tilt my head a bit I won't get a skull fracture every time I try to enter a BMW 3 Series. But once in the car, I need a place for my left foot when I'm not shifting, and I need my left knee to be clear of the steering wheel when I am shifting, and I don't want sport seats so tight as to instigate kidney failure or a sun roof that is rubbing even more hair off my head.

Very often as host I see comments from people who bought a new car only to discover that they can't get comfortable in it. Well, too late for them to have figured that out, unfortunately. When someone says "Can I have the seat tracks moved back 6 inches", one has to wonder what they were doing/thinking on the initial test drive.

Maybe the intoxicating aroma of that new car smell just got to them? It is alluring I must say.

My favorite example of that was the poor sod in RWTIV who was asking for a number on his wife's virtually new JK Wrangler. She didn't like it because-among other things-the convertible top was hard to put up and down, it had a rough ride, and it had no trunk space. The guy was a bit irritated when I suggested that in the future he needs to have his bride test drive the car BEFORE she buys it...

Perfect comment RB,

Actually one article said 1 in 10 people do not test drive a car before buying.

This article, which was even more informative said 1 in 6 did not test drive a new car,

The latest survey of roughly 2,000 automotive consumers(1) found that, before purchasing, 16% took no test-drive, and 33% test-drove only one car. And more than two-thirds (68%) reported that they visited only two dealerships or fewer before buying - with 40% visiting only one dealer.

The survey also measured consumer trust of dealer salespeople, and the results were sobering: only 21% claimed they perceive them as “trustworthy,” a lower trust rating than reported for lawyers, mortgage brokers and insurance salespeople.

1 in 6 Skip Test Drive

Most skip the test drive because they feel the less they have to do with the dealer the better off they will be.

How do you buy a car without trying it out? You would have to not care one bit about how the car felt to you while driving it......I don't get it!

dino001

I suspect those people buy based on brand. It's either their past experience, or somebody they know, reinforced by price and looks. Oe perhaps the other way around.

stickguy

I could imagine skipping the drive, based on reading. could not pass on sitting in it and trying out the comfort/seats/etc.! Not that I would, but I could conceive of it.

roadburner

driver100 said:

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I don't mind struggling to get into a car---for instance, after a while I learn that if I tilt my head a bit I won't get a skull fracture every time I try to enter a BMW 3 Series. But once in the car, I need a place for my left foot when I'm not shifting, and I need my left knee to be clear of the steering wheel when I am shifting, and I don't want sport seats so tight as to instigate kidney failure or a sun roof that is rubbing even more hair off my head.

Very often as host I see comments from people who bought a new car only to discover that they can't get comfortable in it. Well, too late for them to have figured that out, unfortunately. When someone says "Can I have the seat tracks moved back 6 inches", one has to wonder what they were doing/thinking on the initial test drive.

Maybe the intoxicating aroma of that new car smell just got to them? It is alluring I must say.

My favorite example of that was the poor sod in RWTIV who was asking for a number on his wife's virtually new JK Wrangler. She didn't like it because-among other things-the convertible top was hard to put up and down, it had a rough ride, and it had no trunk space. The guy was a bit irritated when I suggested that in the future he needs to have his bride test drive the car BEFORE she buys it...

Perfect comment RB,

Actually one article said 1 in 10 people do not test drive a car before buying.

This article, which was even more informative said 1 in 6 did not test drive a new car,

The latest survey of roughly 2,000 automotive consumers(1) found that, before purchasing, 16% took no test-drive, and 33% test-drove only one car. And more than two-thirds (68%) reported that they visited only two dealerships or fewer before buying - with 40% visiting only one dealer.

The survey also measured consumer trust of dealer salespeople, and the results were sobering: only 21% claimed they perceive them as “trustworthy,” a lower trust rating than reported for lawyers, mortgage brokers and insurance salespeople.

1 in 6 Skip Test Drive

Most skip the test drive because they feel the less they have to do with the dealer the better off they will be.

How do you buy a car without trying it out? You would have to not care one bit about how the car felt to you while driving it......I don't get it!

In the case of my Club Sport, that particular version of the ti was brand new and BMW Individual was only building 400 at most- so I bought it sight unseen. However, I had driven the base 318ti and liked everything but the handling and the seats- both of which were replaced with bespoke M Technic pieces on the Club Sport. So I gambled that I'd like the car and I suppose I did- this November will mark the 20th year of ownership.

suydam

For my part I wish to be at any dealer's for the shortest time possible. When we bought the Accord, we narrowed down by researching online beforehand, then test drove 3 different midsize cars at 3 dealerships, narrowed to 2 which we test drove again, and finally bought the Honda. This time around we did go to just one dealer but had driven the car previously as a rental, and test drove it again along with another vehicle before buying. The Honda experience is more typical for us.

nelsonf

bwia said:

A Buick?---That's not a Buick. That commercial tag line is probably more consistent with this 2017 model.

For older gents like us who lurk on this thread perhaps the new 2017 Buick Regal (a.k.a Grand National/GNX)may be more agreeable with our more sedate (spirited for some) lifestyle.

It's just a CTS with a Buick grill, right?

fezo

Well, official word that the insurance company is calling my daughter's car a total loss. I be to differ but they haven't thrown a number at me yet. I'm actually quite pissed off at the latter. I expected the former but come on, at least insult me with a lowball offer.

The good news is my daughter continues to improve. Maybe I can hire an injury attorney and get enough for her pain and suffering to repair the car....

abacomike

fezo said:

Well, official word that the insurance company is calling my daughter's car a total loss. I be to differ but they haven't thrown a number at me yet. I'm actually quite pissed off at the latter. I expected the former but come on, at least insult me with a lowball offer. The good news is my daughter continues to improve. Maybe I can hire an injury attorney and get enough for her pain and suffering to repair the car....

Repair the car?  Heck - get a "great attorney" and buy a new house with 2 new cars in the garage!!! 

stickguy

good luck with this Fezo. You are a retired guy. and isn't your brother a lawyer? if so, you are their worst nightmare. retired guy with a grudge, and time on your hands.

driver100

roadburner said:

driver100 said:

In the case of my Club Sport, that particular version of the ti was brand new and BMW Individual was only building 400 at most- so I bought it sight unseen. However, I had driven the base 318ti and liked everything but the handling and the seats- both of which were replaced with bespoke M Technic pieces on the Club Sport. So I gambled that I'd like the car and I suppose I did- this November will mark the 20th year of ownership.

Come to think of it, the I didn't test drive the 2008 bmw Cabriolet because they weren't out yet. But I did try a 328.

When we got the 2013 Audi A4 they didn't have a 4 door manual, so we drove a 2 door A5 with manual, and a 4 door automatic to get the right feel.

Technically, did not drive the cars we were buying!

But still, put it all together based on the cars available that we could test.

Hey Mike, ever have people come in and buy a car without test driving or sitting in it?

abacomike

driver100 said:

In the case of my Club Sport, that particular version of the ti was brand new and BMW Individual was only building 400 at most- so I bought it sight unseen. However, I had driven the base 318ti and liked everything but the handling and the seats- both of which were replaced with bespoke M Technic pieces on the Club Sport. So I gambled that I'd like the car and I suppose I did- this November will mark the 20th year of ownership.

Come to think of it, the I didn't test drive the 2008 bmw Cabriolet because they weren't out yet. But I did try a 328. When we got the 2013 Audi A4 they didn't have a 4 door manual, so we drove a 2 door A5 with manual, and a 4 door automatic to get the right feel. Technically, did not drive the cars we were buying! But still, put it all together based on the cars available that we could test. Hey Mike, ever have people come in and buy a car without test driving or sitting in it?

Actually - no!  Even if I had to special order a car or dealer trade a car for a customer, when it came in, the customer sat in the car and took it for a drive around the block to make sure everything was to their satisfaction.

Even when I sold Lexus cars, when the SC430's came out in the early 2000's, and there was a 6 month waiting list for them, when the car arrived from the port, every customer took their car for a quick drive around the block to make sure it was performing to their satisfaction.

Even on special orders, and the customer test drove an in stock model, they still insisted on driving their ordered car before going in to finance to finalize the deal.

So, every customer I ever had always drove their car when it arrived at the dealership before finalizing their purchase.

I will add one more tid-bit - any customer who chose not to drive their car prior to finalizing the purchase was persuaded to test drive the car as per dealership policy.  We wanted the customer to make sure the car was exactly as ordered and exactly what they expected.

bwia

Tricked out Mini going nowhere fast.

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

roadburner said:

driver100 said:

In the case of my Club Sport, that particular version of the ti was brand new and BMW Individual was only building 400 at most- so I bought it sight unseen. However, I had driven the base 318ti and liked everything but the handling and the seats- both of which were replaced with bespoke M Technic pieces on the Club Sport. So I gambled that I'd like the car and I suppose I did- this November will mark the 20th year of ownership.

Come to think of it, the I didn't test drive the 2008 bmw Cabriolet because they weren't out yet. But I did try a 328.

When we got the 2013 Audi A4 they didn't have a 4 door manual, so we drove a 2 door A5 with manual, and a 4 door automatic to get the right feel.

Technically, did not drive the cars we were buying!

But still, put it all together based on the cars available that we could test.

Hey Mike, ever have people come in and buy a car without test driving or sitting in it?

So, every customer I ever had always drove their car when it arrived at the dealership before finalizing their purchase.

I will add one more tid-bit - any customer who chose not to drive their car prior to finalizing the purchase was persuaded to test drive the car as per dealership policy.  We wanted the customer to make sure the car was exactly as ordered and exactly what they expected.</</p>

blockquote>

I am thinking about why that would be if 1 in 6 doesn't test drive their car. Mike, in your case, you are asking the person to check their car before they take delivery, but, could they back out of the deal at that point?

In fact, I was thinking oabout that when we picked up the GLK. We get a bank draft, go to the dealer, sign all the papers, do the license thing, then walk over and inspect the car. But, technically, we have already paid for it and bought it.

I think most people who buy an MB or luxury car care enough about cars they would want to test drive them before buying. I suppose if someone just wants an appliance to get them from Point A to Point B they aren't too particular about how comfortable the car is or how the steering/handling are. Like my older brother, buys an Elantra based on the price of the car, then finds he has to put a pillow on the seat to see out of it

qbrozen

driver100 said:

I don't mind struggling to get into a car---for instance, after a while I learn that if I tilt my head a bit I won't get a skull fracture every time I try to enter a BMW 3 Series. But once in the car, I need a place for my left foot when I'm not shifting, and I need my left knee to be clear of the steering wheel when I am shifting, and I don't want sport seats so tight as to instigate kidney failure or a sun roof that is rubbing even more hair off my head. Very often as host I see comments from people who bought a new car only to discover that they can't get comfortable in it. Well, too late for them to have figured that out, unfortunately. When someone says "Can I have the seat tracks moved back 6 inches", one has to wonder what they were doing/thinking on the initial test drive. Maybe the intoxicating aroma of that new car smell just got to them? It is alluring I must say.

My favorite example of that was the poor sod in RWTIV who was asking for a number on his wife's virtually new JK Wrangler. She didn't like it because-among other things-the convertible top was hard to put up and down, it had a rough ride, and it had no trunk space. The guy was a bit irritated when I suggested that in the future he needs to have his bride test drive the car BEFORE she buys it...

Perfect comment RB, Actually one article said 1 in 10 people do not test drive a car before buying. This article, which was even more informative said 1 in 6 did not test drive a new car, The latest survey of roughly 2,000 automotive consumers(1) found that, before purchasing, 16% took no test-drive, and 33% test-drove only one car. And more than two-thirds (68%) reported that they visited only two dealerships or fewer before buying - with 40% visiting only one dealer. The survey also measured consumer trust of dealer salespeople, and the results were sobering: only 21% claimed they perceive them as “trustworthy,” a lower trust rating than reported for lawyers, mortgage brokers and insurance salespeople. 1 in 6 Skip Test Drive Most skip the test drive because they feel the less they have to do with the dealer the better off they will be. How do you buy a car without trying it out? You would have to not care one bit about how the car felt to you while driving it......I don't get it!

Couple of things I wonder about, as some of the stories above have indicated:
1. Of those 16%, I'd like to know how many are due to something like it being a rare/limited/not-yet-released car. 
2. And is it really all people who did not test drive at all or just not test drive the exact car they bought? Because I have done the latter a couple of times. Test drove at a dealer and made the purchase at another without driving it at that 2nd dealer.

graphicguy

I always drive and inspect a new car right before (or right after) signing the papers, but before I drive it off the lot. Now, does that you don't turn up defects sometime after driving it off the lot? Clearly, I'm proof the answer is no.

I also won't accept..."bring it back and we'll fix that "chip, dent, trim, etc" later. "Uh, Uh....you fix it now, or I'll come back on another day when it is fixed to take delivery."

And, it goes back to a time when I would buy a new car, doing only a cursory inspection, and retunring to the dealer to fix cosmetic damage, only to have them tell me that the damage was my fault. I'm not sure dealers are like that anymore. But, I still do the same routine.


No matter how sllight the blemish, or how minor the flaw, I won't allow any of it to linger and will have it taken care of before I drive off the dealer's lot.

roadburner

We didn't test drive the 328i we ended up buying. We had looked at several and had gone to my dealer to look at another CPO car. The 3er we bought had just been detailed and was sitting in the CPO showroom; the rest is history...

abacomike

@driver100:

Yes, the customer can back out of the deal even on a special ordered car.  We always took a $1000 non-refundable deposit on every special ordered car - but we would refund it if the customer wanted to back out of the deal.

But, on a "dealer trade" vehicle, we always took a $500 deposit - non-refundable- because we had to pay transportation costs, both ways.  Those we did not refund unless the car was damaged or was not what the customer ordered.

abacomike

graphicguy said:

I always drive and inspect a new car right before (or right after) signing the papers, but before I drive it off the lot. Now, does that you don't turn up defects sometime after driving it off the lot? Clearly, I'm proof the answer is no. I also won't accept..."bring it back and we'll fix that "chip, dent, trim, etc" later. "Uh, Uh....you fix it now, or I'll come back on another day when it is fixed to take delivery." And, it goes back to a time when I would buy a new car, doing only a cursory inspection, and retunring to the dealer to fix cosmetic damage, only to have them tell me that the damage was my fault. I'm not sure dealers are like that anymore. But, I still do the same routine. No matter how sllight the blemish, or how minor the flaw, I won't allow any of it to linger and will have it taken care of before I drive off the dealer's lot.

Exactly!  I always do it the same way - blemish/damage, etc., I won't take the car.

driver100

abacomike said:

@driver100:

Yes, the customer can back out of the deal even on a special ordered car.  We always took a $1000 non-refundable deposit on every special ordered car - but we would refund it if the customer wanted to back out of the deal.

But, on a "dealer trade" vehicle, we always took a $500 deposit - non-refundable- because we had to pay transportation costs, both ways.  Those we did not refund unless the car was damaged or was not what the customer ordered.

Do you recall anyone backing out of a deal once they actually saw the car?

abacomike

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

@driver100:

Yes, the customer can back out of the deal even on a special ordered car.  We always took a $1000 non-refundable deposit on every special ordered car - but we would refund it if the customer wanted to back out of the deal.

But, on a "dealer trade" vehicle, we always took a $500 deposit - non-refundable- because we had to pay transportation costs, both ways.  Those we did not refund unless the car was damaged or was not what the customer ordered.

Do you recall anyone backing out of a deal once they actually saw the car?

In my experiences as a salesman and as a Manager, I do not recall a customer ever backing out of a deal on an ordered car of a dealer-traded car. Not to say that it doesn't happen - remember that in the car business, everything is possible!!!

abacomike

Just got back from my MB dealership and was talking with the managers about the 2017's coming out in March or April of 2016. They said that my car, with about 15,000 miles on it and super clean, should be worth between $45,000 and $48,000. Remember, my car is a 2015 and the 2016's are already on dealer lots. So it will be a 2 year old car on a trade. I know they will ask me to order one when the ordering guidelines are published for the dealerships like they did this last one I bought. There will be new colors and interiors and new engines as well. I will order one in the color and interior I would want with the options I would want. I will not order a loaded car. I sure don't need all the stuff this one has - I don't use most of it. I would order the entry level E Class (probably an E400 as they are rebadging the current E350 as an E400 and the current E400 as an E450) with Lane Tracking and Blind Spot Monitors, Park Assist (for the sensors and cameras), Premium Pkg., Leather, Ventilated front seats and Massage Seats, rear spoiler, wood/leather steering wheel, and that would be it. I don't drive enough at night to order the Lighting Package.

I estimate the car would MSRP for about $60,000. Invoice would be about $56,200 and with my fleet discoiunts, it would probably cost $52,000. So, for 7,000 + trade, that would be a good deal. But I am still committed to keeping this car until the very last possible moment - in other words when the warranty is up or if I decide to buy an extended warranty from MB, when the extended warranty is up.

I think I remember saying this every year - or am I wrong?

Mr_Shiftright

Speaking of Mercedes, my friend's brand new 2015 C Class crapped out on the freeway with 2,600 miles on it. This was just after the ambient temperature sensor and driver assist function went south the day before. The dealer's preliminary diagnosis? "We think it's electrical".