Smart Shopper - Suggest a topic of discussion

smittynyc

Well, since I really have a comment for the hosts, not a question, strictly speaking, wouldn't posting my comments at Ask the Town Hall Hosts be off-topic?

Maybe I should ask them to open a topic on "Why the Inconsiderate Buyers/Salespeople" topics were closed, and post my comments in there instead?

Kirstie_H

I understand that many members won't agree with the closing of these topics, but it's a decision that has been made after several months' consideration, and based on the fact that both discussions were consistently off-topic and required a great deal of maintenance due to hostile and inappropriate posts. Consumers weren't visiting those topics regularly - only basically the same ~10 members. So it was providing very few new insights to very few members.

We have an entire board, called Prices Paid & Buying Experiences that is dedicated for the exchange of information on the buying process. We have found that many more members are visiting and contributing to these discussions, so that's the best use of our board space and host time.

We plan on adding some new, useful discussions to this board in the coming week to better serve all of our members.

Now, as kcram suggested, further comment on this issue should be directed to the Ask the Town Hall Hosts discussion.

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

landru2

You understand that "many" members won't agree with the closings yet only about 10 members were visiting these topics?

Strange logic indeed.

mac24

Following the instruction in her last post, "..........further comment on this issue should be directed to the Ask the Town Hall Hosts discussion.", I brought up the same question there. Still hoping for a logical reply!

bksward

We have an entire board, called Prices Paid & Buying Experiences that is dedicated for the exchange of information on the buying process. We have found that many more members are visiting and contributing to these discussions, so that's the best use of our board space and host time.


So which thread do I actually need to follow?

There are separate threads for each model under discussion.

I quickly looked at the Honda Accord one, and half the posts were "I bought an LX with interstellar overdrive for $20,435, did I get a good deal?"

There is no general buying experiences topic in your reference...

Count me as one of those that will visit Edmunds less often without the "inconsiderate" boards...

clw2230

i currently have a 1999 mazda protege. Still runs well. Is it better to wait until a car no longer runs well or trade it in when it still runs well and you could get something in a trade?

Kirstie_H

Try this discussion:
New versus Used"-- (aka The Economics of Old Cars)

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

destein

Hi Syvlia,

Do you know a place where I can find a list of all car dealers in the US by model? If not, can I post this as a question?

Thanks!

Dave

KCRam

Dave, the National Automobile Dealers Association would be the only group I can think of that would have a comprehensive list of every dealer in the US. But, in this age of increased security, you would be heavily scrutinized by NADA as to why you would want such information.

kcram
Host
Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards

alefincig

I am eligible for a GM employee rate on a new Cadillac. I was told that the employee rate is the invoice price plus all taxes. The MSRP is $43,780. The invoice price is $35,200. Can I still get a better deal than the employee price of $35,200? I was also told that taxes, tags and license will run about 9%. Does that sound right? Also, does a dealer charge a fee when they have to go get a vehicle from another city because they don't have it in stock?

Thanks
Patrick

KCRam

Patrick, that's a good question for our Any Questions for a Car Dealer? discussion.

kcram
Host
Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards

Kirstie_H

I'm going to have you kick off our brand new discussion about purchasing programs. We didn't really have a good discussion for your question, but we're seeing a lot of members looking for information on how to use various programs, so I moved your post to that topic.

soonerfan

We have a friend(actually our next door neighbor)who is a F&I manager.
I have read the info here on Edmunds about the kinds of things to watch for, and I will admit the guy is a real smooth talker.
Half of me says to talk to him to see what kind of prices we can get-the other half of me says Danger Danger! Which half should I listen too?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kirstie_H

It's difficult doing business with friends - if the deal turns out sour for either one of you, you're stuck with hard feelings til one of you moves house. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to talk as long as you know that, if you don't feel good about the deal, it's OK to walk and won't damage your friendship. If you'd feel obligated to deal with him, then it's not in your best interest.

For further advice, you should visit one of these discussions:
Any Questions for a Car Dealer?
Questions About Financing New Vehicles

soonerfan

Kirstie thank you for your response.
I think we have decided that we are going to wait a while(a month or 2)before we look so we can get our homework done. Hopefully when we do buy(on our own without friends help) that won't cause any hard feelings...seems like we are caught in an endless circle of questions with no answers right now....and I just keep getting the feeling this is not the right time for us to buy new or used.
Again, thank you.

bobst

I have been here at Edmunds for a long time, and I learned a lot from the 'Inconsiderate Buyers' and 'Inconsiderate Salesmen' discussions. Sure, the postings may have gotten a little out of hand at times, but it really did help me see things from the salesman's point of view.

Based on what I read, I did change my behavior a little when we go car shopping. Sure, I still look for the best price and refuse to negotiate. However, I try to not do anything to deceive the car dealer or car salesman - namely, I make sure I do not waste their time, and I make it clear up front if I am not buying a car that day.

Lets have a topic where we buyers and salesman can go at it. The old freewheeling topics I mentioned were fun, they definitely helped me, and they probably helped others.

Kirstie_H

That's not going to happen at this point, no matter how many times the question is asked.

isellhondas

I happen to think that a lot more good than bad came from those topics. I think a lot was learned from both sides. Once in awhile, things got a bit testy but most of us knew when to back off and we recognized when we were beating a dead horse.

Bobst is a good example of a poster who could stir the pot and stimulate interesting interchange. I learned from him and I hope that was mutual.

Hopefully some of the others learned a bit as well and found some of the interchange a bit amusing. I know I did.

saturnleia

I'm new to Edmunds, but I signed on because I'm looking for recommendations on buying a new car--this seems like the best place to try posting. Specifications:

1. Price is essential. I have around $6000 to work with for a used car, and would consider a lease if anyone knows of a good deal (under $200 a month total) that would allow me lots of miles.
2. The car needs to have really good gas mileage because I travel long distances.
3. I need a TON of storage space, enough for a 5-foot keyboard/case and PA system, ideally without having to skimp on passenger space (i.e. fold down seats, etc.).
4. Dependability is really important, because I'm tired of cars breaking down on me.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Kirstie_H

I see you found the used vehicles discussion, so that's a good place to start. It sounds like you might be looking for a compact wagon or SUV/wagon crossover, though.

You might have a look at Help me select a Wagon. Have you checked out the Mazda Protege5? Value pricing, and most Mazdas have reasonable gas mileage.

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

michaellno

.... how about a "Dumb Shoppers" topic? Where we could post, and learn from each other about, the worst car-buying deals we've struck in our lifetimes.

 

You know, rolling $5000 of negative equity into a 72 month loan for a Neon, that type of stuff.

 

I'm sure we've all had a buying scenario that we would rather forget about ... but we could find a place where we could safely share those stories without being beaten up too much!

Kirstie_H

That topic has just as much propensity to turn into a bash consumers/bash salespeople as the other two, except with the worst of both combined. Wonder flames... ACTIVATE!

 

I'm considering a less inflammatory topic - I understand the enjoyment of sharing stories, but deleting a bunch of posts in the topics again would bring me certain holiday uncheer.

 

kirstie_h

Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

driftracer

"Car Buying Mistakes" or being a "Non-Smart Shopper"?

larsb

are gone? For example, oil for the engine, grease for the bearings, petroleum to make non-metal parts, etc etc.....?

 

What do we do for transportation when ALL the planet's petroleum products are COMPLETELY decimated?

 

Is there a forum to talk about this?

kyfdx

Probably. but, it probably wouldn't be an automobile forum.. Maybe you could find a horse and buggy forum..

 

Or read the history books.. And imagine life prior to the invention of the internal combustion engine.

Kirstie_H

Yeah, that's really for an environmental or natural resources board. We try to stick to what's directly relevant to automobiles. If we started with that, we'd have to have a steel manufacturing/tariffs discussion, a landfill issues for scrapped vehicles discussion... and we just aren't going down that road.

 

kirstie_h

Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

pirateman

I have just been re-directed here by host Kirstie..can anyone tellme if "fleetservices.com" is a rip-off? They have found a Lexus RX 330 and BMW X5 for about $3,000 less than the best price I can get the Boston area dealers to come down to....just have to ship the car across country for about $800. Has anyone ever bought from them and how do you feel in general about buying $40,000 vehicle, sight unseen over the internet and phone?

jlawrence01

I have never dealt with the company personally. However, upon review of their website, it appears that they are a leasing company that services small and medium sized coporations. They offer open and closed end leases.

 

From my limited experience with several leasing companies, at the termination of the lease, most leasing companies want to get rid of the vehicle as quickly as possible for the top dollar. Some offer the car to the current driver or the lessor company at a wholesale price. That gives the leasing company an opportunity to 1) sell the car for somewhat close to auction (wholesale) price without the risk of sending it to the auctions and 2) allows the leasing company to dispose of cars without having a large remarketing department (low overhead).

 

To give you an example, my wife's company uses a leasing company. At the end of the lease, she is given a "take it or leave it" price at which she can buy the car. If she passes, the car is then placed on her employers website for a month and offered to the company as a whole. If it does not sell, they send it to suction. For the record, you can generally pick up a 2 year old Taurus with 50k for $6k and an Impala for $7.5k.

 

Now getting back to your situation. I would not buy ANY vehicle sight unseen. I would arrange a viewing and an inspection by a independent mechanic before buying ANY vehicle. If the savings are as you describe, it is worth jumping on a plane and checking it out.

 

Do realize that while many companies maintain their vehicles, some vehicles are a real PITA (I have a couple in the fleet) while some have had a close encounter of the Bambi kind.

 

Hope that helps.

pirateman

Ok That helps a little I guess...appreciate the feedback. But they are not a leasing company exclusively...you can buy also. They search all over the country. In my case, they found my loaded RX330 at the Lexus Dealer of Beverly Hills and made it a point to tell me that I would be buying/leasing the vehicle from them, NOT Fleetservices.com. Note: When I checked the BBB of California, that Lexus dealer had an F rating...the Lowest...yikes!!! So now I am totally confused but I learned one thing...the Lexus Dealers in Boston area are making huge..did you hear me HUGE... profits because they won't take more than $400 (or close to) off the RX 330 MSRP. Then you get uninformed dopes walking in off the street that don't know any better and pay the MSRP. That croaks guys like you and I who do their homework.

jlawrence01

A few points:

 

1) When you lease a car, you are purchasing the use of the vehicle for a certain number of miles or a certain amount of time. Nothing more than that.

 

2) I can't speak for the Lexus dealers on either coast but the two that I have dealt with have provided the HIGHEST level of service. Compared to the Volvo/Saab and other dealerships, they have provided my driver with outstanding service.

 

3) You are looking at a model with strong demand, Why should they discount it. They are probably selling their full allocation as they generally don't stay on the lot here in Chicago for over a week.

 

4) What a surprise. Lexus dealers want to make a profit. Does that surprise you? Why are you CRYING that the dealership is making $3k on a $40k purchase? Wow, that is an 8% profit margin. Do you do the same when you buy a $1.29 Coca-Cola at McDonald's when their cost is all of 20-25 cents.

 

5) Find me a Lexus dealer who is selling much below MSRP. I haven't found one. Oh, and make sure you are doing an apples to apples comparison.

rroyce10

....... You live in Boston and your trying to get a deal out of LA.? .. your kidding right.? there's only 6,000 dealers between you and them ..

 

           This sure will make for some interesting reading in the next 4/5 weeks .................. )

 

              

 

               With bated breath,

 

                             Terry.

driftracer

in Wyoming, we sold the heck out of Toyota 4x4 supercab pickups. After a bit, the factory rep clamped down on us, and started making us take a Landcruiser (NOT a seller in Wyoming) for every 4x4 pickup and a Supra (DEFINITELY not a seller in Wyoming) for every 5 4x4 pickups.

 

The GM and owners freaked, of course, and we put our heads together - we had all of these high-dollar rides that no one in our small couple of towns or the nearby Indian reservation had any interest in.

 

I read in a magazine how people in the Northeast were getting scalped on both these vehicles, but moreso the LC (this was 1993-1994).

 

I took out an ad in Automobile magazine, cost me $75 a month, advertising LCs and Supras at MSRP, PLUS delivery charges. Even with me, or one of our drivers delivery the thing to NY, Boston, or where ever, the new owner was still saving $3-4k over what the NE dealers were getting.

 

The owner and GM was happy, the new LC or Supra owners were happy, but I think I was the happiest - I was selling 8-10 LCs per month at MSRP, on a 33% commission, and delivery at least one myself for a nice 3-4 vacation.

 

That lasted 4-5 months, and Toyota backed off on us...maybe we were nailing the NE market and those dealers had a problem with it...who knows?

Kirstie_H

Hi all - I e-mailed "pirateman" and suggested that he continue his questions in the Questions for a Car Dealer topic, so let's wait for him to appear there and continue. Thanks for all of your advice!

pirateman

Drift..I appreciate your feedback...you know the deal about New England prices and what you used to do in Wyoming is probably exactly what fleetservices is doing with the Calif Dealer. He simply shops around for a m/v that isn't selling in a particular area. I have been bumped by Kirstie to another forum..sigh...oh by the way Royce and Lewis..thanks for the flip remarks and very little insight in to the help format of this forum.

driftracer

"thanks for the flip remarks and very little insight in to the help format of this forum"

 

You appreciate my feedback, but you think I'm giving you flip remarks? I don't follow...

isellhondas

That was directed to Terry and Lewis whoever he is. Sometimes people ask questions and don't like the answers they get in return.

driftracer

Jim Lewis, in my profile - that's why the rebuttal...

kyfdx

Jim... Merry Christmas!!

 

regards,

kyfdx

driftracer

pirateman

Drift it wasn't directed at you. I DIDN'T know your name was in the profile section..oh well..Merry X-Mass...oops...I mean Happy Holidays!! I don't want to offend anyone.

driftracer

can we start a discussion about Buy Here, Pay Here dealers and transactions? I have a background in this, having worked closely with two dealers in two regions; also, I think many people who buy vehicles from small used car places may not realize that they are actually dealing with a BHPH place...

 

I think we can do some consumer help and awareness here...

steine13

What drift said. Since we're getting a wedgie over on RWTIV for being off-topic with this fascinating facet of the auto business...

-Mathias

Kirstie_H

Done!

(sorry, I was in Mexico last week)

 

kirstie_h

Roving Host

Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions

audia8q

Mexico????? It's snowing here!!!

 

stop torturing the readers.

speedway86

I have a 2002 Toyota Avalon XLS and my lease is over in Oct. 2005. I have over 72,000 miles and I've leased it.

How can I avoid the excess mileage fee. Will they waive it if I lease another Toyota?

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!

CarMan@Edmunds

Hi speedway86. This is an excellent question for the following discussion: "Lease Questions - Ask Here". Please post it there and I am sure that you will get a number of responses. Thanks.

Car_man
Host
Smart Shopper Forum

nsiriann

I was in an accident last week, and unfortunately the insurance companies totaled my car. Considering how old my car was (1990 Honda Accord) this came as no shock to me. The problem is, I wasn't planning on shopping for a car for at least 6 more months. I don't really know what I'm looking for, so this is where I'm asking for help. This is what I need:

- 4 door
- I prefer being close to the road (no trucks)
- Automatic
- Good gas milage
- Easy to maintain

Keeping in mind, I'm a new college grad that is just starting to pay on student loans, so expensive is definitely out of the question. I can afford about $300 US a month. The thing that I would like though:

- power windows
- power locks
- remote entry
- power moonroof
- ABS (I live in the northeast)

Any suggestions that anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

qbrozen

Well, what did they give you for the car? Do you have any other cash on top of that to put down?

Judging by your description, sounds like you want another Honda.

EDIT: OH, didn't realize what topic I was viewing. Host may have a better suggestion, but seems like a decent place to post this would be here.

Kirstie_H

excellent suggestion, qbrozen. That would be our Selecting and Buying My First Car discussion.

nsiriann

Thank you.