Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Purchasing Strategies - Questions & Success Stories
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Color of money is the same but its possible to start seeing more dollars signs when you think someone might be at a disadvantage.
what things should I watch out for if I go ahead and get
the car?? what could the other dealer have been doing?
The other dealer was probably about 80 miles away.
Sto lat!!! From one pole to another.
I've said this many times before. You, me, we....the customers, control what we pay for any car, or how we're treated. We hold the checkbook. We don't like the price, or how we're treated, the amount of time it takes us to say "bye-bye", is the only decision we have to make.
Thanks, have enjoyed your contributions here.
Dino, are you trying to tell my story?
It's not so much a matter of want as need- I'm driving a rental and they already have my tradein.
What's a dealer loaner?
The dealership who told me it was 95 miles got it from another dealership, who didn't check the miles. At least that's what they say...
What's the worst that could happen?
mistakes happen, even though jipster likes to think its always the salesperson/dealer lying to you
-thene
But, the thing about it is, you are paying for a vehicle that has 600+ miles... when you are suppose to be getting a vehilce with 95 miles. I would think the dealership would at least lower the selling price by at least $200 due to the
excessive mileage, and customer goodwill.
The dealership knows you are in a tight spot. They also know you are somewhat inexperienced. They "may" be trying to take advantage of you. I would call their bluff and tell them you want your deer car back and will take your business elsewhere...or lower the price to account for the increase mileage. But, thats just me. If you want the car and can't wait a bit longer... then it should be o.k to go ahead and buy. Let us know what happens and good luck.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
The eternal pessimist(not) meets the eternal optimist. :P
Better to be a bit pessimistic when dealing with dealerships... at least in my experiences.
Sure mistakes happen... but when a dealership makes a notable mistake, that affects the value of a vehicle(500+ miles more than what was promised) then they should try to make things right with the customer. That this dealership isn't even going to throw manfmnantucket a bone, leads me to believe they do not value their customers.
600 miles will hurt nothing.
Yes, the dealer should have known.
Highly doubtful they would use that kind of a car as a loaner. My guess would be one of their managers was using it.
And, don't let jipster scare you. He is one of the most negative people who post here if it has anything to do with a car dealership!
Still thinking of that old limerick!
either way, i agree with isell - i don't see the mileage as a big deal. many times dealers send drivers to pick up cars...and the driver should check mileage and car condition before bringing it back, to make sure it matches what was agreed on. sometimes though, the driver makes a mistake, and doesn't check everything before driving it back. it happens.
if you really don't feel comfortable, i would suggest not going through with it. you should feel comfortable with a purchase this big, no doubt about it. however i think you'll be fine
-thene
What's the worst that could happen?
If you’re dealing with a dishonest dealer you’ll find out in the F&I office.
My experience with almost everything that starts out bad is that it usually gets worse.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I would imagine it would knock the price down maybe several hundred dollars; this is as much of a matter of principle as it is one about money. If they know that you won't stand up for yourself in a situation like this, who knows how well they'll honor any potential warranty work in the future? I'm sharing this concern based on personal experience.
Should all else fail and you gave them a fair chance to get this situation settled, but they won't comply, just ask for your deposit back. They may tell you that your car is sold to keep you locked into the deal. If they do say so, ask them for some sort of proof of sale. In the event they did actually sell the car, you should ask for the money they made on its sale and take your business elsewhere.
Believe it or not, you hold the cards and they can't take that away from you. You simply have to stand up for yourself and be prepared to walk, despite any inconveniences. I hope that it doesn't come down to you needing to take such drastic measures. If they're as reasonable as you suggest, this should all stop at a fair price readjustment. Best of luck on your potential sale.
The fact is manfmnantucket was promised a car with 95 miles and got one with 600+. The dealership wouldn't offer any compensation. Most reasonable consumers would find this a bit alarming... and questionable behavior.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
But, to manfmnantucket it is a big deal. He wrote he was looking forward to his first new car... without the "high" mileage.
Though you are right, it is a matter of personal preference. Having 600 miles on a "new" car will most likely not affect long term reliability and means nothing to a lot of people. But, there are many people who prefer their vehicles as close to "virginal" condition as possible. Personally, if I'm buying a new vehicle and spending 20-30k... I would require it have under 100 miles...preferring under 20 miles. But, that's just sweet lovable pessimistic me.
No, actually I wouldn't consider it brand new. Not trying to scare manfmnantucket off this deal, but to me 600 miles is significant on a "new" car. You have "someone" driving this car for 3 weeks, maybe they drive responsibly, as our salesmen friends would suggest... maybe they don't. Odds are that there would be absolutely no problems with this vehicle due to the mileage. But personally, the pessimistic "part" of me wouldn't want to take
the chance.
I hear these are scarce so he may have to settle for somthing different, different color etc?
You mean "unhappy or fearful" regarding the situation, correct? I know you're not classifying a person who doesn't uncomplainingly accept an extra 500 miles on his or her "new" car as unhappy and fearful. At least I hope not.
I'm sorry, folks -- 500 miles as an "honest dealer's mistake" doesn't pass my BS test.
What in the world was done with the car over that period? Was the car used as someone's daily driver? Can the dealer promise the car was driven to the specifications laid out in the owner's manual (many makes recommend soft starts and stops, under XXXX on the tach until fully warm, and driving at varying speeds, for the first 1000 miles.)
Personally, I'd walk away. But if you can live with the notion that someone else has used your new car for X number of days or weeks, I'd ask for a discount at least equivalent to depreciation -- $200-300.
500 miles? Come on.
Agree. I'm not sure why there was even a question. I would have dropped the deal in a split second.
I hear these are scarce so he may have to settle for somthing different, different color etc?
Spoken like a true salesman!
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Whose limericks we cannot embrace.
We ask that you stop
This embarrassing flop
So our topic can stay in its place.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Well sometimes you do have to make compromises.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That statement is not true, new Hondas are not REQUIRED to have at least ten miles on them.
But, I don't think those same 600 miles will reasonably affect the long term reliability, nor longevity of the car.
If these are indeed scarce, and you really want that particular vehicle, I'd ask the dealership to....
1) extend the bumper-tobumper warranty for 1,000 miles
2) ask for some free oil changes/tire rotations
3) give you a $100 or $200 off the deal
But, if as you say, you want that NEW, new car (with few miles on it), then none of that is going to fit the bill either.
If they haven't sold your trade, ask for it back and unwind the deal. If they have sold the trade, then ask for the trade money returned to you and go shopping, again.
Salvage status is issued by your locale, an insurance company, etc, not by the dealership.
1. Would dealer treat 600-mile vehicle trade as new? I think the answer is obvious, so if 600-mile trade is used, so is 600-mile demo purchase.
2. Is it really important to have no miles on a vehicle at time of purchase? That depends on many factors, including personal preference and financial incentive to buy used. If the vehicle is sparse and the discount is decent, I would take it, of course. If on the other hand, 5 other vehicle with same specs are just sitting on the lot next to that one and the dealer isisted that 600-mile iron is worth the same as new, I see no reason to buy it.
Warranty and other issues are really secondary here.
It's really that simple.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
If I buy a car off the lot, it depends. I bought a car that I drove, liked and bought as soon as GM released it. I believe it had under 40-50 miles on it.
It certainly didn't have 600 miles. If dealers act like cars with thousands of miles are new and don't discount I agree with dino001 about what would a dealer do if I had traded the car I won in a contest without ever driving it or titling it, but it had 600 miles on it!!!
I would expect at least $1 per mile off the price if I really wanted the new one. It ain't new, it doesn't smell new, and it's been used. Otherwise I'll find another dealer or order one and wait 4 weeks at most.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Or, you walk away from it with either the car you traded, or the money (if the trade was sold).
If that Pilot only had 3 miles, the PDI tech didn't do his job. They come off the trucks with that many miles or more.
We have beat this to death.
If the buyer isn't comfortable he/she should walk away.
Otherwise every time he/she feels a vibration or smells something funny, they will think something evil happened during those 600 miles.
What bothers one person will be nothing to the next buyer.
And, tidester, these are in short supply at least in my neck of the woods.
Cool cars with lousy visability out the rear sides.
I see edmunds Trade In Values are vastly different than some dealerships as much as 5k difference. For example I went to a Nissan dealership yesterday and they did not have the car I was looking for but I decided to test drive an 04 SL with 45k in which they were asking 23,900 which i thought was very high. They also had a G35x with 60k on it that i test drove they were asking 24,365 i think.
I am looking to spend about 18-20k on a car while putting down 3-4k and financing the rest through my credit union which I have already been approved.
Am I way off here or are these prices way too high?
I saw a 04 SL when i went home and checked a different site with 40k miles and they were asking 21,900.
any input would be greatly appreciated.
I test drove a V8 Mustang they had on the lot with under 40 miles on the odo, looked at some numbers, then told them I needed to think about it (we needed to figure out if we really wanted the higher payment, and I wanted to call the insurance guy, which turned out to be the deal-breaker!).
Well, they absolutely insisted I leave the trade with them and drive the Mustang home to show the wife. None of the objections I raised had any impact. I was commuting over 70 miles a day at the time, and wouldn't be able to make it back until two days later, but they didn't care. So I accepted.
The car had close to 300 miles on it when I returned it 2 days later, shocked by the insurance quote and certainly not going to buy it. I felt bad about all the miles, but I had told them in advance and they had still insisted. They didn't seem to worry about it at all.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Probably figured they'd just roll back the miles. :P
But it depends on the car. If the car has been sitting on the lot for three months, I'm sure they would be delighted to just break even on it. Of course, there is usually a REASON a car isn't moving. Wrong color, wrong model, interior stinks etc.
Also on the right cars, we will often pay over the trade-in values you are looking at.
It's the MARKET that always determines price.
Think how much would you pay for those services if you had to do it. Then there is a cost for every day the car stays on the lot (financing, storage, etc.). Assuming that average car may sit there for 2-3 months before sold, add that cost. There is a cost of showing the car to multiple potential customers. Somebody has to take their time and do it. There is also a risk cost - when the car is acquired, it may have hidden defects that may need to be repaired before it is put on the lot. And of course "haggle room" - in used car market nobody expects to pay asking price.
All of it amounts into asking prices being thousands higher than trade in values, especially for late models, especially in franchised dealers that tend to sell quality used vehicles.
It does not mean they all of those cars are worth that much - sometimes market may force dealers to sell some cars at loss. Other time - thousands above cost of acquisition and preparation. But adding $500 to the tradein price and expecting it would be received well is unrealistic wishful thinking.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Last year, we spent an average of 1100.00 reconditioning costs on the used cars we sold. This doesn't include advertising or any of the tremendous overhead we have. It doesn't include taxes we pay or commissions.
Yet, people want to pay what we pay for these cars?
I guess the question I would ask is this..."If you invested, say, 20,000 in something, what kind of return would you expect for your investment"?
And, yes, there is a tremendous risk.
-thene :confuse: