Stories from the Sales Frontlines

grandtotal

When I owned a Honda the dealer tried to sell me an extended warranty before the 3 year / 60,000km warranty ended stating that it was not possible to extend it afterwards. I didn't buy. Fast forward 12 months and the same dealer is again offering the extended warranty (genuine Honda Canada warranty). I asked how that was possible and was told that they are allowed to sell it until 4 years/ 80,000km. I still didn't buy it.

fezo

I'm not terribly concerned about the extended warranty. For a bargain it would be nice but now I'll just put that $1,600 in my car account such as it is and I'll bet I don't use that much in non-powertrain repair in 100K. It's a CPO so the powertrain is covered up to 100K.

I finally turned in the rental and am back in my own car. My daughter has learned the stick well enough to drive the Accord and is using it as we speak.

jayrider

Maybe the dealer had 2 more like it an wholesaled it out. Maybe they needed to reduce inventory to deal with cash flow issues. Maybe they have a relationship with this dealer and do deals that benefit each other. Maybe the used car dealer is the toyota's dealers son. Just speculating.

verdugo

How about a gold grill and some gold rims?

Don't forget a gold tooth or two...

That's what a grill is :P

isellhondas

Actually, last December the Explorer battery died.

I looked at the date code and it was eight years old!

So, I went to NAPA and bought what it called for, a heavy duty 1000 AMP monster of a battery that was a HEAVY nasty thing to install.

That's the battery that kicked it right over after two months.

For 100.00 plus dollars, I wouldn't have expected any less!

roadburner

My wife usually know exactly what car she wants; when our son goes off to college in three years she is planning on buying some iteration of the Mini- most likely a Clubman or Countryman.
As far as tacky accessories go, the local Cadillac dealers still love to slap that garish junk on their new cars. I don't know how they expect Cadillac to be mentioned in the same breath as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes when their showroom could easily be mistaken for Pimp Heaven...

fezo

Yeah, I still see Caddys around with all that junk. I liked the fact that even into his 80s my dad had no use for that. He did like any cool things they'd put in the cabin though.

Gee, for over $100 Craig's batter should have been gold plated!

deltheking

Probably he got it at the height of Toyota recall drama in february. :P And I think it`s not a popular color. The Ebay seller has sold about 500 cars and his feedback is excellent.

This is my 3rd Ebay online purchase- the previous 2 also like this one -a Toyo and a Lexus- were from Florida. And both have been flawless.. I normally buy cars that are located in the southern regions like Florida,Texas,Arizona/Utah etc --as there is no salt/snow used on the roads. Yes, they may have been driven to the Northeast but you can look up Carfax or Autocheck for that. And yes,some would say,Florida cars can be exposed to flooding !

For me it is so easy to buy this way online.Just shop/surf on Ebay,select your car ,do some Ebay research on the seller and buy it.. The price you see is the price you pay.The greatest advantage of online buying is the vast selection not available at my local dealer. :shades:

fezo

I bought my Celica on Ebay. In this case it was within an houra nd a half from my house and I made a point that it was contingent n being as represented but it more or less was - enough so that obviously I bought it.

lrguy44

A recent survey I read in one of my Automobile business journals says you are in a group of 1% who buys this way - sight unseen and never driven. 92% of buyers research on the internet but buy at a dealer location. I guess the others do no research.

explorerx4

i have had my mustang for about 19 years.
it is driven occasionally from May through September/October and sits the rest of the time in the garage.
usually i start it in February just for grins. one time i let it sit for 2 years.
every battery has lasted at least 6 years. last time, i bought a long life battery, so i'm expecting to get 8 or 9 years out of it.

deltheking

I would agree. Ebay crossed 1 million car sales. So for the last 5 yrs--say 200k cars per car.. So 1% roughly. But I think the # will increase significantly this decade ! And there will be more internet salesmen,I feel.

dave8697

Counting on that for two math classes this summer at IUPUI. There is no option for core CE classes anywhere within 200 miles. Still hoping to hold the overage to one semester extra at Purdue.

Fortunately, the stimulus bill added an Edu Tax Credit that will add a couple thousand extra spread over my next 3 tax refunds.

tjc78

Not sure what type of tires came with it, but OEM tires usually aren't the best

It came with Dunlop SP Sport 5000M. I had to replace one at a cost of $250, so I would assume they are not junk. I have to think a set of Michelins or Bridgestone Serenity would be a bit better, but probably wouldn't stop the jittery characteristic.

fezo

Can't speak for them on a Genisis but I had Dunlops like that somewhere back. I liked them.

Who knows?

snakeweasel

There's nothing stopping you from carrying your opener around with you in a situation like that, if you need to leave your car someplace and still get into your garage.

You can get a wireless keypad for the garage door opener, you can even set codes in them that are single use or set for a given number of days so you don't have to give your main code out for your neighbors to feed the dog.

tjc78

had Dunlops like that somewhere back. I liked them

The only thing I can really complain about with the Dunlops is the traction in snow, its non-existent.

explorerx4

speaking of garage doors (springs), we had one break last night.
the repair guy showed up wearing a yankee cap.
when he looked around my garage, he noticed all the yankee stuff i had in it, so we had an immediate connection.
he charged me the price i had gotten when i called for the repair, but he replaced everything other than the door panels, including springs that were twice as strong looking as the original ones.
not only that, one of my neighbors stopped by and asked him to stop by and fix one their doors, too.
biancar, i was nice and didn't tell him they are red sox fans.
not like selling a car, but a good sales day for him.

fezo

Now see if I had seen the Yankee stuff I'd have charged you extra.... And use cheaper springs....

explorerx4

the last door repair guy must have been a red sox fan, you know, second tier. :P

fezo

There are worse fates. I'm a Mets fan.

I have to admit - I'm loving the Camry. It has just a killer stereo which, when combined with Camry quietness, makes for a heck of rolling listening room. Yeah, it's got like a zero in road feel but I understand why they sell so many of them.

jipster

It came with Dunlop SP Sport 5000M. I had to replace one at a cost of $250, so I would assume they are not junk.

The OEM Dunlops we had on our 2004 MPV were expensive tires (I think theSP Sport 4000 rated H) , but they pretty much sucked. Thankfully wore out and had replaced at around 26k miles. Ride is much better with Goodyear Tripletreds. A "sport" tire is probably not what you want to lessen a "jittery" ride. Maybe the Goodyear Comfortred. Some tire shops will let you try the tires out and return them, for little or no cost, if you don't like them.

[Deleted User]

I checked into tire reviews located on a reputable tire site which I've used in the past, and what I found was an overwhelmingly negative opinion of the Dunlop. In particular was one Genesis owner who described the same type of handling you've identified. That owner switched to the same tire I have, the Continental Extreme DWS, and noticed a significant improvement. Most owners reported short tread life from the Dunlops, so it appears that you'll have an opportunity to experience the Genesis with better shoes in the near future. Best of luck and I hope you find an option that makes you happier with the car while you're still under lease.

Oh, first post here, but I've lurked in the past.

On topic: I've been shopping for a Subaru Outback, but a recent job change has resulted in a company car, so no purchase in the near future. I'm not fond of the vehicle options, but it's free to me and I certainly can't turn it down.

sterlingdog

Dave, I just thought about something. Don't forget distance learning classes over the internet. Some students do those while on campus taking a full load. I taught a distance learning course. From the teacher's perspective, I hated it. I missed being with my students. The one advantage was that I could teach the course wearing only my drawers. :P

Richard

sterlingdog

I paid $65. How much was your bill?

Richard

sterlingdog

Though the price was a little high, it sounds as if you have a great battery.

Richard

driver100

Camry quietness, makes for a heck of rolling listening room. Yeah, it's got like a zero in road feel but I understand why they sell so many of them

Guess that is why they make different cars, and people buy different cars.

I would take superior handling over superior sound myself, but that is just me.

The RAV4 also had numb steering, but the radio was so poor I sometimes thought they were speaking a foreign language in Florida (and it wasn't Spanish). I am not sure of the positives, except lots of room inside, and reliability.

But no road feel, you might as well use a taxi..

graphicguy

Richard....I've been amazed at how much of my son's course load was done via the internet...even though he's going to a school that doesn't specialize in distance learning.

Yeah, he'd get the syllabus and course materials on the first day of class. And, he'd have to take mid-terms and finals on campus. But, as far as lectures were concerned, seems as if the profs couldn't care less if you showed up, as their course notes were on-line. For the same reasons you stipulated. I urged my son to go to the lectures in person. That way, he could interact with the prof, as well as those others attending the lectures to hear questions and answers.

Some of the bigger classes (50-75 students) that interaction just wasn't possible, though. Plus, seems as if the profs today leave a whole lot of the work to their grad students to take care of.

Quite a bit different than when I went to college.

I've always been curious about the places who specialize in distance learning....like U. of Phoenix. Are those types of places accredited?

snakeweasel

There are worse fates. I'm a Mets fan.

You know its not to late to come back from the dark side.

snakeweasel

I would take superior handling over superior sound myself, but that is just me.

But no road feel, you might as well use a taxi..

I used to take frequent long drawn out drives on the Interstate highways, trust me road feel is a negative and handling is useless in that situation. Drive between Denver and Chicago and you will want a soft ride and only need the handling characteristics of an aircraft carrier. Especially if you do it in a day.

tjc78

Thankfully wore out and had replaced at around 26k miles. Ride is much better with Goodyear Tripletreds. A "sport" tire is probably not what you want to lessen a "jittery" ride

You are probably right. If they only last about 26K I will be very disaappointed. When leasing a car for 3 years/36K you shouldn't expect to have to change out tires. I hear nothing but good things about those Tripletreads, if the opportunity ever arises I will certainly try them out.

tjc78

Best of luck and I hope you find an option that makes you happier with the car while you're still under lease.

There were some owners (on another forum) who changed out their tires and did say it made a little improvement. Not sure if I'll put more than 30K on this car, so I hope they make it. However, that may not be the case as I have read several people replacing at 25K.

stickguy

Met fan? I knew there was a reason I liked you!

Have faith brother, this year won't be that bad.

roadburner

I'm currently running Dunlop Direzza Star Specs on the Club Sport. They have amazing grip wet or dry. They are the perfect dual-purpose street/track tire.
On a somewhat more sedate note, I've replaced the Pirelli PZero Nero M+S tires on the MS3 and X3 with the latest UHP A/S Pirelli- the PZero Nero All Season. The Pirelli M+S tires lasted 28,000 miles on the MS3 and 48,000 miles on the X3, which I think is more than acceptable in both cases. The prices weren't bad either; $675 installed on the MS3, $616 installed on the X3(Thanks, Tire Rack!).

isellhondas

Oh. I cold have shopped around and probably spent 20.00 less for a battery but I didn't have time and I wanted to get it done. The NAPA store sells heavy duty high capacity batteries so that's what I put in it. I don't believe in cheap batteries.

fezo

And wisely so. A cheap battery will almost always reveal its cheapness at the worst possible moment at which point you will kick yourself over the few bucks you saved over the short term.

fezo

The one advantage was that I could teach the course wearing only my drawers.

Oh, thanks for THAT image!.... :sick:

fezo

My old 87 Maxima used to like Dunlop A2s. I used them on the Accord for quite a while as well.

I need to buy a set of tires for the Accord now that my daughter has it.

Meanwhile, I had the guy from Enterprise drive me home after returning the rental. He was in a new Maxima. What a nice car!

jmonroe

Most owners reported short tread life from the Dunlops, so it appears that you'll have an opportunity to experience the Genesis with better shoes in the near future.

And here’s another one that will get that honor.

I have almost 14K on mine and as far as I’m concerned they’re gone. They will pass PA state inspection (due by the end of April) but that’s about it. I won’t get another 4K out of them. Dunlops are the worst tires I have ever had. I had 2 as replacement tires on my ’95 Bonneville beast in 2003 that were gone at 10K, with a tread wear warranty of 50K (I think).

I told this tale a while back but I’ll repeat it since we’re talking tires again. I got them at NTB and when I took them back the guy said, “I can replace them under warranty but I can’t give you Dunlops again because we don’t carry them anymore”. I said, “thank the tire gods for that. I don’t want that tire again”. :mad:

Son # 1 looked at my tires and said, “that’s what you can expect from performance tires. Since you plan on replacing them, let me take them to the track next week (kick off of track season here) and I’ll finish them off for you”. He’s been itching to take the Genny to the track for a year now to see how it performs and figured I’d bite on the offer. Nope, he’s still not going to run that car.

Oh, first post here, but I've lurked in the past.

Stick around, you'll like it.

‘tjc78’…if I got 25K out of those Dunlops I’d be doing flip flops in my skivvies around the neighborhood, twice (something else you might not want to see 'fez').

jmonroe

tjc78

if I got 25K out of those Dunlops I’d be doing flip flops in my skivvies

Looks like I have tire replacements in my future... I was hoping for 30K. All evidence appears its not gonna happen.

jipster

I have almost 14K on mine and as far as I’m concerned they’re gone. They will pass PA state inspection (due by the end of April) but that’s about it. I won’t get another 4K out of them

That was a Dunlop SP 4000 tire I had on the MPV. Currently available at Sears for $200. Don't wait till you get to the wear bars, they'll be long gone before then. I was probably at 4/32 or maybe 5/32 of tred left (maybe 5-7k miles of legal tred left), the suckers had pretty much lost all grip. They spun, as if I were on a giant tub of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter", while trying to pull out of a gas station during a family vacation. It wasn't too long after that I had them replaced with the Tripletreds.

Some people like to push the envelope when it comes to getting mileage out of a tire. Yeah, I may be an ole cheapster, but when my tires start to lose grip and show their age, I have them replaced... despite however many miles may be left on the tred.

jipster

Looks like I have tire replacements in my future... I was hoping for 30K. All evidence appears its not gonna happen.

I must have missed the part where you said you had a lease. So, don't know how much you'd want to spend on tires if you end up needing tires with only 8 months left on the lease. But, there are plenty of quality less expensive tires you'd probbaby like. BF Goodrich Traction T&A would be a good bet, Yokohama makes some good tires as well.

lrguy44

The only trouble with not replacing tires happens at lease end. Unless there is a wear care type insurance product attached to the lease, the leasing company will bill the customer for replacing the bald tires.

tjc78

Yeah, I got stuck on my Avalon as well. At at 26K the Turanza EL400s were getting thin. I replaced them knowing that even if I stretched it the leasing company will not accept bald tires. Its kind of a shame my previous cars on 3yr 36K leases didn't need tires.

fezo

My experience with Dunlops was indeed that they wore quickly.

Depending on what you want out of a tire there are all sorts of choices. Tire rack has an online guide. You plug in your priorities and it makes recommendations. Generally for my wife I go comfort, performance, mileage. For myself I go performance, comfort mileage. I find that tires built for high mileage are neither comfortable nor friendly to performance. More like driving Fred Flintstone's car.

So now I've got jmonroe in his skivvies. You and richard should make a team...

lrguy44

I have used Tire Rack for years for research. Then I buy thru the dealer and get a better price. I put General AT2 Grabber (SUV/TRUCK Tire) on my 4Runner and love them. UTOG, survey results and warranty are the important items to me when researching.

fezo

Yeah, that's what I do. Research on tire rack and then give the business to the local guy.

jipster

the leasing company will bill the customer for replacing the bald tires.

What is the terminology used in most lease agreements in reguards to tires condition upon return of vehicle. I would think anything over "legal" would be okay... which is pretty close to "bald".

I'm guessing most would require 5/32" of tred remaining on a tire. If close to being under that when turning in a lease, may be a good idea to put on a set of used tires to save some money.

tjc78

I checked Hyundai Financial and here is what they say regarding tires. Hann Financial who I had on my Avalon was virtually the same IIRC

Missing or mismatched tires
Any tire of less than equal quality to original
tread depth of less than 1/8 inch at shallowest point

michaellno

BF Goodrich Traction T&A would be a good bet

I know it's a sample size of one, but I hated my BFG Traction T/A's that I had on my '03 Saturn L300. Got less than 30K out of them before they were in need of replacement.