my hips hurt too (along with most everything else most days). Better stay away from you!
j/k. I couldn't imagine having to do that to my yellow lab (also about 75 pounds now), but hopefully it isn't an issue for a long time, since he is just about 5.5 right now, and still acts like he is about 2.
Very sorry to hear that fezo. We are entrusted to look after our pets lives, and unfortunately we sometimes have to make this big decision. Even though putting down a pet is one of the most difficult things we do, it is often the wisest choice we can make.
Gromit has lived a good and long life, and that is all we can ask for.
Richard, a new puppy is fantastic for you and your wife !! At only 8 weeks old that puppy will soak up your and your wife's wonderful nature and become a joy in your lives. Congrats, and keep us posted.
Maybe I can get a two for one deal. Leave me your car....
'fez'...I don't think that's what 'stick' had in mind. He's crying to the wrong group. All we care about is cars and as a result you're going to have a fight on your hands over his car. I think the only fair way to do this when we have 'stick' whacked, is to draw straws or have a lottery. :surprise:
I don't even care what he's driving. I want in on this.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I feel for you and for Richard. As I recounted some moths back, one of our dogs disappeared for two weeks into the wilds of MI in January after our interstate accident. The waiting and wondering was brutal. Thankfully our miracle retriever mix is back, but he is 11+ now and our Basenji is 14 1/2. We're just trying to enjoy every day and brace as best we can for their eventual passing.
Sweebie (our retriever mix) isn't quite as heavy as your lab-mix, I suspect due to either some shepherd or border collie attributes. He isn't fearful of getting into my car, but he hasn't yet ridden in my wife's replacement vehicle.
To keep this car related, we just mounted a 1 1/4" hitch to the Scion xB to hold a hitch rack for my bicycle(s). Our main cross country vehicles have gotten too tall to easily utilize a roof rack anymore. I hate to say this, but the bicycle hitch rack is a lot nicer than the Scion. :confuse:
Hi! Thanks for the "doggie" comments. We are excited. We are three hours from Wilmington. We live in Pinehurst which has 38 golf courses, the famous PGA #2, and the World Golf Hall of Fame. I don't play golf, but my wife does. We moved here when we retired because of family. My only sibling, a sister, has built a retirement home here. My nephew, who designs golf courses for Greg Norman, also lives here. My family is very small so we figured that we would stick together. It has been a nice arrangement. Coco is living at the adoption agency in Wilmington. We have to go there to get him. They will finish his training program later this week. We're just waiting to go.
Steve, I'm so sorry to hear about Gromit. I know your pain and I'll be thinking about you. It just killed my soul to have to tell the vet to put Sterling down. Still, Sterling was suffering so much from cancer, I couldn't stand it another day. My wife finally agreed that it was the only humane thing to do. You're doing the right thing. We don't want our loved ones to suffer.
It's strange how we sense things. I had a feeling that you and I shared the same problem, though neither of us ever mentioned it openly. I'm going in Tuesday to see a new orthopedic surgeon. Pain issues in the left leg are beyond tolerance now. I don't complain. Life is too good. Others have worse problems. Besides, it isn't my driving leg.
Thanks for the kind words, Richard. However, I have to admit that my inclination to say exactly what I really thought did land me in hot water more than once over my 22 years of service...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Any chance one of the guys in the 'biz could swing over to RWTIV? I got a friend trying to buy a car, and has no clue what to hold out for on her 2002 CRV. any help, greatly appreciated, and I promise to relate the story (in all it's potentially gory details) over here!
about grinders who "will drive 100 miles to another dealership to save $50 on a car." I know you can't win 'em all, but how do you deal with your competitors who are "giving cars away?" We all know the other dealership is making it up somewhere whether it be in financing or extended warranty, but that $50 is getting the customer out of your showroom & into a competitior's. I know many times the car itself isnt't the same, but in Honda's case, a Civic LX is a Civic LX & a Pilot Touring is a Pilot Touring.
Just curious. I had a new customer walk into my store the other day. He's doing a small job in the neighborhood & needs a few things to finish up. So as I'm pricing up his ticket, he asks me the price of a few common items (baseboard radiators, 5' steel bathtubs, 3/4" x 10' black pipe - domestic...) I give him the price & he tells me what he buys the items for at the plumbing supply houses he normally deals with. He gives me prices that are either at my cost or below. I had to politely tell him that I can't match or beat the prices. It is just crazy what people will do just to move merchandise & keep the doors open.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The nice thing about car sales is you can build value in the vehicle, yourself and the dealership. Rapore and knowledge has overcome price many times. Craig, I cannot wait for the day I can say that directly to a customer - although over the years I have said that nicely to a few.
Yeah, richard, you and I seem to share a lot of issues - heck, even thinking coming in here originally that the sales guys were crazy!
Actually most of the ones in here have been cool from the start. I've known Craig for more than a dozen years. Time flies.
I could mention the ones that really were insane but it is no doubt against policy here. As a clue one sold Potiacs. That's not a misspelling on my part.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
A couple months after Son #1 gets married they buy a house. A couple of months after that he decided to get something that didn’t talk back so he decided to get a dog from a shelter. They also got a Black Lab mix (not sure what the other part is because he looks pretty authentic other than he’s a little thinner than a pure bred). Now they have three boys and the kids couldn’t imagine life any other way.
Anyway, when they were about to get a puppy (8 weeks old) from a shelter they called first and they also had to go through some kind of a check of sorts. Finally, arrangements are made for them to go get the pooch and they meet after work at the shelter but the pooch isn’t there. They are told the puppy is at Dog Therapy. Needless to say their hearts dropped because they were told the puppy was in excellent health. My Son says, “what’s wrong with the puppy”? The woman says, “oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scared you, the puppy is just fine. This is the day we take dogs to a home to visit the elderly. This really makes their day and your puppy was the last puppy we had here. We debated about whether we should send him but since they really like to see the puppies, by default, your puppy went along. He should be back in about twenty minutes or so”.
So, don’t get all excited if your pooch isn’t there when you show up.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
he buys the items for at the plumbing supply houses he normally deals with. He gives me prices that are either at my cost or below.
The problem is we don't know if the quality is the same or if he is really telling the truth. Possibly it is a larger supplier and they get bigger discounts than you do.
All you can do is give him the best price you can based on the volume he will do with you, your cost price and costs, and then let the chips fall where they may. Some customers only want the lowest price possible. If that isn't your market you can't compete against the guys who are making lowest possible pricing their business plan.
On the other hand, you do have to offer something. Better quality, more knowledge, more choice, friendlier service, complete satisfaction, faster service, honesty, etc.
After doing the application, getting a reference from our vet, getting a reference from our groomer, getting a personal reference, doing the telephone interview, and making the deposit, Coco had better be there when we get the call to pick him up! The owners are up in your neck of the woods delivering puppies---PA, NY, NJ, and CT. We're waiting for them to get back.
When people buy new cars, I wonder if they ever consider the quality of the service department in their decision to buy from a certain dealer. For example, I may pay a little more for the car at my local Chrysler dealer, but their service department has such a good reputation along with their sales staff. That is important to me when I consider that I will own the car for several years and will need good maintenance.
After doing the application, getting a reference from our vet, getting a reference from our groomer, getting a personal reference, doing the telephone interview, and making the deposit,
You getting a dog or a intercontinental ballistic missile? That's a lot of red tape and hoops to jump thru for a puppy. :confuse:
Congrats on getting a pup. We also have a dog named Cocoa (with an "a")... middle name Krispy. She is a 4 year old pure breed chocolate lab. A co-worker, who just started breeding them, was nice enough to give me second pick of the litter. She's so spoiled... after only a few minutes outside she's back at the door barking to get back in.
Except you sell a product that is really unique and the stores that sell LR's are few and far between
Actually, there are 5 LR dealers in Colorado with 3 being in the metro area. The other stores are the low price leaders but we sell more LRs based on our sales approach and knowledge. If there is anything of importance to the customer that you can build value on, it could lead to a premium. I might add that the most demoralizing thing to me is to educate and not get a last look.
You getting a dog or a intercontinental ballistic missile? That's a lot of red tape and hoops to jump thru for a puppy.
I've told this one before but we went through tons of paperwork, fees, investigations and were approved to adopt a baby in China. Two countries had to sign off on it and the state as well.
When we applied to adopt a dog we were turned down as not suitable.
Claire, that daughter, is great with the dogs we got through other channels. She's actually the reason Gromit is still around but we can't put that off much longer.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
there are 2 large honda dealers in my area that I am about 1/2 way in between. Both in new facilities, huge service departments, nice customer service, etc. we bought our Odyessy at one, because they had what we wanted (when they were first out), and the price was better. The other place also pre-added a ~$700 accessory pack.
But, a year later, they had the leftover Accord I wanted, and coughed it up for a fire sale price. So, I bought there.
But, the 2nd place is more convenient, so I always took both cars (and now my Acura) to them for service. And I have never been treated any differently (including getting a courtesy warrantly fix) on either car. They do not care where it was bought, as long as I am giving them the money.
What I find is the difference in one dealer or another is that if you bought there they'll give you a service loaner. That is a nice thing for me. Not an absolute deal breaker but it certainly comes in convenient.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Hi, A follow up to my 2001 Saturn SC purchase. Thanks Isell, Driver, Richard, Jmonroe and all you folks for the responses. I purchased the Saturn on Saturday.. It`s a 2001 Saturn SC1 coupe-90k miles,clear title-everything works:2 dr coupe,auto tranny, coldAC, stereo is working ,manual windows and original sports red color. Looks to be well maintained. Driven mostly in Texas as per carfax/Autocheck-- so ,no rust or salty roads. OTD price with all TTL was $2.8k. Actual market value of that Saturn may be lower - but it was well maintained, very good cosmetically, never smoked in , good sports red color with really good fuel economy :30+ easily in the city and more on highways. So will be good for NYC traffic. :shades:
Jmonroe: as you said -very tough to drive a manual in NYC. I have driven a manual I think only once or twice in my life.
Regarding road feel-- man ,what a titanic difference between my Lexus/Camry and Saturn. Feels like there is a time lag of about a whole generation between these . Even compared to a Corolla of that generation -- it is so behind the times. No wonder GM went bankrupt. And boy --Yes, I have the road feel and the road noise now-- loud and clear !! Folks complaining about Honda`s road feel and noise including me-- should drive one of these to actually literally feel and hear it. But the stereo in it is really good !! :P
For about a year, this will be fun. Never imagined I would be driving a Saturn. It is the total opposite of a boaty,plushy,quiet ride-- as far as it gets literally. But for now then -- it is a Saturn !!! If it gets through for 1 year in NYC,then it has done it`s job !!:D
I can pretty much assume which dealers you are talking about (Burns and the Turnersville complex). I can honestly say I have shopped three separate times at the Tunersville complex (Toy, Nissan, & Hyundai) and have been ran off everytime. Burns OTOH was absolutely fantastic when I bought my Genesis. I noticed they do have the add-ons on some cars, but mine was a dealer trade so it wasn't a problem.
Haven't dealt with either but a late, great Edmunds poster lived in Cherry Hill and Burns were the guys he went with. He bought an Ody there when buying one was not an easy thing.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Then there are the people who love our Service Dept but they will still shop our numbers everywhere. Just because they use and love our Service Dept doesn't mean they are loyal otherwise.
Then there are the customers who will bring the tinest little rattle into us to have fixed but once the warranty is over, we never see us again.
They will find 5.00 off coupons and go to the Quickie Lubes or find their mechanics on Craigslist.
are key with my family's purchase. Our service advisor & service department at our local BMW dealer has been nothing short of exceptional since my Dad leased his first X5 way back in 2004.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
In our family, service and support are also key buying elements. This is why we owned Saturns for so many years ... the dealerships just took great care of us.
When we bought the MINI last month, they took fantastic care of my daughter and walked her through the whole process. The owners of the MINI dealer also own a BMW and a Honda store.
Wife made the comment that when the time comes to get another car, we'll probably start at those dealerships, given the level of service they provide. And, this is coming from a woman who isn't terribly fond of Hondas! Also, because she works for a school district, she feels it wouldn't be right for her to be seen driving a BMW.
Don't worry, honey - the BMW would be my car so you won't have to suffer that fate!
In her mind, it isn't the product so much as the dealer - to her, a car is a car, regardless of the manufacturer. We were talking about this over the weekend and she firmly believed that GM and Chrysler shouldn't have been bailed out; there is no "Divine Right of Corportations" and no such thing as "too big to fail".
When people buy new cars, I wonder if they ever consider the quality of the service department in their decision to buy from a certain dealer.
My wife and I certainly do. In fact, my wife is extremely reluctant to consider anything other than a BMW- in large part because of the excellent treatment she receives from our dealer's service department. In 2007 I was very interested in a new GTI, but every VW dealer in a 150 radius had a hopeless service department. I ended up buying my Mazdaspeed from a Mazda dealer @100 miles from my home, primarily because my local Mazda dealer had shady sales practices and a famously inept service department.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
They were completely no nonsense. We came to a deal in less than 30 minutes, and they did a dealer trade without question. When I went to pick up the car I did it on my lunch and was back to the office in an hour. The price was great too!
tic named them. Got the van in turnersville (at a big discount, when the new 2005 design was still hard to get). The Accord was from burns, and managed to haggle that to a lot cheaper than they probably expected to go, but when you buy a 2005 left over a week before christmas (and it is one of the last 2 sticks, if not the last one), the buyer should get a hell of a deal!
And, neither dealer has loaner cars, but Burns has a shuttle van that I used a few times, and is closer to my house, so they get all the service work.
I know many times the car itself isnt't the same, but in Honda's case, a Civic LX is a Civic LX & a Pilot Touring is a Pilot Touring.
You hit the nail squarely on the head. A Civic LX is a Civic LX is a Civic LX. And a Mustang GT is a Mustang GT ia a Mustang GT. And a [insert favorite car name here] is a [reinsert favorite car name here] is a [Again reinsert favorite car name here].
Once you decide on the make, model, trim and options you want does it really matter where you buy the car? Will it ride better if you buy it from dealership "A"? Get better gas mileage if you bought it from dealership "B"? Go faster if you bought it from dealership "C"? last longer if you bought it from dealership "D?
The answer is no to all of these, fact is that once you drive it off the lot your experience with the car will be nearly identical regardless of where you bought it from. So the question becomes why should I buy from one dealership over another? The answer is price.
Now thats not to say one should put up with really lousy service or travel all over to save a few bucks. But if I know I could save a few hundred a few miles away what keeps me at a particular dealership?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
You getting a dog or a intercontinental ballistic missile? That's a lot of red tape and hoops to jump thru for a puppy
A good breeder is very fussy where they will place their dogs. Some even stipulate that if you ever have to get rid of the dog it must be returned to them (the breeder).
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Spoken like a true accountant. I have found over the years that price is not the only criteria that motivate people to buy. It can be as simple as the professional way a dealership operates and the professionalism of the salesman. A good service department will make money for both the new and used car departments. A bad service department will cost sales. Owner loyalty is a big item. Personally, over half my business is repeat and referral. Have I lost business on price - of course. But I do not lose business over a couple of hundred dollars.
Reread what I wrote, I didn't state that price is the only criteria. However there is only so much value the sales experience can bring especially when it is only a few short hours compared with the 2-10+ years that someone will own the car.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Congratulations. You found the right car at the right price. After a while, it's nice to just have a problem solved, Now you're all set; the car will be fine for a year. It will also be nice not to be worried about what happens to it in NYC. When you get there, we'll be anxious to hear how it works out for you. Best wishes.
Comments
j/k. I couldn't imagine having to do that to my yellow lab (also about 75 pounds now), but hopefully it isn't an issue for a long time, since he is just about 5.5 right now, and still acts like he is about 2.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Very sorry to hear that fezo. We are entrusted to look after our pets lives, and unfortunately we sometimes have to make this big decision. Even though putting down a pet is one of the most difficult things we do, it is often the wisest choice we can make.
Gromit has lived a good and long life, and that is all we can ask for.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Maybe I can get a two for one deal. Leave me your car....
I hurt all over but we'll ignore that. Have had arthritis since my teens.
'fez'...I don't think that's what 'stick' had in mind. He's crying to the wrong group. All we care about is cars and as a result you're going to have a fight on your hands over his car. I think the only fair way to do this when we have 'stick' whacked, is to draw straws or have a lottery. :surprise:
I don't even care what he's driving. I want in on this.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I feel for you and for Richard. As I recounted some moths back, one of our dogs disappeared for two weeks into the wilds of MI in January after our interstate accident. The waiting and wondering was brutal. Thankfully our miracle retriever mix is back, but he is 11+ now and our Basenji is 14 1/2. We're just trying to enjoy every day and brace as best we can for their eventual passing.
Sweebie (our retriever mix) isn't quite as heavy as your lab-mix, I suspect due to either some shepherd or border collie attributes. He isn't fearful of getting into my car, but he hasn't yet ridden in my wife's replacement vehicle.
To keep this car related, we just mounted a 1 1/4" hitch to the Scion xB to hold a hitch rack for my bicycle(s). Our main cross country vehicles have gotten too tall to easily utilize a roof rack anymore. I hate to say this, but the bicycle hitch rack is a lot nicer than the Scion. :confuse:
Gogiboy
I used to live there, right off High Ridge :-)
Tanks!
Being allegedly politically incorrect, I'm still a REDSKIN fan (not a REDHAWK fan)!
Richard
Richard
Richard
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Just curious. I had a new customer walk into my store the other day. He's doing a small job in the neighborhood & needs a few things to finish up. So as I'm pricing up his ticket, he asks me the price of a few common items (baseboard radiators, 5' steel bathtubs, 3/4" x 10' black pipe - domestic...) I give him the price & he tells me what he buys the items for at the plumbing supply houses he normally deals with. He gives me prices that are either at my cost or below. I had to politely tell him that I can't match or beat the prices. It is just crazy what people will do just to move merchandise & keep the doors open.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
If a store can't make a decent profit, why bother selling the product?
I was at a huge Garage Sale yesterday and the chislers were there too.
One guy said " Your prices are too high!"
I loved the seller's answer " Oh, you think so.?..GET OUT! "
Actually most of the ones in here have been cool from the start. I've known Craig for more than a dozen years. Time flies.
I could mention the ones that really were insane but it is no doubt against policy here. As a clue one sold Potiacs. That's not a misspelling on my part.
I have a tale about this.
A couple months after Son #1 gets married they buy a house. A couple of months after that he decided to get something that didn’t talk back so he decided to get a dog from a shelter. They also got a Black Lab mix (not sure what the other part is because he looks pretty authentic other than he’s a little thinner than a pure bred). Now they have three boys and the kids couldn’t imagine life any other way.
Anyway, when they were about to get a puppy (8 weeks old) from a shelter they called first and they also had to go through some kind of a check of sorts. Finally, arrangements are made for them to go get the pooch and they meet after work at the shelter but the pooch isn’t there. They are told the puppy is at Dog Therapy. Needless to say their hearts dropped because they were told the puppy was in excellent health. My Son says, “what’s wrong with the puppy”? The woman says, “oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scared you, the puppy is just fine. This is the day we take dogs to a home to visit the elderly. This really makes their day and your puppy was the last puppy we had here. We debated about whether we should send him but since they really like to see the puppies, by default, your puppy went along. He should be back in about twenty minutes or so”.
So, don’t get all excited if your pooch isn’t there when you show up.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
The problem is we don't know if the quality is the same or if he is really telling the truth. Possibly it is a larger supplier and they get bigger discounts than you do.
All you can do is give him the best price you can based on the volume he will do with you, your cost price and costs, and then let the chips fall where they may. Some customers only want the lowest price possible. If that isn't your market you can't compete against the guys who are making lowest possible pricing their business plan.
On the other hand, you do have to offer something. Better quality, more knowledge, more choice, friendlier service, complete satisfaction, faster service, honesty, etc.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Wiht Hondas it's possible to demonstrate and build value too and sell the customers on yourself and the store you work for.
But, with so many customers now, they don't care about those things. They have already researched the cars to death and ALL they care about is PRICE!
I probably would have stuck around a couple more years but I just got tired getting played against ever store in the state for a few lousy bucks!
Hope your son and family have enjoyed their pup.
Richard
Richard
You getting a dog or a intercontinental ballistic missile? That's a lot of red tape and hoops to jump thru for a puppy. :confuse:
Congrats on getting a pup. We also have a dog named Cocoa (with an "a")... middle name Krispy.
Actually, there are 5 LR dealers in Colorado with 3 being in the metro area. The other stores are the low price leaders but we sell more LRs based on our sales approach and knowledge. If there is anything of importance to the customer that you can build value on, it could lead to a premium. I might add that the most demoralizing thing to me is to educate and not get a last look.
The quick answer is yes, to some people a good service department will be worth a premium.
I've told this one before but we went through tons of paperwork, fees, investigations and were approved to adopt a baby in China. Two countries had to sign off on it and the state as well.
When we applied to adopt a dog we were turned down as not suitable.
Claire, that daughter, is great with the dogs we got through other channels. She's actually the reason Gromit is still around but we can't put that off much longer.
But, a year later, they had the leftover Accord I wanted, and coughed it up for a fire sale price. So, I bought there.
But, the 2nd place is more convenient, so I always took both cars (and now my Acura) to them for service. And I have never been treated any differently (including
getting a courtesy warrantly fix) on either car. They do not care where it was bought, as long as I am giving them the money.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Jmonroe: as you said -very tough to drive a manual in NYC. I have driven a manual I think only once or twice in my life.
Regarding road feel-- man ,what a titanic difference between my Lexus/Camry and Saturn. Feels like there is a time lag of about a whole generation between these . Even compared to a Corolla of that generation -- it is so behind the times. No wonder GM went bankrupt. And boy --Yes, I have the road feel and the road noise now-- loud and clear !! Folks complaining about Honda`s road feel and noise including me-- should drive one of these to actually literally feel and hear it. But the stereo in it is really good !! :P
For about a year, this will be fun. Never imagined I would be driving a Saturn. It is the total opposite of a boaty,plushy,quiet ride-- as far as it gets literally. But for now then -- it is a Saturn !!! If it gets through for 1 year in NYC,then it has done it`s job !!:D
I can pretty much assume which dealers you are talking about (Burns and the Turnersville complex). I can honestly say I have shopped three separate times at the Tunersville complex (Toy, Nissan, & Hyundai) and have been ran off everytime. Burns OTOH was absolutely fantastic when I bought my Genesis. I noticed they do have the add-ons on some cars, but mine was a dealer trade so it wasn't a problem.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I think you made a very good choice!
Then there are the people who love our Service Dept but they will still shop our numbers everywhere. Just because they use and love our Service Dept doesn't mean they are loyal otherwise.
Then there are the customers who will bring the tinest little rattle into us to have fixed but once the warranty is over, we never see us again.
They will find 5.00 off coupons and go to the Quickie Lubes or find their mechanics on Craigslist.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
When we bought the MINI last month, they took fantastic care of my daughter and walked her through the whole process. The owners of the MINI dealer also own a BMW and a Honda store.
Wife made the comment that when the time comes to get another car, we'll probably start at those dealerships, given the level of service they provide. And, this is coming from a woman who isn't terribly fond of Hondas! Also, because she works for a school district, she feels it wouldn't be right for her to be seen driving a BMW.
Don't worry, honey - the BMW would be my car so you won't have to suffer that fate!
In her mind, it isn't the product so much as the dealer - to her, a car is a car, regardless of the manufacturer. We were talking about this over the weekend and she firmly believed that GM and Chrysler shouldn't have been bailed out; there is no "Divine Right of Corportations" and no such thing as "too big to fail".
My wife and I certainly do. In fact, my wife is extremely reluctant to consider anything other than a BMW- in large part because of the excellent treatment she receives from our dealer's service department. In 2007 I was very interested in a new GTI, but every VW dealer in a 150 radius had a hopeless service department. I ended up buying my Mazdaspeed from a Mazda dealer @100 miles from my home, primarily because my local Mazda dealer had shady sales practices and a famously inept service department.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
They were completely no nonsense. We came to a deal in less than 30 minutes, and they did a dealer trade without question. When I went to pick up the car I did it on my lunch and was back to the office in an hour. The price was great too!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
And, neither dealer has loaner cars, but Burns has a shuttle van that I used a few times, and is closer to my house, so they get all the service work.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
You hit the nail squarely on the head. A Civic LX is a Civic LX is a Civic LX. And a Mustang GT is a Mustang GT ia a Mustang GT. And a [insert favorite car name here] is a [reinsert favorite car name here] is a [Again reinsert favorite car name here].
Once you decide on the make, model, trim and options you want does it really matter where you buy the car? Will it ride better if you buy it from dealership "A"? Get better gas mileage if you bought it from dealership "B"? Go faster if you bought it from dealership "C"? last longer if you bought it from dealership "D?
The answer is no to all of these, fact is that once you drive it off the lot your experience with the car will be nearly identical regardless of where you bought it from. So the question becomes why should I buy from one dealership over another? The answer is price.
Now thats not to say one should put up with really lousy service or travel all over to save a few bucks. But if I know I could save a few hundred a few miles away what keeps me at a particular dealership?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
A good breeder is very fussy where they will place their dogs. Some even stipulate that if you ever have to get rid of the dog it must be returned to them (the breeder).
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I will gladly pay a bit more just so that I don't have to feel like showering after leaving the dealership
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Thanks for the update del. Keep us posted on your travels through the big apple in the apple red Saturn.
You have a dream car in a way. A car you don't have to worry about one bit,
Good luck...hope it all works out....at least you will really appreciate your own car once you come home.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
I realize that; but there is also Murphy's Law and it follows me regularly.
Richard