Stories from the Sales Frontlines

fezo

By all means, come by and use my garden hose.

Heck while you're at it you can trim the bushes...

fezo

Here's a car that will make your black Caddy seem a snap to keep clean!

jayrider

There are some great aftermarket leather companies --- give him a call and tell him it's never too late.

michaellno

There are some great aftermarket leather companies --- give him a call and tell him it's never too late.

Agreed. When I bought my L300 in 2003 I wanted a leather interior. Unfortunately, the car I landed on had cloth. Dealer worked with a local installer to get a custom leather interior put in for me .. I chose a color that matched the headliner and it looked sharp.

qbrozen

So I have the $100 and still too many cars.

A week goes by. I email the guy. Says he is still working on "some deals." Another week goes by, I am just about to email when he sends me a message first. Tells me things didn't pan out and he can't buy the car, and I can keep the deposit.

Well, that was disappointing. So back on the front lawn it goes and I reactivate the ads. Then.... nothing. Wait... nothing. I relisted on Ebay about 3 times, I believe. A few really low offers. Some calls from dealers. Etc. Got 1 fair offer from someone 2500 miles away. First I ask if he is serious, then I counter $75 higher because he was at my minimum "taking" price BEFORE paying the $125 Ebay fee. He tells me its fair ..... "just gotta check with my son because it would be for him."

??? Didn't you check BEFORE you made the offer?? Heck, if I had hit the "accept" button on Ebay, he'd be suffering negative feedback from me. But since I counteroffered.... Ah well. As you can guess, I never heard from him again.

Fast forward to 2 weekends ago. I wake up on Saturday morning and decide, "This is finally it." I've got just a couple of weeks before October comes around and people lose their toy car fever. So I make one last ditch effort. I lower my ads to my original rock bottom price (about $500 off asking) and I decide my new rock bottom price is about $300 lower now than it was in July/August. If no takers by 9/30, then it goes back in the garage to hibernate.

All of about 4 hours go by and I get an email. Something about the car of my dreams. Please call. 999-123-4567.

TO BE CONTINUED...

tidester

I deserve a year of free dues.

Your dues are hereby waived - for three months!

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

sterlingdog

Goodness. One month free per car. You are certainly tight with our dues.

Richard

jipster

The last time I had my car at a Goodyear store, they did the same thing. they came to me with a laundry list of things wrong with the brakes.. pads, rotors, calipers, etc. total bill was going to be nearly $1200. I have never trusted Goodyear, I was only there for a tire warrant issue and I had caught them trying to run up the bill before, so I took it to the GM dealer. Total bill at GM was $351.00

My independent confirmed Goodyears diagnosis. I needed new rotors, front pads and a brake fluid flush. The piston was sticking, they lubed it up, saying they do that anyhow when replacing pads.

The pads were nice Napa Ultra Premiums at $92 (online). The rotors were Napa's
lower end rotor, so not sure why they didn't put on a higher end rotor to match the high end pads. The total was only $5 off your GM bill... $356. Added up apples to apples, the independent was around $80 less than Goodyear.

roadburner

Congrats. Good deal as well.

stickguy

makes me want to get something new. Not that I need it, but my DD is about to turn 5 (only 58K on it though).

But, if someone can find me a 3 series wagon (say 2002-2003), RWD only, that was owned by an OCD guy that knew what he would be doing, I would pull the trigger tomorrow. Higher miles for a much lower price is AOK too!

And, I am glad that I did not swing into the Caddy dealer I drove past earlier today (to look for Richard of course), since I had not checked the thread since yesterday evening!

roadburner

So, I drive the 1975 2002 over to my BMW dealer to pick up some arcane parts that I had ordered for the 35 year old sled(it only took 3 days to get them; amazing). Anyway, they have a one owner 21K mile 2008 335i coupe that a customer just traded in. Red exterior, saddle brown interior, Nav, Cold Weather, and Sport Package. I told my salesperson that it was a shame that it was a slushbox. He tells me that it has a Dinan(one of, if not THE top US BMW tuners) engine upgrade- 386 bhp, or @80 more bhp than stock. Get this: when you make a full throttle upshift to fourth at around 105 mph the rear tires actually chirp. The thing is just scary fast- and the Dinan mods are warranted as well- which means no out-of-pocket expenses until 12/11 or 50K miles.
Me want.
Bad.

stickguy

actually, I have stopped at a few dealers recently to just browse at some of the newer stuff (especially things I have not seen before). Problem is, I just don't like a lot of it! And I also have the problem of many of them don't really compare (or at least beat) my 2005 Accord (EX-L, so as loaded as they get) for comfort, etc.

so in order to get something "better" (as opposed to just different), I have a very small pool of options to pick from, unless I go into a price range that just ain't happening now! I have developed a strange attraction to the new C class MB (no idea why), but unless I sell the house (and possibly the kid currently in college!) that is not in the cards.

So, best bet, go older to go cheaper! I would be very happy to somehow convert the Accord for a 2002ish/80-90K 3 series wagon for little to no cash.

stickguy

just buy it and get it over with. You deserve it man! And I bet your wife would tell you the same thing.

And if you feel guilty about the money, do some PT work that you wouldn't otherwise to make up the difference. That way, you are not actually spending money out from under your family, you are just giving up some of your free time!

Yes, I can rationalize anything if you want me to.

But for the life of me, I can't figure out how/why you possibly need that much power. Even on the track work you do, isn't that over the limit? Or are you running real track stuff?

sterlingdog

What do they want for the 2008 335i? You should get it. Now that I'm done, misery loves company. (Joke)

Richard

roadburner

But for the life of me, I can't figure out how/why you possibly need that much power. Even on the track work you do, isn't that over the limit? Or are you running real track stuff?

In all honesty, I don't need all that power- but it would be fun to own a really stupid fast car for a few years. And it would be a hoot to worry the Porsche drivers at the tracks I frequent... :P

cdnpinhead

Me want.
Bad.

Well, I've learned to make peace with the fact that I bought an FWD car, so maybe you can live with an automatic. I tried an automatic exactly once for my own car -- never again.

So far the FWD isn't so bad, plus which it does have a really sweet manual that shifts beautifully.

Sad that it's so hard to get what one wants.

jipster

Now see... this is why I tune in every day! An absolutely wonderfully told story richard. Congrats to you and your wife.

You played it very well (i.e research, getting up to walk, following your plan). I'm guessing the GM got big eyed when you mentioned Edmunds because he thought you were going to pull "The Jipst Method" out on him. (winky eye)

fezo

You are obviously suffering in that Accord. I'll take it off your hands. Richard will handle the negotiations.

explorerx4

First of all, congratulations to Mrs. Richard. I am sure she is on Cloud 9.
Next, Kudos to you Richard for closing the deal on the vehicle your wife wanted and keeping us informed along the way.
Hey, and how about that Explorer trade in value? :surprise:
As far as keeping the car clean goes, look into a 'California Car Duster'.
It looks like a hand held dust mop and has some kind of treatment that collects dirt.
I have one and use it on my dark cars between cleanings.

sterlingdog

In all of these years, I've never been called to jury duty. I'm one of the few people who has always wanted to serve on a jury. Still, they wouldn't take me. I believe in things like the gas chamber, no probation, no community service, long sentences, and only maximum security prisons.

Years ago, I had a neighbor who went to prison for embezzlement. For twenty years, he had ripped off his boss who paid him well, gave him benefits like a nice MB to drive, and helped his son go to college. What a jerk. In prison he played tennis, played handball, watched TV, ate like a king, and worked on his MBA in the prison library. While doing his time, his church paid his mortgage and fed his wife and daughter. He served three years of a 25 year term, and walked out of prison with a free MBA. He got a position in a neighboring town, kept his house, and resumed living the good life. I was walking by his house one day when he called me to come over to his fence. He asked me what kind of masters I had. When I told him, he said that he had an MBA. I told him that I knew that because I had paid for it. I turned around and walked away. (Angry Emotorcon goes here!)

Richard

fezo

Whoa! If you are ever on a jury I'll remind myself not to be the defendant!

jimbres

Congratulations & best wishes. May this car always be a source of pleasure for you & your wife.

jayrider

I believe for certain crimes -- just after sentencing -- some arrogant criminals should get a good beating in front of those they hurt. Then drag them out of court to serve their sentence. Been called twice but never seated. Don't know why.

sterlingdog

Thanks, Jim. I was thinking last night that you would be proud of me. You're one of the ones who trained me here for three years. I think that I surprised the guys at the Cadillac place. Physically, I look like the baby seal type. Just before we left the dealership, the salesman smiled and said that I must have been a good educator. I asked him how he could tell. He said that I was a good negotiator. A secretary was standing near by. She chimed in with, "One of the best I heard." My wife turned to her and said, "You should have to live with him." They all laughed.

Richard

driver100

A local banker traded in his 2008 SRX V8 North Star yesterday afternoon with 15,454 miles on it and the Premium Luxury Package

I just got back from Rome, Greece, Turkey and Egypt and I get this wonderful news.
Sounds like a great car and I think you stole it. Especially getting that much for an old Explorer on the trade-in.

Great classic sales story that should make it to the hall of fame. Congratulations and best wishes...hope you and your wife really enjoy the new car.

explorerx4

Richard, I have a mental picture of you, and even have someone in mind, although I don't think they are a doppelganger.

houdini1

Richard, congratulations, I knew you would "git er' done". Thank you for not feeding the story to us in installments.

By the way, you should keep the bankers number and get in touch with him in about 2 years. Or better yet, just keep him updated on how much you love your new car and let him know you might be interested when he goes to trade again.

Have fun on that trip I know you are planning, and let your wife drive once in a while !!

tallman1

the "bosses letter" no longer works in Washington.

Interesting. Now that I'm retired and don't have a boss any longer I guess it doesn't matter. I'd even get to keep my $10 per day!

I know that in Pierce County you can go online and delay it to a time that fits your schedule. I'm sure it is like that in other counties as well.

fezo

Funny thing - my employer will pay me for jury duty but they want the 10 bucks. Used to be they never collected it but nowadays with everything computerized they check every nickle.

I can't complain. They do offer me the option of keeping the $10 but not getting paid that day....

isellhondas

I've always admired you and now you have reinforced that.

Something about good old Common Sense that lawyers don't seem to like!

stickguy

Hey, I will keep you in mind if i do go to sell.

although you may not want it, because I am pretty sure it doesn't float.

fezo

No. No. I'm not looking for my daughter....

explorerx4

is the first mention of the SRX. 'Explorer' stands up, yodels and beats chest like Tarzan. 'smiley emotorcon'

stickguy

I said Caddy 1st. so we need to at least split the pot.

nyccarguy

RICHARD! You are the man! Congrats on your new (used) SRX. You're going to love it. Very well written story too my friend.

roadburner: Don't be ashamed or embarrased to be tempted by the dark side (slushbox). If everything else about the car is perfect, then maybe you can buy it cheap enough to forget about the fact that it is an automatic. Dinan equipped too? Yummy. That's enough power to eliminate the usual "power sapping" that predicates the 2 words most hated by us manual die hards, torque converter.

I know a guy who's been a die hard stick driver and swore to me as recently as 2 months ago that he wouldn't give it up. Guess what, he just traded in his '08 911 C2 6Speed for a 2011 M3 Convertible with DCT. He was blown away at how well the DCT performs.

Even myself might be stuck in a "do I buy an automatic" predicament in a year or 2. I have a friend who's into cars (He has an '09 Dodge Challenger SRT8, a 2010 BMW 750Li w/ X-drive, & a BMW X5M). He pretty much gets a new car every 2 years or so. Orders cars, pays full MSRP, & just takes 1st offer on trade in. Now he doesn't shop the offer around, but sometimes sells the car to friends or family for what the dealer offered him. He should be getting rid of his X5M in another year & a half. My Prelude isn't getting any younger (127,500+) or any more practical. Plus since we gave our X3 back in July, there have been a few instances where we "could've used the truck." I could be tempted to give up my clutch & stick for a 555hp truck with AWD & an automatic at a fantastic price.

You've been itching for a car for a while my friend. Go for it!

stickguy

well, obviously based on my user name (an accurate representation of my cars over the years, including current one), I am a manual tranny aficionado. In fact, for my car (not including the family cars, but that only started with the first minivan), the only AT I ever owned was my '67 camaro in HS (6 cyl, powerglide, and totally rotted out) that I had for about 6 months..

anyway, back to the point. When I have looked at AT cars, the BMW ATs i drove (3 and 5 series) were easily the best, to the extent that I actually enjoyed driving them and was almost seduced.

I could never own a small, 4 cyl AT car. My son had a contour for a year in HS (1st car) and that thing I hated with a passion. noisy, rough shifting, and I can't stand the whine sound they make! Yes I have issues.

bolivar

I've owned black cars.

Black cars get the very same dirt on them as any other color cars.

On light colored cars, the dark dirt is easily seen.

On dark colored cars, the light dirt is easily seen.

On any of them, you have to get closer than 10 feet to see a light coating of dirt. Keep some wax on it, and across the street it will still look good, unless the wife puts it into a big mud hole.

Don't wash it and two days later walk up close and 'look' for the dirt. You'll be happier doing it this way.

driver100

Most taxis and a lot of the regular cars on the road are Ladas or Fiats that look like this: I really like this design, someone should buy the rights and sell them in North America...

driver100

based on my user name (an accurate representation of my cars over the years, including current one), I am a manual tranny aficionado.

You will have to change your name to "autoguy".(or you will be labelled a fraud).

cdnpinhead

I really like this design, someone should buy the rights and sell them in North America...

Already did, and it was quite successful -- Datsun 1600/510. Independent rear suspension, bulletproof motor, simple, maintainable.

Ah, them were the days.

sterlingdog

To: Driver, Jimbres, Explorer, Houdini, Nyccarguy, and others that I haven't yet thanked

Thanks for the nice comments. I'm sure that we're going to enjoy the car. It's been in the garage since we got home Tuesday because of the heavy rains that we are having. We'll get it out tomorrow when the sun appears.

I wrote to an old high school buddy to tell him about our purchase. He loves cars as much as I do. He said that out of 17 houses on his street, black cars are parked in front of 11 of them. He has a black MB. He mentioned that having a black car wasn't a problem for him. He washes it once a week and does a wax twice a year...says it looks nice all of the time.

Explorer: The California Dust Brush sounds like a good idea. I'll check into that one.

Bolivar: I agree. They are all going to show some dirt. I'll just wash it each week and not be paranoid about it. I tried to explain about a black car to my wife. If it gets to be a problem, she will learn a valuable lesson for the future.

Driver: Welcome home from your wonderful trip. We missed you for a few days. Perhaps some day we'll get together and test drive that GLK and Town Car. It was fun discussing the possible options with everyone here. I like the idea that my wife actually ended up making the decision. That was the goal in the very beginning. I just never dreamed that she would select the Cadillac. I have a feeling that this will be a good one. Also, I don't have a lot of money tied up in it---like $40K or $50K. If it doesn't work out well, I know where the car lots are located. (Wink)

Richard

jmonroe

It finally happened. We are the proud owners of a new car.

I just now got a chance to get back to this forum (employer still taking advantage of me) and I see you got what you she was looking for. Every time I go away something like this happens. (mad face) :mad:

Black Raven exterior and Camel interior.

She claimed that she is going to wash it once a week.

Well, we all know that ain’t gonna happen. When you’re in over your head, you know the source of info for how to take care of that new beauty. So don’t hesitate to tap that source.

Congratulations. I knew you could do it.

jmonroe

michaellno

Richard, I've been thinking about your purchase story ... did you get the SRX for $25,500 including taxes and fees?

If so, then you got an even better deal than I thought, depending upon the sales tax rate in NC.

Hope you aren't affected by the flooding I've seen on TV; would love to have some of that rain sent our way.

tallman1

I'll just wash it each week and not be paranoid about it.

Just some basics Richard:

Use a high quality washing mitt or pad (sheepskin or microfiber). Swirl marks will be your enemy on a black car. The two-bucket washing method is a must. One with a quality soap/shampoo, one to rinse off the mitt/pad so you aren't putting tiny particles of dirt back on the paint.

Rinse well and dry with a high quality microfiber cloth. Make sure you remove all tags from any cloth you use... even the stitching on cheap microfiber can cause scratches.

Good luck and congrats on the new ride!

sterlingdog

Sorry, I was good, but not that good. Taxes were $732; tags $68; Doc fee $250 all added to $25,500 for a total of $26,550. With asking price of $34,500 and $6K for the Explorer and my song and dance routine for $3K, I can't complain.

Yes, we are so grateful for the rain. We have been under a drought situation with mandatory water conservation measures. Here in the village, they WILL give you a ticket if you violate the rules. I'm glad that our house sits on a hill. This morning, the culvert at the bottom of our driveway is up to the top with water. The rain has not stopped since yesterday morning and, during the night, it was heavy for hours. Hope you get some soon.

To Jmonroe: I thought of you when we bought the black. Yesterday, I purchased soft sponges and soft dry rags. I may as well get ready.

Richard

sterlingdog

Thanks for the tips. I would never have thought of the stitching on the soft cloths. I'll remember that. Jmonroe would have a stroke for me asking this, but what are your thoughts on local car wash places? We have two really nice ones here. They do a nice job on cars. They both even employ detail guys who are excellent.

Richard

nyccarguy

I went back to think about my slushbox comments. I wonder if DINAN reprograms the transmission to hold a gear @ the redline & not shift. Our dearly departed X3 would upshift @ the redline even in manual mode. Our Acura TSX will hold the gear as long as your foot will stay down. I just never use the manual mode in the TSX because it just feels unnatural. I know there is a torque converter there that doesn't like my aggressive shifting.

laurasdada

Congrats on the SRX, Richard. For exterior maintenance, might I recommend Zaino products? Check out zainostore.com. I believe other posters here are familiar with, and would sing the praises of, Zaino...

fezo

Oh no! It's a Zainoista! Must resist, Richard, or you will do nothing but detail your car for the rest of your life!

Actually they do make a car look mighty good....

tjc78

I looked into Zaino a few times. I just can't take the plunge. Its a lot of work. The results would probably be worth it on my dark car, however, I get compliments all the time just using Meguiers Gold Class.