Stories from the Sales Frontlines

sterlingdog

I just checked the ticket and you are correct. The SRX takes 8 quarts of oil. I'm not sure if it was synthetic oil. The ticket says "Mobil/1-5". Thanks for the explanation. I understand the bill a bit better now.

Richard

stickguy

that is synthetic oil. And with the AWD, hopefully they checked/filled the differential(s) too. Must have covered something, although the oil itself is more expensive (and you use an extra 3 quarts!)

sterlingdog

I flipped the current mats last night to see how black would look. It didn't look bad at all. That's a future option if the clear ones don't work out as well.

Richard

sterlingdog

Thanks for that tip. I didn't know if Mobil/1-5 was synthetic. It's never too late to learn something new.

Richard

bolivar

I don't know what's in a SRX, but if it's a Northstar, it takes 7.5 quarts. And they probably charged you for 8 quarts, and probably put all 8 in there. No problem, the Northstar will quickly pull the half quart out thru the PCV circuit and burn it.

Lube? Not many cars have a grease jerk in the last 10 - 15 years. I really doubt your SRX has one. Hope there was not a charge on there for it.

My 2005 Deville Northstar still takes 'regular' oil. You might read the manual, they might have stuck you for synthetic when you didn't really need it.

If it expects synthetic, then your 'Oil Remaining' percentage is calibrated for synthetic use. And if you put much 'road' milage on it, you should be able to run it for 8,000 miles or so before needing changing.

driver100

I didn't know if Mobil/1-5 was synthetic.

5000 miles between oil changes doesn't seem to far for synthetic oil. You might want to check the owners manual to see how often you are supposed to change the oil.

Many people still believe in changing oil often, because it was a good thing to do in the past. But, with todays synthetic oils and cleaners you can go further between oil changes. If you went twice as far your oil change would have cost $45 compared to most cars, and you would be saving some of our natural resources, which might bring the price of oil down.

jmonroe

I do wonder why many luxury makes charge an extra $700 - $1000 extra for most colors. But, all the non-luxury cars charge the same no matter what color you choose.

Simple answer…because they can and the people that know anything about those cars will know that it costs even more than the standard paint job. Makes the car even more appealing to that group of buyers.

I heard a philosophy about selling, many years ago…”you don’t give away what you can sell”. That says it all; about cars and a can of peaches.

jmonroe

imidazol97

I'm glad that helped find part of the extra cost in the oil change versus a 5-quart or 4-quart typical change in your previous cars. Mobil 1 is a long-established, high quality oil. It is synthetic and is probably $26 for a 5-quart container at Walmart; the local Advance Auto Parts store has it for $8 per quart.

Hopefully they used an oil filter that is upgraded as well. The synthetic oil should go a longer service interval than 5000 miles or once per year or once every 6 months. I suggest following the time between changes in your owner manual AND the oil life calculator in your car's computer.

Call or stop in to ask the service manager what the real oil change time is that he recommends. If he says 5000 miles and includes a time like every 3 months, my personal opinion is he's not being honest; he's helping the store's bottom line. If your car is driven 2 miles to and from a store and never driven longer drives on a regular basis to add up miles, 5000 miles and 6 months would work for your climate. Longer drives clean the oil and clear the contaminants.

My car is sitting with 6000 miles on the synthetic. That includes 800 mile trip to Nashville, and two 400 mile trips to Michigan. The oil life indicator is 50%; it's calibrated for regular, shorter life oil. I'll probably change it at 8 or 9000.

Remember to check oil level regularly when it's been parked.

driver100

I heard a philosophy about selling, many years ago…”you don’t give away what you can sell”.

I like that saying, it explains a lot. I hate to be nickel and dimed though, especially for things like paint color which probably doesn't add a whole lot to the cost of the item.

There is a vacation compay in Canada that had 8 day all inclusive vacation to Peorto Vallarta. What people didn't know was the hotel was covered for 7 days, and if they wanted a room for the last night it would cost an extra $130. Many people slept in the lobby and froze because they thought they shouldn't pay for a holiday that was supposed to be covered.
Government is looking into it.
Vacation Scam

jmonroe

I looked at the service advisor and said, "Surely, this can't be!" He replied, "Welcome to the big leagues." Thank goodness I only have to do this every 5,000 miles.

Yeah, but you don’t have to do it there. The same oil can be installed anywhere. Just because you took it to the dealer doesn’t mean it was done better or even correctly for that matter.

Remember the tale I told about taking my Genny to the dealer to have its first oil change (Got a Quick Question for a Car Dealer, posts 1191 and 1210. Followed up on this forum, post 48743). This was at a very large dealership. They will never see that car again at least not in their lube center. :mad:

Yes, we ate dinner out tonight. Still, my remark was worth every penny of that dinner.

I understand this. I eat out lots of times too. I like doing that, you know, bonding.

jmonroe

tjc78

But, all the non-luxury cars charge the same no matter what color you choose.

Toyota charges extra for white, "Blizzard Pearl" IIRC it cost me an extra $220. On a 34K car it wasn't a big deal.

driver100

"Blizzard Pearl" IIRC it cost me an extra $220. On a 34K car it wasn't a big deal.

Agree, not a big deal for you. But, I really question if it is worth $220 for them to use a different color. I know some colors could cost more because of certain ingredients, but I doubt if they add up to $220. It isn't a big issue, in the scheme of things, it is just where these things lead to. Like one day it will cost extra if you want the inside of your trunk pained, or door jams etc.

It's the same with bank charges!

jmonroe

Toyota charges extra for white, "Blizzard Pearl" IIRC it cost me an extra $220.

Toyota isn’t a luxury car, hence a modest increase for a paint color upgrade. Even Hyundai gets that for their “Pearl White”. Reds used to cost more because of the pigments used but now it seams to be the Whites and whatever else they think they can sell it for.

Once you’re into the 800 to 1000 dollar range for paint colors, that’s what I call “luxury”. If it keeps going, we’ll have to pay for paint altogether. What’s next? Extra for mustard on our hot dogs. I don’t want to hear about Ketchup on a dog, they can give that away, because any dog worth its fat ain’t supposed to be eaten with Ketchup. :mad:

jmonroe

houdini1

I have had several cars with a camel or sand interior, including both our current rides, and I have always used black or dark grey mats. I just like the contrast plus they don't show the dirt, etc. Some like them, and of course, some don't.

houdini1

any dog worth its fat ain’t supposed to be eaten with Ketchup.

As the Indians say, "Your words have iron in them."

isellhondas

I remember those buttons were so troublesome that people would convert those to floor shifters.

On another note, the green and white Edsel that Cindy Williams drove in the movie American Grafitti came from my home town. As a kid, I used to put gas in it. The people that owned it had For Sale signs on it in their driveway for at least a month. They wanted 200.00 for it and it looked and ran great!

lemko

The 1955 Plymouth also had a dashboard mounted shifter.

isellhondas

I agree with the dorky look and the awkward part but I've never once bumped ours.

Maybe I'm just numb or out of touch because none of those things bother me.

They did change the location when the 2007's came out so maybe others complained too?

isellhondas

That's right and so did the Dodges.

The next year they went to Pushbutton Drive.

oldfarmer50

"...If she has a checking account, she also has either a debit or an ATM card..."

I've never had either. We pay our bills by check in the mail. At the grocery store we pay cash. Very rarely we'll use a credit card but never if there's a line behind us.

isellhondas

Seriously, how hard is it to simply reach out with your right arm and pull it toward you?

I can see some confusion the first time but not after that!

oldfarmer50

"...I use my credit card for everything..."

Go ahead, make it easier for the beast to track you.

isellhondas

I like well equipped cars but I have little use for the "fluff" accessories. I can take or leave leather. Sunroofs are OK but I rarely use the ones we have. A good CD changer is a must.

I don't want my mirrors to dim automatically and I don't care about heated seats or an MP 3 player.

I do want the car to look good. I want alloy wheels.

The last thing I would want is a protective bra on the hood since they do moree damage than good.

I want a car that has good visability and a firm ride.

Most of all, I don't want a money pit "botique" kind of car.

oldfarmer50

"...I would avoid it like I would avoid Europe during the black death..."

Yes, I think there are too many unanswered questions about that car. Craigslist is full of scammers and curbstoners.

As to Europe during the black death, just how OLD are you? :P

tjc78

I know some colors could cost more because of certain ingredients, but I doubt if they add up to $220.

From what I understand "pearl" paints are a three stage process. The first being the base coat (white), then the "pearl" finishing with clear.

When my Grandfather's neighbor backed into my car I remember the adjuster bumping up the hours on the paint work for this.

oldfarmer50

"...How does this tie in to car sales you ask?..."

I thought you were going to say it was because you usually hear laughing from the sales managers office too. :P

tjc78

Even Hyundai gets that for their “Pearl White”.

I was considering the Genny in white and don't remember the dealer telling me there was an additional charge for it, however, it certainly wouldn't surprise me.

Speaking of the Genny, its in for service today at 18K. Oil change and tire rotation only. I wonder what else they will want to get me for?

lemko

I believe the Northstar holds 8 qts. vs the usual five. Synthetic would up the price.

roadburner

The cashier presented me with a bill for $92.50! I nearly fell over. I looked at the service advisor and said, "Surely, this can't be!" He replied, "Welcome to the big leagues." Thank goodness I only have to do this every 5,000 miles.

Wow. The Oil Service for my wife's X3 only costs $80- and that's only required every 18,000 miles or so. I do perform a change myself around the 9,000 mile point but it only costs around $60 using a BMW filter and Mobil 1 5W-40. For the record, it takes seven quarts of synthetic. My last used oil analysis from Blackstone Labs indicated I could go at least 10,000 miles and I think that I may try that interval.

robr2

Tim's is a Canadian institution, bought out by Wendy's.

And spun off in 2006. They don't take Visa - that's why I have $14 worth of Canadian $$ sitting om my dresser.

fezo

You and me both. I always have some Canadian money hanging out in a drawer. Not much but enough for a Tim Horton's stop before a bank stop.

nyccarguy

I'm with you on buying a car with just a little more than "The Basics." To me the MOST important exterior feature on a car style wise is the wheels. I do really like the heated seats & automatic climate control in my wife's Acura TSX, but get by perfectly fine without them in my '01 Honda Prelude. On my next car Id really like Xenon Headlights, Bluetooth, & iPod Integration.

I also agree with you on 6cyl Accords. Both my cars are 4cyl. My Prelude is definitely underpowered off the line, but Im not racing anybody anyway.

tallman1

because any dog worth its fat ain’t supposed to be eaten with Ketchup.

I second that remark! Now just try to convince my kids. :sick:

graphicguy

nyc....one of the (many) things Acura/Honda does very well is technology. Whether it's engine management systems, to high tech engines to blue tooth and ipod/iphone integration.

I hadn't thought about ipod/iphone integration in my TL until I got everything set up. Now, I consider it a must have. I know a lot of states won't even let you use your cell phone while driving unless it's hands free. I spend more time streaming my iphone/itunes music through the stereo than I do listening to the radio.

ti....that brings up another model you should look at....an Acura RDX. Had one as a loaner during my last oil change. Really nice vehicle well executed. I really liked the turbo 4 cyl in it. Don't understand why Acura/Honda doesn't use it in more models.

jmonroe

Go ahead, make it easier for the beast to track you.

I’m not that paranoid. If anybody wants to find me, I’ll be right here at Edmunds. :P

jmonroe

tifighter

I've thought about the RDX, but it has a few issues: small cargo area, poor MPG for its size and premium required to boot. I hear the ride is really really firm too, but I haven't driven one. If I do look at the TSX wagon, I may as well check one of these out too. The TSX wagons are just now beginning to trickle into local dealers.

jmonroe

I second that remark! Now just try to convince my kids.

Same here. They got those genes from the other parent. :sick:

jmonroe

nyccarguy

tifigghter - I too was a wagon fan once. A car with copious amounts of cargo space without the size of an SUV. Wagons have a horrible "family truckster" stigma here in the US. In an attempt to modernize & make wagons more stylish (Avant, Touring, Sport), quite a few manufacturers have "raked" the back end to enhance the look of the wagon, but effectively cutting a big chunk from the cargo space making it not much more useful than its sedan counterpart.

A few years ago I was dead-set on a BMW 328Xi Wagon being our 1st family car for my wife, my son, & I. I sat in it at the NY Auto Show & walked away disapointed at the tiny cargo area. We ended up leasing an '07 X3 for 3 years and LOVED it.

I tried again in 2009 when looking for a replacement vehicle for the X3. Cargo room was important to us as now we had our 2nd child and my wife took a double (wide) stroller most places. Now I was shopping for a vehicle that had to conform to certain fuel economy standards as I had an old BMW that qualified for the government's Cash 4 Clunkers program. The Audi A4 Avant seemed like the perfect vehicle. Again, the raked rear severly cut into the cargo room. We ended up with a 2010 TSX Tech Sedan.

tallman1

Same here. They got those genes from the other parent.

I'm sure you are correct. Thank goodness they didn't get the "pineapple on pizza" gene!!

jmonroe

I was considering the Genny in white and don't remember the dealer telling me there was an additional charge for it, however, it certainly wouldn't surprise me.

I just checked the Hyundai web site and for the 2011 Genny they do not show a premium charge for White Satin Pearl but I know they did in 2009 when I got mine. I wasn’t going to get White anyway so that didn’t affect me. Interesting thing about the available paint for the 2011 Genny…Edmunds doesn’t even show White (any kind) as an available color. I’m sure it is available but not according to Edmunds.

You can get White Satin Pearl on the 2011 Sonata (Edmunds) but that will cost you $200.

About “Pearl Paints” being a multi-step process, thereby demanding an additional cost, I’m inclined to believe that but since my niece married a body guy I’ll have to ask him about that when I see him again.

FWIW, my car is Cabernet Red Pearl (like yours) and I KNOW there was no upcharge for it in 2009.

jmonroe

canadiantoyota

I just bought a new Ford F150 4X4...

I received the Costco discount, the loyalty discount, and more. Looking forward to receiving it, it's on order, should be here in about 8 weeks. I will follow up with details later....

driver100

And spun off in 2006. They don't take Visa - that's why I have $14 worth of Canadian $$ sitting om my dresser.

Save your Canadian money, it went from being about 93 cents US to over $1 US.......almost enough to buy a Tim Horton's coffee.

driver100

You can get White Satin Pearl on the 2011 Sonata (Edmunds) but that will cost you $200.

White used to be a no charge color. Since it is now the number 1 color, I guess they figure they might as well charge for it. I wonder what colors are still free. On Mercedes and BMW white, black and red were no extra cost.

Probably, all colors will require an extra payment, unless you take bare metal.

tifighter

Holy crap. A real sales story?

driver100

because any dog worth its fat ain’t supposed to be eaten with Ketchup.
I second that remark! Now just try to convince my kids

I don't think our generation eats hot dogs with ketchup. This was an ingenius way for the ketchup people to increase sales, convince people hot dogs are good with ketchup. That's why it appeals to kids. It is heresy to put ketchup on a hot dog, but that is what has happened.

explorerx4

Richard,
With such a snarky service department, I would check to see if they reset your oil life indicator.
If not (it should be @100%), bring it back and have them do that.
Also, you can check the dealer website for service coupons to use next time.
Also, I would check the maintenance book to see what is required before going in for your next service.

stickguy

well, at least with Volvo and BMW, they always charged for metallic (not just some fancy pearl flake)

so red, white and black were flats, everything else cost more (as in, all the good colors and anything I would want!)

considering they charged like $700 for the paint, outrageous. How much more expensive could the material or paint job be?

explorerx4

Graph, You should buy that Cobra from your neighbor just to keep yourself grounded that there were days when a car was all about being a car.
I (we not wei) will have had the Mustang for 20 years upcoming August.

jipster

With such a snarky service department, I would check to see if they reset your oil life indicator.
If not (it should be 100%), bring it back and have them do that

I would ask why synthetic oil was put in when it wasn't asked for. The "Welcome to the big leagues" comment would have me a bit alarmed as well.i.e $$$. Probably a good thing to stay with synthetic, as you won't have to be taking those multiple trips to the dealership and get hit with the needless upselling.

roadburner

I (we not wei) will have had the Mustang for 20 years upcoming August.

My Dad had a '65, a '67, and a '70 Mustang, as well as a '70 Torino GT replete with shaker hood and "Laser Stripes". After those he owned a depressing line of Caprice sedans, but he redeemed himself with an '86 Lincoln Mark VII LSC.