Stories from the Sales Frontlines

driver100

I am pretty good at figuring out what kind of mileage I'm getting.

I know, I was being facetious. Actually, if a 300 horsepower 535 can get 30 mpg then a Focus should easily get over 40 and with careful skillful driving even more. Especially with those louvers on the grill that close and open for less air drag.

roadburner

Tuesday I had a hearing in Owen County(@75 miles away) so we decided that my wife would call the Audi dealer about the Mini and I would stop by the BMW dealer and talk with our salesperson. My wife had a hard time getting in touch with the Audi salesperson but she finally learned that the car HAD sold but the buyer returned it because "it just wasn't a good fit". What the heck- he couldn't figure that out from a test drive? So my wife asks for a price and is quoted a number that is $300 more than their original offer.

Meanwhile, I stop by the BMW dealer and my salesperson comes up with a number that is $1,500 off the advertised price; I had performed a 500 mile search on both AutoTrader.com and Cars.com and found that every other 2009 328i CPO with similar miles was going for $1,000-$4,000 more than my dealer's asking price. And did I mention that out of the 60 cars I looked at all but seven were either black, white, gray or silver?

My wife and I discussed it at some length and we decided to go with the BMW. My wife and I really liked the Mini's offbeat character and its extremely compact size, but we concluded that long term reliability(5-7 years and 130,000 to 150,000 miles) was a big question mark- and we were a bit put off by the whole Mini dealer experience.

So I called my salesperson and asked him to knock another $500 off and he came back with $250 off; I said "Sold!" With the 328i we also have the new car warranty in effect for 1 year and 27,000 miles- with the CPO coverage adding two more years and another 50,000 miles. Herewith a few pictures:





While I wish it had the Sport package and Xenons, my wife is perfectly happy with it just as it is. And I'm betting that adding Phillips Xtreme Power or Osram Rallye 65w H7 bulbs will improve the headlamps more than a bit. It looks, drives, and smells like new, and I do like the RWD and the normally aspirated inline six.

Next up: What car will I sell to bring the fleet back down to five cars?

stickguy

very nice, and sounds like a good deal.

I would like it's twin in a nice Blue.

28firefighter

Congrats to you and your wife, roadburner. Wishing you many happy miles with it!

stickguy

like this one, just cheaper.

http://www.bmwofturnersville.com/detail-2009-bmw-3_series-4dr_sdn_328i_rwd-used-- 8843471.html

roadburner

Nice car. The dealer is wrong about one thing: it has heated seats, but not the CWP- it lacks headlamp washers.

stickguy

I like the way they do the listings. All of the options are detailed (along with original MSRP for some reason). Makes it much easier to tell what you are looking at, since BMW has so many stand alone pieces.

I do like that one though. relatively simple, but has everything I need, and love the color.

seems a bit pricey though for the age/miles.

roadburner

Ours has a few more bells and whistles but nothing that would amount to a deal-breaker.

fezo

I see a Mazda leaving your stable -certainly moot thr jeep!

graphicguy

Roadburner..,,good story....great car. Congratz!

mako1a

Nice purchase, RB Just goes to show that if you don't get caught up in a buying frenzy and keep your brain in charge, there are still gems to be had.

B to B warranty and that BMW Red...Nice!

mako1a

GG, don't blow a gasket. You did everything you could. New cars are just not supposed to do bad things, especially high end cars.

tjc78

Congrats, RB. I think you made the right move with the BMW. You have had good luck with them, and know what you are getting. Great color combo as well.

bwia

Just read that on MSN and I thought I’d share:

“Randolph Warren goes down as Salesman of the Year at any auto dealership, simply for asking, "What can I do to put you two into a marriage?" Jada Miller and Shane Starlin showed up at Suzuki of Wichita to kick the tires on a couple of new rigs, but the salesman in Warren figured they might be in the market for something more.

So he fast-talked Starlin into popping the question, volunteering his services as minister and the showroom as a wedding venue.

A few months later, the happy couple motored away in a 2012 Matrimony. Let's hope there's at least a 50,000-mile warranty on that marriage. And that they didn't get the undercoating.”
Source: http://now.msn.com/couple-married-at-car-dealership-by-salesman

dino001

Funny, I looked at the wheels and first thought you actually got sports package (these look like same wheels I got on my 2012 wagon, which had SP), but no you really don't - the seats are standard. The color is what I had as my first choice (unfortunately they discountinued it for 2012, so I got deep sea blue, which is very nice, too), so you know what I think about that. Naturally aspirated straight six is the best feature in this car, IMHO.

Why do you have six cars? :surprise: :confuse:

tjc78

Why do you have six cars

Because 7 would just be too many! :P

graphicguy

driver....I know this will not detract from your Audi. This is one customer (me and GF) who's being jacked around, which has gone way too far. Now, I'm being viewed as a chronic complainer by both Audi Corporate, and the dealerships that started this whole fiasco to begin with.

Can't believe I'm leaving tonight to drive 5 hours only to do battle over a car in a different city tomorrow. That, in and of itself, bothers me.

oldfarmer...forget high line cars, any new car, from a SMART to a Sonic, to a Bentley, shouldn't be subject to this type of customer service (clearly and oxymoron in this instance).

Jmonroe....now I feel the pain you went through with the Hyudnai. I can empathize.

Funny, before GF went to work this a.m., she said I shouldn't be so upset, and to "chill" on my drive to Chicago tonight. Easy for her to say. Of course, she'll sing a different tune if one of the wheels cracks and falls off while she's driving it.

tjc78

I certainly hope that in "making it right" your travel time/expense is factored in.

You are out a couple hundred just driving out there between gas and hotel.

driver100

we decided to go with the BMW

Congrats....looks great. What can I say, you made the right choice...it's a bmw!

My wife's 2008 was white...it was rare when we bought it but now 3/4s of them are white, so she wanted red so the neigbors would know it was a new car - since the 2013s look the same. With the Audi it won't matter...looks really good and an excellent deal too.

jmonroe

Meanwhile, I stop by the BMW dealer and my salesperson comes up with a number that is $1,500 off the advertised price;...

Congrats on Mrs. RB’s new wheels. Looks like a very clean car with low miles.

Somehow I couldn’t picture anything other than a BMW in your driveway.

jmonroe

driver100

driver....I know this will not detract from your Audi. This is one customer (me and GF) who's being jacked around

Good point GG - and I was thinking there are millions of Audis on the road and they are fine.

I know when my car isn't running right I think it is a piece of junk....but sometimes a simple fix makes it seem perfect again. I think it is probably one wheel that is wonky and a simple electronics problem. Once fixed up the car will be perfect and you both will love it.

Keep cool, I know how frustrated you are, but talk in a normal businesslike way and just make your points....you should be treated fairly and they have to make the car right.

stickguy

you can have problems with any car.

RB has had great luck with his BMWs, but there are others on this board that have had huge headaches with them.

jipster

Congrats on the new wheels roadburner... and you didn't buy at the Oxmoor dealership you are so fond of?

jipster

Most "un-Jip" like behavior lately, but this ad in todays paper caught my eye. Lease a new 2012 Honda Accord LX for $129 a month for 36 months (($2,999 due at signing)... OR One Pay Lease $6,995($0 due at signing). 12,000 miles a year, does not include tax or license, security deposit waived subject to approved credit. So by paying the lump sum in the one pay lease, I'll save avout $600 over the monthly.

Don't know much about leases. Never paid much attention to leases, never really had a use for them. Most any new car you buy will depreciate 7 grand in 3 years. This sound pretty good?

nyccarguy

for your kind and consoling words about Mollie. We've still got her sister Maddie who seems to be slowly coming out of the greving process.

graphicguy - It really sucks what's going on with your GF's Audi. I understand not every car is perfect, some do have nagging issues from the get go. The way that the dealer and Audi corporate are treating you is just down right horrible. They have your money and obviously don't care about anything else. I can't believe you have to drive to Chicago to try and rectify this situation.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. After driving (RWD) Mercedes for 12 years (1990 300E & 1998 CLK 320), my Mom decided that she HAD TO HAVE either a FWD or AWD car. Back in 2002, the only mid sized luxury sedan that offered AWD was the Audi A6. There were a few minor driveability issues (Tip Lag), something else that had to do with the steering. After complaining multiple times to the dealer (waiting 3 weeks + for an appointment with a loaner) and getting the arrogant "they all do that" response, our dealer finally made an appointment with the regional Audi rep. My Dad explained to the rep & the service manager what the problem was. When acclerating onto the highway, the transmission seems to "freeze" between gears. My Mom went to the dealer to meet the regional rep to go with the guy so she could explain to him what the problem was and when it was happening. The Audi rep backed her car out of one spot, drove it 25 feet to another parking spot, got out of the car, & told her there's nothing wrong with it.

roadburner

Thanks to everyone for all the good wishes. I really do think we made the right choice. We receive such great treatment from our BMW dealer that it makes us extremely reluctant to switch to another brand. Here's the most recent example: Last night I noticed that one of the rear A/C ducts in the center console was broken. I called my service adviser and asked him if he thought it could be covered under warranty. His reply? "No problem; I'll go ahead and order the parts. That way we can install it when you bring the car in for its next regular service."

Funny, I looked at the wheels and first thought you actually got sports package

The wheels were a standalone option. I didn't know they were even available.

Why do you have six cars?

It's a sickness...

Somehow I couldn’t picture anything other than a BMW in your driveway.

As I said, we really liked the Mini, but we definitely got a bad vibe from the Mini dealer. To quote my friend(and BMW tech guru) Mike Miller:
An amicable owner-dealer relationship is more desirable now than ever because it is largely impossible to avoid dealer service with a modern Cyberdyne car from any marque.

Sandman6472

Also had them in my summer camp days from the 1960's in Connecticut...the counselors would surprise us with these every so often about midnight.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

explorerx4

Basically, it's around $100 over invoice, plus the doc fee used to be limited to $75(as of 2009 last time I used X plan), and you get all incentives.
You just need to use your employer code to log into the x plan site and request a PIN that you bring to the dealer.
One other thing, have them go to Ford's website an request a brochure.
Usually, they send a pretty valuable coupon with it.

explorerx4

Good luck tomorrow with your meeting.
The S4 is a flagship car for Audi and hopefully they will at least replace the wheels, which are a safety issue.
If you don't get any satisfaction, have your GF send letters with pictures to her Insurance Agent, Lawyer and the CEO of Audi, expressing her concern about the cracked rims on a car that does not exhibit any other related (tires/body) damage.

driver100

$129 a month for 36 months (($2,999 due at signing)

Pretty good deal on the surface. I imagine it is a real stripper model, manual, manual seat control, etc. However, it still works out to around $2500 a year to drive a trouble free car for 3 years.

There are probably a few catches and add ons we don't know about - it is really too good to be true. It's possible you could be locked into a high price buy back too. There's something they are not telling us.

stickguy

mostly they have lots overflowing with unsold 2012s, and you could probably buy an LX for less than 20K, but they still have high residuals. So add it all up, and they are trying to blow them out.

stickguy

hey, local dealer has a Driver special. White manual trans! ATs are about the same price.

pretty well equipped. No alloys, or power seat, but still steering wheel contros, remote keyless, PWLM, etc. Pretty much the basic requirments.

there are worse things to drive for 3 years, for under $200 month, with your costs fixed (just a few oil changes required).

http://www.hondaofturnersville.com/detail-2012-honda-accord_sdn-4dr_i4_man_lx-ne- w-8999940.html

oldfarmer50

"...a few pictures..."

That's a beautiful car. Is that an odd color for BMWs? Most of the ones I see have muted colors. I'd prefer the red if I had a choice. The interior is the color I'd want too.

Here's a red car that struck my low rent fancy.

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3152186227.html

I'm wondering what it's really worth. Edmunds says $2k but KBB say $4600 for good condition (which may be generous considering some of the defects). At $2k I might be a buyer.

Any opinions from the experts?

cdnpinhead

I'll add to the chorus of congratulations for a fine car -- guess your wife is more flexible on transmission type than I am (& you also, as I recall). I'm very partial to red cars -- completely sick of white, silver, black & any shade of gold (though those seem to have finally run their course). I should remember this, but don't: is it old enough to have a dipstick and real tires?

Either way, enjoy!

oldfarmer50

"...One Pay Lease $6995..."

Isn't the purpose of a lease to not tie up a large amount of cash with a down payment? Doesn't paying upfront defeat that idea?

If they have a glut of those cars I'd buy one and count on the good residual to cut my cost to less than $7k. If the 3 year depreciation is less you'd come out ahead and still have the option of keeping it longer.

I've always thought it made better sense to buy Hondas new rather than used.

stickguy

man, I hate bright red. But I love dark red (burgundy, Cabernet, anything wine related!)

nasty dent there, and damaged to the front valance. Not cheap to fix if you want, and damned ugly if you don't fix it.

but, being a central NY (aka rust central) car, I would really like to see the rust issues. In this day and age, pretty much a deal breaker for me.

stickguy

That is the generation (E90?) that introduced run flats and no dipstick (other then a few owners.. ) to the 3 series.

2005 was the last of the old school 3 series sedans with an actual full sized spare wheel/tire

bwia

Feeling that you could have negotiated a better deal? Then try this website. http://www.CarGurus.com

CarGurus.com offers lots of free information, but what makes the site unique is that it specifically says if it thinks the advertised prices are great, good, fair, poor, or overpriced. Read more at http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2012/07/14/buying-car-consult-online-guru/KO- lIMpZjRa4csDaWfBvsaO/story.html

explorerx4

My wife had a black one for over 6 years.
The front end shows repainting and I guess that dent in the left front fender happened after that.
I'm pretty sure the engine needs periodic valve adjustment. That's for each of the 32 valves!
That car sounds great when you start it up.

driver100

At $2k I might be a buyer

He didn't want a $2000 low ball offer though. You know it has been repainted because you can tell with that maroon licence plate frame.

I have driven a rental Taurus of that vintage and I considered a wagon version in 2005, and that is not a fun car to drive....steering is vague.

Sounds like he practically rebuilt the car around 68K miles, he probably wants to unload it before the next round of repairs.

Surely there must be a more interesting/exciting used car out there.

driver100

Honda Accord LX for $129 a month for 36 months (($2,999 due at signing)

That deal isn't that great, I found this one from Florida right away.


$249
per month for 36 months.
Pay Nothing but your tag.

$249.00 per month for 36 months.
Not sure what a tag is...is that just your licence?

It works out about the same.

South Honda Miami

stickguy

actually no. using my quick and dirty lease math, $129 + 3k/36 = about $215/month with nothing down.

explorerx4

Driver, It's an SHO. With a double overhead cam V8, from personal experience I can tell you, they can move.

roadburner

That's a beautiful car. Is that an odd color for BMWs? Most of the ones I see have muted colors. I'd prefer the red if I had a choice. The interior is the color I'd want too.

Thanks! Yes, bright colors are relatively rare- especially on non-M cars. My salesperson told me that they order most all of their cars in black/gray/silver/white because that is what sells; it also makes it easier to do dealer trades.

I'll add to the chorus of congratulations for a fine car -- guess your wife is more flexible on transmission type than I am (& you also, as I recall). I'm very partial to red cars -- completely sick of white, silver, black & any shade of gold (though those seem to have finally run their course). I should remember this, but don't: is it old enough to have a dipstick and real tires?

Yes, my wife prefers an autobox- although i have to admit that the six speed isn't bad. I'll see how I get along sans dipstick, but I'm definitely going with go-flats when the run-flats wear out...

stickguy

still trying to get my wife on board for looking at a slightly used 3 series. So far, she is not buying it.

might have to accidentally drive by the dealer and accidentally turn in... Never know what will happen if she tries one out!

nyccarguy

Thank-you so much!

stickguy

http://www.bmwofturnersville.com/detail-2010-bmw-3_series-4dr_sdn_328i_xdrive_aw- d-used-7498313.html

roadburner

Looks nice.

jipster

It works out about the same.

The South Honda Miami deal would be about $600 more.

May swing by this weekend and check out the fine print. I assumed the LX was an automatic nicely equipped.

Oldfarmer, if you purchase that car, buy some new floor mats. Looks like somebody was murdered in that thing. :P

stickguy

one nice thing about Honda. There is no loss-leader stripper without options. an LX is an LX, and pretty well equipped if you don't need "goodies"