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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • grandtotalgrandtotal Member Posts: 1,207
    Heck I think that paying over 15k for a car is decadent, indecent, and plain outrageous!

    Unfortunately so does my wife, which is why I still drive a Corolla rather than the Camry to which I aspire (and can easily afford). On the other hand, my green side may keep me in a Corolla when it's time to change (2009 MY is nice enough to almost make me not regret buying a Camry).
  • armadilloalarmadilloal Member Posts: 10
    Shoot, when I was 20, I had a Buick that was only three years younger than me!

    Heck, my first car was a '71 and my second was an '86! (and I was born in '85!)

    The '71 was an old Baja Beetle, and it was quite an experience. I'm still not convinced that thing was actually a car. Pretty cool car to have in a high school parking lot (especially one with no lined parking spaces, so there was always at least ONE spot small enough that no other car could fit). Lacked a heater though, which is what caused me to drive it into the ditch on the first night cold enough to frost over the windshield. (D'oh.)

    The '86 was my dad's old Mazda work truck that had been sitting in the yard for a good 5-6 years or so. Put some new tires on it, and it was good enough for what it did (get me to school and back), even if there was a hole in the gas tank and it pretty much fell apart on me literally the day after I graduated high school.

    Didn't get another car after that until 4 months ago...figured I'd had enough with the ol' beaters and picked up a CPO 2007 Saturn Ion. Probably a little too pricey for someone making $11/hr (but I'm living out of my parents' house so have few other expenses right now), but I like it and it'll probably last me a good long while, and isn't that what it's about?
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    Still mad at jip for putting such a creepy vision in my minds eye

    It's all a matter of letting the untrained mind wander around a bit... in places that would kill, or render one catatonic, the average man.

    If that shower didn't work, I would suggest replacing that "low-flow" shower head.
    Maybe with something that they use on circus elephants...ask for Kosmo K. Kramer. ;)

    Glad you liked the fuzzy slipper idea richard. :shades:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Well, not one for buying a car....

    A friend at our church had an 00 Accord much like mine. Only difference was hers had the 6 and an automatic.

    So a couple of years ago she has it in for service. They do the work and the mechanic takes it out on the road to make sure all is well and promptly gets hit by a truck. He was OK but the car was totaled.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • armydavearmydave Member Posts: 29
    Today are customer concerned about quality when shopping for a new car?

    Some stores would be out of business if people shopped quality.

    I am thinking of at average or better as reported by consumers report.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    you beat me to that one. mack is a saleman and that is what they do.
    i went to the wake for the uncle of one of our old neighbors. he was a car dealer principle. several salesmen paying their respects tried to sell me a car while i was there. i didn't take offense and deceased was probably proud of them. ;)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I've seen it moreso at Honda than I do at Chrysler.

    Honda folks were huge on reliability, saying they want to keep their cars forever. The reality was most of them came back after 2-3 years to buy something else (Honda, but bigger or different).

    At Chrysler, people ask me from time to time, but that's why a Grand Caravan is $10k cheaper than an Oddysey (at least here in Canada), and as much as everyone would like to have a top of the line best quality made-on-a-Wednesday vehicle, not everyone will blow and extra $10k for it.

    Besides, the quality margins these days in my opinion are small and not that significant, epsecially if you're only keeping the car for 3 years or so.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,207
    "...That's why a Grand Caravan is $10K cheaper than an Oddysey..."

    Are you telling me that my Chrysler won't last as long as a Honda? Surely you jest. The only car I ever got to last past 150K miles was a Chrysler. :)

    My 97 Cirrus should last 200K. Only 96K to go.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    explorerx4wrote:
    " you beat me to that one. mack is a saleman and that is what they do. i went to the wake for the uncle of one of our old neighbors. he was a car dealer principle. several salesmen paying their respects tried to sell me a car while i was there. i didn't take offense and deceased was probably proud of them. "

    That is hilarious. I can picture it.
    Thanks
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    MMM wrote : "...I can't follow the line of thought."

    Richard64 wrote: " I've noticed that as well. When we see a strange post, perhaps the Hosts should put an edit note that says "This is in response to a deleted post." On the other hand, we do have many strange posts."

    You've got that right. Are you usurping your power m'lord. You were duly appointed Keeper of the Scrolls as well as Guardian of the Grammar. Are you now trying to add Perceiver of the Strange to your list of titles? Oracle to the Hosts? Insinuator of the Reviled ? dm. Enquiried with tounge firmly in cheek and a smile .

    As the religious may speak in tongues, I may on occasion speak in puns. Even wax lyrical if the mood suits me. Some get it , some don't. It really depends on whether you have a sense of humor.

    On to car related, the speculators haven't quite resolved the fact that in indeed we are in a recession it's hard to make the argument that high oil prices are due to rising demand.They pushed the price per bbl to $146 prior to the 4th of July on a self fulfilling prophecy that it would rise to $150 by that date. Now we are in the mid $120's per bbl as evidence of falling demand is reported. Many analysts are calling for $100 per bbl by year end. Ironic if they were in the $150 by early July camp previously.

    wtg moo put it the title of the post fercryingoutloud. re: musical, so as to avoid confusion.

    Jip, that image of the fuzzy slippers and Barely Man-enough is deeply deeply disturbing.I shall bill you for any therapy that is required.
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,618
    ". . .Keeper of the Scrolls as well as Guardian of the Grammar. Are you now trying to add Perceiver of the Strange. . .Oracle to the Hosts? Insinuator of the Reviled. . ."

    I think it's called one-stop shopping.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    " Are you usurping your power m'lord." Your guardian needs a question mark there. ;)

    Well, I have been known to cross the line, as is evidenced by several deleted posts. :surprise:

    "Add Perceiver of the Strange to your list of titles?"

    As a fan of jips Fuzzy Slippers, have I not earned this title as well? :P

    "...$100 per bbl by year end"

    I remember late last December when a friend called to say that it had reached $100 per bbl. It appears that it will have taken a year to return to that news.

    Poor Joel. I saw this morning where Ford lost $8.7 billion in three months. This may be more than the CEO's salary. :sick:

    Richard
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Are you telling me that my Chrysler won't last as long as a Honda?

    No I'm not saying that. The qulity these days is so similiar that you might end up with a lemon honda as much as a lemon toher brand name product.

    Maybe a Honda is finsihed nicer, and overall has better reputation, maybe it has a few more luxury touches, or gizmos, and two pounds more of sound insulation, but overall it's all the same these days.

    And when it comes down to the almighty dollar, the dollar usually prevails.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "I think that it is called one-stop shopping."

    You're having one of your good days, aren't you? :P :D;)

    Richard
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,618
    "I think that it is called one-stop shopping."

    Well, here's the thing. What I wrote was "I think it's called one-stop shopping."

    Were I you, I'd have put a "sic" in there somewhere if you thought "it's" was incorrect, or perhaps you could have actually put the proper quotation between the marks. It's called attention to detail where I come from, and probably for you as well. When I do it wrong, aircraft engines fail.

    Just my (often flawed) observation.

    And yeah, I'm having a fine day.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Granted question mark, Lord High Guardian.
    " As a fan of jips Fuzzy Slippers, have I not earned this title as well? Nigh sir. You slip politically as doth that William of Clinton in response to "that woman " or even "is" .
    "...$100 per bbl by year end" Not my quote but our revered analysts, Btw, never forget what the first four letters of analyst spell.

    Most agreed on Ford, They went from a ceo that used the advertising slogan, quality is job one, when clearly it wasn't.
    Firestone : you ! Ford : no you!, Damn those laws of physics. Recall number nth ad infinitum. To young Bill the Ford preppie who knew not his hole from an [non-permissible content removed] in the ground. Sidenote: This is duke humor, yes I know it was inverse. That was rather the point . They truly need some one to run them correctly. A great tragedy, Should have been Greek.

    Assume not lest ye make....

    Test my mettle indeed. Second strike.
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    cdnpinhead wrote :
    " . .Keeper of the Scrolls as well as Guardian of the Grammar. Are you now trying to add Perceiver of the Strange. . .Oracle to the Hosts? Insinuator of the Reviled. . ."

    I think it's called one-stop shopping. "

    That it is! or vertical integration as the business school 's are so fond of saying. By and large I find our northern brethren to have a refined sense of humour note: correct spelling .God save.. More than typical stateside. Not meant to be a debate, just a casual observation.
    There's no stoppin the cretins from hoppin <--- waxing lyrical again.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Yep, O2 sensors are required by the Federal Emissions warranty to be covered for 2yrs/24K miles, but obviously these parts would be covered under the manufacturers basic 3yrs/36K miles. All of which was explained to me by the dealer as well as being documented in the owner's manual. Unfortunately, the vehicle was outside of the 3yrs/36K mile warranty. Toyota quality at it's finest. :frown:
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,207
    "..."Preowned"...I hate that term!..."

    Me too. How about "Preloved" or "Gently Used". Makes it sound like the previous owner took it to bed with him. ;)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    "..."Preowned"...I hate that term!..."

    Me too. How about "Preloved" or "Gently Used". Makes it sound like the previous owner took it to bed with him.


    I kind of like the term "preowned". "Used", has a somewhat negative connotation to it. Like in a boyfriend/girlfriend sort of way. i.e "Man I was used... now she is throwing me away for something newer, shinier and with more torque and horsepower." :cry:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    I don&#146;t know, used is used. We can call it anything you want, it&#146;s not new. Just don&#146;t call it &#147;fuzzy slippers&#148;. :(

    Still having cold sweats and night mares. :surprise:
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    Moo,

    I know you are a Porsche guy now but you should really check out the 2009 Maxima... especialy the sport package. This is really the first year you can feel a difference in the "sport pkg"...

    The 2009 Maxima is really the best car I have seen From Nissan in the sedan segment! :shades:

    I could talk for ever about it but you really just have to take it for quick spin if you still have a good relationship with your dealership. You won't be dissappointed!!!

    GP
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    I am also a fan of the new Max but I haven't driven it yet. The only thing I am not sure about is the CVT transmission. How did you like it? I heard someone say that it had a mode you could drive it in that simulated a regular transmission. True?

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I read in a magazine, that Nissan engineers used the Porsche 911 as the handling benchmark for the new Maxima.

    I like it much better than the previous gen, as that one looked nearly identical to the current Altima save for the back doors and trunk.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    "Pre-owned" is wrong in my humble (not in this case) opinion. ;)

    It should be Post-owned, since you will be buying as car once it has been owned by somebody else. Pre-owned leads you to believe otherwise.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    I read in a magazine, that Nissan engineers used the Porsche 911 as the handling benchmark for the new Maxima.

    heh....

    and Hyundai uses Lexus as the benchmark. You know that right?

    I don't think even Porsche can build a car as big as a Maxima keeping the 911 in mind. Totally different classes/types/layout, etc
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    The only thing I am not sure about is the CVT transmission. How did you like it? I heard someone say that it had a mode you could drive it in that simulated a regular transmission. True?

    Yes the CVT is a little different if you are not used to it but i have been with Nissan since 2002 and if I don't drive a CVT tranny I feel like there is something wrong with the car.... ;):blush:

    Also what you said is correct about it having a simulated regular tranny :shades:

    You have "D" mode which would drive with the CVT...

    Have to this will be continued.

    GP
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    And tee off many potential sales

    Now that is funny... you play golf and you used the word "tee"

    For some reason that cracked me up and it is the first post where I didn't think you were saying anything derogative.

    Wow that felt nice.

    can we be friends now?

    GP
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Uh oh, greanpea got an up!!! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,207
    Just read a story that the Chevy Aveo is the cheapest car available in America at about $10,400.

    I wonder, since a car like this appeals to people who value price above all else, do dealers load these cars up?

    I can see a customer being lured into a dealership thinking he will pick up an Aveo for under $11K OTD and then having a heart attack when he finds all the ones on the lot have $3K in options and bling.

    I know there can't be much mark-up in these cars so how do the Chevy dealers roll,strippers or loaded?

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Not sure, but I saw a brand new one yesterday and the new model looked pretty decent. Much better than previous ones. It might be the same under the skin but it did look much better. Sedan, not the hatch.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    In Canada the cheapest car is a 3 door Hyundai Accent for $9995 (plus freight) for $11300.

    Not a bad price and I was seriously considering getting it as a spare beater car.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    all names,etc changed to protect the innocent.
    it went something like this:
    a guy 'fred' stands next to me and says too bad about 'bob'.
    i say: yeah, but i didn't really know him.
    fred: you work for alex (his brother, also a car dealer principle)?
    me: no, i'm a friend of the family.
    fred: oh, what's your line of work?
    me: i work for a software company.
    fred: money's pretty good?
    me: i do ok.
    fred: paycheck is pretty steady then.
    me: so far, so good.
    fred: what are you driving?
    me: an xyz.
    fred: those are nice, i'm driving an abc. have you ever checked one out?
    me: no, but i hear they are a pretty good car.
    fred: the abc is great. call me and we can take one out for a drive. i can get you a good price on your xyz, too.
    me: thanks, i'll let you know if i am interested.
    fred leaves.
    george walks up: i noticed you talking to fred, you work with him?
    me: no, i am a friend of the family.
    george: what line of work are you in?
    etc.... ;)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    If you put the 09 maxima in "sport mode"

    It feels like it is in a lower gear and it feels like it is changing gears like a conventional tranny. What happens is it stays on a lower power band than jumps ahead... I have had a long day and can't write really well. Lets hope Rich will manufacture a story for me ;)

    Anyway if you a shopping for a full size sedan and performance is important to you. DO NOT MISS A TEST DRIVE ON THE MAXIMA.....

    That is all I can say.

    Hope everyone finishes strong this weekend.

    GP
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Hope everyone finishes strong this weekend.

    We've been in a slump for the past 2 weeks. It seems to be picking up right now.

    Thankfully I had some decent grosses to make my month so I don't have to worry :D plus I have 4 appointments in the next few days. I'm sureI can make a good month out of an ok month.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • greanpea68greanpea68 Member Posts: 1,996
    What is going on???

    Why is, or do you know that Comcast.net is reporting that Chrysler is no longer doing leases at months end....

    Is that trucks and SUV's only????

    I can tell you this much, Nissan is very willing to dump any truck or SUV right now :sick:

    GP
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,181
    From the AP:

    "Chrysler LLC said Friday its financial arm will get out of the auto leasing business by the end of the month because economic conditions have made leasing more expensive than buying, for both consumers and the company."

    Good thing I don't lease. Or am interested in any Chrylsers at the moment. Have I mentioned how ugly I find the Sebring? In addition to being ugly, it just looks cheap to me. But I still miss my Chrysler 300M...

    '21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)

  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    What a great story explorer4x. I can picture the widow grieving while you're collecting business cards.You're right, the deceased probably would have been proud.
  • duke23duke23 Member Posts: 488
    Those private equity guys may be filled with regret.
    Laurasdada, a world class expert on on musical infrastructure as well as a proud acura owner wrote:
    "Chrysler LLC said Friday its financial arm will get out of the auto leasing business by the end of the month because economic conditions have made leasing more expensive than buying, for both consumers and the company."
    Late explanatory news on the Chyrsler decision added.
    The Associated Press
    updated 3:21 p.m. CT, Fri., July. 25, 2008
    DETROIT - Chrysler LLC has told dealers that the automaker's financial arm plans to get out of the auto leasing business before the end of the year.

    A dealer who asked not to be identified says the reason is that the company has experienced losses on leased sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks because their residual values have dropped.

    Chrysler spokesman Stuart Schorr declined to comment on the issue but said Chrysler executives will hold a conference call Friday afternoon.

    Word of Chrysler Financial's move comes a day after Ford Motor Co.'s credit arm took a $2.1 billion charge because of the drop in the residual value of leased vehicles.

    The Chrysler dealer did not want to be identified because the company had not made an official announcement. So they will still lease but will finance only through outside sources.That was announced together with a 1,000 employee job reduction today.Can't be too long for Jeep. Private equity can be ruthless, Dodge as well?

    I don't have to fight, to prove I'm right, I don't need to be forgiven. Just talking to myself again.

    Poor Chrysler, years ago in the worst of times they had to sell their single letter stock symbol, C . Now the subsequent owner may have to sell it as well. Big changes a brewing. In other news GE Credit, desirous of people that will pay them back is doing an $8 billion deal in Abu Dhabi.
  • tedebeartedebear Member Posts: 832
    Poor Chrysler, years ago in the worst of times they had to sell their single letter stock symbol, C

    Those were the best of times for Chrysler. They got rid of their C because of the DC "merge of equals" and the new company name.

    At the time Chrysler had more cash reserves than just about any other car manufacturer. Daimler noticed this and decided to raid the piggy bank and get out. It worked for Carl Icon with TWA and they figured it would work for them, too.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,121
    I'm personally not a fan of leases, either. By the time you get finished with all the fees, that deal you negotiated isn't looking so good. I never could figure out why there are more fees for a lease than for a regular sale. There's the same amount of paperwork. The only difference is, the leasing company or bank is the title holder, as opposed to the driver.

    I guess someone has to pay for the inequalities of the residual values.

    But, this brings up another question for all automakers. What are they going to do with all those off lease SUVs and trucks when the lease is up? How about the person who leased a $40K SUV a couple of years ago. Lease is up next year. Surely, the difference in residual value isn't going to be anything close to what the vehicle is worth today.

    There's going to be an awful lot of write offs in the next few years.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    That's the problem and this is going to hit BIG time.

    Chrysler has killed themselves with leases for short term gains. Sales are slow so they make an attractive lease with affordable payments. In order to do this, they set the residuals too high hoping that "something" will happen to make their cars worth that much at lease end.

    Well, "something" did happen. Gas went to 4.50 a gallon. The people who leased these cars were actually lucky they did lease.

    Now, they will run from these leased cars like rats from a sinking ship.

    These SUV's and other big cars are dying at the auctions. They are either not selling at all for any price or they are bringing THOUSANDS of dollars "back of book".

    It isn't a pretty picture and it's worse than scary.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    True, but if you are currently in a good situation, times like this can be a great opportunity.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • traindrivertraindriver Member Posts: 328
    Here's a real life example:
    My 2006 Jeep Commander has a residual of $16780.80 at the end of the lease 9/26/2009.
    Edmunds TMV gives me a trade value of $15823 - 51 color adjustment - 32 regional adjustment + 709 for low mileage (20,XXX miles) = Edmunds TMV of $16449.

    No surprise, Chrysler Financial is already in the hole and there's 13 months left to go. The real value is probably much less than Edmunds estimates as our dealer friends will tell us "books don't buy cars."

    The people who leased these cars were actually lucky they did lease.

    Yes, thank goodness I will be able to walk away in a year.

    Now, they will run from these leased cars like rats from a sinking ship.

    That is certainly my plan. I see an Accord or Maxima in my future.
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    Well as promised here is the car shopping report as uneventful as it might be.
    We went to one VW dealer and one Ford dealer on Thursday and were greeted at both places by very nice, no pressure salesmen. Pleasant chit-chat at Ford, very helpful, no pressure and have a nice day. I&#146;ll go back.

    VW was also pleasant, but the dealers policy for getting on the list for a Jetta DTI Sport Wagon turned me off. They wanted a $1,000 non-refundable deposit to get on a list with a large window of when we might get a car and could not guarantee the price.

    On Friday we went to a different VW dealer in Tacoma, WA and I was amazed at the ADM on the Jetta TDI demo. ADM $4999 making the final price $29,XXX. They also had a 2006 VW Beetle TDI pkg2 auto, blue, 11,XXX miles, very nice. Price; $26,999. They sold new for about $22,000.

    Guess I won&#146;t be buying from Larson VW of Tacoma, WA. Opps, did I say that out loud. :blush:

    I wonder if VWAG knows that their dealers a pushing away potential customers?
  • carhag2000carhag2000 Member Posts: 207
    That's the problem and this is going to hit BIG time.

    Chrysler has killed themselves with leases for short term gains. Sales are slow so they make an attractive lease with affordable payments. In order to do this, they set the residuals too high hoping that "something" will happen to make their cars worth that much at lease end.

    Well, "something" did happen. Gas went to 4.50 a gallon. The people who leased these cars were actually lucky they did lease.


    How about 2005 Pilots that are coming off lease now? Residuals are in the 17 to 17.5 range and Hondas MBPO is 12.5 to 13. ( MBPO stands for Market Based Purchase Option and is the price that a dealer can buy it from Honda for) I had a couple people want to buy out their Pilot lease and their option was to purchase at residual value. I bet honda LOVES those folks!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I just can't see the diesel attraction.

    I was in so. Calif last week and diesel was something like 5.25 a gallon and it isn't much cheaper here.

    Yes, I know diesel cars get better gas mileage but think about the negatives.

    You will pay throught the nose just to get one.

    Diesel can be hard to find and you will pay accordingly.

    I know it's better than in the past but the cars still stink and diesel fuel can be messy.

    I just don't understand the attraction.
  • jkinzeljkinzel Member Posts: 735
    The fuel economy is a big reason.

    The biggest for me and I can only tell you from test drives. A VW with a TDI and the DSG trans is sweetest drive I have ever had. Smooth, powerful, no rubber band engine. It&#146;s just a great drive.

    But, thanks to the dollar, I guess I&#146;m over it. See below.

    I just got off the phone with a salesman at a Portland, OR dealership and was told the following.

    Because of &#147;mostly&#148; the weak dollar and exchange rate VW has done the following; They originally were going to build 12,000 TDI Jetta wagons and sedans combined for the MY 2009 to be distributed to 643 VW dealers in the US. That number has been dropped to 8,000 TDI combined for MY 2009. He also said they (most dealer, not VW) are adding about $4,000 over MSRP for the TDI&#146;s

    Bottom line, I guess, is forget the diesel for this year and see if the numbers increase for 2010.
  • micosilvermicosilver Member Posts: 212
    I just can't see the diesel attraction.

    And you won't, until you drive one.
    No smell, no noise, tons of torque, and DSG transmission.
    Even without the mileage advantage - I would switch from my gas Jetta to Diesel in a heartbeat.

    About the VW dealers that are turning you off - first, it's supply and demand, try to buy a Prius, and Toyota dealers will turn you off too, they act as if they do you a favor by selling you one.
    Also, the production is being delayed all the time,, that's why they cannot promise you delivery date, they are just being honest, instead of taking your deposit and promising something they can't deliver.
This discussion has been closed.