By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
What pisses me off is how they bundle options into packages. I was lookiing at the VW GTI. I wanted NAV, but in order to get that I had to get leather, sunroof, and a lot of other stuff. The NAV would cost me over $5k. I said no thanks.
Toyotas does that too. In fact, they won't even let you buy one (at least near me) w/o choosing an option group.
There has to be a happy medium between the Honda method (for lack of a better term) and the free for all that lets you order any old combination.
Now to be fair while the article says for an Accord you only have 3 options it's really more once you factor in engines and sedans vs. coupes but still. I use my experience when buying our 00 Accord as my example. We wanted a stick shift and a sunroof. Not a big deal, right? In order to get that combination you had to buy the EX which included things like four wheel disc brakes (which I'm happy to have) and a different stereo and whatever else. In addition the EX did not come in red that year so that was a no go. As it turned out we were trying to get rid of the old Windstall before we hit yet another expensive repair on it so we were really flexible on color. The dealer had no sticks so he cast the net and it came up green...
Would I like to have had more choice? Sure. DO I understand that I got a lot more car for the money because they didn't have to stop the line to give me an LX radio and no power seat in an otherwise EX? Well, yeah.
I'll be interested to see how this all turns out.
Great !! There goes the dual exhaust systems that have become so popular lately. I hope you have an inside track to those superior Euro car people since they are our only salvation and if you do, please hurry otherwise car constipation will return.
What a fine mess you’ve gotten us into this time
Ollie‘driver’. :confuse:jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Because up till now people were buying it? Just a guess. :P
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
The articles says buyers save money because option packages are cheaper than buying desired items separately. I disagree.
When I was last buying a new car I was frustrated because most of the brands I looked at (Mitsu, Nissan, Honda) forced you to buy expensive packages to get the one or two options I wanted. I ended up buying a base model because it would have cost $3500 more to get the ONE option I wanted that wasn't included.
I fear that the bean counters will one day rule the world--and it will be a dull place to live. (Sorry snake, but it's true).
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
American cars have that feature too, it's called a turn signal. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The "bean counters" only provide the numbers. It's the "fat cats" in management that make the decisions that make life hard for the rest of us, (usually enriching themselves in the process!) :sick:
American cars have that feature too, it's called a turn signal.
My mistake in how I stated that.
Leaving the signal lights on is a bit confusing....that really indicates you are getting ready to pulling out into traffic which isn't what you are trying to show at all.
I know, you guys have an answer for everything....you probably carry a white flag in your trunk if you are temporarily stopped at the side of the road, so you can wave it at the traffic and they will see your parked car. :P
Now to answer my bud JM
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I tried to answer your concerns I spent about 1/2 hr. looking up the path that the exhaust system takes if it is a dual exhaust car.......which both our Euro cars are by the way, so don't worry that you won't have this feature (and the conFusion actually has dual exhaust...unless ones a fake). Couldn't find an answer.
They might still both be routed down one side of the car, leaving the other side clearer for the fill up pump. If not they have a way to do it, but I am not an engineer (but you are so what's the answer?).
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
LOL. My wife says that I think I know everything....and what I don't know, I make up.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
That's why we never have to ask for directions too!
We might drive in the wrong directions for an hour, but we know we'll eventually get there.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I had trouble getting the tire off, it was the first flat since I had my Jeep and you need a special key to get the wheels off, which I knew nothing about, and of course the dealership doesn't explain it.
So, while we waited in the car in the snow storm I decided to use morris code with my brake lights 3 short flashes, 3 long, 3 short.
A transport truck driver stopped and called the Automobile Club and they changed the tire and we made our flight.
Just FYI I want to pass on what the truck driver said;
"Lot's of people stop for a break and use their 4-way flashers so I don't stop for those cars, but since it was a distress signal I decided to stop".
Another safety tip from the Sales Frontlines Safety Monitor :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
She's not qualified to own ANY motor vehicle, let alone a BMW. Wouldn't it just be faster to pull up on the right side. Why do some people have to do things the hard way.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Couldn't find an answer.
If you’re looking for a job you can have one where I am. It seems if the people who don't want to think can’t find an answer within a half hour they cry out to engineering saying, “that’s why they pay you guys the big bucks”. It’s always easy for someone else to find the answer. I’ve been saying for years, this company otta send everybody home except us high power guys. No one wants to listen.
They might still both be routed down one side of the car, leaving the other side clearer for the fill up pump. If not they have a way to do it, but I am not an engineer (but you are so what's the answer?).
I can see you also need help and it ain’t all that hard to figure out. You’re theory is all wet. The pipes are typically run down the sides of the car and exit at the bumper also on the sides (the least amount of bends the better for the constipation problem). There is always the exception but I said “typically”. To prove how they are routed, how hard could it be for you to bend down and look under your con-Fusion. Might even want to look at a couple cars in some parking lots to get some more data and don’t forget, when you go home, check your Euro’s. Just so the suspense won’t kill you, you might wanna check out cars just like you have at home right now. :surprise:
See what I mean about people not wanting to do their own work even when it’s staring them in the face.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Guess what, I did check the CFusion at least. Very interesting (was that Klink, Schulz or Art Lang - did we ever figure that out?). Anyway, seems the exhaust pipe runs along the side opposite the filler cap in the conFusion. Then, after the gas tank it splits in two and there are actually two pipes that go to the sides.
Probably this answer from Tom and Ray is more accurate, but I think the Mercedes salesman saying that the gas filler was on the right side to make it safer for filling up from a can on a highway does make sense - you wouldn't just make that up.
Tom: As far as we know, there is none. We've heard one argument that it's safer to have the filler cap on the passenger side. Why? Because if you run out of gas by the side of the road, you won't have to pour your little gallon of gas into the car on the driver's side as semis and milk trucks go whizzing by. That sounds kind of bogus to me, but that's an argument that's been made.
Ray: The case for having the filler tube on the driver's side makes more sense to me. First of all, when you drive up to a gas station "island," you pull up on the right side, just like you do everywhere else in the United States of America. Plus, if you're pumping the gas yourself, it's more convenient to pump the gas from the side you're already on, isn't it?
Tom: But as far as we know, there's no universal standard, nor is there any overwhelming reason to go one way or the other. The exhaust system has to go down one side of the car, and the gasoline filler tube generally goes on the other.
I don't know if I want to look around for a BMW and go under it to take a look, I'll think about it. It's probably a "reverse engineering trick". You ask a question then they say you are lazy and should figure it out yourself, and they get out of more work. My brother is an engineer.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I think you can make a pretty good case for packages being cheaper than single options. Just to pick a number, suppose that 10 individual options are available. That means there are 210 = 1,024 combinations of options that customers might select and all of those have to be managed on the assembly line. That requires a ton of inventory juggling and coordination.
Now just compare that with managing a half dozen or so packages. I think it's an easy call.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
"Driver100, please pick up the white courtesy phone; the ghost of Samuel Morse would like to have a word..." :P
For the car maker sure, but for the customer? I can't see it. On my Eclipse the only option I would have liked was the 450 watt stereo. nice as it was I wouldn't pay $3500 more to get it. Besides, that package came with a sunroof which would have made the headroom too low for me to fit. In my case, they lost out selling me options they might have sold me if you could have picked them out individually.
As to your math calculations I won't presume to argue with someone who has a keyboard that can type out 2 to the tenth power.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
What's wrong now, is it 3 long flashes and 3 short, then 3 long? It all looks the same to the truck driver that saved us.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
We're trained professionals with years of experience. You should never, ever try this at home! :P
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Just curious, but when/where did you get this answer from these two guys. I’m not saying they’re wrong because I read them all the time and they are pretty practical guys. Now, as for the MB salesman, I’ve never heard of a salesman that made thinks up but I know there are plenty that pass on what they hear.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Speaking of Snake, somebody asked a while ago about which side the gas filler is located on Hyundais - mine is on the left. Snake - is yours also?
Actually, I've only ever had two cars with the fill on the right - a 1982 VW Rabbit and our 2009 Mazdaspeed3.
It's on the left.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
LOL, I was wondering if anyone would catch on. Morris is who's cat? Morse's cat?
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Go to cartalk.com or click and clack
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Morris was a cat. I used Morris code, it's a way cats signal when they are in distress, 3 quick meows followed by 3 long purring sounds, then 3 quick meows. :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Looks way too "prestigious". If you buy it it might change your personality, you might become a snob. I don't think they sell that model to accountants.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
You should market a Morse code kit for cars and trucks. Wire it into the flashers and spell out any messages you'd like to relay to motorists including calls for help, road rage, and friendly thank yous.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
And it comes as a surprise that some drivers of european/luxury cars have a repuation for being snobs?
What? Some carsalesman make thing up? The horror. That would never happen. (with sincere apologies to the salespeople here. No disrespect meant to you)
They lost money on your sale, but made a heck of a lot more money on the other sales they did make. It's a bigger picture kind of thing. As a customer, sometimes it works in our favor, sometimes it doesn't.
Not a bad idea...one of those moving messages across the back window. They would be a nice extra with my new vinyl roof / mac tac sun roof business I am opening down here in FL.
I am also going to refinish a lot of these vinyl roofs.....they get real faded in the sun.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
tutone GM
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I agree, all the girls will be throwing themselves on your hood as you drive by.
Just don't let their walkers scratch your fender. :P
(Actually, that GM is nicer looking than the Ford Crown Vic twin.)
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Are you sure thats not just poor driving skills?
Ducking and running
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
As far back as the 1980s, the GM was affectionately referred to as the "Mercury Medicare".
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
And it comes as a surprise that some drivers of european/luxury cars have a repuation for being snobs?
I didn't think it that way. I am used to dual exhaust being used on cars with larger engines. I was surprised Ford would actually build an engine that would require dual exhaust ina car they are trying to keep at a certain cost limit...I am sure(extra mufflers and pipes and clamps etc to consider).
If I was a real snob I would have paid the extra $10 bucks a day to get a luxo car....but I have driven similar cars to this for 75% of my driving career any way. A car wouldn't make me a snob, because I would only get too frustrated, every 5 minutes I see cars that are much better than mine, no matter what I drive. I would never be happy if a car is going to be that important to me. I enjoy and appreciate luxury cars, but they don't do anything for my own self-esteem or I.Q., I just appreciate the engineering and handling, just as someone else might enjoy a 60 inch LCD TV or a 8000 amp stereo system, or Ben and Jerry's ice cream!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
How could it miss! Healthy, low calories, lots of iron, it was a natural. Could have sold them while people are waiting for their cars to be dressed up.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
http://www.edmunds.com/audi/r8/2008/picturearchive.3.html
Well, there goes any hope of eating out in the near future... or eating in for that matter. Or perhaps owning a house & furniture to eat in.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Guess you're a pretentious S.O.B. too
Actually that is a very nice car. A little too pretentious for me though. I like them in red and yellow! Richard would look good driving down the highway in one of those. Come on Richard, if it's going to be your last new car............
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'm pretty sure that once he sees the MSRP (and not just my guess at the MSRP), his sights will land just a little bit lower!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle