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Comments
Wow! Are you ever behind in posts...I wrote that July 2nd.
You can't reach across and unlock the passenger door in a Focus from the drivers side because the little post is too small to be able to grip it.
Our friends who rented that minimalist car complained they had to actually walk around and open the door with a key.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
hackles - definition of hackles by the Free Online Dictionary ... Any of the long, slender, often glossy feathers on the neck of a bird.
LOL. Looks like you're about to get a hefty raise in your membership dues. :P
BTW, if I lived in Kentucky I wouldn't want to be tied to Ohio in identification. I can see why those in the northern section don't like that tag.
Richard
I bet that your wife doesn't like that! :surprise: Is your son a chip off of the old block?
Richard
Well, you have to remember that most of these old codgers were "sparkin" just about that time. :P
Richard
Ad by a Hyundai dealer states 30% off the sticker of any new Hyundai in stock (except Genesis) PLUS $2k bonus trade value (all trades qualify) PLUS a $1k check. So, looks to me like I could get their cheapest car in stock, MSRP $15,885, for ~$8k.
So what's the real deal?
edit: ahhh... never mind. Found several reports online about this 30% off "deal." Seems they've been doing it for years. It applies to THEIR price, not the MSRP.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
What is THEIR price? Is it higher than MSRP? That woouldn't mean much, and sounds like a scam.
Dealers have $3000 off on 09 Sonatas right now in Canada.....they did that last year at this time. I think it is smart retailing, clear out the 09s and charge more for 2010s.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I'm guessing one of those details is you have to buy a car from them on your way out. :P
Actually our dollar is rising against the U.S. dollar - or more correctly the U.S. dollar has been sinking.
In the last few months are dollar has gone from about 82 cents U.S. to 95 and even 97 cents U.S. and they are talking parity. This actually works against our exporting companies. However, the increase in our dollar has not been reflected in the price of cars. Many buyers cross the border and buy cars for 10 to 20% less.
I was surprised at the price of a Sonata in Canada. From $22,000 with standard transmission to $32,000 for a six with leather. Though they are pretty good cars, when you get up in the $30,000 range for a Sonata, I might start considering a few other makes. I would just be more comfortable with the tried and true makes and with cars with higher resale value. On the other hand, for under $25,000 Cdn it is a pretty good buy IMHO.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
This is why we should shop OTD.. because we all pay it.
Even I know that.
When we were living in SC back in the mid ‘90’s, we were the only ones there (sons were back in the Burg). So, I NEVER forgot an occasion. ANY of them, it was self preservation.
I knew the store where ‘you know who’ liked to buy cloths so that’s where I went. I knew her size, walked into the store, went to a rack, plucked something from it, took it to the free wrapping counter and went home (just as fast a I just described the event). They had free “store grade wrapping” for purchases over $25. You could pay for a more deluxe wrapping which I never did. Hey, it’s only going to get ripped off anyway.
When the day arrived I gave her the box. She went and put it on, comes back for the showing and would say, “I don’t know how you do it. Everything you buy seems to fit just right and I like the color too. When I buy something I’m always returning it”. I can assure you, she always did that. I said, “you women spend way too much time buying something. You make it way too hard. Us guys put thought into it before we start shopping, so we don’t have to spend all day doing it and then have to take things back”.
I was always clever enough to get out of that.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
When I got my new car 2 years ago I traded in my X3 to the dealer. My son-in-law bought it from the dealer for his wife (our daughter) and paid for a full warranty for 3 years. I wasn't completely comfortable with them buying my car...in case something went wrong. But they were sure it was a good car and the dealer said it is in excellent condition.
A week ago my son-in-law came up and complained that the rear wiper was broken and it will cost $500 to fix. He just asked how that could break down. I was just about to say I was sorry to hear thet when my wife who only heard the end of the story piped in with.....Oh, Anna (our daughter) was backing out of the garage and the door came down and broke the blade. Ha, it was really funny because I really felt a bit guilty, but now it had nothing to do with me.
Then he complained that the floor on the passenger side gets soaking wet all the time, and why didn't I tell him about that. I said I never had that problem. He took it in to the dealer and they said it was probably a seal under the window. They examined the car and found chipmunks had made nests under the hood and had chewed away the rubber seals. They have a million chipmunks around their house and they even make homes in the cement floor of the garage. Another one that I didn't feel responsible for....and another $500 repair.
Even though my used cars are in excellent condition, I always feel a little uncomfortable selling them to relatives.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
They usually go something along the lines of....
"Hurry in.....don't miss out"!
Or....
"Never before, never again, deals on (pick one)...Vues, Auras, etc"
Well, of course. They'll never make any more. Miss out? On what? The chance to buy a leftover Ion? Yeah....I'll beat a path to their door!
Our friends who rented that minimalist car complained they had to actually walk around and open the door with a key.
Not the lock. The handle that opens the door. That will pop the lock at the same time. You don't need to touch the little button that is hidden. The door has a HANDLE that actually OPENS the door. pull it and it will POP the little BUTTON as well.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
A week ago my son-in-law came up and complained that the rear wiper was broken
Then he complained that the floor on the passenger side gets soaking wet all the time
That is not a “sales story”. You have to actually buy a car to claim that; like I did and a few others around here.
It is however, an admission of how you sold a :lemon: to your SIL. To blame it on not paying attention when backing up and then to blame it on poor innocent chipmunks is really weak. I guess you picked up that trait from the sales biz guys that hang out here.
It sounds like you’re ready for a new line of work.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
As you all know, I own 3 Saturns. I had to take the wife's VUE into the dealer last weekend for some warranty work, and we got to talking with the service rep.
He told us the dealership wouldn't be closing (the dealer principal owns, I think, 3 Saturn dealerships in Denver and Colorado Springs). His comment was that Saturn has hundreds of thousands of customers, and they just wouldn't close the doors on them.
Well, if you have no new cars to sell, will these dealers all turn to selling used cars and relying on service to the existing customer base?
Possibly, but if what happened to us is any indication, that strategy won't last for long. When at the dealer, they tried to sell us a 30K service that included a transmission flush ($220) and a differential fluid flush for the AWD system ($280). We declined, then looked in the owners manual when we got home. Neither of the above services are due until 100K with a normal use schedule. Even with a 'severe duty' schedule, the diff fluid should be done every 25K miles and the auto tranny service is due at 50K miles.
I go back to the dealer this Saturday .. the warranty work required that a part be ordered. Something to do with the lockout switch on the transmission - we sometimes have problems getting the key to turn to the "off" position and removing it from the ignition switch.
I have to say that I will only go to the dealer for warranty work .. for normal service issues, I'll take it to a place in town (the closest Saturn dealers are about 30-40 miles from me).
EDIT: I have seen some pretty smokin' deals on new (leftover) Saturns.
If I had known I was coming over to Stories from the Sales Frontlines I would have put off buying our 2 (count them two) cars in October 2007. But, after buying 2 (count them two) cars in October of 07, and having "Will Styling Save GM" get cut off the air, I came over here, but, unfortunately, I had already purchased 2 (two) cars by then.
Sorry.
Anyway, I think my story still counts because I did sell the car to my son in law, it was part of the deal, and the results from that sale just came up now. I hope you don't have chipmunks living near your Gennie. :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I wanted to find out more so I looked around and found this about 30% off on Hyundais. This is a riot, and there were other disturbing posts too;
dealer reviews
My Review of Benson Mitsubishi Hyundai:
Brad benson is not the right dealer.
1)They advertise as 30% off posted dealer price.I looked at Santa Fe and the dealer price is 3$6,000. Wooooow what a scam. Roughly $8000 above MSRP. If you ask about 30%, they will say that you don't qualify because you are not from military.
2)The sales associate told all kinds of stories when i asked about the manufacturer rebates, I insisted hard and sat there arguing for one hour until i got the manufacturer rebates
3)Sales associates tried to steer me towards monthly payments which is a big scam by itself. Oh by the way DON'T walk into the dealership without cash or a preapproved loan. They do so many scams with the financing.
4)Sales person asked me to sign on the paper that I am buying a car today just to hypnotize me as i was negotiating with him too much and he plays all sorts of tricks like
a) How would you drive to work if you don't buy the car today?.. yaa right
b) Somebody walks by and says, if you don't buy the car, there is one more customer who likes this car and he will buy it. I stood up and said Give it him and tried to walk away and my sales assoicate came back begging to come back to the negotiation table.
6)Don't go with the kids.Look for friends who can negotiate well, atleast 2 friends.Be prepared to negotiate atleat 2-3 hours on the price, so DON'T GO with the KIDS and have 2 FRIENDS with you.
7) Don't tell about trade-in until you are satisfied with the price. Do your research on trade-in and don't trade-in until you get a good deal on trade-in. You can always sell by yourself.
8) Most important don't get into the discusssion of monthly payments. Negotiate until you get a good price, Avoid taking loan from them.
9)Research on the internet on hyuundai's website about the manufacturer rebates, the MSRP, financing information and take a printout and be ready to show the printouts, as I was shown OLD printouts which had different information.. Wooow what a scam.
10)FINALLY BE PREPARED TO WALK AWAY FROM THE STORE IF YOU DON'T LIKE INTO WHAT YOU ARE GETTING. There are other hyundai dealers too. Have a Plan-B.
11) BOTTOM LINE, They are there to make maximum amount of money and they don't care to rip off your shirt if possible.
By the way I had to stay 4 hours in the dealership 6:00pm - 10:00pm to get the best deal i think, i paid 24,500 for hyundai santafe LE 2008 model. Hope this helps.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
C’mon, what do want from the poor guy? He and his friends are Canadians. :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
That's old news. Around here it is "what have you done for me lately"
I hope you don't have chipmunks living near your Gennie.
I’m not worried in the least bit. Car wax is the #1 item on a chipmunks ‘do not mess with’ list. Just the mere smell of it chases them away. To taste it is deadly. And as everyone here knows, I put that stuff on all car parts even seals.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Get financing through your bank or credit union. Decide what you want.Check Edmunds for Invoice,TMV,rebates- and then calculate the OTD price using the Edmunds calculator and offer it to him.He agrees- You buy.If not- so be it.Go to other Hyundai dealers or my choice-go buy a Toyota ! [ Folks,don't flame me here. Toyotas may not be exciting to drive but they are comfy,plushy and reliable :shades: ]
Or he can buy it from a no gaggle dealer like Fitzmall.Too many choices in New Jersey IMO!!
That severe duty schedule sounds about right for servicing to me. I wouldn't stretch either the trans or the diff service till 100,000 unless GM used synthetic in both units. The rear diff might have synthetic but I doubt the trans does.
What all did the diff flush include? Been a long time since I was under a VUE but I think it has a drain plug for the rear diff so it is an easy peasy drain and fill for the rear diff. My shop used to charge $18.95 for a rear diff service in any normal sized car or truck with conventional gear oil. That price was the same if I had to suck it out with our vacuum pumping system or if it had a drain plug that could just drain the fluid out. Double that for price for synthetic and heavy or medium duty trucks with large rear diffs were quoted by how much fluid they took.
So now jmonroe has trained chipmunks to wax his car? There really is something new under the sun...
What, may you ask is the topic? The purchase of their first car! They need to pick out 3 cars, economy, luxury and their dream car. They will look up specifics about each car, safety ratings, options available, cost of ownership, etc. The spreadsheets will be used to compare and contrast the three while the Powerpoint will be used as a selling device to their audience, me!
I chuckled a bit when it was described to me, then laughed out loud when she told me one of the sites they'll be using...Edmunds!
Though she's still a good 4+ years away from getting her license, she told me she already knows what car she wants, the one I'm currently driving ( '99 Volvo S70).
Lets hope this helps create a whole bunch of educated customers!
And I think because of the position of the door handle he couldn't reach it....too far down.
I guess this wasn't one of Ford's better ideas. :sick: .
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
LOL
But,
Only American know how could make a door that you would have to be a contortionist or be a member of Circus Soleil to be able to reach across a centre console and reach over to open every time you go for a trip. Makes sense to me.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Maybe the area driver100 lives gets cold and the locks were frozen. :confuse:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Wow, tomorrows consumer is going to be well armed....and I am glad I am retiring and don't have to face them.
Jeez, what happened to the good old days when you just wrote up an order on an order pad?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Damn! I would have aced that class!
Instead I had to study boring stuff like world geography, western civilization, and history which I have no use for now! Just kidding I enjoyed those and I'm proud to say I can point out not just ALL the countires on a North American map, but most on a world map
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Boom, we were actually in your neck of the woods, Parksville B.C. to be exact, and it was pretty warm - July. It was our friends who rented the car and they told us what an inconvenience this was. I should have looked at it....I think I would have known the door handle would open the door. But, if I remember correctly, I think the door handle was way forward and down low, and you couldn't reach it over the centre console. Anyway, in this day and age not to make a remote....why would you buy it, except for a rental car company?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Do you mean like U.S.A. and Canada?,
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
10)FINALLY BE PREPARED TO WALK AWAY FROM THE STORE IF YOU DON'T LIKE INTO WHAT YOU ARE GETTING.
Do as I say, not as I do? :confuse:
Do you mean like U.S.A. and Canada?,
You fail! You forgot Mexico.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I haven't been to one in a while, so this week I went with one of my managers just because I like the atmosphere, and to learn a few new things or two.
The auction ran from about 9-4, but we stayed until about noon. We arrived at about 10am. There were 7 or 8 lanes with cars all going at once. We had a 100+ page list of cars available (10 cars per page listed) = 1000+ cars running TODAY through the blocks.
In order to go in you had to be either registered (with your ID# for bidding) or had to have a visitor's pass. In order to get a visitor's pass you had to be there with a registered dealer who had to sign for you. You gave up your ID and got it back when you returned the visitor's pass when you left for the day.
The building where the auction took place was a giant warehouse with about 8 lanes, and huge garage doors on both sides for cars driving in through the lanes and stop "on the block" for about a minute or two where bidding would take place and then it would drive out the other side.
The cars sold were divided by who was selling them and went through the appropriate lanes. For example one bank selling all their repos had one lane all to themselves, while another manufacturer selling their lease returns had another lane all to themselves. The other lanes were filled with dealers' cars, ex rentals, etc.
The cars that were going through the lanes were lined up outside, so if you spotted something, you could check it out before it went up on the block (rolled up for bidding), and check with your black book values, so you can figure out a strategy as to what you should bid up to. You had about 5 - 10 minutes to do that. The list of cars had details on the car such as accident histories and their amounts, registration info (if out of country/out of province), odometer issues, warranty info, options listings, and the mileage, so at a quick glance you could see if this was a right car for you or not.
Keep in mind many of these cars were available for viewing a day or two before hand, some up to a week or more before, and many were inspected by the auction house for basic stuff like oil leaks, brakes, tranny leaks, or tires with the details posted on the car's window. Most sales qualified for arbitration, so if a buyer bought a car, and found issues, they could launch a dispute. The cars labelled as-is, didn't qualify and were bought as-is.
So here's the fun part. 8 lanes going. 8 fast and loud talkers on the mics. About 500 bidders/sellers, and 1000 + cars to choose from, and you having about 1 minute to decide whether to bid on a vehicle or not, and to get in on the action right away.
You'll also run into old coworkers/manangers/friends in the biz who are there to buy or sell. You'll mingle, smile, shoot [non-permissible content removed], and then return to focusing on the cars you want to buy,
The cars pulling up for bidding would inch along, stop for about 1 or 2 minutes, and bidding would start. The auctioneer would quickly go over any big issues such as odometer, registration, or accident problems (same stuff listed on the list), and would start the bidding. He'd start from high to low and keep dropping until someone started bidding.
Because of the amount of buyers/bidders, there are auction helpers who help buyers with their bids, and yell out bids for the buyers that the auctioneer might have otherwise missed. These guys work the floor and are like the ears and eyes of the auctioneer. The car that's being bid on idles on the block for about a minute or two and then it slowly drives way while the bidding continues. Sometimes the bidding still continues while the next unit pulls up. While the bidding is going, these guys yell and show hand signs to the auctioneer to represent the buyers' bids, and at the same time the bids appear on large displays so if you have no clue of what's going on, you can watch the bids on the screens and sort of clue in.
This whole process for each vehicle takes no more thna 5 minutes, most of the times less, and it ends when there are no bids at all and the vehicle is unsold and drives out, or when there are bids, but they haven't met the reserve. In this case the seller is contacted and asked if they'd like to sell it for the current bid, or renegotiate. Or when it meets the reserve (or if no reserve) and sells.
It gets challenging when there are two or three vehicles you're interested in that are going at the same time in different lanes. You squeeze through the crowds, underneath the blaring auction loudspeakers, and in between idling cars on the blocks to try and see what the bids are at.
There is no "thinking about it" here. No "I'm not sure id this is the right vehicle, or gotta ask my wife/boss/whatever". No "stop the auction so I can see if it fits my budget". Either you bid and buy or you don't bid, or you nooze you lose. You gotta really be on the ball and keep an eye on everything and bid on the right one not buy something wrong or pay too much. There is no return policy (unless the car was misrepresented), and if you buy something wrong, you better figure out a way to sell it on your own.
And the funny thing is at the auction nobody (buyers) admires the vehicles for their beauty, lines, performance, or wow factor. The vehicles are admired if they have the right mileage, look clean, is mechanically sound and are easily sellable. Every dealer in there tries to get it for the least amount possible, and every car purchased is based on a rational decision whether it can sell quick and make a profit. It becomes an emotional decision (for the end buyer - meaning you the customer) when it ends up on the dealer's lot and the customer sees it and falls in love with it. In a way it happened to me where I loved cars for what they are but have become desensitized to them since being in the biz for 5+ years.
But I love ther auction atmosphere. Hundreds of cars idling and inching through the blocks, crowds of bidders, 7 or 8 auctioneers blaring bids over loudpeakers, and bidder helpers yelling out stuff and honking horns to get everyone excited. If any car buff has has an opportunity to see a large dealer auction, I'd strongly encourage it. :shades:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Here's a definition I just found:
Description North America, the planet's 3rd largest continent, includes (23) countries and dozens of small island possessions and territories - mostly in the Caribbean. It contains all Caribbean and Central America countries, Canada, Mexico and the United States of America - three of the largest countries on the planet, as well as Greenland - the world's largest island.
If boom can name off all those than I am impressed.
Source; countries of NA
P.S. Boom, on Jay Walking the other day he asked what countries border the U.S.A. and they knew Mexico but not the other country. How can that happen?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
After hearing that report I was surprised to see all the car carriers coming out of Manheim today had SUVs on them. How does that work, do the dealers place those stories to match what they are buying this week?
Also I remember someone mentioning a gov't rebate on golf carts which I thought was pretty silly until I saw a flatbed loaded with (you guessed it) GOLF CARTS coming out of the auction also.
What's the 0-60 on one of those?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Heck I don't like finding various young people sleeping on the floor all over the place either. We allow it so no one drives home under the influence. They are all of legal drinking age but their maturity leaves much to be desired. :sick:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Fortunately, I still have the owners manual right in front of me ...
Automatic Transmission Fluid - DEXRON - VI Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear Drive Module / Transfer Case - Synthetic Axle Lubricant (Part #, US - 89021677, Part # Canada - 89021678)
So, you are spot on.
What all did the diff flush include?
Didn't ask .. we wanted to research the issue before getting into details.
So, I'll get the automatic transmission done at 50K, per the severe duty schedule in the manual. Should be another 14-18 months before that is needed. We've got 30K on the clock in 26 months.
Interesting that they mark that rear drive module/transfer case.
AFAIK the VUE doesn't have a transfer case exactly as all of that is tied up in the transaxle. I wonder if they have a haladex or some other wet clutch unit tied into the rear diff.
I really don't remember been so long since I worked on one and I have never worked on the newer ones only the older ones with the Honda V6.
When it comes time to do the rear diff service if it is just a rear diff and no other funny wet clutch pack unit then don't bother with the GM specific GLS part number. That special GLS fluid is probably 20 plus bucks a quart now. Either Amsoil or Mobil 1 synthetic meet all the same specs and are less then 8 bucks a quart. They might even be as low as 5 bucks a quart depending on where you buy them.
If there is a special module back there then I would check to make sure that it is actually serviced during the rear diff change. If it is then the GLS fluid might be required.
Interesting, Boom.
Thanks for the look behind the curtain.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.