Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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Actually, she had 16 personalities. To give oldfarmer comfort, let us remember that the 16 personalities finally melted into one. Naturally, he will need extensive counseling. We do offer this on Edmunds. :P
Richard
And now you can't even peek at a map for sale in a gas station because it's either sealed in plastic or just not allowed.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Annoying, but hopefully you can get cell phone reception there and look things up on your phone. Of course, if you're in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone reception, you're better off buying the map. :P
Richard
She would have a lot of trouble buying a car. Her practical side would want a Corolla, her environmental side a Prius, her feminine side a Miata, her risky side a Corvette, her family side a Highlander, her baseball mom side a Caravan, her pleasure side a Mustang convertible, her serious side a Honda Accord, ">her more mature side a Buick - any model, her youthful side a BMW Z4, her carefree side a G37, her business like attitude a Fusion, her expensive taste personality a Mercedes SL, her off road side a Cherokee, her totally impractical side which she will never get...a Lamborgini,
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
What her husband will actually buy her, a Honda Civic.
She will have a very hard time buying a car, more of a problem than GG! :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Really? Do tell, after all this counseling what car will he think he will be?
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Just remember that a map is only good if you know where you are AND can find it on the map.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Richard
Richard
Richard
If one doesn't work - just stall a few minutes and talk to another one. :P
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Just remember that a map is only good if you know where you are AND can find it on the map.
Very true. Of course, in the OP's example you were at a gas station so we can assume that you know where you are. :P
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Ahhhh...and now the truth comes out. We all knew it was just a matter of time until we found out where this attachment to Woodford Reserve originated.
Happy car buying. This is supposed to be a good time to buy, so keep us informed.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
For grins, went to the local BMW place and drove both a 328i and a 135i' vert. Was particularly smitten by the 135i. Knocking on the door of $50K. Kind of surprised at that as the 1 series is BMW's least expensive car. There again, they wanted $400 just for an ipod adapter.
Was relatively underwhelmed by the 328i. There again, it teetered right around mid $40s. Looked at a couple 335i models.....those loaded up crashed well past the $50K mark.
Bottom line, the segment I'm shopping in (as you also did with your Genesis) is super competitive. There are some really, really good cars in this grouping.
It's still going to come down to either the G37x or the Acura TL AWD.
The phone calls from dealerships are now coming in multiples. I've told all of them I'm in the market. I've yet to solicit a number from them, but they're throwing them out there. No one, and I mean no one (including BMW) is quoting anywhere near MSRP, either. They're a lot closer to invoice (and well under in some cases) quotes than they are to MSRP.
It's sounding like the delta between an '09 G and a '10 TL is roughly around $3,500.
'09 G37x with prem and nav should settle in around $34.5K. $38K and change should do it for a TL AWD w/technology. I think resale will be better on the Acura because it's a '10 model vs the '09 MY for the Infiniti.
I was a little surprised at how the Infiniti dealer has become more aggressive. They're the only store in town. And, traditionally they've never been as aggressive as they are now.
Talking to the dealerships I've visited had them bemoaning the fact that little of the C4C bonanza touched them. So, that may have something to do with them being a bit more "price aware". All of them have loaded stock and selection.
Interesting note about one of the Acura dealers. Was on the phone with the sales person and he tried to get a commitment out of me by asking my color preferences. Call me a glutton for punishment, but I like their implementation of black....it's a super deep black with a bit of what looks like metal flake in it. The one I particularly like also has saddle brown interior. Salesman mentioned that they usually don't order that color combo but was confident he could find one like that for me for "only" a $200 fee.
I chuckled a bit and said that was a deal breaker. He followed up immediately and said...."or, we can drop the $200 fee. I told him that was probably a good idea.
Not that it matters with the way I do my offers. I just thought it was a bit amusing considering he also said no one would beat them on price.
Has any sales person sold a car to a multiple personality? That would make an interesting story.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Compare G37 vs TL
The sight is called True Delta, and they do give price guidelines which might be helpful. I don't know a lot about G37 and TLs, but I do have a few observations.
The TL look grows on you and can look quite striking in some colors...like black.
If you like the TL better the $3500 isn't a big difference, the 09 G has lost more than that in depreciation, unless you plan on keeping the car for 8 or 10 years the difference is less than the depreciation. I have bought a last years model once, but I always was much happier and further ahead in the long run getting a current model.
I like the $200 finding fee. I just bet if you buy you'll get the full mop n glo treatment from that guy
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
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
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
There are some differences in how they all do what they do. By no stretch are those differences vast, however. All of them are more similar than they are different.
I think BMW's strategy in marketing their vehicles is on the leasing end. That's where they become competitive on the price scale. I don't lease. So, that's lost on me. I would have been real hard pressed not to have bought that 135i convertible (or even a 335i coupe) if there wouldn't have been such large gap between those cars, and the others I'm looking at. 328i was closer, but still not what I'd consider competitive.
I don't mind a "bump" (like the $200 fee). If I had been in buy mode, as opposed to research mode, I would have walked at the "finders" fee suggestion. Whenever I make my offer, I don't even mind if it's rejected. I just don't like to do the whole offer/counter offer thing. I'm going to come in prepared. I'd hope that dealerships appreciate that and are willing to be professional about it and not waste their time, nor mine, by going into the whole grind routine.
I know some of the sales professionals here bemoan those who try to grind them. But, that's a two way street.
Richard
The G37 is going to be redesigned next year. They have incentive to get move the "old" model. Make sure you research the changes coming as it might affect your decision.
(No bias from me...I own a Honda and a Nissan
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
A few months ago, I spent a couple of hours behind the wheel of a new '09 328i. While it had a few features that BMW didn't offer back in 2001, it wasn't one bit more fun to drive. As I walked away from the car, I thought, "Well, that was nice." I didn't think, "My God, I must have one of those NOW!" (It probably doesn't help that I prefer the styling of the previous generation E46s to the current E90s.)
verdugo....the Infiniti dealer had just received their first shipments of '10 Gs. Some minor trim on the inside changed. Outside, the fog lamps positioning changed. That's about it. Don't know what they're doing with regards to '11 MY, however.
ti.....you kind of summed up my dilemma. Save $3,500 and get an '09 (G) vs a '10 (TL)? Initial cash outlay is more. But, somewhere down the line, that newer model year designator will pay off in better resale value. Now, what that better resale value is, I don't know. Will it be enough to offset the initial price differential? Who knows.
Both are very good cars. I like the larger interior room that the TL affords. Plus, gotta say I've turned into a fan of the SH AWD.....it does wonders for the total dynamics of the car. Another case of where it makes the ride vs handling mix pretty darn close to ideal.
As you can tell, I'm leaning towards the TL. At least for my body frame, it's the most comfortable of the group I've test driven so far. I was particularly enamored with the fluidity of the steering input on the AWD version. It's just that $3,500 differential isn't pocket change (at least not for me).
jimbres.....as I said, BMWs are good cars. Just don't understand why and what they charge for that their competition is able to include at much lower prices. A $50K 3 Series is pretty shocking to me. Audi and Mercedes kind of fall into the same category. I actually saw one report (I think here at Edmunds) that called the MB C class interior as "cheap".
I thought about one of the power stations I think they are called but ended up getting the family to get me a 150PSI compressor with a 15 gallon tank. Sits upright so does not take that much room. I can run air tools, nail gun, etc. I love the impact wrench for tough bolts such as changing blades on the lawn tractor.
"After a few flats years ago got the 12 volt pump and a tire plug kit. Never had to use them on the road -- still have the plug kit. Had a flat in the garage -- hooked up the 12 volt pump --- slowwwww.I hate to wait. Went to sears and got the 110 volt pump. Now that's pumping. Use it all the time to top up the pressures in my cars. Can't find a long enough extension cord for on the road so the 12 volter will have to suffice in emergencies. "
They did the same thing to the other cars and SUV's they make!
No sure, but isn't the G37 the updated version of the G35? The G35 I saw a few years ago was big time sharp. Looked to be a tad small in the interior space department though.
I am not trying to change any minds or anything, but let's talk about a $9000 increase over 9 years. Most things almost double in price every 10 to 12 years. Some things go down in price, such as computers, TVs, refrigerators etc. I would say restaurant meals and food has almost doubled in 10 years. Most cars are probably up a simialr amount, 25 to 30% over 9 years. The U.S. dollar is weak at this time so that doesn't help, and some cars are artificially low in price because of outside factors, such as domestics have to be low to stay competitive, Korean cars have lower labor costs..
What I am saying is a $30k 2001 car will cost about $40k today for a comparable model.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Yikes! Talk about a computer glitch. I posted that message and the screen froze up for some reason. After banging and kicking the keyboard for awhile I got tired and went back to work. The computer must have gotten even with me.
It's funny to come back after a few days and see everybody talking about me as if I had done something strange. I had to think for a bit to make sure I hadn't insulted someone and then forgot having done it.
Well anyways...I like cars.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Say it two more times and we'll believe you.
driver...I've seen a $10K increase of BMW's top 3 series over about 3 years (negotiated price). Granted, it's more powerful, too. But, so is it's competition.
Again, a very competitive sliver of the market currently, if you want to throw the Audi A4, Cady CTS, G, MB C class, TL, IS/ES, even the Genesis into the mix. They're all close to, or exceed 300HP. They all handle and ride extremely well. They all have "muscle car" acceleration.
But, you could probably say the same for the Camry, Malibu, Fusion/Taurus, Accord, Subie Legacy, Maxima/Altima, VW Passat/CC, etc.
I personally feel it's a grand time to be shopping for a new car, regardless of what you're looking for. They're all built better. They are all high tech. They are all more reliable than their preceding brethren from just a few years ago. And, you can get them all in a variety of flavors.
When you list them all like this, it really does drive home how competitive this category is. The Taurus SHO and Lincoln equivalent are knocking on the door of this class too. Can't say I know which I'd pick. I know I wouldn't pick the C-class, and I've had 3 Audis, so no A4 for me. The G, TL, and Genesis seem very good. The IS doesn't do it for me. I've never owned an American car, but I like the current CTS. Yep, make mine a wagon
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
SHO is interesting. A friend of mine ordered one. He was supposed to take delivery last week, but it's still not at the dealership. From what I've read, it's a slick car. But, he's a "Ford advocate". Nothing inherently wrong with that. There again, even discounted, it breaks my $40K self imposed price limit.
While a long shot to make my short list, I'm going to visit the Audi store today to see what an A4 has to offer.
I'm off to CA for business the next two weeks. When I return, I expect I will have decided on what I want.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
A person with multiple personalities will act differently in the same situation and the same people.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
So might someone without multiple personalities. It's called learning.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Richard
To stay on topic: A patient could be a savvy car salesman one day, but know nothing at all about cars the next day.
Richard
Whoa. Is that a true statement or is reporting of child abuse, or alleged child abuse, on the rise. How many divorces include the wife trying to slam the soon-to-be ex as having abused one of the children in order to try to gain full custody? Or to gain something more or just inflict more pain on the poor ex-husband?
Usually statements by the government agencies involved that some "problem" is on the rise is a tool to garner more funding for their agency. Local police agencies didn't care much about going after the pedophiles who come to their local until the feds stated granting more money based on how many of the pedophiles the local agency "caught." Xenia Ohio has made that a business for years. But seldom does anyone mention the increase in funding from having used their "internet division" to catch the perverts seeking youthful victims for encounters. It gets mentioned when one of the talk show hosts on radio WLW 700 takes up the topic. That's where I heard about the funding connection. It certainly doesn't occur because Xenia Ohio is a very conservative town (and county) and doesn't like sex and alcohol (and drugs).
A good connection to salemanship is whether a multiple personality abuse victim makes a good salesman because they can be the personality that "likes the cusstomer" and wants to be helpful and then set them up for a baby seal clubbing financially?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
From what I've read, it seems GM has begun to produce well thought out and engineered products (our Tahoes, maybe the new Malibu, the CTS, the new Buick, and the Corvette, all point to a company who can indeed compete, and compete well.
But, they have to do that across their entire product line, not just a few models. For every thing they seem to do well, they seem to fumble just as many (ongoing issue in trying to see Saab, just being one example).
Just returned from driving the A4. Not a bad car....quite pleasant, frankly. They come with a lot more "bling" than I expected (i.e. LED headlights). Nice drive. Still, for $40K large, I expected more.
I'll let the dust settle for a bit. Take a breath and put concrete numbers down for both the G37x and TL AWD. Make a decision and stick with it.
Funny thing, I told the Audi sales person up front that I'm doing some research for my next purchase. He asked how long I had been shopping. I told him a week or two.
Curious, I asked him how long it really takes to close a deal on a car. He said he'd been working with one person, who had just taken delivery of an A6 since October. He said it was a rarity that his customers buy on their first visit to his store. He said it usually took between 3-4 visits before someone actually sits down seriously to buy.
Thought that was interesting.