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If you don't like mechanics' mark-ups, I suggest you avoid shopping for furniture, or jewelry, or any number of other items. It would make your head spin.
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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)
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Yes, they should. But there's nothing wrong with the customer knowing what that profit margin is.
I just suggested 10%. In construction 10% is great, your talking high dollar items, like a building. Maybe for smaller work like car repairs, you need a 20% or 25% margin, but at least you'd be able to compare apples to apples at different shops.
Agreed that advertising fees are ridiculous. The price of the car should already get included with all those costs. You don't get charged advertising by the grocery store when you buy that Tomato! Document fees are also iffy, since a couple of pieces of paper doesn't cost much; they tend to be overcharged. One dealer might charge $60 while another charges $40. That's a 50% variance. Anything with that kind of variance smells rotten.
What blew me away was that it did all that for $25,000 LESS! The V6 handles even better. If it weren't for my wife giving me "the look" I'd be ordering one right now.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I would like to think that they were pretty normally balanced person before that.
In Virginia it is a necessity. I changed one ONCE. My back
ached so bad afterward and the chiropractor was so expensive
I said never again. Next time I needed one I evaluated if it was
worth keeping the car if it cost $1000 to change. It was. Then
I was happy to pay the $204 the mechanic had on the bill.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
All you have to do in this country is hire thousands and thousands of workers, manufacture tons and tons of junk, run it into the ground disastrously with mismanagement, incompetence, and total disregard for the long term health of the company. Then when the buck stops, and things come crashing down, you tell the gov't you are too big to fail, and you can get your $500,000 loan and add 5 zeroes to it while your at it ($50,000,000,000) that's 50 billion with a B! Plus, you get it almost free of charge at times with some bailouts. You can give the gov't worthless (well, okay, $22/share) stock, but you tell them and sell them on the idea it's worth $50/share (which anyone with half a brain knew was fake).
It has more to do with the Midas telling me a Civic needed new this and new that (struts as one example). Then took it over to another shop and they were like "Midas is crazy, and that's illegal what they are doing! It doesn't need new struts." This happened a couple times with different items. I've also recently dealt with a shop that is really REALLY bad, I mainly had them do bad paint/body work (installing a 4 piece body kit and painted carbon fiber hood). Not really mechanical (okay, they did a bad CV boot replacement job too; either didn't do it at all, or did it poorly, or used a part that had the clamp/ring fall off in just a few months, which was the original reason I had the job done in the first place).
For the most part, they were slightly cheaper than other guys, but what they don't tell you is they are hiring slave labor taking advantage of "undocumented" workers paying them $10/hour but not showing the customer those kinds of savings. Turns out the joke was on the shop and me because they did poor work with peeling paint within months. Mistake #1 is hiring unqualified workers. Mistake #2 is charging too much for unqualified labor. Mistake #3 is paying too little on wages. I made them do warranty work, but they did almost as bad the 2nd, and 3rd go arounds as the first, since they keep "cheaping" out. Needless to say they appear to be almost out of business. They had a great reputation which is why I went there. What I didn't know is that all that good reputation was based on one guy, and that one guy had left just as I started getting work done there. That guy is my current mechanic, the first good one I've found.
He told me the reason he left is because his old cohorts were engaging in unethical activities such as: reusing old parts, using used parts, overcharging, underperforming, false insurance claims, false excuses, false delays, being incompetent, overselling, and general "not knowing what the heck they were doing." But go on Yelp and they have good old reviews, but Yelp won't publish negative reviews for some reason. They've been in business for about 1.5 years, that's YEARS, since the main mechanic left.
Not if they're a reputable company they don't. They usually make sure they get broken for parts.
The salvage title will always raise a flag and thereby protect most buyers.
However, like any system of checks and balances a few will always slip through somehow.
The biggest risk are the vehicles that weren't insured, which then get cleaned up and sold on by their owners.
However, I do remember that after Katrina there were teams sent out to collect VINs of all the damaged vehicles, which were then compiled into a huge database which the insurance companies (or whoever) also made available online.
Print 16 One Trillion Dollar bills. Pay off all our debts.
Start over with bread costing $27/loaf. Who has more
to lose, wealthy or poor? Here's a hint, my wife bakes
her own bread and has enough ingredients to become
financially independent. OK, back to the Sales Frontlines.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Do reputable and insurance company go hand in hand? I thought those two terms were mutually exclusive! :P
As other posters have intimated, he's sitting on a virtual GOLDMINE here. Step 1: Start a shop with billing transparency (itemization) and, of course, lower pricing. Step 2: beat customers away with a stick - put competition out of business. Step 3: watch the money roll 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)
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I try and tell my wife all the time that jewelry is one of the most overpriced, marked-up beyond belief items that anyone can buy. It really is a disastrous value. She still wants those overpriced rocks for some reason. anyway :P Flowers are a rip off, especially around Valentine's day.
Handbags is another. I mean really, for $250+ the bag should come with a lifetime warranty and some 24K gold plating.
Shoes; thank god she's more of a quantity than quality type woman when it comes to shoes! She doesn't mind cheap shoes, just has to have a lot of them :sick:
Furniture.... I have to admit I went cheap in order to avoid being totally ripped off. I like the good stuff, but somehow I think even when there is a 50% off sale I'm overpaying. When I shopped for a mattress it was funny the price war that started by going between two stores. One saleslady told me that she could give an EXTRA 5% off if I decided within 48 hours.
Only to someone who sees life in black and white.
Whether it's repair shops, individual mechanics, or insurance companies, there are good and bad in every group and a whole bunch in between.
One thing is certain though, if they ran their businesses along the lines you suggest, there would be nowhere to get your car insured or repaired.
I specifically say "no jewelry." First, I'm not a big wearer of the stuff. I wear earrings a lot, but I also tend to lose them (at least one of a pair), so cheap is better. I wear one ring that I had made 6 years ago. Don't want any others. No watch, no bracelets, and rarely, a necklace. After I found out about the scam that is the diamond industry, I specifically don't want those (artificially inflated prices based on the false notion that they are rare... if prices dropped, the Russians would immediately flood the market with diamonds making them almost worthless).
Purses - I had ONE purse, purchased for me (against my will) that cost $300. I was soooo careful with it. I panicked at every scuff, avoided putting it down anywhere. I hated that responsibility. I currently have one that cost $14.95 (Kohls) that is beaten up beyond belief. It was in my massive car wreck with me in December and had Diet Coke spilled on it. Several small rips. I hate the thought of replacing it, but it needs it. To me, it's like a shopping bag - I do NOT take joy at spending money on a replacement or shopping for a replacement. I'd prefer someone bring me an identical purse, but new & clean, at the same price.
I haven't purchased a pair of shoes apart from disposable flip-flops in over a year.
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)
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Remind me to go kiss my wife, she has no interest in jewlery. Flowers? I grow them so she can get all she wants. Handbags, agan, no interest. Furniture? We still have most of what we got when we were married 35 years ago. Shoes? I think she has two pair, new and old.
I am one lucky dude.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Makes you want to stay away from Craigslist for a few months.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The Explorer did really well, we averaged 22.25 mpg for the whole trip.
The best I could have expected out our '02 would be maybe 18.5.
A week before going back to school, egghead's throat swelled up.
It turns out she has an under active thyroid.
It explains a lot of her lethargy over the summer.
Got some meds, so she is more energetic.
We were walking around campus and ran into a 90 year old priest who had fallen off their scooter and hit his head on the curb.
We would have walked by, trying not to be nosy about the scooter, but he let us know he had a problem.
He was lying in a pool of blood but was very composed.
Egghead immediately called the campus police and walked everyone through getting him help.
I am really proud of her.
I thought she would make her mother take care of it because she was there and it was an uncomfortable situation for all of us.
This was in a remote place and I'm thinking someone had a 'guardian angel' to lead us there.
I just hope you do all of your own car repairs. God help you might pay too much.
I can tell you've never ran a buys auto repair shop or owned your own business. It would be a real eye opener for you!
EVERYBODY pays for advertising! It is rolled into the price of everything you buy.
I feel like I'm talking to a wall!
Egghead sounds like a good egg. Don't worry about the thyroid thing, oldest son has the same thing and is now working on his third black belt. Explorer averaged 22+ mpg? Not bad. The wife's PT Cuiser only averaged 27 mpg on a recent 450 mile highway jaunt.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Is that still in SW Ohio? Or did she graduate and go on to new pastures.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Dealer A where I bought my present car didn't call me back after we walked away on Saturday. I am surprised....they have sold us 3 cars and Mr Closer made trying to complete a deal impossible.
Dealer B got back to me tonight. 5% off the 2012 535Xi. I saw the colors I was considering at a 3rd dealer all lined up....titanium silver, medium gray, and alpine white. We tend to like white cars so that was the final choice. Oyster which is off white interior with black trim such as lower door trim.
The wanted to give me $Xs for the trade in. Old story about a convertible in November is hard to sell. I wanted $2000 more for the trade in. They came up $500....said they paid less than that for a similar one with more equipment, fewer miles, and 2 months earlier.
I said, I'll do it if we split the difference, give me $1200 more for the trade in.
He said can you come in tomorrow. I said yes, what do I need to bring. He said a credit card and license.
This was all done by emails back and forth. Car is made in October and ETA is late November.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Andre you might have solved the economic problem.
All products can only be marked up 10%. Imagine the buying spree this will create which will mean lots of people will go back to work.
Brilliant!
I do wonder how you got so bitter and negative. It's a great world try to enjoy it. With our free market system people generally pay the lowest price possible. If someone can cut prices they will....that's what competition does. Garages charge (not mechanics) $100 an hour because that's the amount they have to charge to make a profit. The mechanic probably makes $30 to $40 an hour with benefits and the owner gets the rest but has lots of overhead and other worries.
Other people have much larger problems than you and they are positive happy people (I am thinking of someone right around here).
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I really need this tshirt to go to the hospital in - http://www.cartoonbank.com/1992/say-this-isnt-so-bad/invt/108777/
On to today's main story - if I lived five miles east of here, which I used to do, I'd have to evacuate at 8 AM tomorrow. We have a big one coming our way!
Funny thing. My brother had come down to see me and in theory go swimming in the ocean (too cold and drizzly). The drizzle let up enough for us to take my daughters minigolfing and were pretty puzzled by gas lines on the island. Then we found out the governor had ordered the evacuation.
We're staying put the next few days and assuming we can get back out on Monday we'll head south.
behind 5 series over 3 series, or was it Fl driving comfort?
Is the engine in a 5 more powerful than a 3. They are both
35 which I assume means 3.5L (or used to). If you go to
Ohio and run into GG, would you rev your engine at him?
What features are new for 2012? Is it an A/T (with the really
cool shifter)? Turbo? A/C seats? Good Stereo?
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Andres, I've read all of your posts and wondered if you were just baiting us to generate more posts. Regardless, I'll bite and give you my opinion. I do so with the understanding that you couldn't possibly mean the things that you have said. Surely you can't believe that all business people are out to rip off the public. Profits have to be made to sustain growth and encourage competition. Buyers make choices based on their budgets, their needs, and their wants. We used to have a housekeeper when we were first married. Her philosophy was this: "Gets some of what you needs; gets some of what you wants. Saves yourself the rest." She was very wise, and I tried to follow her advice.
Having said that, I would like to point out that real estate agents have to be transparent. The figures legally have to be spelled out for a client. That's the purpose of disclosure documents and pre-settlement estimate sheets. Home inspections are also part of the process. Attorney fees are negotiated before closing. Interest rates are locked in, and down payments are determined. A real estate agent's commission is discussed and finalized---usually 5%-6%. You can even negotiate that percentage. I have purchased 14 houses and knew exactly the amount of the check to take to a closing. The agents were a big help in reachng the final step. How transparent is that?
As for mechanics, my invoices are spelled out: labor, parts, shop fees, taxes, etc. I ask for and get a total before the work begins. If I feel that it's too much, then I don't proceed. It's my choice. As Isell said, it's not my business (or even my interest) as to what the parts cost. I simply want to know the final price---as in a car purchase. It all seems very transparent to me.
You mentioned the shop that ripped you off on your car. You said that their price for the work was one of the cheapest. Well, you made the choice and you got what you paid for in this case. Also, you only took the advcie of one person---who worked there. Some further checking would have been in your best interest.
You also complained about jewelry. You NEVER should buy jewelry at a jewelry store. Buy jewelry at a reputable auction house. My wife had always wanted an emerald ring since that is her birthstone. Until recently, I could never afford to buy her one. For her birthday in May, I attended an antique jewelry auction in Charleston, S.C. where I bid on and purchased a 4C emerald surrounded by 84 diamonds of 3C. The final bid price was $4,500. It had to be appraised by two gemologists for insurance purposes. One came in at $11,500 and the other at $12,000. My point is this. A little research and knowledge can help you to make the best choices. I don't consider myself to be an extravagant spender. This was a one time deal for the lady that I love.
You complained about the prices of furniture. The willingness to shop around and the knowledge of furniture manufacturers can assist you in making the right decisions. Another point is this: The responsibility of receiving quality service and quality products lies mainly with the buyer. Usually, if you do the homework, you'll end up at the right place and the right price. Even our best efforts don't always yield the best results, no matter how hard we try. It's just part of life. We have to pick up the pieces and move forward. We mustn't allow such events to make us bitter. Life is too short. If you have your health, your family, and your friends, the rest is just "stuff". Best of luck to you.
Richard
Remember that with personal finances many of those outgoing obligations are under the control of the individual. Rent/mortgage may be reduced with no real negative consequences as well as car payments and maintenance.
I have seen many couples where each has 6 digit incomes sinking in debt simply because they had to have the large McMansion, two BMW/MB/Lexus, exotic vacations fancy designer clothes and the like.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I am in total agreement with you on this one.
Andres - are you willing to share how much you make before you make a purchase? If not why should they disclose profit margin?
I forgot to mention the flowers. I have a cousin who owns a large florist in a major city---been in the the same spot for 30 years. You wouldn't believe what a small profit margin she has due to---employees (salary, benefits, taxes, etc.), three vans and a large truck (insurance, gas, maintenance, etc.), loss due to damaged flowers, paying fees for wire services and credit card transactions, bad seasons when some flowers didn't produce high quality, shop upkeep (lights, water, insurance, flower coolers, flower forms, wire stands, etc.) With a florist on nearly every corner, you have to work hard to stay in business. She may earn $5 on a $50 order---that's on a good day. If they are a rip off, do as Oldfarmer and grow your own.
$300 handbags? Do you want plastic or imported leather? Do you want hand made or machine made? Do you want brass zippers or plastic zippers? Do you want a silk lining or a cotton one? Are you willing to look for sales and pay $150 in the off season? It's your discretionary money and your choice. There is a market for those bags. That means that some people find them worthy of purchase. It's the same with shoes.
As for the mattress, I would never buy cheap. Your rest and posture condition should be worth somethng.
Richard
Richard
Now there is NO GOOD reason to get rid of the car. I've only got 3 years left of payments. I've been changing the oil using only synthetic oil, I bought a set of 4 snow tires that I've only used for 1 winter so far, I've had to replace the rear brake pads (got most of the $ back from a class action lawsuit, and recently had the front rotors cut & resurfaced. I like the way the TSX drives. It is fantastic on gas, has a nicely crafted interior, is comfortable, and has the biggest trunk of any car in the Acura lineup. I'm most likely going to keep it. I spoke with the Board of Directors (my wife) & she hasn't seen the ways of the dark side yet.
According to my research, I think I can lease a nicely loaded Infiniti G37XS Sedan for 39 months with $0 Cap Cost Reduction for more than $100 a month less than the monthly note on my Acura.
I'm not a payment shopper. I see the "bigger" picture here too. Yes I'll be paying less for the lease, but after 3 years I'll own the TSX FREE & CLEAR. When the lease is up on the Infiniti, I'll have to either buy (5 years of payments) or lease again (another 3 years of payments).
In the case of the leased Infiniti, less is more. I'll be paying $100 a month less to lease a car that has an MSRP of about $8000 more than my TSX. The Infiniti has ARGH ARGH ARGH MORE POWER. The G37 Sedan is a 326 horsepower bonafide road rocket with a proper RWD chassis. The car's handling is very well balanced and drives like it turns on an axis.
I haven't called the Infiniti dealer yet or shown it to my wife or test driven it (my Uncle has one & I drove his & LOVED it). I'm afraid. I know if I drive the car again, strike an amazing deal, and get what I want for the Acura there will be no saying NO. Maybe if I get a black/black one & use the same license plates, my wife won't notice the difference :P
OTOH, besides my family & kids (starting kindergarden next week, 2 1/2, & baby girl due early December) cars are my passion. Life's too short. I'll be turning 50 in a very short 15 years. My friend's birthday is tomorrow. He would have been 35 also. He never saw his 27th birthday. Died of his peanut allergy.
Also, if I lease the car, I'd have an actual sales story to post here on SFTSFL!
Maybe I should post this on CCBA & see what they say:) :shades:
FEZO - good luck with the evacuation
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Richard
Richard
Stop feeding the troll and he'll go away on his own.
No doubt the G is one heck of a car. I've driven one and definately fast and handles well. If you can afford it, DO IT. Will you cash out of your TSX, or pretty much its worth what you owe?
The only problem I see is the mileage you pile on. You put 39K in two years on the TSX. That would be right around 59K in three years. The "sweet" leases are usually 12K a year. You would have to buy miles upfront and the payment advantage of a lease would probably go away quickly.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
That’s the way most shops operate. However, Son #1 found an unbelievably good indy shop pretty close to where he lives and this guy doesn’t mind one bit if my son buys a particular brand and brings it into him for installation. In fact, a few times he said to just bring in a part because he didn’t want to bother finding the brand my son wanted. This is so contrary to everything I have ever heard before and this indy guy has better prices and a better reputation than all the others around him. His lot is always full.
My son once said, “this garage must be a front for other activities but I really like this guy and whatever it is, other than whacking people, I hope they don’t nab him.”
BTW, how is it that I’ve come to be known as “CHEAP" around here? I’d go after ‘kirstie’ since she put the words in your mouth but I can’t afford another dues increase for going off on a host.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I had my 328 Cabriolet for 4 years now. Those years have flown by, I can't believe my car is 4 years old. The vert was fun, but I am getting older and want a car that will get me through at least the next 4 years....so a car built for comfort rather than for fun.
My wife has a 2008 335 which has 300 hp so has similar dynamics to the 535.
The 535 is bigger inside, more comfortable seats (the upgraded package makes a big difference...lumbar adjustment, side padding), and has as smooth a ride as possible. The gear shift is electronic...just touch gently and it goes into drive or reverse...it doesn't work mechanically.
Is the engine in a 5 more powerful than a 3.
It is the same except it has changed a bit. Instead of twin turbos there is a much more efficient twin spool turbo I believe it is called. Meaning, one turbo but it acts like two.
They are both 35 which I assume means 3.5L (or used to).
Yes, in BMWs the first number is the model 1, 3, 5, 7 (interesting Audi does one number higher A4, A6, A8) and the next two numbers are the engine size. So yes, a 335 will have the same engine as a 535, 535 might be slower though, more weight. There is also a 550 V8 but that is a lot more power than I will need, and uses 10 to 20% more fuel.
If you go to Ohio and run into GG, would you rev your engine at him?
I am not that fast of a driver. My last speeding ticket was over 16 years ago-hope that doesn't jinx me. I like the power for when I need it. I also like the efficiency of a nice smooth engine that isn't exerting itself at 60 or 70 mph.
What features are new for 2012? Is it an A/T (with the really cool shifter)? Turbo? A/C seats? Good Stereo?
The 535Xi is AWD. I did get the Sport Package which with the press of a button makes gear changes faster and stiffens the suspension so the car does become faster. It handles better than I could ever imagine a car to
feel. It is rock solid over bumps. As good as a 3 Series is, this is just more sophisticated. And I love looking out over that big huge hood, which is very low. I am not so much a technical person, I like the design and feel of the car.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When I had my 79 Continental. I needed a valve for the A/C that my mechanic had trouble locating. I found it and gave it to him. He was very happy, as the little bit of coin he would have made on it would have went out the window searching for it.
Most shops charge the same price you would pay for the part at the parts counter. The only difference is they get a discount and get it delivered to them. If you have a really good relationship with an independent you can always ask for a discount on the parts. The indy guy I used frequently knocked 10% off the parts (probably splitting his markup on it).
Another thing you can do when having your car worked on is, call up the local parts house and the get the price on the parts you are having replaced. If the mechanic is way overcharging call them out on it, or go somewhere else.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
I still need to figure out what I want to buy. The funny thing is I don't even feel like shopping. What is wrong with me?
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
I was pretty tired after all the back and forth emails. Had to run to the computer every 15 minutes to see what our sales guys manager had to say.
The wanted to give me $2000 less for the trade in than what I wanted.
They did come up $500 so now there was a $1500 difference.
I said, lets split it, I want $1500 more so we'll make it $700 more, making it $800 less than I wanted, but $1200 more than they started out with.
A real split would have been $750, but I didn't want to be nickel and diming so I split that difference in their favor.
They wanted me to come in today to finalize the agreement at that price. I said, only if that is the final price...no more negotiating.
I think I did alright, if the normal profit on a car is 8%, and I got a 5% discount, plus $1200 more for the trade-in than book value, then I don't see how I could do better unless a dealer was distressed....and there aren't any BMW dealers in distress.
Hopefully I can get out of the office without Mop n Glo and other extras.
By the way, we came that far, I didn't think they would give up since we were $700 apart at that point. I am not going to drive for miles to try and shave off another $800. I wish I didn't have to play all the games...but at least this was done in a nice businesslike way, and in a way, we both won!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
tjc, Thanks for the good wishes. I think as we get older cars aren't quite as exciting. I was more excited when I bought my old used cars. I was really excited when I got my 1992 Cavalier of all things. Didn't sleep thinking about it. And the 1995 Jeep was such a step up I never imagined I could afford such a car....I couldn't but needed a vehicle to haul books in.
It's like one salesman said to me, I rent all kinds of cars when I am out of town, so cars don't mean as much to me. I am excited, and the end of November is a long way off, but I was more excited when I got my first used 1960 Austin Sprite.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Hey isell....those Hondas have lots of trunk space....
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
What? I thought I had you all covinced to get the Mustang that beat the M3. :P
Seriously, congrats. We'll expect all the facts and figures once they put it in writing. Some pics would be nice too.
I admire you for pushing for more on your trade. I think that's where most people get taken. A woman at work just traded in a 2004 Chrysler Concorde for a new Chevy Cruse and accepted just $2500 for it. Edmunds values it at a $1000 more. She gave up about 40% of her value.
I told her even I would have given her $2500 for it.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I didn't even think of it that way, but you are right, the trade in is actually a good bargaining tool. The dealership can make a good profit on the trade, and they might give up a bit to get the deal done. There's probably more rome to manuevre on the trade than the new one.
I am sure the dealer doesn't want to lose a sale on a new car because of not offering enough on the trade. They can only go so far on the new one, so the trade gives you a little more room to get a deal done.
A good lesson in there somewhere......
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That may be part of it. I'm 33 and have already had 10 cars. When the dealer called to tell me my Genesis was in, my GF was surprised I wasn't that excited. I said... its just a car. I should have known then.
The last car I was truly excited about was the day I took home my 89 Town Car. That was in 2001. I searched high and low to find one in perfect shape and when I found it I bought in on the spot.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Dealer B got back to me tonight. 5% off the 2012 535Xi.
Congratulations but since the 535 is a floatier ride, what are you going to do for “feel of the road” now?
You must have gotten old pretty quick, huh? :P
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Ah, the thrill of the chase. That's why fishing is so popular.
I have to admit that I also love finding that special older car in good shape that I can scoop up because others have missed it.
I would still rather have a $60K BMW though. THAT I would still get excited for.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Just how old are we talking here?
I'm not sure if that's good or bad. I want to still be excited about cars, but, at the same time, it would help my bank account immensely if I wasn't. 24 cars (excluding the wife's) for 20 years of driving is not exactly economically reasonable.
'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