Any Questions for a Car Dealer?

lumbar · August 2005

Thanks for the response, typhon. Very helpful. I can certainly understand why a dealer would want a deposit before moving a vehicle in a trade. In this instance the dealer raised the possibility of a trade when he couldn't meet my requirements, but then indicated he would like the deposit before even making an inquiry as the the car's present status or mileage. I'm a trusting soul but the necessity for this sort of escaped me other than to extract a semi-commitment before picking up the phone (assuming that was the case).

steve_rbts · August 2005

I bought a new 2005 Honda Accord for my wife on Friday. She test drove the car and said she loved everything about it. Now, five days later, she says the visability is poor. She can't see to the left to change lanes or merge with traffic. She says the door panels and high back block her vision. What to do? Thought of going back to the dealer and trading for a Civic but I'd probably lose a bundle in the deal.

blh7068 · August 2005

It doesnt sound like she gave it more that a cursory drive. The door panel sills are too high? Obviously she hasnt driven a Dodge magnum/Chrysler 300!
How tall is she? My wife who is 5' 2" has driven my 05 accord with no problems.

As for what to do- I dont think any one can help you with that. Youre right, you'll take a big hit trading it. If she is really unhappy and is that uncomfortable with it, that may be your only choice. Good luck and let us know what happens.

bobst · August 2005

Get a cushion for her to sit on.

My wife is 5' 2" and has no problem driving our 2005 Accord. We have the EX model which has the power adjustable seat. If you have the LX, can't the seat be raised manually?

capitano · August 2005

Keep the car. Trade the wife.

kyfdx · August 2005

She has had it less than a week..

Tell her to suck it up, and get used to it.. (since it is your wife.. I would never do this).

Seriously, help her adjust her seat in a different way... maybe higher, instead of just closer.. Ask her to give it some time... any new car takes some getting used to..

regards,
kyfdx

mikefm58 · August 2005

" Keep the car. Trade the wife. "

ROTFLMAO.......just lost my soda through my nose.......

user777 · August 2005

does the car have a height adjustable seat?

also - while it won't help with visability when looking over the shoulder - just limit the blind spot with the mirrors, adjust the side view mirrors so they complement the center mirror's view (for the left driver-side, have her stick her head against the door and adjust the mirror till she just looses sight of the edge of the car, and for the right passenger-side mirror, have her lean over the shifter and do the same. then check that the three mirrors complement one another.

also consider adding the small round convex mirrors to the side mirrors.

dglozman · August 2005

try to buy a panoramic rear view mirror. I have one and it helps to avoid all blind spots. I don't have to even look at the side mirrors anymore.

blckthree · August 2005

BUT.... can her make up be put on with a panoramic mirror????

Mike:)

audia8q · August 2005

What is the wife's book value? My wife was a wholesale unit and didnt bring anywhere near book value. No takers at the auction either.

kyfdx · August 2005

My wife had been used once, and turned back in.. She swore it wasn't a lemon-law case, or anything like that.... But, when I did a Carfax, it showed NMW/BB on it...

Is that a bad thing?

user777 · August 2005

sure, so long as she doesn't mind looking like jack nicholson's character in that batman movie.

rroyce10 · August 2005

... **But, when I did a Carfax, it showed NMW/BB on it... **

.....l..o..l........... you're killing me .................

Terry ;^))))

stever · August 2005

Me too. You guys are gonna wind up in the Black and Blue Book and end up with nada.

Steve, Host

rroyce10 · August 2005

..... **You guys are gonna wind up in the Black and Blue Book and end up with nada** .............l..o..l...... time to clean the keys off ..... good one Steve.!

Terry :^))))

boomchek · August 2005

Dealer trades are a bit time consuming. We can check on the computer as to the availibilty of a vehicle, but we still have to follow up with a phone call in order to find out if the vehicle showing in stock is actually available for sale, or sold pending financing, and if they are willing to trade it. If we have to check the mileage then you have to send a lot person to check the car's mileage, and if it's not on the lot then they'd have to go to a compound few blocks away to check it etc etc.

It takes time and time is money

mikefm58 · August 2005

" But, when I did a Carfax, it showed NMW/BB on it "

OK, I'll bite, what's NMW/BB?

bennych · August 2005

I'm looking to buy a new Toyota Highlander. The 2005 and 2006 are essentially the same. No significant changes. On the 2005, I can get near invoice less 1250 rebate. A decent deal. The 2006 will be out in a week. Don't know what the deals will be but I can't imagine 500-1000 over invoice will be tough. Based on Kelly Bluebook, these vehicles seem to depreciate about 2500 per year over the last 4 years. It seems, then the 2006 is a better deal, and of course, better selection. Am I missing something here?

stickguy · August 2005

no manufacturers warranty/buy back.

basically a lemon law return or some other unit that has had the warranty cancelled. It needs to be disclosed at the auction, and I believe the car has that plastered on the windshield.

kyfdx · August 2005

I might have gotten it backwards..

NW/MBB..

No Warranty/Manuf.BuyBack...

Either way, same thing... Can't remember which way it goes...

But, anyway, it only applies to my wife... I wonder if I can get the marriage license revoked?

ncmom · August 2005

If you GUYS keep this up, you'll need more insurance - what's the equivalent of UM in this case? Uninsured Marriage?

jjv55 · August 2005

Hey.

Just had a bad experience with a dealership in Naperville, IL. I found a Honda Pilot listed at $17,880 on Autotrader.com. My wife called and confirmed both price and availability. She then drove 45 miles to go check it out, and the salesman confirmed the price. She had our current car inspected as a trade-in and had to sign something regarding the trade in, but which had the stated price of $17,880 for the Pilot.

Long story short, the sales manager said that the price was a mistake that would be fixed in the next 24 hours. They would not honor the advertised price.

I understand that some mistake is possible in the listing price (that's a low price), but that's not my fault. I went there to buy an advertised $17,880 truck and was denied. Bait and switch? :mad:

Thoughts? Should I fight for that price? :confuse:

michaellno · August 2005

Was this a new or used Pilot?

kyfdx · August 2005

My advice... look for another vehicle... life is too short...

If that price was $5K under the normal market, then it obviously was a mistake.. No one is going to eat that kind of loss....

regards,
kyfdx

bdr127 · August 2005

I understand that some mistake is possible in the listing price (that's a low price), but that's not my fault. I went there to buy an advertised $17,880 truck and was denied. Bait and switch?

It depends on the circumstances.... If it's a $30,000 car they had advertised for $17,800, then clearly it's a mistake. If it's more like $18,800 then it may or may not be a mistake.

I once saw a newspaper ad for a brand new 2005 BMW Z4 for only $3990!!!! Obvious misprint..... :P

bretfraz · August 2005

They didn't "bait" you with a low priced item then "switch" you to a more expensive item. The vehicle was there, the price was confirmed by a salesman, but the mgmt decided to not honor their selling price.

What are you gonna do, hire some high powered attorney and sue them for misrepresentation or something? The 5 grand you would have "saved" will be inhaled by ol' Barry Scheck in about 2 days.

You are right, it's not your fault. It's theirs. I don't know how you're gonna force them to honor that price but I wish ya luck! It'll be a screaming deal if you can get it for that price.

sbell4 · August 2005

It will probably be a case where the dealer gave the correct info to the magazine and the magazine did the misprint. The salesperson looked at the ad you are referring to and agreed that it was correct because they didnt know any better. The magazine will send a letter to the dealer saying that it was their mistake and will print a retraction. The dealer should offer to pay for your gas and something for your time as a "good will" effort and life will go on.

If something is too good to be true.........

isellhondas · August 2005

First of all...shame on that dealer for making a mistake. Whoever "confirmed" that price was an idiot.

Still, how could you not have known that was a mistake? I'm sure you have done comparision pricing and know what the market is.

volvomax · August 2005

Mistakes happen.
Just today I saw a 2003 Chevy Xtra cab 4x4 pickup w/ 26k advertised for 1,995.
Obviously, they must have meant 19,995.

Salespeople are not always the sharpest knives in the drawer. If they see it in print, and no one told them it was wrong, of course they will confirm it.

The customer went that far cause the knew the price was way under market.
Hey, you took a shot and it didn't work out. Keep shopping.

user777 · August 2005

well, what if a dealer places a price that is very near the edmunds TMV, but won't honor it?

back to the comment about Salespeople are not always the sharpest knives in the drawer, i personally can't remember ever dealing with salespeople that weren't intellegent enough to confirm a price with their management...

jb_turner · August 2005

"well, what if a dealer places a price that is very near the edmunds TMV, but won't honor it?"

You do not have to buy it.

bdr127 · August 2005

well, what if a dealer places a price that is very near the edmunds TMV, but won't honor it?

They don't have to sell a car at that price..... but they are certainly a slimy bunch if they do that kind of stuff. It certainly won't help their long-term reputation in the community.

typhon1991 · August 2005

we had a similar instance at our store with the same website quoting an 02 Astro van LT Awd with 50k for 3995(supposed to be 13,995). I am outside Chicago and had calls from Georgia on this van. There is a disclaimer on this website stating that dealers ate not responsible for pricing errors jus like in print ads. Sorry that your salesmen was an idiot. But the old saying that if it is too good to be true, it probablly is.

audia8q · August 2005

I can't take it anymore.....I refuse to speak with somebody who comes into the showroom wearing a cell phone headset like an air traffic controller. It's so obnoxious and rude with lights flashing on their head like some sort of alien... then the guy just starts talking and I have no idea if he is talking to me ofrsomebody on the phone....He asked me why I was ignorning him and I told him...he wasnt thrilled with my answer..... :P lol

sorry...just had to vent.

bdr127 · August 2005

Agreed!!! And it's not just in car dealerships.... it's everywhere!!! What amazes me is the number of people that wear those headsets/ear-pieces and aren't even in a call or aren't even on! Do they think it's some "status symbol" to have a cellphone with an ear-piece?!?!.... Everybody has a cellphone!!! Grrrr! :mad:

isellhondas · August 2005

Totally agree! About the rudest thing I can think of. Of course, people with constantly ringing cell phones tick me off about as much!

bmw3434 · August 2005

It appears customers have figured out if they walk the inventory with a cell phone to their ear, no salesman will talk with them.
It puts me in a tough spot b/c I refuse to go greet them and when I don't, management gets on me. It's a lose/lose.

rroyce10 · August 2005

......... Cell phones ....?

I haaaate them....!

People in the supermarkets blocking the aisles talking about their air conditioner bills .. the folks yakking on and on at the gas pumps after the nozzle kicked off 5 minutes ago ... then we got the folks with their hands and arms flailing around while driving a car, or those crazy people standing in the middle of a store at the Mall yapping about their rash .. and lets not forget the guy in the restaurant bragging about the new paint on his house ----- Yikes, it drives me craaaaaazy ...!

And lets not forget the whacko at the golf course I gotta send a spotter over to, because someone is in the middle of a swing and his friggin' phone is singing the Star Spangled Banner at 101 decibels ...... the sad part nowadays is we have 8 and 9 year old kids calling and text messaging in the middle of the crosswalks on their way to school .... whats up with that ..? they're 8 and 9, not Donald Trump in the middle of tracking a 150 million dollar build job ....

I got my first cell phone in 87 when it was me and 16,999 other subscribers .. ya know, when Motorola's were the size of Shakil O'Neal tennis shoes .. and I've probably had 25 or 30 different makes and models since then ... but even in business, with all the nutty stuff that goes on, all the inventory, all the employee's and all of the psycho stories .. I've never, I mean *NEVER* denied a physical face in front of me for a phone call ...... thats some society we live in nowadays ..........................

Terry.

boomchek · August 2005

Don't mess with those flashing light earpiece cell phone people, they're from the futcha! :P

user777 · August 2005

the "futcha" may be "cell-free zones" like movie theaters and restaurants inforced with wide-band radio interference transmitters designed to stop cell operation, yet not extend beyond a certain/approved radius.

devolution huh?

nortsr1 · August 2005

Some idiot had one ringing at Mass this morning.Thank God I was not the priest. You can only imagine what I would have done or said!!!!!
O.K. I know. Let's get back to the "Ask the Car Dealer" a question topic!!!

dawsonc · August 2005

looking at a 2005 vibe. sticker price is $21,905.00
http://www.pontiac.com/ws/nvlWindowSticker.pg?makeId=002&year=2005&modelId=85&postalCode=3- 0269&pvc=240&mmc=2SL26&VIN=5Y2SL638X5Z479227&GMS=junebug&isGMFF=true&isbp=true&originating- Brand=DIVISIONAL

They told me about the employee pricing (alas, forgot the amount).. when I pressed them with offers from other dealers, they offered $1000 rebate and $1000 because I own a chevy.

now I went, shopped around... did my research.
info on it from the sites...
Kelly blue book site:
New Car Blue Book Value $19718 , Invoice $20327 , MSRP $20905
(that is with only one $1000 rebate plugged in, other wasnt offered.. and the emplyee pricing selection seemd to make no adjustment..

from Edmunds site: TMV $19,134 Invoice $20,106, MSRP $21,655
(that is without any rebates applied on the edmiunds site. QUESTION - do i take the TMV and then figure in the empoloyee pricing rebate and other rebates??

Okay... so on the pontiac site I clicked the link for employee pricing and got $18,779.05 ....I figured I now take my $2000 from the 2 rebates off, getting 16,779. I called them and my offer to them was 16,500 walking out the door, (they take a little more off and cover any taxes/fees) QUESTION - is that a good offer, did I lowballl to much? I would then apply my GM card points of $2156, trade in my car with a shot transmission ($500?) and put $800 down.

Okay so they call me back and say they are about 3 thousand away from my price. this raises a few questions I wanted to ask you guys.

1st - they said their employee pricing ended up with a price a thousand higher than the employee discount the pontiac site gave me. they said that was because the website was already taking into account the additional 1000 rebate.

Thats a red flag to me that there are 2 different emplyee pricing calculations.QUESTION - is what they are saying true?

Second, thye said that taxes would be calculated before the rebates are applied. Question - is this true? is it was for them to pocket more coin.. or just the laws of the land?

end result - they said walking out the door, before figurin in my trade and GM card, would be 19,000+.... is that a good deal? its close to what the edmunds/KBB sites suggested, but I dont know if their prices are before or after applicable rebates..

thanks for the read and the replies guys... trying to be smart on this purchase, and have to stay within a certain budget to make it work.

- Christopher

nortsr1 · August 2005

This is the third place you posted this...go to the Pont Vibe prices paid...I answered all your questions over there!!!!

boomchek · August 2005

Hmmm, I think you lowballed them. Why should they cover taxes that everyone has to pay? Where is that money supposed to come from? And yes rebates are usually applied after tax not before.

dawsonc · August 2005

thanks for the replies. sorry for multiple posts, I was unsure where to post the question.

I feel bad about lowballing them, if i did. I respect the work and want them to get their cut.. I was just unsure if the TMV was before or after rebates.

I guess my focus needs to be more on my trade-in. transmission is blown ( i can still drive though) its a 95 cavalier 2 door. I will dig into that as indications are that the trad-in is where i might get 'taken'.

- Christopher

boomchek · August 2005

Sorry if I'm blunt on this, but I don't think you will be "taken" on a $100 Cavalier.

If you'd have a $20000 trade in then that's a different story. A 95 Cavalier with a blown tranny is a wholesale piece that not too many wholesalers are even interested in. $100-$500 would do it for us. :sick: And it's Canadian dollars I'm talking about.

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy your new car :shades:

jhs70 · August 2005

Not everybody has one. When my last contract ran out I gleefully took the cell phone, lovingly placed it under the left front tire of my F250 super duty 4x4 and quished the #()%$ out of it. No more cell phones for me. Someone wants to talk to me they know where to find me.

wgrey · August 2005

I AM TRYING TO GET MY USED CAR DEALER LICENSE IN LAS VEGAS. I WAS WONDERING WHATS THE EASIEST WAY TO GET IT WITHOUT HAVING TO GET A CAR LOT/OFFICE?

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET MY LICENSE RENTING A SPACE AT A ESTABLISHED USED CAR DEALERSHIP? IF SO WHAT KIND OF ADVICE CAN ANYONE GIVE ME?

THANKS IN ADVANCE.

jhs70 · August 2005

I have a situation where a couple of dealers are offering me a price on a new vehicle that is below invoice minus rebate. For the purposes of this discussion, say the invoice is 29K, the rebate is 3K and the price they will "sell me" the vehicle for is 25500. I know for purposes of contributing to the local coffers, the tax is based on the invoice price. At least that's what I'm told. So therefore, I guess the "rebate" amount is (in this case) 3000+500, or 3500. Does that math (and the concept) sound right to you pros out there? I mean, technically, the rebate is 3000 because that's what the manufacturer says it is. I'm not sure what the other 500 is called. Maybe it doesn't matter

The other question is that the dealer always says he's "selling" me the car for 25500. I hate to argue semantics, but he's not really "selling" it to me at that price the way I look at it, so why do they frame it in those words? If that were the sale price then that would be the price the tax is calculated on (but it's not). I think. So it may be a left handed way of telling me what his "total rebate" is.

Thanks for commenting.

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