Any Questions for a Car Dealer?

raybear · August 2001

You must be a real pain to work with for a salesman, or the guy you dealt with was a total nitwit!

Do not mention holdback in discussing price with the dealer, but be knowledgeable of his costs.

Sell the trade yourself, repainted customized pickups bring next to nothing at auction.

raybear · August 2001

$15,997 including destination.

99way2die · August 2001

Dont assume hwat u dont know.......
I spent roughly 20 mins at that dealship.
Went in, checked out the lot, went inside and asked if we could "have a look at one of 'em".

SAlesman asked if we wanted to test-drive...we said "sure".....during the drive 2 sentence conversation and that was it, then he said waht he said to me....it seemed like he was rushing me, and he didnt really care.

We got back to the lot, thanked him for his time, accepted his card and told him that we will consider the car.

Now, does this seem unreasonable?
Im not tryin to be a "pain in the ..." for th edealerships/salesmen or even here in this horum.

Im simply tryin to get as much information as i can and exchange that info and opinions with you guys. Nothing more.

PS: the F150 wasnt even considered as trade- i never mentioned anything to him...while we walked to the car, he asked what car am i driving?
my truck was 10 feet in front of us- i said "thats my truck right there"....he aske dhow old was it, i said "its 96" ...as he turned away from my face he said :thats a piece of crapp, youll love the Honda"

Am i really to blame?

raybear · August 2001

The fault was all his!

99way2die · August 2001

Thanks......

Ive been to Open Road Honda few mons ago, salesman wa great even though i didnt even consider byin at all , and told him that.
The guy spent bout 1 hr with us, and gave me a lot of info....i told him i wasn tgonna buy at all for a LONG LONG time...he said "thats fine, thats up 2 you, and im not tryin to get you to do anything at all"...

said to come back to the dealership/not just to him if i ever needed any assistance.......

Too bad he doesnt work there anymore....i would gladly talk to him.

....so theres a praise to one....one decent human being :-)

Hope we didnt get off on a wrong foor b4

l8r
99

raybear · August 2001

Try calling the receptionist and tell him you're an old friend from out of town and lost his number. Maybe she'll tell you where he went after Open Road.

im_brentwood · August 2001

That's less than $400 over invoice. If it were me I'd pull the trigger. To me, how much better can you do? But if they were rude to you you might try Academy Honda, they're pretty straight shooters I do believe. They're basically on rt 9 right near the parkway.

Seems like a good deal to me. I agree with Raybear, he shouldnt have called your truck junk. That was wrong.. however...

Pickus are not too hot in Jersey (My home state) and customized ones are weak on the wholesale level I am afraid.

Sell it yourself or pop it on eBay.

Bill

im_brentwood · August 2001

I'd pass on these guys. That was rude of him and I think that you ought to have no problem finding a Honda salesperson to work well with.

Hey Fezo (If you're reading this) Who's your guy in Jersey???

Bill

99way2die · August 2001

find a 2001 Civic Ex in Inca Pearl???

central NJ....
if it can be done, should i be prepared NOT to get a decent deal on the car due to a "hard to find color"?

Thnx a bunch again
99way2die

raybear · August 2001

Don't approach the dealer from the standpoint it's a "hard to find color", approach him from the standpoint that it's "less popular", and therefore should get a little extra discount!

99way2die · August 2001

that Inca Pearl Civic is "hard to find"
and its very "popular" and thats why they dont have it?

Ray has a very valid point-thanx Ray.....

Now, can that car be obtained by "them" or found with ease by myself or someone else (dealer)??

We ddecided that Inca Pearl is the most interesting to us...and if we get the Civic - wed want it to be that color.

How can i the solve the issue of "its hard to find- they sell like hot cakes, etc."

Thanx guys

raybear · August 2001

Give'em a fair profit or walk. Simple as that. Don't be shy either, Jersey dealers routinely add $200 or so for the doc fee. Consider that part of doing business, but find out what it is during the negotiations, or figure it into any offer you make.

99way2die · August 2001

I will give a fair profit-i have to,and thats nto a problem.......
Plus it cant be otherwise..........
....but the thing is:

- should i allow to be charged MORE just because im asking them to find that particular color which they may not have in stock, or claim "hard to find"?

im_brentwood · August 2001

I dont see why you would have to pay more.

Thought I might like to mention here... Silver will have the best resale...

Isnt Inca Pearl like an Orange or Bronze?

Bill

99way2die · August 2001

it might be a bit weird, but it certainly looks
interesting.........

I dont want just another black, silver or red Civic...i see plenty of those on the road

What do i say when they say they dont hafve it in stock...cant find it...OR it would be "impossible" to find one ! ???

99

raybear · August 2001

They can find the car if it's out there.

99way2die · August 2001

99way2die · August 2001

"we cant locate that particular color ANYWHERE"...

what then?.......no luck 4 that color???

thnx again

PS:
i feel like im back in hight school....askin all the stupid questions ..heheh
thnx again

mica88 · August 2001

Are there websites which post information on the top 50 Toyota, Nissan, and Acura dealers and salespersons in the US/Texas/San Antonio?

99way2die · August 2001

.....hike, but

Check your Yahoo e-mail
l8r
:-)

99way2die · August 2001

..civic, i located one.
Saw it, and wasnt too happy.
The color itself isnt that tragic, but i'd get sick and tired of it shortly.

Its a risky color......plus who the hell is gonna buy it when i wanna sell???.......(its been sitting at the dealership for 6 mons! and NO takers)

.....so th eInce Pearl Honda is dead

im_brentwood · August 2001

Good idea.

Methinks you might get punished at resale/trade-in time....

Funky colors are worth less (Watch at the difference between what a Dark Purple Mercedes and a Silver car are worth on the market, on late-model high end cars I've seen swings as much as $3K+!)

Bill

99way2die · August 2001

pay someone to take it ! ....hehhehhh

i took pictures of that Inca Civic (digi-cam)
brought it home, slapped on my PC...compared side by side to a silver one......and htats when i realized how had that color is......its cool, but only when u see someone drive by one or twice a year right next to you.

i couldnt live with it for 2 or 3 years.

When i saw on my way outta the store, the guy comes back and hands me a piece of paper with 15,700 on it!.....they were deperate.
He said they ran a speciale on that car few times...lowered prices to even invoice...and still no takers.......

I feel bad for anyone whos tryin to sell one of these cars

Surely if u offer a terrific price, someone will eventually buy it, but if the ppl think about it for at least few seconds...they wont buy the car, no matter what the price is

i got an offer of 16,100 for a Silver EX with auto. so ill consider that...although CCarsdirect.com
is givin flat 15,996$........

Any opinions on this deal>???
thnx

raybear · August 2001

With the Carsdirect offer in hand. Let'em match it, or just get it from Carsdirect.

sonnyb7799 · August 2001

I took delivery of a new 01 CR-V last weekend. They've cleaned the exterior (didn't wax though) and interior of the car but the engine was dirty (dusts and spider webs). I've 4 new cars before and the entire car were really clean and shiny. How could they have PDI'd the car and miss the engine? Any thoughts?

How do dealers clean the engine area? With what tools and cleaning solutions? Do they power wash with water or mist wash it?

Thanks.

jmurman42 · August 2001

They probably PDI'd it a few months ago.

audia8q · August 2001

We dont clean the engines on new cars...they just come that way..lol. Like jmurman mentioned, the car may have been PDI'd a while back.
our PDI problem isnt dust and spider webs its
Bees/Wasps/hornets...They build nests in cars that have been parked a while. It only takes a week or so of no movement and the gas tank area, trunk and door jams get loaded. We must keep 10 cans of wasp and hornet spray handy. Everyday another nest gets zapped. The new salespeople usually find out the hard way.

a used car on the other hand not only gets the engine cleaned but "really detailed" nothing sells a car like a clean engine..

Rich

isellhondas · August 2001

audia, I wouldn't last long in your store!!

99ways...Inca Pearl was an impossible color to sell. good thing you changed your mind!

maxwella11 · August 2001

when do the new TTs come in? does there seem to be a lot of demand for the 2002s already?

thanks.

majorthomecho · August 2001

There are several new 2002 models that are coming out that I would like to get a look at, but I have no need of buying a new car since I just bought one back in December.

Is it okay to go to a dealership just to take a closer look at some of these models? I would be upfront with the salesmen and tell them that I was there only to look.

I don't want to screw anyone out of their turn at a good "up."

toadman · August 2001

I'm currently looking to purchase a Tacoma Double Cab in Washington state. Dealers do not have a large selection of the 4WD models but they're out there. After much research and test drives we sat down to discuss purchase of a D-cab with certain options and color schemes. After salesmen ran a locator, it turns out there isn't one that matches our request anywhere with in 300 miles. The dealer had one with all the options and color we wanted but it was loaded with other items we did not want. Most were port installed. I asked if these could be removed and was told that Federal Law prohibits this. Is this true?

I'm prepared to wait until one comes in that matches my request.

mnowak1 · August 2001

After the dealerships receive the 2002 Honda Civics how much longer do they stock the 2001 for purchase?

How much should I expect to pay for a 2001 Civic EX - Automatic with options like a rear spoiler, floormats, and half nose mask?

grbeck · August 2001

Here's a question for car dealers and sales reps: Two weeks ago, all of the Harrisburg-area dealers got together for their annual "Tent Sale" at the Farm Show parking lot. This gives them the opportunity to clear out the remaining 2001s in preparation for the 2002s. I stopped to look at a 2001 Ford Mustang GT coupe. The sales lady asked me if I wanted a test drive. On the spur of the moment, I said, "Sure." She got the keys and dealer tag. After I started the engine, I waited for her to get in the passenger seat...and waited. Finally, I leaned out the door and asked if she was coming along. She said, "No, you take it out and see what it's like." I drove it around the Harrisburg area for about 10-15 minutes! She never asked for my license, car keys or any other form of identification. She couldn't even tell if I had driven a vehicle to the Tent Sale! (Customer parking was in a separate lot far away from the dealers' cars.)

I'm surprised that a dealer would allow an unsupervised test drive in a high-performance coupe, especially upon first contact with the sales rep. Is this normal, or did I just get lucky?

audia8q · August 2001

I would say you got lucky.

Rich

raybear · August 2001

I'd say the salesperson got lucky. A guy like you woulda terminated her on the spot, rightly so.

im_brentwood · August 2001

Yup.

She got REAL lucky. I'd have terminated her on the spot as well.

A) Nobody demos a car of mine without a copy of their license. Period. This way, if the car is damaged, I can show my ins co that, yes, they were a licensed driver.

Uhh, what if the customer never came back? Again, good luck trying to get that claim paid!

And what if it was an unlicensed driver? Or a car used in a crime? Oy... I'd hate to even think of what could happen liability-wise!

Bill

smwls8 · August 2001

My wife is GM employee discount qualified through her grandfather, who retired from GM-UAW. My mother-in-law claims that with the GM employee purchase, you have to "hide" this fact until after a price is negotiated on paper, then you announce you are qualified for the discount. The mother-in-law claims that some dealers give her a real hassle about honoring the discount, etc.

I have been using the Ford A-plan since 1992 through a family member. At a Ford Lincoln Mercury dealer, you announce upfront you are A-plan qualified, the A-plan price is on the invoice, and you get any incentives/rebates ON TOP of the A-plan price(ex. current 2000 Lincoln LS, $500 cash back + 0.9% interest on lease on top of A-plan discount).

Do you know the "correct" way a GM employee discount purchase is supposed to transpire. I would prefer to trade up to a GMC Denali next year to replace the LS, but it may be an easier and cheaper proposition to go with a Lincoln Navigator.

Thanks as usual for your help.

Sam

PS. I am in Broward County, and would drive to Orlando if you could refer me to a straight shooter GMC dealer

im_brentwood · August 2001

Hmmm,

It' usually pretty easy. Much like A-Plan. There's GMS and GMO (You get a better deal if you order your vehicle).

Again, Much like A-Plan, the dealer is not required to take the deal (I doubt many will on Vettes, and I doubt ANY will on Z06s as an example) but I doubt a Denali would be tough.

The pricing is fixed and not negotiable and generally unbeatable. Have you tried your local guys? As far as GMC dealers go, I dont know any in Orlando personally but I have heard nothing but gold about Sonny King's Orange Buick/GMC on West Colonial Drive (FL Hwy 50).

They're supposed to be a really great store.

Bill

smwls8 · August 2001

You always provide timely info and it is appreciated by all. I will give them a shot when the time comes. Thanks again.

Sam

dryeh · August 2001

is $182.50 reasonable for "documentation fee"?

and are doc fees negotiatable?

dr. yeh

rroyce10 · August 2001

..... I have done a thousand Tent sales in the last 18 years, and I can guarantee if they were out driving without DL or Ins Info --- She would have gotten a ride home -- Permanetly ...

Terry.

jmurman42 · September 2001

In regerads to your question about the 2001 vs the 2002 Civic pricing.

We are usually about 100 over invoice on 2001 Civics. That amounts to 16547 on a EX auto. With the 2002's coming soon I will more than likely be the same, however, Honda has increased the invoice by approx 250 over the 2001. MSRP has only gone up about 100 on the 2002.

Jerry

akangl · September 2001

I went in to the Ford dealer in Fairbanks a week ago to build my husband's new truck on paper. Anyway, they wanted to settle on a price and then order it when I was ready. I had built the truck on Edmunds and came up with an invoice price of $36,174 and a msrp price of $41,155. They told me I was right on with both.

The truck we are going to order is a 2002 Ford F-350, 7.3L diesel, 6-speed manual transmission, crew cab, 4WD, LB, SRW, Lariat, camper pkg, class V hitch, heated seats, tu-tone paint, electric 4WD, trailer tow mirrors, off-road pkg, clearance lights, 3.73 limited slip rear axle.

I made an offer of $38,000 out the door, the sales lady took it to her manager and came back with $38,005 out the door. I guess I am suspicious because they took the offer so quick, this ford dealer is known for holding gross in a vehicle. She said that the fees were $195 doc, $88 dmv, and $240 for winterization (we live in alaska). Am I being taken here or is this a fair price for the truck? We have never ordered a vehicle before so this is all new to us. BTW, we have no vehicle to trade in on the new truck.

godeacs · September 2001

..how much over invoice is fair to me AND the dealer? I figure maybe $500....that would be $23.7K (includes $250 for their "$695" special package).

Thanks!

noobie1 · September 2001

I have a question for any California salesman please:
I expect to take delivery of a new ordered vehicle tomorrow. I'm paying cash. I stopped by the dealer Friday to pick up a copy of the sales contract for review and he gave me a document entitled "Retail Installment Sale Contract, Simple Interest Finance Charge". When I questioned this the sales manager said it was normal in a cash sale, and that in the section under "Your payment schedule will be:" they would simply put, "one payment of" and the total I pay.
I have no experience in these things and am very dubious of them. They've already lied to me.
Is this right? If not, what is?

Thanks-Noobie

jmurman42 · September 2001

I dont know about the dealer that you are working with. We tend to stay within our own game plan and have dealers react to us. I am trying to simplify things here and am starting with a 300 over on Accords. More than likely we will adjust that based on inventory levels, and demand. With Accords we are seeing a 100 increase in the MSRP, but the invoice pricing is being stretched more than that. For example the 300 over price on a 2001 EX V6 is $23,075. The same deal on a 2002 is $23,506, a $431 difference.

godeacs · September 2001

Appreciate the prompt response. I show the MSRP going from $25.1K to $25.3K + dest charge so assumed the invoice would go up about $175 or so. Interesting how the invoice is going up more than the MSRP on your numbers.

wanna2002 · September 2001

Last weekend went to a Toyota dealer to test drive a new Camry. Salesperson started the engine, then when I asked if she wanted to sit in front or back (had a friend with me), she said "OH! I am not going with you!" As if I were nuts to expect her to. The car was in a precarious display spot too, and she didn't even pull it off the lot, which I thought was a liability issue for them and that salespeople are at least required to do that? Anyway, I didn't mind she didn't go - actually prefer a more relaxed test drive, but it was odd. She didn't even remember my name when I got back... scary?

akangl · September 2001

When we went to the Ford dealer to look at new trucks the sales lady told us to go get one of the F-350s out on the lot and bring it up, grab a dealer tag and go. I prefer that, I hate it when the salesperson has to go.

mnowak1 · September 2001

Thanks for the information...would you suggest that I wait for the 2002, instead of buying a 2001. How long does someone have before the 2001 are no longer available?

Any Questions for a Car Dealer?

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