New Car Shopping [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

Gvac

08-13-2006, 08:28 AM

One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday afternoon in late summer/early fall is browse the local dealerships and check out all the vehicles for the new model year, and maybe take a test drive or two.  This is precisely what I did yesterday and a few things really struck me as funny -1) The "buy American" mantra so popular with some friends of mine is a joke.  One of my buddies is a Chevy man through and through and he constantly bad mouths "Jap" vehicles.  He's a union worker too and he's furious at the amount of manufacturing jobs leaving this country and ending up in China.  Upon checking out the Chevy Equinox SUV I discovered the engine is made in China, the transmission is made in Japan, and the final assembly is done in Canada.  Buy American indeed.  Conversely, most of Toyota's and Nissan's trucks are built in the USA.   2) The hawking, vulture-like high pressure salesman still exists.  At most of the dealerships I visited I was free to wander the lots and check out the vehicles without being bothered.  At some, however, I was swooped down upon and when informing the salesman that I was just looking he viewed it as a challenge to convince me that I needed a new car right away.  Most of the time they talk down to you, too, like I was a 1950's housewife who didn't know the first thing about these new-fangled automobiles. 3) Many of the salespeople are woefully uninformed about their product.  I'm in the automotive business so I keep on top of the types of cars available and their features, but it's also a hobby of mine.  I like reading Automobile, Motor Trend, etc.  With just the basic knowledge I gain from these mags and online I generally knew more about the cars and trucks than the people selling them.   There's still some good dealerships and salespeople, though.  At the last place I visited I wandered the lot for a good half hour before walking inside to request some literature.  The salesman gladly went and got it, and when he returned he handed me a set of keys and told me take the truck for a test drive.  "Just be back by six...that's when we close" he said.  It was around 2:30 at this point.  I chuckled and did indeed take it for a ride.  When I returned he asked if I'd like to take the 6 cylinder version for a ride to compare (I had driven the 4) so he got me another set of keys.  I was free to roam the highways and side streets alone, without a salesman blabbing and pressuring me the whole way.When I returned I thanked him, he thanked me for stopping by, and gave me his card.  None of the "just let me get some of your information" or "fill this out so I can show my manager" bullshit.  I had no intention of buying a new vehicle when I went out yesterday, but now I'm considering it.  And if I do, you can bet your bottom dollar it's gonna be from the salesman who just threw me the keys and left me the fuck alone.

Sheeplovr

08-13-2006, 08:33 AM

I only go to the lambo Dealer ship on essex street cause thats how i roll

FUNKMAN

08-13-2006, 08:47 AM

IMHO regardless of how nice the salesman is or how suffocating he is 'in the end' you're getting the same deal. But like you said you would rather buy from the nice one and so would I So many people you know that buy cars want to make themselves feel better by saying "i got a great deal". I just let it go in one ear and out the other. I don't believe anyone gets a GREAT deal. You may have gotten the car for a couple hundred less than another guy but for me that's not really a great deal. Plus the guy who gets it for a few hundred less and he's financing through the dealers lender you know he'll get a slightly higher interest and the dealer will get his in the end.I found out by accident about "giving you a deal and giving you a higher finance rate" Back in 88 i bought a new Cougar. I verbally made the deal and all the numbers were figured out. The salesman and his manager were sitting there. Then i told them i would be paying in full(something i just decided) and the managers jaw hit the floor. If you ever trade a car in then you're really gonna take it in the tailpipe...It's a world economy and Japanese car makers are employing american workers here in the states. So that "buy made in the USA" doesn't mean much if anything anymore. We're getting so fucked over by American Corporations that "buying USA" just means you're giving the corporate leaders some extra cash so they can get the lawyers to work so they will eventually not have any responsibility for your retirement anymore...

mdr55

08-13-2006, 08:57 AM

Do we actually make anything anymore in the USA?

Sheeplovr

08-13-2006, 09:04 AM

Do we actually make anything anymore in the USA? weapons! woooooooo

torker

08-13-2006, 09:10 AM

mdr55 wrote: Do we actually make anything anymore in the USA? <img height="75" src="http://www.esmokes.com/images/precollagesm.jpg" width="100" border="0" />

Sheeplovr

08-13-2006, 10:22 AM

Do we actually make anything anymore in the USA?<img border="0" src="http://beatsandrants.blogs.com/hiphop/images/flavor_of_love.jpg" />

Don Stugots

08-13-2006, 10:26 AM

mdr55 wrote: Do we actually make anything anymore in the USA? no we dont really.  we have become an economy of white collar jobs.  our construction is done by illegal mexicans, our steel to erect buildings now comes from China.  factories are all over latin America.  its sad really.   Sheepy, come pick me up in that lambo big boy.

HeyGuy

08-13-2006, 10:34 AM

This is usually the best time of the year to look for a new car. Like you said you can get the 2007 models or buy a leftover 2006. I too hate these car salesman. They wont let you leave without trying to make a deal. That makes me not ever want to go back to them.Has anyone watched that reality show King of Cars? What a bunch of scumbags. They stand at the parking lot entrance like sharks. So many times people have been like "ok thanks but we will think about it and come back later" the salesman never let them leave and sice its a tv show about it the stupid salesman talks into the camera. The salesman, the sales manager, the fat owner etc are talking about dont let them leave, make them make the deal. It sometimes goes on for hours. One time some guy came in and test drove a used jaguar. He liked the car but wanted to go home and do some research. They kept him there forever, finally he said I came here to test drive, I'm not buying today I want to look somethings up on the internet and then I will come back. And what did the salesman do? He went ok 1 minute and got his salesmanger and the guy had to repeat himself all over again and then they finally let him leave.By the way buy any car you like. Who cares were its made? If you like a Lexus better then a Buick, buy the LExus if you dont your throwing your money away on something you dont like.

patsopinion

08-13-2006, 10:48 AM

i forget if it was opie or anthony but one of them advised the youth
to go out and get jobs in marketing.  Because in the futher that
will be the only thing done here.Except marketing to japan.  I dont think we will ever understand those crazy bastards and their entertainment

Snoogans

08-13-2006, 10:56 AM

Sheeplovr wrote: I only go to the lambo Dealer ship on essex street cause thats how i roll   that place has some nice fuckin cars. They usually are displayed at jax accross the street. Also the Ferrari dealer in Nanuet or spring valley or whatever

Gvac

08-15-2006, 01:51 PM

I called the laid back salesman that I spoke about in my original post.  I asked him to run some numbers for me and give me a buzz back.  He called within minutes with some very good prices.  Now I just have to convince myself of how foolish it would be to buy another new vehicle since my current one is only a year old.  I think I have an automobile addiction.

banditorico

08-15-2006, 03:16 PM

I love watching that show, I can't pull myself away from it.  It is the eptiome of how scumbagish (is that even a word) car salesman can be.     CampoNJ wrote:  This is usually the best time of the year to look for a new car. Like you said you can get the 2007 models or buy a leftover 2006. I too hate these car salesman. They wont let you leave without trying to make a deal. That makes me not ever want to go back to them.Has anyone watched that reality show King of Cars? What a bunch of scumbags. They stand at the parking lot entrance like sharks. So many times people have been like "ok thanks but we will think about it and come back later" the salesman never let them leave and sice its a tv show about it the stupid salesman talks into the camera. The salesman, the sales manager, the fat owner etc are talking about dont let them leave, make them make the deal. It sometimes goes on for hours. One time some guy came in and test drove a used jaguar. He liked the car but wanted to go home and do some research. They kept him there forever, finally he said I came here to test drive, I'm not buying today I want to look somethings up on the internet and then I will come back. And what did the salesman do? He went ok 1 minute and got his salesmanger and the guy had to repeat himself all over again and then they finally let him leave.By the way buy any car you like. Who cares were its made? If you like a Lexus better then a Buick, buy the LExus if you dont your throwing your money away on something you dont like. <blockquote />

Don Stugots

08-15-2006, 03:26 PM

i am in a market for a new car.  i want something good on gas, not to much $$$, maybe a convertaible.  any ideas?

Gvac

08-15-2006, 03:45 PM

STUGOTS1 wrote: i am in a market for a new car. i want something good on gas, not to much $$$, maybe a convertaible. any ideas? Without a doubt, the best looking convertible on the market today is the Saturn Sky.  GM sells a cheaper version as the Pontiac Solstice, but the Saturn is better looking in my opinion.  With the incentives General Motors is giving you could probably get one fairly cheap.

Don Stugots

08-15-2006, 03:57 PM

Gvac wrote: STUGOTS1 wrote: i am in a market for a new car. i want something good on gas, not to much $$$, maybe a convertaible. any ideas?  Without a doubt, the best looking convertible on the market today is the Saturn Sky.  GM sells a cheaper version as the Pontiac Solstice, but the Saturn is better looking in my opinion.  With the incentives General Motors is giving you could probably get one fairly cheap.  i will look into it.  thanks.  you are the best.

Mike from Bklyn

08-15-2006, 04:04 PM

I lease my cars every three years. Just three weeks ago I got an
Acura TSX. I love the car. 205 hp 4 cylinder. It's a quick car that so
far is good on gas. I got rid of a 03' G35.
I'm good at doing the
research. I'm sure anyone with a Internet connection should be able to.
I don't fuck around with these dealers. They are low life's. Anyone that
lies and cheats people out of there money is a scumbag as far as I'm
concerned. 
You need to know what the invoice price of the car
is. How much you can or are willing to pay over. Upon getting my car I
went to four dealerships. One jerk off tried telling me I couldn't
transfer my plates and wanted to charge me over three hundred for new
ones. Plus two bank fees. They had the lowest price but they make it up
with other bullshit. 

Good luck Gvac. Check out edmunds.com. This is where I got a lot of good information. I'll be at bar 9 saturday if you need advice.

Don Stugots

08-15-2006, 04:13 PM

gvac the Sky is out, i need a back seat for the dog to sit on.  maybe a seabring or PT crusier convert.

empulse

08-15-2006, 04:26 PM

i have been jacked so many times by car dealers.  My last 2 vehicles were horrible:1. VW Passat, used, dealer couldn't figure out what was wrong before the warranty was up on it, and finally i found it... water leaking from windshield into...wait for it........ the computer. $$$$$$2. Chevy truck (c1500) at 80k tranny went out. Oh, that not to bad, did i mention i bought it with 75k on it. Now when that truck broke down, it happened in front of a dealership that people here in town refered to as crazy, cuz the owner was this crazy marine, he was sad that he has had to sit out the last couple wars, he misses killin (this is from my talkin to him).  He was honest as hell tho. got me into a new f150 @ 6.5%. and made sure i got my old truck towed into his lot, helped me load my tools (i work contstruction) into my new truck.  With the past 2 vehicles i begged the sales person to be HONEST with me, i don't have alot of money, i bust my ass in my job, and just want something that isn't gonna be up on cinder blocks in 3 months... and they all acted like "sure, we're buddies, im lookin out for you.."car shopping is painful.  now i wish i woulda bought a chevet. $75 in gas every 2 days.

Gvac

08-15-2006, 06:59 PM

Stugots, it might be a bit more expensive than the others, but if you want something with a back seat I'd recommend the Toyota Solara.  It's basically a convertible Camry so you know the quality and reliability you're getting.  And empulse - if you're going to buy something used, make sure you get a "certified" used car.  The dealer backs it up with a warranty similar to a new car, usually 3 yrs or 36,000 miles.  And one more thing - try to stick to Honda or Toyota when it comes to buying something with higher mileage.  Anything European is out.  Despite what people think, German cars are fraught with problems and the parts (and labor) are EXTREMELY expensive.  American cars ain't much better unfortunately, but at least the parts are cheap.