This was really bad a while back for my wife, if you wanna squirm... It was gonna be her first car after the one that got her through high school and college, the first major purchase of our marriage, and I wanted to treat her a bit because I knew damn well she'd be in that car for a bit. While it had to be used, we could still go on the luxury/low mile end for used. We cast a broad net on both the crossover SUV and regular sized SUV categories. We weren't terribly specific, but since it was used, the quality of the local dealership was very important. Now, my wife looks VERY young. Worse than me. But guys, come on! It's one thing to take a first impression, but it's another to continue off that first impression when actions and behaviors tell you that it's wrong. If I know more about the engine -- and compared to everyone on here, I'm in like the retard percentile -- than the guy who is supposed to know everything about it, that's an issue. Some salesmen would only talk to her and act like I was a brother or tagalong or something. Some would only talk to me even though it was made clear that it was HER car. Some wouldn't answer my questions, not even say "I don't know but I can find out!" Instead they'd ignore it or try to defer. Ended up with a 2010 GMC Acadia. Amazing vehicle, never even heard of it when we started looking. Sales guy didn't know a lot, nor did we, but when we had questions he found stuff out. Turns out it was a really impressive car. We didn't even negotiate that hard because he found us the exact right thing without being a dick about it.
Around 2000 my ex had convinced me to get something a little more family oriented than my 300ZX. To me that meant a new Trans Am. Somehow she agreed with that and off we went to the Pontiac dealer. I knew exactly what I wanted and was fully prepared to order it and wait...Black, WS-6, 6 speed, leather. I told the salesman what I wanted and he said he had something he could get me in that day...and proceeded to show me a red, V6, automatic. Kind of exactly the opposite of what I wanted. I just grabbed my ex and left. He called out behind me "I can get you a great deal!" I fucking loathe car salesmen.
Spent almost 13 years in the service side of three GM dealers, by and large most car sales people are scumbags who will fuck over anyone to make money. The way they get paid actively encourages this practice, I absolutely hate dealing with them. Never ever tell them your trading a vehicle in and if you do make that mistake never give them your keys so they can “make a trade in estimate”. This is just a bullshit way of them keeping you on the sales floor in front of a salesman pushing you to sign paperwork on a car they have on the lot. Once you sign they no longer give two shits. Always deal with the internet sales guy via email or text, they tend to be younger and more savvy with clear cut numbers. You still run the risk of setting up a deal and driving to the dealer just for them to try and change it on you. You have to be willing to just leave. After you have a purchase price set for what you want, then mention maybe having a trade in. Also avoid any salesman that starts off a conversation with “what do you want your payment to be”.
Question- if I intend to pay cash, should I mention that up front? I’ve always wondered if they tack on costs because they won’t make any money on financing.
It's been hit or miss for me and paying cash. The dealership where I bought the Z06 seemed almost like they went out of their way to not sell me the car. Sales manager was rude and unaccommodating in every way. As I was signing the paperwork I said "if this car didn't check EVERY box, I'd walk as I really don't want to give you my money" He just shrugged. When I bought my truck, I just walked in said I was interested in the white GMC and I'll give them my 2007 Silverado and $X.XX for it. Ten minutes later I'm signing paperwork. I guess they figured an easy sale is better than getting a little more money but having to deal with getting someone approved. idk
It’s hit or miss, large dealership corporations will most likely not look favorable on paying cash, they get kickbacks for financing. Small dealers do too but the GM is most likely the owner or related to the owner and if you negotiate a deal up front and then tell them your paying with cash they’ll be more likely to work with you. Also dealers look at “cash” and actual 100 dollar bills differently. Wire transfers or certified checks aren’t much different to them, show with a stack of 100’s will probably get you something in my experience.
I don’t usually have that many 100s lying around, at least since we shut down the cock fighting ring. Certified check is how I roll.
@dixiebandit69 are all the continuously variable transmissions bad or just the ones in the Ford Focus?
No, not all CVTs are "bad," but I don't consider any of them "good." What car are you thinking of? Also, I may have misspoken in the past (I'm not going to look up my old post), but Ford never released a CVT transmission in the Focus. They DID, however, release a dual-clutch transmission that will fuck up if you look at it the wrong way. I am not joking. We've had a couple of these cars drive into the shop just fine for something NOT transmission-related, and out of the blue, they won't shift. I have a very distinct memory of one of these cars, for a very specific reason: In early 2020, when Covid/ Chinese Virus was just starting, I had to work on a Focus with a mystery "No shift" problem, and spent a lot of time inside the car. That afternoon, I was told that the owner was diagnosed with Covid, and the car was towed out. I'm fine, and at least I didn't have to fuck with a dead transmission.
I may be getting things mixed up. I am looking at various Toyota sedans, mostly the corolla and camrys. The crt is on the hybrids. There's a Nissan Sentra, I think a 2015, from a private buyer that I'll hopefully be looking at next week. I drove a Honda civic until it died but the Honda sedans I've looked at seem overpriced compared to the Toyotas, and I would prefer a Toyota if I had a choice. Basically searching for a used sedan that will fit my giant husband, gas saver, probably not older than 2015 but preferably newer with low miles. The market is just stupid right now. Anybody with insight on if the market is going to settle down or if this is life for awhile?
Don't buy a used hybrid car. When that battery shits the bed (and it will), you're going to be in for a big repair bill.
Just found a truck and put a deposit on it so I can come in Monday and hammer out details. Doesn’t have everything I’m looking for, but has enough and I can negotiate off that. Ram 2500, mega cab, Cummins 6.7, limited. It has both the off road and night edition packages, which are cool but not something I was specifically looking for. Regardless, sticker was reasonable enough for me to put a deposit and go from there.
Congrats! I wish I was that lucky... it'll be almost a year from when I ordered mine to when it "may" show up. I did order some very specific stuff on it, but still... until then, I'm holding back on the long distance RV haul out to BC.
what year is yours? Because I’m pretty sure ours will be optioned out exactly the same, minus the 2500/3500 difference and the things like drive train. I got really lucky, because this one was a close enough color with all the base packages and stuff, and the other options are stuff I can easily upgrade into.