I don't want to be friends, I just want to buy something...

[milee]

My mechanic tells me I have an expensive part that's starting to sound questionable; he says it's time to either stop waffling and get a new SUV or replace the expensive part before my next major road trip towing the boat.  So I have until the third week in May (less than 2 months) to do something I've been dreading... get a new(er) vehicle.  Blech.

There are so many reasons to hate getting a new vehicle.  Tough to find one I like, hate the idea of paying full price or even worse - special ordering something to get the stuff I need like factory tow package.  And the thing I hate the most is doing the Dealership Dance.  

The whole purchase process is so cumbersome.  By the time I get to the dealership, I've researched and know pretty much what I want - just need them to answer a few detailed questions that can't be found easily online and then give me a price so I can decide.  But 99% of the time, the sales reps don't know the answers to the detailed questions (no, I don't need to know where the vanity mirror is, thanks) and getting a price involves an extended back and forth session.     Not to be too Sheldon Cooper, but I don't need to know about the salesperson's dog and I don't need to brag to him/her about my kids.  I really, really, really would love just to get in, get my questions answered, get a price and get out to think with huge bonus points if that whole process takes 30 minutes or less from the time my foot hits the lot.

Wish me luck, I'm starting the Dealership Dance in earnest.  If there comes a time when it's obvious I'm not posting for a week or more, it's because either I died from frustration or killed a car salesman and am sitting in jail awaiting swamp or midjd to come get me.

Please share your humorous, interesting or awful car buying stories below.

[Blonde Granny]

My longtime sales person at the local Mercedes dealer has left for another job. When I look at the sales people there now, I'd bet the average age is 25 . Likely I know more about the vehicle I'm looking at than they do. The last one I bout 7 months ago I found online at the dealer in Oklahoma City. Called my long time sales person, told him I wanted it, didn't care what they had to do to get it. I took delivery 2 days later.

GAWD I love my new SUV. As for any help, I have none......

[whoisjohngalt]

Well, I was told they had to wait for my husband to discuss the purchase price and financing at the Cadillac car dealership in MA.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

The last time we bought a new vehicle, DH did all of the negotiating online, via email, and phone before he set foot in the dealership to sign papers. We were already pre-approved through our CU so that took the hassle out of the financial hoops.

[Deleted]

So....how much is the expensive part to replace?  I'm guessing a lot less than a new SUV and if you don't want to even get one, why not just fix your current vehicle? 

[milee]

Apr 6, 2017 9:28:25 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

My longtime sales person at the local Mercedes dealer has left for another job. When I look at the sales people there now, I'd bet the average age is 25 . Likely I know more about the vehicle I'm looking at than they do. The last one I bout 7 months ago I found online at the dealer in Oklahoma City. Called my long time sales person, told him I wanted it, didn't care what they had to do to get it. I took delivery 2 days later.

GAWD I love my new SUV. As for any help, I have none......

Mixed bag at the Mercedes dealerships here.  The local one has a few longtime people that are very knowledgeable and a few others that know a lot less about the vehicles than I do.  

If I want to pay full price and even delivery charges, it would be no biggie to call and get one delivered to my door within a few days.  But I can't in good conscience pay several thousand dollars for that convenience.  So I guess I'm willing to deal with some hassle to save $5k - $7k, just not too much...

I wish VW hadn't screwed up the Diesel thing for everybody else.  There are several models I'd be very interested in having a Diesel, but Mercedes is on hold with the new approval process.

[Blonde Granny]

milee, last I heard MB was thinking to telling the US EPA to put it where the sun doesn't shine (I wanted a diesel also). They will still make the diesel models for every country but the US...mid you, only a rumor someone at the dealership told me.

[swamp]

I was car shopping when I was about 30. DH, then DBF was with me. He was in pharmacy school, so he didn't have any money.

We went to a car show, I was asking the guy at an exhibit questions about a car. The guy kept answering DH. He finally told the guy, "Look, she's the one with the money, she's buying the car, don't talk to me, I don't have any say in this."

Another one:

I was car shopping just after I got hired as an ADA. I needed a 4WD vehicle since my job would include driving all over hells half acre in the snow. I went to a dealership and told them what I was looking for, and I brought my mother with me.    He showed me a car, I was interested, so asked the price. He told me "x" and I countered with "y." He said put $50 on the table to show you're acting in good faith and I'll talk to my manager, but don't worry, you'll get the $50 back. I left.

[milee]

Apr 6, 2017 9:32:57 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

So....how much is the expensive part to replace?  I'm guessing a lot less than a new SUV and if you don't want to even get one, why not just fix your current vehicle? 

My mechanic didn't even tell me... he's known me long enough to just give me "the Look."  Given what other repairs are, I'm guessing at least $4k - $5k if he considers it worth that kind of discussion.  He did say that it was one of those where not only are the parts pricey but it also involves a lot of hours to install - 4 WD transfer case.

I've been very happy with this one.  Bought it for $27k (with 27k miles on it) and have since then put over 100k additional miles on it.  It hasn't been bulletproof reliable but up to now the issues have been inconvenient ones that didn't stop driving (things like window controllers, etc.).  Given its age and potential for other future repairs, it's well past time to go ahead and bite the bullet if that avoids a repair of more than say $3k.

[milee]

Apr 6, 2017 9:39:44 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

milee, last I heard MB was thinking to telling the US EPA to put it where the sun doesn't shine (I wanted a diesel also). They will still make the diesel models for every country but the US...mid you, only a rumor someone at the dealership told me.

I'm seeing that rumor on the Mercedes owner forums, too.  That would be unfortunate if true.

My mechanic loves the 4 cyl diesel - thinks it's incredibly reliable and has good performance in addition to fantastic gas mileage.  And of course it's nice for towing, which I need.  That's the one that goes in the GLC and GLE in Europe and Australia.  He is not a fan of the 6 cyl diesel at all and warned me to avoid that like the plague.  In true ironic fashion, that 6 cyl diesel is the only one that Mercedes has currently submitted for approval (for the GLS.)

[milee]

Apr 6, 2017 9:40:03 GMT -5 swamp said:

  He showed me a car, I was interested, so asked the price. He told me "x" and I countered with "y." He said put $50 on the table to show you're acting in good faith and I'll talk to my manager, but don't worry, you'll get the $50 back. I left.

Yeah, it's the games like that which drive me nuts.   

It was years ago - in the early '90s, but I had a friend who was a lawyer and when she and her husband (an ER doc) went to buy a car, they sat in one of those little negotiating rooms that dealers used to have.  They'd been back and forth with the salesguy a few times, weren't really getting anywhere and the salesguy was taking a long time to return so they decided to leave ... only to discover the salesguy had locked the door and they were locked in the room.  

[emma1420]

I hate car shopping.  It's the major reason why I'm still driving the same Honda I bought 11 years ago (well it helps that it's in great shape).

My personal favorite is the Honda dealership I went to (which was not the one I typically use), as they were the only dealership that had a standard transmission HRV.  And I wanted to test drive it.  I let them look at my current CRV and they low balled me on the trade in saying that I needed a new catalytic converter.  They didn't even put my car up on the blocks to check it out.  I knew for a fact that I didn't need a catalytic converter (as I'd just had it checked out by the local dealership).  What was even better was that they emailed me later that day after I left telling me how they were doing me this huge favor by giving me so much for my current car, while they parted with a very rare standard transmission.  

I also enjoyed the VW dealership who refused to allow me to test drive a car without a pre-scheduled appointment.

[milee]

Apr 6, 2017 9:52:27 GMT -5 emma1420 said:

I hate car shopping.  It's the major reason why I'm still driving the same Honda I bought 11 years ago (well it helps that it's in great shape).


I also enjoyed the VW dealership who refused to allow me to test drive a car without a pre-scheduled appointment.

Porsche is like that around here.  When they told me that they didn't offer Macans for test drives, that people just ordered them without driving them, I had to pitch a small fit.  The Macan was so, so awesome, though that I've reconsidered my prior objection and think it's a mercy on their part to not let the unsuspecting public drive one... because they would be unable to resist.   I kind of fell in love with that thing and if it had a larger towing capacity would have bought it on the spot.  I had the checkbook out and was trying not to drool on anything before the salesguy clarified the towing thing which crushed my Macan dreams.  Now I hate them a bit for their false advertising (advertised towing capacity of 4500 pounds is only for trailers with brakes, for unbraked trailers it only tows 1600 pounds) and for letting me drive that thing.

I hate car shopping, too.  That's a major reason I'm still driving my 12 year old SUV.

[justme]

I bought my car through the Internet department. Everything was either phone or email. The only reason I had to renegotiate a price was they sold the damn car I wanted five minutes before I got there. Obviously that couple paid more than I was going to, I snickered when I walked by them. But the guy still gave me a good price on the second car and it was a sorry negotiation on the full price. It was only after that he asked terms on loan and he couldn't beat what I walked in with.

Way different then the assholes earlier in the day that were all so what payment are you looking for when I told them to give me the out the door price. The finance manager there actually threw papers at me when I said I don't care how they get to the final price I want a number and don't talk to me about your financing unless you can meet or beat x. He was seriously twice my age minimum and threw a temper tantrum.

[milee]

Apr 6, 2017 9:53:55 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

I just bought a MB SUV. They had diesel models on the floor - am I missing something otherc than the fact that they started at 120k?

Does MB even negotiate when it comes to cars with all the options?

I'm assuming those were either the GLS (which is that 6 cylinder my mechanic says run away from) or unsold 2016 GLEs.

What did you get?  

[swamp]

Apr 6, 2017 9:49:05 GMT -5 milee said:

Apr 6, 2017 9:40:03 GMT -5 swamp said:

  He showed me a car, I was interested, so asked the price. He told me "x" and I countered with "y." He said put $50 on the table to show you're acting in good faith and I'll talk to my manager, but don't worry, you'll get the $50 back. I left.

Yeah, it's the games like that which drive me nuts.   

It was years ago - in the early '90s, but I had a friend who was a lawyer and when she and her husband (an ER doc) went to buy a car, they sat in one of those little negotiating rooms that dealers used to have.  They'd been back and forth with the salesguy a few times, weren't really getting anywhere and the salesguy was taking a long time to return so they decided to leave ... only to discover the salesguy had locked the door and they were locked in the room.  

I hope they kicked the door open.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

We told a dealer that we weren't going to buy any car without having our mechanic look it over.   He told us that he would put temporary plates on and allow us to drive it to our mechanic if we agreed to sign paperwork to purchased the car when we returned.   We walked out.

Who does that tactic work on?

[milee]

Apr 6, 2017 10:07:16 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

2017 GLS 450.

Those are nice - hope it's a good one for you.

And yes, MB does negotiate.  They act like they don't, and a few truly don't, but many do.  And if you make it clear you're willing to buy from a MB dealer in the next town over, as long as one group doesn't own all the area dealers, that helps.  Not a hard and fast rule, but it appears from the MB user forums that people get the largest discounts on vehicles in dealer stock, on ones with lots of options, deals done near the end of the month and during certain months.  If you do the European Delivery program, that's an automatic 7% off the price of the car, too.  If I didn't need to replace mine within the next month and a half, I'd strongly consider doing ED and using the 7% off to have a vacation with the boys.

[milee]

Apr 6, 2017 10:14:15 GMT -5 alwaysbeoptimizing said:

Apr 6, 2017 9:15:52 GMT -5 milee said:

My mechanic tells me I have an expensive part that's starting to sound questionable; he says it's time to either stop waffling and get a new SUV or replace the expensive part before my next major road trip towing the boat.  So I have until the third week in May (less than 2 months) to do something I've been dreading... get a new(er) vehicle.  Blech.

There are so many reasons to hate getting a new vehicle.  Tough to find one I like, hate the idea of paying full price or even worse - special ordering something to get the stuff I need like factory tow package.  And the thing I hate the most is doing the Dealership Dance.  

The whole purchase process is so cumbersome.  By the time I get to the dealership, I've researched and know pretty much what I want - just need them to answer a few detailed questions that can't be found easily online and then give me a price so I can decide.  But 99% of the time, the sales reps don't know the answers to the detailed questions (no, I don't need to know where the vanity mirror is, thanks) and getting a price involves an extended back and forth session.     Not to be too Sheldon Cooper, but I don't need to know about the salesperson's dog and I don't need to brag to him/her about my kids.  I really, really, really would love just to get in, get my questions answered, get a price and get out to think with huge bonus points if that whole process takes 30 minutes or less from the time my foot hits the lot.

Wish me luck, I'm starting the Dealership Dance in earnest.  If there comes a time when it's obvious I'm not posting for a week or more, it's because either I died from frustration or killed a car salesman and am sitting in jail awaiting swamp or midjd to come get me.

Please share your humorous, interesting or awful car buying stories below.

Considering the Cayenne?

anywho, if you really hate it and can afford it, you can use a service (Costco, or others) or, there are independent people who specialize i doing all of this.  Here is Seattle, there is a woman who've very well regarded, who will do all the BS, back and forth, yadda yadda and bring a car to you, with papers to sign, at a price you've agreed to in advance, for I think around $500.  Her point is that in addition to all the time and aggravation, she'll generally save the average person much more than the $500 she charges.  Here is an example from my area  www.yelp.com/biz/amazing-autowoman-bellevue

It might be worth it, if you can find a great one of these people, to say, "I want a silver 2017 MLK with pano roof, sport package, yadda.  I need to know if XYZ question about trailering is possible before I buy." 

Wasn't as impressed with the Cayenne.  I'd probably get another one of mine (Mercedes GLE) before the Cayenne.  GLE's handling isn't as sporty as the Cayenne, but it's a lot quieter on the road and doesn't have the weird rattles the test Cayenne had.  The Macan was smaller than the GLE but OMG so much fun to drive.  

I've got some feelers out through the Costco program, so far it's been less than optimal, but I still have high hopes.  The closest Mercedes dealer that participates is approx 70 miles away, so trading phone calls.  There is no Lexus dealer that participates in our area, I guess (?)

[countrygirl2]

Well, I was told they had to wait for my husband to discuss the purchase price and financing at the Cadillac car dealership in MA.

I was looking at a leather couch to buy, the sales person said that to me, I walked out and never went back.  I was buying it

with my money and that was it, stupid man.

[HoneyBBQ]

Apr 6, 2017 9:30:28 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Well, I was told they had to wait for my husband to discuss the purchase price and financing at the Cadillac car dealership in MA.

Please tell me this was 50 years ago.

[buystoys]

When we purchased my car, I decided what I wanted (manual transmission in something other than a sports car is getting more difficult to find) looked up the pricing on truecar.com, decided what I would pay, and then DH contacted multiple dealers in our area.  The one closest to our house started playing games (talking to DH instead of me, back and forth to the sales manager with our offer, etc.) and we walked out after about 30 minutes or so.  Another dealer about 30 minutes away called DH and asked us to come in.  We told him that we'd make the drive but only if they were willing to guarantee I'd get the car for the money I wanted to pay.  I did end up paying just a little more than I wanted to, but it was still less than the best price on truecar.com, so I didn't complain. 

When we purchased DH's pickup, we didn't bother with the haggling game.  It's just not worth it and we tell the sales folks that if they go down that path, we'll just walk out.  One started it, so we left and just went down to the next dealer and bought there.  We had done the research and already knew what DH would accept and what we'd be willing to pay.  Neither of us is willing to waste our time to get to the number.

[milee]

Apr 6, 2017 10:22:29 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

What surprises me in SUV shopping is that once you add in certain options the domestic manufacturers look as expensive as the German ones and the Japanese ones look super overpriced.

I think the same thing.  DH and I were talking about that this morning.  

When you compare apples to apples (same options and features) the German cars are more expensive, but not by much.  And although I've loved the Japanese cars we've had (mostly small Hondas over the years), DH has an MDX that hasn't been nearly as reliable as the Hondas were.  He's starting to grouse that he went for the MDX for reliability and was willing to trade some of the handling and niceties for reliability... but if the reliability wasn't there, why spend all that money to get something that doesn't drive as well or is finished as nicely as the German cars?  

I have mixed feelings on that, though.  There's a huge range of reliability among the German cars and as much as I love to drive them, I need to make sure that whatever SUV I get is reliable enough that I never have to deal with a breakdown in the middle of nowhere while towing a boat.  I do 3-5 road trips a year with the boat and realize we go through some remote places... I do not want to ever deal with trying to first get towed (and the trailer/boat towed, too) and then trying to find someone who knows how to repair a German car in some of those areas.  No thanks.

[whoisjohngalt]

Apr 6, 2017 10:23:47 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Apr 6, 2017 9:30:28 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Well, I was told they had to wait for my husband to discuss the purchase price and financing at the Cadillac car dealership in MA.

Please tell me this was 50 years ago.

Hey!!! How old do you think I am? 

I was 7 months pregnant with my oldest.....and he is still in elementary school

[Sharon]

One time when I was trying to leave a dealership my car was suddenly blocked in by other cars while people were transferring stuff from one vehicle to another.  It was amazing how quickly they surrounded my car.  The salesperson was busy tapping on the rolled up window.  I refused to make eye contact.  They made me sit there for about 5 minutes.

[Deleted]

Really dislike you can't just buy vehicles from the manufacturer, the car dealer for me is just someone taking a cut off the top of the sale.

[sesfw]

I was in my middle 60s (female) and took my 7 yr old 4x4 PU in for servicing at a dealer.  Truck had less than 50K miles on it.  The service manager told me that all the fluids needed to be changed and the cost would be $1200.  I walked out and found a local repair shop for the oil change.

Went to a dealer to see about replacing my PU with a like model.  My truck is mid sized, extended cab with the 3rd door handle inside.  Those are not made any more.  The sales guy took me to a truck that the bed sides were higher than my head.  Then asked what it would take for me to buy this truck now.  Walked out

I'm on the defensive going into a dealership.

[tskeeter]

Apr 6, 2017 9:15:52 GMT -5 milee said:

My mechanic tells me I have an expensive part that's starting to sound questionable; he says it's time to either stop waffling and get a new SUV or replace the expensive part before my next major road trip towing the boat.  So I have until the third week in May (less than 2 months) to do something I've been dreading... get a new(er) vehicle.  Blech.

There are so many reasons to hate getting a new vehicle.  Tough to find one I like, hate the idea of paying full price or even worse - special ordering something to get the stuff I need like factory tow package.  And the thing I hate the most is doing the Dealership Dance.  

The whole purchase process is so cumbersome.  By the time I get to the dealership, I've researched and know pretty much what I want - just need them to answer a few detailed questions that can't be found easily online and then give me a price so I can decide.  But 99% of the time, the sales reps don't know the answers to the detailed questions (no, I don't need to know where the vanity mirror is, thanks) and getting a price involves an extended back and forth session.     Not to be too Sheldon Cooper, but I don't need to know about the salesperson's dog and I don't need to brag to him/her about my kids.  I really, really, really would love just to get in, get my questions answered, get a price and get out to think with huge bonus points if that whole process takes 30 minutes or less from the time my foot hits the lot.

Wish me luck, I'm starting the Dealership Dance in earnest.  If there comes a time when it's obvious I'm not posting for a week or more, it's because either I died from frustration or killed a car salesman and am sitting in jail awaiting swamp or midjd to come get me.

Please share your humorous, interesting or awful car buying stories below.

Done a couple of Internet new car purchases that avoid/minimize the couple of hours wasted with the salesperson.  Once with Dave Smith Motors of Kellogg, ID.  They sell GM and Chrysler products.  Talk to salesperson on phone to nail down specs.  Get quote by email.  Meet salesperson and take quick test drive to verify car is OK.  Do paperwork.  Hit the road.  Time with salesperson, about half an hour, including initial spec phone call.

The other no negotiation new car dealer I didn't actually buy a car from, but which seemed like it should be pretty straight forward was The CarMax new Toyota dealership in Kenosha, WI.  Sent an email.  Got a quote on a specific vehicle (quote included stock number).

Both of these dealers prices were good enough to justify flying in to pick up the cars.  After travel expenses, I figure 
I saved about $4K on the Wrangler and Grand Caravan from Dave Smith vs. the best price I could get from the local dealer.  The CarMax quote on a Sienna was about $3,200 less than the local dealer.  Ended up using the CarMax quote to negotiate a deal with an area dealer because the local dealer didn't have what we wanted.  But, it worked out well, price wise.

The only reason we didn't go back to Dave Smith was that we wanted an AWD minivan, and only Toyota builds one of those these days.

[Blonde Granny]

Apr 6, 2017 10:07:16 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

2017 GLS 450.

Yes, you are right the diesel is a v6. I decided against it because I read it wasn't very responsive. I was thinking of the AMG but that must be gas.

I have the 2017 GLS 450 gas not diesel.  The diesel would carry a model as GLS 350......as far as I know, the only available diesel for the GLS is a 2016 model.

[midjd]

I had the same experience as Lena (mine was in 2009). They didn't actually tell me they couldn't talk to me, but despite the fact that the money (and car) were in my name and I was the only one asking questions, every response was directed toward DH. DH even said "Hey, it's her money!" a few times, to no avail. And the guy doing it wasn't much older than us, maybe 30 at the time, which made it all the more depressing.

Then when we were looking in 2013, I had the salesperson who told me on the phone the vehicle's price was $X, then after I drove an hour to the dealership, realized that was taking into account about $5K of veteran/student discounts. She took my keys and license before the test drive. Once I found out about the price bait-and-switch, I tried to leave -- first she couldn't find my keys for a few minutes (all while saying "you're free to leave, we're not keeping you!"), then she was extremely slow at returning my driver's license, then when she realized we were seriously done tried to tell me that my current vehicle was dangerous and DH shouldn't let me drive it.

DH works at a Honda dealership (thankfully not in sales) so now I just give him a price range and my list of non-negotiables and he picks something out. Even as much of a control freak as I am, it's worth it to never go car shopping again.