New Car Buying

[DC_MPA]

Ok I'm doing something I HATE - going to car dealerships. My girlfriend is buying a car. She wants a 2011 Pathfinder. It's her money so I don't care.

Now to my inquiry. Girlfriend finds a pathfinder online. We go check it out. Typical BS words out of a salesmanship mouth "don't know what your talking about but we have sweet deals on 2012". Whatever...

Then they find the vehicle and say they have it but it isn't there. Followed by "a member of our finance team is driving it today".

My question, why do employees of dealerships always drive cars on the lot and never their own damn car? Pissed me off when the lazy salesman shrugged and said "no big deal, I doubt he'll put too many miles on it by tomorrow so you can take a look at it".

So why do they do that all the time?

 

[Rjack]

you can hire an auto buyer broker for a few hundred dollars. You won't have to do any of the shopping, and you'll end up saving much more than you pay the broker. Way to go.

Don't stand for the poppycock.

 

[garyg]

Not sure how the model year cycles are anymore, was the vehicle she wanted used or new?

 

[jd_1138]

They sometimes give the salesmen a demo to drive as part of their employee benefits package -- medical, dental, demo car. My wife used to be an office manager at a Buick dealership, and she always had a brand new Buick to drive.

Be careful of the "one at this price" fine print. Sometimes they will advertise a great deal on a car, but when you get there, it's already sold, so they will try to get you into a different (and more pricey) car. Just know the values (maybe getcha a KBB), and be prepared to walk unless you get the deal you want.

 

[DC_MPA]

It was a 2011 with a handful of miles. They claimed it was used.

A broker you say - I was JUST thinking this past weekend how I'd like to just hire someone for a percentage to take care of it all.

 

[DC_MPA]

Luckily the girlfriend is VP of consumer banking for a multi state bank so she is financing it thru her own office

We went to one dealership who had what she wanted for $4,000 over NADA which is what the bank uses to know the loan amount. The dealership told her 5 times by 3 people absolutely not, no way would they come down even $100.

Of course she smarted off her position at the same bank the dealership uses for financing and banking and walked away lol.

 

[Easttexasman]

Did you have an appointment to come in and see the vehicle or did you just show up?

 

[garyg]

So she wants what is a questionable vehicle value, used, perhaps with one less day's mileage? Probably best it wasn't there for your inspection then

 

[DC_MPA]

.... Hmm I don't get what your point is.

Mine is a question that I'll reiterate - why do dealers let employees have cars for personal use that are inventory especially on days off.

So she wants what is a questionable vehicle value, used, perhaps with one less day's mileage? Probably best it wasn't there for your inspection then

 

[M80]

I bought a new car this year. Here are some websites I found helpful.

http://www.findthebestcarprice.com/
http://www.truecar.com
http://www.edmunds.com/cars/

 

[saf]

Its a perk of the job they pay them less but let them take a car and still charge the same price for it.

 

[DC_MPA]

I didn't know about the first two sites. Thanks a ton M80.

 

[rearviewmirror]

DONT LET HER BUY IT.
in a few months they're coming out with a brand new body style, which will cause the value of the current body style to TANK.
i have a 2007 pathfinder, 65,000 miles and still has original tires and brakes on it. only thing i've done is change the oil.
gets almost 19mpg

 

[garyg]

.... Hmm I don't get what your point is.

Mine is a question that I'll reiterate - why do dealers let employees have cars for personal use that are inventory especially on days off.

The why was answered, above, it is a used car, and using one is one of the few benefits that a used car emporium can offer .. I haven't purchased a used car since a Pinto was a new model, so things may have changed. My point was simply that you were upset about the experience, so perhaps another used car lot would be better.

 

[lr11]

If you plan on further involvment with this gal you might want to reconsider this position "It's her money so I don't care". Because it might just become your issue. Second I would move up to a Lexus, infinity, landcruiser or sequoia. there is less likelyhood of having to sell if you need a bigger vehicle in the future and they are a much nicer ride with better resale.

 

[DC_MPA]

That's how we roll and it makes life so much easier. Separate checking accounts, nothing in co-ownership. It's worked well for us for 5 years now

Garyg - gotcha, makes sense sir! Yes she was as pleased as I was with the experience. Since I bought my last car new in 2002 it sure seems that dealerships have gotten a lot lazier and very rude (more than ever).

 

[raisindot]

That's how we roll and it makes life so much easier. Separate checking accounts, nothing in co-ownership. It's worked well for us for 5 years now

I'll make a bet that whenever the two of you got into a dealership that the salesjerk always comes up to you first, and then even when your GF is saying it's going to be her car the saleperson stills keeps his eyes and attention focused on you.

 

[DC_MPA]

Raisindot - you nailed it. When that happens I just point and say "she's the one buying"

Whats been hilarious is the number one first statement from the salesman is "so, what brings you in?"

My answers have included - BBQ, Chicken, Farmers Market, Buffet, and Pay My Electric Bill.

 

[_JP_]

My answers have included - BBQ, Chicken, Farmers Market, Buffet, and Pay My Electric Bill.

Love it!!!

If your girlfriend has a particular model in mind, then that makes the shopping experience that much easier. Look around for other vehicles of that model and then shop for the best all around deal. She doesn't need to set her sights on just one vehicle. I've been through the advertised vehicle not here thing myself. The upshot is that I never bought from those places because what I came in for wasn't there and I'm not going to put up with any games. If they are going to feature a car for sale then it darn well better be there unless it has been sold.

 

[jd_1138]

DONT LET HER BUY IT.
in a few months they're coming out with a brand new body style, which will cause the value of the current body style to TANK.
i have a 2007 pathfinder, 65,000 miles and still has original tires and brakes on it. only thing i've done is change the oil.
gets almost 19mpg

You might be due for a transmission fluid flush and filter change. Also maybe a radiator flush and fill. I assume you changed the air filter also, besides oil changes. We bought a brand new 2005 Kia Sedona minivan a couple of months before the '06's came out (newer body style). I liked the previous body style better than the newer one, plus the price was awesome. I think we paid like $17,000 for a fully loaded EX model with leather, alloys, and all the toys. We may have saved even more on it had we waited until the new '06's were on the ground, but my wife worked for the Kia dealership so we saved a lot anyway. The '06 would've been $25-26,000, if memory serves.