Chevy HHR

[meledward23]

I went to the Local Chevy dealer to look at one of these this past weekend. My wife decided to give birth to a baby Girl 3 weeks ago and the stroller does not fit in the trunk of my Grand Prix GTP, and she doesn't consider her 1 Ton Dodge to be a family car.

I was floored. I still can't figure what this dealer is thinking. The sticker price was anywhere from 16something to 19something. He had about 25 models in stock. He had the sticker price (you know the manufacture price with all options) and right next to it was another price. With three things

Theft system $1,700.00
ADM $ 5000.00
Color Match Key $ 350.00

Since the sales people (two of them) couldnt explain ADM I am going with Adjusted Dealer Markup. Theft System 1700 ? ? It comes standard with GM's Passive theft III system (good enough for me).

So basically this car is so hot in sales the dealer figures to jack the price by $7,000 or an additional 38% of the base price ?

I left and looked at the Envoy and Buick Rendezvous both for less than the HHR.

But I was curious, is this normal across the country.Is the HHR really that popular? It doesnt look bad for a car at thesticker price plus a haggle down, but to go up from the sticker price. It doesnt look that well made. (it was definelty nice and roomy).

 

[Dargo]

ADM is "Additional Dealer Markup". That is very rare anymore. Dealers used to use it in order to inflate your perceived trade in value. In other words, they didn't often actually get that amount, but would show you that $6000 amount on top of what your actual trade value is. So, when you shopped dealers it looked like they were giving you more for your trade.

Several of the manufacturers really frown on that practice. At best, it is deceptive. It's the same as adding "dealer prep" on the sticker; the dealer is already paid for dealer prep work in the sticker price. The MSRP sticker in the windows is generally called the Maroni sticker after A. S. Mike Maroney, Oklahoman member of Congress, who sponsored the law requiring them in order to prevent exactly what you are seeing.

Basically any labels or prices beyond the Maroni sticker are added profit items only.

 

[Thurd Ferguson]

I don't believe there is any vehicle out there I would be interested in paying above sticker price or even at sticker price.

It's been over ten years since I have purchased a new vehicle from a dealer, I have had good luck buying late-model vehicles from individuals. But it seems in my mind that ten years ago there was more wiggle room from sticker price. With the explosion of internet usage and all kinds of vehicle pricing websites, I think the wiggle room has shrinked. Just my limited observations, like I said I haven't bought new in a while. I have sat down with dealers in the last couple of years, but could not come to terms with them. Seem to find a suitable used vehicle right after walking out of the dealers office. Rambling now, sorry.

 

[meledward23]

Yeah I ended up buying a SUV that had 10,800 miles on it at what I consider a steal. So I have shopped new vehicles 3 times now. I have yet to buy a new one. This one is the closest yet. Only 10800 miles is less than the 38,000 mile GTP (grand Prix) and the 100,000 mile Oldsmobile, 120,000 mile 3/4 Ton Chevy, and the 190,000 GMC Sonoma..... I have yet to get rid of one with less than 225,000 miles....

I like used... New is fun, till you pay the bill....

 

[Doc_Bob]

But I was curious, is this normal across the country.Is the HHR really that popular? It doesnt look bad for a car at thesticker price plus a haggle down, but to go up from the sticker price. It doesnt look that well made. (it was definelty nice and roomy).

Wait 3 months.
Bob

 

[Dale_Alan]

You know how people talk about "used car dealers", being dishonest, crooked, etc., etc,. Well, the new car dealers are the same and probably worse. New car dealerships are going up on every major road in and out of Houston and they cry and moan about needing to make a little money on a deal.
Last year they were knocking about 30% or so off the sticker price because they were eating the new vehicles. Let them eat them.
Dale

 

[AndyM]

I was floored. I still can't figure what this dealer is thinking. The sticker price was anywhere from 16something to 19something. He had about 25 models in stock. He had the sticker price (you know the manufacture price with all options) and right next to it was another price. With three things

Theft system $1,700.00
ADM $ 5000.00
Color Match Key $ 350.00

Since the sales people (two of them) couldnt explain ADM I am going with Adjusted Dealer Markup...

Additional Dealer Markup-- Very high margin items that are installed by the dealer to add to their profit.
If I go to a dealership that is still doing this, I turn around and leave for the next one. None of the things they install are ever worth the price they are charging. I suggest you check out other dealerships.

 

[Jagmandave]

You can buy one thru the net for so much over invoice, just shop around a bit..........

 

[Chuck52]

I drove one of those HHRs as a rental back in February when the wife and I did a tour of the California wine country. I'm 6'2", and though it had plenty of head room, I felt like I needed to bend over to see out the windshield. Definitely not what I should have been driving while trying to sightsee in the redwoods.

Chuck