I hate vehicle shopping!

[Jstpssng]

Actually that isn't quite accurate. Going online makes it easy to check things out. Ihave x.00$ that I want to spend; I know what I need (2006 or newer,4wd, 5K towing capacity, 18+ highway mpg empty, average mileage for the year). I know what I want (manual shift Tacoma or Ranger extended cab 4x4). The problem is that I don't speak salesmanese, and getting a price needs a secret handshake.

This morning I found 2 trucks which I'm interested in on a dealer's website. I'll be going right past there tonight, I could close the deal and bring the check up tomorrow.
Except I had to ask for the price, so I dropped an email.
Strike 1.

I got a reply which told me everything except what I asked for.
Strike 2.

I replied

If you can't give me a price, I won't waste your time.

"The managers are all in a meeting, but if you stop by this afternoon...."

Strike 3, everything from here on goes directly to spam.

The radio DJ was talking about his car shopping experience this AM. He found a car which he really liked but the power rear windows were stuck open. He told them that he would buy it if they fixed the windows but they tried to haggle over it... and lost the sale.

He said "I should have warned them that I have no patience for used car salesmen."

I found his tale to be very timely, and a man after my own heart.

 

[Got2BTru]

I also hate the shopping experience as well, but the wife and I play "good cop/bad cop" (she's always bad cop).

Not sure I agree with you on the price thing though. They want you to come in and take a look. If you're solely going on price, you might be missing something.

 

[kcflhrc]

Very possible the managers were in a meeting, who knows. I would have told him to have one of them call me and give me a price. If they cant simply do that then move on. Sounds like the guy you were talking to probably had no authority to give you pricing based on what his managers told him to do. This is not uncommon and e-mail tire kickers are a dime a dozen. A simple phone call should have got you a price.

 

[Jstpssng]

I also hate the shopping experience as well, but the wife and I play "good cop/bad cop" (she's always bad cop).

Not sure I agree with you on the price thing though. They want you to come in and take a look. If you're solely going on price, you might be missing something.

Price is a factor on anything I purchase. I know what I want to spend on a vehicle, and am trying to determine what that money will buy me. I can buy Grand Cherokees with <90k all day long in my price range but hope to have a pickup.
There is no way under the sun that I'm paying $17000 for a 10 year old vehicle with <140k miles, which is what some dealers are trying to sell. (And apparently succeeding)

Very possible the managers were in a meeting, who knows. I would have told him to have one of them call me and give me a price. If they cant simply do that then move on. Sounds like the guy you were talking to probably had no authority to give you pricing based on what his managers told him to do. This is not uncommon and e-mail tire kickers are a dime a dozen. A simple phone call should have got you a price.

Some places have their prices clearly marked... this eliminates tire kickers. If the managers were in a meeting there was no reason to send a second email until they could answer my question.

 

[kcflhrc]

I dont know man, my new Silverado was almost $50k before rebates. Rebates and other offers brought it down to right at $42k. So although I would agree $17k is a lot for a 10 year old truck that's a far cry from a new one. But those Grand Cherokee's are fine machines and will go **** near anywhere.

 

[forgeblast]

Check out true car, sign up for the manufactures email they will send you discounts you can pile on. If you own a small business, sign up for their business stuff. I saved 14k off the asking price of the truck I bought. Truecar, and tons of coupons/business items.

 

[Jstpssng]

I dont know man, my new Silverado was almost $50k before rebates. Rebates and other offers brought it down to right at $42k. So although I would agree $17k is a lot for a 10 year old truck that's a far cry from a new one. But those Grand Cherokee's are fine machines and will go **** near anywhere.

I can buy a 2015 Tacoma extended cab 4x4 for 26K... Bare bones, but it would last as long as a fancy model. Not in my budget yet though, besides the next few years could bring some changes in trucks that size. I'm hearing rumors that Ford may bring back some rendition of the Ranger as soon as this winter, and GM is talking about a diesle Colorado which could get decent mileage (Hopefully not powered by Volkswagen.)
My neighbor just bought an F150 with a 2.8(?) Turbo that gets amazing mileage, and I don't expect the price of gas to stay down forever.

 

[kcflhrc]

The Silverado does pretty good on gas with the 5.3 EcoTec. My wife drives it about 40 miles daily round trip to work and averages 17 mpg. I still cant bring myself to buy foreign trucks but I do ride a Yamaha. Ford is a definite contender and I wish I would have at least looked at them before I bought the Chevy. But the Chevy in LTZ trim is a very nice truck. It will be with me for some time. I do miss my 2010 Avalanche though, what a cool vehicle that was. The new Colorado is nice but **** near as much as a full size truck.

 

[Jstpssng]

The Silverado does pretty good on gas with the 5.3 EcoTec. My wife drives it about 40 miles daily round trip to work and averages 17 mpg. I still cant bring myself to buy foreign trucks but I do ride a Yamaha. Ford is a definite contender and I wish I would have at least looked at them before I bought the Chevy. But the Chevy in LTZ trim is a very nice truck. It will be with me for some time. I do miss my 2010 Avalanche though, what a cool vehicle that was. The new Colorado is nice but **** near as much as a full size truck.

My company truck is a 2014 Silverado with the V6 which shuts off cylinders... if it's idling it sounds almost like a Model A. It gave me 18.5 last weekend, if not for my right foot I could probably get low 20's. I've been driving mostly GM products since 2002 though, and want a change of scenery as I look out over the hood.

 

[kcflhrc]

My company truck is a 2014 Silverado with the V6 which shuts off cylinders... if it's idling it sounds almost like a Model A. It gave me 18.5 last weekend, if not for my right foot I could probably get low 20's. I've been driving mostly GM products since 2002 though, and want a change of scenery as I look out over the hood.

You could get a different hood ornament :laughing: Didn't know the V6 had the Cylinder Deactivation. It isn't even noticeable on the V8

 

[Jstpssng]

You could get a different hood ornament :laughing: Didn't know the V6 had the Cylinder Deactivation. It isn't even noticeable on the V8

The V6 engine noise might be just my imagination. I suppose that I COULD put a big hood scoop on the new one.

I'm not ruling GMs out. The only thing that I won't buy is a Dakota... I had two and the guys at the local garage promised to shoot me if I bought another.

 

[tractchores]

It's tougher on used, but try a reverse auction. I only buy this way now. No negotiations ever at the dealer, I inspect carefully before signing the papers and if there is any funny business I just go to the next one. Everything is done by phone and I only set foot in the dealer once the deal has been agreed to. Ask for Internet sales as well they usually make money on volume vs straight commission so will push harder for a better deal. The best part is you KNOW that you got the best possible deal.

 

[Jstpssng]

It's tougher on used, but try a reverse auction. I only buy this way now. No negotiations ever at the dealer, I inspect carefully before signing the papers and if there is any funny business I just go to the next one. Everything is done by phone and I only set foot in the dealer once the deal has been agreed to. Ask for Internet sales as well they usually make money on volume vs straight commission so will push harder for a better deal. The best part is you KNOW that you got the best possible deal.

I guess that I'm tilting windmills again, but why should it be so difficult to get a price on something I like? They're (allegedly) selling, I'm buying...

 

[kcflhrc]

I guess that I'm tilting windmills again, but why should it be so difficult to get a price on something I like? They're (allegedly) selling, I'm buying...

I would agree, they should be able to give you a price over the phone. Simple stuff. No way in **** would I buy a vehicle of any kind through an auction without test driving and inspection and some kind of 30 day warranty at least.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^
Oddly enough, when I went past that same dealership I noticed that all prices are marked on the windshield. I may stop in when they aren't open...
Someone I know bought an F150 on EBay, from someplace below the rust belt. He flew down to pick it up and headed home. I believe that he was in Massachusetts when he started smelling something hot. He got out and the truck was on fire. He said that he grabbed his phone, briefcase, and Tom-Tom, then stood there watching it burn.

His insurance co was NOT impressed.

 

[tractchores]

I guess that I'm tilting windmills again, but why should it be so difficult to get a price on something I like? They're (allegedly) selling, I'm buying...

They can give you a price, they just don't want to. Its in their best interest to get you in the dealer where they are on their turf and can use all kinds of negotiation tactics or hope you get some kind of emotional attachment to the vehicle. I've only had one dealer ever refuse to give a price on the phone, I thanked them and said I wouldn't be able to do business with them then... they called back within 10 minutes with a price.

Be wary of the prices on the windshield. I bought a car a few years ago and did things over the phone, when I showed up to look at it the price was almost 10k higher (on a 40k truck) on the window than what their first quote was. Basically they were hoping that someone who didn't know better would see the price on the windshield and not know the MSRP and negotiate from there... pretty sleezy.

 

[Clint S]

I absolutely do every car deal via e mail now. When you are at the dealer you are on their turf. They pressure, they run back and forth, the good salesmen can read you. The last two via e mail have been well below sticker.

 

[Tomtint]

We buy or replace 1 or 2 cars a year. The treadmill most dealers put you on can be a test of mental discipline. They have their systems to wear you down and hopefully sign before they let you leave. Fortunately we have a friend in the business who will do everything over the phone with us and we don't have to deal with the sales process. I much prefer him giving me a number, and if it works, it's a deal. If not, neither he or I waste much time.

 

[Jstpssng]

We buy or replace 1 or 2 cars a year. The treadmill most dealers put you on can be a test of mental discipline. They have their systems to wear you down and hopefully sign before they let you leave. Fortunately we have a friend in the business who will do everything over the phone with us and we don't have to deal with the sales process. I much prefer him giving me a number, and if it works, it's a deal. If not, neither he or I waste much time.

That's the way it's going to be for me. I know what I intend to spend, and although I will need to finance all I need to do is call my CU with the serial # and proof of insurance. I'll either find something in my price range... or just get another pair of boots.

 

[Duwop]

Every time I buy I walk thinking I got a square deal but then I look back in these rooms and here of all these terrific deals you guys work and then I'm left feeling like a chump. So I probably overpaid or someone's full of it but either way if the stars are aligned and the fair deal gods are on my side this time I will be dead before I would need a new truck.