car(s)

[cellio]

I had an appointment Thursday night to test-drive a Focus. The salesman called mid-day to say they were closing early because of the snow and we'd need to reschedule. I told him Friday nights and Saturdays are bad for me (they close at 6PM Saturday, so there are no post-Shabbat options this time of year). He had incentive to get me in there on Monday (rebates expiring at the end of the month), so I said ok. He called back 15 minutes later to say they'd be staying after all. Ok, whatever.

Last year the weather never cooperated with my test-drives, so this was actually the first time I had a head-to-head comparison of the Golf and the Focus in slippery conditions. The Focus did better. It was, otherwise, a nice drive; I could get comfortable and could see everything I needed to see. Odd observation: shifting gears upward was a little rougher than the Golf, but down-shifting to achieve engine-breaking was acually smoother than I'm used to. Go figure. (Yes, I told the salesman I was going to abuse the engine in that particular way before I did it.)

The salesman declined my request to see the car in a skid (in a large open area with nothing to hit). My idea had been to ask him to do it, but he can't drive a manual. I had assumed that not driving a manual would be a handicap for a car salesman, but I guess not.

They didn't actually have a car that matched all my requirements, but he said he would do a search. I proposed that we talk numbers and he said "later". I don't know why, but he seems to want to have a specific car on the table when we do that. Odd, but if he wants to do extra work that's no skin off my nose. I reiterated that I'm considering this and price will be a big factor.

Friday, some hilarity ensued over the course of half a dozen phone calls. They can't find an exact match. Would I consider a sedan? Nope, absolutely not. Would I consider an automatic? Heavens no. Ok, we widened the geographic search and found one in Penn State; it's bright red. Um, remember what I said about many colors being fine but not that one? (Also not, as he called them, the "weird colors", the yellow and orange flavors.)

Finally he called and said "we can order a car to your specs, but it'll take 8-10 weeks". I said "I have time; what about those rebates that are expiring soon?". He said I'd get whatever rebates are in effect when the car comes in. Um no, I said, I won't commit to a purchase without a locked-in price.

We left it in that state. I said that I don't need to buy a car right now but would consider this one for the right price, if they can turn one up that matches all my requirements. If that takes them a while, and they can later offer me a good price, that's fine too. So, the ball's in their court. The salesman was pretty agreeable, which is smart -- he's not getting a sale now (unless something surprising happens tomorrow), but he'll keep the options open.

Meanwhile, Dani bought a Focus Saturday morning (sedan, automatic), after failing to reach a price agreement with Mazda. (His view was that the Mazda is the nicer car but that he has a price limit on how much nicer, and they couldn't meet that.) So I guess I'll have a front-row seat for seeing how that car and that dealership works out for him. :-)

Unrelated short takes:

dglenn observes that people on a snow-panic grocery-store run buy white things. Sympathetic magic or a charm against the snow?

The last bottle of mouthwash I bought sports the following claim in large type: "clinically proven to help prevent plaque and gingivitis". Of course, there is no footnote citing methodologies. For all I know, merely rinsing your mouth with water periodically helps prevent plaque and gingivitis. But I suppose I'm not their target.

Comments

[cahwyguy.livejournal.com]

This month's Westways (http://www.aaa-calif.com/westways/0305/auto/carreviews.asp) (published by the Southern Calif. AAA) had reviews of three new hatchbacks: the Hyundai Elantra GT, the Mazda Mazda6, and the Scion tC. I'd seen the tC on the road and it impressed me. Seeing the price impresses even more: $15,950 (base price). They have a manual. The engine is the one that powers the Toyota Camry. Take a look at the review.

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

They didn't actually have a car that matched all my requirements, but he said he would do a search. I proposed that we talk numbers and he said "later". I don't know why, but he seems to want to have a specific car on the table when we do that. Odd, but if he wants to do extra work that's no skin off my nose. I reiterated that I'm considering this and price will be a big factor.

This is only sensible, as often they have to perform a trade of some kind with the dealership which has the car - they can't just requisition it off the lot. The trade can include specific vehicles, promises, or just plain old cash.

You will be covering the difference, whether you know it or not.

If you are willing to order the car, talk to a few dealerships on the phone - and ask them to quote their best price based upon either MSRP, or dealer cost. Ask them about the incentives, too. You can often do better if people know you are doing the homework.