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Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans
9978 messages, Last post on Nov 02, 2009 at 1:30 PM
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Replying to: cmybimmergo (Aug 11, 2005 9:09 pm) |
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Replying to: janssen (Aug 11, 2005 12:53 pm) "So, Mr. Customer, you vant to own a BMW, vundabar! You vill luv this automobile. Oh, you say the Japanese cars are more reliable? Huh, you vant a Japanese car, go buy one. You are obviously not the kind of customer we want as a BMW owner!" The above contrived conversation between a salesman at BMW and a would-be BMW buyer is overstated, perhaps, but that is the impression I have always gotten when I enter a BMW dealership - cavalier, obnoxious, pompous, etc. At one dealer, I had to make an appointment for a demo drive - they weren't giving any the day I was there, they said. I was wearing shorts, unshaven, etc. At an Infiniti, Acura, Lexus dealership, that would not happen, in my opinion. Needless to say, I bought my BMW at another dealership. By the way, I own a 2006 530i AND a 2006 M35 in my household. Both vehicles are outstanding, and no, I'm not obnoxious, cavalier, pompous, just practical.
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Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 11, 2005 5:00 pm) |
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Replying to: hihomike (Aug 12, 2005 4:40 am) "Ahso, our vehicles come as they are, you cannot choose any options" Like the conversation between a mythical salesperson and a person buying an RL. Come back next week for a test drive. There are good dealers and bad dealers across the board. |
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I know that isn't the intent of these messages.. But, you guys are heading down a slippery slope... I suggest we talk about cars... regards, kyfdx |
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Replying to: hihomike (Aug 12, 2005 4:40 am) Too good! So is it just a dealer, or a few dealers, or a corporate sponsored elitism? Do they have special training courses where they train the staff to elevate their noses a few degrees? My infiniti salesman told me, at least in the Bay area, 80% of their customers are "beback" people-they see the vehicle in person, go home, do their research, then come back and buy. So no need to pressure the customer. Does BMW have similar data, that describes no difference in buying pattern when their staff is pleasant and when they are rude and condescending? I have been reading a few articles online that describe the importance of marketing, and how companies are just now learning the true value of getting a new customer (who will return repeatedly) versus the cost of keeping a customer. There are actually metrics giving exact values for each of these! You have a very lucky household! a 530 and an M35. I would guess no teenagers???
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http://hybridcars.about.com/od/news/a/hybridtaxcredit.htm The new tax credit for the RX400h will probably be nowhere near $3500. Probably more like $1000. Also, with the full credit limited to 60,000 per company and phased out after that, the credit won't really be there for Toyota vehicles after a year and a half. Toyota currently sells about 14,000 hybrid vehicles per month, so they'll reach the 60,000 limit in 4 or 5 months after 01/01/20006. You can get an RX330 for close to invoice, but expect to pay near MSRP for an RX400h. So the real world difference between comparably equipped RX330 and RX400h is more like $8000. Of course, the RX400h has better straight line power, which alone could be worth it for some people. I'm interested to see how Lexus prices the GS450h. I'm thinking about the same as the soon to come GS460. The GS450h probably won't qualify for more than $1000 in tax credit. Not that buyers of $60,000 cars really need it. |
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Replying to: hpowders (Aug 11, 2005 12:38 pm) I was so glad to have the car back that as soon as I got on the fwy, I opened it up to 100 mph going north on the 55.......for about 3 secs until I hit the 5 and came to a complete stop. This is the land of $3.00/gal gas, $900,000 3 bd homes and LOTS of traffic. Back to car discussions........ |
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Replying to: janssen (Aug 12, 2005 7:47 am) I worked a few years for a Lexus Dealer (once I retired from school principalling) and their approach was, "THE CUSTOMER IS A GUEST, AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH!" When I came to the world's largest Infiniti Dealership, the motto was, "...treat each customer as you would want to be treated when you go out to buy a car!" But at BMW, the first two dealerships I worked with were snobbish, etc. The place where I finally bought my 06 530i in April was a dream come true. No hassle, no pressure, negotiations took 20 minutes, and I had my new car a few weeks later. Obviously, when I bought the M35 from my own dealership, there were no negotiations, for obvious reasons. But when the sales associates in the Infiniti, Lexus and Acura dealers I'm familiar with work with customers, it is, for the most part, more relaxed and laid back. No, no more teenagers, no more high insurance premiums, just nice new cars in the garage who have not had a teenage driver abuse them. I guess in a few years, when I my grandsons are old enough, I'll break down and let them drive my cars, but at least I'll have a respite of 15-18 years. Definitely worth the wait, let me tell you. |
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Replying to: hihomike (Aug 12, 2005 9:38 am) Not having any kids yet, I listen to tales like yours intently. Hmmm...so you are saying that having a vasectomy may improve the reliability of a vehicle....? Seriously-was this different attitude something from a higher level than the dealership? Do the Japanese manufacturers take more pains to instill this attitude? Maybe they won't give a franchise to someone without this approach? And on a personal note-does the wife get the M, and you the 530i? Or do you switch occasionally? How much daily driving experience do you have with each, and what do you notice from daily driving? If you had to pick one for fun on a weekend, which would it be? Cheers!
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