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Smart Shopper Stories from the Sales Frontlines
47909 messages, Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 9:59 AM
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Several of you responded to my post regarding my potential purchase of an LS Grand Marquis. It has been an interesting day and I shall attempt to address your concerns and good wishes. First, why do I want a GM? Actually, it doesn't fit my personality at all. I'm a fairly colorful, sporty guy---not bragging, just describing my nature. I come from the generation of the Big Floating Tanks. I haven't owned one of those since my 1989 Town Car. I wanted to float in one of those tanks one last time. I chose the GM because you get most of the luxury features as found in the Lincoln and the Caddy---for a great deal less money. It has a 5 star crash rating and has a history of lasting for many years. Hope that explains my decision. As to the side airbags, they were optional on the 2008 and are now standard on the 2009. While it does have the traction control, it is missing the stability control that you mentioned. I do feel that the sheer weight of the car itself provides some stability. I realize that you can debate that issue. Going into this deal, I only wanted clear coat black as my color choice with the narrow ww tires. The color is not as common as others, and adds a tasteful bit of sophistication to the body style. Herein lies the problem. The black GM's demand top price from chauffeuring services and funeral homes. While my dealer had one and could acquire one other, he just couldn't offer a deal on either one. I don't fault him for it. If he can get MSRP, then why not do so? I was greeted cordially by the GSM, especially when he discovered that my credit score was now 976. I took two week old documentation with me. He offered me any Ford, Lincoln or Mercury on the lot at the best interest rate available if I chose to finance a car. I entered the dealership dressed appropriately---Polo shirt, Tommy pants, and my camel hair topcoat. In remembrance of oldfarmer, I wore my hand made Italian loavers which I never wear in the rain or snow. I also pulled out my gold nugget ring and gold bracelet before I left home. Who knows if it made a difference? I simply decided not to tempt fate. The greatest advantage was that Mrs. Richard stayed home. At least I had no more of those old comments like, "Honey, that is a great deal." right in the middle of negotiations. The offer on the '03 Explorer was a fair one---$9,000. I actually had expected him to say $7k or $8k. After moving away from the clear coat black for obvious reasons, I agreed to consider the Smokestone color. It listed for $30,490. After Employee Pricing, dealer discount, and manufacturer rebate, we landed at $23,834. OTD with tax, tags, and fees put us at $25,009. With $9k for the Explorer, I ended up at $16,009. This is not a bad price for a big car with features like heated seats, wood/leather steering wheel, cassette/cd changer, etc. The leather on the GM is definitely a cut above many others that I have seen. How did I rate getting the GSM as my first contact? It was sheer luck. He was walking over to the next building as I exited my Explorer. We struck up an immediate conversation and it went from there. He was super nice and never gave me one moment of pressure. The dealership sold 42 units in December. He was extremely happy about that, considering the hard times. I mentioned my friends at Edmunds at that point. His body language showed surprise. I don't look like the Edmunds type. It rather pleased me for him to know this. Finally, did I make the purchase? No. There are two reasons why. First, my wife and I had agreed on the clear coat black as the color that we wanted. I needed to share the color change with her. Secondly, I have compromised over the years at times and didn't get exactly what I started out to purchase. With the color change, I now have doubts. Usually, if you have doubts, then it may not be what you really want. I don't have to have a new car. I have my two year old convertible and the Explorer is in great shape after its reconditioning last summer. It only has 87k on it. If I do have a change of heart, I still have until 7pm Monday to get the rebates. Thanks to all of you who wished me well. It was the first time ever that I sat in a dealership feeling confident because I had done my research and learned so much from you guys. Richard
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Replying to: richard64 (Jan 03, 2009 9:35 pm) This sounds to me like saleman talk when they do not actually have a car in your color available and want to sell you something out of stock.
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Ok, a show of hands. Not counting snow or ice on the roads, how many people have actually got their auto to activate the traction or stability control? The only times I remember activation on mine was in 'weird' situations, where the 'help' was not actually needed. Both times I remember was when I was doing somewhat heavy braking. Once my car got into some sand/gravel in the corner, the other time it encountered rough asphalt. In both cases this caused the wheels to move in different enough speeds to trigger the traction control. In neither time was I anywhere near a loss of control or in need of help from the traction control. As the owner of a 2007 Corvette, with what I would think is GMs most intelligent stability control, this cars power on a dry road will easily overcome the stability control and put you off the road quicker than the electronics can detect the need to reduce throttle and start working the individual wheel brakes. Which is effectively the same condition that a less powerful car will encounter where there is snow or ice. I'm not saying that these electronic assists are not an inprovement in auto safety. But how many times have I seen posts on here about people seeing the late model high dollar SUVs, many probably with all wheel drive, traction control, and/or stability control off the road in ditches in snowy conditions. People will over-drive any assists the manufactors build into cars. Where there is reduced traction due to adverse weather or road conditions, slowing down and driving more carefully is what you should do, not rely on your electronics to bail you out. |
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Replying to: bolivar (Jan 04, 2009 12:33 am) Not counting snow or ice on the roads, how many people have actually got their auto to activate the traction or stability control? Some of those people without stability control are no longer with us to put up their hands. Unfortunately they let 2 wheels go off on the gravel, tried to get back on the road, and before they could get their car under control the flew across the road into oncoming traffic. We could have a show of hands of how many people have been actually saved by wearing a seat belt. I have been wearing them for about 40 years. One time they probably saved me from serious injury. My ABS has saved me from accidents once or twice I am quite sure. Traction control warns you when the wheels start to slide so it often alerts you to slippery roads and to drive more carefully before you get into a problem. If it saves your life or a loved one just once it is worth the price. It's kind of like insurance....a waste of money unless the day comes when you need it. |
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Replying to: richard64 (Jan 03, 2009 9:35 pm) Thanks for sharing your experience Richard. I understand your fascination with those big American made land cruisers.....they were the cars we always wanted to own growing up. Sometimes I see one and think what a great buy, all that metal and comfort for mid $20,000 range - it is hard to pass up. I can understand giving up stability control if this is your dream car. Like bolivar said, I don't see why Ford didn't anticipate a demand for black, after all that is where these cars really sell, limos, and funeral homes, and I guess taxis though they will have the plastic seats and will be yellow usually. Just a suggestion but maybe you should go on line and see if there is a black one available at the right price in your area. It would just tell you if the dealer is on the level about this statement. I think you have thought this car through very well and I hope you get what you want. And, I think they were extremely generous with your trade in - I don't think they'll get that much for it when they sell it. Also a good question for the pros. What is the best way to dress when shopping for a car? Does the type of car you are looking for make a difference? What do you look for in potential customers as far as clothes are concerned? Does too much jewellery mean he's got money? I usually wear pants with holes, running shoes that are falling apart, torn shirt, tell them we need a new car but we'll have to give up dinners 3 times a week. (then head off to the BMW dealer)
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Replying to: joel0622 (Jan 02, 2009 11:06 am) ROFLMAO.... You could have easily said $250- $300  GP |
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Replying to: driver100 (Jan 04, 2009 5:36 am) Also, I went to Autotrader a few minutes ago and plugged in all GM's within 300 miles of where I now live. Out of 261 GM's, only two were black. Both cars were 2008's and had above average mileage. Service industry cars? Perhaps. Based on these observations, I have to believe that the GSM was truthful. To bolivar: The dealer that I visited yesterday did have the black GM sitting on the lot. It wasn't as if he didn't have my color. BTW, the 2009's do have stabilizer control now. As to your question posed to the pros regarding appropriate dress, we have had that lengthy discussion here before. The opinions were mixed, but most salesmen agreed that it wasn't a top priority. Thanks for your good wishes and for understanding the mindset of the Tanker Generation. Richard |
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Replying to: richard64 (Jan 03, 2009 9:35 pm) Was that to show the salesman you had enough bread to buy the car? BTW, how do you have a 976 credit score? The highest I've seen on any of the big 3 is 950.
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Replying to: bolivar (Jan 04, 2009 12:32 am) Well I won't speak for car service companies, but as for funeral homes people don't stop dying simply because the economy goes bad. |
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Replying to: volvomax (Jan 03, 2009 12:26 pm) Oh... huh. Didn't realize that. The man did say he would be using a bank ... but, and I didn't think about this at the time, that does defy the whole BHPH thing, doesn't it? Weird. Is it possible he does business 2 different ways? I don't know why he would. Maybe he really isn't a BHPH, but just has that on his sign?? I dunno.
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