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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

91722 messages,  Last post on May 19, 2013 at 7:32 PM

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Messages Page 8615 of 9173

#86134 of 91722 Re: FINALLY, I GOT MY CAR BACK [driver100] by tyguy

Dec 04, 2012 (9:49 am)

Replying to: driver100 (Dec 04, 2012 8:45 am)
I was just expecting ball park figures from memory
 
Well, data controls my work life, so why not my personal life?
 
The next set of repairs will cost about $325 in parts and a day of my time. I'm mostly watching the drivetrain for signs "the end is near," and other similar vehicles seem to be going 200,000 plus with good service life. I know there will still be other repairs, like CV boots and joints, but as long as it doesn't get out of hand we'll still stick with the van. Should a major component go, though, I'll sell it or part it out. Until then we'll keep investing our car fund and hope the market treats us well.

#86135 of 91722 Re: Gated Communities [oldfarmer50] by driver100

Dec 04, 2012 (9:51 am)

Replying to: oldfarmer50 (Dec 04, 2012 9:09 am)
"...I don't think I could do what he is doing..."
 Few people can. He's a better man than I.
 
I am glad you said that, because now I can feel like an average person, and not some selfish, heartless, uncaring - - - - - - -.

#86136 of 91722 Re: FINALLY, I GOT MY CAR BACK [jipster] by tyguy

Dec 04, 2012 (9:57 am)

Replying to: jipster (Dec 04, 2012 6:19 am)
Good call on replacing the hose. This next repair is very time consuming. The power steering reservoir gets moved, the ignition system comes out, the coolant is drained, the throttle cables are moved, the fuel system is depressurized, the entire wiper assembly comes out, the air box and tubing comes out, a number of sensors are disconnected, the upper intake comes off, the lower intake comes out, and various hoses are disconnected. With all that work, no way I'm skipping anything that's likely needing replacement in the next few years. I want this to be a one-time event, so I'm sticking with Mopar parts that have originally held up for 140,000 miles. Good enough for me to trust again.

#86137 of 91722 Re: FINALLY, I GOT MY CAR BACK [tyguy] by tjc78

Dec 04, 2012 (10:06 am)

Replying to: tyguy (Dec 04, 2012 9:57 am)
so I'm sticking with Mopar parts that have originally held up for 140,000 miles. Good enough for me to trust again
 
On other forums I frequent, people are finding out that many aftermarket parts are failing much sooner than OEM. Many brand names that were formerly made in the US have begun manufacturing in China.

#86138 of 91722 Re: FINALLY, I GOT MY CAR BACK [tjc78] by tyguy

Dec 04, 2012 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: tjc78 (Dec 04, 2012 10:06 am)
That's my experience as well. Cheap Chinese manufacturing or Mexico re-manufacturing is becoming all too common in the aftermarket. The cost pressures mean they sacrifice durability to stay competitive. There are still decent aftermarket brands to be found, but it's becoming more common to run into garbage parts, and I've been bitten a couple times recently, so now I'm sticking with OEM unless unless upgrading. What are you hearing? Anything specific you could share? For me, it's brake rotors and reman alternators. Try finding a rotor locally that's not poured and machined in China, or an alternator not reman'd in Mexico. Not easy these days.

#86139 of 91722 Re: FINALLY, I GOT MY CAR BACK [tyguy] by tjc78

Dec 04, 2012 (12:41 pm)

Replying to: tyguy (Dec 04, 2012 12:00 pm)
I hear rotors and alternators as well as Coil on Plug units, suspension parts (ball joints, etc) and IAC valves, TPS etc.
 
This is on a Ford site, but I'm sure it goes across brands.

#86140 of 91722 Sales Story by nyccarguy

Dec 04, 2012 (1:54 pm)

Got my friend into her brand spankin' new 2013 VW Tiguan SE 4Motion w/ Sunroof & Navigation last night. She cried when they took the plates off her 2003 GTI, but I told her it was for the better.
 
As far as a deal, it was the absolute BEST deal I could get her using VW credit's base money factor & 59% residual value for a 36 month/10K per year lease. $399.85 per month including $625 bank fee & 8.875% NYC sales tax rolled into the payment. She only paid DMV fees at signing. The highest offers I received were $499/month (really? for another $172 per month I'm driving a BMW with 20K per year included) & $445/month(with a $499 doc fee). Most offers I got were in the $410 - $420/ month range.
 
We did OK for her trade too. 2003 VW GTI 1.8T w/ 80K miles. She garages it at home in Queens at night, but EVERYWHERE she goes (Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan), she parks on the street. Cosmetically the car was far from pristine. Even average would be a stretch. Scuffed up front & rear bumpers, dent in the front right 1/4 panel... Oh, & the check engine light went on 3 days ago. qbrozen over on REAL WORLD TRADE IN VALUES pegged its value at $3000 - $3500 for a trade in. Given that the CEL light was on (some $500 sensor) and all the body work that needed to get done, they offered us $2500 & I said we should take it.
 
The dealership was completely up front about pricing and everyrthing. I emailed the salesman every step of the way with offers from competeing dealers. He told me pretty much when I gave him an offer what was going to go wrong if & when we picked the car up that dealership; "you'll go to sign the paperwork & it will be for a 42 month lease" or "There's no way they can justify selling the car at $1500 under DEAD COST" or "that dealership is notorious for undervaluing trades." He eventually said to me, "look, I can get you into this Tiguan right now (its on my lot) for $399.85 per month. NOBODY is going to genuinely beat that offer. After you go to those other places, call me and we'll do business." The salesman was a genuine car guy, professional, & knew his product up & down. So we ended up getting the right car at the right price from the right dealership. Too bad I'm not in the market for a VW myself:)

#86141 of 91722 Re: Sales Story [nyccarguy] by driver100

Dec 04, 2012 (2:20 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Dec 04, 2012 1:54 pm)
Got my friend into her brand spankin' new 2013 VW Tiguan SE 4Motion w/ Sunroof & Navigation last night.
 
Congratulations on a great car at what sounds like a great price.
 
You played it really well, and it is good to test the waters just to confirm the deal you thought was good really was.
 
Dealer sounds like a straight shooter....always like buying from that kind of dealer. I found the Audi dealer and Passat dealers to be the most straightforward of any dealerships I have dealt with. Came to agreements pretty quickly without a lot of hassle. VW plans on becoming the #1 car company in the world in a few years, maybe that is one way they plan to do it.
 
I hope your friend likes the Tiguan. VW designers and engineers must have a lot of passion for building cars....their cars have soul (do people still use that word or is that kind of 70s?).

#86142 of 91722 Re: Sales Story [nyccarguy] by oldfarmer50

Dec 04, 2012 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Dec 04, 2012 1:54 pm)
"...she cried..."
 
Boy, I thought I was emotional about cars.
 
Sounds like you did a great job on that lease. There are so many facets to leasing that I'm sure I would get the baby seal treatment. If I ever consider leasing I'll give you a call.

#86143 of 91722 Re: Sales Story [nyccarguy] by abacomike

Dec 04, 2012 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Dec 04, 2012 1:54 pm)
Got my friend into her brand spankin' new 2013 VW Tiguan SE 4Motion w/ Sunroof & Navigation last night. She cried when they took the plates off her 2003 GTI, but I told her it was for the better.
 
nyccarguy, your story was so wonderful that tears came to MY eyes!!!
 
When it comes to VW's, we have the biggest dealership for VW in the country here in Coconut Creek along with the biggest Infiniti, Lexus and BMW dealerships. They sell hundreds of VW's every month. VW has begun to outsell Toyota and Honda as they seem to be selling cars at cost. I know VW had a goal to outsell the other manufacturers here on the US and they are succeeding. They produce excellent cars and SUV's for the money - best bang for the buck.

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