Car buying

I settled on a Chevy Trax ( I still have the truck).  My motivation was the potential for the Nissan CVT, with 155,000 miles, to break down in nowhere and leave me stranded. At the age of 25 this would not be a concern. In my uppers 70s, it could be exciting. So realizing that I now drive 3000 miles a year instead of 50000, I went for basic.

Anyway I had a a Dr appointment, so I went to the big city. The dealer there gave me much more for my trade in and the price on the Trax was much less than the local place. Then there was a problem.  Anyway, they wanted me to secure the car with my credit card……BUT they really couldn’t give me the bottom line price.  So, I kept my credit card and told them to call me when they figured out the bottom line.

The next morning they called and wanted me to drive another 160 mile round trip to discuss the price.  Of course, I was confused as to why they could not tell me on the phone.  Well, they really couldn’t come up with a reason, so the salesman finally named the named the price ….odd even with the trade in being subtracted , the price jumped by $7000.00.  I guess closing costs can be a bitch.

My local dealer turned out having the lowest bottom line.  As for the Trax, the ride quality feels a little like a late 60s VW Bug.  It is certainly more stable when a semi goes by.  For my first trip, it says it got 42 mpg.  For the curious, engine noise wise, there is no indication it is a 3cyl engine.

I went to pick up a new truck one time, turned out it had options I didn't ask for, and the price was adjusted accordingly. I basically asked, do you want the check or not? Price was adjusted back to the agreed amount and I drove it home.

My mom told the story of when my granddad bought his fist car somewhere around 1920 if I remember right.  Similar situation, price was three dollars above previously agreed. My granddad's response was, "kids get back in the buggy". Price went back down then too.  

Yah, dealers have some creative options to ring in buyers.

One of our friend got roped into the "You can just take the car home and try it out."  Later he found that the paperwork he signed to take the car home for a test was the real thing.

I always ask for an out the door price.  And pay cash.

I'm glad things work out for you with the local dealer.

I have also done the "Dealer A gave me this price so can you do better" strategy ...