I'm a car salesmen, Go ahead and ask me anything

[Calgary '89]

Originally Posted by teamchachi

Need to buy a new people mover for the family. I'm looking hard at the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia.

Am I nuts to be looking at a GM product right now?

What is dealer invoice (ball park) on a GMC that stickers at $40K?

Thanks!

If you're gonna spend $40K on a small SUV take a look at the Volkswagen Tiguan. You can get the top of the line with that money. They have specials on right now too.

[teamchachi]

Originally Posted by Calgary '89

If you're gonna spend $40K on a small SUV take a look at the Volkswagen Tiguan. You can get the top of the line with that money. They have specials on right now too.

Way too small for my needs. I've got 3 kids, and having them all in one row is not an option for anybody's sanity. That means it has to have a functional third row. I'm also looking at the Ford Flex, but I really like the Chevy Traverse...

[CRXguy]

Originally Posted by teamchachi

Need to buy a new people mover for the family. I'm looking hard at the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia.

Am I nuts to be looking at a GM product right now?

What is dealer invoice (ball park) on a GMC that stickers at $40K?

Thanks!

I have a 2008 Saturn Outlook. It's built on the same platform as the Traverse, Acadia and Enclave. I also have 3 girls, although probably younger than yours. We decided on the 7 passenger configuration. The two captains chair in the middle row are for my 1 year old twins, and my 3 year old gets the 3rd row to herself. Even with all 3 rows in use, there's still lots of room in the back for the double stroller or groceries. It's got enough power and very fuel efficient for its size.

You can't go wrong with any of these cars. Just a matter of which one appeals to your more in the look department.

You should look up www.carcostcanada.com . For a fee, you can look up a bunch of models and it'll give you the MSRP and invoice pricing for the car and options and any incentives at the time.

[TimSJ]

I would buy a GM in a heartbeat.. GM isn't going anywhere in my opinion and the vehicles that GM is making today are great. I had a traverse out and was quite impressed with it.

As for the margin.. i would guess that they have about a 9% margin in it plus any program money that is available. That is what we have at MB and most companies are similar. So likely they have in the $3500 range at full profit before program/incentives.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by teamchachi

Need to buy a new people mover for the family. I'm looking hard at the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia.

Am I nuts to be looking at a GM product right now?

What is dealer invoice (ball park) on a GMC that stickers at $40K?

Thanks!

I recently drove a ford flex, and was impressed, I had very poor opinion of Ford, but after driving it for 2 weeks, was impressed with it's ride, power, handling and set up.

YOu may want to think about a Flew, or not....I am not a "car guy"

[TimSJ]

GM and Ford are indeed making some really nice products today.. As i said i wouldn't hesitate buying one at all.

[Wookie]

Okay - question for the used market.

GF has a 07 Nissan Versa, debating selling, wants something better for the winters.

But, one option would be buying a second vehicle. Like a cheap SUV or something. She seems to think that people sell cars like clothes. Buy a SUV in the fall before winter, sell it in the spring and summer? Thus she thinks she could get a good deal now vs. later.

I figured why buy now when it's spring if you don't want it until November, also come November gas prices could have gone up substantially again, SUV's will be out of favour again, newer models out making older ones even cheaper, and... Why buy now when November is 8 months away?

Input?

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Wookie

Okay - question for the used market.

GF has a 07 Nissan Versa, debating selling, wants something better for the winters.

But, one option would be buying a second vehicle. Like a cheap SUV or something. She seems to think that people sell cars like clothes. Buy a SUV in the fall before winter, sell it in the spring and summer? Thus she thinks she could get a good deal now vs. later.

I figured why buy now when it's spring if you don't want it until November, also come November gas prices could have gone up substantially again, SUV's will be out of favour again, newer models out making older ones even cheaper, and... Why buy now when November is 8 months away?

Input?

as this is Tim's thread, I wont chime in right now but I have some thoughts on this as well. Let Tim answer first and then I can offer my two cents as I am in the Used vehicle business.

[TimSJ]

Go for it Axel... we could change the title to we are sleazy car salemen ask us anything.. lol..

It is monthend so i am busy as hell.. but will try and reply tonight..

[teamchachi]

Originally Posted by Wookie

Okay - question for the used market.

GF has a 07 Nissan Versa, debating selling, wants something better for the winters.

But, one option would be buying a second vehicle. Like a cheap SUV or something. She seems to think that people sell cars like clothes. Buy a SUV in the fall before winter, sell it in the spring and summer? Thus she thinks she could get a good deal now vs. later.

I figured why buy now when it's spring if you don't want it until November, also come November gas prices could have gone up substantially again, SUV's will be out of favour again, newer models out making older ones even cheaper, and... Why buy now when November is 8 months away?

Input?

Sounds like she's just trying to justfiy ditching the Versa for a SUV. If she wants it and can afford it, then whatever. But I bet a decent pair of Nokian tires on her Versa would make a big difference and save her a lot of money...

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Wookie

Okay - question for the used market.

GF has a 07 Nissan Versa, debating selling, wants something better for the winters.

But, one option would be buying a second vehicle. Like a cheap SUV or something. She seems to think that people sell cars like clothes. Buy a SUV in the fall before winter, sell it in the spring and summer? Thus she thinks she could get a good deal now vs. later.

I figured why buy now when it's spring if you don't want it until November, also come November gas prices could have gone up substantially again, SUV's will be out of favour again, newer models out making older ones even cheaper, and... Why buy now when November is 8 months away?

Input?

thanks Tim,
there's a couple of schools of thought on this.
Yes, of course, if you really dont need it til November why spend the money now. Will an SUV be higher priced then, possibly. But not because its winter time. I think you are starting to see used vehicles in general going up in price due to the economic conditions.
If you are thinking of buying a vehicle, right now might not be a bad time to be looking. As time goes on with our current condition, you might see that vehicle start to move up in price a bit.
a good buy is a good buy no matter when you are looking at buying. Do your due diligence and get a lot of information about the vehicle that interests you. there are a lot of buying options out there right now. Don't rush into something until you are absolutely sure its the deal or vehicle you want.
but waiting just cause of season, really makes no difference in the car business. At least not anymore. SUV's are just like any other vehicle.
good luck and let us know if we can be of any assistance.

[Finny61]

Regarding Hyundai, in the past I've been really behind their products but I've had a lot of friends run into some major issues with them. Could be coincidence but it leaves me a little less confident. I think price point and initial quality are standing out and reliability is still in the air. My 2 cents anyway. Ford's reliability on the otherhand has been on the rise and I think they are in the best direction of the big three.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

An interesting article about the fate of SAAB, HUMMER, Saturn and Pontiac.

[MJK]

Hey guys, I just bought a '08 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

What can you tell me about this rig? Reliable? Tough? Good resale?

Thanks!

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by teamchachi

Sounds like she's just trying to justfiy ditching the Versa for a SUV. If she wants it and can afford it, then whatever. But I bet a decent pair of Nokian tires on her Versa would make a big difference and save her a lot of money...

No no, she wants like a $3,000 SUV, just somethign that feels a little bigger and doesnt get stuck in snow banks etc. Can't remember what kind of tires she got on the Versa, I'll ask tonight. But doesn't want to get rid of the versa as she likes it most of the time.

Originally Posted by Sample00

thanks Tim,
there's a couple of schools of thought on this.
Yes, of course, if you really dont need it til November why spend the money now. Will an SUV be higher priced then, possibly. But not because its winter time. I think you are starting to see used vehicles in general going up in price due to the economic conditions.
If you are thinking of buying a vehicle, right now might not be a bad time to be looking. As time goes on with our current condition, you might see that vehicle start to move up in price a bit.
a good buy is a good buy no matter when you are looking at buying. Do your due diligence and get a lot of information about the vehicle that interests you. there are a lot of buying options out there right now. Don't rush into something until you are absolutely sure its the deal or vehicle you want.
but waiting just cause of season, really makes no difference in the car business. At least not anymore. SUV's are just like any other vehicle.
good luck and let us know if we can be of any assistance.

Cool, thanks. I'll ask when she's shopping or makes a decision, maybe if you have a match she'll get to buy from you

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Sample00

but waiting just cause of season, really makes no difference in the car business. At least not anymore. SUV's are just like any other vehicle.
good luck and let us know if we can be of any assistance.

Does the same scenario apply to niche type vehicles like say convertibles? For example if you have a convertible on your lot in May is it easier for you to sell because the sucker that buys it feels good that he could drive off the lot that day with the roof down and enjoy the open air. Whereas come October 21st and the snow just fell....you have this damn convertible on your lot thats just getting older and winter just started.

For the record I'm one of those suckers who has a convertible. I always figured I got a decent deal because I bought a previous model year in January when I would have thought it was tougher to sell.

[Shazam]

Anybody notice that the Crowfoot Saturn became a Hyundai dealership virtually overnight? And that that was the same Hyundai dealership that first set up shop where the new Mazda dealership is? Looks like someone found some advance information about Saturn's demise.

[J pold]

Hey I'm not sure if this is the right place to be asking this sort of thing but what the hell...

Long story short over the weekend I hit a Deer with my car and now it's a write off. My insurance will be calling me tomorrow with a settlement offer, and realistically I would like to know the value of my vehicle before the s try and low ball me.

So here are some facts about my car tell me what you think it's worth:

-It's a 1994, 2 door Honda Civic Si.
-It has a lot of KM's 325,355 to be exact.
-Since I've owned it (4 year) I've replaced the ignition, water pump, steering column, radiator, and just put on 4 new tries.

I know they won't offer me much but in my current finical situation every penny counts. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Also I mentioned my story in detail in the Random Thoughts thread and was told that there is numerous discussion/advice about this sort of thing on CP, however I'm having trouble finding any. If someone could point me in the right direction that would be great thanks.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by J pold

Hey I'm not sure if this is the right place to be asking this sort of thing but what the hell...

Long story short over the weekend I hit a Deer with my car and now it's a write off. My insurance will be calling me tomorrow with a settlement offer, and realistically I would like to know the value of my vehicle before the s try and low ball me.

So here are some facts about my car tell me what you think it's worth:

-It's a 1994, 2 door Honda Civic Si.
-It has a lot of KM's 325,355 to be exact.
-Since I've owned it (4 year) I've replaced the ignition, water pump, steering column, radiator, and just put on 4 new tries.

I know they won't offer me much but in my current finical situation every penny counts. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Also I mentioned my story in detail in the Random Thoughts thread and was told that there is numerous discussion/advice about this sort of thing on CP, however I'm having trouble finding any. If someone could point me in the right direction that would be great thanks.

i'm not an expert, but try looking on autotrader to see how much it would cost you to replace the car you lost out on. That's what I did when my Grand Am got wrecked a few years back. Make sure you, at least, get the money it would cost you to buy your car pretending it was for sale (year, mileage).

[EastCoast Kipper fan]

I have a 2002 CR-V EX (loaded) that I am looking to either sell privately or trade in to get a minivan.

The black book website gives a trade in value range of $10,000-$12,000, and looking at used car prices across the country (in Autotrader), CR-Vs with similar mileage are selling from $12,000-$16,000

The only thing that makes mine a little different is that I bought the vehicle in the US. How much of a discount, if any, should I expect to give because everything is in miles?