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

[DuffMan]

Tim, I'd be interested in getting a lease return vehicle. What is the best way of finding these, just keep checking the dealers? or is there a better way.

[TimSJ]

that is likely the best way.. or find a salesguy at the dealership of the brand you are looking for and tell him to call or email you if he gets somethign in.

[go iggy]

Is a lease return a good bet when looking for a used vehicle? When is a good time to sell your car? I've heard that once it hits 100000kms you should look at selling it. Is that true? I have a 2003 honda civic si with 108000kms, whats it worth? The work was all done at the dealership (village honda).
Also i was wondering if you made and average income, what make 4 door car would you buy?

Thanks Tim


Sam

[Eric Vail]

Tim,

My family needs a minivan. My wife is due for our second child in June, and the 2 door explorer will no longer work. I've checked the ratings and have determined that the best ratio between quality of vehicle and price is the Kia Sedona. If I bought a 2004 or newer, it comes with the tail end of the 5 year manufacturer's warrantee - which is always nice for a used vehicle.

So, I have been tracking the used Sedona's in Calgary for a couple of months. I figure that if one can be found that has been hanging around awhile, I could get a better deal. One dealer has a 2004 Sedona LXI listed at the beginning of November for $15,988, and then dropped it to $13,988 as of a few days ago. After I test drove it and went home, I noticed they raised the price on it online to $14,988.

I am thinking of putting an offer on this vehicle, but if I don't get it, I can wait. I don't need a minivan until May, and in the meantime my Exporer is doing very well for me.

My question is, what kind of offer should I give the dealer? Seeing as they have had this vehicle for two months, I am thinking I could probably get a good deal out of it.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[STAMPEDRED]

Hey Tim, a couple of questions:

I am looking to lease a new truck, is it possible to negotiate the interest rate or are you stuck with what is offered?

Also, I've been reading through this thread and don't think I've found a definition for etching. What is it exactly?

Another thing, do vehicles already come shipped with the rust protection on it already, and is it even needed in Alberta (I know you're on the East coast) and what should a guy look at spending for it on the after market for it.

Thanks!

[STAMPEDRED]

le Bump

[TimSJ]

I don't really think that you can negotiate the rate all that much. can always try though.

etching is a number that is sandblasted into the glass of the car. Theroetically if the car is stolen it lets you track it easier. usually a credit is offered if the car is stolen and not recovered. eg $5k towards your

Not too sure of the costs. but i do believe that most cars are shipped to canada with undercoating already applied.

[STAMPEDRED]

thx Tim!

[GoinAllTheWay]

Ok, first time car buyer here. Ok, not really but first time I have purchased a car from a dealership. I have found myself a tight little Mazda and was blown away at how nice a car it is. I have had my heart set on a Dakota for some time but with the way prices on gas are projected to go, I can't justify it so I decided to take a look at the Mazda 3 GT and wow, solid, solid car for sure.

Asking price is $18,995 with 43K on it. Lots of extras and obviously in good shape. I am terrified of screwing up negotiations though. I am terrible at them. I want to try to get it for $18k including GST. Any point in trying out that route? I mean really, what are the do's and dont's?

Total n00b here, any tips/advice would be swell.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Hi Tim,

Here is a question about depreciation, I have a 98 Volvo V70 T-5 (very quick) with about 264,000k on it and has always been taken to the dealer for service. I bought it b/c I wanted a wagon that was fast, safe and was a five speed. My questions are A: What would I get for it as a trade in now (I guess about $4k) and would that change if I drove it past 300k?

Thanks

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Ok, first time car buyer here. Ok, not really but first time I have purchased a car from a dealership. I have found myself a tight little Mazda and was blown away at how nice a car it is. I have had my heart set on a Dakota for some time but with the way prices on gas are projected to go, I can't justify it so I decided to take a look at the Mazda 3 GT and wow, solid, solid car for sure.

Asking price is $18,995 with 43K on it. Lots of extras and obviously in good shape. I am terrified of screwing up negotiations though. I am terrible at them. I want to try to get it for $18k including GST. Any point in trying out that route? I mean really, what are the do's and dont's?

Total n00b here, any tips/advice would be swell.

what year is it? I am guessing 05 by the price... let me know and i will look it up for you.

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Hi Tim,

Here is a question about depreciation, I have a 98 Volvo V70 T-5 (very quick) with about 264,000k on it and has always been taken to the dealer for service. I bought it b/c I wanted a wagon that was fast, safe and was a five speed. My questions are A: What would I get for it as a trade in now (I guess about $4k) and would that change if I drove it past 300k?

Thanks

There was one with 246,000km that went through the auction on the 19th of Dec that sold for $2,350... The car is 10 years old so whether it has 264 or 300 on it prob doesn't matter that much.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

what year is it? I am guessing 05 by the price... let me know and i will look it up for you.

Yes, it is a 2005.

[TimSJ]

I have the same car here in stock.. 2005 with 41,XXX km on it that i just dropped the price to $15,900 and would prob take $15,500 for... so that should give you an idea.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

I have the same car here in stock.. 2005 with 41,XXX km on it that i just dropped the price to $15,900 and would prob take $15,500 for... so that should give you an idea.

How do I get in touch with you?

[TimSJ]

I am in New Brunswick so it prob doesn't make much sense for you to buy it from me.. i think shipping from here to Calgary would be like $1500 would eat up any savings i could get for you..

Here is a link to the car though.. http://www.tristarmercedes.ca/detail...ofVehicle=Used

[nickerjones]

tim

i have a question for ya .. My wife drives a suzuki vitara five speed.... i dont even know what year it is. But my questions is this... she bought the car in calgary but we live in missouri, U.S.A. ... she has been wanting a new suv for a while so how does it work to trade in a car that has Km's on it . Will a dealership in the states give us fair trade for it ??? do you ever take cars in Miles?

i always wondered because in the U.s they say trade your car before it hits 100,000 miles , well the conversion is 164,000 km = 100,000 miles sorry for rambling but thanks for the help

[Eric Vail]

Tim,

My family needs a minivan. My wife is due for our second child in June, and the 2 door explorer will no longer work. I've checked the ratings and have determined that the best ratio between quality of vehicle and price is the Kia Sedona. If I bought a 2004 or newer, it comes with the tail end of the 5 year manufacturer's warrantee - which is always nice for a used vehicle.

So, I have been tracking the used Sedona's in Calgary for a couple of months. I figure that if one can be found that has been hanging around awhile, I could get a better deal. One dealer has a 2004 Sedona LXI listed at the beginning of November for $15,988, and then dropped it to $13,988 as of a few days ago. After I test drove it and went home, I noticed they raised the price on it online to $14,988.

I am thinking of putting an offer on this vehicle, but if I don't get it, I can wait. I don't need a minivan until May, and in the meantime my Exporer is doing very well for me.

My question is, what kind of offer should I give the dealer? Seeing as they have had this vehicle for two months, I am thinking I could probably get a good deal out of it.

How much should I offer?

[TimSJ]

Well they are going through the Auctions in the 8 - 10k range so i would offer them something in the 11 -12 range and see where you get. generally dealers keep cars for 90 days then wholesale them.. If they send it to the auction that is all they are going to get out of it.

[TimSJ]

We will take US cars on trade but we steal them and don't pay very much.. I am not sure of the process.. if the car has been federalized (ie Plated and registered in the US) they will likely take it on trade.. if not they probably won't want it.