We've looked at 2 dealers so far. Lot's of misinformation out there. We don't expect a sales guy to know everything - we've been researching, and getting a lot of info. But there is much we don't know.
We actually sat down and got a quote. (we had already said we were not buying today) 'Not a problem. My manager said he really wants to clear the lot this weekend!' Well, it was a big deal when we got up to leave. I felt I had to talk to the manager, to protect the sales guy, who had done nothing wrong. But they were a couple grand over the other store. It was uncomfortable, some, but my wife was in the car - and I wasn't going to sit back down with them!
We really were unarmed, as I hadn't checked the credit union or online prices. So the dealer prices meant nothing. At the Lexus place, we paid a few hundred more than the credit union price - because we liked the guy! We weren't even planning to buy that day. But I was to leave for a job in a few weeks, and my wife wanted something reliably newer.
But the quote came back with a $999 paint and interior protection plan. That vanished when we complained. Same with the $199 charge for a couple bucks worth of nitrogen!!!!!!! Gone. Another sucker add-on also vanished. They were still too high.
We were looking for a 13, but we found a new SV for 19k. But it wasn't in writing. (just sticker price- $7500+8000). They were coy about how much of that 8000 would be applied to a 16. And used just didn't seem like much of a deal. We normally buy cars that are 2-3 years old. But we bought the Lexus RX new, because I thought they held their value too well. Not sure how right I was. But after 8 years, it's held 35% of its value. (with zero repairs)
(one funny thing, not surprising. There was a big sign at the dealer - BIG 4TH OF JULY SALE! That discount was never real, and never mentioned! Even as i was leaving)
We actually sat down and got a quote. (we had already said we were not buying today) 'Not a problem. My manager said he really wants to clear the lot this weekend!' Well, it was a big deal when we got up to leave. I felt I had to talk to the manager, to protect the sales guy, who had done nothing wrong. But they were a couple grand over the other store. It was uncomfortable, some, but my wife was in the car - and I wasn't going to sit back down with them!
We really were unarmed, as I hadn't checked the credit union or online prices. So the dealer prices meant nothing. At the Lexus place, we paid a few hundred more than the credit union price - because we liked the guy! We weren't even planning to buy that day. But I was to leave for a job in a few weeks, and my wife wanted something reliably newer.
But the quote came back with a $999 paint and interior protection plan. That vanished when we complained. Same with the $199 charge for a couple bucks worth of nitrogen!!!!!!! Gone. Another sucker add-on also vanished. They were still too high.
We were looking for a 13, but we found a new SV for 19k. But it wasn't in writing. (just sticker price- $7500+8000). They were coy about how much of that 8000 would be applied to a 16. And used just didn't seem like much of a deal. We normally buy cars that are 2-3 years old. But we bought the Lexus RX new, because I thought they held their value too well. Not sure how right I was. But after 8 years, it's held 35% of its value. (with zero repairs)
(one funny thing, not surprising. There was a big sign at the dealer - BIG 4TH OF JULY SALE! That discount was never real, and never mentioned! Even as i was leaving)