Trip Reports - The Princess Buys a Car

The Princess Buys a Car!

Okay so this really has not much to do with miles, but I will tie miles into the story, I promise!

As of this past weekend I was still driving the car I went away to college in, my 1990 Red Nissan 240SX Sport Edition. I thought I was the coolest thing on 4 wheels! Well now this it is 2003 it isn’t exactly the coolest thing nor is the most reliable thing anymore.

My dad and I started scouring the paper for a good deal on a late model used car. My sports car days are over, so I decided a SUV was the way to go. I test drove a few and my dad MADE me walk away from a very cool black 2000 Grand Cherokee. My dad said it was too much for that particular car. My dad said he didn’t understand why women get so emotional about particular cars and didn’t understand why I came home and whined and lamented about wanting THAT car. He said a better deal was to be had. Reluctantly, I agreed and drove home in my old car.

Saturday was a new day and we hit the other Jeep dealership in town. There on the lot was a sparkling 2001 White Jeep Grand Cherokee decked out to the nines with all the things I wanted, and the price was reasonable. Once again Dad, the voice of reason, said I shouldn’t jump into anything without letting our mechanic look at the car first. Of course it was Saturday and the mechanic wasn’t open on Saturday so once again I had to drive off in the old college car.

I had to wait till Monday morning for the mechanic’s shop to open. This made for a very long weekend. I went Monday morning back to the dealership so I could pick up the car and drive it over to the mechanic’s shop. The car was given a clean bill of health except for a few minor cosmetic items and the fact that it needed new tires.

Dad and I drove back to the dealership to do a few more negotiations. Okay really Dad did all the negotiating, even though it was my money. All I did was sit there just ready to burst inside. Every time the guy left to “talk to the manager” I would blurt out to my dad “I WANT THAT CAR.” He just continued to tell me not to get emotional about a car. We all finally came to consensus. I have no idea why I can’t negotiate a car deal. I can wheel and deal at work all day long but the thought of buying a car sends chills up my spine! The manager finally just came down to the little sales guy’s office because the poor little sales guy must have made about 10 trips down this little hall. Part of the agreement was new tires which Dad thought were absolutely necessary and that I shouldn’t go any further without them. The dealership needed to order the special tires that I wanted and they agreed to fix the few problems I found. So, once again, there would be no car for the princess today.

Now here is where my mileage earning came into play. I have heard that a few dealerships balk at taking credit cards for a car, but I figured I should take a chance and see what happens. I asked and they said no problem, we take them all. I whipped out my SPG Amex and asked them to put my $8,000 deposit on the card. The card was run through the little machine and was accepted without even a call. AMAZING! I figured it would take at least one phone call to Amex to get it approved for such a large amount.

Reluctantly I drove off once again without my new car but at least I knew I would have it in a day or two. Patience is not a virtue I have in my repertoire.

Wednesday finally came and my car was finally ready. Bryan the salesman drove it out to the house and I am now the proud owner of 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Sport Edition.

Check out my new car here! (http://ftpics.markbach.com/gallery/album21/GrandCherokee)

Congratulations...looks like a beauty!

Congratulations!

I went through a similar experience when I bought my 99 Explorer.

I took the day off work and my dad and I went to about eight Ford dealerships in Dallas. I knew EXACTLY what make/model/color/features I wanted and so we would go straight to that car on the lot and get a quote. No test driving, nothing.

He would then take me to the next Ford dealer, show them the quote from the last dealership and ask them to do better.

Finally we got to the last dealership (which is the one he WANTED to deal with) and he sat down and negotiated.

We went through the same ordeal. Every time they would leave the room, I would say "I WANT that car!". Every time he would tell me to be quiet and prepare myself to walk away.

Luckily, we got to a great deal... and then I got to drive it home late late that night!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by techgirl:
Congratulations!

I went through a similar experience when I bought my 99 Explorer.

I took the day off work and my dad and I went to about eight Ford dealerships in Dallas. I knew EXACTLY what make/model/color/features I wanted and so we would go straight to that car on the lot and get a quote. No test driving, nothing.

He would then take me to the next Ford dealer, show them the quote from the last dealership and ask them to do better.

Finally we got to the last dealership (which is the one he WANTED to deal with) and he sat down and negotiated.

We went through the same ordeal. Every time they would leave the room, I would say "I WANT that car!". Every time he would tell me to be quiet and prepare myself to walk away.

Luckily, we got to a great deal... and then I got to drive it home late late that night!</font>

I am glad I am not the only professional adult out their that took her dad car shopping to be the negotiator!

My dad took me to the first dealer to watch him. He then made me go to the second dealer alone and I did the negotiating. He helped with the car deposit though, so it worked out fine. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Its time to buy a new car though. Now I have to buy him a ticket back to Seattle to do it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

lala

There is something to be said for buying a new car, in the context of negotiation. It's been some time since I purchased a used car, but there is a really easy system that I've used to get a pretty nice deal.

Simply go and cruise some lots until you find a subset of cars you are interested in. Grab the exact details off the sticker(s). Proceed to the nearest internet terminal, and get (from Consumer's Union or another reliable source) the exact dealer invoice cost of the car (eg, what the dealer paid for it--this is typically way under the sticker price).

Decide what markup you are willing to live with. Lay the invoice prices out in a line item spreadsheet with one line at the bottom for the dealer's profit margin or "markup." Start talking turkey. You simply point out the car, let the unsuspecting sales guy do his thing, and then pass the sheet across to him, and ask him to fill in the number for what he feels the dealership should make on the car, keeping in mind that there might be a "holdback" that the dealer has to make up.

If you don't like his number, tell him (and be prepared to walk). If he jerks you around about "holdback," or "advertising charge" or "delivery charge," or "destination charge," or "the sales manager did no go for the deal" then walk. Settle on a price for the new car before discussing a trade, any financing deals, etc.

I've found that most larger dealers actually have at least one sales associate on staff who is paid by volume of cars moved, not by simple commission (eg, the internet sales guy/gal). Typically, this is the person you would want to deal with, as they are probably used to this type of thing and won't get offended or attempt to play hardball.

Since the advent of this data becoming easily available (as opposed to having to write to Consumer's Union or a similar organization to get the dealer's invoice price) there is no reason to pay any more than necessary to get a new car. Unfortunately, it's tougher with a used car, as the condition of the car is a very subjective thing when it comes to the price of the car.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by prncess674:
...I whipped out my SPG Amex and asked them to put my $8,000 deposit on the card. The card was run through the little machine and was accepted without even a call. AMAZING! I figured it would take at least one phone call to Amex to get it approved for such a large amount.

... and I am now the proud owner of 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Sport Edition.</font>

Congrats Princess. It's always fun to tie in the purchase of a new vehicle with our FF habits. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Enjoy!

Cheers. Dogstar.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
There is something to be said for buying a new car, in the context of negotiation.</font>

Hmm.. try that trick with a BMW dealer.. especially one in CA.. you'll be lucky if they'll sell to you at MSRP.. but there are other tricks to get discounts..

I fly to Munich Germany to pick up my BMWs and save about 7% over MSRP in the process.. Quick MR to MUC (8000 miles) drive up and down the autobahn at 130mph for a bit, drop off the car, fly home.. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif BMW does the rest

Try it folks its fun.. got my 330cic for 4k off list.. and It was one of the first 100 built.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Brian-AAFlyer:
Hmm.. try that trick with a BMW dealer.. especially one in CA.. you'll be lucky if they'll sell to you at MSRP.. but there are other tricks to get discounts..
</font>

Clearly, it won't work with a car whose demand is driving the price above MSRP http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

If you want to buy BMWs cheap, I suggest Ohio. A friend of mine from SJC flies out to CLE every time he wants a new Bimmer.....

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

Congratulations on the new car!

Don't you just feel great that you got 8,000 "free" FF miles for buying your car? I did that when my parents last bought a car. They called me when they were ready to buy and I gave the dealer my AMEX #. Free miles! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

So I need to vent a little. I sent this same trip report to some close friends minus the part of the FF miles and down payment amount just to let everyone know how excited I was about my new car and one of my friends wrote back and said

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">if I didn't know you better, I'd think you were bragging. Be careful who you send emails like this to. Not everyone is as fortunate as you are.</font>

I was in shock and offended. This is the same friend who sends me tons of pictures of her three kids and all their accomplishments along with pictures of her new house, that by the way was bought for her by her parents. I think she is way out of line. Any opinions?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by prncess674:
I was in shock and offended. (SNIP) I think she is way out of line. Any opinions?

</font>

I think she is way out of line too. This sounds like a case of sour grapes or jealousy to me.

Friends like to share in each others proud moments and it sounds like you have really been looking forward to a new car for a long time.

Geez... it isn't like you got a new car a month ago and then traded up for another... and I certainly don't see anything frivilous or boastful about your report.

Sorry that she spoiled your glow. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I too agree, she was out of line! Boy, of course you're excited about a new car, its not like you get one every year. Also, the who story behind it was the more to the point. You didn't just walk in, plunk down your hard cash (receiving no mileage points) and drive out. This was an EVENT, so from me and other FT'ers Good Luck and Happy Driving http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Your friend is out of line. Sheesh, I don't even know you and I am genuinely happy for you...always wear your seat belt and change the oil every 3 or 4k miles!

My wife and I gave up working with the miserable Volvo dealerships in northern Virginia (Don Beyers Volvo is the worst in the US!!!) and ended up getting the deal we wanted from a tiny little combo Chevy-Volvo dealership in rural Pennsylvania near Scranton. They must have had 500 Chevys and 5 Volvos. Anyway, they allowed me to put the tax, title and tags on a mileage earning credit card to the tune of around $2,500. However, since they were in Pennsylvania and I reside in Virginia, they made errors on the paperwork...Fed Ex'd me a refund check for the full amount originally placed on the credit card and some new documents to sign. Sent back the corrected documents and they recharged the $2,500 to the credit card again! Woohoo! 5,000 free miles.

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Addicted to airline miles? Check out: Mileage Workshop (http://www.mileageworkshop.com) --- "You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer." - Frank Zappa (1940-93)

[This message has been edited by MileageAddict (edited 01-10-2003).]

Your last par. about your friend stated it all. Your "friend" even though an adult and a parent, is still being supported by her parents. She actually sounds envious more than anything else.

You purchased the car due to your hard-earned work ethic.

You should be proud.

[This message has been edited by ljp99 (edited 01-10-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by prncess674:
So I need to vent a little. I sent this same trip report to some close friends minus the part of the FF miles and down payment amount just to let everyone know how excited I was about my new car and one of my friends wrote back and said

I was in shock and offended. This is the same friend who sends me tons of pictures of her three kids and all their accomplishments along with pictures of her new house, that by the way was bought for her by her parents. I think she is way out of line. Any opinions?

</font>

I don't like your friend very much.

I don't like your friend either! By the way, I thought my daughter was the 1 and only Princess http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Congratulations on your new SUV! Looks great.

I used to own a 240SX SE edition as well, with the cool heads-up display http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Alas the trunk space was nil, so I had to move as well.

I just purchased a car this weekend as well for my wife. The dealer had an astoundingly good price on it, and I did some serious price searches on the web and calling around, and could find NO deal as good as this.

Also, the previous owner of the car had left his contact information in the car by way of some maintenance paperwork. I called the previous owner, who had purchased it brand new, and verified with him that the car was in pristine condition, was babied, and had never been in an accident. He decided to trade it in for a different vehicle, and told me that the car is a great buy.

As a result of this research, I decided NOT to haggle with the dealer. I really had no basis to ask for a discount, as the price was far below KBB and Edmund's values, and thousands less than similar vehicles in private sales and other dealers.

My wife's new car is now being prepped at the dealer while I'm away on a trip. I will pick it up when I return, in pristine new condition http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Obviously your friend has absolutely zero miles in the bank!

It's a nice looking car, when I come to New Orleans later this year, can I go for a spin?

Don't let your friend take your glow away.

Glow Princess, Glow!

Well I sold the 240SX last night. I have taken care of that car for so long I am emotionally attached to it. A mother and father bought it for their wild looking 17 year old son. I can tell he isn't going to take care of my little baby. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif As I was showing him some of the features the dad was saying to the son <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">now remember this is not a not a new car take it easy on this one.</font> You could just tell he wasn't going to listen. Oh well, I guess it had a nice long life with me it will be put to rest soon with this kid at the wheel.

From one princess to another- sister, I feel your pain. I too get emotional about my cars. Last year I bought an Expedition so I had to sell my Grand Cherokee. The people who bought it gave me the full asking price. I'm sure they were nice people and seemed decent enough. I went to the bank to complete the paperwork and literally sobbed in the parking lot. I just kept thinking about how it had been so good to me, always started, never any maintenance problems, all the things that a car is SUPPOSED to do.

Don’t get upset by your friend’s reaction. I think that she’s just jealous. It certainly didn’t come off as bragging to me. Enjoy it- Grand Cherokees are great cars. I know that you’ll come to love it like your previous baby.

All this talk of Nissan's is going to drive me to a 350Z. I just know it.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
All this talk of Nissan's is going to drive me to a 350Z. I just know it.</font>

Make sure you try out the Infiniti G35 Coupe 6-speed also. Not quite as quick or nimble as the 350Z Track edition, but much more comfortable as an everyday vehicle.

And on the topic of miles: a few years ago my car was stolen and I ended up putting the entire repair bill (over $17,000) on my credit card. The finance company wouldn't endorse the insurance check without examining the vehicle, and the body shop wouldn't release the car to be examined without full payment. Total Catch-22!