In today’s competitive automobile market it is definitely a buyer’s market.
This gives the consumer an advantage for the smart shopper who has done their homework. There in lies the challenge.
Automobile buyers have an unprecedented amount of information at their finger tips from the media, manufacturers and the Internet. Buyer beware all of this information may not be accurate. Different areas of the nation have different market conditions. i.e. The book value of a convertible in Florida for the month of September will not hold true in Montana and vise-versa a 4wd truck in Wyoming in January is not the same market value in Southern California.
The raw data such as wheel base, horse power and MPG are reliable and statistically accurate numbers. The “subjective” information such as interest rates, trade in values and new vehicle price quotes are not necessarily reliable. This is where the consumer must do their homework.
The Internet has been a wonderful tool for the consumer to find out what the current market prices expected to pay for a new vehicle with little effort needed. Simply submitting a request for a specific Make and Model can get you started. Be aware that just submitting a price quote many different events will occur.
You will most likely receive an automated email reply stating the dealership(s) have received your requests and you can expect them to be calling you or emailing you a price quote once they have verified the information they have received is accurate.
At this point you will receive your price quotes and you are armed and ready to go to the dealer to buy your new vehicle for the lowest quoted price. STOP ! Before leaving your computer you must do some more home work to avoid the frustration and wasted time trying to get a local dealer to honor a price quote from another dealer. Follow these rules:
Confirm with the selling dealer your price quote includes, freight, any dealer installed accessories and the stock number of the specific vehicle the price quote is for.
Ask the dealer to calculate all sales tax (if applicable), license fees and dealer documentation fees.
Make sure the price quote is good for a minimum of 10 days.
Make sure the price quote includes all factory incentives.
By doing this little bit of extra homework you can now go to your local dealer with the information to make an intelligent decision without having to get frustrated. This information will save you time and money.
If a dealer on line doesn’t provide you this detailed information, ASK FOR IT. If they do not disclose all charges without having to come to the dealership in person, simply move on to the next dealership.
Be aware that a price quote from a dealership more than 2 hours away from you is “Risky Business.” This simply means the dealer has a very low percentage chance of you actually putting your foot in their dealership due to the logistics. Some dealers would rather quote you a “Low Ball” price knowing that you will take this number into a local dealership as leverage to make your purchase. In the event you do come to their dealership you may find the quoted vehicle is already sold or that the price didn’t include one of the above mentioned items. After you have made the long drive to find out this information you “settle” for another vehicle because you don’t want to drive back home without a vehicle and have to go back to your local dealer and face them.
This shopping experience is happening all across the country. Be smart.
“If it sounds too good to be true…….it probably is.”
Think of the entire transaction when buying a vehicle. What is my time worth? What is a fair price, not necessarily the lowest price. Am I being treated with respect and fairness. What relationship will I have after I make the purchase with this selling dealer?
If you focus on these important factors and not the “Gimmicks” like life time oil changes or limited lifetime warranties to get you to come to the dealerships and not jus the price you can truly enjoy your new vehicle.
An Old Wise Car Buyer
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Darrell Waltrip helps Iraq War Veteran
NASCAR champion and Honda Volvo dealer Darrell Waltrip helps Iraq war veteran who was victimized by an Internet scam. Darrell Waltrip stepped in and gave him a 2004 Honda Accord on Tuesday 07/02/08.
Jay Strobino, 24 of Franklin, who lost $5,500 trying to buy a used Honda Accord on Craigslist earlier this year, wired the money to a scam artist who claimed to be heading out soon for military deployment, setting up a fake WorldPay Web site to handle the purchase.
Once Darrel Waltrip heard of this scam from the general manager, John Gallagher, they decided to give him an Accord. Jay took delivery of the 2004 Accord Tuesday “It’s beyond awesome,”
“There are so many fake sites you really have to be sure. We’re in the car business, and he got ripped off by someone pretending to be real.” Darrell said he was also motivated by Strobino’s military service. Jay was shot thirteen times in a firefight south of Bagdad in 2004, is a Silver Star medal recipient, the 3rd highest ranking military honor.
“I thought that’s a no-brainer – let’s help the kid out,” Waltrip said after handing the keys at Darrell Waltrip Honda Volvo Tuesday.
Jay Strobino, 24 of Franklin, who lost $5,500 trying to buy a used Honda Accord on Craigslist earlier this year, wired the money to a scam artist who claimed to be heading out soon for military deployment, setting up a fake WorldPay Web site to handle the purchase.
Once Darrel Waltrip heard of this scam from the general manager, John Gallagher, they decided to give him an Accord. Jay took delivery of the 2004 Accord Tuesday “It’s beyond awesome,”
“There are so many fake sites you really have to be sure. We’re in the car business, and he got ripped off by someone pretending to be real.” Darrell said he was also motivated by Strobino’s military service. Jay was shot thirteen times in a firefight south of Bagdad in 2004, is a Silver Star medal recipient, the 3rd highest ranking military honor.
“I thought that’s a no-brainer – let’s help the kid out,” Waltrip said after handing the keys at Darrell Waltrip Honda Volvo Tuesday.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
How the Internet Department does business at Darrell Waltrip Honda Volv
INTERNET DEPARTMENT SALES CONCEPT STATEMENT
For over 20 years Darrell Waltrip Honda Volvo
has been doing business here in the Nashville area.
It is with great pride we have become Middle
Tennessee’s largest Honda dealer and receiving
the Honda Presidents award multiple years for
outstanding ethics and professionalism. To this
day our commitment to complete customer
satisfaction is still our number one goal.
Our Internet selling process is designed to make
your purchasing experience easier than ever before.
We work exclusively with Internet customers to save
you time and money by answering all of your questions.
As an Internet sales consultant I am paid on productivity
and customer satisfaction. Therefore, my ultimate goal
is to make you completely satisfied.
As with any successful business, out Internet customers
are sending their friends, family and coworkers to us as a testimony to the way we do business here at Darrell Waltrip
Honda /Volvo. Most of our Internet customers wouldn’t
purchase another vehicle in any other way.
For over 20 years Darrell Waltrip Honda Volvo
has been doing business here in the Nashville area.
It is with great pride we have become Middle
Tennessee’s largest Honda dealer and receiving
the Honda Presidents award multiple years for
outstanding ethics and professionalism. To this
day our commitment to complete customer
satisfaction is still our number one goal.
Our Internet selling process is designed to make
your purchasing experience easier than ever before.
We work exclusively with Internet customers to save
you time and money by answering all of your questions.
As an Internet sales consultant I am paid on productivity
and customer satisfaction. Therefore, my ultimate goal
is to make you completely satisfied.
As with any successful business, out Internet customers
are sending their friends, family and coworkers to us as a testimony to the way we do business here at Darrell Waltrip
Honda /Volvo. Most of our Internet customers wouldn’t
purchase another vehicle in any other way.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
New 2009 Pilot Are you Ready?
The new 2009 Honda Pilot might just be the most prepared, useful and ready-for-anything vehicle on the road. Within its completely redesigned exterior, you'll find:
Increased space: Plenty of room for 8 passengers, or fold the rear seats down to carry extra cargo. More luxury: Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation SystemTM with voice recognition,* DVD Rear Entertainment System, tri-zone automatic climate control system with humidity control (EX and above), power tailgate and more. Better performance: A strong, 250-hp i-VTEC® V-6 with Honda's fuel-saving Variable Cylinder ManagementTM (VCM®)† Serious safety: Including ACETM body structure, Vehicle Stability Assist ® and advanced airbag systems.
And now you can see photos, a 360-degree spin and get all the other information you've been waiting for. You can even make a "Readysode"--a mix-your-own video you can pass along to your pals. So visit the site and see more of what's new for the 2009 Pilot. Because when it pulls into dealers in May, you'll want to be ready.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Greenest Cars of 2008
If you want to drive the most environmentally friendly or "greenest" vehicle, you need to think small or think hybrid. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), one third of the top 12 vehicles that rank as the greenest of 2008 feature hybrid powertrains. These vehicles combine an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
A nonprofit organization, the ACEEE is dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of protecting the environment and strengthening the economy. Each year the ACEEE publishes the Green Book, listing the Green Scores and environmental information about vehicles available in the new model year, as well as a list of the 12 "greenest" vehicles available that year.
"Hybrids stand out, even after being taken down a notch by the new fuel economy calculations," said ACEEE vehicle analyst Shruti Vaidyanathan. "And sales rose by a whopping 40 percent last year. This interest in hybrid vehicles should shine the spotlight on other green vehicle technologies that can significantly improve fuel efficiency."
View Pictures: America's "Greenest" Vehicles
One of the mainstays of the ACEEE "Greenest Vehicles" list for the last several years — and repeating at the top of the list for the second consecutive year — is the natural-gas-powered Honda Civic GX. Scoring 57 points for 2008, the Civic GX operates on compressed natural gas (CNG). While it may not go as far on each gallon of fuel as some other entries, its combination of high efficiency and near-zero emissions makes it the highest-ranking vehicle for the environment. Note that the Civic GX is for sale to retail customers only in California and New York.
Message Board: Are domestic vehicles being fairly judged by the ACEEE?
Another European model added to the list for 2008 is the MINI Cooper / MINI Clubman. The fun-to-drive MINI lands in the eighth position with a Green Score of 44. And unlike last year when there were no domestic cars on the list, Ford has the sole domestic offering to make the cut. The Ford Focus takes the ninth position with its 2.0-liter PZEV 4-cylinder engine.
The second, third and sixth eco-friendliest vehicles in the U.S. are all hybrids — the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid, respectively. The only other hybrid to make it into the ACEEE's top 12 happens to be the largest car on the list — the Camry Hybrid. Coming in tenth, this midsize hybrid earns a Green Score of 44, matching the MINI Cooper, Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Honda Fit.
Greenest Vehicles of 2008, With Green Score
Honda Civic GX
57
Toyota Prius
53
Honda Civic Hybrid
51
Smart fortwo
49
Toyota Yaris
46
Nissan Altima Hybrid
46
Toyota Corolla
45
MINI Cooper/Clubman
44
Ford Focus
44
Toyota Camry Hybrid
44
Honda Civic
44
Honda Fit
44
Source: ACEEE's Green Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks
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