by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 08/30/2017 at 17:42
by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 08/30/2017 at 17:42
No Tags
STARS: 1
Im back to car shopping. Not for me, for me mum. Its been an eye opening experience to not know what you want, but rather just explore the landscape with fresh eyes that are mostly focused on looks and “does it have that special space radio?” as the primary concerns. Have some interesting cars for the rant time.
The Alfa’s, btw, are much better looking in person. As a whole they don’t really work but they have so many interesting details that its easy to forget. Same for the Gulia
Okay, back to the rant...er...story. Mainly I’ve just be taken aback a little on what it would be like to:
a. Buy new
b. Not really sweat the details of the price
c. Not be constrained by the ridiculous demands of the car nerd.
Its, odd. I get why Rav4's sell so well. They just are - Nice tall car.
Same for some others we drove but I do have to say what a HUGE letdown the Forester Touring was. Sure the leather seats were nice and you get the fancies in electronics but the anywhere not touched by upgraded package material felt really cheap and crappy. Not to mention that the color choice with the pretty saddle leather is - white, black and gray. So no color choices. Lame. It really only comes in 2 colors anyway and they both suck so I guess there’s that. Subaru needs a better choice above the Forester than the outback.
We also test drove an XC60 and...sure I guess. Its a much nicer vehicle and it wasn’t bad in any particular way. It was just kinda...there.
Lastly I wish to rant about salesman.
“hey I only have a few minutes before I have to get back to work.” Does NOT mean
“please have a seat while I talk up the product.”
“we’d really like to take a quick test drive to get driving impressions.” Does NOT mean.
“here push this button, now this one, now this one...isn’t that neat, you can get weather on your dash, okay now push this button here and you can...”
NO ONE I’ve ever met likes a salesman can’t listen to what a customer wants out of the experience so they can continue their salesman ways. LISTEN TO THE WORDS I AM SAYING TO YOU.
Also, Volvo let us take a 50 grand vehicle for as long a test drive as we wanted without even asking for a drivers license.
Toyota needed a drivers license, an insurance card and they STILL wanted to ride along.
p.s. DON’T TAKE ME ON YOUR TESTING LOOP, I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE AND I’LL GO WHERE I WANT!
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
08/30/2017 at 17:46, STARS: 0
Not only is the XC60 there, it’s there and BROWN
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
08/30/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 1
As a former salesmen, I probably would have been fired if I let you take a test drive with out AT LEAST getting a copy of your driver’s license. I mean that’s just stupid.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 17:50, STARS: 1
Thats a V90 Cross Country....which I wish I could convince her to drive...but alas, no wagons. We drove some kinda of baby blue silver metallic.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 17:51, STARS: 0
I thought that was strange, but I have dealt with this salesperson before and he probably still has a copy of mine so Im guessing he thought it wasn’t worth hassling me for.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
08/30/2017 at 17:51, STARS: 0
But you could order it in brown!
Just look at all that BROWN
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 17:53, STARS: 1
it is a hot kinda brown. Spicy brown if you will.
"vicali" (vicali)
08/30/2017 at 17:54, STARS: 0
We loved our Subaru salesman, he had a Forester too and took us out on gravel after I told him my plans for the car (daily/rally).. His instructions to me; ‘Go ahead, try to spin a wheel..’
Sales manager was a turd though - we ended up buying a few towns over.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/30/2017 at 17:54, STARS: 0
I hate when salesmen want to come along because they can shut up. They always seem to think it’s there duty to point out all the great features of the car while I’m trying to drive. Pro tip: that makes for distracted driving! Let’s talk about that stuff when I get back.
Also, my wife doesn’t feel like she can talk freely about her impressions when the salesman is there. We always try to go alone.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
08/30/2017 at 17:55, STARS: 1
Hot take: the RAV4 is hot garbage.
I visited my parents in Maryland recently. I booked a “full-size” sedan, a.k.a. actually a midsize sedan, but when I arrived at the Budget rental car counter at midnight thanks to a delayed flight, all they had available was a RAV4.
It was in fact a car with room for my wife, myself, and our luggage. The seats sucked, the radio sucked, the steering sucked, I almost tipped over on an on-ramp because the handling sucked, and the rental-spec trim had only one intermittent wiper setting, which I found out because it was raining on the 40-mile drive from the Baltimore airport to my folks’ house in the DC suburbs.
Thankfully, this particular RAV4 had a bent wheel, unbalanced tire, or something else that was causing an annoying vibration on the highway, which I used as justification to trade it in for a different car at the Budget location closest to my parents. I got a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport instead. It was vastly superior to the RAV4 in every imaginable way. Yes I know it’s a half-step up in size, but I bet a Tucson would have been equally superior.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
08/30/2017 at 17:56, STARS: 0
Oh yeah that makes since. If he knew you he has one on file.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 17:56, STARS: 2
I’ve had some winners in each dealership but my wife was SO TURNED OFFED by our subaru visit that she may never buy a Subaru. I mean I know Subaru salesman don’t really HAVE to try these days, but this was april ludgate levels of care.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 17:58, STARS: 1
True story. He was pretty quite and listened to our question, but I’ve had drivers THAT WOULD NOT SHUT UP...and as a bonus they were wrong and wouldn’t accept correction about technical things but instead got defensive and kinda rude. But you are dead right about being honest about a car. To be fair though, if my goal was to sell you a car for a living I wouldn’t want you to explore your honest opinions on the car. It would make me dead inside but thats the logical approach.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 18:00, STARS: 0
Rav4 limited vs rental trim would probably quell a few of those [valid] gripes I would bet though. Frankly its not my first choice but we have a good deal with employee pricing so its certainly on the table.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/30/2017 at 18:05, STARS: 2
I gotta say, the sales guy at Mazda was super chill when I tested the 6 and CX-5. He didn’t give a rat’s ass whether or not I bought his car. He just wanted us to have a good experience and a nice day, and let the rest take care of itself. When I took out the Miata, he let me go alone with my daughter and didn’t bat an eye when we came back 45 min. later. Kinda feel bad we didn’t buy a car from him.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/30/2017 at 18:06, STARS: 0
I’d buy a car from April Ludgate. Mainly because I can do all the research and tire kicking myself and she’d just be all “So, do you want it or not?” IMO, that’s the kind of sales I’d like to deal with.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 18:07, STARS: 1
thats the way of things. I like salesman like that. the truth is that if you knew someone buying, you would send him that way without hesitation. it still pays off for him to treat you that way even if it doesn’t result in a high pressure sale.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/30/2017 at 18:07, STARS: 0
Hotter take: it’s only lukewarm garbage. Even my wife, who would be its target market, was thoroughly unimpressed. I was proud of her that day.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 18:08, STARS: 0
me? oh hells yes. My wife? she kinda felt like if we were about to drop 5 figures on ANYTHING she should be treated a little better than an unwelcome guest.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/30/2017 at 18:08, STARS: 1
All salesmen should get that memo.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/30/2017 at 18:10, STARS: 0
Understandable. Especially if you’re considering some luxo brands like Volvo. Then again, I’ve never purchased a new car. Heck, the newest car I’ve ever had is from 1997.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 18:11, STARS: 0
yeah, If im dealing with you on craigslist or mud or whatever I just want my technical/service questions answered to the best of your ability and who to write the check to.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
08/30/2017 at 18:18, STARS: 0
Counterpoint to driving loop comment, the loop the Subaru salesguy took me on was one of the best driving roads in the entire area that I had no idea about before. 50mph+ curvy roads so you can have fun going way faster then the road should allow, while maybe going 5 over the limit.
Other then that case I agree.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
08/30/2017 at 18:19, STARS: 2
My only exposure to mainstream Toyota models is as rental cars but all of my experience with Camrys, Corollas and RAV4s has put them at or near the bottom of their respective segments, even comparing among other rental spec models.
Among rental cars, generally I like Hyundias the best, GMs have surprisingly good platforms with annoying details, Nissans are the best couch-like cruisers with the best seats but they have floppy handling and laggy CVTs, Fords show some promise but until you get up to the Fusion are kinda crappy, and Toyotas are just uncompetitive in general. Toyota has the worst seats, Ford has the second worst.
I actually really liked that Santa Fe Sport for what it was. It was by no means sporty, but it was very comfy and quiet, I averaged 31 mpg on mostly highway driving, and I regularly drove around with my wife in the passenger seat and my parents comfortably riding in back. It was competent, with no glaringly annoying problems. My mom even asked what kind of car it was because “it didn’t feel like an SUV.” She drives a 2005 Acura MDX.
A loaded Tucson is $400 less than a loaded RAV4 and there’s a $2500 rebate. After negotiation you might not be too far off the RAV4 employee price. The turbo motor would probably give better results at altitude. I haven’t driven one but I did ride in the back of one (with heated rear seats!) on an Uber ride once.
Just sayin.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/30/2017 at 18:20, STARS: 1
That sounds like the start to a great car buying experience.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 18:21, STARS: 2
In Utah...there isn’t much chance of finding secret curvy roads or getting lost.
Grid system for the win (lose?)
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 18:22, STARS: 0
worth a look.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/30/2017 at 18:29, STARS: 0
Yeah, I liked that dealer. Can’t understand how I didn’t buy another car from them.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
08/30/2017 at 19:19, STARS: 1
I love that. The guy we have been working with at Subaru is the same way. Best sales experience ever. Honestly, his interest/excitement for the product and chill nature is the reason why I felt comfortable blowing some dough on my car.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
08/30/2017 at 19:21, STARS: 1
Wait you found a V90 that was actually for sale and not waiting to be delivered?!? AND YOU DIDN’T TEST DRIVE IT FOR OUR AMUSEMENT????
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/30/2017 at 19:23, STARS: 0
I done tried. No dice
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/30/2017 at 19:25, STARS: 0
I’m so glad for you. New car buying should be fun, not annoying.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
08/30/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 0
FAMILY
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
08/30/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 0
Ugh, as a Volvo addict, don’t get an XC60 unless it’s one of the new SPA cars (and an extended warranty because reliability is sketchy) or CPO because the 50 grand they are asking for a nearly decade-old car is absurd. Same went for my XC70, I’m amazed that they were selling a slower and practically unchanged car for $50K compared to mine which we scooped up at $20K. SPA standardization can’t come soon enough. That said, the 2012-2015 Volvos are a screaming deal right now as the SPA cars come into the limelight as they’re pretty much new and have depreciated harder than a boulder.
"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
08/30/2017 at 19:31, STARS: 0
You should try the same routine in Australia...
“You want A car? Well I don’t have an A car but I do have a B car that is almost the same and you can have that in a couple of days whereas it’ll take us three months to get the A car in - longer if you want the factory options”. But what about that A car over there on the lot? “That’s the bosses wife’s car. It’s just for show. You can’t drive that”.
"61hp" (61hp)
08/30/2017 at 19:45, STARS: 0
Test drives in SLC are pretty bad, nothing like a straight 35 mph road to a 90 degree turn to another straight 35 mph
If you can take a car out a bit longer, or if you are test driving a Ford, Chevy, Cadillac, or Kia I am a big fan of the 500 W I-80 underpass (approx 10th S). It feels like an urban rally-cross stage. Plus you are near 700 W, which between between 1300 S and 1700 S is a good test of a cars ride quality and rattles.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
08/30/2017 at 20:13, STARS: 1
Before we bought my wife’s CX-5, I was very excited to test drive a Forester XT. Then, I drove it ... I HAAAAAAAAAATED it.