by "Dark chocolate" (amghybridss)
Published 11/29/2017 at 18:15
by "Dark chocolate" (amghybridss)
Published 11/29/2017 at 18:15
No Tags
STARS: 4
So I am regarded as the go-to guy for car recommendations by a lot of family and friends. Actually I should by ALL of my known family and friends. To the point that I have even be asked what toy car to buy for their first born..
Anyways, coming to the actual story.. A relative of mine with 2 kid and another one on the way recently moved to the US from Europe. And he asked me the ultimate question:
“What car should I buy? ”
And soon added, I am looking at SUVs / 7 seaters because his parents / in-laws visit him frequently. So they would end up needing the space. And he’s moving to Atlanta.
And soon added, MB / BMW/ Audi are too expensive in that size and he would buy one of those brands a few years down the line.
Before I could ask how much he was planning to spend or if he was okay with CPO or wanted brand new only, he said Honda Pilot is kinda what he’s looking at.
So I gave him my opinion as regards VW Atlas ( new product +mega warranty), refreshed Buick / GMC / Chevy options, as well as about the Dodge Durango. I even sent him a few listings for some excellent CPO offerings at a heavily discounted price.
2 weeks later, he says:
“So, what should I buy”.
So I send him a bunch of comparison tests ranking X, y, Z as no 1 in different scenario.
2 weeks later (this afternoon):
I have decided on Honda Pilot.
Me
To which he replies:
“What do you want me to do, you are highly regarded and famous as regards your knowledge / awareness with respect to cars in the family. And when I asked your opinion about the car choice, you started telling me stories / comparison tests / reviews about all these cars I had never heard.”
Me: “Opinion.. lol.. no boy.. my opinion is more like story.. but anyhow... Honda Pilot is a good choice.. very well rated.. So it’ll last you a long time”
"beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard" (beardsbynelly-Rikerbeard)
11/29/2017 at 18:21, STARS: 13
This happens all the time. I’ve come to the realisation that people ask car guys for validation of their choice, not for actual ideas.
"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
11/29/2017 at 18:23, STARS: 3
Mr. Demuro had a rant about this but I can’t seem to find it. Might have been in Bumper to Bumper? The tl;dr was, when asked, reply:
“What car do you want?”
Then they reply: “Well I’ve been looking at [car name here].”
“Sounds good. You should buy that.”
"farscythe - makin da cawfee!" (farscythe)
11/29/2017 at 18:25, STARS: 0
the only worthy suggestion.... 2 seats.. duct tape will hold everyone else in place :)
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
11/29/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 0
This.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/29/2017 at 18:30, STARS: 1
When someone tells you they are looking at a certain car, all they want from you is to tell them if there is any glaring reason why they shouldn’t, like of the transmission will blow up at 20k or something. See, you are the Keeper of the Arcane Car Knowledge. You are the last checkpoint before they pull the trigger. Unless you tell them point-blank, “that car will explode the moment you turn the key,” they will buy it anyway. And even then they might. Which explains Alfa Romeo sales.
"Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish" (mrfist)
11/29/2017 at 18:32, STARS: 1
Motherfuckers keep buying goddamn Crosstreks and not listening to me.
"SpeedSix" (speedsix)
11/29/2017 at 18:33, STARS: 1
Mr. McParland on the FP mentioned this in his survey that he offers to people who seek his (car buying consultant) services - one question asks if the client already has a vehicle in mind to buy, before offering any other suggestions.
"HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute" (hondoyota)
11/29/2017 at 18:38, STARS: 0
I’m only 14 and one of 4 kids in my direct family. And still, everyone asks me for advice/anything about cars. I am the guru of all things cars in my family.
"C62030" (c62030)
11/29/2017 at 18:41, STARS: 0
Blech. Don’t recommend the Durango. One of my relatives bought one less than a year ago, and with two kids in the back, the thing is already falling apart.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
11/29/2017 at 19:03, STARS: 1
When someone asks me “what [thing] should I get?” and they follow it up with a “I’ve been thinking about [model]” I’ll almost always tell them to go for it unless there’s some obvious reason not to or if they’re unaware that there are more choices (like what phone service to choose).
"Dark chocolate" (amghybridss)
11/29/2017 at 19:11, STARS: 0
I kind of knew it. Wait I actually knew it. Fact is, this relative of mine is young and with a growing family and one of he few relatives I am fine with (lol). So I was genuinely trying to help him. But what happened was something else, he felt like I was dodging the bullet and telling him stories.
"Dark chocolate" (amghybridss)
11/29/2017 at 19:12, STARS: 1
It’s hard for me to not speak my mind. lol. Also I am try to steer people clear of Honda / Toyota.
"Dark chocolate" (amghybridss)
11/29/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 0
My dad’s boss used to ask me what Mercedes / Audi (model year) he should buy / not buy.. when I was 21. He followed my advise to the T, after he ignored it for the first time, and MB launched a new model as soon as he bought his. That was 2 decades ago. Also, damm I old, Also, Damm you are a kid. lol.
"Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise)
11/29/2017 at 19:23, STARS: 0
This happened to me with my cousin. She wanted to spend about $6000 on a used fiesta I recommended a corolla (she didn’t want things to go wrong and have to fix things, and she wanted a small car) and she leased a brand new Smart Car instead. Which is fine but didn’t fit the parameters she gave me and I had sunk time in researching cars in another state and finding potential ones for her to look at.
This also happened with my sister. She wanted to buy the soul my dad was letting her drive while in undergrad. I told her not to because while she had it it got flood damaged and hit and run which I’m pretty sure dented the frame (door doesn’t shut right and there is a small but visible dent on the front door frame). The damage was never repaired and both times my dad refused to have it looked at or accessed (despite having full coverage). I basically told her anything could go wrong with it at any time and that it might not be structurally sound which is bad in an accident. She bought it anyway.
I think at this point i think I’d rather not be asked at all. They don’t want to listen anyway unless you tell them they are making the correct decision.
"Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise)
11/29/2017 at 19:24, STARS: 1
Why steer them clear of them. They are pretty reliable (Honda not as much as they used to be) and good cars.
"Dark chocolate" (amghybridss)
11/29/2017 at 19:31, STARS: 2
I have personal hatred against all things Toyota (except for the LC and Avalon). And a lot of things Honda (except accord). My family and friends knows if i don’t talk about / recommend models from Toyota / Honda, it’s because of my personal hatred. That being said, a lot of my friends have Honda / Toyota / Lexus / Acura and I am absolutely fine with that. Their money.
"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
11/29/2017 at 19:46, STARS: 1
Silence scum!!! Someone revoke this mans right to free speech!
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
11/29/2017 at 20:05, STARS: 0
This is why I try and deflect when people ask me for car buying advice. The few times I’ve tried to help people choose cars, show them reviews and comparisons and give them pointers for buying used, they just went for the car they were thinking of in the first place.
"facw" (facw)
11/29/2017 at 20:07, STARS: 1
Maybe this? http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/05/once-someone-buys-a-car-you-have-to-be-nice-about-it/
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
11/29/2017 at 20:22, STARS: 1
Ship him to North Korea?
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/29/2017 at 20:43, STARS: 1
Friend: “I want something reliable, but sporty. Not too expensive, but not cheap. I also want to be fast but get fuel economy. And nothing boring like a Toyota/Honda. Nothing too fancy like German car, though. Oh, and it has to have AWD, power everything, fit 7 people and my luggage, but I don’t want a big car. Like a bigly-small car maybe that satisfies all the shit I just said. What do you think?”
Me: “NO”
"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
11/29/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 1
Close. Looks like it might be book only?
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
11/30/2017 at 00:38, STARS: 1
I suffer from David Tracy/Jason Torchinsky levels of madness so when I do make car suggestions, I always suggest some of the weirdest solutions.
“I need a suv because a haul a lot of stuff all the time.”
“I suggest a Chevy Spark with a towing hitch and a cheap Harbor Freight trailer.” lol
"Tristan" (casselts)
11/30/2017 at 02:01, STARS: 0
“what [thing] should I get?” followed by “I’ve been thinking about [model]” translates to “I’ve already got my decision completely solidified in my mind and I’m only asking you because I want you to affirm my decision. If you say anything other than ‘that’s a great idea!’ I will completely ignore you.”
"beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard" (beardsbynelly-Rikerbeard)
11/30/2017 at 05:09, STARS: 0
A mate of mind once had a JDM 1998 Legacy GT Wagon with (I think aftermarket) jump seats
twin turbo. 7ish seats. roof racks. awd. manual.
Fuggen good car
"ateamfan42" (ateamfan42)
11/30/2017 at 08:33, STARS: 0
“I suggest a Chevy Spark with a towing hitch and a cheap Harbor Freight trailer.” lol
As the owner of a Miata with a towing hitch and a cheap HF trailer, I approve this suggestion!