OT: AAA bent my car door

[awaz]

Do it. Probably will get a better deal. Use the internet. Email a few dealerships telling them exactly what you want. Those internet guys can almost always get you a better price since they normally aren't commission but volume based. Plus you can hit 4-5 dealerships without having to leave the SportsHoopla

ya, i'm just tired of doing the paperwork.. i sat in their dealership for 4 hours on monday working through all this crap.. its freakin stressful!

I was thinking more along the lines of like a Chevy Trailblazer (if I can find one with low enough miles) or a Dodge Nitro. I like American.

i thought the nitro had some serious issues with blowing up or something.. did they fix that? also, as a current dodge owner, i would advise against dodge.. there was like a 4 year stretch where i had to dump $1000 in to fixing things every year.. the car only has 75k miles on it now, and that little string started 6 years ago

 

[SLY]

ya, i'm just tired of doing the paperwork.. i sat in their dealership for 4 hours on monday working through all this crap.. its freakin stressful!



i thought the nitro had some serious issues with blowing up or something.. did they fix that? also, as a current dodge owner, i would advise against dodge.. there was like a 4 year stretch where i had to dump $1000 in to fixing things every year.. the car only has 75k miles on it now, and that little string started 6 years ago

Yea, I just like the somewhat muscle-y look to the Dodges. I will most likely stick with Chevy, and maybe go to Ford. Only jap company I like is Honda. Those Honda Pilots are nice, but a little out of the price range I want to spend.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

i think i might try to bend it back myself before i call them.. chances are they'll be annoying about it, especially since i just signed up w/ them last night (let it expire in april, damnit.)

that shouldnt stop you ... they provided a service and caused damage ... they should fix it and "usually" AA's are all about customer service, at least they are around here


our local BCAA chapter ... after a canucks game 2 years ago our battery was dead ... called in and signed up for BCAA 1 year membership so i could get some assistance ... guy arrived within 5 mins of call ... checked battery jumped it ... suggested we get a new one ... no pressure to buy from him on the spot ... wasnt the most communicative guy but friendly (eastern european i think)

at the end he pulls out 6 white envelopes and says "pick" and i was like what the fuck is this? lol and he's ... "caman just pick"

so i pick and open an envelope and it has a blue slip in their that says "sorry not a winner"

he comes back from his tow truck after wiping the grease off his hand and asks "did you win?"

me: "No"

he hands me the 5 remaining envelopes and says "pick again ... you can hold and feel them this time"

me: "ok ?????"

one feels thicker so i pick it

bang

free canucks tickets lol

dollar value worth was basically 2 years free BCAA membership

in the end, was a good night !

 

[fordman84]

I even dig the Chevy HHR's. Most people I know hate them, I friggin love 'em. lol

Have you driven one? I got one as a rental car once, sat in it and immediately got out and asked for another car. It was cramped, full of stupid angles that made the entire car a blind spot, and just felt crappy.

 

[awaz]

Yea, I just like the somewhat muscle-y look to the Dodges. I will most likely stick with Chevy, and maybe go to Ford. Only jap company I like is Honda. Those Honda Pilots are nice, but a little out of the price range I want to spend.

ya i hear you.. i actually love the way the charger looks.. i just wont buy another dodge i dont think

 

[fordman84]

Yea, I just like the somewhat muscle-y look to the Dodges. I will most likely stick with Chevy, and maybe go to Ford. Only jap company I like is Honda. Those Honda Pilots are nice, but a little out of the price range I want to spend.

My '99 4runner has worked like a champ. I'm not going to jinx it, but other than a power steering leak shortly before the warranty ran out it has been worry free. New ones are too plastic-y though.

 

[awaz]

that shouldnt stop you ... they provided a service and caused damage ... they should fix it and "usually" AA's are all about customer service, at least they are around here


our local BCAA chapter ... after a canucks game 2 years ago our battery was dead ... called in and signed up for BCAA 1 year membership so i could get some assistance ... guy arrived within 5 mins of call ... checked battery jumped it ... suggested we get a new one ... no pressure to buy from him on the spot ... wasnt the most communicative guy but friendly (eastern european i think)

at the end he pulls out 6 white envelopes and says "pick" and i was like what the fuck is this? lol and he's ... "caman just pick"

so i pick and open an envelope and it has a blue slip in their that says "sorry not a winner"

he comes back from his tow truck after wiping the grease off his hand and asks "did you win?"

me: "No"

he hands me the 5 remaining envelopes and says "pick again ... you can hold and feel them this time"

me: "ok ?????"

one feels thicker so i pick it

bang

free canucks tickets lol

dollar value worth was basically 2 years free BCAA membership

in the end, was a good night !

well shit.. that woulda made my night last night.. i was freakin enfuriated last night over locking the keys in the car, after already being pissed at this dealership

 

[SLY]

Have you driven one? I got one as a rental car once, sat in it and immediately got out and asked for another car. It was cramped, full of stupid angles that made the entire car a blind spot, and just felt crappy.

Nope, never drove one, just dig the somewhat "older" look.

 

[SLY]

well shit.. that woulda made my night last night.. i was freakin enfuriated last night over locking the keys in the car, after already being pissed at this dealership

I keep a spare in my wallet. I used to lock my keys in the car all the fucking time. Always had so much on my mind when I worked for my Father.

 

[awaz]

I keep a spare in my wallet. I used to lock my keys in the car all the fucking time. Always had so much on my mind when I worked for my Father.

thats actually a pretty good idea haha.. i actually dont have a spare anymore, lost it, in atlanta, so i'm not real worried about it considering i've lived in pittsburgh, blacksburg, san francisco, and chapel hill since then.. if whoever found that key finds my car, they can have it because that's committment

 

[SLY]

thats actually a pretty good idea haha.. i actually dont have a spare anymore, lost it, in atlanta, so i'm not real worried about it considering i've lived in pittsburgh, blacksburg, san francisco, and chapel hill since then.. if whoever found that key finds my car, they can have it because that's committment

lol

 

[forty_three]

Yea, that sucks. Not looking forward to car shopping in a couple months. I really like that new Ford Fusion, but I actually think I am just going to go with a crossover SUV. It's more what I need out of a vehicle.

All car dealers are the same too. When I bought my Audi, I went to a dealer that also sells Porsche, Bentley and Aston Martin expecting that a place that caters to people who buy those cars would not try typical used car tricks. I was wrong.

Just remember though, NO ONE is buying cars right now, and you hold all the cards. Be a total dick if you want. They will fall all over themselves to make the sale. You are the only one walking through their door right now. When I bought my car in March, it was one of 6 they sold that MONTH. I raked them over the coals. Paid less for my Audi than I would have for a Honda Accord or Chevy Impala...

This is especially true if you are looking at Chevys and Dodges. They are desperate. Moreso than a Honda or Toyota dealer.

Although between my last Volkswagen and my wife's current Toyota, we combined nearly 485,000 miles. So there's a reason for those dealers to get more visits, I guess. Her Toyota alone is currently at 260k.

Subaru Outback. I always laughed at them, then drove one. Not a stylish head turner, but a solid crossover.

A buddy of mine has one. GREAT car.

I even dig the Chevy HHR's. Most people I know hate them, I friggin love 'em. lol

Count me in the hate. An abomination of a vehicle. Please reconsider.

Have you driven one? I got one as a rental car once, sat in it and immediately got out and asked for another car. It was cramped, full of stupid angles that made the entire car a blind spot, and just felt crappy.

Yeah, this.

I keep a spare in my wallet. I used to lock my keys in the car all the fucking time. Always had so much on my mind when I worked for my Father.

My car has one of those fancy keys that kills the electronics if it's not close. I don't even have to put it in the ignition, just have it in the car and push the start button. I love that.

But as a bonus, the car will not lock if the key is inside, the door is open and the motor is not running. Has saved me a lot. Get out, hit the door locks and close the door. It beeps twice if the key is in there. It also means my car can't be hotwired. The entire electrical system is disabled unless the key is within a certain range.

Oh, and on the original topic; call AAA. Tell them they broke your car. And tell them where they can send the check for repairs. Don't ask. Tell them.

 

[Comeds]

Quick answer, sit in the front seat with the door open pull on the corner and bend it back. Someone once broke into a car I had by bending my door and I guess reaching in and unlocking it. It was a hardly noticeable bend except when going through a car wash or going very fast. I bent it back and it would be fine for a few months than I'd have to do it again.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I was thinking more along the lines of like a Chevy Trailblazer (if I can find one with low enough miles) or a Dodge Nitro. I like American.

I would stay away from cars that have been discontinued (at least for everyday driving). General Motors seems to be especially bad about not keeping spare parts around.

Friend of mine drove a Saturn crossover (the Outlook I think). Had some problems with it not long after he got it, but they had stopped making them by this point. Car was still under warranty and they couldn't find parts to fix it.

Ended up having to trade it in on a GMC crossover.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

+1 on the HHR hate.

Almost as bad to drive as the PT Cruiser.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

All car dealers are the same too. When I bought my Audi, I went to a dealer that also sells Porsche, Bentley and Aston Martin expecting that a place that caters to people who buy those cars would not try typical used car tricks. I was wrong.

Just remember though, NO ONE is buying cars right now, and you hold all the cards. Be a total dick if you want. They will fall all over themselves to make the sale. You are the only one walking through their door right now. When I bought my car in March, it was one of 6 they sold that MONTH. I raked them over the coals. Paid less for my Audi than I would have for a Honda Accord or Chevy Impala...

Funny you say that about buying an Audi, because we had a terrible experience at a local Audi dealership a few months back. We asked to test drive a used Q5 and the guy refused to let us take a test drive.

He then took us back in side and even though they didn't have any new Q5s on the lot, he tried to get us to put a deposit on one. Even though he hadn't even let us test drive the used one.

We left the dealership feeling pretty annoyed, but then got even more annoyed a week or so later when the guy sends the follow-up email. None of the standard "it was nice to meet you" kinda stuff. First sentence was straight into the sales pitch. And not in a good "stop down and we'll take some of the new models we have on lot for a drive" way, but rather in the "we have new models, so put your deposit down now" way.

Sent a scathing response back to the guy and copied the owner of the dealership on the email. Got a call direct from the owner offering to take us for a test drive then.

 

[pixburgher66]

As I read all of this, and keep in mind I know plenty about cars, I realize I better have a man to buy me a car. Not that said man needs to pay, but said man needs to be the jerk in the situation. I would just take whatever they gave me. I'm terrible at that stuff. I suck at being the customer.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

As I read all of this, and keep in mind I know plenty about cars, I realize I better have a man to buy me a car. Not that said man needs to pay, but said man needs to be the jerk in the situation. I would just take whatever they gave me. I'm terrible at that stuff. I suck at being the customer.

I stand my ground ... you dont have to be an asswipe to get what is fair

but speaking of asswipes (lol) ... my brother is off the hook in the other direction ... makes public scenes at banks, retail establishments if stuff doesnt go his way ... uses his presence on twitter to complain about restaurants and get free meals ... and he is ultra proud of it lol

 

[Comeds]

As I read all of this, and keep in mind I know plenty about cars, I realize I better have a man to buy me a car. Not that said man needs to pay, but said man needs to be the jerk in the situation. I would just take whatever they gave me. I'm terrible at that stuff. I suck at being the customer.

It depends on where you go and what you buy. My father sold cars for years before and after his steel mill job. He mainly warned me (and still does) that used cars sales has a much higher percentage of shysters and jerks than new car sales. There are a lot more variables the salesman/dealership can play with. And some used car financing departments can be close to criminal with their dealings.

New cars nowadays are relatively straightforward. You can find out online which pretty much tells you what you should pay for at a dealer for any make or model. If its close to that buy it, if not walk away. The flip side is also to not go so low that the salesman will walk away. He or she needs to make a couple bucks for it to be worth their time.

The best advice I know is that if you find a salesman you like and who deals with you fairly keep his or her card and when you or someone you know needs another card go see them.

 

[pixburgher66]

Considering my future salary...I have a feeling used cars are in my future. Hahaha. I'll keep the advice in mind though, thanks.