More car stuff
Aug. 14th, 2006 09:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
altivoWent to the Ford dealer on my lunch break, drove an '07 Escape with the 4 cyl. engine but it had an automatic transmission. Liked it, except for the automatic. It will suit, so I asked them to get me a price with the 5 speed manual. A series of questions about options, like radio, roof racks, and so forth followed. Twenty minutes later they had located two vehicles that met my requirements, even down to color (one blue, one red) so I told them to go ahead and try to trade with the other dealer to get me one. They seemed sure they could manage that so I left them a deposit. If they can't get either one, I'll just custom order and wait. I know what I want.
Compared to other experiences with car dealers, this was pretty pleasant. I always go with a pretty firm idea of what I'm after. Sometimes they try and try to sell me something different. I have walked out of a number of places for that reason. No arguments this time, it was "the customer is always right" all the way. Now we'll see if they can deliver. They claimed they would have the new car by tomorrow, and I doubt that. By Thursday sounds more like it, or possibly the custom order will be necessary.
I was amused by the surprise they expressed at my preference for a manual transmission. "You're one of a dying breed," the salesman said. Later the sales manager asked me again if it was really true that I had never owned an automatic. I assured him that it was. I've owned six automobiles, three of which were purchased new. All had manual transmissions. I've never had a clutch replaced or a transmission overhauled. I always get exceptional mileage. Good reasons to stick with what I'm used to.
When I asked if they'd give me a trade-in value on my Cherokee, there was more surprise. "You bought that new? I guess we won't be seeing you back for another car for a while..." Well, I hope not. I believe in getting my money's worth out of a purchase that size. ;p
Compared to other experiences with car dealers, this was pretty pleasant. I always go with a pretty firm idea of what I'm after. Sometimes they try and try to sell me something different. I have walked out of a number of places for that reason. No arguments this time, it was "the customer is always right" all the way. Now we'll see if they can deliver. They claimed they would have the new car by tomorrow, and I doubt that. By Thursday sounds more like it, or possibly the custom order will be necessary.
I was amused by the surprise they expressed at my preference for a manual transmission. "You're one of a dying breed," the salesman said. Later the sales manager asked me again if it was really true that I had never owned an automatic. I assured him that it was. I've owned six automobiles, three of which were purchased new. All had manual transmissions. I've never had a clutch replaced or a transmission overhauled. I always get exceptional mileage. Good reasons to stick with what I'm used to.
When I asked if they'd give me a trade-in value on my Cherokee, there was more surprise. "You bought that new? I guess we won't be seeing you back for another car for a while..." Well, I hope not. I believe in getting my money's worth out of a purchase that size. ;p
