Geez, I just can't imagine where car dealers get such a bad reputation?

[Steve Carlton]

The Permaplate reps were usually sporting nice rigs.

[pmax]

How much is this one ?

[WPOZZZ]

Imagine if car manufacturers went direct and cut out the middleman, just like the airlines cut out travel agents.

[Steve Carlton]

Check with cockerpunk. He knows all about it.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Vaguely remember the black Prelude, too. What year model was that?

Do you think you were rewarded for not taking the markups with loyalty later on? I know markups piss people off, but there is the supply and demand thing. Dealers get beat up to give stuff away all the time, often losing money, or running a sales department that relies on parts and service to carry the day. Then, of course, dealers get beat up for their parts and service departments.

I don’t remember. ‘86, ‘87, ‘88…. Somewhere in there.

As for customer loyalty, it didn’t exist. I learned that customers would sell their mother to save $50. That’s one of the things that soured me to the entire business. Dealers have a bad reputation with the public, what the public doesn’t understand is that the customers are far worse. If you spend enough time in the business, you’ll understand what I mean.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by pmax

How much is this one ?

$1,000,000.

Contact Mike Gilbert.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I remember this was the rage in 1989, especially the highline versions.

Back in 1989, the then Mrs. Beard needed a new car. I had it down to:

Ford Taurus SHO
Mazda MX-5
Honda Prelude 4WS
And there was something else

The SHO was selling for $10K over sticker and the dealer wouldn't do a test drive without a signed contract!

The MX-5 was only available to order and there was a huge wait.

The Prelude, they were willing to deal. I ended up buying the Prelude. Bright red with Black interior.

[drcoastline]

I never have this problem, I buy used, let someone else take the hit.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

The original 240Z and Miata were sold over MSRP, I believe.

So were these. Shortly after she took delivery, a gal I worked with was offered $10K more than she paid. As evidenced by the recent used car market, some people can't get rid of money fast enough.

[HardDrive]

This whole thing is absurd. They did not have a contract! The dealer is free to sell them at whatever price they want. Don’t want to pay? Move on.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

I never have this problem, I buy used, let someone else take the hit.

Yep.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by pavulon

So did these. Shortly after she took delivery, a gal I worked with was offered $10K more than she paid. As evidenced by the recent used car market, some people can't get rid of money fast enough.

Yes- the PT Cruiser was selling for $3-5k over MSRP when it came out. I heard the Chevy version was internally called the "Me Too Cruiser."

[speeder]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

This whole thing is absurd. They did not have a contract! The dealer is free to sell them at whatever price they want. Don’t want to pay? Move on.

This. ^^^

And unless you have an issue with dealers discounting off of MSRP over the years, it's hypocritical to be against dealer mark-ups on hot models. Apparently, some people do not know what the "S" in MSRP refers to.

[javadog]

It is a bit ****ty, to negotiate a deal far in advance of production and then not honor it. If, and I say IF, that’s what really happened. Other than that, the market price is the market price, pay it or quit whining.

[Steve Carlton]

I can't imagine any Ford dealer agreeing to sell the good Bronco for MSRP in advance.

[Zeke]

Reminds me of the '89 Speedster. I know a guy that paid way over sticker thinking he was gonna make a killing. Lost has ass. Kept it a wee too long which wasn't long at all.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Yes- the PT Cruiser was selling for $3-5k over MSRP when it came out.

which is shocking

[Steve Carlton]

Months later it was below invoice. The bloom came off that rose fast.

[pmax]

Yay

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Reminds me of the '89 Speedster. I know a guy that paid way over sticker thinking he was gonna make a killing. Lost has ass. Kept it a wee too long which wasn't long at all.

Maybe not long enough? What would an 89 Speedster be worth today?