I've had my share of bad experiences with dealers over the years, but yesterday was probably the worst. I've been looking to buy a Daytona Blue 350z Track model. I've been searching for a few weeks now, but it's been pretty hard finding what I want in my area.

I've been talking to a dealer about two hours away from me. I was told over the phone that they had a Daytona Blue 350z exactly the way I wanted it. However, it had lojack installed on it and they said taking it off would not be a problem at all. I was also told I'd get a more than fair trade-in for my car. I told them that I was quoted a certain amount from another dealer and they told me it's not a problem to at least match it.

So I decide to drive up there yesterday. First thing I notice when I get to the dealer is there are two Daytona Blue Track models available. One has navigation...and for some very strange reason it does not have the 18 inch Rays on it. I ask about that and none of the salesmen know what I'm talking about. It looks like they took the wheels off of the car and replaced them with a lower model set of wheels. No one really seemed to know much about the cars. That seemed really fishy to me.

We then get into the car I was looking at. It not only had the lojack installed, but it also had 'chrome' Rays on it (they failed to mention this to me on the phone before I drove up). They marked the price up by 3,000. I was then told by a salesman that changing them out wouldn't be a problem. It also had some small scratches on the paint, they said buffing it out 'should' clear that right up.

So we get down and start to discuss the trade in value for my WRX. Problem is the offer was about 2,500 short of what another dealer offered me (even though on the phone they said matching the other offer wouldn't be a problem at all). Basically they told me what I wanted to hear to get over to the dealership and they wasted my time. I've actually decided againt buying a car now. I'm going to hold off for now and just drive my S2000 and sell the WRX on my own. Maybe I'll reconsider the 350z in a year. I hate having to put up with dealer b.s.

 

Why sell the WRX? That is an awesome car.... you probably already know... but man the mods on that car are really kewl. I saw a black one the other day with a subtle kit, front mounted innercooler, black rims with polished lip, and it was damn aggressive. I think you seem to have a lot of kewl toys already
I would advise to hold off on the Z... I love mine an all.. but you got some nice cars

 

Before you consider a dealership to visit.. call your local Better Business Bureau and ask about the dealer.. You can get a lot of usefull information before hand.. If they have a clean track record, you can feel safe you will be treated right..

Good Luck..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY

Touring/6MT/Chrome Silver/mats & Side air bags.. 3500 miles in 8+ weeks

 

Wow, I'm VERY suprised at Metro Nissan. I've dealt with their sales and service departments in the last 6 months and they were excellent. For a large corporation like Metro Auto Group, they're service ought to be top-notch--I think they own more than 10 dealerships across SoCal. I understand there's always a few bad apples though. Sorry to hear about your experience.

 

Ye ole bait-and-switch.

 

i've had pretty good experiences with that dealer as well. i'm surprised with your encounter. sorry to hear.

 

This is actually a pretty common tactic in the car selling business. Not all dealers use it, though. I'm always bummed to hear when it has happened to someone because it leaves yet another bad impression with the public about car salesmen, who already need all the help they can get PR-wise.

It's been 15 years since I sold cars as a way to kill some time until my wife finished college. Probably the best thing that came out of it in those two years was the education I got about how the business works. I practically stole every car I've bought since then.

I worked for two different dealerships. The first one was cut-throat, which is why I worked for two instead of only one. I didn't have the stomach for the things they used to do to customers so I quit and went down the street to another import dealership. The second dealership was a lot more honest - they were always very fair to the customer.

HOWEVER! Just because a dealer uses underhanded tactics to get you on the lot, it does not necessarily mean you won't get a good deal. These tactics are the traits of a true 'volume dealer'. Much of the time, these dealers are the ones who are most willing to undercut their competition with a lower price. Think about it.

We took some VERY skinny deals at the first dealership where I worked, but we sold a buttload of cars due to the fact that we worked 10 hours a day to get customers on the lot.

The second dealership was much different. My first day there, I walked in to meet my new office partner - he had his feet kicked up on the desk and was reading the sports section. After what I was used to, which was basically 'boot camp', I knew I had made the right decision. My first month there, I sold 22 cars. My nearest competitor sold only 5. I was hated by the other salesmen at first, because the management started expecting them to actually do some work. A few guys quit - the rest became great friends. The management STILL didn't allow low profit deals. The customers who bought at the second dealership did not get deals as good as those at the first dealership where I worked.

BUT, the best thing about the second dealership - they didn't expect me to lie to customers in order to keep my job.

The moral is that the nicest dealerships are not necessarily nice to you financially. The money aspect can last for SIX years if you are financing. The bad tactics aspect only lasts one day if you do it right.

Now that I am a customer, I have no problem putting up with a jerk of a salesman. By the time I leave, I'm the one who's the jerk. Anyone can do this. Just go to the dealer with a price you are willing to pay and don't budge (Consumer Reports pricing reports are worth their weight in gold - get one before you shop for a new car). If you are a qualified buyer, they'll get at least close to your price before they'll let you leave. Oh, that's another tactic - we used to stash the customers' keys in the F&I office after we test-drove their trade, so they couldn't leave without talking to management first. Have a cheap 'test drive' key made before you go so you can escape if needed while the salesman is talking to the manager.

Buyer beware!

Dead

 

Yeah, I went to the dealership knowing what I wanted and wasn't going to budge. They didn't budge either. I went through four different salesmen while I was there. Each time I went to a higher boss...still nothing. But its ok. I've decided to hold off on purchasing a car. Instead I'm going to do some small mods to my s2000 for the time being. I'm probably troll the boards here to see whats going on. I'm still very interested in seeing what happens to the aftermarket for the 350z. Sounds like it's off to a good start. Maybe in two years I'll pick one up then.