How hungry are new car dealers?
 

Been wanting to find a low mileage semi luxury small SUV (think Lexus 350, or Audi Q-5, Acura RDX type) but am in no particular rush. I have been watching on line prices for this type of vehicle and they have not fluctuated much in last few months. Has anyone been into a dealer and found them hungry to negotiate for a sale or are they sitting firm?

Skip Kings in Gilford is good start. They are big Audi fans and service as well


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Jus bought a certified pre owned tacoma from irwins. Inventory is low, and they were bus, several other people looking at the same truck. I wasn’t able to move the price, but knocked down the APR quite a bit.

Skip King usually has very clean cars. He concentrates on German Cars. I bought a Mercedes from him a few years ago and paid all the money. I am not sure that would be the first place I would go to get a "deal".

Last week I bought a 2019 Tahoe at what I think is $4,000 to $5,000 below KBB. After searching on Cars.com, Autrader, CarGurus, Etc. I located it in Indiana. It cost $700 to have it delivered to Gilford.

So far so good, I've only had it for a week but it seems fine. Banks Chevrolet wanted $5,000 more than I paid for a nearly identical vehicle.

There are good deals out there if you take the time to look.

I'm also in the market for a new Suv. We have a 2015 Mazda CX5 and have had very good luck with it so I think we may just buy another new one. We bought the last one with 0% financing and they are offering that again. :)

A wise non gender specific human once said:

"Make a lot of offers. You never know how desperate the other side is."

Just bought a new truck last week. Deals were too good to pass up. Great discount off invoice plus a generous trade in. Dealer was actually quite busy.

Care to share what you bought and where?

Sure, F150 at Irwin's

Drove by the Manchester airport last night to drop of my car at the repair shop. There were a TON of brand new cars just sitting there packed in, Tulley BMW also was loaded with cars, more than I've ever seen them have (a little less in the last week or so).
I'm actually thinking about turning my '17 Edge in for a smaller SUV, found a leftover Cross Trek for about $5K below invoice plus a couple other incentives. If I can get a decent trade-in then I might have a new car next week.
Never hurts to give them an offer!

My neighbor just purchased a Cross Trek. Got the Limited I think. Leather seats anyway. Nice vehicle.

Hard to believe that there are any new leftovers. But have not looked either.

The Cross Trek is Made in Japan. As opposed to other Subaru made in Indiana.
If I am buying a Japanese brand. I would want one made in Japan. Some will scream and holler that all are the same. And yes, there are horror stores about some made in Japan stuff. Takata being one of them.

But overall. If I was in the market for something similar. I'd get made in Japan.

Just a simple opinion. That's all. By the way. My pickup truck is made in USA. And my Japanese car is made in Mexico. But both purchased used.

Suv
 

I never bought an SUV as they handle terribly on the road. Maybe I'm spoiled, (MB owner). I did had an SUV back in the '70s a Scout and the '80s a Bronco II but they weren't my daily driver and did a lot of off-roading.

I tried out the CX5 and I was very impressed with how they handle. For the life of me, I can't understand people who drive dead vehicles????

Hopefully this current virus will disappear. This article was taken from auto news Which is a publication aimed for auto dealers, and predicts a favorable buyers market for Used cars In the coming months and year.
https://www.autonews.com/commentary/...ed-value-storm

It's all about use and lifestyle. I've owned Audis, Wranglers, compact and full-size trucks, a Mustang convertible, etc. Each was awesome at the time. My current 4Runner is the perfect "now" vehicle—bulletproof, spacious, comfortable, rugged, flexible, good for towing... It's the right vehicle for where I'm at in life, just like the Wrangler and Mustang and Audi were right...at the time.

Now...with unlimited funds and a third or fourth garage stall...

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

I agree. Over the years we have owned a huge variety of vehicles, including a raised roof custom van, motorcycles, seven convertibles (Mustangs, Fiat Spyders, MB, Jag, etc). Each great at the time. Latest SUV was a Lincoln MKX. Top notch. Buy something fun, a year old, for cheap. Don't overthink something that is very temporary.

After owning a Cross Trek followed by four Foresters I found myself looking for more towing capacity for a new boat.

I bought an Outback Onyx XT.

It is a rocket but...

It has this stupid ass 11.6" multifunction screen.

Almost all the stuff you would previously push a button or turn a knob to operate requires multiple taps on the stupid ass screen.

To do this you must look at the screen, not at the road.

It's like having the distraction of texting.

I told my wife I'm going to tear that stupid ass screen out and put in a push button radio... and a napkin dispenser.

Until now I have avoided having "technology" in my cars.

I know that soon there will be no avoiding it.

Just because you can computerize everything and control it with a touch screen doesn't mean you should!



FWIW... my airplane has engine controls with different shaped handles and knobs.

I only need to feel them and not look at them.

I agree here! I try to order the base vehicle with no techno Babbo. You have to order it! Dealers will not stock them!

The last truck I ordered (Dakota) was so simple you had to manually roll the windows up! It even plays cassettes! The grandkids thought it is cool!

I still drive a standard! MB 6 speed! The grandkids won't even try to learn!

My wife and I took a Ford Escape out for a test drive a few years back. We drove out one side of the dealer's parking lot and then, after a few hundred feet of being unable to figure out how to turn the radio down, pulled back in and dropped it off. Shortest test drive ever.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

If you drove by the airport on Perimeter Rd at Harvey Rd most of those cars you saw are Enterprise Rentals that will be sold to dealers. They have been "deleting" cars from their rental fleet since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

Reading this thread...
 

Who say the Lakes Region has changed?

Back in the day, on the ride up to the lake:
-a flat tire wasn't an unusual event (I'm not sure "radials" were even a choice).
-all of us kids knew our roles in roadside emergencies
-@ 55mph, many "pit stops"
-smoking tailpipe- thank God that's all it is (better than it falling off)!
- pa-do-din! what ever the game was , you could punch your sibling in the arm
-seat belts???
-detours??? (in rural N.H.)- (add 1/2 - 1 hour to trip!)
-single tempo wipers- sing a song to that tempo- Frere Who? (how many times?)
-over heat?- Hah!
-windshield- I think we had bigger/more bugs back then!
-finally- the RADIO- who had control?

Making a deal on a left over 2019 Mazda CX5 right now.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Great car, my daughter bought one last year. My wife liked it so much that she bought the same car, only she has the turbo.

We traded in a 2015 CX5. We had such good luck with it we decided to buy another and got a great deal. I was pleasantly surprised to find a left over of the model we liked. We got the Grand Touring which is loaded with more features than we even wanted.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

How many cars have you owned?
 

I thought this would be interesting - how many cars have you owned so far, new and used and for how long have you been driving?

Driving 41 years - first few years I drove my parents' vehicles.

But I have only owned: 6 total (3 used, 3 new)

First owned car was a used Datsun 210 bought in 1984
Second car was a new Nissan 200SX bought in 1987/88
Third was a used Nissan Pathfinder bought in 1999
Fourth a used Buick Riviera bought in 2002
Fifth a new Toyota Avalon bought in 2005 (my youngest still driving and it's at over 340,000 miles)
Sixth - new Toyota Highlander bought in 2017

My oldest daughter - at 28 - has already had 5 and just signed a lease for number 6.

LOL

I'm 43, have been driving since 16.5, and have had twelve vehicles:

'82 Volkswagen Rabbit
'85 Chevy Chevette
'85 Mazda GLC
'82 Honda Accord
'87 Cutlass Cierra
'98 Audi A4
'02 Nissan Frontier
'09 F-150
'10 Wrangler
'12 Ford Escape
'13 Mustang Convertible
'18 Toyota 4Runner

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

I've been driving for 50 years but I'm a car guy so I can't even remember all the cars I've owned. If I had to guess it's in the hundreds. I have 4 cars registered right now.
2019 Mazda CX5
2011 Chevy Silverado
2003 Chevy Tahoe
1967 Chevy Corvette

Pics of the Corvette please! 😀

I just sold my 2017 Z06 / Z7. It was great car, I just wasn’t using it enough... Always wanted to get a pic of it next to a 67 to show 50 years of progress...never got the chance...

Dan

I am old so there have been many vehicles!

62 Buick Skylark
68 Chevelle Malibu (Class Winner 1972 NE Dragway!)
72 Chevelle Malibu (400CI/300HP)
66 Chrysler New Yorker
72 Oldsmobile Cutlass
77 Corvette Convertible
1947 American LaFrance 100 Ft Aerial Ladder Fire Truck (with 4 partners)
80 Buick Regal
84 Oldsmobile Cutlass
5 Ford Crown Victoria Company Cars (84 – 99)
84 Rolls Royce (with a partner)
2007 Tahoe
2012 Bentley GTC
2011 BMW 328I Convertible
2011 Mercedes E550 Convertible
2014 Mercedes E550 Convertible
2017 Mercedes GLE 350 4Matic
2019 Tahoe

On order: 2020 C8 HTC! (Hope to see it by August!)

I built the Corvette from a basket case. It's a labor of love, because I have way more money into it than I could sell it for. It's cheaper to buy one all done. They bring 50K on up now.

Attachment 16001

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Small block or BB? I had a 64 way back. Worked in a shop as a kid and bought a 327/300 car roadster with rear clip blown off. Sold to buy a work truck for first business. Still on the fence about that decision! Still have an old car but I am into old motorsickles.

It has a 1996 EFI 350 with a 6sp trans from a Camaro.

Well done- and you have the BB hood! That is a great package- the LS motor swap and 6 speed is what I would use on anything I do moving forward. I spent a fortune building the 455 Olds motor.

I just retired March 1st from the auto repair business. I find that after 50 years of working on cars I really don't want to touch one now.
I've been doing a lot of carpentry these past few months that has peaked my creative interests.

Attachment 16002Attachment 16003I have a buddy that has this home and garage in Moultonborough just befor the Long Island bridge. He has 1967 Corvette that he's had since he was 16 years old and he's older than me. I've had mine for about 15 years.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Thanks for the pic! Great car!! Love the looks of the 67!

My neighbor in Gilford has a 67 and it is 100% original including paint and in great shape! He only drives it once or twice a year. I missed the opportunity of getting side by side pics with my 2017 Z6 before I sold it...

Dan

Attachment 16004
I found this one for a buddy of mine last year. He bought it for his father as a retirement gift. It's a real 67 big block.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Beautiful
 

That is gorgeous!!

As a matter of fact, he and his wife are coming over for an early dinner today and I'm sure he'll be bringing the Corvette. :D

I haven't brought it to NH yet. I have a 1/2 mile dirt road to my property and even though the road is well taken care of, black doesn't take too well to dirt roads.:(

New truck mileage?
 

Cool Biggd! Your buddy's roadster is a beaut too.

I am about to find out how the new market for a pickup is- just wondering if I should hold off a bit until the stimulus money dries up. I drove to SC 3 weeks ago for work, but while I was here a co-worker said he wanted to buy my 2016 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. So I will fly home tomorrow instead. I have my old 99 F250 to drive in the meantime.

So, you folks with new 1/2 ton trucks, what do you have and what is your real mileage? When Ram flashed my truck because they cheated the emissions testing, I dropped 3MPG on the highway. I will likely go with gas.

I'm not a big Dodge fan. I prefer Chevy or GMC.
The guy who's coming over with the Vette also has a 2018 loaded Silverado with a 5.3 liter engine and he tells me he gets between 19 and 21 MPG.
My 2011 Silverado only gets around 15 MPG.

Vita;

I have purchased over 100 vans and trucks for my business over the years to include Ford, Dodge, Chevy / GMC, diesel and gas and the ones that have always lasted the longest with least amount of repairs by far have been our Chevy vans and pickups with the 5.3L V-8. We average 275,000 hard miles out of them before we get rid of them.

My personal vehicles are a 2014 Chevy 1500 High Country Pickup with a 5.3 L and a 2017 Chevy Tahoe Premier also with a 5.3 L. I get low to mid 20's on the highway and around 18 in the city. The pickup gets slightly better mileage. They both suck towing anything mileage wise and I don't bother to check it any more! I do have a heavy foot also!

FWIW;

Dan

Getchoo a Chevy van.
https://youtu.be/RFnkCIwGwiA

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Thanks Dan, As noted earlier- I do like Chevy LS motors. I would be more than happy with that mileage!

I have had decent luck with my Ram and like it for its "carness" I would not keep one to drive the wheels off like I will do with the next one.

I would be great with that mileage!

That is nothing short of pure corvette porn right there! WOW love that color combo, knock off wheels, red line tires, side pipes.... un huh.

All it needs is an L88 under the hood ;)

It's just a plain old 427/390hp.[emoji3] But it is much more steetable than an L88.[emoji16]

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Attachment 16011This is them pulling in my driveway yesterday afternoon. [emoji3]

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

I normally rent cars numerous times per year. Lately I have been getting blasted with emails from the rental companies suggesting to rent a car for months at a time. Funny thing is with unlimited miles, no cost of maintenance or tires the amount is not much different from buying or leasing and they say you can swap cars any time. "Car is dirty, give me a new one"

Read an article somewhere about how seniors rent cars and do just that! Swap cars when they get dirty and still maintain a monthly rent contract!

The same article also mentioned taking two weeks of Caribean cruises during the off-season or when the boat has vacancy before sailing for less money than renting at a cockroach motel!

I had a dream, leasing Dodge Challengers and taking Royal Caribean cruises on my SS income!

Picking up a '19 CrossTrek leftover. Fully loaded except for nav and the upgraded sound. Got it for the basically this years base model that I would have gotten. Got a good deal on my trade in too. did it all online, then they brought the car to me for a test drive yesterday. Going to do last minute signature at 5pm today. One person in the showroom at a time so they only had one slot for me to pick the car up today.
Best part, they said it will be less than an hour there, and in total I think that I spent 30 min with the test drive and negotiations and everything. The FASTEST I've ever done getting a car. Fingers crossed that all they need is a signature this afternoon.

I didn't do my purchase on line. I made an appointment at the dealer and we spent 4 hours there but got a great deal on the left over 2019 Mazda so I didn't mind. The sales person was great but when I got to the finance guy he was a little pushy trying to sell me an extended warrantee and a bunch of other BS that I didn't want. You just got to remember to say NO to all that extra BS.

Had an appointment at 5pm to sign. They had all my info for the financing. The guy did his pitch for the extended warranty, and as usual I declined. No issues. As I was signing, the sales guy switched my plates, and I was in/out in about 50 min total. Got an extra surprise, car has remote start through an app, not that I'll ever use it, but my wife will!!!

Not sure if that is an extra bonus. Might have come standard with car.

Some factory installed remote start are in the FOB (the remote). While others use your smart phone with an app.

A very desirable feature for those who leave car parked in driveway in Winter up North.

Good in summer
 

Before leaving the car to play golf on a hot day, set the a/c for max air and max fan. When finushed and in range, open the trunk and start the car. Take your time changing out of your golf shoes, putting clubs away, and saying so long to your playing partners, then open the car and you are halfway to a nice cool car.

Dave

It was more a surprise, I didn't know that it had.

Me. If ever I did seek a new vehicle. It would have factory installed remote start. One feature that is mandatory for me.

Unless getting a basic budget low priced economy car.

Factory installed remote start.

We didn't get the factory car starter in our new Mazda because we had it in the one we traded in and we didn't like it. We are going to have an aftermarket unit installed before winter.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

On “the news” yesterday, there was a bit about an influx of rental cars in the country that are usually sold on a regular basis. Now the rental car sales lots are overflowing and they say the prices of the used vehicles should be considerably lower when they begin to be sold on a more regular basis.
Might be a good time to check the rental companies for bargains?

Are factory remote starters 2-way yet?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

What do you mean by “2 way”?

Meaning the starter unit in the vehicle responds to the remote control so the user knows the vehicle is started.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Ahh! I see what you mean...my remote flashes before startup but I have to be in sight of my truck’s flashing light sequence to be sure it started. Kind of a pain but we work around it. AC and heat are a must for the dog who is always in the vehicle.

That's the beauty of a 2-way starter, no need to see it. I used to have a sick 2-way that would start 1/4 mile away...through the walls of my school. I think nowadays most higher-end units have moved to GPS/cell start-up or something.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Yeah..I recall years ago, my brother had one of those with the LCD display on the fob...if I remember right, he had nothing but problems with it...sometimes simpler is better.

I had the 2way starter fob on the 2015 Mazda that I traded in and hated it. It was too big and too complicated. I prefer the smaller simpler aftermarket fobs.
When I told the sales rep why I didn't want it in the new one he told me he's heard that complaint quite a few times.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

You got the wrong style. This is half the size of my wife's Jeep fob and just about the same size as my Toyota key with the controls on it (but no remote start).Attachment 16078

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Since we have migrated from new car dealer hunger to remote start equipment I shall share a story:

I got my daughter a remote start kit for Christmas and also committed to installing it. After several frustrating hours of electrical wizardry gone wrong, I was at an impasse.

I called the help line and got a nice lady in Arizona on the phone. She handed me off to her husband with whom she co-owns the company. After he finished helping me straighten out the spaghetti, he asked me where I was located. When I told him the state he said "Really? What town?" "Really? My wife is from there!"

It turned out that she was not only from my town but also graduated high school with me.

I remembered her and she remembered me.

What are the chances of that?

No, the one I had was a factory Mazda unit with the LED screen on it. We hated it!
I'm going to get an after market unit for my new Mazda.

Good luck—let us know what you end up choosing, I'd be interested to know a bit about today's tech.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

I just read an article that said because of the shut down dealers are running low on new car are supply now. I'm glad I bought when I did.