buying xlr

6711 Views 12 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Webfather, Mar 3, 2004

motorboat

Discussion Starter · Mar 2, 2004 (Edited)

problems buying a xlr

Anyone having problems buying a new XLR? I have been looking for one to buy at MSRP on the web. All the dealers around Houston list the ones they have but not what they will sell them for. Most of them want 5k to 10k over MSRP or more. This is a rip off!!!
Now I know this is new car and there a few that are not presold but to sell them over MSRP is a rip off.
I found one at "Stewart Cadillac" in Houston Texas on the net. I called them and asked what it was selling for, the salesman said MSRP. I asked him if he was sure it was MSRP and he said YES for sure. I asked him if it was a demo and he said no. I then asked him how many miles on it he said he would check and call me back. When he did he said it had 56 miles. I asked him if he took in trades and told him what I had to trade "it a 2003 Expedition Eddie Bauer fully loaded w/9771 miles". He said he would get with his Sales mrg. and call me back. When he did he said around 28k with out seeing it. I told him that was under trade in-price in the NADA book but if he thought it might go a little highter I would drive down there to see if we could make a deal. He said great. I drove 90 miles on my one day off a week to make the deal. When I got there he shows me the car but the SALES mrg. comes up and tells me he could NOT sell the car for MSRP it would be 6k to 10k more. I said OK but give me 7k-12k more for my trade he said no way...
Does Cadillac know that people are getting ripped off????

In FLA. after the hurricane Andrew people were trying to sell water for $5.00 a gal. and the State was going to put them in jail because that was price gouging. Is this any different?
I have called some other dealers but they are doing the same thing.."selling over MSRP"
Anyone know a dealer that tells the truth? At MSRP the dealers are making a great deal already...
I have never payed MSRP for any car or truck but I was willing to do it for this one but not more then that. :banghead

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xlr

· #2 · Mar 2, 2004 (Edited)

Never believe anyone on the phone. Always have the dealer fax you the purchase order and tell them the manager must sign it before its faxed.
The last 2 cars I bought I wont even visit the dealer. I tell them if they want the business they must come to me. We negotiate over the phone and they bring the car to me and drive my trade away. Too many years of BS when you get to the dealer. They dont dare come to your house to screw around.

Finally, only deal with the Sales Manager - otherwise you are wasting your time.

For 76K this is the least they can do and they will.

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Webfather

· #3 · Mar 2, 2004

Most dealers are morons

The last 2 cars I bought I wont even visit the dealer. I tell them if they want the business they must come to me.
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I don't remember the last time I actually bought a car at the dealer. I always do it over the phone.

I don't have the patience for some MORON to ask "So are you ready to buy a car today"

They don't understand that most folks don't walk in for their health.

As for the MSRP.....they play games now that creates ill will and bites them in the ass later.

The best way to sell an SL for Mercedes is to screw with a customer coming in the doors of Cadillac.

Dealers should do THEIR JOB by taking orders on the xlr's and stop looking for the big score.

They are SCHMUCKS and I'll tell you EXACTLY why.

Think of all the people Cadillac dealers are pissing off playing games with the xlr. Let's say each dealer pisses off 3 people a day this year. That is 1000 customers these MORON dealers pissed off trying to make an extra $5k or $10k. Multiply that by all the caddy dealers pulling this crap and GM should be the one that stops it.

I got news for the MORON DEALERS....those 1000 guys you pissed off have a lot more buying power than you trying to make a FAST $5k on a single unit.

Just PROVES the shortsightedness of MOST dealers.

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Ex.SLer

· #4 · Mar 2, 2004

It was only after having serious discussions with three dealers; one in Los Angeles, and two in New York, that I happened upon a dealer than wanted to move units.

Dealer in L.A. wanted 89k plus taxes, etc, ending with a price of just under 100k; first NY dealer wanted 92.5, the second 99.5.

When I attempted to explain (my error) to the salesman that the car wasn't an SL500 and wasn't worth just under 100k, he had no retort but that was the number management "needed."

My error was attempting to explain to him that once driven out the door, the car was worth 76 tops.

Thats a lot of fun just driving out the door.

I received calls for weeks after the visits. One message explained that they were now under new management and wanted to "talk."

For 100 we deserve better and more leather and additional quality all around in the small things, which GM probably can't deliver anyway.

The car seems fairly priced as is, but overpriced at many dealers who have them in stock for immediate delivery.

The car is apparently not sold out by any means, with any number of dealers sitting with them in stock waiting for a killing.

If anything is going to damage the long-term viability of this vehicle, it will most likely be the high prices and "sold out" concept which doesn't really exist, sending prospective buyers to MB, Porsche or upward to higher priced vehicles which will have a better long term resale with undistorted prices.

I'm in total agreement with all who have suggested that GM needs to clamp down on dealers who want to be investment brokers in cars rather than car dealers.

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Quixotic

· #5 · Mar 2, 2004

Supply and demand. If no one will pay over sticker, the price will get lower. If people are willing to pay over sticker, it will stay over sticker.

And don't kid yourself, SLs were going for way over sticker for at least a year after introduction. I looked at a used SL (before I bought my XLR) with 24k on it and they wanted sticker price!

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Quixotic

· #6 · Mar 2, 2004

Another thought on this subject...

From my perspective, I have no problem with dealers charging above sticker... helps my NM XLR keep its value. After all, I paid 85k for it and going price for a production model is still 5-10k above sticker, so 81-86k... Can't keep from smiling!

I'm guessing most current owners agree with me at least a little...

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Ex.SLer

· #7 · Mar 2, 2004

while its nice to have the value of one's vehicle hold, its only a matter of time until they descend.

'03 SLs are now going for 15k off w/ low mileage and 4-5 off if a leftover. '04s are being discounted.

The boat landed.

The XLR is still a more interesting...

and prettier car.

Especially at 25k less.

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Quixotic

· #8 · Mar 2, 2004

I don't expect to make money on it, just like to see less of a loss than I did with my 9k mi. pristine 99 SL, paid about 80, sold it a few months ago for 43, and I got a good price.

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Webfather

· #9 · Mar 3, 2004

I don't expect to make money on it, just like to see less of a loss than I did with my 9k mi. pristine 99 SL, paid about 80, sold it a few months ago for 43, and I got a good price.
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I have the same exact story with my '99 SL except with 8000 miles.

I would estimate that the XLR will hold the value MUCH better.

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Webfather

· #10 · Mar 3, 2004

I'm guessing most current owners agree with me at least a little...
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From a consumer standpoint I agree with you 100%.

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Quixotic

· #11 · Mar 3, 2004

Let's hope so!

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paulr44

· #12 · Mar 3, 2004

Suggest you contact Schooley Cadillac in West Palm Beach, FL. Honest dealer who sells at MSRP

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Webfather

· #13 · Mar 3, 2004

If anything is going to damage the long-term viability of this vehicle, it will most likely be the high prices and "sold out" concept which doesn't really exist, sending prospective buyers to MB, Porsche or upward to higher priced vehicles which will have a better long term resale with undistorted prices.
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BINGO!

THAT is what dealers just don't understand. It is too simple a concept for them to comprehend. They are much too shortsighted.

Dealers: Don't get defensive.....just understand how a consumer sees it and what happens to that customer the minute you make them feel foolish. They just go to the competition and they were FORCED to go there.

If you follwed the customer you BLEW out the door, you would just find them buying a vehicle from someone else. You FAILED!

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