New Car Decision

[Crash Test]

Ele- once you get dialled in and drive it like a go-kart, you're right. It takes a whole new technique, but you're right, don't take to any off camber corners too fast

[Amaroo Park]

well the Nissan is now out of the running. After having a Fleet Salesman brow beat me (I don't know why I wasted my time becoming a mechanic salesmen know more about cars) about the mechanicals of the car and then come in with the most uncompetive quote I have decided against them. SO what next????????????????????

[Morris 1100]

Keep the Commodore.
You should have got most of the bugs out of it by now! (well it is a VP so he has had enough time)

[DAVID PATERSON]

I had a new Laser all day yesterday while the AU was in for a service and i was pretty unimpressed. It was sluggish and felt light and flimsy, nice upholstery though.

[Amaroo Park]

I am starting to lean towards a Ts Astra. Just trying to get ahold of one to drive around in for a day or 2

[Amaroo Park]

I give up it is all not worth dealing with car salesmen

[elephino]

colin, correct. The salesmen are terrible.

I've bought 2 cars from new, both salesmen were terrible. Nissan was the worse one.

Walked in to the showroom, was greeted (he did not introduce himself) and asked what I was interested in. Had my mum with me as it was to be in her name. Said I'd like to buy (not I said buy) a Pulsar SSS manual. He said there is one outside to look at. He asked what colour, I said that colour - pointing at a blue one. Looked at the car, said to discuss price and even then he did not really think we wanted to buy the car. A waste of space.

The Subaru guy was a little better in wanting to sell the car but still not very forthcoming with anything useful. And hardly wanted to know I exist within 5 minutes of handing over the keys.

Crash, have you tried the clutchless manual version? That's fun when you forget the clutch isn't there and you try to change gears

[Crash Test]

arse!

[calais]

bondy, having worked as a car salesman i can sympathise with you.
when you walk in, look for the salesman that looks most clueless,he will be the one who gives you the less shi*.
if you find that the car you are looking at is the one you want to buy, let him give you his best price first, then tell him what deal YOU expect and that you will walk out if you dont get it.
9 times out of 10, and if your price sounds reasonable, they will give in.
and DO NOT get any extras like tints or mats or anything like that from the dealership. the mark ups on extras is unbelieveable.
at the place i worked, we charged $520 for tints, but they only cost the yard $190 !!!!

[Airhead]

calias,

interesting advice. A little harder for the buyer in a restricted market though. For instance in a regional city with four large new car lots and three specialist second hand lots, there is not a lot of choice if you want model X.

This is especially true with bikes. I went to buy a Ducati, got nicely talked down in trade over two days and then had to wait 12 weeks for the bike. Only 6 more to go.

[calais]

12 weeks????
are they made to order or something???
another piece of advice. you mat walk into a yard and have your heart set on a new car which is colour X and has options A, B and C. chances are they do not have that car in stock. they will try there damnest to try and sell you a car which is similar but not quite the same which just happens to be sitting in their holding yard, and they will spin you spome shi* about long lead times for the car you want.
the ford yard i worked at had a nationwise data base that showed where EVERY car nearest or exact to your description was, and if they really wanted to they could have it there in a matter of days. only problem was, they still have the unsold car sitting in their holding yard, hence the push to buy the car they want you to buy.
everything you hear about the car trade is true, thats why i left it. they are a pack of animals!!!!!

[Amaroo Park]

Originally posted by calais
bondy, having worked as a car salesman i can sympathise with you.
when you walk in, look for the salesman that looks most clueless,he will be the one who gives you the less shi*.
if you find that the car you are looking at is the one you want to buy, let him give you his best price first, then tell him what deal YOU expect and that you will walk out if you dont get it.
9 times out of 10, and if your price sounds reasonable, they will give in.
and DO NOT get any extras like tints or mats or anything like that from the dealership. the mark ups on extras is unbelieveable.
at the place i worked, we charged $520 for tints, but they only cost the yard $190 !!!!

Calais you think I would have learn't I mean I worked in Dealerships in Service Depts for over 10 years but nnoooo.

[calais]

i remember the guys in our service department actually barred the salesmen from entering the workshop!!!!!!!!

[Amaroo Park]

Well after much on again off again thinking I have finally come to a desicion. I have put a deposit on a Mitsubishi Magna from where I work. They are a boring car, but they drive well are very quite and are excellent on fuel consumption. Oh and most importantly it was the right price

[Bomn]

Mitsubishi Magna, the most comfortable car beside Australia's highways.

[garcon]

Dunno when it hits Aus, but there's a brand new Saab 9-3 launched in the UK in September. It's a brand new four door saloon, so a bit of a departure from the old 9-3. More like a baby 9-5. There's a link on www.saab.co.uk

DON'T get a current 9-3 - it runs on a 1980s GM Cavalier chassis...

[DAVID PATERSON]

Bondy, I'm surpirsed that someone who knows about cars would buy a Magna. Welch plugs, timing chains, CV joints, auto transmissions.......

How will you the Torana? FWD is useless for heavy towing.

[Amaroo Park]

Originally posted by DAVID PATERSON
Bondy, I'm surpirsed that someone who knows about cars would buy a Magna. Welch plugs, timing chains, CV joints, auto transmissions.......

How will you the Torana? FWD is useless for heavy towing.

Morris will tow the Torana

They are a lot better now David and to be honest the price I got it for I would have been an idiot to turn it down.

[Bomn]

Nah too easy I'll leave that to someone else.

[Amaroo Park]

Originally posted by Bomn
Nah too easy I'll leave that to someone else.

Nah go on

[Morris 1100]

Tow the Torana with the 1100?

Well it would be better than the Magna!
and at least i don't have to pull the inlet manifold to bits to change spark plugs!

[Amaroo Park]

Originally posted by Morris 1100
Tow the Torana with the 1100?

Well it would be better than the Magna!
and at least i don't have to pull the inlet manifold to bits to change spark plugs!

Yeah but gee it's fun

[Airhead]

Colin, do you find the steering ubelievably light off centre? Otherwise, not a bad highway car.

Crash said something about new Lasers further up the page. I had on from work the other night. Really built to a price, shocking steering feedback. The 323 used to be a classy car, not any more.

[Amaroo Park]

Originally posted by AMoffat
Colin, do you find the steering ubelievably light off centre? Otherwise, not a bad highway car.

Crash said something about new Lasers further up the page. I had on from work the other night. Really built to a price, shocking steering feedback. The 323 used to be a classy car, not any more.

Yes I do Mr Moffat. But is ok you do get used to it. I hope anyway