Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Eastern Canada What is the value of my car?

Thanks, Chris. You'll find that we've already discussed that point.

Originally posted by chansen:

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Thanks, Chris. You'll find that we've already discussed that point.

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Oops, that's what happens when you skim through a topic.

NP.

Bought a red Toyota Matrix today. Got $5400 on the trade-in. Had to sit through the after-sales speech. Needless to say, I'm both frustrated and releaved.

I'm sorry to see the end of the Mystique. My wife is not. She'll be eternally grateful to be rid of it. We're giving up handling, acceleration and a couple of creature comforts. We gain space, utility, reliability, fuel efficiency and peace of mind. It got that I was wincing at every strange noise, wondering if it would cost me money.

Thank you to all who offered ideas on how to approach this. Hopefully, Rob takes the winter rims and tires off my hands, and I can start affording this purchase.

Regards,
Craig

What after the sale speech?

Congrats on the new purchase. I'll see you tomorrow about the tires.

Originally posted by chansen:

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...Bought a red Toyota Matrix today. Got $5400 on the trade-in....

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Both people I know with them, are quite happy with their purchase, hopefully you will be too.
The trade-in value you got was about right; based on 200k life expectancy you had consumed about 80% leaving a residual of 20%. With original list of about $27k that's about $5400. At least that's the way I crudely value cars.

mbb41,

Oops, I just now understand what you mean. The "after the sale speech" I refer to is the part where they usher you into a back room after the deal is made, and try to sell you on their protection products and services. I am not paying them $1300 for some Scotchguard, undercoating, a wax job and a piece of plastic film on the hood. But they won't take that answer until they finish the speech. So I have to listen to the idiot regurgitate the same speech he's given a million times before. Almost walked out. The extended warrantee is another matter. $1500 for 7yrs/200,000 km is worth consideration by someone who just replaced their tranny at 158k for $3000.

I believe I originally replied to your question assuming you were unhappy with my "after-sales speech". I apologize for the misunderstanding. The buying experience apparently caused some post-traumatic stress.

Craig

LOL. I've had that speech before but try this one on for size.

Me....what is this $300 charge for?
Ford.....Ohh that is for the theft protection program that this dealership supports.
Me....I don't recall asking for this and don't wish to pay for it thank you.
Fraud.....Ohh well that is fine so we won't do the window etching but you'll still pay for it anyways.
Me....??????
Fraud....Well you don't have to get upset. It just our policy.
Me....Well I don't have to buy your car. Thats my policy.
Fraud....Ohhh wait maybe there is something we can do.......


You get the Drift. That was the first sign that this dealership was trouble. Learned my leason many time over there before I wrote a few fan letters to various head people types. Moral here is I feel your pain and violation of the "backroom tactics"

I remember my after-sales speech.

I wasn't pressured into anything. I knew I wanted rustproofing/undercoating and extended warranty. That's all. The woman tried to push for the entire rustproofing/undercoating/paint sealant/Scotchgarding. I held my ground mainly because 1. I wax my own car, and 2. I go to Wal-Mart and pick up $11 worth of Scotchgard and spray myself

Then we got to the extended warranty. I went up to the maximum. We've owned Fords before. So, this is some extra insurance.

Then I was being talked into life insurance and some protector cost thing on my car. Has to do with me being unable to work and payments are covered, and when giving back the car after my lease...damages are covered. Well...I shot their bubble because I got a nice job and I'm running the car into the ground.

Yep, $287 for window etching. They attempted to add that at the original sales end, not post-sales. By this point, I was so crazed that I the salesman had to take me seriously when I said, "No" to that charge.