The Stinkin' Economy......Or MaryEllen for GM CEO

I’ve always thought our country became a vast economic world force as a result of agricultural and industrial productivity. We grew things and made things that everyone wanted.

That ain’t happening now.

This past fall, I began looking to buy a new truck…an American made truck. Since 1986, I’ve bought Japanese trucks or SUVs. The prices seemed better and the features and quality seemed better. Now, as I’ve read reviews in Consumer Reports, American car makers have finally caught up in quality.

So last October, with every car maker crying for business and desperately trying to sell their 2008 inventories, I began looking in the paper and at online sites for deals. First thing I realized was……every dealer had bazillions of pickups for sale; every possible size, shape, color, and engine/towing package. Prices ranged from $15,000 to $50,000.

After making a few contacts, seemed like Ford and Chevy were not yet dealing. I guess they still had hope for success. Chrysler/Dodge prices were falling, but nothing to bite at. Nissan and Toyota were having year end sales….but nope, I’m gonna buy American.

Then one day, I look at the car sales ads in the Tribune and see a local Dodge dealership is offering 50% off MSRP sticker price on pickups. Though we never pay MSRP for any vehicle, 50% off seemed a great deal. So I emailed the dealer’s online guy, he sent me a link to their inventory, and I found a couple I liked quickly.

That afternoon, I drove over to that dealer’s lot, looked at a couple trucks and picked one out. Sure enough, the sales price was exactly 50% off MSRP, and I ended up buying a pickup with a list price of $26,300 for exactly $13,150. The truck came with a 6-cylander engine, full chrome package, full interior power package and 18” wheels. The only catch was that I had to finance the deal through Chrysler credit, but there was no mandatory period to keep the financing through Chrysler.

Truth is, I have never felt comfortable shopping for a new car or truck. I hate going to a car lot and being attacked by hungry salespeople. I hate negotiating with someone who has fifteen ways to crunch numbers. I have always felt somehow screwed---without being kissed.

This time, buying this truck, was different. I felt good about the deal, I felt good about Chrysler and the dealership. I received many phone calls and emails thanking me for the purchase. This week, I even redeemed a coupon for a free oil change.

Perhaps, just maybe…..if more Americans felt good after buying a new American-made vehicle, our auto industry would not be on the brink of collapse.



A Couple After-Thoughts On Car Buying

First, I’ve always thought all vehicles are overpriced because of easy financing. Prices have become inflated based on one’s ability to make monthly payments, not the true cost or value of a vehicle. As a result, dealerships, car makers, and union workers have done well in the past all the while breaking the backs of the average car buyer. Those days are about over.

A second interesting set of facts came about as I bought my truck. Remember I paid 50% off MSRP of $26,300. As I filled out the paperwork, the real sales price was $20,300. I paid taxes on that price. The other $7000 was a result of Chrysler factory rebates. This leads me to believe that a car buyer can look at an MSRP and immediately deduct 23% to find a true negotiating point. And if you have a trade-in……………you get to deal with those sale weasels further.

posted by admin @ 6:29 PM