Honda Civic

[GlassJaw]

Seriously, booting somebody for calling the competition? That's just stupid. You sure won't get a sale that way. Nor will you impress anyone, especially anyone who talks to the person who got booted.

Hey, I'm not saying I did it - but I have seen it happen. I think you'd be surprised how most dealerships would react in that position.

If you're dealership's good, and on the up-and-up, you don't fear customers who come armed with a bit of knowledge about the car they're looking at and the prices they can get from other dealerships in the area. In fact, you better get off your lazy butts and start expecting much more informed and savvy customers.

Not exactly sure who the "you" is in your post. I used to be a salesman and I hated it. It was only to pay the bills and for a very short time at that.

But in response to the "on the up-and-up" dealerships, most of them are. Most of them expect the customer to come in with prices off the internet. Heck, some of them even have computers in the showroom so the customers can look up the prices. But underneath all that, dealerships are still dealerships. Most of the sales managers are very old-school. They only care about one thing: pushing product. They are very arrogant. Like I said, I hated the business even when I was on the inside.

Working for a car company and being a salesman at a dealership is a huge difference. I can honestly say there is a HUGE disconnect between car manufacturers and dealerships. I would bet that most of the higher management types of most car manufacturers would be apalled if they saw what goes on at dealerships.

So...go to a dealership tonight, pick out a car, negotiate a price, and then right before you sign on the dotted line, call another dealership and see what happens. Come back and tell me how it goes.

 

[Xath]

I'm not sure if this sentence says more about the Civic's durability, or your dad's driving skills...

Actually, none of the accidents were his fault. He's been slammed into from behind, and had trucks smash the windshield when they tossed up rocks. People have also collided into the side of the car, and some of the accidents have happened when the car was just parked.

We named it Crunchy, as it seems to be an accident magnet.

 

[Desdichado]

Not exactly sure who the "you" is in your post. I used to be a salesman and I hated it. It was only to pay the bills and for a very short time at that.

Oh, it wasn't for you, I was just building up a head of steam against the attitude in general.

But in response to the "on the up-and-up" dealerships, most of them are. Most of them expect the customer to come in with prices off the internet. Heck, some of them even have computers in the showroom so the customers can look up the prices. But underneath all that, dealerships are still dealerships. Most of the sales managers are very old-school. They only care about one thing: pushing product. They are very arrogant. Like I said, I hated the business even when I was on the inside.

Oh, I know. Maybe shady was too strong a word. Being impatient with customers who want to take their time and really research stuff, or who expect to really negotiate the best deal they can may not be unethical, but it's annoying to the extreme, and bad business sense. Like I said, in most larger cities, at least, there's dozens of Honda dealerships. Expecting to get the sale because you're just pushing product, instead of really treating your customers right, seems quixotic. You're going to lose more potential sales than you gain, especially over time.

Working for a car company and being a salesman at a dealership is a huge difference. I can honestly say there is a HUGE disconnect between car manufacturers and dealerships. I would bet that most of the higher management types of most car manufacturers would be apalled if they saw what goes on at dealerships.

I wouldn't doubt it. I think most higher management guys actually probably know more than they let on, but it's a big political thing too. This may not be true for all brands, but it is for most; the dealerships are independent companies, and not under any real reporting or obligatory relationship with the car manufacturers at all. And of course, the car manufacturers are dependent on the dealers to sell for them. No matter what either of them knows about the other, there's only so much they're willing to stick their necks out for.

 

[DaveStebbins]

I have owned a 99 Civic and was very happy with it (gave it to my ex in the divorce settlement or I'd own it still). Currently own a 2005 Toyota Echo and am very happy with it. You generally can't go wrong with either Honda or Toyota. The only reason I'd vote for Toyota is that they have a much cooler Formula One Racing Team. Seriously, it made a difference in my purchasing decision last year.

-Dave

 

[IronWolf]

I have a 97 Civic which is still running strong, only 87,000 miles on it. We also have one of the newer Toyota Corollas which runs great and seems to be a very solid car.

I agree with some of the others, I would probably go for the used Civic with the Luxury package. Heck, it only has 11,000 miles on it which is nothing for a Honda or Toyota.

 

[Lefferts]

That could be problematic, as he is about 6'4. But he currently drives a Ford Escort hatchback, so I don't think leg room is a big concern for him.

He may have a problem with headroom. My wife had a 2000 Civic and I had to tilt the seat back to almost 45 degrees so I wouldn't hit my head on the ceiling - and I am only 6 foot.

I hated the car - didn't like the way it drove and not enough power, but I will say that it may have saved my wife's life. Before we started going out she fell asleep at the wheel and drove off the road. The car should have been totaled (not according to the insurance though), but she was relatively unhurt.

 

[Xath]

Update: We went to the dealership yesterday and had the coolest sales person ever. We looked at 2005's first, and found that we really liked the 2005 LX Special Edition. The guy was great, and we ended up getting it for a *total* price about $1000 lower than it's list bluebook value.

 

[der_kluge]

I have owned a 99 Civic and was very happy with it (gave it to my ex in the divorce settlement or I'd own it still). Currently own a 2005 Toyota Echo and am very happy with it. You generally can't go wrong with either Honda or Toyota. The only reason I'd vote for Toyota is that they have a much cooler Formula One Racing Team. Seriously, it made a difference in my purchasing decision last year.

-Dave

That is one of the oddest reasons I've ever heard of for buying a car.

 

[nakia]

Update: We went to the dealership yesterday and had the coolest sales person ever. We looked at 2005's first, and found that we really liked the 2005 LX Special Edition. The guy was great, and we ended up getting it for a *total* price about $1000 lower than it's list bluebook value.

Score! Congrats on the new car!

 

[Angel Tarragon]

'Grats on the new car!