Funny Dealer Story, I'm still laughing

[DMan]

Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I bought a commuter car, BMW 330 convertible from a local Ford dealership used lot, Koons. I went back to my hard tags, while the guy's installing my tags, I over hear...

Obviously the owner and a sales guy at the counter with me, the sales guy gives him a sheet & says "it's $46K", "it'll be here on 3/19".

I then hear the word Shelby (as some of you know I'm also a big stang ******, 2 vipers, but 5 stangs), and the owner dude says, call when it comes before you put it on the floor so I can take it out for a while. So when they pause I say, you got something special coming in?

Yep, it's the Shelby GT500, it's got the most hp of any car made, 500.
Really, I say, doesn't the Z06 and SRT Viper have that? No, they're like 460hp or something, plus the GT500 is much lighter than the Viper & the Vette so it's no comparison.
Really, I say, so how much is the mustang? $60K.
Really, I say, sounds high for a mustang? Yea, well it lists for $46, but we can sell in one day for $60K.
Really ... oh, tags are on, gotta go.

I've heard sales guys that are oblivious, but this guy & owner/manager were definitely hitting the crack pipe pretty hard.

Dave.

 

[plumcrazy]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

i just love playing with those tools

 

[TRAMP 13]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

DMan they are right the hard top are selling for 15 to 20 over.i stop and talk to a Dealer about the convertible they had, which list for 50 on invoice and they wanted are you ready 80,000.00.I told them I hope they get it .

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Gotta admit they are going for a bunch over , but lighter weight, and the most horsepower of the three ( Viper, Vette, or Stang )?! I applaud your restraint, as I would have chimed right in on the weight comment,and then nailed them on the HP ratings. You obviously were laughing extremely loud inwardly and needed to leave the lot before the guffaws exploded all over the place!!!


Good control, good contol.

 

[DMan]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Oh I know, some are getting huge ADMs, I've been tracking for a year as I'm an avid SVT guy (on my 3rd Cobra) and was hoping to snag one, oh well, but I'm not loving the look (or the high weight, over 4,000lbs) enough for the MSRP, let alone plus an ADM. Of course, there about 50 of these on ebay at anytime for $60K, and the auctions end without sale ... priced at $60K I just don't see it selling in one day - of course it could, at $50K though probably pretty fast, at sticker I might be in there. ;-)

 

[DMan]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Yeah, Bill, when he made the weight comment, my "inner voice" literally screamed in my head, "[*****] are you talking about, that thing is over 2 tons and why I lost interest, and another thing..." lol But, poker facing it was really fun to see how far off track he'd go.

You'd think they'd at least read a magazine article about these cars along the way or something, not that they're much better of course.

Dave.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

They are smarter than that. They are betting the customer isn't.

 

[Pythonpete]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

They are making 10,000 a year. It won't be over sticker for much longer.

 

[viperDoug]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I live in Maryland and know where the dealership is. The dealers around here (dodge included) don't seem to know their cars very well. I was in one dealership lookng at an '06 coupe and the guy told me it had 550 stock HP. This was after I explained to him that I really knew a lot about the car. I couldn't buy it form someone like this....so I got it from John at Roanoke.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Which Koons? Annapolis? My neighbor is head of service for all Koons. I wanna have some fun with him. I'm already anticipating the fun when he brings one of those back to the neighborhood.

 

[DMan]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Koons Ford in Rockville.

I'm still chuckling when I think about it, the guys were so sincere.

 

[patgilm]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I am friends with the GM at Koons in Rockville as well as the used car sales manager. Who did you deal with? Just curious. Of course I cannot speak of their car knowledge as I'm sure they don't know performance cars like enthusiasts. They just know how to sell them.

 

[AviP]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Dman, they are better salesman than you give them credit for. You have now put the word out that $60K is the number so $50K looks like a steal. This from Ford that had a net loss of $12.7 billion.

Let me contribute too. I hear the crossover Edge is flying off the dealer lots. No really!

 

[DMan]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I don't know who they were. The guy that did the talking was obviously someone in charge, one sales guy came up & asked what he wanted him to get him for lunch. And he was discussing the GT500 so they would set it aside for him to drive before putting on the floor.

I just engaged them in casual talk,no sales pitch or anything, they were nice enough, it was just funny how they knew less about performance cars than my 13 yr old son, literally. But that dealership is very small, they're showroom can only hold maybe 3 cars. It looks like 90% of their stock is truck/SUV, so they probably know what they sell, and not the specialty stuff so much. Ahh, it's still funny though.

 

[patgilm]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Funny thing is I remember my friend that is the GM bought a Ford GT at Manheim for more than sticker when the car was selling for much more than sticker. When he tried to sell it the market for those cars cooled off and he ended up taking a $25 hit on it.

 

[bigmike32172]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I heard the same thing at a ford dealer here in Scottsdale.
Oh the Mustang kills the Viper!
I was kinda amazed that the sales guy actually thought this.
Oh well, to each his own I guess.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

They are smarter than that. They are betting the customer isn't.

So true. Too funny to hear and see though. By the way, Chuck, nice amount of posts, 12,345!

 

[ViperJohn]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I live in Maryland and know where the dealership is. The dealers around here (dodge included) don't seem to know their cars very well. I was in one dealership lookng at an '06 coupe and the guy told me it had 550 stock HP. This was after I explained to him that I really knew a lot about the car. I couldn't buy it form someone like this....so I got it from John at Roanoke.

Were you at Fitzgerald's in Frederick?

The sad thing is most of the dealers in our area know nothing about cars, let alone performance cars. I remember when I was buying my Durango R/T back in 2000, some other sales guy said, "You should get the Dakota R/T, that thing is faster than the new Vette! I know because I drove it."

I kindly replied, "I find it interesting that the vehicle that weighs more, has 95 less HP and two less gears is faster. That simply defies the laws of physics. Oh..and just so you know, a stock Vette runs low 13's and the R/T Dakota runs high 14's. I would hate to see the disappointed look on the face to whomever you sell the Dakota to the first time the Vette whips him bad. It will be your fault you know."

What pissed me off more than anything though is the misinformation they give out is due to a lack of product knowledge. Be a professional, take the time to learn about the product you are trying to sell. I refuse to deal with or buy a vehicle from a salesperson whom is not knowledgible about their product.

 

[RavenFan_94]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I was ready to post on this one as being form the area, but John stole my thunder. Well said sir.

 

[ViperJohn]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I was ready to post on this one as being form the area, but John stole my thunder. Well said sir.

Sorry Dude, I had to rant a little.

 

[Photog1]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I live in Maryland and know where the dealership is. The dealers around here (dodge included) don't seem to know their cars very well. I was in one dealership lookng at an '06 coupe and the guy told me it had 550 stock HP. This was after I explained to him that I really knew a lot about the car. I couldn't buy it form someone like this....so I got it from John at Roanoke.

You are a smart man!

 

[NHL2133]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I live in Maryland and know where the dealership is. The dealers around here (dodge included) don't seem to know their cars very well. I was in one dealership lookng at an '06 coupe and the guy told me it had 550 stock HP. This was after I explained to him that I really knew a lot about the car. I couldn't buy it form someone like this....so I got it from John at Roanoke.

Were you at Fitzgerald's in Frederick?

The sad thing is most of the dealers in our area know nothing about cars, let alone performance cars. I remember when I was buying my Durango R/T back in 2000, some other sales guy said, "You should get the Dakota R/T, that thing is faster than the new Vette! I know because I drove it."

I kindly replied, "I find it interesting that the vehicle that weighs more, has 95 less HP and two less gears is faster. That simply defies the laws of physics. Oh..and just so you know, a stock Vette runs low 13's and the R/T Dakota runs high 14's. I would hate to see the disappointed look on the face to whomever you sell the Dakota to the first time the Vette whips him bad. It will be your fault you know."

What pissed me off more than anything though is the misinformation they give out is due to a lack of product knowledge. Be a professional, take the time to learn about the product you are trying to sell. I refuse to deal with or buy a vehicle from a salesperson whom is not knowledgible about their product.

The dealership I sold cars for was the same way. We were taught every way to ****** you with numbers, but never really with the car. There were a number of times I was kicked out of the showroom while trying to study my products, because "you can't sell cars to brochures".

 

[InjectTheVenom]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I heard the same thing at a ford dealer here in Scottsdale.
Oh the Mustang kills the Viper!
I was kinda amazed that the sales guy actually thought this.
Oh well, to each his own I guess.

My reply would've been: wanna race ?

 

[viperDoug]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I live in Maryland and know where the dealership is. The dealers around here (dodge included) don't seem to know their cars very well. I was in one dealership lookng at an '06 coupe and the guy told me it had 550 stock HP. This was after I explained to him that I really knew a lot about the car. I couldn't buy it form someone like this....so I got it from John at Roanoke.

Were you at Fitzgerald's in Frederick?

The sad thing is most of the dealers in our area know nothing about cars, let alone performance cars. I remember when I was buying my Durango R/T back in 2000, some other sales guy said, "You should get the Dakota R/T, that thing is faster than the new Vette! I know because I drove it."

I kindly replied, "I find it interesting that the vehicle that weighs more, has 95 less HP and two less gears is faster. That simply defies the laws of physics. Oh..and just so you know, a stock Vette runs low 13's and the R/T Dakota runs high 14's. I would hate to see the disappointed look on the face to whomever you sell the Dakota to the first time the Vette whips him bad. It will be your fault you know."

What pissed me off more than anything though is the misinformation they give out is due to a lack of product knowledge. Be a professional, take the time to learn about the product you are trying to sell. I refuse to deal with or buy a vehicle from a salesperson whom is not knowledgible about their product.

I was at Montrose Dodge in Germantown. They had a blue/silver coupe, which is what I wanted. They had the car on the showroom floor for over a year and were still asking $84k. This was about three months ago. They eventually sold it and I hope they got $84k for it. I just knew I could pay much less with shipping and by it from someone who knows their vipers.

 

[ViperJohn]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I remember seeing that car at Montrose Dodge. It wasn't on the showroom, but covered in the back at the time. I am pretty sure it's gone now.

 

[viperjim]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Montrose Dodge still had it there 2 months ago when I had my Viper in for service. Right before winter they had it near the street with a big sale sign on it. They are not going to sell too many Vipers in Germantown. The service manager told me they were struggling to get rid of it. It just sat in the corner of the shop with a cover on it. Every time I walked by it I could hear it begging me to take it out and test drive it. But I left it alone.

As for your GT500 story, I have one too. I was #2 on the waiting list at Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg for a convertible Shelby for over 9 months. I would stop in monthly to talk to the "Mustang Specialist" to basically keep my foot in the door/ butt kiss. He refused to take a down payment saying they did not receive any sales info yet. The last visit I made to the dealership , the salesman stated they had two allocated to them. One coupe and one convertible. #1 on the list wanted a coupe and I wanted the convertible so it looked like it was going to work out OK. The Salesman then tells me that because GT500s are selling for $20,000- $30,000 over MSRP on EBAY, the dealer has decided to invite by mailed invitation any who has ever mentioned any interest in the car to an auction in the dealership showroom.
I went to the auction a month later only as a spectator. It was obvious they did not put too much effort into preparing for the event. There must have been 50 guy all with bidder numbers. The dealership GM started by saying they had been allocated 5 GT500s and if anyone was interested (open to be taken advantage of) in these future cars to tell him after the auction. They did have the hood of the GT500 open but the windows were rolled up and doors locked. They said the bidding was starting at $5,000 over MSRP with $1,000 of that going to Shelby's Wild Mustang Fund. Almost brings a tear to your eye? They auctioneer started the bidding at $49,000 and change. Only one guy bid. He must have been in his early 60's and 300+ lbs. The rest of us just stood there looking at each other. The dealership management looked shocked and pissed. I walked out and jumped in my new Viper and thought how happy I was that my GT500 dream failed.
Jim

 

[DMan]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Montrose Dodge still had it there 2 months ago when I had my Viper in for service. Right before winter they had it near the street with a big sale sign on it. They are not going to sell too many Vipers in Germantown. The service manager told me they were struggling to get rid of it. It just sat in the corner of the shop with a cover on it. Every time I walked by it I could hear it begging me to take it out and test drive it. But I left it alone.

As for your GT500 story, I have one too. I was #2 on the waiting list at Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg for a convertible Shelby for over 9 months. I would stop in monthly to talk to the "Mustang Specialist" to basically keep my foot in the door/ butt kiss. He refused to take a down payment saying they did not receive any sales info yet. The last visit I made to the dealership , the salesman stated they had two allocated to them. One coupe and one convertible. #1 on the list wanted a coupe and I wanted the convertible so it looked like it was going to work out OK. The Salesman then tells me that because GT500s are selling for $20,000- $30,000 over MSRP on EBAY, the dealer has decided to invite by mailed invitation any who has ever mentioned any interest in the car to an auction in the dealership showroom.
I went to the auction a month later only as a spectator. It was obvious they did not put too much effort into preparing for the event. There must have been 50 guy all with bidder numbers. The dealership GM started by saying they had been allocated 5 GT500s and if anyone was interested (open to be taken advantage of) in these future cars to tell him after the auction. They did have the hood of the GT500 open but the windows were rolled up and doors locked. They said the bidding was starting at $5,000 over MSRP with $1,000 of that going to Shelby's Wild Mustang Fund. Almost brings a tear to your eye? They auctioneer started the bidding at $49,000 and change. Only one guy bid. He must have been in his early 60's and 300+ lbs. The rest of us just stood there looking at each other. The dealership management looked shocked and pissed. I walked out and jumped in my new Viper and thought how happy I was that my GT500 dream failed.
Jim

Oh my, that's a priceless story too. One bidder, geesh. The dealer I use sold all theirs at $5K over they told me when inquired that they would never go higher than that as it would be taking advantage of buyers they're trying to build a relationship with. To me, a black or alloy conv at about $40K or less I'd think about, my problem is, it's a mustang, I've been buying stangs too long I guess to ever see it as a high dollar exotic.

Jim ... sounds like you & I may have done the exact same thing, I started on a couple of lists, then with the stats of the car, the ADMs, and the produciton changes I didn't like (wheels, hood) ... for the money I had a great justification to go get a used Viper, for less, and own 10x's the car of the mustang.

I always have, do, and always will love mustangs - but the Viper is my dream car, everytime I drive it to a store & I'm walking out to it in the parking lot (far away) I can't believe I'm walking up to that Viper & getting into it & it's mine ... I chub up everytime!

Dave.

 

[viperjim]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

The great thing about Vipers is they are all basically the same in terms of performance. The worst things about Mustangs is they are on every street corner and whether its a 6 cyl or a GT500, its tough to distinguish them from across the street. There is minimal visual reward for having the "best" Mustang.

 

[SylvanSRT]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

I will not pay over sticker for a car that is still in production! They are going to make many more and at some point the pent up demand will be satisfied

 

[Vic]

Re: Funny Dealer Story, I\'m still laughing

Dealers reporting facts? HAh!

Facts are in a distant 2nd place to profit.

Woodhouse and Pemberton excepted.