Test drove 4 cars this evening

[doh]

My SES Coupe @ Family pricing is $20,659

Window Sticker http://apps.dealerconnection.com/dea...erPACode=B8355

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by doh

My SES Coupe @ Family pricing is $20,659

Window Sticker http://apps.dealerconnection.com/dea...erPACode=B8355

Cool The Focus is definitely a good value, especially with the family pricing. I think those who like the looks of it will definitely like driving it.

[JerryL]

Originally Posted by IAMCANADIAN

I'm not in the market for a new car right now. However with the price of gas and the fact that I don't drive a lot of passengers I would consider getting a smaller and more efficient car. If I was getting a car it wouldn't be right now but it would be perhaps in a year - maybe a little sooner, maybe a little later, it depends on what happens. My friend is purchasing a car soon - he likes the 350Z but wanted to see what the G35 is like as well. Mainly we went because we like looking at cars aren't weren't expecting to test drive a whole bunch, however doing so made it a lot more fun.


Thanks I'd like to test drive the G5 coupe actually. I've sat in one and I like it so far. For what it offers and for the price, it would be my #1 choice so far - however I figure it's worth it to check out the competition and see what they offer.


I haven't driven an Astra, however I've sat in one and there are things that the VW is better at and there are things that the Astra is better at. Both of them have nice interiors with nice finishings. The Astra IMO has much better seats than the VW's. Also, the Astra is more affordable and gets better fuel economy. However, the VW kicks the Astra's butt in the engine department. If the Astra came with diesel and turbo options and a more powerful base engine, it would stand a much better chance against the VW.



In Canada the 2.0T fully loaded would be at least $31 grand. While they're nice cars, they're really overpriced and a lot of their competitors do the same, if not better for less. That's why in Canada, the best selling VWs are the City Golf and City Jetta. For those who don't know what they are, they're basically the 1999-2005 Jetta and Golf offered for thousands less than what they originally went for. They were freshened for 2008 and sell quite well because they get you into a VW for under $20 grand. They're only offered with the 2.0L SOHC L4 with 115 HP - however for 2008 they're available with a new 6-Speed Auto with Tiptronic which along with the 5-Spd Manual help get the most out of the engine.

Here's more info on the City Models:






http://www.vw.ca/vwcms_publish/vwcms...dels/city.html

Wow, your cost on that group of cars is very different than in SoFla. I would never have paid $30,000 for my Jetta, but at $23,000 with the great financing it was a deal. For $26,000 you could easily get a loaded 2.0T Passat. VW dealer service here is not as good as the Infiniti or Mazda.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by IAMCANADIAN

I haven't driven an Astra, however I've sat in one and there are things that the VW is better at and there are things that the Astra is better at. Both of them have nice interiors with nice finishings. The Astra IMO has much better seats than the VW's. Also, the Astra is more affordable and gets better fuel economy. However, the VW kicks the Astra's butt in the engine department. If the Astra came with diesel and turbo options and a more powerful base engine, it would stand a much better chance against the VW.

You gotta drive one! But I can't argue on the rather sad engine choice, or lack of choice here. The was adequate, I guess is the best way to put it. I drove a 5-door XR demo car and I was very impressed by the handing. "Riding on rails" is the term that comes to mind. I can only imgine how a 3-door XR with the sport handling package would do. Thow in a more fercious engine and VW would not stand a chance.

If you've driven older Saturns (S-series) the Astra has more get up and go than the SOHC cars and not as much as the DOHC cars had. Or at least that's the way it felt with me. I've driven many of the older Saturns. They handled pretty good themselves, but the Astra blew them away.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by IAMCANADIAN

Cool The Focus is definitely a good value, especially with the family pricing. I think those who like the looks of it will definitely like driving it.

I think those that likes the looks of it should have their eyes checked! I mean it's pretty damn fugly. I can see getting one cuase it's cheap and such, but to buy it because it looks good, is crazy person talk!

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

I love the sound of the G35 at least from outside. That exhaust note is simply wonderful

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

I love the sound of the G35 at least from outside. That exhaust note is simply wonderful

Definitely

Originally Posted by Uzzy

You gotta drive one! But I can't argue on the rather sad engine choice, or lack of choice here. The was adequate, I guess is the best way to put it. I drove a 5-door XR demo car and I was very impressed by the handing. "Riding on rails" is the term that comes to mind. I can only imgine how a 3-door XR with the sport handling package would do. Thow in a more fercious engine and VW would not stand a chance.

I agree. I would've loved to see the 1.6L ECOTEC Turbo with 180 HP out here. It would at least complement the terrific handling. Oh well, the new Astra is coming out soon in Europe so maybe we'll get it out here soon too.

Originally Posted by JerryL

Wow, your cost on that group of cars is very different than in SoFla. I would never have paid $30,000 for my Jetta, but at $23,000 with the great financing it was a deal. For $26,000 you could easily get a loaded 2.0T Passat. VW dealer service here is not as good as the Infiniti or Mazda.

Yes, that's why, especially with the higher Canadian dollar, people are bringing up cars from the US because they can save a lot of money. If I could get the Jetta 2.0T fully loaded for $23, heck even $26 grand I would get it. But when a Jetta 2.5 5-spd fully loaded is pushing the low 30s it's hard to want to spend that much. Especially when there are lots of other compacts that offer as much or more and are finished nicely as well and cost thousands less. That's also the reason why the City Jetta and City Golf sell so well. In fact, last year they accounted for about half of VW's Canadian sales.

[CBECK]

Yeeeeaaahhhh. I like to go around driving cars and wasting a salepersons time. As the poor guy was helping you out a buyer came in the door and probably bought something. But who cares right it's not your problem. I think I'm gonna come into your work and jack you around so you can't be productive.

[roy219]

Originally Posted by CBECK

Yeeeeaaahhhh. I like to go around driving cars and wasting a salepersons time. As the poor guy was helping you out a buyer came in the door and probably bought something. But who cares right it's not your problem. I think I'm gonna come into your work and jack you around so you can't be productive.

You sure wouldn't cut it in automotive retail...

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by CBECK

Yeeeeaaahhhh. I like to go around driving cars and wasting a salepersons time. As the poor guy was helping you out a buyer came in the door and probably bought something. But who cares right it's not your problem. I think I'm gonna come into your work and jack you around so you can't be productive.

I didn't ask to test drive these cars nor did I insinuate I was getting a car right away. I said it could be the fall/winter of this year if the person who wants to take over the lease on my car is able to but I'll have to find out.

Also, I work in sales and deal with people everyday who aren't going to buy from me right away and quite often not at all. That still doesn't mean I write them off completely because they may decide to buy from me in the future. I wouldn't spend as much time with them after the fact unless they were more serious, however I wouldn't ignore them either. In my case if I liked the car I would certainly deal with them but how do I know unless I check it out.

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by CBECK

Yeeeeaaahhhh. I like to go around driving cars and wasting a salepersons time. As the poor guy was helping you out a buyer came in the door and probably bought something. But who cares right it's not your problem. I think I'm gonna come into your work and jack you around so you can't be productive.

That's a piss poor attitude, I hope to God, you're not really a car salesman.

I test drive cars every once and a while....when I say the words, "I am not looking to buy today, but I'd like to drive one"........they can say no. Or they can let me drive. I have never been turned away, and these days I don't think any dealership in their right mind would treat a potential customer so rudely. A new car isn't a $20 pair of slacks from Sears, it's a BIG deal.

[pontiacjs]

Originally Posted by IAMCANADIAN

I'm not in the market for a new car right now. However with the price of gas and the fact that I don't drive a lot of passengers I would consider getting a smaller and more efficient car. If I was getting a car it wouldn't be right now but it would be perhaps in a year - maybe a little sooner, maybe a little later, it depends on what happens. My friend is purchasing a car soon - he likes the 350Z but wanted to see what the G35 is like as well. Mainly we went because we like looking at cars aren't weren't expecting to test drive a whole bunch, however doing so made it a lot more fun.

I am glad that you had fun. Buying a new car should be an enjoyable expierence. But seriously, a year from now - maybe if you find a buyer for your car, more than 90% of the automotive car salesman you meet now won't even be in the business in a year from now.

In over 20 years that i have been selling new cars and trucks I have only sold one car to someone that wanted to drive now and buy a year from now. ONE. that is a very low rate of return. I know that it is a part of my job but it is the part I hate the most. Knowing that I have an almost 0% chance that I will ever sell you a car. It is human nature to want to play the odds. I would rather remove snow in the winter than go for a test drive with someone that is not buying now or in the near future.

It just seems to me that you wanted to go for a ride so that you can post on this site and show everyone how much you know about cars... and have fun doing it. Next time go to ceder point or Kings Island and tell us what costers were beter. You would have more fun and we would get to read something that is more enjoyable.

[pontiacjs]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

That's a piss poor attitude, I hope to God, you're not really a car salesman.

I test drive cars every once and a while....when I say the words, "I am not looking to buy today, but I'd like to drive one"........they can say no. Or they can let me drive. I have never been turned away, and these days I don't think any dealership in their right mind would treat a potential customer so rudely. A new car isn't a $20 pair of slacks from Sears, it's a BIG deal.

why is that a piss poor attitude?

CBECK has been selling for over 10 years and is one of the more sucsessfull salesman I have ever met. When he worked with me I was the Idiot who went for test drives with lot lizards and strokes and he waited at his desk like a lion in the grass for his next meal to walk in the showroom.


Look at it through our eyes for a second. we could play the very low odds that we will sell you a car and take you for a ride. Which by the sound of your review was not a quick drive around the block. Or, we can waite at our desk for the next buyer or jump on the phone and do some prospecting.

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by pontiacjs

why is that a piss poor attitude?

CBECK has been selling for over 10 years and is one of the more sucsessfull salesman I have ever met. When he worked with me I was the Idiot who went for test drives with lot lizards and strokes and he waited at his desk like a lion in the grass for his next meal to walk in the showroom.


Look at it through our eyes for a second. we could play the very low odds that we will sell you a car and take you for a ride. Which by the sound of your review was not a quick drive around the block. Or, we can waite at our desk for the next buyer or jump on the phone and do some prospecting.

I don't mean to make this into a huge pissing contest. I meant what I said (poor attitude), but I never called him a poor salesman. I know people with 20 years in the Air Force with poor attitudes, but they are "successful" by rank and such. Imagine how much better they could be, and I don't mean to judge, but perhaps those are comments from someone who had burned-out some from that line of work.

[CBECK]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

That's a piss poor attitude, I hope to God, you're not really a car salesman.

I test drive cars every once and a while....when I say the words, "I am not looking to buy today, but I'd like to drive one"........they can say no. Or they can let me drive. I have never been turned away, and these days I don't think any dealership in their right mind would treat a potential customer so rudely. A new car isn't a $20 pair of slacks from Sears, it's a BIG deal.

Actually the guy who sold the $20 pair of slacks made money. Anyone in "their right mind" wouldn't go to a store that was a "BIG DEAL" without being in the market. That's like going to the commissary and tasting the fruit and not buy.