Topic: A full Saturday at GM dealerships

[21Rouge]

We were planning to go to the TO Auto Show (we only go those years we plan getting a replacement vehicle) but as we are certain to purchase a GM Lambda platform (TD GM Visa points + GM Employee Discount) we instead spent a good chunk of the day at Saturn (for the Outlook), Pontiac (for the Acadia) and finally at the very nearby Chevy (test drive with a Traverse).

There are no 08s left and so we are looking at the 09s.

We are wanting AWD, trailering package (only to get the transmission cooler), 7 passenger seating and finally avrear view camera system....nothing else.

The Chevy dealer is close to our home and I like the extra options included in the Traverse model that we were interested in.
 
Simple examples:

- XM radio is included in any of the Traverse models...not so with Outlook
 
- heated exterior mirrors and sound system controls are on the steering wheel for the model just above the base one; not the case     for the Outlook.
 
But my more pragmatic, practical wife liked the fact that we could a lower final price on the Saturn Outlook with the same *key* options (AWD, rear view camera system; towing package, 7 passenger seating). The Saturn dealer is much further away and I wonder about the viability of the Saturn division as GM is sure to downsize sometime in 09....at least that is what I tell my wife so as to move her away from the Outlook .
 
The Acadia rep. was much more transparent re Employee Pricing on options and such. The Chevy rep waffled about showing the  breakdown of the Employee Pricing and checking my up to date Employee Price specs after the fact at home I can see that they are charging $500 too much on the basic car and options. There is no reason for this stuff on an Employee Purchase.  . She constantly had to go back to the all knowing, all approving sales manager to get more info  .
 
This same Chevy dealer listed $479 of fees (i.e Other Fees $35, Admin Fees $299, Gas Tax $75, PPSA $66). I recall for my last  purchase 3.5 years ago, Admin fees were waived for an Employee Purchase. (I will push this if we do get serious with the Traverse from this dealer but I will likely go to another Chevy dealer to get another complete quote.)
 
In comparison the Pontiac dealer had a total of $250 (i.e. the security etching for $199, $10 License Fee, $40 Gas Fee). But I am confident that the dealer would remove the $199 if push came to shove.
 
One can get an additional $1000 off if one forgoes the just released 3 year maintenance free promo. 

And of course not using GMAC financing gets one another $3500 off the sticker price. And this is where GM and probly others are bottle necked. I and others are holding out for the 0% GMAC financing. I had it on my last GM purchase 3.5 years ago and one can get it in the States currently. Surely it will come here in the next month or two  .

As a next step I guess I should go to our bank this week just to see what a simple car loan is going for these days
(if I was to buy sooner rather than later).

[airbalancer]

Gas tax / AC is a tax you have pay that
Tell them they can pay for the security etching
 two of GM dealer out here, the salesperson does not have go to the sales manger to close the deal

The Saturn dealer is closing  in Peterborough, just heard that on the radio

[21Rouge]

Gas tax / AC is a tax you have pay that

For sure I know the AC Tax ($100), Delivery ($1300) and Gas Tax ($75) are a given but $299 for Admin Fees from the Chevy should be embarassing given it is an Employee Purchase.

Btw, after getting home I see that the $66 fee is for a lien search.

 
Tell them they can pay for the security etching

I am confident that the Pontiac dealer will strike this cost from the sheet if I do make the purchase.

two of GM dealer out here, the salesperson does not have go to the sales manger to close the deal

Thats refreshing.

The Saturn dealer is closing  in Peterborough, just heard that on the radio

Ill let my wife know .

[airbalancer]

http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1436093

[Cord]

Are you an actual GM employee or are you just talking about GM's marketing campaign?

[21Rouge]

A family member is a GM Employee. We have obtained 'true' GM Employee pricing for our past two vehicles.

[21Rouge]

http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1436093

And in the bigger scheme of things I quote from the Feb. 14th article in the Globe and Mail from its ReportOnBusiness.com:

"In addition, it is trying to sell its Hummer SUV and Swedish Saab brands and is reviewing the status of its Saturn brand."

[articsteve]

Use your GM points, take the $3500. cash back because 0% days are history, take the $1000. in lieu of oil free oil changes or whatever they are promising, don't pay the etching, and grab the car right now.

[21Rouge]

Use your GM points, take the $3500. cash back because 0% days are history, take the $1000. in lieu of oil free oil changes or whatever they are promising, don't pay the etching, and grab the car right now.

Of course I will use up the last of my points and take the $1000 but I am not convinced that 0% or close to that will not return. It is still happening south of the border. Havent I read bits and pieces re our govt helping to ease the "credit crunch" thereby helping the auto industry and other big ticket purchases. That's got to push such interest rates down this spring. But as I said I will swing by my bank this week to see what is available.

Btw Artic, any chance you know someone who would appreciate our 2000 Montana with 135k km? .

Every car that we have 'traded in' for the next new one has gotten us $200 maximum  .

Our first was our 14 year old 5 speed Toyota Corolla (bought new)...got us $100. The next was our 13 year old 5 speed Eagle Summit (Mitsubishi engine drank oil but did last 13 years...again bought new)...$200.
And now our 9 year old Montana. I will be embarrassed to tell them there is no heat and no AC  . 
 

[articsteve]

Our first was our 14 year old 5 speed Toyota Corolla (bought new)...got us $100.

Good on ya.  I take it that it rusted out.

You certainly get your money's worth out of cars which is the way to do it.

They will give you $1000. for your van.  Tell them it's fantastic.  Certainly, don't point out the faults. That's not your function.     

[21Rouge]

Our first was our 14 year old 5 speed Toyota Corolla (bought new)...got us $100.

Good on ya.  I take it that it rusted out.

Exactly!

They will give you $1000. for your van.  Tell them it's fantastic.  Certainly, don't point out the faults. That's not your function.     

But one does sign something stating what one knows is the condition of the vehicle?

With the AC no longer working we better ditch it before the warm weather comes around!

Btw, when we were at the Chevy dealership and the rep was aware that we would be trading in the van, the next thing out of her mouth was "Has it had the head gasket problem". I told iher that itt had been fixed while under warranty.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Curious, which Saturn dealer did you visit?

[articsteve]

But one does sign something stating what one knows is the condition of the vehicle?

NO WAY !!!

What they do ask is if the car has been in an accident.  You are not obligated to answer, but what's the point of not.  In this particular case it's no issue really.  But you are never required to sign anything except the purchase offer so make sure they haven't snuck anything weird into that.

Has it had the head gasket problem". I told iher that itt had been fixed while under warranty.

OK, it's now worth $1500.    You keep pushing that until they get so sick of the subject they dare not ask you anything else about the car. 

IMO, I would not hang around for 0%.  I'd take the $3500. cash back and all the other cash backs and points and get rid of that Montana ASAP.


...and then in May on a warm day I'd get it Krowned and you're all set.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

IMO, I would not hang around for 0%.  I'd take the $3500. cash back and all the other cash backs and points and get rid of that Montana ASAP.

Agreed.

[gta_driver]

My advice is to take a trip down to Ontario Motor Sales in Oshawa. The majority of their business is with GM corporate staff, GM autoplex staff, GM family first discount holders and GM retirees. You'll likely get the best deal on a GM vehicle through them. I believe they are partly owned by GMCHQ. Customer service is excellent.

[airbalancer]

My advice is to take a trip down to Ontario Motor Sales in Oshawa. The majority of their business is with GM corporate staff, GM autoplex staff, GM family first discount holders and GM retirees. You'll likely get the best deal on a GM vehicle through them. I believe they are partly owned by GMCHQ. Customer service is excellent.

or head to Port Hope/Cobourg area 4 GM dealers within 10km, most of their sales come from Oshawa

[21Rouge]

The majority of their business is with GM corporate staff, GM autoplex staff, GM family first discount holders and GM retirees. You'll likely get the best deal on a GM vehicle through them. I believe they are partly owned by GMCHQ. Customer service is excellent.

As I understand it ADMIN Fees are waived for an "Employee Purchase" and the actual price of a given model plus options is easily verified (again for Employee Pricing).

Is there any expectation of paying any more for the car than as described above? That is something nominal to the dealership for doing the deal?

[gta_driver]

As I understand it ADMIN Fees are waived for an "Employee Purchase" and the actual price of a given model plus options is easily verified (again for Employee Pricing).

Is there any expectation of paying any more for the car than as described above? That is something nominal to the dealership for doing the deal?

I really can't tell you. I don't know.

I know when I buy a vehicle as an employee, I pay a little above manufacturing cost and below MSRP. Employee price is slightly different for autoplex workers. They get a deeper discount on what they produce compared to CHQ folks (that's why you see so many Silverado's, Impalas, Grand Prix and Allures in Durham). "Family" pricing is different based on where your family member works (plex or CHQ), brand and model of the vehicle and salary grade. Because the formula for figuring out your price is complicated, I've only ordered vehicles through internal process with the vehicle being delivered at OMS or in my father-in-laws-case a Forbes GM dealer in Nova Scotia.