Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post

DP · 05-16-2012, 01:54 PM

Hello,

I will not name this dealer and I admit I have had some really bad experiences with new car dealers. But I always expect to be treated like a person about to spend thousands of dollars, hope springs eternal.

My local dealer has a FR-S on display. I'm a 50 year old guy who can afford a new car and I intend to buy a new FR-S, but new car dealers really tick me off. They all seem to be know nothing, are only interested in getting your money right now and then going moving on to the next customer (victim).

Visit One:

Met at the door and politely escorted to the display car. Told it was one of the 86 winners so it was locked up ( fair enough ). Salesman shows up, yea their taking orders, $5000 deposit (non refundable ) up front. Has no other info except that there will be some cars in the future.

No info on colors, etc... He informs me that none of the potential FR-S's are spoken for and they have no deposits. But the "inventory control manager" would be in later, he takes my contact info and says he will call me with more info. No call.

Visit Two:

Wife and I made our way to the car, another salesman shows up and informs me that this particular car was the first one in the USA and they had been chosen to display it (this is about 2 weeks after the first deliveries, I believe).

Am I on the list? What list I ask, the interested buyer list he says. So he takes my contact info, again, and checks the list, I'm not on it. So I add my name, BTW this FR-S has been on display for 6-7 days and I'm only number 5 on the list. As I'm filling out he list he informs me that this is a really fast car with 260 hp. I correct him and he suddenly remembers the truth.

He goes on to tell me that when the cars come in they will send out an email blast.

So in short, they don't follow up with serious buyers. They know nothing or what they know is wrong. As a serious buyer they intend to contact me not with a phone call or an offer to test drive the FR-S, but with an email blast. I don't even know what that is, should I duck?

As we are leaving my wife stops and looks at a Yaris which is like 3/4 of a small car. She starts asking me questions about a car I wouldn't pay the sales tax on, but within ear shot is another salesman leaning on the showroom glass window, texting, he never looked up.

As for the pricing, the FR-S is just a car, by the pound it requires no more or less machining, painting, etc... than any other Subaru. A fully equipped Toyota Avalon was on display in the same showroom. It would make at least 2 FR-S's, it was 23K, the FR-S is 25-7K with much less equipment. Seems this is what the market will bear pricing.

I wish my experience had been different, but it seems all car dealers are the same.

Hopefully an FR-S owner soon.

DP

05-16-2012, 01:54 PM	#1
DP Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 300zx Race Car Location: Florida Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s)	Dealers Hello, I will not name this dealer and I admit I have had some really bad experiences with new car dealers. But I always expect to be treated like a person about to spend thousands of dollars, hope springs eternal. My local dealer has a FR-S on display. I'm a 50 year old guy who can afford a new car and I intend to buy a new FR-S, but new car dealers really tick me off. They all seem to be know nothing, are only interested in getting your money right now and then going moving on to the next customer (victim). Visit One: Met at the door and politely escorted to the display car. Told it was one of the 86 winners so it was locked up ( fair enough ). Salesman shows up, yea their taking orders, $5000 deposit (non refundable ) up front. Has no other info except that there will be some cars in the future. No info on colors, etc... He informs me that none of the potential FR-S's are spoken for and they have no deposits. But the "inventory control manager" would be in later, he takes my contact info and says he will call me with more info. No call. Visit Two: Wife and I made our way to the car, another salesman shows up and informs me that this particular car was the first one in the USA and they had been chosen to display it (this is about 2 weeks after the first deliveries, I believe). Am I on the list? What list I ask, the interested buyer list he says. So he takes my contact info, again, and checks the list, I'm not on it. So I add my name, BTW this FR-S has been on display for 6-7 days and I'm only number 5 on the list. As I'm filling out he list he informs me that this is a really fast car with 260 hp. I correct him and he suddenly remembers the truth. He goes on to tell me that when the cars come in they will send out an email blast. So in short, they don't follow up with serious buyers. They know nothing or what they know is wrong. As a serious buyer they intend to contact me not with a phone call or an offer to test drive the FR-S, but with an email blast. I don't even know what that is, should I duck? As we are leaving my wife stops and looks at a Yaris which is like 3/4 of a small car. She starts asking me questions about a car I wouldn't pay the sales tax on, but within ear shot is another salesman leaning on the showroom glass window, texting, he never looked up. As for the pricing, the FR-S is just a car, by the pound it requires no more or less machining, painting, etc... than any other Subaru. A fully equipped Toyota Avalon was on display in the same showroom. It would make at least 2 FR-S's, it was 23K, the FR-S is 25-7K with much less equipment. Seems this is what the market will bear pricing. I wish my experience had been different, but it seems all car dealers are the same. Hopefully an FR-S owner soon. DP