I have a secret. I like playing with car dealerships. I don't feel bad because their people play with enough of the other customers. They're trained professionals.
It started when I was 18 and stripping and finally had the resources to go to a dealership by myself and get a new car. I wanted a Nissan 350z in one of the cool metallic colors, stick shift. I was driving an 05 Saturn sedan at the time. Not a bad car but it didn't make my heart race. I drove through the auto mall and scouted. Cue shark music. I saw it. It was beautiful. I went in.
The car was "pre-owned", a term I will never agree with because 'pre' means 'before', and if I get a "pre-owned" vehicle I'm not getting the car before it's been owned. I'm getting one that's been owned before. I actually brought this argument out loud once and I was told that pre stands for previously, which I knew, but the whole thing is still just sickeningly euphemistic, like "gently loved" vehicles. Uh. Semantics.
So the pre-owned aka used car ("gently used") was on a little spinning car stand offered at 30k. I showed up in a Saturn in pajamas and with a driver's license that proved I was 18. They weren't expecting much from me, especially since I didn't have my daddy and his credit card there. I told them I wanted to test drive the Z, and they looked at me mockingly and said it was a stick as if that would get rid of me. Alas, it did not. I told them my Saturn was a stick and they brought it down.So we went around the block and down the freeway and back. It didn't feel the way I expected but I wanted to test out the car buying waters before I jumped in. I whittled and whittled and whittled and told him everything he wanted to hear. Yessir I'd be financing as much as I can. I love it but I can't afford it. I still can't afford it. I still can't afford it. Puppy eyes. Please mister make it work it's my dream car. He came down to $23,500. I was so proud. I left.
I've done this more than a few times since, more than a few different ways, and most of the time with no intention of actually buying. When I bought my truck I did it for close to three weeks. It was a thrill and I have a problem.
I did it again today. I'm not doing it for kicks this time. I really do need a car but unless I'm given a disgustingly good deal I see no reason to buy from a dealership when private party deals are sometimes 50% of dealer asking prices. I want a BMW 335i coupe. I found exactly what I want today and it's purdy. We really clicked, the car and I. The sales guy didn't treat me like the young blond girl with fake boobs that can be taken advantage of because it's shiny so I didn't play games with him either. We got down to a fair price but I think he can do slightly better so I took his card (he already had my info) and I walked. If this turns out anything like the truck experience he'll be calling me with better offers on similar vehicles for weeks. Or he'll just cave on this one. We'll see.
But I think this time love finally got me. I can't stop thinking about that car. Its exactly what I want. I have to be strong. I'm a dealership player and if I get emotional it will ruin my reputation.
I hope he calls soon.
