phrantic09

My wife loves it. It baffles me.

bampilot06

Did they pay you to take the saturn? That does sound pleasant.

seedsbelize 

Quick like a bunny. Actually, I ate a bowl of lentils before enbarking. I did not do the figure of eight this time. This tape is not only shorter than I like, but also tends to break when pulled too hard. But I had three packs of it, so I used it. At the end of the second side, the stickum pulled off along with the protective strip. Being a competant bar wrapper, I dealt with it.

bampilot06

How do you know when you have reached “competent” bar wrapping status?

seedsbelize 

Rural Yucatan. 25km East of Merida.

seedsbelize 

It goes on beautifully first time every time. I have not always been competent. Like adjusting a headset; it takes some practice to get it right. But after that you could do it with your eyes closed, practically. I still have trouble with the plugs. Not very dextrous, and now I don't have the use of one of my index fingers.

bampilot06

I am not a competent wrapper then.

indyfabz

Have only done it twice. First time (end of '94) sucked. 2016 was a no-haggle deal thanks to a work perk. 2% below dealer invoice. Much more pleasant.

seedsbelize 

seedsbelize 

It takes time. I was an incompetent wrapper for far longer than I've been competent.
The key, for me, was in the stretching. With modern bar tape you can pull it pretty hard without it breaking.

seedsbelize 

I am unaware of a dickering process when buying a new car, if such exists. We got such a great deal on last year's model that it never crossed our minds. There is a waiting period of about three days during which they hold your money and your car.
And the first time you buy one on credit, if you can't show guaranteed income, they hold the vehicle for six months while you make those payments punctually.

datlas 

Used dependable car for daughter #1. She is driving a 2001 Maxima that won’t pass inspection as requires $$$$ exhaust repair.

Looks like we are getting a 2010 Corolla for her, details pending.

Mojo31

I rather enjoy car shopping and "the chase." Fun part is that I usually know more about the biz than the sales people, having represented and been on the board of a large dealer in this area. Kind of gives me the chance to have some fun with them.

My wife hates the negotiation, and just stays home when that time comes.

Last car I bought started with a phone call when the store opened, and negotiations lasted about two text messages later. Drove down to the store at lunch, gave them the trade, and picked up the replacement.

datlas 

Saturn had a truly no haggle relaxed buying process. I suspect one might have ended paying a few hundred bucks more than if the brand had a traditional haggle process, but it made the experience low stress and actually kinda fun. We bought two Saturns, my wife had a 1995 wagon which is long gone, and of course I still have my 98 SL. You can take it from my cold dead hands.

genejockey 

"This is going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts me."

genejockey 

When the cut-off ends are pretty much the same length. Also when the bar-tape-obsessive LBS owner compliments you on the job.

bampilot06

show off.

bampilot06

I’ll be doing the car thing next april. Wife is bouncing around between crv, rav 4, a corolla hatchback or honda civic. ‘‘Twas suppose to be the gear I get my truck, but the mini van can carry my bikes just fine, so I’ll take one for the family and start driving that babe magnet.

genejockey 

When I bought my GTI in 1986, I came prepared with a copy of their weekly ad, listing a GTI for significantly under MSRP. Also brought the future Mrs. GeneJockey. When we hit an impasse, $2000 apart on a red one with sunroof, I pulled out the ad and said, "What about this one?" Of course, their first response was, "I think that one's been sold." So I said, "Could you please confirm that?"

Salesmen disappears. Minutes pass. Finally, the Sales Manager says, "You want the white one for the sale price?" So I took it.

Then they asked about a trade, but I told them I had already sold my car (to the future Mrs. GeneJockey) Then they tried to sell me on their financing, but I'd already lined up financing. Then they tried to sell me on the extended warranty, but the future Mrs. GeneJockey said, "We think Volkswagens are a quality product, so we don't think we'll need that."

The finance/warranty/undercoating lady looked daggers at her.

Anyway, the future Mrs. GeneJockey must have been impressed, because 2 years later she proposed to me.

genejockey 

6 bikes. Lots of practice.

Mojo31

If shopping used, Carmax is no haggle.

I've found that the prices they pay for used cars is pretty spot on with the wholesale market. I'd just shop their pricing around a bit.

Mojo31

ftfy

big john

I've bought a few used cars at dealers where I didn't work. Last one was a Tercel 4WD wagon. It was the cleanest one I could find and it was at a little used car dealer in L.A., the kind you should avoid. The guy was friendly and he broke a tail light getting it out of the lot so he knocked a few bucks off. It was painless, actually. I don't know who faked the smog inspection for him, because there was no way it would pass.

seedsbelize 

Last time (only time) we bought new in the US, there was no such thing. It would be much easier, knowing in advance what people are paying.

big john

Carmax is used only. I've worked at several new car dealers and the used car managers have a lot of freedom with their stock, especially if the owner isn't paying attention. The wholesale cars, trade ins they don't want to put on the lot, are a real grey area. They may have 10 or even 20 cars that are sold for a lump sum to a buyer like a used car dealer or broker. This allows for money to be hidden and moved around. This has also allowed me to score some pretty good deals from certain managers.
A technician I know was given the option to buy any wholesale car from the dealer to sweeten his employment compensation. He made a lot of money selling those cars.