Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

It is no wonder that Chrysler has slipped to #4 in Canada. Toyota is now in 3rd place.

My Father In Law works for Chrysler at their parts distribution centre. He supports his company and owns a 2 year old Intrepid with 12000 miles on it. I had the car out a week ago and told him that his rotors were warped. It was time for a scheduled service so he had them look at the brakes. Complete front end brake job, rotors new pads (because the old pads only had 50% left) etc, etc, $385.00.

They would not cover this under warrenty becuse brakes are a wear item!

They also charged him for some emmision components that were not scheduled until the next visit according to his owners guide. This dealership uses different guidlines and told him that it varies from dealership to dealership. What they are doing is using a US guideline that they have converted from imperial to metric. ie. if emmisions in the US is scheduled at 20000 miles they are doing it at 20000 kilometres, or 12000 miles. More money to the dealership in a faster timeline!

I really think that this sucks when you would do this to a fellow employee.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

I wouldn't blame Chrysler on his woes. I had a 300M for 3 yrs and I was treated like a king at the dealership. I also had warped rotors and they were replaced at no charge. I even had free oil changes for two years! I'd say he needs to find a better dealer!

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

I even had free oil changes for two years!

Click to expand...

When my dad bought the T/A way back in 77 it came with free oil changes for life. Most of the time we do it ourself, but when were in a hurry or something we take it up to the dealer. 26 years later, were still getting free oil changes

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

I agree with you Leo. We purchased a new 2003 Town and Country LX about three weeks ago, and could not be happier. It stickered at 31k, and has the normal T&C stuff like quad seating, 3 zone a/c, homelink, and the CD/Cassette/DVD player w/display, and two head phones. It is Stone White/Taupe, and looks great next to the Mark. They went out of their way for us, to make the deal happen.

We stopped by to look only, as the 96 Aerostar w/138k on the clock was starting to show it's age, and the repairs were starting to add up. They started with the normal pitch, and noted some of the rebates going on like $4k off sticker or 0% APR for 60 mo, and $1k D/C cash added to the trade-in. I also used the employee price, as my Dad is a retired D/C employee. All told, they were up to $8k off MSRP, and also added at no charge; The Lord of the Rings Two Towers DVD, 7year/14 coupons lube/oil/filter changes, and a full tank of fuel.

We drove the van home that day, right off the showroom floor. We did not give them the title for the Aerostar, as it was home in the safe. It was on a Saturday, and the cash we used as a down payment was in a money market account, that had to wait until Monday. Heck, I did not even have the employee authorization number.

They treated us better than the L/M/F, and GM dealers ever did.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

Best of luck with the van.

I had to laugh at what you wrote. You said, "We just stopped to look......."

One of my first bosses, once said to me....

"Sandy, they will ALL tell you that they are "Just Looking" ~~ It's YOUR job to put an end to their looking! This ain't no damn museum or art gallery, so they ain't "just looking" they are waiting to be sold! Somebody is gonna sell them, and it might as well be YOU!

35 years later and it's still true today! 8 of 10 come in and the first words they say are... "we're just looking" ~ still bring a grin to my face!

Sounds like a nice vehicle. Enjoy in health!

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

LOL Sandy! How true. Our intent was to take a test drive at best. We were on our way to look at a glider swing for the deck, and then go to our favorite BBQ shack for dinner. I left alot of the story out, but to net it out, I tried to get Wendy to leave three times. One time for being hungry, second time for trade offer, and third for the APR they offered.

It was funny how it worked out though. They doubled their original $700 offer to $1500 for the Aerostar, with a little drama from me, and a let's go, with the manager in the middle of the showroom. Add the $1k D/C cash back, and you have $2500 for a very well seasoned one owner van.

After that was out of the way, and we told the salesman we would take the $4k instead of the 0%APR. He worked the numbers in the back room with finance, and said the APR would be 5.9%! I said, let's go again, and said we can get a better APR at the bank. He then said my favorite salesman line... What will it take for you to drive this van home today? I said 4% APR. All the time, Wendy is sitting there with her jaw on the floor, and working numbers in her head.

You see, she is not one to challenge/negotiate, and was in love with the van. I told her to have faith, the van is hers after I save some more cash. We have outstanding credit - top 3% in the nation, and low APR is easy to obtain. While he was back in finance, Wendy said that if we get it below 5%, the payment will be less than what the Aerostar payments were. He came back and said a buy down to 4.75%. We had a deal.

We continued to make the Aerostar payments to our money market account once it was paid off, and had $6k in the bucket from these payments. There was more, but it is also used to make the major repairs to the van over the years. So, now we ended up with $15.5k from the $31k sticker, and 60 $295.00 payments and about four hours to seal the deal. The salesman earned every cent of his commission. We did not have time to see the swing, but, we had a new van, and some good BBQ!

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

The salesman earned every cent of his commission
________

Everyone does !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Should have call me, I think I coulda saved you much more on the finance!
It depends on other factors.....
I financed my year ago purchase of the silver ascMcLaren at 1.5% interest for 5 years, locked in at 1.5%, for 100% of purchase price, excluding sales tax of $1,800.


"" He then said my favorite salesman line... What will it take for you to drive this van home today?"""

...... is tatooed on my left arm !!!!!!

Listen to me....
A car salesman sells around 10 to 25 cars @ month. The average buyer buys a car every 5 years. The odds are stacked against you. You could NOT give yourself a tooth filling, either. A professional in ANY line of work, is just that....
The difference betweeen a salesman, and a great salesman, is the great salesman makes sure that you know that he gave you a fantistic deal and that you got the best of him!

In the end....it's the car that counts! If you get great service from it, and enjoy it and they treat ya right at the dealership when you are "needy" ~ does it really matter if a person pays $117.55 cents too much? Over a 5 year term it's $23.55 a year! BTW, your salesman made $155.00 commission up front. There may or may not have been back door monies for him from DC. {{ Would you work 4 hours for $155.00?? }

Forget the deal, the financing & enjoy your purchase. Don't sweat the details. I fussed all over & took REALLY super care of my customers, so much so after a while I actually had some come in a say I shopped your price, and I beat you by $200.00 but, I'd rather buy from you! (( THAT'S when you know you are GOOD )) ~

Like I said before, enjoy & the health to have many great excursions in your T&C

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

Sandy, while you are on the subject of financing, what's the secret. I am pretty sure my beacon score is just over 700. I am afraid to check it because checking it may lower the score. My mark is coming to the end of it's day's so I am looking for a new used vehicle. I love the navigator and am looking at the 99/2000 model years. If I dont go that route I am thinking about a diesel excursion. I would prefer the navigator so I could do a few mods and get our navigator forum going.

Where do I go and what do I do to get the best price on the vehicle and a good financing rate. If at all possible I am hoping to keep the payment around $350. If you got any great deals up by you, I am willing to fly up for the right price.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

e-mail me with these 2 answers
1. How much can you get for your present car?
2. How much CASH do you have to spend?

Don't forget, Adam had $6,000 in the pot and a trade-in.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

Thanks, Sandy! We are very pleased with it. It has a great, smooth ride for a van. We will find out how good it is on a trip when we travel to Orlando this fall.

Like I said though, I was ready to walk away from the whole thing. Wendy was not. She was going home with the van, period. Their cut, was around $2k for the financing, whatever they make above $2500 for the Aerostar, and whatever they get from D/C after the $7k was taken off of MSRP.

With that said... Yes, they still made money on the deal, and I am a happy customer.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

That's the most important thing.

Next time, consider this.

You had a minimum of $6,000 in the pot. Perhaps you could have upped this amount to $10,000 from savings. Whatever.....

We'll use the $6,000.00 figure. Take the $6k to the bank and purchase a C.D. (Certificate of Deposit), for the same term as the loan, or in THIS case, for 60 months....5 years. You (today) should be able to get like 3.5% for a 60 month(er). Then borrow the entire thing $6k (you can do this with good credit - shop around first to see what bank will work with you) ~ and do your bisiness there. Now, you borrow the whole thing back, so now you are using the bank's money - not yours! You walk out of the bank carrying your C.D. for $6k and also the bank's check to you for $6k. Now, at todays rates, your finance charge would be 5% because it's a SECURED loan! Now, based upon $6k and 3.5% you'll be earning $210.00 a year on your C.D. and your loan will be costing you $1,500 over the 60 months, and your interest paid to you from the bank on your C.D. will be $1,050.00 ~ so your $6,000 loan will cost you $450.00 over the 5 years.

When you have money, always use the money to buy a CD, and then borrow agaisnt the CD. You'll do better as it's a securred loan.
I had the $20,000 cash for the McLaren, but bought a CD with it and walked out of the bank with their $20,000. 4.3% interest and 5.8% loan. 1.5% difference. IF you also open a checking account, at the "host" bank, frequently they'll knock off 1/4 percent add'l. (They like that - they make money on checking accounts....and it glues you to the bank). When the loan is paid off, you;ll have BOTH the car & the original money, or in this case...the $6,000.00.

PS/ When you get to the dealership, don't walk in. Hover around in the used car lot or looking at new car inventory. The salesman that comes out to YOU, is hungrer than the others.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

That is a excellent way to drive the rate down, Sandy. My Dad has done that for years. He likes playing the banker. I have used some of my long term stock certificates to secure a loan through my credit union to get a better rate. I just need to leave Wendy at home when shopping for a car. She has the "need it now" bug.

We could of paid cash, but decided to stick to the budget plan we have, and not use money from another bucket. The car fund bucket was beyond 10k last year, but in that time, the Aerostar had some major work done to it, and was in need of another transmission overhaul when it was traded. That is the reason we have the cash in a money market. It kept the Aerostar alive.

We put the $310.00 per month into the car payment bucket regardless if we have a payment or not, so with the new van payment of $295.00, we figure no skin off the back. I can tell you that it feels good having a warranty again.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

"""I can tell you that it feels good having a warranty again."""

Oh, 'ya ~ I hear you loud & clear, on that

Regarding Wendy ~ I LOVED those kinda customers! ON THE SPOT delvery, before the eyther wears off, satisfy the itch, sign here and be on the way, today. Wait til the neighbors see how pretty and THIN you look in YOUR new Chrysler LX ! You made a very smart decession to buy today as it's the (beginning / middle / end of the month reduction time! yada yada yada sis boom bang and put it ON the showroom floor and take her picture with the instant print camera and open the doors and awaaaay weee go!!!!

"Those were the days my friend......." {{ few & too far between }}

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

Where do I sign? You sold me! Wendy would melt in your hand. She loves that kind of attention. The neighbors already are wondering what is going on at the house. Jim, across the street, thinks we are up to something. He is our official retired neighborhood communication networker.

Within the last month, Wendy was promoted, and now gets to work from home all the time. The new van spends alot of time just sitting around. We have had people coming and going setting up her office with phone/fax/dsl lines, and the day before we purchased the van, we had the roof replaced on the house. It has been a very expensive month. Jim is going to keep a close eye on us. ;-)

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

He is our official retired neighborhood communication networker

Ummm, would that be anything like "a gossip" ?? :9

Same here..... I mean middle class neighborhood in a blue collar town and I've got 6 cars and a gardner !!! I know their waggn' their tongues at me One actually asked me what I do that I can have 6 cars. I told her that I'm a fitter in lingerie in the bra department, in Sears! She was satisfied and walked off.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

You wear a bra?

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

Only on Fridays

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

Just an update on the rotors.

There is a secret warrenty on the rotors. If they warp within 48 months of delivery with under 28 000 miles dealerships will replace them for the cost of labour.

"I wouldn't blame Chrysler on his woes." I agree to a certain extent but the dealership is Chrysler and they are aware of the practices of this dealership as the distribution centre where my father-in-law works stoped taking the company cars to them for service due to the amount of problems they had.

The other local dealership where the car was purchased tried to scam more money from Chrysler by changing the purchase agreement after the sale so that they would get a bigger rebate. They even faxed the new agreement to my father-in-law at work in Chrysler.

We are going to call the toll free customer service line to see if they will honour the sercret warrenty even though the time has passed by one month.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

Funny thing about the "I'm just looking..." line at the dealers - I often go to car dealers to just look If I go to get a part, I'll always swing by and check out whatever they have on the lot. I like seeing what's new in person, colors and options and sticker prices etc.

But then I guess I'm not most people. When I bought the Mark I went to the guy I got my last car from (and both my parents got their cars from, my older brother got a car from, and a friend got a car from) and told him what I wanted, he found it, made a deal and that was that. I know he came off well in the deal, too, but I'm not complaining.

RE: Chrysler sucks! #4 in Canada

Funny Rant > to think about.

Dentist. My dentist. Waiting room full of patients, all the time. Owns F-150 Quad Cab AWD $34,000 Pick Up, Lexus LS400 every option. Wife has Acura RL. Son graduated High School, went away to college with his Hi School Grad Gift: 2002 Lexus IS. Home? Valued at $500,000.00 - is avid skier, has place in Aspen - Colorado, travels to Florida 4 times a year for vacation (1 week), as he works on my teeth, I watch the reflection in his Tag Hauer timepiece. They have a live-in maid in their house, gardners and both kids (they have 2) went to private school grades 1-12 at $7,000 a yr per child! Everything in the office is state-of-the-art, with color remote 68 channel TVs in every cubicle, total of 14 of them, lush carpeting under foot.
His prices are on a par with other area dentists. Not one customer ever thinks about, or worries how much he made on them.
Car salesman. The buyer always wonders, he much did he make on me?
After 27 years in the car business I never met even one salesman who lived 1/2 ..... even a 1/3rd as good as my dentist, whom EVERYONE simply LOVES!!! I know how he lives because we were friends first, AND THEN patient/Dr afterwards! It's okay with me - more power to him, he's a great guy & a darn good dentist, but it always baffles me in that nobody cares what he makes, but they all worry about what the car salesman made.
I'll tell you!!!!!!!
We generally make point five (as in .5) percent of the Window Sticker, so if the sticker is $26,500 - probably made around $133.00 plus a small percentage of the finance (if dealer finaced) usually amounting to an "average" of $20.00 per year financed, so like $60.00 for a 3 year loan. Wash out? $200.00.