New Vehicles, Can they do this?????

[Bob G2]

In my quest for a new vehicle, I just got done looking at some
trucks that were quite discounted. Test drove them around, they seemed real nice. However, when I sat down with the saleman, he showed me the spec sheet (not the window sticker). I noticed that there was an abbreviated sentence of "All parts are 2000 unles" and it ended there. The spec sheet had it listed out as a lower end model, but the vehicle itself was the top of the line model with leather, roof, etc.

On the spec sheet, I noticed that some parts had (1999) after them. Items such as front stabilizer bar, rear air vents, and rear speakers all had "(1999)" after them. I asked the saleman about that and he replied the vehicle had never been titled and was considered new.

I am wondering whether the auto manufacturers are allowed to use some parts that are from previous years, slap them together on a vehicle, and be allowed to sell it as "new". Was this vehicle possibly a salvaged vehicle by the manufacturer and be allowed to sell as a new truck?????

I am still chewing my arm on this one as the offer was hard to walk away from. But as the famous Elmer Fudd would say "Dere's
somping squoowey goin on heir"

[Gilligan]

Bob.. couldnt say for sure but I do know that the Honda Motorcycle company was sued back in the early to mid 70's for doing similar things. With their Washington lobby they may have different laws protecting them by now.

[GrandPopsIA]

Many companies have parts that may not be changed for several years. Take a look at a parts catalog sometime, You will notice many parts that are listed to fit several model years. This is not uncommon. As for listing the year that a part was made on a particular vehicle, this I have never come accross.
I have talked with guys that worked in the auto industry that say you should check the manufacture date and if it was a Friday be careful as to what is in it. As with all places people are in a hurry to go home on Friday. Not that there is anything wrong with the vehicle. I know of one that should have had a 4 core radiator and because it was a Friday and they were out they put in a 2 core so they would not have to wait for the 4 core.
If it were me, I think I would do a little more investigating.
What warranty was being offered? If it is a new vehicle warranty you should be O.K.

GrandPops
Keep Your Rod Bent !!
Sorry, I got a little long winded there. :-)

[Bob G2]

I asked if the vehicle was ever titled before and that it was new, they said it was never titled and was new. However, I asked them to bring a spec sheet on a mechanically similar, but smaller model truck. That spec sheet was much different and did not list out the years of different parts at all, also the trim level description was accurate. When I asked the salesman why it appears that some of the parts had 1999 after them, he stated that all new car warranties applied. This particular vehicle was redesigned in 2000. Even though one would expect there still would be some parts carryover from the previous model, why a 1999 part (manufacture date??) on a supposed 2001 vehicle. Also, why was it listed at all??? Weird. Was it their way of meeting legal requirements of disclosure??? 7000 off MSRP is real tempting, but......

[Curtis]

It sounds like a great deal, I would not be hesitant about buying the truck. A good price on a new vehicle is hard to come by, also when you resell nobody will know you got a discount but you. This will put more money in your pocket.

Would be nice if the sales guy was a little more informative, a person wants to know exactly what he is buying, even if it has last years parts, so what. Some trucks sit that long on a lot before being sold.

Regards,
Curtis

[ChuckD]

You might want to try this site to find out if your really getting a great deal. Good Luck. www.carbuyingtips.com

[Bob G2]

Thanks Chuck. That site is very useful and I already have followed alot of the advise already. However, the situation I described is novel. This dealer is 1500.00 under the best deals that I am getting from other dealers and there was no haggling.
I am well aware of the manufacturer to dealer incentives and holdback(may not even apply to their vehicles at this point).

Curtis, I have already considered what you have said, but over the years, I have learned that sometimes you have to listen to your instincts. I have seen alot of the spec sheets, why was this one so different??? I know you are telling me "don't look a gift horse in the mouth", but sometimes, "if it is too good to be true, it probably is". Since tow vehicles nowadays are such a big investment, and that I would want the thing to last me a good 8-10 years, I want to be absolutely dead set certain that this
(or any) vehicle I purchase does not have some circumspect nature to it.

Thanks, guys.

[Jim/UT]

I know how you feel about buying something too good to be true. With that kind of black mark already in your mind I would pass on it. If something happens in the future you will always think back on this and NEVER be happy with the truck. Why inflict the misery on yourself? Yes, $1500 is a lot of money. But so is $25K for something you don't really want.

Jim

[CornBinder]

Heck, I had an International and it had a line-setting ticket that came with it. No two "Binders" were built the same. they used up Cultivater, tracter, combine, and etc. parts.
If I would not have had that list, I'd never have been able to get anything for that truck.
But, it was a darn good truck!
If it has new warranty and is at that good of a price... what the heck!
Where is this truck and what is it?
Maybe I'll buy it!
Let me know, please.

[Bob G2]

Elmhurst Chevrolet, Elmhurst Illinois. Chevy Suburban 2001.(?)
List approx 43,500. Sale Price 37,500. Onyx Black/light grey
interior. LT trim/sunroof/ locking diff/rear audio controls/
running boards/wheel flares/4.10 rear end. Have at it and enjoy.

[Gone Fishin]

Just wanted to let everyone know that a friend of mine purchased a new car (200 miles on it) from a Toyota dealer in Cincy a couple of years back and he recently had an accident. It turns out that this car was wrecked before he bought it, however it was legal to sell it as a NEW car because the repair cost was under 6% of the MSRP. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? It was not disclosed at the time of the sale, needless to say, the buyers are pissed and the dealership is literally laughing in their face. Anyone else experience this problem?

[CornBinder]

That price is not THAT good G2.
You can do better.

[Tom]

In New York state a vehicle that has been declared a total loss and then is fixed and later sold must show the origin (including the year)of all parts that make up the "new" vehicle. It would not matter if the vehicle was ever previously registered or not. I would think many other states have similar rules.

[GeoMN]

Bob, try the web site EDMUNDS.COM, it shows the sticker price vs cost to dealer on the base model plus all options, rebates, holdbacks,etc. Great site for a new vehicle!

[Bob G2]

My fuzzy math has failed me again, must be spending too much time
listening to car salesmen. Actually, the total would be 36,500.00, not 37500. If you find equal or better, let me know.
Onyx Black, Tan or Pewter interior, Autoride is a must. Either the 3.73 or 4.10 is OK w/me as long as it has a locking diff.
Running boards and wheel flares, and of course, the trailering package is a must. Cassette player needed (I still have too many of the doggone things). A Yukon XL in an SLE package would be fine, but in a 'burb I know I have to get a LT package to get the Autoride.

Either way, get me a better price and let me know. I'll come and pick it up. In the meantime, if I find something better, I'll let you know.

[Bob G2]

Geo, thanks. I've been onto Edmunds for quite a while. Actually I use their table to check pricing accuracy, options and opinions.


GF and Tom, your posts were reassuring in that it confirms my suspicion that is what I was running into. I guess that it doesn't mean it's necessarily a bad vehicle, it is just that anytime something may go wrong with it, I would always have that doubt playing in the back of my mind. And for that kind of money, I don't want to always have to deal with that. Thanks to everyone for their comments and support. This is truly the best board I've found.

[WAeyes]

Bob G2, If you are looking for the ultimate deal on an exact vehicle, go to the GM website and find the closest dealer in your area that does internet sales. On the Chevy/GMC site you can build the exact vehicle you want without getting anything you don't need. This will save you serious money. Then contact a close dealer that does internet sales and tell them you are interested in this vehicle and the invoice price is ??? Ask him what his best price is...period. Give him one chance and only one chance. Only communicate by email until you decide to buy. One drawback, you may not find the exact vehicle without the extra junk, which means you will have to order it from the factory. I bought a brand new Sierra like this 2 years ago, saved much money by not settling for something I didn't need. Also nice not having to haggle with hungry salesmen. Once again, by email only, get their best price, then you decide. Good Luck

[Bob G2]

Thanks WAeyes. I have considered doing that. Certainly would seem a heck of alot easier and much less draining than going from dealer to dealer. Right now, one of the problems is that production for the 2001's has ended and they are changing over to the 2002 production. One dealer that I was at ran a dealer search with my exact specifications and found one vehicle, which was 1500 miles away.

My strategy right now is going to be pretty similar to what you described. Actually, what I am going to use as a "standard" is
invoice. My backup is a dealership in TN that has a running ad
of 200.00 under invoice, period. They are on the web, the site is www.southerngm.com/ This is less than 500 miles from me, also they will ship the vehicle to your door for 0.70/mile. I would rather purchase from a dealer in the area, but if they want to hold out, fine, to TN I go.

There was a 1000.00 manufacturer to dealer incentive that ended
7-2-01. You would think most of these dealers would have cut a better deal, sheesh!

[joshuatreewi]

just wait untill the 2002's come out alot of dealers run some nice deals to get the new trucks on the road asap alot of times can pick them up for a really good price or the internet deal is another nice idea. otherwise make the dealership add an extra extended warrenty that covers drivetrain engine and other moving parts that way your covered for 36000 extra miles and remember to look into lemon laws since they can sell it as new it should be covered under that law in states that have them incase somthing major happens to it that isn't fixed in a timly manor