Been Car Shopping,,, Vette

psyshack · #1 07-28-2009, 08:57 PM

Yeah,,, While I'm still intrested in a Jetta TDI for a daily grind car. I've still wanted to purchase my last sports car.

I've been waiting for the BMW dealers to get real on a 135I, but I've backed away from that because I can't wear a helmet and track it. So that has left the 335I and the M3. Neither of which they want to move on concerning price at all. Be it a ordered car or dealer stock. So BMW has been kicked under the bus so to speak.

Kind of depressed over the BMW mess. I've been looking elsewhere. After a few months of test driving. The 09 2LT Vette seems to be the best deal out there. But none of the government motors dealers want to deal either. My local dealer had a Red 2LT with a AT in it that they ended up giving away. But why would anybody buy a Vette with a AT,,,, gag!!!!! I could have got it for $37k OTD.

I had a dealer call me today claiming to have a 09 white 2LT in stock and a surprise I could drive. The white Vette ended up being a 4LT loaded to the gills and they were ready to knock $2k off of it. I was damn mad! The other car was a limited edition something in silver with skulls on it. It did have the z51 pack. Which has more coolers, grey wheels and summer tires. Puls the god awful stripes and skull stickers on it. With speacial stitching on the seat. $55k. Then they tried to belittle me. Saying how they have went out of there way for me,,, yad yad yad. I told them up front! I gave you my card and numbers with the spec I demand on the car in writing and also I would not pay a freaking dime over invoice for the car including dest. and doc. fee's. You want to sell a car meet this spec and I will have the money in there hands within a hour, sign the sales agreement and leave a $500 deposit on the car while I secure the funds.

Then the SOB's went and knocked the HCHII the wife and I were driving. I polity shared with them. It's current tank is at 56 mpg, its last tank came in at 57 mpg, its best tank was 62 mpg and worse was 48 mpg. GM builds nothing that can touch it mpg wise! and I got it for $5k off MSRP. The wife and I walked out to get in the HCHII and the SM tried to fake a flip off on me. I walked back to the limited edition Vette and I proceeded to rip the vinyl strip off the hood that cost $5k. Then asked them if they wanted to continue?

I was so pissed off. Here as a tax payer you have a job because of me. I don't wish to be lied to. Even with the junkers for cash your lot is empty and you want to screw with me! I was dumb founded!

GM needs to get rid of more of there dealers!

Just have to find the right dealer and car. All I want is my last fun car!

Harold · #2 07-28-2009, 11:34 PM

Have you looked at the Miata

Hal

drimportracing · #3 07-29-2009, 12:21 AM

Get a used Ford Mustang GT500 if your going American performance. They can be had for less than 50k and they didn't steal our money.

Ever thought of doing the luxury performance rentals? About $99 for a Smart to $25k a day for a Bugatti Veyron, your choice of some fantastic cars

Noticed the Prius is a $50 per mile charge (typo) http://www.bhrentacar.com/searchvehicleresult.htm click the Continue button to load prices and inventory.

- Dale

Kacey Green · #4 07-29-2009, 12:36 AM

There is a preowned 'vette sitting in my parking spot at work.

I think they want to see if I'll sell it just to get my spot back, answer: yes!

If you want me to find out more about this FSP let me know.

drimportracing · #5 07-29-2009, 12:56 AM

Kacey would you sell your hypermiling soul for a parking space? I'm just kidding. You should "test drive it" and put in the SM's spot while he's at lunch.

- Dale

Kacey Green · #6 07-29-2009, 01:05 AM

He'd know who did it, they've been parking this beast across 2 spots since it arrived, we've had 'vettes before none got this treatment, I haven't the foggiest what's so special about this one.

We can't forget that when the FSP isn't in my spot, I have the most premo spot of any employee even the GM.

raveneon · #7 07-29-2009, 08:52 AM

I will never understand the appeal of the vette. Especially their dealers, owners, clubs etc. It seems everyone related to them has a "better than you" attitude. What always cracks me up about them to is that they seem to be the only car that people leave bone stock and place them in parades, car shows etc. Anyone can buy something off the lot... who wants to be the same as everyone else?

phoebeisis · #8 07-29-2009, 10:15 AM

raveneon

The appeal is Huge performance for moderate price $50,000. I don't follow Corvettes very closely anymore, but I think the "base" model will do 190+ mph and 4.2 0-60 mph with a high 12 quarter mile.It probably cost > $100,000 to get that performance in a Porche etc.

Used ones 7-8 years old-with nearly that performance-can be had for $15000.

They are also cheap to repair-can't say that about any Euro performance car.

True many kinda' oldish middle aged folks-men and women- buy one and keep it dead stock, since it is more a dream car than a real car to them.(occasionally thinking it will be worth 3X as much in 30 years)

However, LOTS of folks modify them-there is a HUGE performance aftermarket for Corvettes.

Lotta bang for the buck- and reasonable FE considering.. There is also the American Iron aspect-though it has plenty of "plastic" fiber glass, carbon fiber springs and some of the motors have some titanium in them,I think.
Charlie

Taliesin · #9 07-29-2009, 10:58 AM

raveneon,
I understand it quite well because I have gone through it, maybe a little early.

Yes, some of it is status.
Some of it is just a grasp for youth.
For some of us, it's not really a new car, but a new toy. A sunday driver kind of thing.
Some of it has to do with where and when we grew up.
I always had cars that got me from point A to point B, but wanted to do that with just a bit of style now.
I went through it early so it would be paid for by the time I retire.

I looked at the Vette, but any vehicle (especially a sports car) that charges extra for a manual transmission is automatically excluded.

Mine was a 2005 Crossfire Roadster, but I changed my mind and traded that in so I could get the Ram and the boat.

Corvette is a good choice for all the reasons phoebeisis listed. Easy to find parts (stock and modified), American made, and inexpensive compared to the competition.

I would love to have a '68 Vette in stock condition.

cpeter38 · #10 07-29-2009, 11:26 AM

I did the Firebird version of that when I was a kid - 500+++ HP, a fuel injected 383, and a doug nash 5 spd tranny. I wish I would have done a better job of documenting my results, but even then, I was an efficiency geek. I think the highway FE was pretty close to 25 MPG at steady state (and relatively high speeds). Unfortunately, the project highlighted an Achilles heel that Governmental Motors still has - vehicle durability. Just to be clear, I am not referring to the systems that were stressed by the increase in engine torque output. I am referring to general age related (it was a 10 year old vehicle) failures in nearly every vehicle system. Even if I worked for a different company, I could not see myself taking that kind of monetary risk again ...