Car Shopping

The Corsica has not been replaced just yet. We're actively shopping, though, which means that I keep looking at the same 20 vehicles over and over again on the internet.

After searching a lot of virtual used (sorry - pre-owned) car lots for the past couple of weeks, I think I know what I want. I have even filled out a few web forms to request an "internet price" from the dealership's internet sales manager.

In return my inbox is filled with form letter emails. They tell me how great their dealership is and ask for me to call them about the car. Or they quote me the same price that was on the website I just visited. I think they are missing the point about being an internet sales manager.

Here are some other observations from the process:

• Ford is still hanging in there with the "numbered buttons on the door" security system. They also have the keyfob keyless entry feature, but apparently you need another option to get inside without using the key.


• Chrysler is still hanging in there with the analog clock built into the dashboard. It's like someone decided to glue a wristwatch above the radio.


• Car salesman do not read the newspaper or surf the web. They are completely oblivious to the fact that sales were down 48% last quarter and/or their company is going bankrupt. They think the car on the lot is still worth what it sold for in 2006.


• I am the only person who thinks that a license plate bracket hanging off the front of a car in Pennsylvania is not a good thing.
  
  
  
  To me, it screams "I'm from a different state in the union - one which requires a front license plate." Or worse, "someone just drilled a couple of holes in my painted front bumper for no good reason."


• I still don't understand why I need to haggle about the price of a car like I'm buying fruit at an outdoor market in Bangladesh. Plus, I don't think the Bangladeshi produce guy would be wearing a bad suit.

So there you have it. I don't really feel like I'm making any progress so far. Maybe I should just repair the Corsica and wait for the pending liquidation sales. I know my daughter would be OK with that strategy.