Fj mercedes was quite empty this week

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
For an in-cabin filter, find out where the Cartridge is (probably under/behind the Glove Box, go to Home depot and buy a 3M Filter, the type you use on the A/C Heating filter at home, cut it to fit (you can probably make 10 filters for your car out of one large Piece)....place it in the cartridge after sealing the gaps with tape and voila!!

You have a new Filter.
 
Every Dealership has two sides to their business, fixed and variables, Fixed are service/parts...variables are Vehicle sales...

So, if you consider the closing rates, lets say (I'm making this number up) for every 6 people who walk into the showroom one may buy a Car, so it might be 6:1 right? Plus then, that guy can negotiate on the Car which means less profit for the Dealership, then there are warranties to sell, accessories, floor mats etc..BUT the point is, Car sales are variables....

On the other Paw, for every one customer who goes in for a service he is a paying customer at a fixed rate, same with Parts....so the closing ratio is 1:1

Sooooo, Dealerships rely on Parts and service to stay in business....That's why Service is so expensive, imagine how much it cost to build/equip and run Newport Lexus??!! The ground alone must have cost HUNDREDS of Dollars ;-)

Google the Moss Magnuson act and you'll see that Manufacturers and dealerships can't insist you use their parts or force you to use the Dealership for Oil changes etc, so in other words, you don't HAVE to have a "Lexus" Oil Filter to keep your Car in warranty...any way, read up, it's worth it...

It's always good to find an Independent shop if your Car is out of warranty...STAY AWAY from Jiffy Lube by the way...
 
"<em>For an in-cabin filter, find out where the Cartridge is (probably under/behind the Glove Box, go to Home depot and buy a 3M Filter, the type you use on the A/C Heating filter at home, cut it to fit (you can probably make 10 filters for your car out of one large Piece)....place it in the cartridge after sealing the gaps with tape and voila!! You have a new Filter</em>." - PeterUK





That's exactly what we do. The 3M Filters work great. Just remember to change out that filter at least twice a year.





"<em>I don't think a Lexus can be maintained for that price at the dealership, I know my friend's camry V6 cost more than that at Longo Toyota, and Toyota charges lower labor cost than Lexus</em>" - tourbillon





Longo is outrageous when it comes to services. I only take my Lexus back there for warranty work, nothing else. You should tell your friend to try <a href="http://www.luxurymotorworks.com">LuxuryMotorWorks</a> in Monrovia. It was opened by some certified master technicians that left Longo to start their own business. They mainly work on Lexus, but do Toyotas/Scions and other japanese make cars as well. The prices are much more reasonable than at the dealership.





Things must be tough at the dealerships nowadays since they're sending out fliers for a free hotel night coupon just for test driving a car. I think it's FJ, but it could have been Newport Lexus - i forgot which one. My SO is going to stop by this week; I doubt it'll be busy.
 
PeterUk is highly correct with regards to why certain dealerships cost more than another when it comes to repair costs. If the lease is higher for that dealership, it's going to pass it onto the customers.
 
I have heard from several sources that sales were horrible in August. FJ Mercedes was selling to the tune of 750 cars a month. Last month it was 250. Newport Auto Center sells around 40 a month- they sold 4 cars.
 
Last weekend my family went to look at the new Chrysler mini-van. The Toyota dealer next door was having a radio event with the live broadcast. We were the only customers on the lot at the Chrysler dealer, and when we went over to the Toyota dealer, we were one of about 5 lookers.
 
We will probably buy the Honda when the time comes. I didn't realize the auto mall over in Tustin does not have a Honda dealership (either that or I couldn't find it.)
 
<p>The closest Honda to Tustin Automall is the set of dealerships on Edinger off the 55 Freeway.</p>

<p>Btw, I like everything about Honda's (my 3rd Accord so far), except for that their brakes get warped way too often, causing my handle to shake. I've gotten used to it, but the rest of my family goes crazy over it. None of their Toyota's seem to have that problem (although the Toyota's seem to go out of alignment quite often it seems...).</p>
 
<p>Nope, Santa Ana Honda has monopolized the area. Not a big fan for Santa Ana's service department and I cannot imagine its sale department is any better.</p>

<p>Irvine/Fladboe Honda had a nice service department (and usually cheaper)</p>

<p>Honda are decent. . . although I have gone through two transmissions already (95K). </p>
 
<p><em>brakes get warped way too often</em></p>

<p>The foul minions of the dealer service department besmirch thy lugnuts with overtorque. </p>
 
<p>Purchasing Car Pointers:</p>

<p>I bought a brand new Honda Civic last year and this is what I did/learned:</p>

<p>1) Email all the dealers in your area and ask for quotes on what you are looking for. Dealerships these days usually have a person to handle the internet quotes. Give yourself about 4 weeks for this process. You will be surprised at the difference in prices from the various dealers. I ended up buying my car at Buena Park Honda. However, I almost bought it at a smaller dealership in Diamond Bar because they were very competitive.</p>

<p>2) If you plan to trade in your car, do NOT show up to the dealership with it if the tags are about to expire. Lot salesmen (the crafty ones, at least) always check out the tags to see if your in a hurry to buy a car. (Who would want to pay a year's registration and then turn it over to the dealer? In fact, if you can coordinate the transaction just prior to expiration, the better - just don't let the dealership know the expiration date).</p>

<p>3) Watch out for the "documentation fee". They snuck it on my invoice for $45 and I didn't catch it until I got home. I complained the next day because I negotiated a price and it didn't include this. They refunded me! They did this because I promised to give them a good review. Honda calls you after the transaction and asks you to rate the dealership experience. It's their way of doing quality control on the dealers which is really cool! I gave them good reviews as promised. Hey, 45 bucks is 45 bucks!</p>

<p>4) Be prepared to haggle at the end. There will be the small details like splash guards, special paint, and other things which the car they are offering may have, but you may not want. I did all the haggling over the phone, not at the dealership. This allows you to hang up the phone and think things over if you want without the distraction of the dealership in the background. Call them back at your leisure and get the best deal / couteroffers from other dealers. Although, I don't think I have to tell you guys about taking the time to think things through for big purchases!</p>

<p> </p>
 
calgal - I have sold a Honda Civic on ebay and a 38 foot class A diesel motorhome on ebay. It was easy. You ust have to take your lead from the other auctions and understand why they specify what they do so they don't get ripped off.
 
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