New, NOT NEW!

Thursday, February 05, 2009 Posted In , , Edit This 17 Comments »
Like an idiot, I went to the new car sales yard first. I don't want to pay new car dollars but am thinking it wouldn't hurt to just take a peek, would it? As the sales guy swaggered toward us I told MM, "We won't test drive anything and we won't commit to anything. I am prepared to unleash if this guy does the hard sales pitch on us. I will use extreme rudeness, if necessary." MM had the good sense to look a little worried.

We all know the car industry is teetering toward the Pit of Despair but you wouldn't know it to look at the Ford sales guy. He was the picture of professionalism. Oozing charm and non-confrontation-ism. He even smelled like he'd showered that very morning. He casually asked what we were looking for then steered us straight toward this... A Ford Flex.

Yeah, I know. Boxy. Low. Small engine. May not have the grunt I need. I know I want a bus but I don't actually want a... bus.

So, sales dude smoothly asks, "What colour? You like red? You like the 20" rims? How about the nineteen air bags and the multi-panel vista roof? The dvd player and the leather interior? Let's take it for a drive shall we?"
Nod. "OK." (What am I doing?)
"Why don't you drive, young lady?" Nod. (Arrrgh!)
"Here are the keys. Don't break any speed records!" Chuckle.
"OK." (Arrrgh!)
After a blissful ride around the block and a brief burn down the freeway, I reluctantly handed the keys back.
"How much is it?" (Great, I had to ask!)
"With all the options... because that's the one you just drove... only $32,000. On special this month."

I WANT IT!


P.S. The Ford Flex is a new 2009 "crossover" car model. Used ones not available yet. $32,000 just a TAD over budget.

17 brilliant observations:

Barbaloot said...

Wow! Either you're an easy sale or that car-man in THE best in the business. :)

Becky said...

Oh, man! I'm like that ALL the time. I have to cut salesmen off before they get the second word out or I'm toast.

You don't happen to have 32 grand hidden in your couch cushions, do you?

Kristina P. said...

I've never even heard of this car!

But I'm sure $32,000 is like chump change to you.

Glad you're posting again!

rychelle said...

really?!?

i saw that car at the dealership last week and kind of made fun of it a little (a lot).

it's so.....square.

but, hey, if you like it, then it really must BE HIP TO BE SQUARE!

(the couch cushion comment cracked me up!)

Shelley said...

Heck...that's pocket change! Hand it over. I've got a stack of 500's and 1000's downstairs, maybe they would help. Ok..so they belong to the monopoly game, but these days, maybe it would juice up the economny.

wendy said...

$32 freaking thousand dollars. Sheeesh. I bet you loved driving it.....did you pop out your cell phone and start talking on it like you were doing business calls from the fancy $32,000 car. I would have totally played it. Ah the life of the rich eh. Keep saving!!

Debbie said...

How many did you get?

Unknown said...

My first question is this: Did he really ask you what "colour" you like? Because I'm pretty sure American car salesmen don't have enough finesse to add a "U" to that word.

My thinking is this: The way the economy is going right now, we'll all be livig in our cars within the next year anyway, so it might as well be one you love. And $32K for a house is a BARGAIN!

Lissaloo said...

Car sales men are slick, you gotta just keep saying no no no no no no no no :)

Deb said...

Sven no longer allows me to come along on car-buying expeditions. I'm terrible with sales pressure. That car does look pretty sweet, though, and with Ford in the shape it's in, you might be able to talk them down...

Camille said...

Wow, were you that easy in high school?

rachel said...

I haven't heard of it either, but it looks so cool! I think I would be tempted too :)

Karen M. Peterson said...

Isn't it the worst when something you really want to hate turns out to be not so bad?

I won't test drive a Flex or an XB because I really can't stand the way they look. I don't want to like them on the inside! I don't, I don't, I don't!

Unknown said...

Totally unrelated to the post (already made my feelings clear, although I left the "n" out of "living" because I'm old and blind)

I'm checking in to see how you're enjoying "The Light Fantastic". Isn't it the 2nd in the Discworld series, "The Colour of Magic" being the first? Brilliant stuff!

Anonymous said...

Nice car and Ford has pretty good safety and emmissions scores. Tell MM to earn more! He can't expect you to wait a whole year or longer for a new one. But I wouldn't buy it from someone who calls you 'little lady'. Unless he's wearing a Stetson and has some authentic dung on his boots.

Anonymous said...

Wait until gas prices go back up. Then you'll be paying $32,000 just to fill the tank.

I'm not bringing you down, am I?

in time out said...

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