Oh Wise LJ Peeps, I Have a Question…

[octothorpe]

Does anyone have experience with CarsDirect.com?

As I've hinted, I'm going to drop a dime on a new Acura TSX (6 spd w/ navi). They seem to have a really great rate (not far above dealer invoice, and well below MSRP), but I've not used them, so I don't quite know how it all works.

I've already test-driven the car, so really, the purchase shouldn't be any different than buying a $30k book from Amazon. However, *shouldn't* is often different than *isn't*.

Does the car come FedEx Air or UPS Ground? ;-)

Comments

[thornyc.livejournal.com]

Wow, opinions seem to be all over the map, although average out at 3.5 stars out of 5.

http://www.epinions.com/webs-Web_Services-All-Merchants-CarsDirect_com/display_~reviews/pp_~1/sort_~date/sort_dir_~des/sec_~opinion_list#list

Still, reading a few of their experiences may help you navigate your own purchase through them.

[mh58.livejournal.com]

What company discount plans are there available to you? We use Corporate Perks (NextJump) and their connection is to carperks.net. I have not used them but have used the program at Sam's and at Costco. I have used CarsDirect in the past for light research only.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

I work in a *very* small boutique web shop, so we don't have cool perks like what was available at Modem Media, or large über corps. I'm also not a costco member, or any such thing.

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

If you have a costco near you it would be worth the signup fee to get the savings. But, do your comparison shopping.

[turbillion.livejournal.com]

i believe in the relationship between where you buy a car and where you have it serviced. i also prefer dealerships that represent more than one brand. in the event of a design flaw or other service issue that can arise with any complicated appliance, i prefer a dealer willing to go to bat for me against a manufacturer because they sold the car to me and want me to buy from them again. if you save a few dollars elsewhere but require service or special help from a local dealer, will they be as motivated for you or consider you "their" customer?

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

In a way, I am similar, although I have a much better relationship with my mechanic than I want to have with a dealer. If there is a manufacturing defect, it's all taken care of via the warranty, so having a relationship with a dealer doesn't really matter. A car is just a commodity purchase to me.

The real relationship is with my mechanic/dyno guy/tuner, and I *always* make sure he's doing well. You don't fuck with someone who is going to change your drive-by-wire system to a traditional throttle.

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

You don't fuck with someone who is going to change your drive-by-wire system to a traditional throttle.

Wouldn't that depend on how hot and willing he is?

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

I'd wait until *after* it was finished ;-)

[otterpop58.livejournal.com]

have you asked the local dealer if they will match the CarsDirect price?

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am going to do "local" legwork as well… I just wanted to know if CD was even an option, if for no other reason than to use it as a quote for a price war.

[beg1n.livejournal.com]

Not CarsDirect, but I did buy my last car online. I went through Autobytel.com back in 2001, and had an incredible experience. Plus they still send me emails reminding me about maintenance which is nice.

Good luck with your purchase!

[bitbear.livejournal.com]

FWIW - I got online yesterday and used a couple of sites, CarsDirect was one, Autobytel was another. It could be the Minneapolis/St. Paul is a smaller market, but my information just got farmed out to local dealers.

I got emails back from about 4 dealers with vague questions and close estimates of pricing. I too thought it would be simple commodity shopping.

This morning I put a deposit down over the phone and my car should be here as ordered in four weeks (high demand, specific color/leather combinations, blah, blah, blah).

It was pretty easy, but it was done through a dealer's 'internet sales department'.