Incorrigible Consumerist Whore

[snousle]

Traded in my Beetle for a new Element:



My attitude towards new cars is deeply ambivalent. Leaving the Beetle with the dealer was emotionally akin to leaving a dog at the pound, and the loss of the old car greatly overshadowed the pleasures of a new one. But it was wildly inappropriate for mountain life, and even the few trips I made into town were rapidly destroying it. I got $3K for it even though it had a broken headlight, a $500 fix that now I won't have to make. Not a bad deal for a zero-hassle trade in.

Psychologically, this takes the role of my mother's Volvo, which is 23 years old, and looks and runs like it's brand new. It's the best car I've ever seen. This Element, especially it's color, reminds me of it very strongly. The choice to buy an Element predated this feeling, but on seeing it on the lot I was surprised by its draw.

My capital-purchase habits are otherwise rigid and unemotional. I go to several dealers, get a quote, and take the best one - period. The seller gets exactly one chance to make a quote. But trying to get actual numbers out of a car salesman is an hour-long process involving a highly scripted ritual whose form is easier to acquiesce to than resist. In this case, the saleswoman kept asking me "What can I do to sell you this car?" My answer - various forms of "tell me what it will cost" - didn't seem to satisfy her. In the end, the local dealership was $800 over the best price, but they got me $500 more on the trade in and I ate the $300 because I prefer to shop locally and they didn't pull the "Today Only!" bullshit the Santa Rosa guy tried even after I explained I wouldn't be making the decision that day.

She was also very surprised that I declined to take a test drive. Why would I? It's not about handling, it's about squareness. Squareness is everything when you're hauling cargo around. In the end, she more or less made me test drive it, presumably to preempt any post-purchase complaints. I was pleased.

Driving home was wonderful. The VW had such a rigid suspension, this is like riding on a flying carpet in comparison. We have lots of fresh gravel on the road right now, but the tires didn't slip at all. It was eerie, almost like driving on pavement.

In truth, I would much rather drive a rusty old truck. New cars are sterile and devoid of character. Unfortunately I lack the mechanical skills to keep an old truck running, and my business demands absolute reliability. So the purchase of a new car is not so much the traditional marker of success as it as an admission of personal failure, or perhaps just a lack of courage. It also pegs me as a bourgeois bohemian. Guess I can't really escape that niche after all. Yeah, it's nice, but it's a bittersweet sort of nice. I suppose I'll grow into it.

Comments

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of surprised - given your stated "rigid and unemotional" capital-purchase habits - that you apparently haven't accessed any of the no-hassle, no-haggle quote systems available. Costco's auto purchase program works that way - though you have to go to a dealership they have a fleet purchase arrangement with. Any number of dealerships now offer online quotes. Having those as ammo could drastically shorten the negotiation process. "Match this, and I'll buy from you. If you can't, I'll go there."

I suspect you're right about the "forced" test drive; Honda corporate tends to lean on dealerships about customer satisfaction. Handling is important to me; one of the most annoying cars I ever drove was a GM rental that had a massive "dead spot" in the middle of the steering travel. Did you get the AWD model? I imagine that could explain the lack of slippage, even on gravel.

To me, cars are functional transportation with reliability the primary point; motorcycles or other non-"mission critical" vehicles get to have "character."

[snousle.livejournal.com]

Going through COstco hadn't occurred to me. In any case, it wasn't MUCH hassle, it's just the mild indignity of going through their inane scripts and psychological games. It would not be worth spending more time or waiting on delivery just to shave a few hundred dollars off. I think competitive quote-gathering works reasonably well, and the differences aren't huge. Shopping local is also kind of important in a small town, people talk a LOT about what other people do.

Yep, it's "on demand" 4WD that engages automatically, as part of the computer controlled traction system or whatnot. I am a little skeptical of this concept but I can't argue with the results.

[wolfstoy.livejournal.com]

Nice choice for a new car; it should be a good vehicle for what you need.

There were other choices for getting a good deal, but in the end, if you're happy, then it's all good.

As for a test drive, seriously you should certainly test drive any car you end up with. You want to listen for rattles or see imperfections that could be problematic later on. While you most likely can't go wrong with a Honda, it never hurts to make sure that the vehicle will be comfortable for you to drive.

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

Nice car!
And I bet I'll fit in it better than the Bug!

[oscarlikesbugsy.livejournal.com]

Whore. *g*

(I probably don't know you well enough for that, do I?)

Make no mistake, though. There is _nothing_ romantic about being a starving bohemian or not having the $400 to get the clutch in your truck fixed...

I saw one of Ford's "Ranch King" models the other day, driven by a local landscape company owner, I think. Tricked out with turbo charged deisel engine, in the 450 model...yawzer. Upshot: fancy leather seats. More like a cruise ship inside than a rugged truck experience, you know, where the dirt of the last 20 years can be found on the floorboard, if one were to excavate it.

[oscarlikesbugsy.livejournal.com]

I concur totally - cheap and lean.

AWD and maybe curtain airbag are probably the only two innovations of the past 10-15 years to pay up for.

[growler-south.livejournal.com]

Ooh pretty! I always liked the Element, though I like the FJ Cruiser more. Unfortunately neither are available in right-hand drive. :-(

I dont think I could ever buy a new car- for half the price you can get the same thing, just a couple years old and with 30k on the clock. (Then again, if you'd done that with the Element you might have ended up with an '03-'04 model, and then you'd be looking at a new windshield every 6 months. Ouch.)

Of course, in NZ the most interesting cars are the used Japanese imports, so buying used is pretty much a no-brainer. Only companies buy new cars, due to the depreciation tax write-offs.

[snousle.livejournal.com]

I would have test driven this particular vehicle before taking it, but when it comes to choosing a model in the first place, I go mostly on reviews. John has a CRV already, so I knew more or less what I was getting into. Although I was surprised at how much nicer the Element is to drive.

[snousle.livejournal.com]

Yes, the back seats are completely removable, and there are tie-downs so I can strap you to the floor. ;-)

[snousle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a used car is arguably more cost effective, but reliability is SUCH a huge issue that I'd rather know where it's been. I did look at used models but the prices were not much of a bargain - they hold their value well here.

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

Oh, my! *knees go weak*

And here I thought you weren't in to the dominance thing!

[mhkrabat.livejournal.com]

Mom's car is too new to be 240, I'm guessing... That makes it an 850 or a 960 (can't recall if there was a 940 that year?)

[h0gwash.livejournal.com]

I think the Element is a nice match for your business. I think your clients would freak out if you drove up in, say, a rusty Ranchero with a dented door and with bad valve seats, an irritable starter. All those guys who drive rebuilt/ gutted vintage van trucks with modern engines installed in them regret it. The mechanicals are too quirky.

[albear-garni.livejournal.com]

Oooo, an "elemento" as they say on the local japanese TV channel. I always liked the original commercial with the fake legos (they had to say that) building up the orange/rust colored version.

Frankly, I don't know how our neighbors make it on and off our ranch in sedans all the time. I'd think it would get old very quick...

Congratulations on your purchase; it's a cool car!

[beastbriskett.livejournal.com]

Looks like you made a good choice. I had a good while to get to know Mike's Element when I settled his estate. He lived in the Georgia mountains, and the backroads there were fun to whip around. Driving cross-country made me familiar with its quirks: a slight wind roar from the square profile and the lack of B-pillar, and a thirsty (for a Honda) drivetrain. I averaged 23-24 MPG Hwy, about what my PT Cruiser gets, but the Element's turning radius is way better.
The cavernous cargo capacity of the Element is its best point--the fold-flat and flip-up seats eliminate the need to store them when you need extra deck space. Hope you enjoy the hell out of your new putt!