I still heart my new PT! It makes me all giggly just thinking about it!
We checked out a lot of Cruisers before purchasing this one. I spoke to salesmen who were nice, who were snotty and who were desperate. I called one back the day after a discussion and they told me he quit. Draw your own conclusions.
The pumpkin PT salesman (I saw no women selling cars - don’t know why) was nice enough. A little on the dumb side (thank you car gods - lol). He called and said, “I got a PT in. It’s kind of a burnt orange color. I don’t know if anybody will like it, but I thought I’d call and tell you.” He sighed, figuring he was wasting his time and would have to throw in hookers and a kilo of cocaine to be able to unload this “ugly” car.
Husband is a car fanatic and he was beside himself. He knew that this was a Dream Cruiser (right you were, Heather!)
We know how to play the game. Act like you’re doing the salesman a favor by even going for a test drive. Point out the flaws. Shoot daughter the evil eye when she starts to act too excited - LOL
The cars on the lot have very little gas in them, so the salesman got in the driver’s seat and took us to a service station. When he got out to fuel up the PT, I noticed something shiny in the driver’s seat. I retrieved the item. It was a razor blade. We reconsidered the possibility that the salesman really would throw in cocaine - LOL (Which of course we would have turned over to the DEA, says a paranoid Marti who is convinced that the government is reading her blog and may knock on her door any day now if she makes one more “flagged” reference.)
We returned to the dealership and the real wheelin’ started. I warned the salesman that I was a Moroccan street trader in a former life. He laughed. I did not, but gave him a steely-eyed look that caused him to visibly quiver. He slid a paper across the table with a price on it. I reached for my purse and he smiled. I picked it up and motioned to the family that we were leaving. He panicked. “Wait!” He hastily wrote another number. Then another. We tried to leave several times and the poor fellow was developing carpal tunnel from scratching out his offers. We told him we needed to go get some water and think about it. “I’ll send someone for water!” he said in desperation. I think we could have said we were going for a steak dinner and he’d have had one catered (dang why didn’t I think of that then?)
Water flunky arrived, bottles in hand. More negotiations. “Let me go talk to my supervisor.” We finally agreed, with the salesman sweating as badly as the water bottles. Then we moved to the “other” office.
The finance guy.
Husband commented, “Yours is the shadiest office we’ve been in,” and I had to contain my laughter. The double meaning of the remark went over finance guy’s head but Husband and I exchanged a knowing look.
When we got home, Husband told me to Google Dream Cruiser. Turns out mine is one of only 7500 made. VERY limited edition. Top notch options. Should have sold for far more than we paid.
My inner Moroccan is very happy.
Posted by Marti @ 
Congrats on the good deal!
My banker father recently went with me to find a car and watching him finagle was a wonder to behold.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Congratulations on getting that deal. I wish I had that gift of trading. Since I don’t, I have to rely on my husband, who does.
August 21st, 2007 at 4:30 pm
You Desert Fox you….
August 21st, 2007 at 5:55 pm
My late father was a “horse trader” from way back, he would have been proud to know you!!
August 21st, 2007 at 7:26 pm
You’re coming with me next time I go car shopping! Enjoy your new toy!
August 21st, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I love to car haggle… but I even showed my sons as I told them them that you have to be able to WALK! That’s the secret! Walk away just when the CLOSER makes his move! ~ jb///
August 21st, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Hate whealin/dealin. Next time I”m taking you along.
My cousin loves her PT
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:13 am
I hate haggling over anything. It’s just not me. Well done on a superb deal.
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:29 am
I’m so glad you are happy with your dream car! She is a beauty.
What are you going to name her?
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:41 am
Yay, Marti!
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:26 am
Now if only one could hire your services to haggle on an author’s behalf with their publishing house…
August 24th, 2007 at 8:24 am
You make car buying sound almost fun:)
The razor blade comment reminded me of the old Delorean joke “Check your trunk for your one kilo rebate”.
August 25th, 2007 at 10:08 am
alays nice to have a new car, but even better when you feel like you did well in getting it! congrats to you!!
August 26th, 2007 at 4:42 am
I want one! Thanks for the tip-off, and for stopping by the blog.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Oh how my hubby loves to deal. He coaches me on how to act, what to say/not say etc. Then he gets this evil gleam in his eye and in we go. We are rocks and waves of their offers crash against our unyielding frames until, gasping and frothing, they give US money to just TAKE the car! (Ok, we’re not THAT good - just dreaming…)
Glad you had success with your finesse!
August 28th, 2007 at 6:38 am