Been looking to sell my RS 2.0 xb without any luck so far and found myself interested in a 03 VW Beetle Turbo I saw on the Dealer's lot last weekend. Loaded car. Don't wanna trade mine in like that, but thought I'd go and see what the dealer had to say. I am very aware of the reputation of the Beetle and I read Consumer Reports, however, I have always liked the Beetle. Basically, things went like this:
Me.....drives nice, I hear a little hum from the rear end (remember, it's front drive)
Dealer....This is much more car than yours. That is the TURBO making the noise
Me....So what kinda milage do these get?
Dealer.....This will get MUCH better mileage than your scion. (The TURBO requires premium fuel and gets LOWER mpg, in fact).
Me.....What speed does the TURBO kick in at?
Dealer....It works all the time (I've never owned a TURBO, but I don't think they work all the time)
Dealer.........why don't you get some coffee while I talk to my manager?
Me...Okay (Knowing what is coming next)
Dealer....(to shorten the BS and save space, it sorta goes like this)....".Here's the deal, your car is only worth....................and it won't even bring...........and it isn's even safe..........and they have such a poor resale..............and on and on. I don't read Consumer Reports and I've never heard of any problems with this and that. This Is German engineering".
No matter what I said, it was instantly dismissed as false or as misinformation.
I really would like to have a Beetle one of these days, but will probably look elsewhere as far as a dealership is concerned. I realize they are in business to make money, but when you don't know your product thoroughly, and can't answer questions about specs and such, then just outright lie about things (BY THE WAY, THE BEETLE HAS AN ABSOUTELY TERRIBLE REP FOR RELIABILITY AND CONSUMER REPORTS LISTED A 2003 TURBO AS A USED CAR TO AVOID) I am completely turned off and disillusioned by this and cannot consider purchasing there. I will sell my car straight out and think about a Beetle later. I realize the tax implications and savings by trading (although I don't consider myself the savviest consumer) but my next approach to a VW salesman will be VERY different. I prefer a "Certified" vehicle, especiall in the case of a VW, but before I talk to another salesman I will lay down some ground rules up front and if they break even one, I will walk. Also, this is not the first time I have had disappointing encounters like this.......my toyota salesman tried the same when I traded in my 04 xb on the 05 xb. "We can't do that.....we can't sell them used.....they aren't worh much now,etc. SAD. No wonder we hate salesmen.

If I were a salesman I would not use such an approach and if I did, I would never expect to sell anything. Putting down what the customer is driving (even if it is the same car!!!!!) and outright lying without knowlege of the products seems to me no way to win the confidence of the prospective customer, although I guess many people fall for it. ............"Bless me Father for I have sinned. You see, I'm a car salesman and I.................................."

 

Oops...........just realized I posted in the wrong forum, oh well........

 

A beetle? C'mon! Over an xB?? ahahah the xB has bad resale value? Talk about sike!!! My friend's used xB cost more than the 08 xB. So what does that tell you? :brow:

 

My piont exactly. Pure BS from the salesperson. I LIKE the Beetle, but it is no toyota when it comes to reliability and for that person to try telling me otherwise, even after my research is ludicrous! The Beetle is a much more complicated car (lots more features, bells and whistles) hence much more to go wrong. I don't think I want a Turbo and don't wanna deal with that type salesperson. Had her approach been a little different, I may have at least CONSIDERED doing business there, but it was just a massive turnoff.

 

Hmm, get a GTI 5 door instead. or the Farenheit GTI. Its Orange and its a Limited Edition.

 

dealers = suck. xb and minis both rox
gl on that!

 

awww... I walways wanted a yellow xb...

 

If you reaaly 'want' a beetle than by all means get one...but if you 'need' a dependable car then keep your xb...Japanese cars last long, German and American cars (sad to say) they pretty much blow...German and American car companies have to answer to shareholders...all shareholders care about is profits. The Japanese figured out long ago that quality cars are much more profitable in the long run than just producing a quantity car like American and German automakers do...thats my story and Im sticking to it

 

I could always deliver to DFW.
Road Trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Never ask a dealer or any salesperson a question unless you already know the answer. Do a ton of research and go to several dealers before you even think about parting with your hard earned dollars.

 

If the salesperson would have said, "I'm not sure, how about I look that up and then show it to you/" or something to that effect instead of providing misinformation by the shovelful. Two minutes was all it took and I was immediately on high alert, knowing I couldn't trust anything she said. She wasn't even a good liar. If and when the time comes, I may look into a 04 or 05 Non Turbo............but elsewhere

 

Well.....that is a horrible story!! I hate how pressured I feel when I go into a dealership too! And I find it funny how when I ask them questions.....they don't know the answer, but I do...and I make them look foolish....because they just got told by a girl. Ha!

But the reason that he jumped on you like he did is probably because....well.....did you see ANY other customers there?? It seems like every time I drive past a VW and Saturn dealership, they are abandoned! It's horrible!! I was looking at the Saturns once (not to buy, but just curious about the undentable car!) and the salesman was very nice, but I felt bad because he nearly broke his hand on the car! He wanted the sale so bad, he punched the car about 4 times REALLY hard!!

And can I ask why you want to sell your box? I'm just curious. No other reason than that.

Good luck finding a good salesperson!!

~Stephanie

 

i would have loved to have been there with the printed consumer reports of the 03 beetle in hand and the same for your toaster. i wonder how many shades of red she'd have turned

 

I would like to move on to something else (nothing definite yet) Just a change of vehicle. My Scion seems to be a huge liability lately. It has almost been crashed into by kids on bikes and battery operated ridems several times recently. Found a mark on the back bumper by the exhaust where it was apparently scuffed by a football or basketball from the street, a lady almost hit me a few days ago.........just drove out onto the road from her driveway,never looked my way, but luckily I anticipated her stupidity...........On top of that I only drive it about once a week on average, Only 11500 miles so far. Of course any vehicle can be damaged at any time, but if you don't see it happening, most of the time you never find out about it until you notice it yourself. People won't own up to damaging someone else's property. I drive my old Ford most of the time. When I drive the Scion, I park it in the middle of nowhere taking extra precaution to insure not one can possibly touch it unless intentional. I don't think I'm better than everyone else, it just that no one rrespects anyone's property anynore. Just seems to be alot of extra worry to avoid the"***** craniums" of the world. Just trying to take care of my car and getting tired..............

 

herd that. seems like mebe the yellow is a sub conscience attention getter?? i dunno you ever ride a motorcycle? it's like that whole paragraph every time you go anywhere.

get what you want be happy with it.

 

Ya, I believe that the xB is cursed....every person I know with one has had SOMETHING bad happen with it, big or small.

I understand where you're coming from. Sucks. Well, good luck finding something to better suit your needs!

~Stephanie

 

Yeah, I thought about the yellow color attracting attention and danger, but dismissed it as paranoia...........then again, maybe not. Just trying to be brave and fight for liberty and justice for Scion Owners everywhere!

 

I work at a aftermarket car shop (tint/graphics stuff like that) and we do tons of work for all the major dealerships around here, and I was talking to one of the VW salesman a couple months ago that came in. He told me, that it was a while since he drove a RWD car (I cant remember how he brought that up), but that he really like the new RWD BEETLE.

Yeah. RWD Beetle. Not like a old 60s-70s style. But an 06. He then told me its a TWIN Turbo. I just acted like nothing was wrong and went on with the conversation.

That just proves that MOST salesmen have absolutely no idea about the cars they sell.

 

Yeah, I heard they have INTERSTELLAR DRIVE now too

 

The passats use Dilithium Crystals...

God, I'm not even a Star Trek Nerd either.