Nother new car purchase question (I'm such a new car newbie!)

[Gold Metal Flake]

There is a Ford dealer with the Ford Focus I want with the options I want in the color I want (RED!). But this dealer is about 30 miles down the freeway from where I live, and that is LA freeway miles.

I have a local Ford dealer (who's selection sucks).

Q1) Would it be better to try to cut a deal with the delaer who has the car or to try to get my local delaer to get the car from the other dealer and sell to me. Anyone do this?

Q2) What if I buy from the distant dealer who has the car. Can I get it serviced under warranty at the local dealer or must I go to the dealer who sold me the car? Anyone been in this sitch?

BTW, the model, the station wagon, is now out of production since December, so I must choose from those already on dealer lots. The four door hatchback does not have enough room for luggage, two adults, one child and one large doggie. The local dealer selection and the almost local (near my work) dealer selection is not good, and this red one is just so boneriffic, having all the cool options and the sweet non-grey/silver/slate/black/emotionless color. I would love to have this wrapped up so's I can take it for a little vaca up to Monterrey in April.

Any info would be helpful, as I am just about ready to walk onto a lot. I've bought many cars, NONE of them new. I am in unchartered waters here. Glub glub!

[Nicole]

1. Local dealer would have to service it,

no matter where you bought it.

[Gold Metal Flake]

2. Youn mean, if it's under warranty any dealer would have to deal with it?

If so, then it mught be better to deal with the dealer that has the car, rather than the deaker that would have to obtain the car? Like it might cost more to have it sent locally?

[Nicole]

3. That's always been my experience.

I think they have to under contract terms with the manufacturer.

I would deal with the dealer who has the car. I would guess the more people involved, the more money involved?

[LeftyMom]

4. Not only that, since it's out of production

the dealer who has it will be motivated to get rid of it to get current product in. The local dealer's going to be much less motivated to make you a good deal since bringing the car over from a competitor means doing you a favor and indicates that you're highly motivated to get that car and not likely to walk if they make you a poor deal.

I would go in with edmunds or a similar site info on the mazda 3, toyota matrix and a few other small wagons printed out and in a folder or something. If this is absolutely the car you want to buy today, the last thing you want to do it let them know that. Let them talk you into it and cut you a deal to get the car off their lot.

[Gold Metal Flake]

7. Good advice.

Yes, this is not so different from my usual swap meet approach. Why would a new car be any different from a tasty tube amp in a pile of detritus? Carry some research, and let them talk me into it.

There is no analogue to the Focus wagon. The Matrix and the 3 do not have the extra space that the Focus wagon has, yet they are both capable competition to the Focus four door hatchback. You know your cars! I can let slip my admiration for the color, they can then suggest the utility of the extra space (if my swap meet Jedi mind tricks are still good, I'm out of practice a bit). I should simply lead them into leading me on.

You are also correct in assuming the wagon was discontinued due to a lack of demand. Wagons are always lower sellers yet usually optioned more heavily. Used, they are a fantastic bargain. My current 1990 Merc Colony Park is a luxo barge.

LeftyMom, this is just the perspective slap I needed. It ain't no big deal, I just gotta pry another sweet vintage Fender amp outta a swap meet dealer's hands for as little as possible without out him getting too pissed.

I'll post the results.

[Gold Metal Flake]

5. I agree about the money.

Thanks for the perspective.

:cheers:

[struggle4progress]

6. Hell, I know folk who have driven 600 or 700 miles to get a good car deal ...

... and made out well enough that the savings far exceeded the cost of the trip

[Gold Metal Flake]

8. Encouragement that I will take. Thanks!

Oh, it's on!