Carrera Mike

Hello to everyone.

OT and different brand. But I've always gotten great thoughts/oppinions here in rennlist!

I'm currently negotiating an '07 FX35 with Tech Package in Copper Color and Brick interior. Since it's the least in-demand color, they(Infiniti/Charles Baker) don't have the exact unit in their lot here in Va Beach, Va. The rep is saying that they have to trade one from another dealership and they actually have to send someone to drive it to pick it up. By now I'm scratching my head. I thought they freight them and its included to what I'm paying. But they said that the freight was the initial trucking of vehicles to the dealership lots from the port.

The nearest 2 units they located are in DC area So it will have at least 210 miles

Has anyone encountered this before??

Thank you in advance. ~Mike

Adrienne

Yes, I had that happen. I live in Austin, bought a car from a San Antonio dealer, and they did a trade from a dealership in Austin. Thus the car I wanted was already here in Austin, but they still had to drive it to the dealer in San Antonio to do the deal. Really dumb, but I saved thousands doing it that way. It didn't cost me any money for them to send the driver.

rcwelch

My oponion would be that if they want you to pay more then forget it, you can go somewhere else.

Carrera Mike

I told the dealership that I am willing to pick it up myself, but they said they can't allow me to, due to legalities. I weary about someone driving the car and messing up the break in procedure. /But the dealership is saying that they do this all the time and their drivers are matured and careful... I hope they don't do Schumacher pulls and turns

brucec59

You should not pay extra, but the practice does seem to be common. Our Toyota Highlander was the only white one with Nav in CA at the time we got it. It was driven from the Fresno dealer to SF Toyota, and had about 200 miles on it when we got it. The funny thing is, we actally saw the car when we were in Fresno about a week or so earlier, but we were not prepared to buy it on the spot.

Air Kuul TT

I agree with James... eventhough only 200 miles and they do this everyday... still doesn't make them care about what they're doing. Just my .02

dcdude

I see a lot of mostly higher-end stuff being delivered around Southern California by flat bed tow truck. That's the only way I would do it on principle (NEW car). I also wouldn't pay any more for that service.

Failing that, I'd get on the phone/web and find out just who it is that has that unit and go buy it there in person.

Joe S.

Dealer transfer. I used to drive some cars at the dealer for this purpose. My advise, pick it up yourself or have it shipped.

Caveman

I had a summer job doing dealer swaps. It was great fun and I got to thrash around in new cars! ....

ChrisA

Bought a new Cayenne in 05' and of course the extras and color requested by my wife was only available in NC, we live near San Francisco. The dealer and I had already settled on a price based on a local car (different color) so when we wanted the color change they had no choice but to bring the vehicle in from NC. Car was shipped in an enclosed truck, dealer paid for all charges related to shipping. A new vehicle should have less than 10 miles period. I would no want anybody driving my new car, espesially if they are delivering it. I think if the dealer wants to sell the car to you, they need to get creative.

MikeAlwaysWins

Have them truck it in for you, Mike..... I had a Mercedes driven down from San Francisco to L.A. in "82.. It arrived with a chip in the paint and I never forgave myself for not waiting for the same car to arrive locally.....

DocTock993

My S4 was a dealer trade. However, I never even had to ask, and they flat-bed shipped the car.
A Mitsubishi 3000 that I bought in 1999 was driven by a "driver" from one dealership to another.
Probably varies by the dealership and the brand.
As others have pointed out, why not just drive the car yourself? Heck, negotiate your personal cost to get there into your deal, and the “savings” in gas, labor, etc on the dealerships part. That way also, you know it will not be “some college kid”, or worse, the lowest mechanic’s second cousin, enjoying the first 200 miles in your car.

ARM993

I've been talking with the BMW dealer here about a car for my wife and she is fairly particular about what she wants. So far they are saying they will locate one the closest to her specs and once we approve will send a truck and trailer to get it. No additional cost, they will do the trade with another dealer to make the sale. Seems particularly on a higher end car this would be the expectation.

chris walrod

Go to that dealer and buy it there -- or at least mention that to the original dealer. Shouldnt have to pay for transport.

Speedraser

I did a few of these swaps for a dealer when I was in college. I was very careful -- I just have too strong a sense of mechanical sympathy to abuse a car. However, the other guys who did these swaps -- mostly kids -- let's just say I would not want to own the car after they drove it the first few hundred miles. Various high speed and other "interesting" stories were told. They also ate and drank in the car. I would absolutely not have it driven by someone you know nothing about. This dealer would charge for shipping if you wanted it delivered by flatbead rather than driven for the swap.