Sitting in dealer as we speak.... dealer tried to add a $1495 "certification fee." Said it was "the cost to get it certified." Sounds like a bump to me... opinions? FYI- I told him to kiss off, and he did!
This is a great case for doing your homework before going in to buy... like if I didn't know the "Certified" vehicle had a factory warranty, I might fall for the extended warranty pitch.
"Certification" is just another sales gimmick to make money for the seller and the dealer. If you are NOT car savvy, a good trusted mechanic and a CarFax report is all you need. If you are going to buy "certified," you might as well buy NEW. Certification
They wound up not fighting very hard on the "certification fee", though they did try to tell me that "they had spent money to get it to pass MD state inspection." Again, their problem, not mine. I agree a "good trusted mechanic" is important. Unfortunately, a lot of people scrimp on their cars so much that when they need that relationship, they've never built it.
Ever since I bought my first used car in 1972, I've bought only one used. I discover all sorts of thing about used cars that I did not like. There are so many of them that get deferred maintenance, like old houses. I've worked on all of my cars and had very little done by others over the years. I KNOW what kind of maintenance is required and when to do it. I prefer it that way. So, I always buy NEW. If you know cars and take care of you own, the premium that you pay for NEW is worth it. Not being sexist, but the worst car to buy is one that has been owned by a female drive under 30. They seldom maintain their cars until they break and find the cheapest pace to repair them when thy do. The idea of maintenance is to wash the car and to clean the interior.
And most never change the oil. I buy new as well. Best way to go for me. When I was younger and did not have much money I bought a couple of used cars and they were nothing but trouble.
The "free" service for the first two years is actually there to protect the manufacturer and the dealer from those who don't take care of their cars. They have good reason to void the warranty, if it is documented that they buyer doesn't take it in for service.
I would ask for the CPA fee discount. Tell them that's what it's going to cost to have your CPA approve the deal.
Respectfully, that's not necessarily so. One of the perks of factory-"certified" cars is that the factory financing arm (TMC, GMAC, etc.) will finance them as new. This is part of the reason for the hair-splitting between "used" and "certified pre-owned."
AAAAAAAAAAAH That is WAAAAAAAAAY sexist!!!! I've spent over $1200- bringing this 2008 car up to date in maintenance and minor repairs. Not a dime yet on car wash, detailing or cosmetic improvement. BTW: 1st owner, did near nothing for 40k miles. Male, under 30 at the time. 2nd owner: 1 oil change, 4 tires, 1 HID bulb (and probably the cause and start of the nagging headlight condensation) for the next 90+k miles. Male under 30, then and now. Sorry for the thread hi-jack, Bluedogz. CONGRATS on the new car and suave dealings
Unfortunately, YOU are in the minority. Women, who are car maintenance enthusiast who understand and do there own service remain in lesser numbers than those who are men. Yours happens to be one particular case. I admire those who take care of their cars, whatever the gender.
