Auto makers assume the entire world is made of idiots and they are above us all in brainpower. Their only game is to feed us the worm, us catch the hook and buy their products. It is a psychological game they are playing. Advertise catchy phrases filled with false promises, make us curious and go into the showroom. Once in there we will never be permitted to leave unless we buy a car.
Case in point. We own a 2018 Hyundai Tucson with pretty high mileage. Months ago, the catalytic converter was stolen from underneath it and we have not yet replaced it. They said it is at least $2,500. The car also in need of new tires and there are some minor issues with the car. In short, time for a new car.
Just before New Year and ad showed up in our email by Hyundai saying that in their Gateway promotion, we can get a new 2024 Hyundai Tucson with reduced price and a 60 month no interest loan. Good until January 2, 2024. Sounded good, let's go to the dealer!
Right at the beginning the salesman told us that the advertised car does not exist. None of the dealers have it. The 0% interest loan only applies to people with very high credit rating (800+). But as long as we are here look around and see maybe there is something else we like. Nice move, ha?
Ok, we looked around and settled on a 2024 Hyundai Venue. Nice small svu with a reasonable price tag. After a protracted haggling we agreed on a price. This was on a Friday afternoon, so we went back on January 2, Tuesday to pick up the car. Just a small detail remained, the financial detail.
We sat down with the financial manager (everybody is a manager) and he jovially informed us that our interest rate will be 9.69% for 75 months. No. no, no we said. We came in on the promise of 0% interest. He told us the same thing the salesman told us. It did not apply to us. But just to show what a nice guy he is he lowered it to 5.67%. My wife said she would not pay a penny more over 5%. Another trip to the boss for consultation. He said he would try 4.99% because according to the small print in the promotion that was what we would qualify for.
After a lengthy consult with the boss (actually his father) and the bank he returned and offered us 4.19% for 60 months. We feel that we won. But this shows how crooked and misleading car companies are. We can not trust the company ads, can not trust the sales people, can not trust anybody. Maybe ourselves.
So now we have a nice little 2024 Hyundai Venue. By the way, the 2018 Hyundai Tucsan was traded in.
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