Searching Dealer Inventory
- Thread starter Doghouse
- Start date
hdghog
New member
I've always used cars.com for inventory searches.
Hopefully, the following link shows all Sonics on dealer lots anywhere in the US:
New Cars for Sale: Listings Near 11754 - Cars.com
No, that's not my actual zip code, and yes, you can limit the search results by area (as well as style, transmission, color, etc.)
Hopefully, the following link shows all Sonics on dealer lots anywhere in the US:
New Cars for Sale: Listings Near 11754 - Cars.com
No, that's not my actual zip code, and yes, you can limit the search results by area (as well as style, transmission, color, etc.)
jlslatton
New member
I've always used cars.com for inventory searches.
Hopefully, the following link shows all Sonics on dealer lots anywhere in the US:
New Cars for Sale: Listings Near 11754 - Cars.com
No, that's not my actual zip code, and yes, you can limit the search results by area (as well as style, transmission, color, etc.)
I can tell you for a fact that cars.com does NOT have the most updated inventory of the dealers for a given area. The prices there I've found also differ than what the dealership may have on their website.
The best place I've found for inventory information is the individual dealers' websites. If all else fails, call them. Just be ready for "the sell" and be ready to say no.
hdghog
New member
I definitely agree -- but, of course, checking tons of different websites isn't the most convenient option.
Cars.com is often outdated and/or semi-inaccurate, but it does provide an alternative to Edmund's (as cited by OP) for the same general function.
AleksFallsChev
New member
Well I tried the calling route. I was told by 3 different dealerships that they had the vehicle. Once I started pushing for answers, they admitted they were lying about having that exact type in stock. F-BS! If I had driven 40 miles to get that I would have flipped out on their arse!
I hate it when I am more educated than the sales people, but to be lied to about inventory is unacceptable.
I hate it when I am more educated than the sales people, but to be lied to about inventory is unacceptable.
hdghog
New member
Par for the course, unfortunately, at least in my experience.
The most I ever hope for when dealing with car dealerships at this point is that the obligatory "stretching" of truth doesn't get to the realm of "bald-faced lie," that they at least pretend to respect my time and intelligence, and that they acknowledge that my patronage isn't something they're entitled to.
One of my favorites is the automated e-mail that every dealership's "Internet Sales department" (read: guy-in-the-corner-cubicle) seems to send out when you inquire about any vehicle. "We have your <copy-and-paste-vehicle-make-year-and-model>, and hundreds of other vehicles in stock."
Well, no -- no you don't. I asked for a blue LTZ hatch with the spiffy rims and the tech. package, not a red base model sedan (which isn't even on our the yet).
TravsSonic
New member
my reason for completely marking the ford focus off my list of possible cars to buy, was I point blank lied to, to get me to the lot. I pressed them on if they had a 2012 with a MT, they said yes. I insisted they go out and find it on the lot.. they were on the phone with me walking out onto the lot. "Yes, i have the 2012 with a MT right here.. my hand in on the car". So i drove 35 miles one way to test drive it.. it was an automatic. I was seriously PO'd
Then about a week later it happened again on a different ford lot, but they said they had 3 2012's with MT's. I only drove about 15 miles one way that time. But it was enough for me to mark ford off my list of possible cars. And I gave the ford customer service people an ear full when they called to see how I liked my visit to the lot.
Sounds like you have some shady dealers in your area. I think I've had some imply they had MTs before, but I've yet to be downright lied to like that. I'd imagine it was probably a dealer thing, not a Ford thing. If other people see the same kind of thing only from Ford across the country, it might give credence to a lack of oversight in Ford's dealer PR office.
SeattleSonic
New member
Wow I just called a local dealer who was happy to search other local dealerships, and tell me who has what. Then I called direct to confirm what I wanted was available. The guy who answered that call was easy to work with, and made a sale that day.
MacGregor
New member
Sonics Arrive in Ann Arbor
Two LT hatches, right off the truck yesterday (Sep 20) One red, the other orange, both auto tranny, 1.8L naturally aspirated engines. Cute as a bug in a rug! Just happened to be in the neighborhood and dropped in to the Chevy dealer, a salesman with 20 yrs in the business walked me to the back lot to get a look. He didn't know squat about the Sonic, so I started jaw-jacking him about "It has the same hp engine as the Cruze which weighs 600 lbs more," etc. Pointed out all the nice little details about this cutey-pie. He asked if I was trying to SELL HIM the car . . .
Two LT hatches, right off the truck yesterday (Sep 20) One red, the other orange, both auto tranny, 1.8L naturally aspirated engines. Cute as a bug in a rug! Just happened to be in the neighborhood and dropped in to the Chevy dealer, a salesman with 20 yrs in the business walked me to the back lot to get a look. He didn't know squat about the Sonic, so I started jaw-jacking him about "It has the same hp engine as the Cruze which weighs 600 lbs more," etc. Pointed out all the nice little details about this cutey-pie. He asked if I was trying to SELL HIM the car . . .
TravsSonic
New member
haha.. should have asked for your commission.
