Well, the dealer and I had all the numbers worked out. The dealer was going to have to find the car that I wanted. So he found a couple of cars the were my specs. So I ask him to tell me the last 4 of the vin before he commits to that particlular vehicle. He the proceeds to tell me that he can't do that becasue I'm demanding too much? WTF!! He's telling the me the customer that I'm demanding too much by asking for the VIN?

Sorry for the rant, just kind of pissed me off.

 

That dealer is stupid. WTF is wrong in asking the VIN? Good this you did not buy there.

 

pff... what an idiot. buy from somewhere else.

tell him you are going somewhere else and tell him why.

 

Not all dealers are created equal. You made the right decision in walking out, and will hopefully find a better dealer to buy your TL from.

Good Luck

 

Actually, you need the last 5 digits, and being that the vin's are up around 50,000 now it won't be long before you need all six digits to fully identify the sequence.

 

I think you guys are nutty! Not buying the car you want because you cna't get the VIN? The car does come with a 4 year, 50,000 warranty correct? You DO have to right of refusal at time of delivery, correct? If you want a TL, order it, stop trying to 2nd guess Acura, and if you don't like the one you find, don't buy it. If you buy it and it has problems, use your warranty. This is almost as bad as the whole "don't buy a car that was built on a Friday or Monday" craze. No matter the VIN sequence, all of the cars come with the same warranty and availability of recourse in the even tof a problem. You pretty much have only a couple decisions to make: color, tranny, nav or no nav. Worrying about all this other stuff is too hit-or-miss to lose any sleep over. There is no catch-all that says past a certain VIN sequence all TLs are perfect, nor that all before it are affected with a particular problem, especially if you hear from all the new owners who have had no issues. Give it a rest.

 

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81308 is an example of a thread where at least two other posters confirm there's no hard and fast rule about low-VIN cars.

 

Wouldn't getting the VIN confirm that the salesman found the car he was looking for?

 

Getting the VIN itself isn't the point... its the attitude of the dealer. Its fair to say that their job is to make as much money off the deal as possible, right? We all go into the show room knowing this. However, the other side of the bargain is to not make us feel like shit when we go in. Its a matter of customer service, to say "your asking for too much" is synonymous with saying "i dont give a crap about helping you, just give me money." At least show some courtesy before you grab the customer's wallet, you know?

 

Tell the dealer you need the vin so that you can get an accurate quote for your car insurance.

Jim

 

That's what I meant to type. I was just pissed for getting treating like a pile of crap.

 

sparky, no. I can't think of a purchase where I've taken the VIN# home to decode it. Just tell me when the car will arrive. The only reason I've come across the request for a VIN is to see if it falls in the "problem" range. And your insurance agent doesn't need the VIN until the car's been purchased, so that wasn't the reaon either.

 

If I wanted to keep on using my warranty, I would keep my Audi. I'm tired of having the vehicle in the shop at least once a month.

 

Who the hell cares what the VIN is? You can get a lemon no matter what the number is. I have 28XX. Car is trouble free with no problems. You honestly think your getting a better car by knowing the VIN?

 

vin is very important in a new model car. everyone knows the first year of a new design can have a lot of kinks to work out. if he can choose between an early VIN and a newer one, which do you think he would pick? which do you think would really have less problems?

chances are nomatter what he gets he will be OK, but he has a better chance of not having any problems with a newer vin

 

Maybe you don't care, but KHill did. It wasn't a totally out of line question, but the dealer's response was. KHill did the right thing by walking. I wouldn't have asked for it myself, but don't jump all over the guy because he did something you wouldn't have. Sheesh

 

If I'm buying a 32k+ car and ask for something as easy as a VIN # and they give me attitude, imagine what it will be like when you really have a problem that they need to help you with. I'm guessing it won't be a good experience. I'm sure you can find another dealer that will be glad to give you a VIN # and take your money without bitching.

It's amazing when someone trying to sell you something expensive like this and they act like they are doing you a favor by selling it to you. Freaking amazing...

 

Khill:

Try contemporary motors, ERIE, PA. They gave me a deal $100 less a month than my local dealer (Ferman) in Tampa, Fl. So I bought a one-way ticket...

 

Sorry to hear about this, KHill. Was this at Park Acura? There's always Bedford and Boardman

 

You have to admit it's a very odd request. "Excuse me, I know this is a high-demand vehicle, and you can get the color/options I want, but I'd REALLY like to have car 48223 rather than car 25022 if you don't mind." It's like asking the specific serial number of the fridge you want. I'd think the buyer was jerking my chain, too. Even if he explained to the dealer his concern, the bottom line is either you want the car or you don't. As I said, warranties are the same so there's no real reason to "wait" for a patricular VIN series to show up. This is precisely WHY the car has a warranty. Being aHonda product, it's highly likely to be oodles more reliable than an Audi. Let's not be paranoid. Put yourself in the dealer's shoes. I wouldn't want customers who'll buy "if the serial # is right!" W...T...F????

 

Then you wouldn't get my 35 grand then. I don't know about you but when I spend that kind of cash they should try and accommodate the "customer". Remember they need to win your business, there is competition. I spend my money with companies that deserve it not just because they have the product I want. I can get an Acura many other places.

And if you think they don't want customers under those circumstances your on crack and have never been in sales. You do what you can do to get the deal done period. It's too competitive out there. If you don't, someone else will.

 

dude he didn't buy the car because the dealer was an ass, he doesnt even know the vin number because the dumbass wouldnt tell him... man go back and read what he wrote.

 

I had an 03 Accord Coupe EX V6 6-SPD that was an early production. I had way more problems with that car than I do with my Audi. One month the Accord spent 3 weeks in the shop. So I got rid of it with only 4,900 miles on it. I'm just a little parinoid by early production Honda products since I've experienced one.

 

That's exactly right. I was pissed at the way I got treated. I've never been treated that way before when I've bought a car. I know I'm only 21, but I've already bought 4 new cars. I've never been treated that way in the other purchases.

 

Sure was. I'm going to go to Motorcars on Monday.

 

Lastdra900n, I did read the original post, and I know he didn't get the VIN. What I'm ridiculing is the obsession over having it. To the person who said I've never been in sales, the point is if the car is in demand, as I pointed out in an earlier post, the sales rep DOESN'T have to "do whatever it takes" to get the sale, because if you pass, 15 minutes later someone else will buy it. Surely you've followed threads about the wait for this car, or that people can't get them locally so they're travelling out-of-state! In that kind of seller's market, what makes you thikn the sales rep has to deal with someone who'll buy "the correct VIN number". I understand his request for the VIN, but even the original poster admits he's *paranoid*, adn the delaership just doesn't have to put up with it if they have another customer cash-in-hand who IS ready to pull the trigger, not *almost*

 

The point I'm trying to make is that all the *potential* issues, none will leave you stranded; they're all repairable, IF you even have them in the first place. The dealer sees some 21-year-old (millionaire or not) come in asking for some oddball info. You don't need it for insurance, you don't need it before you buy, so what's the point. To the salesman, it's the same as asking him to give you the right rear tire pressure for each car. His question to himself is, "is this more likely to hepl him buy the car, or some excuse to back out of the work we've already done." I can't believe only a couple people see my point.

 

I started to read some posters questioning why you need a vin number, but didn't read all the follow-up posts.

Here is a quick reason the vin can make a huge difference. Let us say that you are promised a delivery date and you put down a deposit. In theory, they have a car on a lot for you somewhere in the country, or it is being produced. Let us also say you have negotiated a great deal for yourself, with a very low dealer profit. While you are patiently waiting for your car to arrive, someone comes into the dealership who wants the same color, features, etc., and is willing to pay top dollar for the car, but is unwilling to wait until one is found or built for them. Low and behold, the dealership [I know this is hard for some of you to believe ], will go ahead and sell them the car they intended to deliver to you, and you will have to again wait for yours to be made or found. Since they already have your deposit and sale, they will certainly pull the above scenario, as it has happened to many a customer. However, if you make it clear that you expect delivery of a particular car and have the vin in the contract, they must deliver that car. I could go into more detail, but am pressed for time.

The bottom line is that having the vin in your contract does add extra protection for you, and keeps a dealership from taking advantage of you.

 

heyy folks if your paying more then 30 k after taxes for acura tls and the like your being ripped i payed 27,900 out the door shure they tryed to hit for 30k plus taxes i just got up walked of coures they chased down and took my offer .the dam well there tons of other dealers play hard ball with your hard earned money by the if you bought acura pruduct be ready for blow trannys and crap trust me i just dumped 03 tl cuz of this seeya dont need the headtripp

 

 

to khill save your self dont buy tl of any year all junk lol demanding to much lol shoot i make my car dealer take broke tl for trade in and make him give loaded sle v6 solarafor 25,000 27,800 out the door car dealers are like hungy dog treat as such good luck plus folks my solara is faster then my old broke 03 tl and hase way more goodys to boot

 

oh tl gator dont worry your over price acura junk 04 will fail to maybe you bought manule tranny but that alllso tell you about whats going on with tl im sorry your 04 tl looks like tsx ugly dont be mad you probly payed 40 k on sale lol and thought u got good deal

 

Warning, warning, troll alert, lol.

Just a word to the wise, punctuation is your friend . New back to the topic at hand...

Whether you agree with getting the VIN or not, the dealer shouldn't have treated him in that manner. It sounds to me that the sales guy had second thoughts about selling to him at the agreed upon price and look for an excuse not to complete the deal. Assuming the situation was as he stated, I would have walked as well. Just my humble opinion.

 

You think Honda's are bad, try an early production Audi...

I don't mean to dig but the fact is any manufacturer's first run of a new model or redesign is going to be inherently flawed.

Please try to maintain perspective.

I also don't agree with the way you were treated. You should insist on dealing only with the manager or go to another dealership. There are plenty of hungry dealers out there. Good luck.

 

to put this in perspective.

i got my VIN# before i even put money down to hold my TL. i got my VIN# BEFORE THE CAR WAS EVEN SHIPPED TO THE DEALER. i got my VIN# included in one of the many emails ive sent back and forth with the dealer.

no hassle, no mess, no raised eyebrow from the dealer. they just did it because its not an outrageous request.

people are different with their purchases. i am pretty information-hungry and want to know everything about the car and i want to double check everything. every price, every part, every number flowing in and out of the transaction. some people go "its how much? its the color i want? ok, lets make a deal", some are like me and require a bit more talking... the dealer should accomodate both.

 

Troll or not TLGator, your response was out of line.

Do not repeat the same mistake again.

 

You ask anyone in car sales if it's a "seller's market". There are many Acura dealers with TL's on the lots. In addition, there are many other great cars in this price range. It's most certainly not a sellers market. They have competition, much in fact.

 

If people are still asking how can I get the best deal, and having to drive long distances to get a better deal, what else would you call it? If there was abundant supply, all colors/options on every dealers lot, then there would be a buyer's market. Have you been rading the forums?

 

I have a lot of respect for the mods on this forum - not an easy job and we don't pay you to do it - but I would like to know why the sudden use of censorship? If you guys don't want such commentary, fine, but you don't need my help to be pointed to 100 threads or more in which WORSE language has been used. Not to mention that my comment, however "offensive" it might seem to certain people, was obviously in jest, given that I don't know that other forum member or who he really might have married (if he's married at all) or who or what he might enjoy sexual relations with.

Bottom line - if you want things "cleaner" (and in my opinion, more boring) you are certainly entitled. It's your forum, not mine. But this seemed very much an inconsistent, solitary strike against me rather than a consistent application of rules.

 

2 threads that bear out my point:
http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81269
http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76793
It is a seller's market and that's why dealers may not put up with those who need a particular VIN#.