Bought a Vehicle

Last week, exbf totaled his vehicle, the Ford Explorer. On Wednesday I pre-shopped for him at the same place the bought his vehicle last year. I sat in the office and listened to the list of cars the guy thought he might want after I obliquely told him what he wanted.

I picked out one without going out to see it. The salesman gave me the Car Fax report. When exbf got home from work, I read it to him.

Thursday morning, he went to his bank and was approved for a certain dollar amount. Then, he drove here and got in my car while I ran out to drive him.

The salesman brought it up to us at the office and we took a test drive. I was concerned with a noise behind me. Exbf said it was just the motor. "The motor is back there?"

He assured me the motor was in front of me, under the hood. Then, he said it was just exhaust noise. "Any exhaust making that noise needs to be fixed!" He still did not believe me.

We were planning to have a local mechanic check out the car. I told the guy about the noise which exbf still insisted was nothing. The mechanic reported it was cupping. I knew what he meant. The tires are wavy, not smooth.

When we went back to the dealer's, the salesman was happy to hear all the belts and hoses were good. Exbf was doing this reporting. I quickly interrupted him to bluntly ask for the best price. He came down. Then, I told him the vehicle needed rear tires, at least, and informed him of noise and the cupping problem and asked how much he was going to reduce the car since we had to buy tires. (There really is no "we" and the salesman knew it.) I figured the guy thought he should listen to me since exbf never objected to a word I said.)

The man acted shocked and hurt. "But, I just gave you my best price!" Exbf said the man was partly shocked and partly acting. I really held my ground with the guy and exbf allowed me to talk. I run a hard deal.

So, he relented and will have two new tires on it in the morning. If he gets them installed in time, exbf will come get his car; if not, I will pick it up.

Exbf never commented on my being right about the noise. He forced me to gloat! I told him he should thank me. He said not a word!

I can say I have never picked out a used car that was a disappointment.

You are worried I only considered one car and he drove only that one and bought it? Well, his credit union will only finance a newer car, must run it through Car Fax. I picked the car/vehicle that fit the bill for him. He would have looked further if he had not been satisfied. Plus, exbf does not want a car, just a higher vehicle. He has trouble lowering himself into a car since he needs two hip replacements and two knee replacements. He bought a Nissan Rogue CX or CV or some two letters.

Your turn
Do you ever go with anyone to help pick out a car or help with the salesman? How do you handle it?