SpeedinLemon, no problem. Your question made me realize that I need to go back and re-read MY thread to remember what everyone has suggested.
A1an, I've been waiting on saying anything about the new car until the ship comes in, but I guess I could give a teaser about it. I have ordered a White, 4-Door 5-Seat Sports Car that is smaller than my 1999 Olds 88 and gets 30-31 MPG, much better than my current 22-24. Photos are below...
Cars at Overstock.com…
Yes, Overstock.com does have a service that offers cars at a discount over the sticker and invoice prices. A friend at Church told us about it and I am convinced this is the place to start searching for the best price. At the top of Overstock's home page, there are tabs just under their logo - 'Shopping', 'Cars', 'Travel' and 'Insurance'. I don't know how the other ones work, but the Cars one is working for me.
Overstock allows a search for New or Used cars by all makes and models by zip code. The availability and pricing are based on the corporate owned dealers in your area. In September and October that I was pricing, it was all based on the 2011 models and they were offering $1,300
below invoice. That was about $4,500 below sticker! (end of the model year liquidation) By the time I was convinced I knew what I wanted and I was willing to commit to it, I bit the bullet and filled out the e-mail contact info for the dealer to get in touch with me. That was 6 pm on a Saturday night. At 10:45 Sunday morning, I got a call from AutoNation Direct to confirm my order request so they can search their dealers to find the car I wanted. They would call me and let me know when they found it and when it would be shipped to my local AutoNation dealer (which we have 2 of Brand Z nearby).
To go back a minute, I had started my whole search with Consumer Reports Car Buying Guides to narrow it down to a CR Recommended car that is good on gas mileage and looks pretty cool (Hey, I've got standards!) Our local dealer had a Model X loaner that we had for a good part of a week while Mrs W's car was in the shop. She is 5'-3" and I'm 5'-10" and we determined that week that memory seat settings were very important to my next car. Since it is a sporty car, I sit lower for head room and she sits forward and higher to be able to see.
Unfortunately, Model X from Brand Z does not come standard with memory seats. But it is available in a luxury package that must be ordered. Since my car still works fine (except for no A/C, and leaks for oil, washer fluid and power steering fluid) I could live with a 90 day order from the factory to get the options I want.
I waited until December to place the order in hopes of having more 2012 models in inventory across the nation and also taking advantage of the end of the year sales. Unfortunately again, they do not sell a car on an order. I only pay when it is delivered. So, whatever sales are on at that time, will count towards my sale.
My AutoNation Sales Rep searched the Country and found nothing with the option packages I want on a Model X car in the entire country. So the order was placed December 15. I have 30 more days for the approximate 90 day delivery. On the bright side, I may have the only car like it in the Country built in the factory with my bells and whistles!
The sales reps at AutoNation Direct have been Awesome! They e-mail or call periodically to make sure I as still interested or with updates. They did mention that they offer this car buying service to Overstock.com, USAA, Costco and AAA, to mention a few. I did try it through AAA and got to the same car selection page.
That is the basics of how I got to where we are now.
And, here are the Teasers of the Trial Size Model X that we had...(AKA, Loaner)
197
198
199
200
(I'm taking Teaser lessons from Red Leader
)
We have had ours up to 60, but it was going downhill in the Rockies.
(RL - you're creating a bunch of thread-teasing monsters here