I've been driving BMWs for a while now and decided I wanted to get into something a little more reliable, but still a driver's car. Also my car is older and I wanted to have something with a warranty.

I went to George Harte Infiniti in West Haven not really knowing anything about the dealer, but wanting to test drive a G35 Coupe to see how it fit me.

My wife and I arrive at the dealer and they are pretty busy so we wait around for a little while until a salesperson can help us. The salesperson sets us up with a test drive of a car I was looking at online a metallic white 2006 G35 coupe. I really liked the metallic white color and the tan interior was nice too. A little small inside, but I was kind of expecting that and not really surprised overall.

The salesperson offers to get an evaluation of my car for a trade in. Now, I did bring the car I am planning to replace with me (a 1997 BMW 540i with 93k miles on it), but I had no intention of trading it in because I knew I would not get even close to what I could get selling private party. Little did I know how true this would be.

So, I tell the salesperson that I'm not interested in trading, but she says that they can do the evaluation while we are on the test drive so I can get an idea of what the trade in would come in at just for reference. I say fine and let them do the eval.

We go on the test drive and I really like the car. Handles nicely, good power, comfortable, very much feels akin to a 3 series, which I like obviously since I like BMWs.

We get back and I'm really considering getting the car, though I probably wasn't going to pull the trigger right then. Before we can start talking price the salesperson gets the trade in estimate. This is where she reveals that the guy who evaluated the car says that my car has had the mileage rolled over or altered in some way.

How they came to this conclusion is really beyond me, but it's literally impossible to alter the mileage on a car with a computer that stores the mileage. Even if I were to replace the cluster the mileage is still stored in the computer. You would have to swap computers with a car that has a lower mileage I'd assume and that is just not really likely at all. Also, even if there were a way to alter the mileage I have a full service history from BMW on the car with mileage counts and there is no indication either via carfax or via the service records that the mileage is in any way other than true. The condition of the car also bears out the mileage.

After she reveals this ludicrous proposition she then has the gall to say that they will still offer me $3000 for the car!!! Now, keep in mind that they have just accused me of presenting them with a car with altered mileage. Meaning they are saying they have no idea what the mileage could be on this car, yet they will still lowball me an offer of $3000! Auction prices for the car are around $6000 right now. If I put it up for sale for $5000 I'd have instant takers.

I started thinking that if they are going to try to screw me this badly on the trade, what else will they try to screw me on? Whatever car I was going to buy I was intending to have the dealer service it under warranty so I would be dealing with these people a lot.

The price on the car was competitive, but I had lost interest in purchasing from them at that point and walked. I explained my thinking to them and they didn't really have much to say.

Problem is that I still want one of those cars. I guess I'll have to look at Devan Infiniti in Fairfield. Can anyone comment on them?

 

Long post lol.

That is a really lowballer move on their part, not to mention dumb. If your trying to sell a car to someone you probably shouldnt sit there and accuse the interested party of altering the mileage on the car. That is the stealership for you though. Infiniti dealerships are hit or miss. My sales rep was great and I had no complaints what so ever. I have been to other dealerships that completely ignore me, or are just straight out rude. Unfortunately that's the nature of the beast. As to Devan Infiniti I cant really comment because I have never been there but it cant hurt to check it out.
Good Luck!

 

sorry your first experience at an Infiniti dealear was crappy. their all not like that. if your in NY try going to the Infiniti dealer in White Plains NY. Pepe's Infiniti

 

I'd say the lowball offer should be expected, but the fraud accusation is way out of line. I'd just go to another dealer. I shopped at 3 for my G35 and 4 for my Maxima.

 

i, too, had a 540i with ~96k, and the dealer told me it's hard times now with a v8 premium...i started walking away, they had the nerve to say, "aren't you a little young to drive this car?" "what DO you do?"
i turned around and told him, yes i'm too young, i live in a trailer, eat ramen, and dig a hole to poop...i also work at home, knitting scarfs....thank you for asking