Not that I expected anything different this early on, but I got quite a kick out of the rampant stupidity at my local dealer. My cousin works in the parts department and I mentioned that I wanted him to get me copies of EVERY piece of information that the dealer gets so that I can start a collection. I'm hoping that I can get copies of dealer order sheets and those sorts of things when they become available, so I'm starting now so that they get used to seeing me. I also mentioned that I hope they have enough integrity to sell mine at sticker instead of thousands over.

Anyway, the parts manager got involved in the conversation I was having with my cousin and was spouting off about how GM intends to price it in the $70k range, and absolutely would NOT believe otherwise. Halfway through my "There's a GM guy that I talk to online..." I realized that I was turning into that guy who always knows a guy, so I just let it be and went over to talk to an even dumber salesman.

Anyway, on to my point. I hope that GM takes some initiative to actually educate their dealers about this car. I realize that this may be a futile effort in the world of here-today-across-the-street-tomorrow car salesmen, but I hope that GM does what they can to keep their dealers well informed throughout the "preliminary" stages leading up to when the car shows up. The dealers are going to get innundated with curious customers, and while most dealers can tell you how to work the cruise control on every Buick on the lot, they usually don't know jack about the sports cars. GM needs to make sure that their potential customers who go to the dealer instead of online for info are able to become well informed instead of hearing stupidity about the car costing $70k.

Just my $.02 and I've probably got change coming back.

 

I think it is much too soon to start getting worked up over trivialities like what someone thinks the car will cost. Your time and energy would be much better suited finding a dealer who will take a deposit and in turn allow you to purchase a car for MSRP. Just my .02

 

Never argue w/ an idiot. They bring you down to their level, then beat you with experience.

 

Definately one of my big pet peves in dealing with dealerships. I can't stand it when someone feeds me full of what I know is crap. Big reason I bought a used 99 instead of an 02 anniversary edition is the stupidity of the dealerships. I had these guys telling me that the LS1 in the Camaro made 400 hp conservatively and that he knew because he raced this particular SS against a Saleen the other day and blew it away. I thought it was just talk until my father and I came to the dealership that night to talk about more specifics when we saw one of the salesmen driving off in the very car we were talking about buying. And he was smoking in the car! I wanted to fight somebody. But instead I didn't buy from them.

 

Well, I have had excellent service so far with my dealership. I placed a call yesterday morning to the General Sales Manager, and he was already prepared with information and told me the answers I was looking for before I asked them. I decided to go in and put my name on the list and place my deposit. They had multiple copies of the Concept poster/fold-out flyers that were handed out at the NAIAS Detroit and told me that they would start saving copies of other documentation as it arrives. I plan to be a very "hands on" future owner and make myself known around the dealership. I think it helps that I took pics of my 68 and they were all in awe of that as well. We joked about taking pics on the showroom floor when I take delivery, but they are all for it. They also told me that the deposit if of course 100% refundable and that I would not be receiving a transferred car from another dealer. I would spec my options and the car would come straight from the plant to them at no more than MSRP. They are one of the oldest dealerships in the area and after my experience on Friday, I think I understand why. It also helps that they are the local dealership stocking GM Performance Parts and Crate Engines. For anyone that wants to make a trip, they are Bobby Murray Chevrolet in Raleigh, NC www.bobbymurray.com

Good luck!! I hope my experience will continue to go as well as it has started.

 

NVM, is right. There are good dealers out there and there are bad.

I went through the exact same experience when I bought my 05 Mustang GT as soon as it was available. The reality is that the dealers are going to play the "supply and demand" game to get as much as they can for the cars and there's little GM can do to stop them.

It will be up to us to find a reputable dealer that knows what product they're selling and won't gouge the consumer.

I had good luck finding my GT by e-mailing all the dealers within a 200 mile radius of my location and finding out which ones treated me well and were willing to deal. I was able to get my car one month after it was available and at X-plan supplier pricing.

They're out there, we just need to find them.

 

You meet these people in all walks of life. I was once at a friends house, a much older friend, twice as old as i was. And a friend of theirs was there. About 50 years old. We start talking about Corvette's, and i mention the fuel injected ones starting in 57'. The guy says, oh no they didn't come up with that till recently.
Car dealers are just guys they hire. If you are a car guy no need to ask them questions.

 

Bad dealers outnumber the good by a WIDE margin....

 

The one thing i do realize, having talked to a friend that works at a dealership, is that unfortunately the salesmen are not always car buffs, so they usually will not know as much as we do when it comes to our precious camaro's, since they are required to sell all te vehicles at the dealership, and GM is constantly changing, then they have alot of vehicle knowledg and updates to try to remember, which i can appreciate, but my peave is, IF YOU DO NOT KNOW, TELL ME..DO NOT TRY TO BS ME, LOOK IT UP AND GIVE ME THE CORRECT ANSWER, OR NOTHING AT ALL. Thank you and have a nice day.

 

Okay Okay, You can call me a newbie if you please but I can say that I have been in the Auto business for my adult life, I am college educated, and I have a deep passion for the camaro. But maybe you all(non-specific) need to relax a little here and vent your passions to something more positive.

First off I will agree there are many "un-educated" people who work at any car dealership, but their job isn't to be as smart as you. Their job is to treat all customers with respect, to cater to their needs, and to deliver complete honesty. If you get that, you're doing great. If your not, then find another sales professional or move along somewhere else. The most damage you can do to a nasty dealer is to spend your money somewhere else!

The auto business is the only business that the customers feel that they should know what a vehicle(product) cost and expect the dealer to make very little if any money at all. Now, that wouldn't make any sense to run a money losing business. Look at the price of gas, do any of us go in to negotiate that, or a stick of gum, or a steak, or a hamburger. I think you understand my point.

Now fair play to the dealer who can mark-up a new, in-demand vehicle and sell it! That is their RIGHT to do so. Maybe we should blame the person who pays the $5k mark-up? Its just business. Ultimately the consumer will determine the price........

On the other side of the coin, there are ruthless, ignorant dealers out there, but we as the general public still feed them the sales they need to keep their bad habits. What ever happened to natural selection?

As for un-educated salespeople, to be honest they don't spend much time on the low volume "performance" vehicles. Therefore they may come across as stupid, but making stuff up that is false is unacceptable. Also, most salespeople don't know a damn about cars. They do know how to sell them however.

Okay Im done with my incoherant rambling.....

I love the Camaro, I had to fight off unexpected tears during the unveil in Detroit. Being there for that, back in my old Detroit stomping grounds, was an incredible moment for me. I can't wait till I get my new Camaro!

SO..........to all the Camaro (ers) out there. Be grateful they will be back and be back soon! Don't complain about how long it will take, or to the dealers.............. focus on the postive... We have our passion back! Isn't it wonderful?

I think so......

 

THANK YOU SCOTT!!

I should have read this and added it to my post on "taking a breath".

I'm with you though. I sat in my cube during the unveil and got chills just thinking about the mere possibility that the Camaro might one day be on the streets. It gave me new-found pride in riding around in my 68.

I also agree with your "Don't complain about how long it will take, or to the dealers.............. focus on the postive... We have our passion back! Isn't it wonderful?"

Yes, it is wonderful indeed.