So you just bought a car at the dealership. What all do you do before you leave the lot?

[Deezy]

^ That thing has too much writing for me to snoop around. Does it say build date on there as well? I know apparently it's somewhere on the door frame or something, but knowing me I won't be able to find it on mine.

The closest thing to the build date using the VIN from the window sticker is by using the last five numbers. So this one was the 834th one made.

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[MuffinMcFluffin]

Oh come on its only like...300 words. Plus I find it interesting to read.
If you really want to, just use a VIN decoder. It works just the same way.

I was in an interesting situation leaving out the door earlier and couldn't stick around. Not to mention I won't hunt for something if I don't know whether or not it's there. I'll play mind games with myself and just keep thinking that I'm missing it somehow and look longer than I feel I'm supposed to.

Oh, plus I was on my flip phone at the time, and that image is really blurry.

 

[frontlinegeek]

I just went through this a few months ago when i purchased my car. Agree with others. I did a test drive before signing all the paperwork. Also did a walk-around to inspect exterior. My dealer did have a checklist walking me through electronics, etc and setting up phone. As others said, you have the multi-year warranty so any major things will be covered.

Definitely do this. I have bought new 3 times and I only get more picky each time. My dealer has actually been getting far more thorough with delivery handover as well so this is nice.

The moment I get it though, I'll be changing the headlights (the actual housing, not just the bulbs), fog lights and side markers (including LED strips instead of the bulb). I sure hope that doesn't violate any warranty concerns heh.

Are you going with the new Morimoto units? They look sweet and are not horrible in cost considering what they look like and how good Morimoto usually is. (I'll be just using their 2Stroke 2.0 drop in LEDs as I have other things that are hobbies too)

Check the paint and body REAL GOOD.......many cars have paint defects or body damage/paint scratches from the long shipping procedure.

This right here makes me thankful that almost all the deliveries to my dealership are in the fully enclosed transports and not the open framed transporters.

 

[Gruber]

This right here makes me thankful that almost all the deliveries to my dealership are in the fully enclosed transports and not the open framed transporters.

Yeah, but my car for example was driven earlier from another dealership in town. It even had the exact route of that trip with dates and times recorded in the GPS trip memory..... And then there could be test drives, so there is always an opportunity for some damage. If you insist on a car with zero miles, you will limit your choices, because there have been limited stocks of civicx of any particular trim. I guess you can request the car you want and then wait for it, but I never bought a car this way.

I went just earlier this week to my dealer to get some antifreeze and out of curiosity asked about MTs. The sales guy said they are hard to find and they didn't have any. Except for one used earlier generation Si.

 

[frontlinegeek]

Yeah, but my car for example was driven earlier from another dealership in town. It even had the exact route of that trip with dates and times recorded in the GPS trip memory..... And then there could be test drives, so there is always an opportunity for some damage.

For sure. There is no perfect scenario unless you have serious $$$ and/or patience.

 

[MuffinMcFluffin]

Are you going with the new Morimoto units? They look sweet and are not horrible in cost considering what they look like and how good Morimoto usually is. (I'll be just using their 2Stroke 2.0 drop in LEDs as I have other things that are hobbies too)

Nope, they looked great but not quite the level of Touring OEM to me. I also didn't like that the DRL white color gets replaced by the [awesomely sequential] turn signal instead of being separate.

So what did I do? Only spent about $900 more on Touring OEM.

Yeah, but my car for example was driven earlier from another dealership in town. It even had the exact route of that trip with dates and times recorded in the GPS trip memory..... And then there could be test drives, so there is always an opportunity for some damage. If you insist on a car with zero miles, you will limit your choices, because there have been limited stocks of civicx of any particular trim. I guess you can request the car you want and then wait for it, but I never bought a car this way.

I was very lucky and a local enough dealership is getting the exact car I'm looking for (2019 Civic Si Sedan in modern steel metallic). They are also the one getting it, whereas another dealer claimed they were getting it but instead they would have gotten it from this sister store. I placed a deposit on the car so no customer will touch it but me.

 

[frontlinegeek]

So what did I do? Only spent about $900 more on Touring OEM.

LOL!!!

 

[jred721]

Above anything else, get the car covered on your insurance policy before leaving the lot. I owned my 07' Si for 5 minutes, took it out and got totaled from behind by a jeep who snapped my axle cruising 65 in a 35 construction zone. If I didn't make that insurance call before starting the engine I would have been screwed.

100% true statement. If there is anything you should do before leaving, it's this. Didn't happen to me but back in 2006 my Dad bought his Honda Accord V6 from the dealer and ended up driving home with my mom at around 9:00 PM. As he was driving home there was a driver next to him who was drunk, driving too fast, and swerved out of his lane and hit the rear bumper of his car which caused him to lose control momentarily and spin out. Luckily no one was hurt (including the idiot who hit my parents) but the rear end was in shambles. He was smart enough to get covered by insurance before he left, and he got everything fixed at the expense of the drunk driver.

 

[SoCalCivicSI]

Above anything else, get the car covered on your insurance policy before leaving the lot. I owned my 07' Si for 5 minutes, took it out and got totaled from behind by a jeep who snapped my axle cruising 65 in a 35 construction zone. If I didn't make that insurance call before starting the engine I would have been screwed.

Most insurance companies give you 10 days or so to report a new car.....if you have a damage claim your fine.
My insurer MERCURY gives you 30 days.

 

[NoKz]

After inspecting the vehicle, I make sure any concerns are marked down. Once all said and done and the purchase is complete, I have the dealership do the following:

1. DON'T WASH THE CAR - I don't need paint swirls and that machine slapping my new car. I'll hand wash it myself. I don't care if it looks dirty for the photo you want to take of a sale you just made.
2. Take all dealership decals/placards/plate frames off - You're not paying me to promote your business. I paid you for a product and that's the end of it. Take it all off.

That's pretty much it for me.

 

[t792]

Besides kick myself in the ass for not paying an even lower price than I should have? I thoroughly inspected EVERY inch of the car. I also demanded to ring the big bell in the showroom (I bought it from Bell Honda in AZ). I still feel like I got f-ed with no lube but oh well.

 

[CivicRGTS]

Took a few pictures, shook some hands and off to get something to eat.

Thanked my wife because she let me have a new toy.

 

[dgordon7]

Some good tips here. Definitely take delivery during the day if you can. Night can hide some subtle but noticeable paint or panel issues. Check all of the body panels for paint and integrity and also open and close all of the access and service points. Go over the interior to ensure no knicks or cuts on your upholstery or trim. Verify you've got all of the documentation for the vehicle. Check it out top to bottom in terms of system functionality - don't be in a rush = this is your chance to call stuff out and have it covered without any issue. If you have any questions on functionality it's also a good time to speak up. I think however for most on this board they will know more than the product specialists. Good luck.

Dave

 

[civicls]

Besides kick myself in the ass for not paying an even lower price than I should have? I thoroughly inspected EVERY inch of the car. I also demanded to ring the big bell in the showroom (I bought it from Bell Honda in AZ). I still feel like I got f-ed with no lube but oh well.

 

[BoxsterSteve]

Take off all dealership decals/placards

I go so far as to write this stipulation into the sales contract.
A plate frame is dick all for me to remove. I don’t sweat those.

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