Precision Acura Of Princeton

The 2010 Acura ZDX Arrives This Winter!

A concept vehicle you can own.

Too often, car companies tease car buyers with stunning "concept" vehicles, only to let them down when the eventual production models look plain by comparison. The 2010 Acura ZDX, arriving in December, turns that practice on its head. The ZDX is a concept vehicle you can buy.

The 2010 ZDX arrives this winter with an MSRP os $45,495. As dramatic as the ZDX appears, it is also an engineering masterpiece that combines sports coupe performance with all-weather capability. But any conversation about this exciting new Acura…

Acura Tops Competitors In Long Term Value For Second Consecutive Year

 

Acura Wins ALG's 2010 Residual Value Award for Best Luxury Brand

 

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 2, 2009 - Acura announced today that for the second consecutive year it received the Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) 2010 Residual Value Award for Best Luxury Brand. According to ALG, Acura's line of luxury performance vehicles is expected to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a three-year period. Acura beat out other luxury brands such as Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz for the highly coveted award.

 "It is an honor to win the award for Best Luxury Brand a second year in a row," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "It sends a clear message to our customers that Acura vehicles represent a smart choice in today's luxury market".

Residual value is a measure used to recognize vehicle quality, reliability and overall brand strength. ALG determines the award winners after carefully studying the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Key factors that affect ALG's residual value forecasts include vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, pricing strategies and resale performance.

 

Acura

Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 270 dealers within the United States. The 2010 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV, the award-winning MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and the all-new ZDX four-door sports coupe.

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About ALG

Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the "Automotive Lease Guide" - the standard for Residual Value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 40 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. ALG is a company of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRAK).

As a 27 year veteran of the automobile business I've seen it all and heard it all. I still learn something new every day and I usually see something every day that makes me laugh and cry.This blog entry is meant to put a smile on your face while also busting some common myths and misconceptions about the Automobile business. By the way if there are any really good and funny screenwriters out there a car dealership would make a great setting for a sitcom. I see the next Cheers or Taxi. I'm only missing one thing, talent!

Myth # 1 - Salespeople can't be trusted and are liars - I've met and worked with hundreds of salespeople over the years and, for the most part, they are hardworking family men and women who would never purposely mislead a customer and most do try to help a customer with their automotive needs. There are a few, however, that have given our business a bad name but I can count on my hand the number I've personally met. If you go to a dealership and you don't like or trust the salesperson just ask the manager to have someone else help you. Usually they will accommodate you and the chances are good that the next person will be helpful and courteous.

Myth # 2 - Go into a dealership on the last day of the month and you'll steal a car. I've heard this one forever and it's just not true - It is true that dealers work on a monthly basis and will sometimes offer something to entice you to do the deal towards the end of the month (although the deals at the beginning of the month are equally important so you can also get a great deal then). The last day of the month, however, is the worst day, in my opinion, to try to buy a car. First off, all the salespeople are running around delivering the customers that have already bought cars earlier and this is probably when most customers have a problem with salespeople. Their minds are on making sure they handled everything needed for their deliveries and will ask things like,"are you ready to buy now?" and not take any time with you if you aren't. The other issue is selection and approval with the bank. It sometimes is just too late to make the deal work before the dealership closes so if you want to get a great deal on a vehicle just be a good negotiator at any time of the month and get your best price then. Also there really is less room in many vehicles than there are in others so generally dealerships will offer you a price that is fair when you're in the showroom at any time of the month. (Except for those select salespeople we mentioned earlier)

Myth # 3- Customers who come into the showroom and say they don't like the back and forth just want a bottom line price the first time out - Actually the opposite is true. If a customer comes in and says they don't like the back and forth, generally, they initiate the back and forth and continue it all the way through the transaction. It's actually quite funny to see the salesperson's face as soon as someone says they don't like the back and forth because the salesperson knows they're in for a long ride!

Myth # 4 - Coming into a dealership is scary and intimidating - Well I guess that myth is true. Sorry. We're just scary!

Myth # 5 - If you shop on the Internet you should go with the dealer that offers the cheapest price - This is my pet myth. Actually, generally speaking, a customer should disregard the lowest and the highest quotes. You also have to be careful that you are comparing apples to apples. If the cheapest quote didn't include the destination charge and the next best quote did, then the cheapest quote is more expensive. Also, many dealers have extra charges that could add up to make the lowest quote the highest so go with the dealer that you like on the phone as long as the pricing is close. Chances are if they're nice and courteous on the phone they will also be in person. Remember initial price is just a small part of what makes a good deal.

I'll have some more myth busters in the future. Email me at mitchell@precisionacura.com for any suggestions you may have.

Mitchell Brenner
eCommerce Manager
Precision Acura of Princeton