Need opinions urgently for purchase!!

[TripleTransAm]

Alrighty, we're down to the wire. This morning I test drove a second MM (blue, decontented) and was able to really put it through it's paces (within legal reason, of course). Boy, if these things run harder as they break-in, like the LS1, I can hardly imagine how it would run with more than 14km on it!!

I digress... he made me an offer that, while not anywhere near as appealing as what is being offered in the States, was extremely interesting. Here are my choices:

1) buying their in-stock blue MM, decontented w/ heated seats. 14km, runs like a sexually-molested primate.
Nice price.

2) getting them to ship over a similar decontented black MM from the same build-date, w/ heated seats, from a dealership a hundred miles away or so. Unknown mileage or performance.
Not as nice price, since dealer claims rebate won't apply because the other dealership will keep the amount and wants to make a little $$ on the car.

3) buying their older in-stock black MM that they've had since at least December. It's a pre-decontented car, without heated seats. mileage unknown at this moment, performance unknown (but I WILL test drive it before purchase, obviously).
Price: unknown, but it better be more attractive than the blue one, since I'll be losing my heated seats which I initially wanted.


My wife and I are worried about leather and -20 degree mornings. That's why the heated seats are important considerations. Comments, anyone?

Secondly, this blue MM really kicked butt compared to the older black one I drove in Feb (semi-decontented). Would this be due to some new engine calibration that is on the newer cars? Even the tranny seemed to shift nicely in this blue one this morning. Not so in the black one from Feb.

Lastly, the car from option 3) above has been on their lot for 4+ months, and has been snowed on and brushed off (I imagine) so it might be starting off life with cosmetic issues (however well masked by the dealership). I'm afraid of that first wash where I'll go "Holy crap, look at all these swirls!!!".


The toughest factor in all this is that we both really like the black, but have heard stuff regarding medical issues (uriniary tract infections for women, etc.) involving cold seating surfaces.


Thanks in advance for any feedback. Your feedback will influence whether or not I will end next week as a MM owner or not!!!!

[tetsu]

I'd go with the in-stock BLUE. I have a black and I love it.
But blue is beautiful and it's less common. I live in a cold
area too and I wish I had heated seats.

Johnny

[Brother Mike]

Steve,

Go with the heated seats...I live in MI and held off for the heated seats & Traction Control. Makes a world of difference in the winter and yours are tougher than ours! :) BTW I also have the Blue and really love that color...

[Brother Mike]

Steve,

Go with the heated seats...I live in MI and held off for the heated seats & Traction Control. Makes a world of difference in the winter and yours are tougher than ours! :) BTW I also have the Blue and really love that color...

[jefferson-mo]

Yeah Steve go for the Blue........I've got black and I got a bad paint job and even with it completely clean it just doesn't look it..............:banana2:

[Bigdogjim]

Steve: In live in the Phila, Pa. area cold here too! Realy cold this winter.. I got my MM on 9-28.. had heated seat's put in for around $400. US$..Controls are on the side of each seat. hi-off-lo. very easy to reach even with a big hand....Do not let the seat issue hold you up.. I also had remote start put on..now I have warm MM each time.......Blue is very sharp there was one at the Long Island gettogether.......
Big Dog

[Macon Marauder]

As much as I like my black Maruader, I'd go for the blue. Obviously, the heated seats are important to you.

If the price is right.

[MAD-3R]

Retest drive the black one, and see what kind of deal they are willing to do to move the OLDER car.

Check the Milage and if the performance still isn't there, it maybe due to some fouling of the plugs. I pulled mine out to replace with the denso's, and they looked black and crudy. Also check the Airfilter and see if it's been cloged also (can't imagine how).

[Long Live #3]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
2) getting them to ship over a similar decontented black MM from the same build-date, w/ heated seats, from a dealership a hundred miles away or so. Unknown mileage or performance.
Not as nice price, since dealer claims rebate won't apply because the other dealership will keep the amount and wants to make a little $$ on the car.

This is the one I'd recommend getting. It's worth the wait.

[Menace]

Cold seats will also lower your sperm count!

[Directedby]

Black car = blue balls.

Blue car = happy warm balls.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by Directedby
Black car = blue balls.

Blue car = happy warm balls.


Oh man, has this thread degenerated... ;)

Thanks for all the advice (anyone have anything more to add, please feel free).

My gut wants me to get #2, just to have the newer car. Even though I haven't test driven that EXACT older black car, the one I tried at another dealership just didn't have THAT feeling that this blue one did.

My wallet says screw the heated seats and rape 'em for the older black car. However, my worrisome nature wonders if this older car will run as slow as the other older car I test drove. Of course, maybe I'll test drive it and it will be marvelous... then it's all about the heated seats.

If I knew a place around here that could do a custom heated seat job, that might help. I'll see if the dealer can suggest something.

Talked it over with my wife after having a second glance at a black MM at another dealership (this was the prick who laughed when I suggested a lower-than-MSRP sale price in Feb... WTF? Good luck selling it...) . Black it is. She'll be having a closer look at the blue one this weekend, but she's got her heart set on black.

Has anyone noticed a difference in performance and sound quality between the non-clocked radio and the later clocked-radio??

[RF Overlord]

3TA:

I think you KNOW which one you want...you're just looking for confirmation that you're making the right choice.

Use the Force, Luke... :D

[LincMercLover]

Hey, with all the power of the car, your balls are gunna get it either way! :D

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RF Overlord

I think you KNOW which one you want...you're just looking for confirmation that you're making the right choice.

Use the Force, Luke... :D


RF, you a shrink or something? LOL! I wonder if what my father drove has something to do with my choice of cars. LOL! :D

In actuality, yes you are right... I do know which one I want... at that given moment. I have the God-given talent of over-analyzing such decision to the point where I sometimes lose focus. My wallet says get the cheaper one, my common sense says get the blue one (4 black cars in my household?? Geez!!!), my immature gut feeling says get the black one shipped over. On the flip side, the cheaper one lacks heated seats, the blue one hasn't warmed up to me *yet*, and the desirable black one is going to cost me much more.:confused:

I guess that subconsciously I was wishing someone would say stuff like "the newer radio is crap" or "man, cold leather seats take FOREVER to warm up" or "Job 2 cars are much stronger than the earlier ones", etc... in other words, that crucial bit of info that would sway me either way.

Whew... you say "use the Force", man if I use any more Force thinking about this, I'm gonna soil my pants!:(

[mtnh]

Heated seats are a fine aftermarket install item but the price varies and is always more than the OEM versions. I paid USD$575 for my pair of dual temp heated seats. The BigDog paid $400. He got a great deal. The parts alone are over $300 best case. Wiring, upholstry work, how the H did those guys make any money on that job?

All MM engines should run pretty close to the same, but the old calibration needs a reflash, and that, along with the difference in weather between your test drives, could make the difference that you felt. The radios are very good, at least in the older version without the integrated clock. If you really want black, get the oldest one with the fewest miles that you can find, and have the heaters installed in the seats. I know that where I live, the difference in the cost to register the older car will just about even out the price of the older car plus the cost of the heaters. It would be a wash, due to the build year of the car. The car's finish should be salvageable to as new on any 2003-build year car. You can get the swirls removed from brushing off snow fairly easily (by the body shop). It's too bad that in Canada, they are not discounting the cars as well as they are down here. As for the seat warming latency, the leather layer is very thin, and directly beneath that is foam rubber. It really doesn't take that long for your butt to change the leather temperature, since the foam layer stops the heat-sink effect fairly quickly. Although the long-term effects of running a seat heater up to and past your comfort requirements are very pleasing (especially on the MM, the seat backs are almost fully heated to the shoulders with my aftermarket set), my own car with leather unheated seats is only cold for an instant, then they feel neutral. Leaving the heaters on in the MM for an extended period of time does give you a feeling of something like: "This feels too good to be free..." or something like that. They do shut off after 60 minutes in my aftermarket set, but will come right back on following a power off and on cycle.

Good luck. At least you have a willing partner.

Mike

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by mtnh
It's too bad that in Canada, they are not discounting the cars as well as they are down here.


Yes, in the words of an esteemed co-worker and fellow F-body owner, "this blows goats".:mad:

Just spoke to the dealer droid a few minutes ago... approx $29800 US is what he's claiming he can do on the older (delivered maybe December? November?) black MM. Just over $30000 US for the newer blue one. Between 75 and 100 km (under 60 miles) on the black one, 14 km (9miles) on the blue one.

Just got off the phone with Ford of Canada... dude on the phone wasn't able to inform me of any incentive information, he said to contact my dealer. I'm just afraid my dealer may be holding out on me as far as rebates (especially since two different dealers whipped out such wildly differing price quotes within hours of each other, all of them 'best deals possible'). Any other Canadians on the list with incentive info, please let me know.

Worst thing is that the dealer droid is putting pressure on me, stating this $1000 rebate he's applying on the price is only good until the end of this month, then it's anybody's guess. I'm not a betting man, so this uncertainty stresses me.

Wouldn't be a big deal, except jumping into this kind of financial obligation is a big step in today's economic situation.:(

[mtnh]

Is there any chance of buying a car in the US and getting it back home for less than buying locally? Meaning: if you bought a MM here in USA and paid USD$26K, could you import it back into Canada and save money? The dealer is obviously playing with you.

[MAD-3R]

Tell the droids to get bent, and that the presure tactics are a cheap and annoying thing to due. Take the better of the two deals to the other dealer, and tell them to beat it. Also try to go in with your financing in order if you can, sence your going for the insentives. Remember you don't HAVE to buy the car. THey HAVE to sell it. Use it unmercefuly.

[RF Overlord]

3TA:

Paint swirls can be fixed (Zaino)...seats can be heated...performance can be tweaked...if you're not absolutely set on one colour over the other, buy the one that's the best deal or from the dealer you most trust...the cars are all the same until you put your soul into them...

hmmmm...using "dealer" and "trust" in the same sentence? WTF?

:lol:

[CRUZTAKER]

Black=hard to take care of. If you are a lazy non-waxing car owner, don't do it. Black also=respect, and notice-ability.

Blue=by far easier to take care of, and holds a non swirl shine better. Also=blendability. You want looks? I am sure any shiny car will get looks, but black is more powerfull. Besides, in the states, RED=a speeder, BLUE=a drug dealer, BLACK=wtf_is_it?

Mac....agree?

Either way, buy what YOU want. It's still a MM. And regardless of color (colour) you will be in a class of your own, and either the envy, or the confusion of the common driver.

I am at a loss for the Canadian prices. I have heard stories how you folks are gouged. I was once approached by a fellow in a bar with an offer to black market re-sale my porsche 944 in the 80's while in Niagra. Apparently you folks got it bad. US sticker is too much, 30k is TOO much, IMO_28k is too much. I paid 26.5 for a demo with 2k miles. Now apparently THAT'S too much. 24.4 in KC, USA.

I would NEVER buy one with 14k miles on it for more than 21k.

Thats insane! Here in the states that is.

[jgc61sr2002]

Steve Go for the heated seats and traction control. Heated seats from the factory are under $300.00. You can't add traction control. I waited for the 300B. Most local dealers have several 300A's in stock and can't seem to sell them. Good Luck. John:up:

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by mtnh
Is there any chance of buying a car in the US and getting it back home for less than buying locally?


During the discussions, I brought up that point, trying to gain some bargaining leverage. The droid flat out told me he knew some customers who tried it and swore it wasn't worth it in the end. I personally don't believe that, but with my working hours and family commitments, I really don't have the opportunity to research this properly.:(

If anything, the duties and taxes and such would be a b*tch to wade through.

[bugsys03]

14k=14 kilometers in canuckville

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by MAD-3R
Take the better of the two deals to the other dealer, and tell them to beat it. Also try to go in with your financing in order if you can, sence your going for the insentives.


I will indeed approach some other dealers on Monday evening (on the OTHER side of town... upper class snob dealers in my area).

Financing-wise, wouldn't be a problem except I'm probably going to opt for a lease which will allow me to squeeze in some home improvements at the same time. The dealer seemed to harp on the fact that this marvelous $1000 rebate was applicable to both purchase AND leasing, as if it was something extraordinary.

Discussing with my wife on the way home (I'm back at work now :( ), we decided I'd go in and low-ball the SOB on Monday and see if he bites. If he doesn't, I'll go elsewhere (I'll make sure I know where first) or show up in April and re-iterate my offer once again.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RF Overlord

hmmmm...using "dealer" and "trust" in the same sentence? WTF?


Used to be the case with the Pontiac dealer where I bought my WS6.

They closed down in 2002... go figure. *sigh*

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by CRUZTAKER
Black=hard to take care of. If you are a lazy non-waxing car owner, don't do it.


Cruz, you've GOT to be kidding me with that statement!
http://tripletransam.com/2002/Dscf5333w.jpg

As for getting gouged, actually it's usually the other way around. For some reason, Canadian car prices are usually in our favor for some reason! Except for this bloody car!!! Consider my WS6, I paid the current US equivalent of $24000 for it, ordered in April 1998. I do recall the actual US prices at the time were closer to $30k.

Hence why I CANNOT understand what's up with Marauder pricing up here!

[Beadhead]

The price is probably just good old supply and demand. With only 500 units for the whole of Canada, supply isn't likely to exceed demand here, so there's no reason to price it to sell. By the way, what were the prices in $Can? Any car, even one in limited supply, that's been sitting on a dealers lot for a couple of months is probably open for offers, since floor plan interest is eating into the profit margin on a daily basis. Good hunting.

[RCSignals]

If you are looking at the newer car again. take a look to see what the calibration code is, and post it here. should be on a small white sticker on the drivers door opening.

I don't think there is any difference in stereos. From what I can tell all the stereos have the clock, it's just disabled for the in-dash clock cars

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by Beadhead
By the way, what were the prices in $Can?


$446xx for the newer blue one (14km), $44200 for the older black one (~75-100km). Come to think of it, he wants me to pay over $400 Can for heated seats and LESS standard equipment. :confused:

Seriously, I'd like to thank all of you for providing good food for thought. When you're knee deep in the stress, it's easy to overlook some good arguments.

[RF Overlord]

OK, no one else has the guts to say it, so I will:

You could always SELL one of the T/As... :eek:

:censor: :help:

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RF Overlord

You could always SELL one of the T/As... :eek:


Blasphemy!

:flamer:

I'll never sell the GTA... there's too much 'family' in it. I bought it 4 months into my first (current) job back in 1993 out of University, thanks to an interest-free loan from my grandparents. My grandmother passed away in late 2001, and this is a tangible and unbreakable link between myself and her. I spent the best times of my life and the worst, all in its company. It defines who I am, practically. I wanna be buried in it when I die;)

The WS6 is just a plain kickass car. It's been good to me, very economical (33 mpg US on the highway at 70 mph) and can rip off low 13s in the 1/4 mile, then go pick up the wife and kid at the mall, all in the same day. And it's a GREAT long distance car... I've driven several 12 hour days in a row without even feeling the least tired.

The '78... the newest member of the gang (bought in 2000) meant to be a project (not so much a restoration as a rejuvenation) in order to take my mind off work. I've been enamored with the '78 since I first saw Smokey and the Bandit on TV in 1986. Being a long term slow-refresh type of project, I intend to enjoy lazy cruises through the neighborhood as well as using it as a Father/Son bonding project once my son gets a little older.

They're not just cars to me, unfortunately. I have a feeling the MM could be another such car, soul-wise... if it behaves properly and reliably.

[CRUZTAKER]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
Cruz, you've GOT to be kidding me with that statement!

ME
:stupid:<<<<<<

I remember now, how could I forget?
The name. Triple and the TransAm part.

I edit my statement...."THREE black carS=hard to keep clean"
Sorry about that. Nice pic. I just did'nt make the connection.........
Canada.....TransAm......Oh well, just a personal problem.
I always liked the one in the middle. I loved that that movie.
Sally Fields was so cute back in the day.
:P

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
Blasphemy!

:flamer:


I've been enamored with the '78 since I first saw Smokey and the Bandit on TV in 1986.

Dude, the original SATB T/A was a '77...so now you'll have to sell the '78 in shame...there you go, you just paid for your MM!!!! Think of how much happier your wife will be! Think of the respect you will gain from your son! Think of the good you'll be doing the Canadian economy! Vous serez un héros!

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by CRUZTAKER

I edit my statement...."THREE black carS=hard to keep clean"
Sorry about that. Nice pic. I just did'nt make the connection.........


I apologize for not including a smiley on that comment of mine, I really did think it was funny as all heck. Of course, there's no way you could know that in the mid to late 90s, I was knee deep in the 'car show scene' with my GTA...

Every weekend, I'd wash the car on Friday, start the detailing in the evening, spend Saturday waxing and polishing and detailing, and then attack a local or not-so-local car show on Sunday (sometimes driving as far as 5-6 hours to get there... never trailered!). Got quite a few trophies. On Monday, it was back to daily driver status to/from work. Finally got fed up of the nasty backstabbing and unhealthy competition between participants, and just quit the whole deal in 1998 when I bought my house.

Of course, it helped that I was dating a real psycho b*tch at the time.;) I actually enjoyed the time away from her:coolman:

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
Dude, the original SATB T/A was a '77...so now you'll have to sell the '78 in shame...there you go, you just paid for your MM!!!! Think of how much happier your wife will be! Think of the respect you will gain from your son! Think of the good you'll be doing the Canadian economy! Vous serez un héros!


ROFLMAO!!!:D :D :D :D

If you REALLY want to be technical, supposedly the cars (or at least SOME of them) used in the film were '76s modified to look like the not-yet-released '77s. This involved hood , shaker, and nose changes. Nonetheless, the SE trim seems to match that used on the '77 SE fairly closely if not identically. Nice to see someone who's up on their SATB trivia!!! ;)

SE prices are out of my range, and I couldn't pass up the $1200 Can price tag I negotiated (*****?) the previous owner down to. I think I got a good deal on this solid 100000 mile driver.
http://www.tripletransam.com/78ta/78_drvway_1.jpg
Besides the odd show-and-shine, I use it mainly for leisure cruises around the neighborhood and some grocery getter tasks. The base 400 (325 lb-ft at 1600 RPM) will totally fry the 245mm wide tires even with its 2.56 posi gears!

[TripleTransAm]

Looks like the thread has deviated slightly from its original MM-specific topic... apologies to the moderators/site-provider.

I'm into cars in general, wouldn't mind carrying on such non-MM-specific dialog on another forum than the Community Discussion.

MM-content: wouldn't that pic of my 3 black TAs look great with a black MM in it as well? ;)

[smokey0810]

Triple, I would look for a 94-96 Impala SS.....Black

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by smokey0810
Triple, I would look for a 94-96 Impala SS.....Black

:confused: I'm not sure why :confused:


I mean, they were great cars when new, don't get me wrong, but if I'm looking for a NEW car, why would I be considering a car that is, at best, 7 years old (!) and doesn't have a trace of warranty left? Sure I could pay premium $$ to get a VERY low mileage unit, but age + low mileage isn't usually a good thing (my GTA had a LOT of teething pains when I bought it in 1993 with only 18000 miles... cars like to be DRIVEN otherwise they decay).

Since Chevy's best current offering is a staid FWD Impala and Pontiac has no plans to sell the GTO up here (plus, it's a 2 door), it's "no sale" for GM.

[Effster]

go for the blue,,,every1 has a black 1.....and 5 years from now it will be a rarer piece

[CRUZTAKER]

On topic.../....off topic, I'm no moderator, but it all seems good.

Point is, you have a decision to make, and you made US all clear on how you feel, and your dilemma parting with so many cars that have so many memories.

I may be 10 to 20 years behind the o'wise ones on this site, but I think they will all attest (I know I can), that things and times change. It took 17 years to sell my first car from high school, I teared up as it left, I sold my grandmas 77 olds cutlass with 17k miles. She was 97 when the state of Fla. took her license away. I swore I would never part with this gem, as it was the last auto grandpa purchased before his untimely death. I sold it last year. Hey, I could go on and on....73 chevelle....76 beemer....88 944S....as I grew up and experienced life changes, I had to "roll with the changes". Take lots of pictures, screen your buyers as if you were adopting out your children, and suck it up. My MM definately makes up for the empty feeling, and brings newer, fresher smiles to my face everyday. Plus I can walk around my garage a hell of alot easier. As far as the one you are to be buried in, fine, drain the gas and put it in self storage for that day. Personally I think the MM would make a more.......roomy casket. Aww, I can't believe I said that..........



Originally posted by smokey0810
Triple, I would look for a 94-96 Impala SS.....Black
Now THIS suggestion is OFF TOPIC. Smokey, welcome, I personally love the Impalla, always have....but TTA is looking at NEW marauders, not old, used, out of warranty chevy's.

All respect for you though, awesome automobile.....:burnout: