Buying a Jeep in Edmonton, part 2

Today's test drive was a 5 speed Patriot, base level with few options.  Took it for a spin out of Capital Dodge/Jeep down in south Edmonton.  Overall, I'd say the staff were pretty good.  Went out for the test drive with one of their new sales-trainees.  He's just learning the business & the products, so I took it down a few roads that I know of south of the city where we could see how the suspension handles on less-than-perfect roads.  Not bad, actually.

Did I buy it?  No.  Not because it wasn't close to what I wanted (they are looking for a similar model for me but without A/C).  More because (as those who know me well understand), I like to do a fair bit of research.  You don't spend 20 years around academic institutions without some of that rubbing off in other areas.  They made a good effort at the sale, but weren't high pressure when I said I was still looking at models in another place.  The sales rep I dealt with had a pretty down to earth approach:  "It's my job to sell you the vehicle, so that's what I'm going to try to do." 

Btw, we had a chance to get out to the mountains last weekend:  William Watson Lodge on the east side of the Spray Mountains.  I'll tell you about it sometime.

Comments

[CeliaCalderon27]

Houses and cars are not cheap and not every person can buy it. But, business loans are created to support different people in such kind of situations.

[Tom]

Happy tire kicking & have you considered the Hyundai Elantra Touring L ?
It is a hatchback/small wagon about the Jeep Patriot size with better consumer reports quality rating and good incentives ? We had a Saturn Wagon before & it was a great car with excellent dealer servicing. Next one ??? Ford Escape perhaps. Interesting dealer blog.

[Joseph]

Tom - I've looked at a few models over the summer/early fall and opted for a Patriot if the the deal was right. I just came back from the last dealer in Sherwood Park & had a good experience, which is worthy of a blog post of its own. I'll be updating things in a day or so!! Plus I have just about finished one of Timothy Ware's books on eastern orthodoxy