I recently became the parts manager at a local Hyundai dealership. I'd worked for the owner (Jerry) about 4 years ago for about 3 years, and have known him since about '90. He's always been very friendly towards me (I call him dad), and we've had many long talks about cars and motorcycles, he's a real motor-guy, and considered a friend.

I recently decided to purchase a new car, as the warranty on my '03 Civic was about to be up (in October), and I was good in the car (clean wholesale was $11,5, and I only owed $10,7 ). I never fiddle with retailing cars myself.

Now, I have 2 kids, which is part of the reason I sold my S2000, and I needed something more practical, and in all honesty, I knew having 4-doors would make my life a whole lot easier at times. It sucks getting old .

I looked at the list of cars available on the market, and in missing my old S2K I decided to purchase something 4-door, but with some spunk (the Civic just wasn't turnin' my crank after having owned an S2K).

Very quickly I decided on an '05 Subaru WRX, it had everything going for it; 100% Japanese, 4-door, AWD (we do get snow and ice sometimes), turbocharged and intercooled, decent gas mileage, you know the drill. I'd actually wanted to purchase a WRX 3 years ago when I traded the S2K off for the Civic, but at the time I needed my payment to be as low as possible, and again last year I almost traded the Civic for one, but I still owed a little more on the Civic than the car was worth, so I didn't.

They say the third time's the charm, and this time it certainly was. I purchased my '05 WRX on March 4 of this year for $700 back of invoice, and got the special financing as well . I know it sounds too good to be true, but it happened, long story, trust me.

Anyway, I get back to to work on Monday and everyone is talking about it like I've committed some crime. People are coming up to me with that look on their face, you know the one, that "OMG you didn't just do that!" look. I'm hearing Jerry (the owner) is very upset, blah, blah, blah .

So I'm sitting there wondering what all this is about and decide to send Jerry an email (he wasn't at work). I'm going through this email right, and it strikes me, how in the hell could someone, anyone get angry with me for spending my hard-earned money the way I want to spend it? I mean, am I telling them how to spend their money?

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for supporting my product, but what was I going to buy? A Tiburon? NOT! A Sonata? What am I, 50? An SUV? No WAY!!!!! The fact is, Hyundai doesn't make a car that directly competes with the WRX, they have nothing even close, but my main point is; even if they did, this is a $23,000 investment here, should anyone but me have the power to dictate where that kind of money goes? I say HELL NO!!!! I made the money, I should be able to burn it if I want to!

Keep in mind that my '03 Civic, '01 S2000, '98 Civic, and '97 Miata were purchased from Jerry, as well as my ex-wifes '99 Civic, and my mom's '97 Taurus. Also keep in mind that I purchased my S2K full sticker (like everyone else in '00), and usually pay $500 to $1,000 over invoice for my cars.

I also made the point in my email that if it wasn't at all about money (and it's not), and it's just the fact that he wants to see every car in the dealership parking-lot be a Hyundai, then give us all DEMO's!!! Of course, you know the answer to that one .

So, what do you think, am I being unreasonable, or is everyone who thinks I should have purchased a Hyundai (simply for the fact that I work there) as back-woods and twisted as I think they are?

 

No, I think you're perfectly right to buy what you like.

The only way I can see you buying a Hyundai is if you or your family owned the dealership, and the profit was going into your family's pockets.

When you have no vested interest in a business, I don't see why you should feel obligated to support it. We have an aquaintance who worked for Nabisco, and refused to have any non-Nabisco products in his house (assuming Nabisco made that product). He was hard-working, doing well, just got a big promotion - and then got laid off. So much for product loyalty

 

The only thing you're doing that's even remotely wrong is that you still work there. IMO of course.

Like you said, what you do with your money is your business.

 

Just be clear - Hyundai doesn't make a car you wanted to buy. Hyundai's fault, not yours. End of discussion.

 

I feel better already.

What prompted this poll was a discussion I had with my mother last night about this very thing, she thinks it was a bad decision to purchase any car other than a Hyundai, and I have no real idea why she feels that way. I wonder if it's the age difference? Jerry is a little older than my mother, I think he's in his late 60's, but they're still close in age compared to me. Hmmm...

 

I think you're right about the age thing. People used to work for companies for 40 years and retire with a pension, and they felt a loyalty to the company. People these days know that the company cares about profit margins more than employees, and I don't think most younger people feel any loyalty to companies the way the older generation did. It doesn't mean you don't do the best job you can, it just means you know you may be doing that job somewhere else in five years.

I agree with you as far as demo cars goes - if Jerry wants to see a fleet of Hyundais pulling up every morning, he better supply them!

Good luck with the Subie

Dave.

 

Don't worry about it too much. Shoot, I just bought a Scion Xb last December and I'm a fleet manager at a Honda dealership!

It's your money, spend it however you please.

 

I never expected anyone working in a dealership to buy that brand unless they offered significanr discount to their employees that was too good to pass up or offered a free demo to drive everyday. But even then, it is your decision and your preference, not anyone else's. Enjoy your Subaru, an excellent car!

 

Look at it like this: I highly doubt the CEO of Hyundai rolls around in one when traveling.

 

and along those lines, does EVERYONE who works there own a Hyundai? I'm guessing not.