At first, I had no desire to watch this program - it was promoted "too commercial" of a "reality" show for me - the rap/hip hop - the "bling-bling", and SALESMEN. As a consumer, the one thing I hate is sleazy salesmen. But a few weeks ago I turned into a marathon of this program on the A&E channel and just fell in love with it. Why? Because I think that this show should be a mandatory view for ANYONE who will EVER purchase a car in their lives. And if like me you've purchased a few cars, this show is a refresher course.
I wish they had shown this show BEFORE I bought my first car. I had a car in mind, I thought I knew what I wanted and I thought my credit was perfect...because I had NO credit (just a student loan) and I thought buying a USED, putt-putt "little old lady from Pasadena" car would take me out of the hassle of 5 year payments, extended warranties, etc. It was a Plymouth Horizon, list price: $1,700. When it was all over, (financing, $500.00 down, SHOP warranty, etc.) I owned a used Plymouth Horizon which I ended up paying $9,800 for a $1,700 car! Think I learned anything? Nope. When I paid that off, I bought a used Hyundai for $7,000. When it was all over I paid $12,900 for it!! Two weeks after I paid it off, the Hyundai DIED. You think I was a bit knowledgeable by that time? Nope. I bought a BRAND NEW sports car which I negotiated DOWN from $22,500 to $15,700. I was proud of myself thinking I saved SO much. Paid too much. Paid that off...bought a new/used car (..had 300 miles on it). Same thing. Paid that off a year ago. Paid too much. Now, I'm riding in my car with no debt. Anything happens to it, I put that car together with "spit and polish" for I REFUSE to get into car debt again....and then this show comes along and explains every thing I went through. Could've saved quite a few steps.
To save folks from the above -- watch this show. I don't care if you bring your momma, your uncle, your best friend, a brain surgeon, etc., in with you when you buy a new or used car and intend on financing...you will still get it from these folks and "King of Cars" shows you why, and how it is done. Be upset watching this - criticize this, it's a good thing! But I bet if you walk into a dealer with this knowledge, you'll get a better car deal. I am SURE car dealers around the country HATE this show - or are praying consumers NEVER watch it. There is little variation on the "sale", it all comes down to what you see - be it a high end shop like this, or a corner neighborhood lot.
King of Cars starts off with a basic sales premise: sell. That's all "Chop" who owns SEVERAL dealerships and loves cars himself wants to do. To me, the salesmen all look like "ladies of the night" standing out side of the showroom ... waiting for a customer to come in to descend on and present their deals and wares. They're dressed in nice suits, they're nice and offer you whatever they can to sell you the car at the best mark-up possible. It's that simple. Forget the games, the camaraderie, women selling vs. men selling, the Blue Genie...it's nothing more than that. There is more knowledge in this show about getting a car than anything else I've ever seen. Watch this and learn.
