:460: After my son terminally redesigned my Cherokee through impact this summer I needed a replacement. We liked the quality of the Eclipse the wife bought in February and the dealer service was super. So we decided to checkout the Outlander. After a very thorough internet search I was impressed with the owner's comments, the crash safety rating, and the relatively low emissions rate. I researched the car to the point that at the dealership I was answering questions for the sales manager! After a test drive I had that warm fuzzy feeling that this car should belong to me. (The only other car I test drove was a Jeep Compass - pure dog!!!!). The wife wasn't along for the test drive so the sales manager allowed me to have the car overnight. This gave us time to really evaluate the car. Around here going uphills is a regular problem (West Virginia is the mountain state). I went to a 2 mile long 7% grade, set the cruise on 75 mph and had the AC on; after the automatic down shifted speed was manitained without a problem. I then got off the interstate and found a twisty road with a poor pavement (also easy to find in WV); handling and ride quality were pleasing, especially compared to the Cherokee! Back onto the interstate for the wife's turn behind the wheel. It wasn't long before in a kind and gentile way I suggested that 90 mph was a bit faster than we should be driving. I guess she is used to the "road feel" of the Eclipse to let her know when she is going fast enough.
:57: So I want an Outlander it's now time to figure out the money. Through my internet search I had a "what is the best possible price you can get" number. The dealer's first shot was $162 too high but we're close. The dealer didn't have in stock the color I wanted but found a car at another dealer, which is a hassle for him. After thinking about it over night the wife and I decide the Rio Red the dealer had is actually a pretty nice color. So I return to the dealer this morning and ask if he would make me a deal on some dealer installed options if I bought the car on his lot. We went through the list of options with the overly high MSRP. He offered to add $450 of options without increasing the price that I was already to pay!!! Made it impossible for me to say no.
:trophy: I pick up the car in two days. More later.