I know many people who have bought cars online and I recently sold one that way. The purchaser did not drive my car until I picked him up at the airport. He did his due diligence, drove similar models and had me run it to an independent mechanic of his choosing. THe transaction went great for both of us and he’s happy…

“Something is wrong at dealerships.”

There is no haggling in an online marketplace and no touching. 

According to their 10Q, they made $2.5B selling cars in first quarter 2020, $185 million leasing cars, $200 million selling energy storage, and $80 million selling credits. The credits are a nice little boost for them, but it’s hardly the core of their business model.

Last car I bought took five freaking hours. Just, good god people.

I did the same a few years ago. used Audi S4. Had financing with me, had everything i was told i needed. Had to wait for 5 fucking hours for them get a hold of my insurance to get verbal confirmation that my existing insurance would cover the Audi once i drove it off the line. News flash, of course it did. Once they…

Except you can exclude a dealership. It’s what Tesla does. Just a showroom with no salepersons.

That’s the current model, yes.  It does not have to be that way.  Tesla has showrooms where you can look at their cars and tech without having to buy in that showroom.  their model is not perfect but shows how the system can work if we want it to.

I just sat in and test drove a Tesla Model 3 last weekend.  And it was done without having to go to an actual dealership.

I haven’t driven a Model 3 or Y, but I think that’s the solution to the $50k Tesla. And they are making a profit- they’ve been positive for 3 quarters in a row. Tesla showed a profit in Q1 2020, even as mainline carmakers have shown a loss.

Also, when I hear someone tell me they don’t like electric cars, it sounds like my kid saying he doesn’t like a show or a food. You’ve never tried this, you just don’t like anything different from what you know.

Well we can’t copy England. The US needs to be original...do something no one has done before...like vending machines for cars. 

Disengage the test drive from the purchasing. Decide what cars you want to drive. Schedule test drives, collect pricing, and get business cards of the salespersons you like. Then decide what you want, research pricing, arrange your financing, decide what is an acceptable deal to you, and make an offer via email.…

People would buy a GM EV if GM made a good EV. The Bolt is OK, but they did nothing to make it attractive. It’s basically an electric Honda Fit for $10-15k more. Right now, they can get away with making lackluster EVs, but they will be hurting if we get to the point that everyone but them is making a good EV at a…

I think it’s more like people don’t like the *idea* of electric cars. Most people, at this point I’d bet, still haven’t actually driven one.

I totally agree with all of your points about physically seeing the car that you’re buying before you agree to plunk down your hard-earned. There are some things that just have to be done in person. But there are also a TON of things that can be done remotely — and they’re probably more efficient to be done remotely.…

1st Gear: Short version - it’s probably because dealers have a looong way to go before online is really usable, and they know they can get away without really developing it.

Neutral: I hate car dealers and the very idea of going to one makes me break out in a rash.

So, Tesla.

We very much do not want to go back to “normal.”