I've only ever bought one car new and that's exactly how it happened for me. Shopping in December, dealer had just one of that model year left. It was very well loaded but I had come to them saying I was only looking for something mid range. I'm the end I paid the mid range price I was hoping for but with a lot of extra bells and whistles. There's a lot to be said for timing and patience in the car world.
Of course that was pre pandemic and everything now is getting squeezed. I'm not sure the same rules apply.
I am familiar with the phrase. And I was correct assuming you were referring to chromium as the culprit.
In case anyone didn't know, you actually can polish a turd.
https://youtu.be/yiJ9fy1qSFI