Stories from the Sales Frontlines

driver100

I can't verify this, but I think that the sale of asbestos brake pads in the U.S. is illegal.

You are correct jimbres. I checked some reviews and facts quickly and Axxis brakes are asbestos-free. Some people said they did get dust but it washed off easily. Everyone seemed really happy with their Axxis brakes. I would definitely look into it if I needed brakes.

graphicguy

I've mentioned a few times that I have a friend who used to work at the local Ford trans plant as an engineer. When Ford offered the buyouts, he took it. Understand, I don't think he was one of the people Ford had in mind when they offered everyone buyouts (as much as they actually asked him to stay on), he decided he wanted to do something else anyway and took the buyout.

Anyway, he has a '98 Mustang Cobra convertible that he bought new. It's totally loaded (including a cassette player). Only thing it doesn't have is an automatic trans (which is fine by me). He has about 10K miles on it. It's never seen rain. Only time it gets wet is when he washes it (once/week). It's always been garaged since the day he bought it.

We've always traded stories about him either trying to sell the Cobra (which he's done less than half heartedly), or asking so much for it, no one would bite.

Well, in talking this weekend, he said he hadn't driven it for about 3 weeks and should really sell it. I put out a feeler as to how much he's asking. He's thinking $11K. I'm thinking $8K. I don't want to insult him. But, he seems serious now.

Opinions?

jimbres

I am getting tired of my 2008 James Bond Blue car....I saw one in white with a mostly red and black trim interior that I would like to trade for.

Don't want to be hard on you, driver, but what do you expect to get out of this transaction? Do you think that white BMWs handle better than blue BMWs?

If you make it a habit to trade out of 2-year-old cars, you will go broke & end up living in a packing crate next to the bus terminal. The only question is how long it will take.

Exactly why are you "tired" of a car that most of us consider to be desirable? If the car was a pleasure to drive when it was new, it should still be a pleasure to drive today. I've had my 330i for over 9 years, & I enjoy driving it as much today as I did the day I took delivery of it. The only reason why I'm considering a new car is that my recent surgery makes it difficult to get into & out of such a low car.

Is your car an automatic? Perhaps that's the problem. For maximum driving pleasure, BMWs should be equipped with sticks.

jmonroe

He's thinking $11K. I'm thinking $8K. I don't want to insult him. But, he seems serious now.

Opinions?

I know this doesn't help much but friends don't let friends pay full boat. :surprise:

jmonroe

driver100

? Do you think that white BMWs handle better than blue BMWs?

That's funny. Actually I love my BMW, many people here would say I love it too much.

I met a friend I haven't seen in over 40 years and he has the same car as I do (one of life's quirks) except he has white with red interior and I like it. But, no, I won't trade for a few years at least. I only have 26k miles on the car and I love driving it.

I do have a 6 speed manual, and I like that too.

However, we went for our tennis weekend in Ellicotville NY last weekend and I pulled a groin muscle and could be small hernia. I was a little bit concerned about driving for awhile...but although in a fair bit of pain, I can still shift and use the clutch. It would be a problem though if I broke an arm or a leg. I do see where there could be a use for a big floaty Buick or Avalon one day too.

By the way, make a note, people from all over the world go to the Shouldice Clinic ( shouldice.com) for hernia operations. At least now the second side will be done and I won't have to worry about it any more. My idea is to do all males at birth.

jimbres

Sorry to hear that you might have a hernia. Good luck. Hope that it doesn't force you into an Avalon.

604doc

That photo looks like an '04 R32. The '08 has one of those smallish spoilers that sticks out a bit above the rear window. At first I thought it was a wind deflector to help keep the rear window clean, but mine gets filthy even in light rain.

kyfdx

? Do you think that white BMWs handle better than blue BMWs?


Red BMWs handle the best...

If you want to see a really nice one, check out my CarSpace!

driver100

Red BMWs handle the best...

I never thought of it before but maybe color does affect performance....kinda like the car runs better after it has been washed.

I sent in my request to be a carspace friend....I want to see more pictures of your red BMW....I forgot you had a new BMW....why weren't you here to defend me when I said BMWs are the most perfect car in the whole world?

driver100

Good luck. Hope that it doesn't force you into an Avalon.

Yes, that would be a nightmare wouldn't it? The biggest bmw fan in the world being forced to drive an Avalon.

Guess I could settle for completely "neutral just blend in to the scenery beige",
or "dull and boring brown".

One more thought about color. When I bought the car I would have bought it in white or black with the red interior. But, the dealer, and it's satelite location, and another dealer didn't have any interior or exterior color swabs. I thought the only other interior was black and I didn't want a black interior, even though it is really in these days, especially black on black which I do not understand.

At any rate, you would think that BMW could get the dealers some color swatches.
To see the color of blue I was getting I had to watch the James Bond movie to see the color of his BMW, to know what color mine would be. :sick:

sterlingdog

Also, friends don't buy cars from friends, or family from family, or neighbors from neighbors, or co-workers from co-workers. It's a sure way to destroy a relationship---as in car won't start two days later, didn't know CD player was broken, sources say you charged me too much, there's a dent in the rear door, etc. With Murphy's Law always in place, why ask for more trouble?

Richard

sterlingdog

At last, a chance to get Driver in a Grand Marquis. If you would quit showing off at your age by pretending to be 21 again, you wouldn't have gotten a hernia. :P Seriously, get well soon.

Richard

Kirstie_H

well heck, you've inadvertently extracted a sales story from me.

Once upon a time, in a land far away (Kentucky), an older couple with whom I was friends sold me their 'Vette (Che rather than Cor) for $300, out of the goodness of their hearts. It ran well, but that's about all it had going for it. It often blew out heat, and never A/C. It was butt-ugly rust/brown color, with all the mobility of the Statue of Liberty.

A year later, after I could afford to upgrade, I sold it to a friend of mine for $300. He drove it for two years, until it finally died on the roadside near the end of his move to the DC area. Best $600 we collectively spent. I wouldn't recommend selling between family & friends in most cases, but with a $300 that starts & stops on command, the buyer is pretty aware of what they're getting and the (low) risk they're taking.

nyccarguy

Last Saturday, my wife, 2 sons, & I drove our 2007 Montego Blue BMW X3 to the dealership for the last time. They take care of lease returns at the CPO building. The salesman came to us with a form to sign. He asked if we were getting something else. I pointed to our 2010 TSX and explained how it killed 2 birds with one stone by me getting rid of my 1990 325i clunker & sparing a lot of miles on our leased X3 (we've put over 16K miles on just the Acura alone in 11 months).

He said "so you're really leaving us?". I said "yup, unless you've got something on the CPO lot with a stick & sports package that's cheap"

He replies " funny you should ask" and then points to a stunning Black/Black 2008 550i. "It only has 30K miles, has a stick & sport."

I look at the asking price & it is north of $46K. Thanks but no thanks I said to myself.

As I was walking away, he shouted to me "It is cheap too. 2 years ago it had an MSRP of over $70K"

So now we are officially BMW-less. I'm happy with our 2 Hondas though.

fezo

I sold a car to a co-worker once. It was an 87 Maxima wagon with 167K+ on the clock. She wasn't expecting it to be perfect and I wasn't asking much. She and her family put another 30K+ or so on it and then sold it. She reported it still going a couple of years after she sold it.

driver100

At last, a chance to get Driver in a Grand Marquis. If you would quit showing off at your age by pretending to be 21 again,

Thanks for the get well wishes. I have to say, it was an amazing play...rushing to the net, stretching for the shot, seeing the amazing look on everyone's face, that I could rush to the net and actually make a good shot.....only to limp off the court in excruciating pain.

Although we have an oversize two car garage, I wouldn't buy a GM because it will take up too much room in the garage. The Avalon sounds interesting though, if this doesn't get better.....but I will miss "the feel of the road".

driver100

This guy was talking about his Hummer 3 that he hated. He said a friend had one and talked him into getting one - now he thinks it was a case of misery loves company.

He said it was really an Envoy with a Hummer body. It has a 5 cylinder engine which sounds good because it should be economical. Wrong, it got about 12 miles per gallon and was very slow, he said it took 2 hrs and 10 minutes to reach 60 mph. It blew out 10 headlights in one year at $35 a bulb. Then, while he was out on a high maintenance date on a cold winter night he started the car and the heater wouldn't work. Cost him a possible girl friend and cost $2800 to repair...it was 2 days past the warranty period.

The good part. He was asleep one night, thieves broke down his front door, and stole his keys. He had a few cups of coffee, read a few newspapers, and then 2 hours and 10 minutes later called the police, once he knew the thieves were at least 60 miles away.

They found what was left off the car a week later - stripped. He got the insurance money and so the story had a happy ending.

driver100

Also, friends don't buy cars from friends, or family from family,

I believe in that rule. But our daughter wanted my old X3 so she bought it directly from the dealer, for the amount I got for it as a trade in. At least, I didn't make a profit, and they said there would be no bad feelings if something went wrong.

I did tell the story before, so to be brief;
About a year later my son in law asks if I had huge puddles on the passenger side after a rain storm? I said "No". He took it to the dealer and they found chipmunks were making homes in his front windshield post, and they chewed up the rubber.

About a month later, he asks if I had trouble with the rear window wiper - now it wasn't working. I said "No". He said, well it stopped working all of a sudden. My wife was walking by and heard us and she said, "Anna - our daughter, had just told her that she backed into the garage door and since then the wiper stopped working.
Guess she didn't want to tell him about that incident.

At least now, if anything goes wrong, I am going to say, "Not my responsibility, besides 3 years is up, and don't ask to buy my current car."

wlbrown9

If the Hummer 3 was based on the Envoy base it probably would have been much better. It was based on the same base as the Colorado which was actually mainly designed by Isuzu. That was the GMT355 compact platform. The Envoy was on the GMT360 midsize platform.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummer_H3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_GMT_platform#GMT_355

He said it was really an Envoy with a Hummer body. It has a 5 cylinder engine which sounds good because it should be economical. Wrong, it got about 12 miles per gallon and was very slow, he said it took 2 hrs and 10 minutes to reach 60 mph.

driver100

If the Hummer 3 was based on the Envoy base it probably would have been much better. It was based on the same base as the Colorado which was actually mainly designed by Isuzu.

Looks like you are correct. The guy telling the story on the radio is an amusing guy, and he told a good story, but I am quite sure he isn't that knowledgeable about cars...that's why he bought the Hummer 3 in the first place.

jmonroe

kinda like the car runs better after it has been washed.

And waxed.

Sorry to hear about your mishap playing tennis. I had my share of pulled groin muscles when I was a kid and they heel pretty quickly and well when you’re young. As I got older (into my thirties) and still thought I was a kid, I played softball pretty regularly in a very competitive league at work and in week end tournaments. By then I knew the importance of doing stretching exercises before going onto the field and I never had another problem.

If you recover without the need of an operation you should consider doing stretching exercises, it couldn’t hurt. Then again you could always act your age but there is no fun in doing that.

jmonroe

driver100

If you recover without the need of an operation you should consider doing stretching exercises

I don't do stretching exercises but I should. I think this could have been prevented if I had done them.

The doctor said I don't really need the operation, but I would rather get it done now, than have it get worse later, when I am even older.

I am 63, many of the guys that play are in there 70s, a few in their 80s, and one is 92! Yes 92! He does really well, he can run and he has a very accurate shot.

Act my age! I always say, if you want to stay young, act immature.

fezo

Indeed. You are only young once but you can be immature for as long as you want!

Wow. You're older than me. Takes some doing....

driver100

Red BMWs handle the best...
If you want to see a really nice one, check out my CarSpace!

I really like the BMW in red. That was one of my initial choices too, and I always liked red cars.....but I kind of feel that once you reach 60 you should go with something more subdued. But then again, that red does look good.

My James Bond Blue actually looks nice too, for an old guy....
driver100 @ carspace.com

driver100

Wow. You're older than me. Takes some doing....

Thanks, I really needed that, like as if I don't feel bad enough.

Fezo, read my last post. If you are under 60 then you can buy a red car. :P

jipster

Opinions?

People with emotional attachements to their cars usually want more than the car is worth. I wouldn't pay 3 grand more than I thought it was worth. But, $9-9.5k for a car you really like would be worth it.

jipster

I call the Horseshoe Casino to reserve a room for a short one day gambling spree for the wife and I. Their web site lists a room for $129. Their automated phone service states "for the best rate guaranteed" go to their website.

I call them directly to brush up a bit on my haggling skills and get a discount... to see if the ole Jipster still has it. The receptionist parrots the phone service, he says they are nearly booked up, and the best rate is $129. He wants to hurry up and book me before all the rooms are gone. I say I really didn't want to pay that much for a room and I'll look around a bit. He asks me what I was wanting to pay. I smile that big sly smile of mine... knowing their "guaranteed low price" is about to go lower. Thinking they'd go $99, and with little to lose, I say $99.

Guess what he comes back with? Go ahead... I'll wait. WRONG! He comes back with $79! No kidding. He comes $20 under my asking price.Man, I'm thinking. This guy is either intimidated by my Edmunds reputation for price hacking, and just wants to come out of this negotiation while he still has the clothes on his back... or maybe he thought I said $59. I would like to think the former. Anyhow, I'm sure the casino will get that money back later in the day... they usually do.

driver100

WRONG! He comes back with $79! No kidding.

Hope you don't mind sleeping in a closet next to the kitchen. The receptionist probably said to himself, "If this guy wants to try the Jipster Method on me, I'll show him". :surprise:

jipster

"If this guy wants to try the Jipster Method on me, I'll show him".

Nahh, this guy laid down like a baby seal and took his clubbing like a man. No need to use the "Jipst Method"... no such thing as the "Jipster Method". :mad:

sterlingdog

I'll make you feel better. I'm older than both you and fezo. That's why fezo is so interested in my will. :P

Richard

sterlingdog

This is why you are still the president of our club.

Richard

sterlingdog

When it's only $300, who could become angry? Then again, I know some former students who could bump you off for $50. :shades:

Richard

sterlingdog

"...once you reach 60 you should go with something more subdued."

If you can play tennis, you can own a red BMW.

Richard

driver100

I'm older than both you and fezo. That's why fezo is so interested in my will.

I hope that's not combined ages...then there could be a problem!

jmonroe

I'll make you feel better. I'm older than both you and fezo. That's why fezo is so interested in my will.

I think we are the same age or very close. As for ‘fez’ getting anything from my will he’ll have to get in line behind 2 sons and 5 grandkids. By the time it gets to the line that has his name, the only thing left will be the Genny because no one in my family will drive anything with the Hyundai name on it. Since that thing will have almost no value, I’m thinking of taking his name out of the will all together. I'd feel really terrible (in reality I'd feel nothing) passing on something like that :surprise:

jmonroe

jmonroe

I hope that's not combined ages...then there could be a problem!

No it ain't, if that's the case I want what he's smoking. :P

jmonroe

fezo

Dang! I was THAT close to getting the Genny.....

You guys (some of you) may be older than I am but not by too wide a margin. I hit one of those dreaded birthdays with a 0 on it in January....

graphicguy

jipster....I agree about people having emotional attachment to their cars. This guy definitely has an amothional attachment to the '98 Cobra 'vert. It was kind of his "big spurge". Problem is, he hasn't driven it much, at all.

Which is the same issue I could be faced with. It's a really nice car. It's really fast. It's benn really well kept. And, it's a convertible. However, aside from the first month or two of ownership, I have to wonder how much I'd really drive it, too. Is the ownership privilege worth $8K, $9K, $10K? I truly don't know.

I'm passionate about American Muscle. And, a Cobra is one of the best in the breed. But, not as passionate as I used to be.

Regarding hotels and vacations, I'm trying to book a Christmas Cruise. My sister's an I used to spend Christmas with our parents. This being thef first holiday they're both gone, we decided to do something different and take a cruise together.

You call the cruise lines one day, and get one price. I called the next day to book, and the price mysteriously went up $400/person (presumably because it's a holiday saling).

I immediately balked and told the "agent" that I'm no longer interested. Talk about putting on the pressure, I'm getting a couple of phone calls a day from the cruise line agent wanting to know if there's any thing else they can do for me.

Well....no.....you've done quite enough already.

qbrozen

eh... its still a '98, though. An '05+ standard GT will smoke it, AND have better fit and finish. Just something to keep in mind.

houdini1

I think we are also in the same age group.

I just finished 36 holes of golf thanks to a good fast golf cart. It cooled off to around 90 degrees today so thought I would take advantage of it. I did not play too well but managed to beat my arch enemy who I have been playing with for the last 30 + years. My skill prevailed over his luck !!

sterlingdog

36 holes? I'm impressed. I would have been more impressed if you had said that you did it on foot. :P

Richard

sterlingdog

"Is the ownership privilege worth $8k, $9k, $10k?"

Yes, if you really want it.

Richard

driver100

"Is the ownership privilege worth $8k, $9k, $10k?"
Yes, if you really want it

I have to agree. If you keep the car for 5 years and it costs $2000 more, it is like spending $400 a year to drive the car you really want. Always use the Driver Low Cost Averaging System when you want to justify a purchase.

It kills me when opeople look at a $400,000 house and they have a limit of $375,000. In 25 years when the house is paid off they will be happy they bought the house they did, the extra $25000 will mean nothing. In fact it will mean the house was worth $50000 or so more than the $375,000 house, ans it is the house they want...and that means something.

I am not saying to overpay, there is nothing smart or joyous in that. But, if you pay fair value you will probably come out ahead in the long run.

Here are the Blue Book Values. When I looked them up I would say the better Cobras ranged from about $12k to $20k, so $12k isn't bad. With a bit of dancing you might get it for $10,500 or $11000.

2 Trims AvailableWhat's this?
1998 Ford Mustang Cobra
Select a trim below for more detailed vehicle information, including pictures, specs, and reviews.

Picture Trim Name Kelley Blue Book Engine Fuel Economy

Coupe $9,516 4.6L V8
305 HP 17 / 26 mpg

Convertible $10,783 4.6L V8
305 HP 17/24

graphicguy

q....you're right. A more modern GT will will be faster than the '98 Cobra. And, will definitely have better build (especially better ergonomics). I've driven it, though. It's a strong runner. It's a convertible. And, it still says Cobra on the body panels and under the hood.

driver.....As we say time and time again, a car (like a house) is worth exactly what someone else is willing to pay for it.

I could be wrong, but for $10K, I don't think I'd ever lose any money on it. That said, I just finished up clearing out the GG garage with superfluous vehicles. I'm not in a hurry to buy. He's not in a hurry to sell. Maybe I'll wait until there's snow on the ground and broach the subject with him, again.

explorerx4

I don't know about an '05 GT being able to smoke a '98 Cobra, they both have 300 hp.
The Cobra is a lot rarer and has a hand assembled, signed engine.
You can get the guy's name, go on a Cobra forum, and ask if the engines built by xyx are holding up well.
My '02 Explorer must be hearing the footsteps of the 2011 model.
I am going to get over 400 miles out of a single tank for only the 5th time.
The other 4 were on straight highway runs. I think 2 of them involved driving across Ohio.

mako1a

If I were a betting man and it was stock 98 Cobra against stock 05 GT Mustang I'd wager on the Cobra. The 32 valve engine is key.
Ford has a tendency to overrate their engine HP. It's more like 300 for the Cobra and 260 for the GT (true HP). Plus the GT will fade after 4,000 RPM where the 32 valve Cobra will still be pulling strong.

It just happens that in 2000 I owned a 98 GT Mustang and a 98 Corvette at the same time. A neighbor saw them parked out in the driveway together, ventured over and tried to tell me that with the right driver the Mustang would be all over the Corvette. I let him ramble a bit then said, you know I own and drive both of these cars and you couldn't be more wrong.

jimbres

It kills me when opeople look at a $400,000 house and they have a limit of $375,000.

I don't know anything about the Canadian real estate market, but if it's anything like the market in the greater NY metro area, the owner of that $400K house will probably accept a $375K offer. And if you can wait a year, he'll probably accept a $325K offer.

driver100

don't know anything about the Canadian real estate market,

I have actually seen on those real estate shows someone will not go higher than $190k on a 200k house. In 25 years that $10000 will be maeningless. Another way to look at it is, it amounts to $400 a year.

I know realestate is going through a tough time in the US....we saw brand new 3 bedroom houses in Florida going for $150,000. It is very tempting to buy.

Average house prices in Toronto are about $430k, and Vancouver $630k. Our real estate market did not fall, there was no zero down mortgages. Our banks are regulated, so we were not directly affected by the banking fiasco.

Your method of waiting until prices come down might work, but it is a gamble, I think it is about 50/50 the direction of real estate in the USA. Many Canadians are buying in Arizona, Florida, California and more, counting on the prices going up.

qbrozen

All I can say is that I searched both and found 5.9 secs 0-60 for a '98 Cobra vert and 5.2 secs for an '05 GT vert. As we know, there is more than just HP to an engine.

Plus, wasn't '05 after the SAE adjustment? So 300 horses in '05 would be more than 300 horses in '98. (??)

kyfdx

I'm not sure there has been any adjustment in horsepower ratings.... I thought the last one was in '72?

Either way, I'm with you..... Betting on the '05 GT...

But, it's not really about the 0-60.. After all, either of them would smoke my 330Ci.. but, I wouldn't trade for either one... The Cobra definitely has the "cool" factor going for it...