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Comments
Driver--
I thought the ultimate road feel car was the Flintstone-mobile. Imagine never having to replace brakes--just regular skin grafts.
Are there any BMWs available as a pedal car or is the Mini Cooper the closest facsimile? I'm guessing the Smart Car will give the driver a good feel for the road... after an accident.
Gogiboy
Regards:
Oldengineer
There is an old saying: "Every patient falls in love with their therapist." I suspect that there may be a ring of truth in that saying. Therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. are faced each day with the responsibility to remain objective while attempting to help their patients. Still, they are human as well. Also, many patients latch on to their doctors because they finally have a sounding board for their problems. There are times when the situation can be a delicate balance at best.
To stay on topic: Just like cars, there are some doctors who perform better than others. Just like cars, there are some patients who feel more comfortable with certain doctors.
Richard
Do join us more often. Your ideas and experiences are interesting. Welcome to this wacky thread.
Richard
Regards:
Oldengineer
A bicycle? (Grin)
Richard
Richard
Just before we did trade it in I so much wanted to go back to that dealership, find that used guy dude and ask him when the transmission was supposed to die.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I've been lurking around here for some time. Enjoy reading the posts, and, I chime in on rare occasion. Was sorta in the car business for 9 years - worked for GM as an engineer fresh out of college. I left them in 1978.
Regards:
Oldengineer
Regards:
Oldengineer
I saw a picture of a Corvette that hit a something. You could put your hand inside the tire, from the side. A big, V-shaped tear.
He drove it like that, home or to a Goodyear store.
They will take a lot of injury and can still be driven.
Yes, there is a BMW pedal car...I saw them when I was at the dealer this week getting my snow tires put on. I think you will really get "the feel of the road" with one of these.
Explorer, you could consider one of these, it's an M Series.
I like this one:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
And, some doctors wear a blue dress, and some cars come in blue.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
A bicycle?
How about getting down on all fours and crawling?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
As a BMW owner & a fan of the brand, I have to say that "feel of the road" is one of the dumbest & least convincing arguments in favor of buying a BMW that I've ever heard. It makes me wonder if you have any sales skills at all. You'd probably have a hard time selling $100 bills for $10 each.
I respectfully suggest that you go back to the drawing board & come up with something else - something that mentions the car's superb handling & perfectly weighted steering. Forget about "feel of the road" - whatever that's supposed to mean.
Richard
jimbres....I'm with you on touting "feel of the road". What exactly does that mean? I've asked that question probably a dozen times from the sales person who invariably throws that in as part of the sales presentation during a test drive. Every one of them had a different answer.
Everyone says how boring Toyotas are and they don't handle well, etc. I have had a few and while they do not corner as if they are "on rails" they are completely secure. I have done some failrly illegal speeds in them and never felt like I was out of control.
Ok, rant over..
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
It is supposed to mean that the steering is communicative (another buzz word!), and you can tell what the car is doing, and sense how well it is connected, and what the steering is doing.
the opposite of say a 1970s Caddy, where it was like spinning the steering wheel on one of those quarter rides outside the dime store
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
A few cars have a unique feel to them when driving. I found it in the Mercedes, Audi, and BMW...but more so in the BMW. I guess it would be better to say "superior handling, control, cornering ability, and a sense you are really driving a car, not a box with a steering wheel (Toyota), and not a mushy cushiony fake light feeling (Buick).
I have driven them so I am giving my impressions. The dictionary gives these definitions of "feel".
intransitive verb
to have physical sensation; be sentient
to appear to be to the senses, esp. to the sense of touch: the water feels warm
to have the indicated emotional effect: it feels good to be wanted
to try to find something by touching; grope (for)
to be or be aware of being: to feel sad, sick, certain, etc.
to be moved to sympathy, pity, etc. (for)
noun
the act of feeling; perception by the sensesthe sense of touch
the nature of a thing as perceived through touch: the feel of wet sawdust
an emotional sensation or effect: the feel of happiness
instinctive ability or appreciation: a feel for design
To be clear, it does not mean a bumpy ride and stiff steering. The important part is, you know when you hit a bump...but you don't feel it, and the steering will not be light...but you will be guiding the car where you want it to go, so it will be firm.
I have read reviews where they use the term "feel of the road" and I think you have to drive one of those cars to know what it is. Many people won't care, and they will prefer cars that are cushiony and with light no effort steering. That isolates you from all the sensory stimulus you get with a car where you feel the experience through your senses.
P.S. Not sure about sales skills but I did very well working for a publishing company in sales for over 16 years. Since starting my own business I have got over 1000 retail locations as customers. I do think if I was selling cars, I wouldn't use the phrase "feel of the road"...but I use it hear so I don't have to say, superior handling, and steering etc etc.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
the opposite of say a 1970s Caddy, where it was like spinning the steering wheel on one of those quarter rides outside the dime store
I copied it all because you said it much better than I did in a lot less time. Surely everyone can understand that. Beautifully said.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
You are close. The M is $430 and the 3 Series is just $260. Or, to get you started, and if you want to experience "the feel of the road" on a budget, this one is just $125.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Well, that certainly paints a more vivid picture than "feel of the road".
I do think if I was selling cars, I wouldn't use the phrase "feel of the road".
I rest my case.
but I use it hear[sic]
Is "hear" the Canadian spelling of "here"?
so I don't have to say, superior handling, and steering etc etc.
You'd stand a better chance of changing people's minds if you went to the trouble of saying "superior handling, control, cornering ability", etc. "Feel of the road" is just too vague to be even halfway convincing.
Is "hear" the Canadian spelling of "here"?
Definitely
changing people's minds if you went to the trouble of saying "superior handling, control, cornering ability", etc.
I don't think I'll change any minds...the only real way to find out is to try it. It is like a person who needs glasses but has never tried them. Once you have them you will see what you have been missing.
From now on I will use the phrase "superior handling, control, cornering ability", instead of "feel of the road" (oops, sorry)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I guess I'll have to dig out a sales story.
Oh, I've got one...
One dark, rainy winter night, we were about ten minutes from closing for the evening when a young punk and his dad walked in. The punk had they typical baggy pants, hat on backwards and an attitude.
I was on the phone but I looked up and felt glad I was occupied.
The few sales guys that were in the area scattered so a salesperson was paged.
He greeted the customers and the young guy handed him a list with four stock numbers he had written down form some of our used cars.
" I would like to test drive all of these cars"
" Well, we close in ten minutes so why don't you tell me which one of thse cars you like the best and we can drive it" " You can come back later and drive the other cars"
The punk wasn't happy but he picked out an Integra.
" Russ", the salesperson grabbed the keys and an umbrella and headed into the lot to get the car. He handed the kid the keys and got into the back seat. The dad got into the front with his son.
The punk hit the driveway and floored it on the slippery payment. I watched as the car went into the opposite lane and almost hit a fence.
Inside the car, the salesperson told him to slow down but he only smirlked and kept driving in a reckless manner. The sales guy then asked the father.." Aren't you going to say anything to your son?" No response.
At that point, he reached between the seats and pulled the parking brake up HARD!
He told the kid.." get out of the %$#@& car!"He drove the car the block back to the store while father snd son walked back in the rain!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Glad to know that - I worked there for a short time - biggest mistake I ever made. I almost can't shop there anymore after working there...
Richard--
I'm sure you go to Honda, Nissan or Mazda you can get a Japanese equivalent for half the price that will last twice as long and only need half of the repairs with less expensive parts. The BMW does will come with a warranty that will give you all required service for two years for free. Don't forget to calculate the cost of insurance.
By the way, I left Toyota out because I know how you feel about them.
Gogiboy
You didn't evaluate my posts for style. I classify my stuff as irreverent, but respectful yet too often off topic. Fortunately, I have consciously restricted my output, an approach supported by a pesky job that should be my first priority.
Gogiboy
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I went in to say good bye, and by golly old Junior looked better to me, so I told the vet that we would just take him home. The vet was furious but I didn't care.
Long story short, Junior lived 8 more years. We changed vets, but a couple of years later I ran into the vet (a woman by the way) and told her Junior was still alive and healthy. Rather than admitting her mistake and apologizing, she just walked off in a huff.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Excellent sales story...I think it is the first one this week so we should make our quota...2 a week average.
One thing I notice in our once a month sales to the public. We close at 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday. We start flicking the lights on and off at about 10 minutes to 4. There are always some straglers who stay until 4:10 or even 4:20. They always buy nothing or one or two books at most. Others buy a box of $80 to $100 worth. :sick: There must be some law at play, but I don't know what it is.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That was funny gogi, especially about the expensive parts.
Actually, there I can't find too many pedal cars that match current models. There is this 53 Corvetter but it is $1100. Could almost buy a real 53 for that much (if it is in bad shape and you just want to pedal around in it).
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Wheelmate Steering Wheel Desk Tray
The user reviews are awesome.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The user reviews are awesome.
Although it gets great reviews, try reading some of those reviews. One is that it is ideal for mixing drinks while going from one bar to the next, another guy puts a pillow on it and can sleep while driving, some reviews I can't say what they do with the tray here though.
It would make a great gift item though, for someone.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
If you visit the Beta site once, you get a cookie that takes you back there each time. There is a link at the top of the beta homepage that allows you to return to "Edmunds Classic".
You probably checked out the beta site with your laptop but not your other computers.
I guess you can only use it while driving in tight circles.
Well all I can say is someone has way to much time on their hands.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The Mustang pedal car is at least made out of metal and goes for $269. Funny that the 'Shelby' version is 10% more. I guess it is faster.
Richard
We would never do that. We hold it to a limit because we know that it gives you acid reflux. It's because of you that I don't make corrections too often. After all, a promise is a promise. (Wink)
BTW, that was a wonderful story. Now that you are retired, you should write a collection of short stories based on your experiences. You could call it THE "UPS" AND DOWNS OF A CAR SALESMAN.
Richard
You are a very considerate poster. As to your writing style, it always seems "homespun" to me. Among the very literate verbiage, we find a folksy way of stating your opinions. Whether one agrees with the opinion or not, the message regularly leaves a pleasant after taste. I didn't mean to leave you out as a regular poster. That is forever the danger when a person begins mentioning a list of names.
Richard
Thing doing reasonably well here in Florida - especially if you include an ER trip as a fun time. I have what would be a smoker's cough if I smoked. It's just a nasty post nasal drip that is one of those unfortunate things - allergies. Except for today when the cough came way deeper and had a little blood in it. Long story short all is well. It was enough that Mrs fezo the nurse said I should go but things are fine.
I also have a real pain going in teh left arm to the point where it was difficult to move and I brought taht up as long as I was there. He says don't carry things.....
Richard
Richard
So with the rain we went out to a movie. Saw Secretariat. Good movie woth a lot of made up stuff around the real story. That horse was the greatest athlete I ever saw. It's amazing when you think about it. Almost every human speed event has had the record broken several times over in the last 35 years or so. Secretariat still holds the records for the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont. No horse has yet beaten his mile and a half time. My dad loved race horses so I've got it pretty ingrained even though I hardly ever go and bet.
Actually it is ideal for you. When you are stuck in those huge traffic jams you could get out a bowl of cereal and eat your breakfast on the way to work.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250