Stories from the Sales Frontlines

mako1a

Now we're talkin' I'll take a Heckler and Koch anyday over a Romanian AK

When it comes to guns, Canadians are not the best source of info.

Driver, come on down to Kentucky or Virginia and we'll school ya right.

fezo

Isn't it nice they are showing us all these pictures of guns?

I wonder what you would get with a Volvo? A silencer? No, that would probably come with a Cadillac - a big black one.

explorerx4

Have you seen the movie 'Shooter'?. What was done to that black Crown Vic would make Richard cry, although it didn't have anything specifically to do with the title of the movie.

oldfarmer50

"...will give you a free AK-47 if you buy a truck..."

I would think that a M-16 would be more in line for Vet's day. I mean, really, a RUSSIAN assault rifle?

You gotta love Florida. When I'm in Tampa I always head for the gun range for a little fun. They have a much more mature view of firearms down there than in NY.

I enjoy shooting a variety of handguns and semi-auto long guns. One of these times I'm going to spring for the full-auto stuff (if I bring enough extra cash for all the bullets).

I've also promised myself that one of these times I'm going to drive back home in one of those beautiful old rust-free convertibles I see at all the dealers. I'd love to find a 94 or 95 Chrysler Lebaron vert in good mechanical condition. I think they came with a Mitsubishi 3.0L. sweet!

tjc78

I'd love to find a 94 or 95 Chrysler Lebaron vert in good mechanical condition. I think they came with a Mitsubishi 3.0L. sweet!

I always liked those too. They were pretty good looking and hid their "K" car roots well. The 3.0 V6 isn't too bad, except when they get some miles they will burn oil and need valve seals.

explorerx4

I live in CT too, but more in the Hartford area (central CT).
We have lots of hills and traffic, including a lot large of trucks.
AWD/4WD provides a less dramatic commute.
To me, it is worth the extra cost.
Years ago, I remember driving up and down our street in my Expedition to beat down the snow so the neighbors could at least get close to home with their cars.
No plows in sight.
We tried clearing a path with our snow blowers, but it was just pitiful.

snakeweasel

The interesting thing is that dealership was in Northwest Indiana. Anyone who knows Chicago area weather patterns knows that NW IN gets a lot more snow than the rest of the Chicago area.

Now I can see getting a 2WD suv as driving almost all my life in the Chicago area with FWD and a couple of RWD cars I have to say I get around fine in all types of weather here. Why pay the extra price for very little extra utility?

On the other hand I can also see having to get 4WD in an SUV. IMHO why get an SUV if you don't take it off the road every now and again. So you would need 4WD.

explorerx4

Look at it this way. What about if you get outside your home base? Maybe you want that AWD/4WD capability.

driver100

When it comes to guns, Canadians are not the best source of info

I don't think that offering guns with a new car would work here. Guns are pretty restricted. Don't try to bring them across the border or you will lose them.

There's been a fe home invasions lately though, and I can't think of a better way to protect yourself.

driver100

I wonder what you would get with a Volvo?

A water gun.

driver100

I'd love to find a 94 or 95 Chrysler Lebaron vert in good mechanical condition.
I like those Lebaron convertibles too. Those were nicely styled cars and would look good even today.

[Deleted User]

I think that's a pretty fair summary of the R32. The VW 3.2 motor is compact for what it does, but given the size of that engine compartment, I've wondered what it would be like changing out the timing belt or rear bank spark plugs (not totally confident it still uses a timing belt, but I believe it does). That motor has got to be a tight fit with the transmission and a transfer case squeezed into a small compartment.

Price is definitely a hindrance. You do get a lot of performance for the money, but it's in a small package, and we North Americans generally equate size with price. Given VW's new direction in North America, lower prices with less attention given to premium components (see the new Jetta), I have to wonder if the R32 has a future here.

kyfdx

Is the R32 coming back?

As far as I know, they've only brought it here, twice..

2004 (manual only)

2008 (DSG only)

nyccarguy

I think they are bringing back the R32, although not a 32. AWD & the Audi 2.0T

crkyolfrt

"Hefty curb weight dulls handling on twisty roads, "

I'm not so sure I agree with that. With the R32, some of that extra weight is from the cast iron block of that 6. The aluminum block reserved for duty in the Audi. More weight will be for the AWD system, and likely a lot of that extra weight will be in chassis strengthening to not only handle the extra torque, but that twist is applied to all four wheels. As long as it has enough rubber on the road, it wouldn't surprise me if it out-handles a GTI. Weight placement is key though, and if it doesn't, my guess is that the R32 likely has a less than ideal front weight bias.

Also, check over a few random Porsche weights. You will see they are heavy cars. Yet we know they handle extremely well.

crkyolfrt

It likely is pretty cramped, but years ago I recall reading about that 6 when they first intro'd it. If they are using the same block, then it has a very very narrow cyl head. They accomplished that by staggering the pistons.

edit- seems to me though it was a 2.7 or 8 or something litre tho, so maybe I'm thinking of a totally different engine. I think I must be, that 3.2 size sounds familiar and is a true V layout. Audi brought it out back around when they had trouble containing the torque with their first CVTs. I didn't know they had a cast iron version of it tho.

crkyolfrt

"Don't try to bring them across the border or you will lose them. "

That's for sure...our politician's heads are so far up their butt, in their infinite wisdom, they feel the only ones who should have guns are the cops and the criminals.

verdugo

I would however ask for a potential enhancement from Edmunds - perhaps you could install an ignore button?

Good luck with that. I've been mentioning that for ages.

Kirstie_H

Yup, I already responded regarding why that isn't a good solution (from experience). It also results in a lot of off-topic comments all over the place from people ignoring other members. They miss a portion of the conversation and then say, "what? Oh, I guess you're responding the the poster I'm ignoring." This is then usually followed by a comment from the ignor-ee, usually talking about how he doesn't care that you're ignoring him... then suddenly the forums conversations are strikingly similar to those found in an elementary school classroom.

fezo

then suddenly the forums conversations are strikingly similar to those found in an elementary school classroom.

As opposed to now..... (We REALLY need a rolleyes....)

OK. Forget the ignore button. How about a "this computer will self destruct in 15 seconds" button?

Kirstie_H

If it can be rigged to allow me to trigger it to remotely destruct misbehaving members' computers, I'm in! [evil grin].

verdugo

Yup, I already responded regarding why that isn't a good solution (from experience).

In my defence, I replied to his post before getting to yours. It's one of the downsides of not having individual threads.

Kirstie_H

And a downside of having a fast-moving discussion full of new posts hourly... I understand.

imidazol97

> to remotely destruct misbehaving members' computers

I believe there would be legal ramifications in doing that! :P

fezo

Boy, where did everyone go today? Out buying cars?

tallman1

Don't complain... I can keep up for once.

fezo

Well, there is that.....

Here's all you need to do to generate a sales story. If 40 guys send me $100 each I'll pay off the van and get something else. That would generate a buy and a sell story.

Or you could wait for a year....

fezo

Well, there is that.....

Here's all you need to do to generate a sales story. If 40 guys send me $100 each I'll pay off the van and get something else. That would generate a buy and a sell story.

Or you could wait for a year....

fezo

I have no idea why that last post went in twice. I hope this one doesn't.

tallman1

You're just trying to keep up the daily number of posts.

fezo

Curses! Foiled again!

michaellno

Here's all you need to do to generate a sales story. If 40 guys send me $100 each I'll pay off the van and get something else.

I can beat that ... I need 40 guys to send me $75 each to pay off the ION, then I can buy my midlife crisis car and generate a story.

fezo

That would be a good story! Mine would only end up with an Altima or a 6 or some such thing....

tidester

rigged to allow me to trigger it to remotely destruct misbehaving members' computers

I think you're looking for the Tesla version of VPN. :shades:

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

driver100

In my defence, I replied to his post before getting to yours.

How about printing it again so we can all see it?

snakeweasel

Where I work they have a sort of intranet page where they have official company announcements and the such. Included is a bulletin board where people can post things on a lost and found, personal messages and things for sale site and they will be there for something like three weeks.

Well every month we have some guy selling a car (1999 Pontiac with 135K miles), same car every month for the last 4 months. The reason why its still unsold is that he has it for $4,500 and KBB.com puts the private party sales price at about $3,250 and that's probably a bit over priced. He has never reduced the price of the car.

sterlingdog

How about a button that saps the argumentative poster into a one day "chill out" box? After 24 hours, he can request to return. Second offense would be a 48 hour "chill out" and so forth. You, me, and Tidester could be in charge of the button---The Edmunds Tribunal.

Richard

sterlingdog

I tried to delete the second message by following the instructions, but it didn't work. I know why we post two messages at times. We get tired of waiting on the "Post Message" button to do its thing. We hit the button again and get the message posted twice. I suppose that we just need to practice a little more patience.

Richard

imidazol97

>You, me, and Tidester

And you're leaving me out. Along with lots of others?

sterlingdog

"In my defence..."

You went British on us. I can see that these Canadians are getting to you. (Wink)

Richard

fezo

Sorry. We could only come up with three buttons.

I like it - an online penalty box!

jipster

"A sort of sales story", is better than nothing. My 1999 Buick Regal LS has 107k miles. The registration renewal is due this month. It has a taxable value of around $2,650. I'm thinking I should be able to get in the mid 2,000's for it.

The problem with a lot of private party sellers is that they have some time of weird unnatural emotional attachment to their car, and expect to be given 40% over book because of it. I would probably not even look at a car, like that Pontiac your friend is selling, because any negotiation would likely be futile. :surprise:

sterlingdog

We will need your qualifications, three references, a list of previously owned cars, your remediation experience, proof of Edmunds membership, a copy of your valid driver's license, one other form of photo ID, Social Security number, a check for $500 to process your application, and a copy of your 15,621 posts since July 25, 2002. Following submission of the above documents, there will be a series of interviews on specified dates. You must be available for each of those dates, regardless of previously scheduled appointments. Following the interview process, you must submit to urine testing, blood testing, finger printing, and a driving test to determine if you can ascertain the "feel of the road". Appointments are made on the availability of buttons. You will be notified every 90 days as to the status of your application. If you have not received an appointment within a year, you must repeat the entire application process. We thank you for your interest, and look forward to receiving your application.

Richard

imidazol97

>We could only come up with three buttons.

They have more at Staples. I'll pick one up.

snakeweasel

I would probably not even look at a car, like that Pontiac your friend is selling, because any negotiation would likely be futile.

I know what you mean, if I was looking at that car my offer would be so far under his asking price that I don't think we could meet anywhere in the middle without me coming way, way up. There is a lady thats in my department that is actually interested in the car but won't approach him on it because its way to much as far as she is concerned.

snakeweasel

What? You dropped the requirement to give you our first born male child.

verdugo

You went British on us. I can see that these Canadians are getting to you. (Wink)

In my defense I just came back from London

driver100

you must submit to urine testing, blood testing, finger printing, and a driving test to determine if you can ascertain the "feel of the road".

You forgot about the full body pat down or total body scan.

I hear there is a new Israeli invention.

First you step inside an enclosure.

They guards press a button.

If you are carrying explosives you are immediately blown up.

Your seat is sold to a customer on standby.

Ingenious!

sterlingdog

We dropped the requirement because the first born male child would want a car. Edmunds can't afford it. They can't even afford to have the emotorcons repaired.

Richard

sterlingdog

"...total body scan."

In your case, we would be particularly interested in the brain scan.

Richard