Stories from the Sales Frontlines

driver100

Just curious: is "Suburu" the Canadian spelling of "Subaru"?

I should just say yes, but since I am always 100% honest, it is spelled "Subaru" in Canada as well. I didn't take much note of it when I spelled it, and just did it phonetically.

canadiantoyota

roadburner

Now I haven't driven their turbo, but as a general rule, NA makes a better track car.

The BMW turbos don't have a problem with lag, but they don't feel very much like a traditional BMW six either. But they are fast. I know of one 335i slushbox coupe with a Dinan tune(full warranty, by the way) that will chirp the tires on the 4-5 upshift.
At 110 mph... :surprise:
Having said all that, I'm still leaning toward the NA car- the only thing I don't like about it is the fact that I'd have a monthly loan payment.

Sandman6472

We can carry over 440 each year...post office...and with what I've got accumulated plus my sick leave still left, I'm good to go. And since I'm staying for the 1st quarter, I'll get to keep 52 additional hours of annual leave...we get all our annual upfront on PP2. Plus I'll still be getting 4 hours sick leave for each pay period. Any unused annual will come to me in a lump sum at the end & we'll tweak the date depending on how much leave is left.

Just hope my calculations are right!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

houdini1

My brother is a rural postman down in Arkansas and he is going thru the same retirement decision you are. He just turned 65 but really enjoys his job. He said, jokingly, that on his days off he still just drives his truck around listening to the radio !

kyfdx

Which Nokian model did you put on the Genesis?

jmonroe

Which Nokian model did you put on the Genesis?

Hakkapeliita R.

I don't know about the Blizzaks but these Nokians are directional.

jmonroe

snakeweasel

Hakkapeliita

Hakkapeliita? Isn't that a book in the Old Testiment?

jwilliams2

My condolences to his family and his Edmund's associates. He was a true gentleman and represented Edmunds superbly in the forums and in his emails. Sorry if I am late with this, but have been away for a few days. He will definitely be missed.

nyccarguy

Got an email from Mom's Porsche sales guy this afternoon confirming what I already knew, we're not getting the Cayenne today. The dealership is buried under two feet of snow. The rest of the eastern seaboard was hammered by a blizzard Sunday night into Monday.

The sales guy asked my Dad if he could come by to sign all the paperwork sometime this week so he could get it "sold" by the end of the year. He says he really needs it. My Dad said OK. Does anybody forsee a problem with this? Dad is going Thursday night to sign all the paperwork & then Dad, Mom, & I are going to take delivery of the car on Saturday.

nyccarguy

My Prelude & my wife's TSX are both equipped with some very high quality snow boots, Micheline Pilot Arctic Alpin. They track amazingly well & drive beautifully when the white stuff falls. This past Sunday & Monday we got hammered by a once a year Blizzard that dumped about a foot of snow in CT where I live. Now granted we get maybe 10 snow storms a year, Maybe 6-9" at a time. They don't salt the roads here in CT like they down the road in NY. They plow & sand. It just isn't as effective. There are also lots of hills here. Even with snow tires, our cars' 5+" of ground clearance will get us by, but there is definitely a little drama with the slightest incline.

I've always said that 4WD & AWD are really not necessary. I'm beginning to rethink my position. So much so that I'm considering purchasing 1 AWD & 1 4WD for our household sooner than anticipated.

I really like the Subaru Forester Turbo for my wife. My only problem is that due to the car's ice age era 4 speed slushbox, it gets pretty bad gas mileage. The good gas mileage is one thing we LOVE about our Acura. Whenever the time comes, I'm sure we won't be anywhere near upside down on our 2010 TSX (Black/Black, Nav, Bluetooth, Automatic, Sunroof, Leather, Hot Seats, currently with 26,000 miles).

For me, the dilemma begins. It is one that I'm not going to be happy with. I'm considering (over the summer) selling the Prelude (Which by August will have 150,000 miles). I originally wanted to keep it as a 3rd car, but might need whatever money I can get out of it to use towards making payments. This week I'm inclined to get myself a real truck. Not some FWD based AWD weenie "crossover," but a truck with a locking transfer case. Maybe a 4Runner, Pathfinder, or a GM Certified Used Tahoe. Besides the deep snow, my Prelude which I love and has grown to be a part of me is just really impractical.

Of course I'll keep you all updated & I'll probably end up keeping both my Prelude & my wife's TSX.

jmonroe

Hakkapeliita? Isn't that a book in the Old Testiment?

You could be right about that but since that is an old book I haven’t read it.

The company has old roots according to their web site. All the way back to 1898 as a Finnish rubber company.

jmonroe

houdini1

Do all your friends and neighbors a big favor and buy a big expensive 4 wheel drive SUV. It won't snow again for at least 5 years !!

snakeweasel

Sorry but buying the SUV only stops it from snowing for a year. If you want 5 years of no snow you need to buy a snow plow for it.

jipster

Do you guys do this too?

Doesn't matter what we do, you're Mr. "I do my own oil changes and maintenence." You're the gold standard of do it yourselfers and proper upkeep of ones car. Start going to those generic car washes, you lose alllll credibility... may as well start taking Genny to Jiffy Boob oil change. You'll lose your soul, don't do it again! Now, get out to that Genny with a couple warm buckets of suds... maybe in time she'll forgive you. :P

roadburner

I really like the Xterra. We almost bought one of those instead of the X3. In fact, we WOULD have bought it instead of the X3 had the NCSM not stuck his nose into the deal and acted like a prick.

driver100

Does anybody forsee a problem with this?

I am far from a lawyer, but I do watch Judge Judy at times. I would probably do the same as what your Dad is going to do.......it makes sense for the dealer to sell his car, and it won't matter to your Dad.

He might want to write in a phrase that he is signing on Dec 31, 2010, but is taking delivery Jan 1 2011, and that the deal is solidified upon his satisfaction that the car is in perfect condition, pending his inspection.

I know I had to walk around my 2008 bimmer to inspect it before signing the final papers. I noticed the tool kit was missing from my wife's car, and they promptly found a replacement. If I had signed before taking delivery, they might have believed me and maybe not, but I would rather be on the safe side.

I think it is very fair to request that, because your father is going above and beyond in trying to help the salesman out. I think the salesman should be more than happy to go along with it. He might not agree to have it on the bill of sale though. In that case I would request a 2 extra copies of the bill of sale, and write up this extra clause. At least, if there was a problem, you would have something to show if you had to go to court. One other thought, I get a little up tight about this, hopefully the dealership isn't going into bankrupcy or something Jan 1st. Maybe a post dated cheque would be a good idea!

Good luck, I am sure everything will be fine, and that should make one beautiful car, and I am sure you will get the feel of the road with a new Porche. It is unfortunate the big snow storm came and right at that time of year.

Kirstie_H

Sorry but buying the SUV only stops it from snowing for a year. If you want 5 years of no snow you need to buy a snow plow for it.

A top-of-the-line gas-powered snow blower has the same effect.
Using the same principle, I was considering adding insulation to the house and buffing up the gas generator to ensure an unseasonably warm winter.

jmonroe

You're the gold standard of do it yourselfers and proper upkeep of ones car. Start going to those generic car washes, you lose alllll credibility... may as well start taking Genny to Jiffy Boob oil change.

You know, I was thinking the same thing. I didn’t want to wuss-out on this but it was in the low 20’s and I ain’t a paper boy any more so I don’t have to stay out in the cold until I finish my route. I think I’m allowed to wise up at some point at least about washing a car in the winter?

Oil changes at Jiffy Boob...well that is waaay over the top for me. Nope, I ain’t doing that until I can’t bend down and I lose my grip on my trusty Craftsman wrenches.

maybe in time she'll forgive you.

I don’t care about forgiveness but a little respect would be nice.

jmonroe

jwm40517

Not sure about New York, but here in Ky a December 31 deal on a 50K vehicle would cost you about $500 or more in extra property taxes in 2011.

We pay sales or use tax in the year of purchase but no property tax that year. A deal on 12-31-10 would cost 6%x $50,000= $3000 use tax in 2010 and personal property tax of $500 in 2011.
A deal on 1-1-11 would pay the same use tax of $3000 in 2011, but no property tax in 2011.

Kirstie_H

Same here in Missouri - that's why I'm holding off on purchasing a replacement vehicle for my totaled one til after the 1st. No sense in giving away money for a few days of ownership.

mako1a

Similar here in Virginia. Personal property tax
(tax on everything with a title except real estate) is
based on the vehicles, trailers, etc. you own Jan 1.

Many vehicles are bought on Jan 2 in Virginia for tax breaks.

I'll get off light in 2011 as I went from 4 vehicles to 2.

driver100

December 31 deal on a 50K vehicle would cost you about $500 or more in extra property taxes in 2011

WOW, there is an interesting factor to consider. If that is the case hold off on the Porche until Jan 1st. But, that wasn't planned for so it isn't exactly a loss....but if the car is coming late might as well get something out of it. If the sales guy wants to sell it so badly in 2010 he should be willing to discount it that amount.

I have never heard of such a tax....and it is considered a "property tax"....is that because having a nice new Porche in your driveway makes your property go up in value?

driver100

Personal property tax
(tax on everything with a title except real estate) is
based on the vehicles, trailers, etc. you own Jan 1.

Thank goodness, we don't have that tax.....and we have "free" health care.

Canada is starting to sound better to me in more ways now. And we have lots of direct flights to Florida to defrost during the winter. Not too bad after all.

jimbres

Not sure about New York, but here in Ky a December 31 deal on a 50K vehicle would cost you about $500 or more in extra property taxes in 2011.

NY doesn't charge property tax on motor vehicles (surprising, given that it leads the nation in almost all other taxes) - only sales tax, the amount of which varies from 1 county to the next.

But Nyccarguy lives in Connecticut, if I'm not mistaken, & that state does assess property tax on motor vehicles.

Kirstie_H

Nope, no property tax in Canada, but you've got overall high taxation. My friend from Toronto moved his business to Florida years ago (won the immigration lottery) because he couldn't stand the heavy taxation in Canada. My college roommate is also Canadian, and now lives in Minnesota, partially for the same reason - and MN is not known for its low taxes.

Live where ya want, and I loved living in Canada, but low taxes wasn't among the reasons.

jipster

because he couldn't stand the heavy taxation in Canada

ahh, explains the "free healthcare". :sick:

ray80

Yes We do indeed have property tax here in CT on vehicles. Taxed based on ownership as of Oct 1st I believe (but they catch up with you with a partial bill if you buy between Oct and when taxs are due (July)

isellhondas

And three funerals.

Leaving soon to attend the funeral of my wife's co-workers husband. He died from cancer at age 42 last week leaving behind a 6 and a 8 year old daughter.

To Tom's family.

He was just a great guy and a wonderful host and a person I considered a friend.

I am so sorry for your loss and may you reflect back on the many happy memories I know you have. What a great teacher he was!

jipster

I don't know if it is the stress from the Xmas season, but I've experienced loss and sickness of family members particularly during holiday seasons of the past.

Or, maybe it's more easily remembered when it happens during the holidays?

A healthy and happy New Year to everyone and their families.

oldfarmer50

"...Do you guys do this too?..."

I use the brushless on my newer vehicles as the risk of scrathing the paint is less. The ones with brushes seem to clean better though so I'll use those on my older cars.

One extra I pay for in winter is the underbody wash. Getting the salt out there is more important than on top.

Unless you think the Genny would look good with some "ventilation" holes in the sheet metal.

driver100

I loved living in Canada, but low taxes wasn't among the reasons.

I agree. I know weare taxed at much higher rates and not just income tax, but a national sales tax which I am sure you will be getting one day too.

Our "free" healthcare system is getting out of control. It absorbs over 40 cents out of every dollar in taxes and waiting times are getting worse. The only good thing is, if you need some major work done, you won't have to worry about eating cat food for the rest of your life.

nyccarguy

Jimbres - ding ding ding! You've been paying attention. I do live in CT which charges a personal property tax on automobiles.

My parents live in NY, which as you mentioned "surprisingly" doesn't levy a tax on automobiles as NY taxes anything and everything else.

I've actually lived in NY my entire life. One of the things that drove me 10 miles past the NY border to CT are the taxes. I was looking at houses in Westchester (highest property tax rate in the nation, I believe) that were maybe on a quarter to a third of an acre with taxes in the range of $15,000 to $18,500 per year. I have a full flat acre of property in CT and my taxes are $8000 per year.

I'm definitely going to put an inspection clause in the contract & might ask for something in return of "doing the favor" of signing the papers & buying a car before I can drive it off the lot.

driver100

because he couldn't stand the heavy taxation in Canada
ahh, explains the "free healthcare".

Definitely true! But, the way I look at it is it is like paying insurance premiums. You pay a lot extra to have the service, but if you have a major operation, at least you don't have to come up with $100,000 to get it done.

You just have to wait in line and hope you get to the surgery first, before the problem gets you. Basically, you could have the surgery done, and walk out and only get a bill for renting a TV set for your rooom.

houdini1

What is the price of gasoline in Canada?

fezo

Correct me if I'm wrong but the waiting period as I understood it varied as to how important the procedure was. The people I had in mind were friends in Simcoe. She needed cancer surgery and was in pretty quickly. He needed a knee replacement and that had a several month wait.

Not denying waits, though they happen here as well. Again it depends on what you need. I go to the front of almost any line.....

jimbres

I have a full flat acre of property in CT and my taxes are $8000 per year.

I live on Long Island, in western Suffolk County, & I pay twice as much on 1/3rd of an acre as a friend in Fairfield, CT pays on 3 acres.

jmonroe

One extra I pay for in winter is the underbody wash. Getting the salt out there is more important than on top.

Unless you think the Genny would look good with some "ventilation" holes in the sheet metal.

I sat there for a minute wondering if I should go for the underbody wash but decided against it because to get that I would have had to get the wax too and like I said before I did not want wax on my windshield. The Genny has plastic panels on about 75% of the underbody (the major exposed underbody is down the center for the drive shaft). The fender wells have insulating panels that won’t rust so I shouldn’t have a problem there either. It would be nice to pick the exact options you want but these car wash guys have taken a page out of the car manufactures book on that; you might get one or two things you want but you get 4 or 5 other things you don’t want when you opt for a “package”.

The interesting thing about the basic package that I got (no underbody wash, no blow dry, no wax and a couple things I can’t remember now) is that we went shopping after we left the car wash and when I stopped to get gas on the way home as I got out of the car I hit the gas cap door release but it didn’t pop open. I went back and did it again and it still didn’t open. The light went on this time…the damn door was frozen shut. So, I punch it a couple times and it popped open. I think they oughtta warn you about this in the winter don’t ya thing? If Mrs. j had this happen to her she might have run out of gas on the way home. Man…I would have paid to watch what she would have done to them after that trick.

jmonroe

fezo

like I said before I did not want wax on my windshield.

Wow. There are things even Mr. Monroe won't wax! :surprise:

cdnpinhead

What is the price of gasoline in Canada?

A good gasoline price in Vancouver varies from $1.11/litre to $1.19/litre. Since the two dollars are essentially at par these days, that works out to approx. $4.21 to $4.51 per U.S. gallon.

jipster

at least you don't have to come up with $100,000 to get it done.

We in the U.S will be getting the Obama Health Care Plan. Nothing changes for the majority who already have insurance. Not suppose to break you if you have extensive medical needs. It's not suppose to raise the deficit, but I don't see how that is possible. Someone has to pay for it. Printing tons of money is just another form of taxation.

All of this talk of car washing made me want to acess the condition of my own vehicle. Ouch, not too good. A thick layer of salt and grime topped off with a rather large sprinkling of bird pooh. Despite cool temps of 38 degree, it really didn't feel that cold, I washed with a lukewarm bucket of suds and rinsed off with garden hose. While doing so a flock of pigeons landed on the telephone wires... looking at my car in a threatening manner. One having the nerve to swoop down over my car for a practice "fly by". The mailman then comes by, "Washing your car in December?" "A lot of salt", I reply.

I'm not a great or even average do it yourselfer on car repair, so for now I'll save my precious 5 bucks by doing the job myself... birds be danged. :shades:

jmonroe

Despite cool temps of 38 degree, it really didn't feel that cold,...

Wow, 38 degrees. 4 more degrees and you're into waxing weather. :P

jmonroe

jipster

if I should go for the underbody wash but decided against it

As the owner of a vehicle prone to coil and electrical problems, I would be hesitatnt to have an undercarriage wash. I'm sure just fine for the vast majority of vehicles, but spraying water up and into the engine compartment doesn't seem like a wise idea to me. :confuse:

tommister2

Not exactly true mako1a. It depends on where you are in Virginia. Each city/county in VA where I have lived tax has been assessed for actual days owned (Newport News, Hanover County). However, my in-laws live in New Kent County which is like your city/county (based on ownership Jan 1). Welcome to the Commonwealth! Nothing is simple.

jipster

Wow, 38 degrees. 4 more degrees and you're into waxing weather.

If my pants and shoes weren't wet, from a leaking garden hose spray nozzle, I probably would have done the wax. :sick:

I think the Eagle One Spray and Wax is a good option for those who want a good winter wax, but not the full body wax you would get a a car wash. It would get you in and out of the cold weather in about 15 minutes.

driver100

Correct me if I'm wrong but the waiting period as I understood it varied as to how important the procedure was.

Basically true. If it is an emergency it will get done pretty quickly. If it can wait it could take about a year, for non essential surgery.

Overall, not a really bad problem yet, but it is getting to be more of a problem as the population ages.

Doctors are in short supply too, I think about 20% of the people do not have a family doctor. They have to go to walk in clinics or hospitals. That is becoming a problem.

Some border US cities actually have billboards here. For example they advertise MRI's in Buffalo, no wait times. If someone really needs something done quickly you can probably go to the US and pay for it.
Not so good if you go to India or something, because if something goes wrong, the doctors here won't treat you if you had surgery in another country, especially where the standards might not be up to par.

driver100

flock of pigeons landed on the telephone wires... looking at my car in a threatening manner.

I just read that crows are extremely intelligent and they will aim for your car if you upset them. Pigeons, ah, not so smart...with them it will just be by chance.

imidazol97

>A top-of-the-line gas-powered snow blower has the same effect.

My neighbor is not very tool wise and economical in purchasing only the level of yard machine that he needs. I told him he had overbought when he came home with a snowblower that was up to my hips in height for the intake. Sure enough, that winter we had barely a few inches of snow at any one time for him to use that monster to practice using it.

Then the next year we had a huge snow with blowing and drifting that filled in what was dug out for a couple of days. All of us used it, shared it, helped dig out other neighbors' driveways. We bowed in front of that machine and kissed the ice layer it scooped upon.

The moral is those opposites of what we anticipate only are good for ONE year. Hold on next year.

jipster

I just read that crows are extremely intelligent and they will aim for your car if you upset them

These pigeons must have been trained by Dr. Evil, as their aim was particullary good... about 20 hits in a span of 5 hours with car parked on street.

I've been meaning to google "bird pooping on cars" ,as bird revenge would seem to be a higher level of intelligence amoungst the wild kingdom. I throw bread out to them now and then. Why the anger and hostility towards humanoids? Seen a monkey throw pooh and hit some kid in the head one time at the zoo. Maybe they are jealous of our opposable thumbs? Can't we all just get along?

explorerx4

Don't worry, if you are smart, you eventually 'get religion' about 4/AWD and ground clearance.
Here in central CT, they use some kind of salt alternative on the Interstates.
State roads, not sure.
Locally, it looks like salt, but no sand anymore.
It also helps to have a school board member living on your street when it comes to plowing priority.

Has anyone read about the prediction of 'gas rationing' in a couple of years?
If you ever needed a reason to buy an additional vehicle, there you go!