Stories from the Sales Frontlines

explorerx4

You could even get a Vixen with a 5 speed stick! :surprise:

sterlingdog

Thanks. I did check that. It appears that there is plenty of distance. The clear mats are pretty thin.

Richard

verdugo

On my next car Id really like Xenon Headlights, Bluetooth,

I would not get a car without those two features. I consider them basic safety items like ABS or air bags.

verdugo

I am finally caught up with all the messages. A bit late, but Happy New Year to everybody!

Talking about traffic circles, if you want to see them implemented well (adverb for Richard), go to Tenerife (Canary Islands). I saw less than 5 traffic lights, a couple of stop signs, and over 100 traffic circles. I kid you not!

explorerx4

I couldn't find the Maintenance Schedule for a 2008, it looks like there are 2 levels which alternate.
Level 1 is oil change/tire rotation. Level 2 adds some other things.
Did they rotate the tires?
Best thing is to check the book for the 'normal schedule' and see how your oil life compares to that.
I would give the service department another chance, but if you are not happy have a little conversation with the Service Manager.
Be sure to tell him this is not your first Cadillac. He doesn't have to know how it went with the other one.
Of course, you don't have to worry about any of this for a while.

snakeweasel

Because it's stupid, looks ugly and I don't like it.

Plus I can never find the slot to put the nickle in.

snakeweasel

As to Europe during the black death, just how OLD are you?

My date to my high school prom was Adah.

jmonroe

Still, I could remove the carpeted mat on the driver's side. What do you guys think?

You seem to know how they fit so I wouldn’t worry about it. Check it again to make sure, if that makes you feel better.

In the event that you have to remove the clear mats, let me caution you, DON’T under any circumstances, stand on the matt with one leg and yank them off from the other end. You have a track record of doing that kind of stuff, so just a word of caution, OK? :sick:

jmonroe

tallman1

Now THAT was funny.

fezo

Talking about traffic circles, if you want to see them implemented well (adverb for Richard), go to Tenerife (Canary Islands). I saw less than 5 traffic lights, a couple of stop signs, and over 100 traffic circles. I kid you not!

Richard will praise your adverb while letting you know that the proper word would be fewer when counting traffic lights.

I think stores should have special 10 items or fewer lane for English majors...

fezo

That should be the toyota dealer. They took over for Buick in servicing the need for cars for older drivers. Buick is different these days.

Good to see you are on your toes.....

Actually I like where I see Buick heading these days. I was a little worried when I heard they were doing a Buick version of the Cruze but it looks great and really looks like a Buick which these days is a very good thing. (not saying your LeSabre is a bad thing!)

imidazol97

I suspect the Verano will be as different from a Cruze as a Lexus (not an ES) is from a Camry.

tjc78

It should be for the 5K price difference (loaded)! Like I mentioned in the GM forum, if it is as nice as it looks I think it could do OK for Buick. I do think its pricey, but there are plenty of pricey small cars (TSX, and the 1 series come to mind).

murphydog

Oh I know - I was pretty good compared to my co-workers that is for sure!

High end places where good money can be made usually results in good valets - the money is too good for them to screw around too much, and now a days many providers put the valet on the hook for the deductibles.

Also if the whole operation is very open and visible everybody tends to behave, cuz they will get busted.

sterlingdog

Love the use of the adverb. You did very "well". For the traffic lights, let's use "fewer" rather than "less".

Richard

sterlingdog

No, they didn't do a tire rotation. Man, I should have thought of that. I'm going to have a talk with this guy.

As for the first Cadillac, I don't want to even admit that I owned it. :sick: :mad:

Richard

sterlingdog

OMG! That was totally hilarious!!! You have my solid promise on that one.

Richard

sterlingdog

Let's put an "s" on "lane" young man. :shades:

Richard

sterlingdog

I'm sure that you were a good valet. Though nervous, I allowed valet parking for the SRX on Christmas Day at the Pinehurst Hotel. After all, when you're spending $500 for lunch, you don't park your own car. Thank goodness that was a one time event.

Richard

driver100

f you want to see them implemented well (adverb for Richard), go to Tenerife (Canary Islands).

How are the Canary Islands for a vacation? Some people said it was there favorite place to visit, of all their trips.

What do you do once you are there?

driver100

letting you know that the proper word would be fewer when counting traffic lights.

Oh oh, more grammar police around.

nyccarguy

I'm not doubting at all that Hyundais are great vehicles. I really dig the Genesis, especially with the V8 option at that price point. The EQUUS seems like a bit of a stretch for me as far as an idea is concerned. I'm not saying it is not a nice car, because I'm sure it is. The Sonata I sat in at the auto show had a gorgeous interior. $40K for a Genny is once thing, but $60K is a whole different ball game. My parents have 2 vehicles in the price range of the EQUUS & I can tell you wholeheartedly that there is no way they'd set foot in a Hyundai dealership.

verdugo

the proper word would be fewer when counting traffic lights.

[ slaps forehead ] d'oh [ /slaps forehead ]

You're of course right.

fezo

How are the Canary Islands for a vacation? Some people said it was there favorite place to visit, of all their trips.

What do you do once you are there?

Count traffic circles.

verdugo

How are the Canary Islands for a vacation? Some people said it was there favorite place to visit, of all their trips.

What do you do once you are there?

We were only in Tenerife, so I can't speak for the other islands. We had a great time. We were in the northern part of the island. The southern part is more cheap let's-get-wasted-British tourism.

There's the beach of course. There's also nature stuff (Mount Teide, highest point of all Spain, Gigantes (cliffs that are 500-800 metres/1,640–2,625 ft tall)), and theme parks (animal one and water parks). There are also old cities (not medieval) to visit.

We rented a house (9 family) with a pool, so we hung out there quite a bit too. We had a great time. As a bonus, the weather was great for the winter (25C/ 77F). It was a lot warmer than it was in Norway (my brother lives there). It was -15C/5F there. :sick:

tjc78

My parents have 2 vehicles in the price range of the EQUUS & I can tell you wholeheartedly that there is no way they'd set foot in a Hyundai dealership

We had a two year long discussion on that very idea somewhere here on Edmunds. The hosts eventually shut it down, I think the title was something like "Is there room in the luxury market for Hyundai"

Even though I am a Genesis owner, I agreed that Hyundai is not a luxury make like Caddy/Lexus etc but sells some luxurious vehicles and the majority of the "luxury" market would not by a "common folk" Hyundai no matter how nice.

tjc78

So, since the one in Ohio is in Streetsboro, which is an easy 120 mile drive down the pike from the Burgh, that’s where I went to get my Genny. It will be 3 years old in March.

Are you sure it isn't two years old? The reason I question is I drove one of the first Genesis models in July 2008. I also know you have the V8 and the first batch sent over were V6s.

driver100

nature stuff (Mount Teide, highest point of all Spain, Gigantes (cliffs that are 500-800 metres/1,640–2,625 ft tall)), and theme parks (animal one and water parks).

Thanks for the information. Always seemed to me to be a place of natural beauty but I guess if you can build a theme park then why not.

I am undecided if that is for me. I am more of an urban person, like seeing old buildings, busy streets, archelogical findings, etc., so I am undecided about that one. My neighbor says I haven't travelled any where because he goes to remote areas where you could get killed by lions or rhinos. His next trip is to a remote area of India and he has to fly in a small plane to get there. That's not for me.

He advised me not to pick up a new car in Germany. Said you don't know the country too well and it is too easy for your new car to get stolen or damaged. It's not worth the risk as there are no discounts for Canadians. When Americans buy they are really buying directly from the plant in Germany, the dealer in the US makes a small profit for doing paper work. It is well worth it for the manufacturer because people who see the plant usually keep buying that brand for the rest of their life.

Got some car sales info in there!

And Fezo....good idea, if I get bored in the Canary Islands I can always count traffic circles Maybe I should try that for falling asleep at night.

kyfdx

When Americans buy they are really buying directly from the plant in Germany, the dealer in the US makes a small profit for doing paper work.

That part is incorrect... The manufacturer discounts the wholesale price to the dealer on European Delivery... Negotiations and potential profit are all the same for the dealer... When the car comes back, it still goes to the dealer for prep and re-delivery to the customer..

Also, don't drive in Germany because you might get lost or have your car stolen? Geezzz.... Has that salesman ever been out of Canada?

driver100

don't drive in Germany because you might get lost or have your car stolen? Geezzz.... Has that salesman ever been out of Canada?

He is a lawyer and he has had clients that have bought cars in Germany. He drives a big Mercedes. He is the guy who goes to Africa and to the mountain regions of India, so he knows about risk.

There is an article in this months Road and Track about buying your car in Germany...I just glanced at it but I think you can buy even a GM now.

Though I am not sure, they describe the process of buying and I will check it over, I could be wrong, but I believe you buy your car from a representative in the U.S and they see that the car goes to a dealership in the US. You can save about $5000 to $5000 a car which pays for your trip.

I will try to find out more but I have to go to work now. Also, different manufacturers have different plans, but I glanced at BMW.

kyfdx, I think you just want an interesting sales story.

graphicguy

I think Buick is going in the right direction, too. There was a time when I thought GM should dump Buick (and GMC) and keep Pontiac, Chevy and Cadillac. Now, I still think GMC is redundant. But, the Buick dealers left have to have something in the truck/SUV line to sell, so GMC stays.

There was a guy in the Acura forum several months ago who just loved Buicks, comparing them to everything from Infinitis, to Acuras, to of course Lexus. I think those comparisons were a bit far-fetched. But, if Buick can get just a few of those former GM loyalists to reconsider leaving GM because of Buick, they'll have done well.

Kirstie.....while I don't trust insurance companies much (including my own), sometimes they surprise me and actually care about taking care of the customer. I haven't been involved in an accident or had a ticket in years (knock wood). My son's driving record is clean (finally). My rates have dropped some, but really they should be dropping more. Your story reminded me, I may shop them here in the next several weeks.

graphicguy

Craig......you said you liked "juicing". My "doc" is a big proponent of juicing fresh fruits and veggies. So, I've been thinking of trying that myself. I do remember you recommended some juicers, but can't find the post.

If you'd be so kind, can you recommend some juicing machines?

isellhondas

I spent quite a bit of time at the Auto Show checking out the latest offerings from Hyundai and I have to say I was very impressed.

For a company that used to put out some pretty lackluster cars, they have certainly come a LONG way. I suppose if the So. Korean government is willing to put out that much money, good things can happen and they have!

The "Korean Stigma" remains however at least for the time being.

Although I would never buy a brand new one, I can see myself being tempted by a two year old since they would probably be a great buy and a lot of car for the money due to the still dismal resale values.

Will this be changing? I'm thinking it will be.

isellhondas

Dan,

I can go over a week without juicing and I can definatly feel the difference when I do.

I no longer use a juicer but rather a top of the line Kitchen Aid blender we recently bought. the "Juicers" remove most of the pulp and they are messy to clean up.

If you want to go that route, the Jack La Lanne juicers are under 100.00 at Costco. clean up is nasty though. With the Kitchen Aid, I just rinse it out afterwards. Acme makes a great juicer too. That's what we had for many years.

jmonroe

Are you sure it isn't two years old?

Gee...it wasn't all that late when I made that post, so I can't blame it on that. :confuse:

I have an '09, so it will only be 2 years old this March. I guess I'll have to give Mrs. j another excuse if I decide to go look at the Equss then.

I've pulled off some pretty clever things in my life. Like when I had her convinced that she is the one that wanted the Genny in Cabernet Red Pearl, but this will be a stretch. Let's not give up about this; I'm constantly reminded that "I always get my way". :P

jmonroe

jmonroe

$40K for a Genny is once thing, but $60K is a whole different ball game. My parents have 2 vehicles in the price range of the EQUUS & I can tell you wholeheartedly that there is no way they'd set foot in a Hyundai dealership.

I understand that.

I have no idea who they think they are. This will be a tough nut to crack.

jmonroe

sterlingdog

"You can save about $5000 to $5000 a car..."

Goodness. What a wide range.

Richard

driver100

Negotiations and potential profit are all the same for the dealer

I looked over the article and one of the great benefits of buying a car in Germany from the manufacturer is you get an automatic savings of 7 or 8% off the MSRP....with no haggling. That is where your possible savings are. They said you could negotiate with the dealer for a bigger discount, but it is unlikely since they aren't making the full amount to begin with.

I think you are correct that you are not buying the car directly from the factory, but you don't have to negotiate with the dealer to get a really good discount.

driver100

You can save about $5000 to $5000 a car..."
Goodness. What a wide range

Yup, some people are just much better at negotiating than others. I am sure you would be in the latter group. :shades:

jimbres

There are other benefits, one of which is the opportunity to drive fast in your new car on the superb German autobahn system.

If you were planning a European vacation anyway, you also save a significant amount of money by not renting a car. Car rentals in Europe are considerably more expensive than in North America. (Again, this represents a savings only if you would have gone to Europe anyway.)

graphicguy

Thanks!

I've seen those infomercials about those Jack LaLane juicers. I've also seen those "demos" at Costco for the fancy blender (which costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 :surprise: ).

I have narrowed it down to your recommended KitcheAid, or a refurbished Breville Multi-speed juicer from Amazon ($149). I do like the idea of throwing a whole apple, or pair, etc in with veggies to make a daily "cocktail". So, I'm leaning towards the juicer.

Again, thanks. Appreciate the advice!

Kirstie_H

First, I LOVE that whoever started this line of conversation bothered to put "off-topic" in the post title. I'm amused.

Second, I'm interested in getting a juicer too, so you'll have to let me know how that works out. I'm afraid I might like the idea more than I like actually doing it, but I've been kind of on the hunt for a few months, so maybe I'd really use it. (I thought the same about my pasta roller/cutter, and I use that quite a bit.)

Third, I'm the boss now. Says so in the discussion header, and headers don't lie. Edmunds said, "let there be hosting," and there was hosting. And Edmunds saw that the hosting and members were good.

isellhondas

I stood at Costco a couple of times and I watched the Vita Mix demonstrations. I was tempted but at 450.00 I didn't do it.

I am convinced that the Kitchen Aid that we bought will go head to head with the Vita Mix. The vita Mix reminds me of a Kirby vacuum cleaner. Nobody would ever buy one without watching a slick demo.

Now, Kitchen Aid makes a variety and ours is the top of the line. bought it with a coupon at Bed Bath and Beyond for under 100.00.

If it has to be a juicer, I would lean toward the Acme. We bought a Jack La Lanne and took it back because it was so tedious to clean.

isellhondas

kirstie, you are SO funny!

cdnpinhead

The vita Mix reminds me of a Kirby vacuum cleaner. Nobody would ever buy one without watching a slick demo.

I probably spend a lot more time in bars than I should, but have noted that many, if not most, of them use VitaMix blenders to blend their drinks -- definitely a commercial-grade piece of equipment.

We got one ~10 years ago and, while it's required a bit of maintenance from time to time, it's done yeoman service. I generally refer to it as the nuclear blender. It has either a 2 or 3 hp motor, as much as many lawn mowers.

tjc78

Just be done with it and get one of these

isellhondas

Oh, I know. The Vita Mixers are incredible. Almost bought one.

If I owned a bar where it would get hard and constant use, that's what I would buy. Jamba Juice uses them too.

For my five minutes of use a day, I decided to save the 350.00.

The Kitchen Aid has a huge motor too and it kicks serious butt.

All of this talk just inspired me to make up a batch.

One orange bell pepper. Two stalks of celery, one large carrrot, half of an English cucumber and one large gala apple!

Added about a pint of water and two minutes later - Done!

sterlingdog

Edmunds also said, "Let there be posting," and there was posting---on any and every topic. :shades:

Richard

sterlingdog

"...and took it back because it was so tedious to clean."

They allowed you to take back a used juicer? I would think that is similar to returning used underwear. :sick:

Richard

sterlingdog

You've out done yourself. That picture is priceless!

Richard