Stories from the Sales Frontlines

stickguy

I'm only a resident (26 years now almost), but not a native. So you can't blame it on me!

jmonroe

Generally our guy stay down there.

Surely there had to be at least one that got away. Not that it would have done him any good. (envision a “cry” Emotorcon here)

jmonroe

fezo

Surely there had to be at least one that got away.

Must have been stickguy.....

tjc78

but not a native

I was born here... I had nothing to do with it. :P

fezo

Yah, i know. I'm a legitimate businessman.....

sterlingdog

During the last 30+ years, cars have gotten smaller and smaller. Now we're asked to do without a spare tire in order to increase mileage and save space. What's next? Shall we soon have no seats for the same reason? They will tell us that it is better for our health to stand up and drive. Also, we won't need any windows. After all, what's a few bugs and a little rain? Besides, it will save on putting in power windows and seats. Certainly there will be no need for bumpers. How often does a driver get bumped? Doors? Come now. Your seatbelts will keep you in the car. Trunk? Good grief. Put your luggage on the roof. Nice carpet? No need. Some plastic mats will do fine. Two headlights? Just put one big one in the middle of the grill. Same for tail lights. Who needs a glove box? Carry your mess in your pockets. Rearview mirrors? Just turn around and look.

You'll have to forgive me. I'm in a mood today. I agree that the EPA is probably to blame---another example of government at its finest.

Richard

jimbres

It was in Long Island, NY. of course Long Island is more or less New Jersey turned sideways and placed on the other side of NYC.....

How true. I should know - I grew up in NJ & then moved to LI in the mid-70s.

sterlingdog

I agree that your dad should have his dream car. I love the Mustangs myself. It's just a shame that they couldn't have figured a way for the spare to be installed. If your dad is ok with it, then he should have what he wants. I hope that he enjoys many happy miles with it.

Richard

fezo

I think where you place the blame for things like donut spares depends on your political point of view. If you are conservative you want it to be a government bureaucracy. If you are liberal you'll tend to think it's another example of big business trying to give you less than you paid for.

I think that it's Martians.

sterlingdog

"...I would much prefer a donut to a can..."

Definitely the lesser of two evils.

Richard

fezo

jimbres - where in Jersey were you from? I was born in Paterson and grew up in Pompton Lakes.

sterlingdog

Please investigate. I'd love to know the answer to that question.

Richard

sterlingdog

"If I had a real spare, then I would have continued on my way and gotten home that night."

And no motel bill.

Richard

sterlingdog

"I think that it's Martians."

I think that it is the czars from Russia---uh, Washington, D.C.

Richard

stickguy

interesting perspective on size changes. To me, in the last 30 years, cars have gotten bigger and bigger!

the difference is that I prefer smaller cars, and they have experienced serious size creep (dimensions, and especially weight). Stuff like the Civic, Accord, 3 series BMW have all become much larger, in some cases becoming whales, and usually porkers too.

and Trucks (and SUVs) also seem to have expanded exponentially.

I guess about the only think that might have gotten smaller is the traditional FS american barge (like a town car!). Unless, of course, you are going back into the early-mid 70's and think an LTD or Chrysler from that vintage is about the right size!

fezo

I agree. Cars are getting far too big. If they could make them run on coal or some such thing that we have all over the place that would be one thing. Peeing all that gas away to have giant vehicles is crazy.

snakeweasel

Stopped, checked, and drove to the Eureka! exit which had one Shell station with a free air hose!

I carry a small air compressor in my trunk, cost about $20-25 at Meijers and will fully inflate a tire in a few minutes. Yeah its slower than what you would get with a gas station air hose, but you don't have to drive anywhere to put air in your tire.

jimbres

Westfield.

tallman1

I agree that cars have gotten bigger. I would also argue that there are far more "things" in cars today than yesterday. Spare tires may be smaller but look at all those cup holders!

When you consider the technology in cars and all those government-mandated safety features... we really don't have much to complain about. Besides, if you want big, you can get big. And if you want small, you can get small.

isellhondas

The things you guys can find to talk about!

You need a Stories from the Sales Frontlines post!

I may have to make a story up!

It's pretty bad when it get's down to shavers!

I do love my Norelcos.

stickguy

c'mon Craig, pull a good one out of the archives. The statute of limitations must have run out by now, so it is safe!

jmonroe

I carry a small air compressor in my trunk, cost about $20-25 at Meijers and will fully inflate a tire in a few minutes.

Me too and I have had one in my trunk for so long I can't remember how long it's been.

Just last weekend I went to Harbor Freight to get a manual impact driver (the kind you whack with a hammer) because my old one quit working. Low and behold they had a sidewalk sale with a 12 volt compressor for 5 bucks so I bought one for each of my sons. Son #2 has a pool and has used mine in years passed to blow up the pool toys or he used an ancient hand pump. He won't have to wait for me to come over anymore with mine at the start of pool season now.

At the price I paid I could afford to be a big shot. BTW, you got ripped off at Meijers.

jmonroe

snakeweasel

BTW, you got ripped off at Meijers.

compaired to $5 yeah I did.

I mostly use the compressor for my bike, hard to inflate an innertube to 150 PSI with a hand pump. But it has come in handy with the cars too.

driver100

It's pretty bad when it get's down to shavers!
I do love my Norelcos.

Where have you been....shavers was discussed about 2 weeks ago? This weeks topic is spare tires.

jproc

My youngest daughter got a flat a few weeks ago.Next day we called up AAA to get the car.They asked do you have a spare? Of course we do I said (car is a 2008 ford focus) Wrong answer! I was amazed !

imidazol97

>shavers was discussed about 2 weeks ago?

I didn't participate then but I was thinking about shavers. I still think a razor is the way to go. As for mileage, I was thinking it's about time to pitch my Shick Extreme 3 blade. I started using this razor when we returned from Michigan at Thanksgiving. I rinse it in the shower to remove soap and stubble and it hangs in a holder to air out. Three months + from one razor.

As for the pulling, if the beard is properly prepared there's no pulling and the blades last. Soaping and waiting at least 30 seconds befrore rinsing and repeated a couple of times helps remove all the oils and allow the hair to be softened by the shaving cream. I watched the barber shave men when I was a kid: the hot cream in the cup; the hot towel that stayed on the beard for several minutes before the straight razor came out. The hairs were oil free and fully hydrated by the time the shaving started.

sterlingdog

I hadn't thought about it from your view. I see your point. I was thinking back to the 70's and 80's when I owned Buick LeSabres, the Town Car, the Blazer, etc. I just like bigger cars with lots of leg room and height. Compared to the old boats, cars do seem smaller to me. I do like the SRX. Though not a giant SUV, it seems big enough for me.

Speaking of size, I had a surprise today. I have worn a 32 inch length pant since I was a teen. I haven't bought any pants for at least three years now. I had so many nice clothes left over from my office days. Except for church, I rarely wear dress pants now. At any rate, I needed a pair of gray slacks to replace an old pair that I had used for years. I picked out my size and went to try them on for a fit. The length fell to the floor. Thinking it was the company, I tried another brand. The same thing happened. I was amazed. I decided to try a 30 inch length, though I was sure they would be too short. Not so. They fit perfectly, even had a break in front. I once read that the bones begin to settle more as you get older. Still, I was shocked to realize that i had lost two inches in height! When I got home, I mentioned it to my wife. She told me that she had lost an inch and a half in the last few years. Her doctor even mentioned it to her on her last visit. Who knew?

Richard

roadburner

the difference is that I prefer smaller cars, and they have experienced serious size creep (dimensions, and especially weight). Stuff like the Civic, Accord, 3 series BMW have all become much larger, in some cases becoming whales, and usually porkers too.

I agree 100%. I won't buy anything that is over 180" long(with the possible exception of the Mustang GT/Boss 302) and/or weighs over 3500 lbs. My 318ti and 2002 are so light and nimble that even the Mazdaspeed 3 feels like a barge in comparison. And the short-coupled Wrangler TJ is infinitely easier to maneuver on or off road.

driver100

do you have a spare? Of course we do I said (car is a 2008 ford focus) Wrong answer!

Why did a 2008 Ford Focus not have a spare? Was it missing or don't they give you one?

If it doesn't come with a spare that would be ridiculous. Is that one of Ford's better ideas?

bolivar

Ford Mustang GT. See this link. Near the end is 'Wheels and Tires'. 'Mini spare tire' is given as 'Standard'.

http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/trim/?trim=gt&showCategoryTab=viewAll

tjc78

I guess about the only think that might have gotten smaller is the traditional FS american barge (like a town car!). Unless, of course, you are going back into the early-mid 70's and think an LTD or Chrysler from that vintage is about the right size!

Its all personal preference. I really don't like small cars at all. My GF has an Elantra and while I fit in it and am comfortable I could never drive it everyday.

I guess the biggest things on the road must be the Town Car/Grand Marq and maybe the long wheelbase versions of the S/7 and LS.

To me this is about right:

snakeweasel

Ok with all this talk about cars not having spares I went to check on the Sonata, yep it had a spare. A donut spare, but a spare just the same.

tjc78

Still, I was shocked to realize that i had lost two inches in height!

Are you sure that the pants just don't sit lower on your waist than the older ones? I know that depending on the cut I can vary from a 30/32 inseam.

snakeweasel

A BMW pickup? Gives you the feel of the load.

jmonroe

I once read that the bones begin to settle more as you get older. Still, I was shocked to realize that i had lost two inches in height!

OK, I’ll join in on the new subject. This place is amazing.

All through my adult life I was always a little over 6 feet. For the last 10 years, I’m now a little under 6 feet and I’m no longer at my fighting weight. I also heard that same thing about bones settling as you get older.

Come to think of it I’m not as fast lately as I used to be. When dealing with Mrs. jmonroe, I find myself doing the rope-a-dope a lot more now.

jmonroe

tjc78

A BMW pickup? Gives you the feel of the load

LOL... but will it hold a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood between the wheel wells... :P

imidazol97

>I also heard that same thing about bones settling as you get older.

However, I don't think the cartilage in the hip joins and knees deteriorates to have a nominal 2 inch shortening just from the waiste down. I'm with checking the "new" pair of pants laid on top of the old ones to see how they compare in the waiste-crotch lengths and the crotch-hem lengths.

I believe most of the shortening of the human is in the pads between the vertebrae as they squash and deteriorate with _aging_. Subsequently more people have trouble with pinching of nerves and other problems in the spine due to the deteriorating discs between the vertebrae.

Maybe the Doctors tv program will do a spot on this topic.

Richard, you might submit a question to the Doctors about that very topic!

imidazol97

Re: carrying a small air compressor.

It seems ironic to reduce weight in a car trunk to reduce the fuel used starting the vehicle moving due to the lesser mass and reduce fuel due to increased rolling resistance due to higher weight on the road tires and yet turn around and carry an air compressor to partly compensate for the missing real size spare tire. It sounds like something the government politicians would come up with.

I did have a small Harbor Freight foreign junk $7.50 compressor in the trunk. But the tires I saw did not show low pressure when I stopped alongside the interstate. So I felt safe driving on. The pressure detecting system on my car is the earlier one that uses ratios between tires' rates of rotation to detect when one is going low and rotating more than the others at that speed.

I was hoping someone would notice the irony in the next exit when I needed help was named 'Eureka.' It was especially a 'Eureka' moment when there was a single gas station present--only one Shell, and it did have a free air hose so I didn't have to ask the clerk to turn it on for me. I am the only one enjoying the irony of the road name (it's an exit at Detroit's airport access).

sterlingdog

"...but will it hold a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood between the wheel walls..."

Wonder if it comes with a spare? (Grin)

Richard

jmonroe

To me this is about right:

They towed that beast out of my neighbor’s driveway last month.

jmonroe

driver100

Only thing was, because of the brembo package, it did not come with any spare tire of any kind.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me the Brembo brake package is designed by someone else, not Ford. Since it is an add on feature, Ford couldn't plan for this when designing the Mustang.

The after market company should have tried to design their wheels, so that a spare could fit in the trunk...maybe 18 in instead of 19".

I don't think Ford could be blamed for designing a car in which you can't spare an oversized spare tire.

I am thinking the Brembo Brakes aren't Ford engineered, but then again, what do I know :confuse:

driver100

To me this is about right:
They towed that beast out of my neighbor’s driveway last month.

Don't you mean 20 years ago!

driver100

A BMW pickup? Gives you the feel of the load.

I will keep that one in mind if I ever need a pickup.

It will be like a Navigator or Esplanade pickup...I have never seen one that was dirty.

jmonroe

Ford Mustang GT. See this link. Near the end is 'Wheels and Tires'. 'Mini spare tire' is given as 'Standard'.

Based on that link, I’d say ‘firefighter’s’ Dad should go back to the dealer and get the donut he was cheated out of. It looks like they’re not cheap after all, they’re thieves. But what would you expect from a car dealer? (I better not rely on the Emotorcon’s working, so insert a ‘smiley face’ here).

jmonroe

driver100

Still, I was shocked to realize that i had lost two inches in height!

Oh great! Now something else to worry about...I am shrinking.

jmonroe

Don't you mean 20 years ago!

NO...I mean what I said, last month !!!

jmonroe

jwilliams2

I for one would never have a car without a spare of some kind. The compressor/tire filler kits are worthless unless it's a simple small punture in the tread area. Even run-flat tires don't help with sidewall damage. It's too bad more and more manufacturers are going this route.

Here are some others that have models without a spare of any kind:

GM, Ford, Chrysler, Volvo, Mazda, Mini Cooper, Hyundai, Porsche, Honda, BMW, Toyota, and Audi. These all have models without any spare.

So don't pick on just Ford. They have lots of company. This is the wrong direction as far as I'm concerned.

sterlingdog

I purchased a Norelco Triple Head Razor yesterday---6940 series for $52.71 including tax. I tried it out this morning. It's OK but no where near the comfort and closeness of a blade. Based on my earlier experiences from years ago, I wasn't surprised. It works fine for what I wanted. I'll only be using it on "off" days. For church, dining out, and meetings, I'll use my regular safety razor. Thanks for all of the advice and tips.

Richard

sterlingdog

"Oh great! Now something else to worry about...I am shrinking."

You don't know anything yet. Wait until you're my age. You'll really have some things to worry about then. Just putting on your socks and getting into your pants will be a challenge of its own. As for driving a BMW like yours, you'll be lucky if you can get in and out of it. Enjoy it now because the day does come. As Jmonroe said, you do tend to move a little slower. Certain parts of the body also begin to move slower---use your imagination here. (Grin)

Richard

jwilliams2

Yes, shrinking is a concern. I'm in the upper sixties, and have lost almost two inches. Used to be right at 6' tall, now only 5'10" if I stretch. My son kids me about it all the time. Says he has a better view of my thinning hair. Of course, he's 6'4", and could afford to lose a couple of inches. Heck, my daughter is even taller now.

(smiley face) :P