Stories from the Sales Frontlines

fezo

Today's nominee for father of the year - Dad Drops Daughter In Attempt Of Catching Foul Ball.

kyfdx

That could have been me... :surprise:

Hey.... what kid hasn't been dropped on their head two or three times by the time they are five? Could be worse.... she could have been the fourth kid..

fezo

Hey! Speaking of that my fourth kid (yeah, the Chinese one), took a softball to the cheekbone on Sunday. Watch the child protection people come after me. Little bruise. No big deal.

When my oldest was about a year old I was sure they were gonna come after me. I had no idea how bruised up kids get just figuring things out.

explorerx4

Oh, I thought you meant the driving gloves.
Those are some handsome gloves, though.

explorerx4

to last fall.
The Fusion had about 31k miles on it and I brought it to Carmax for an appraisal.
They were very nice about the process but I decided to not go through with their offer of $10,500.
Forward to end of March this year.
I test drive a new Explorer and I like it.
Same color as the one I now have with dual panel moon roof and myford touch, but has black cloth interior and upgraded 20 inch rim package.
They offer me $13,500 for the Fusion, now with 35k on it, before any discount on the Explorer.
At that time, there were $2,500 in incentives available to me.
We agree on $1,500 discount off MSRP on Explorer.
I already have 3.1% financing approval for 60 months in my pocket.
Everything looks like a deal is going to be made.
Sorry, but 'To be Continued...'

mako1a

Route 66?

Before my time I suppose...

I'm 60 and I remember bits and pieces of Route 66.

There was something where girls sang "kookie kookie, lend me your comb"

Was that part of the Rt 66 show? ps Does not apply to Richard or myself

due to lack of hair. lol

mako1a

Palin and Trump are dining together in NYC

If Palin gets elected in 2012 that Mayan calendar

thing will make a lot more sense. But she is a real cutie.

explorerx4

I picked up the Explorer on Saturday, It had 22 miles on it.
After driving it to work and back today, it now has about 110.
That's what will happen as you get new cars as you get older.

explorerx4

I think her real goal is to become a 'Brand' like Danica Patrick.
If not elected in 2012, maybe doing 'GoDaddy' commercials? :surprise:
She definitely has had an effect on the Democrats, as I see Mrs. Obama doing commercials to promote ice hockey.
I only have 1 vote, but I am going to see who is running and use it.

oldfarmer50

"...kookie kookie, lend me your comb..."

No that was part of a show called 77 Sunset Strip a detective show that featured Ed "kookie" Burns who wowed the girls by combing his lush grease filled hair. I liked 77 Sunset Strip better than Route 66. I seem to remember a Ford Thunderbird being featured in the opening credits.

Speaking of Route 66, just think of the questions that would be generated today over a show that featured two unmarried men who drove all over the country staying in motels together.

oldfarmer50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RScginHtgbw

jwm40517

Lexington KY got a new Carmax near my house recently. Full page ads for about 175 vehicles at an average price over $20,000. Over $3,500,000 in inventory. They mention "prior fleet" or "rental" in about half of the descriptions.
The prices for 2008's with 35K miles seemed near to 2011 prices on Hondas. I wonder if their presence will cause used car prices to go up or down. I can think of reasons for both directions.

sterlingdog

"...featured two unmarried men who drove all over the country staying in motels together."

It would take on even more meaning when people today found out that George Maharis was gay. Then again, he wouldn't suffer as much now as he did in the '60's.

Richard

sterlingdog

Show off! :P

Richard

sterlingdog

"...Palin and Trump are dining together in NYC tonight."

Well, at least it won't cost us what we paid when Obama and Michelle had their night out in NYC. :sick: :mad:

Richard

sterlingdog

That video was disturbing to me. Psychologically, it speaks volumes about that father. He needs a serious priority adjustment. Talk about a Freudian slip! This is not what I call an accident with a child. This is a conscious decision. Even the security guard realizes that this is not appropriate. Even the dumba$$ wife is grinning. :sick: :mad:

Richard

driver100

77 Sunset strip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RScginHtgbw

That was fun....a 58 T-Bird!

driver100

...featured two unmarried men who drove all over the country staying in motels together."
It would take on even more meaning when people today found out that George Maharis was gay.

You are right! I read this on wikipedia:
On November 21, 1974, Maharis was arrested and charged with Commission of a Lewd Act after being caught having sex with Perfecto Telles, a 33-year old hairdresser, in the men's room of a Los Angeles gas station

At least it is car related as it happened in a gas station. It never dawned on me at the time, two unmarried men sharing the same car and motel rooms.

driver100

Today's nominee for father of the year -

Thanks that was interesting to watch. On the one hand, I really think it was just a lack of judgement, he wanted that ball and he forgot he was holding his daughter.

The really bad part is he didn't even catch the ball after all that.

And, I guess his kid will go through life wondering whether her dad thinks baseball or she is more important to her dad.

28firefighter

My fiancee and I took a trip home to the Philly area for part of the Memorial Day weekend. We left late on Friday after I finished work, and took the BMW figuring it could use a nice highway jaunt. Also of note, this was the worst drive from Western PA to Philadelphia that I ever experienced because of storms that were non-stop from Somerset County all the way home.

On Saturday my Dad and I decided to go and kill some time window shopping on the car lots. I had no intention of buying anything, because my car is paid off and the idea of taking on payments again didn't really appeal to me. But, we had some time, so why not?

Our first stop was Volkswagen. Came across a 2011 2dr GTI DSG with Moonroof, with a bunch of accessories that listed around 28ish. The dealer wasn't busy, so we took it for a spin. It was a fun car, but I just could not wrap my head around it being a $28k car. Also I'm still not completely convinced of VW reliability.

The next stop was Hyundai. I ended up driving both an Elantra Limited and a Sonata SE. I really liked the Sonata, but felt the Elantra was too narrow for me. It was nicely equipped as an SE, the engine was peppy, the warranty is great, it looks nice, and with an MSRP of 23,5 and a selling price of 1500-2000 less than that, it really is a bargain. The downside was that it did not feel as solid as the BMW or even the VW GTI, but it also costs significantly less. Given that Hyundai was offering 1.9% financing, we had them appraise the BMW, and they came back at a firm $8k even though AutoTrader Guaranteed Trade-In (with all dings and scratches and accounted for) was around 11. We took the guy's card and left - it was just too much of a bath to take on the BMW after 10 months.

From there we started heading home, but passed a Volvo dealer and figured we would stop in. On the front line outside was a 2011 Volvo C30 T5.

To be continued...

cdnpinhead

Route 66?

Before my time I suppose...

Holy carp! I thought you were my age, more or less (+/- 10 years), but perhaps not.

66 ran from Chicago to Santa Monica and has been replaced by several Interstate highways. I existed a few years in Santa Rosa, NM, which had 56 gas stations when 66 was up and running. I cleaned many windshields there in the one spot between Tucumcari and Albuquerque (66 miles one way and 118 the other).

My God -- you're a car guy. You need to know this stuff. We're going to take your card away if you're not careful.

cdnpinhead

Route 66?

Before my time I suppose...

Holy carp! I thought you were my age, more or less (+/- 10 years), but perhaps not.

66 ran from Chicago to Santa Monica and has been replaced by several Interstate highways. I existed a few years in Santa Rosa, NM, which had 56 gas stations when 66 was up and running. I cleaned many windshields there in the one spot between Tucumcari and Albuquerque (66 miles one way and 118 the other).

My God -- you're a car guy. You need to know this stuff. We'll have to take your card away if you're not careful.

My first trip driving for money (boat hauling with a 'single-axle KW) involved running from Newport Beach to OK City (they were relatively little Catalinas), all the way on the old 66.

Good times.

sterlingdog

Like you, I was surprised that Isell wasn't closer to our age. I was even more surprised that he wasn't familiar with Route 66. After all, he grew up in California. We'll have to train that boy on some things. :P

Richard

sterlingdog

"It never dawned on me at the time, two unmarried men sharing the same car and motel rooms."

I never thought about it either. I guess that we grew up in a more innocent time. People had a tendency to see only the best in others.

Richard

stickguy

there was an ellipse in there someplace. I think he was yanking your chain. Otherwise he retired awfully early, and made up a lot of stories from the 60s!

snakeweasel

I'm just a few miles from RT 66 and drive it often, at least once a week.

A picture along RT 66 south of Wilmington, IL

michaellno

Drove on part of it this past week. Our vacation road trip took us from our home in Colorado to Santa Fe, NM and Sedona, AZ, so we did both I-25 and I-40. Saw lots of "Historic Route 66" signs along the way, especially in Santa Fe and Gallup, NM.

Our Mazda performed flawlessly the whole way - over 1800 miles and about 22.5 MPG for the trip. Not bad, considering the EPA rates our car at 17 city and 23 on the highway. Got 24+ MPG on three different tanks of gas.

For those who don't remember, we bought a Mazda CX-7 at the end of February:



I found it to be more comfortable than the Saturn VUE we took on the same trip 2 years ago, though the black leather seating and the 85+ degree temps took a toll on our backsides. The Sirius radio helped pass the miles quite nicely - especially "The Bridge" and "CoffeeHouse" channels.

Of course, doing 80 most of the way shortened the trip as well.

driver100

Like you, I was surprised that Isell wasn't closer to our age. I was even more surprised that he wasn't familiar with Route 66

Maybe he can catch up if the shows are available on DVD. It should be a prerequisite to see a few shows to post on this site.

Isell must be a youngster, unless he didn't have a TV until he was an adult.

driver100

On the front line outside was a 2011 Volvo C30 T5.

Will be anxiously waiting to see what you thought about the C30T5. Also, I found your reviews for the other cars quite interesting.

When you are getting near $30k wouldn't is be worthwhile to check out an entry level BMW or Audi, even a one or two year old one? I mean, if you can get one for say $36,000, it's a few $1000 a year to drive a really nice car, that you should get many years of driving pleasure.

I know VW GTIs and C30s are great cars, but I think not having a trunk and rear seat passenger seats could become a problem in life. It is just personal preference, but I like a hood in front of me and a trunk or cargo space behind me.

driver100

A picture along RT 66 south of Wilmington, IL

How about this postcard of US Highway 66. Postcard of the Longhorn Ranch in New Mexico, museum and ghost town where the spirit of the Old West still lives.

imidazol97

There are books documenting parts of Route 66. In St. Louis I was on part of Route 66 inside the 270 loop.

There also are books about the Old National Road development through Ohio and Indiana. There are pieces of the old road still existing today. A piece of our motoring history.

driver100

Route 66? Before my time I suppose...

Isell, you can watch some clips at:
Route 66

28firefighter

My budget is nowhere near $30k, it just so happens to be the MSRP of a couple of the cars I looked at. The Sonata was much closer to a selling price of $20k. I didn't even get to talking about price on the GTI because I really just wasn't interested after the test drive, which was disappointing because I loved the previous generation's interior/exterior.

I'm really more interested, if I'm going to get anything, in getting something new with a full warranty and possibly a maintenance package (I know, I know - I pay for it anyway, but if I love the car and the price is right, why not?).

stickguy

a GTI has a surprisingly large back seat. And a C30 is more coupe like (individual buckets), but enough room for an adult.

and they both have reasonably sized hatches. Certainly more argo room than your BMW convertible! Roomier back seat too.

Kirstie_H

Not sure it will really affect prices elsewhere one way or another. Carmax appeals to a different kind of consumer - the prices are higher, there's no negotiation, and they come with some kind of warranty. For people who want a used vehicle and don't want to haggle, it's a pretty smooth process and, in my experience, the salespeople are no-pressure and pretty nice.

For the rest of us, it's off to the haggle zone, and you have a choice of as-is, or buy a warranty as an add-on. My boyfriend bought at Carmax because he's that kind of consumer, whereas I am the type who's unlikely to do so. I like to make my own deal.

isellhondas

" Kookie" was Ed Byrnes (sp?) who played a part on 77 Sunset Strip...yeah, I remember...starring Effrem Zimblist Jr. It was on Friday nights right after Twlight Zone.

Kookie combed his hair straight back and was always combing it.

In the early 70's when I was working for Sears, I sold a battery to Effrem Zimbilist Jr. He had a 1969 Thunderbird and he lived in Rolling Hills CA.

See, I am old!

isellhondas

I was joking although I try to hold back the years and all of my friends know it.

Yes, from San Pedro CA. If we were to have a 45 year H.S. reunion, it would be this year! *****sigh****

Anyone need any help with useless 60's trivia?

Or, "who sang that song"? I'm your man!

sterlingdog

I like your truck, but it really could use a wash and wax.

Richard

Kirstie_H

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f2315b9/1

Thought this was a pretty interesting development. If I knew a local dealership participated in this practice, they'd be sure not to get a dollar out of me.

tcp2

I actually don't think he was all that wrong. He was holding her in the air (both hands truly occupied) when the ball comes flying at them. He could have had the ball hit her or him, but either way getting his hands free quickly (or turning his back to the ball, with her in his hands, possibly) was as inherent self preservation tactic. I think it was more an instinctual reaction than "needing" to catch the ball.

driver100

I'm really more interested, if I'm going to get anything, in getting something new with a full warranty and possibly a maintenance package

I getcha. It is like me trying the 5 Series. It's a bit of a stretch, but I might do it if I was really impressed. I just don't know if I am ready for a stuffy kind of car. Next, I'll be looking at Buicks.

driver100

and they both have reasonably sized hatches. Certainly more argo room than your BMW convertible! Roomier back seat too.

Not always. When we needed to bring an outdoor table and chair set home from the store it wouldn't fit in the 330 Sedan. So, I went home, put the roof down, and loaded it into the back seat of the convertible.

It's not just the space though. It is the fact that I like to have a trunk or cargo space, if we are talking wagon or SUV. I want an extra layer of metal between me and the car behind me. I don't want trucks and vans following me 2 inches from my bumper and 12 inches from the back of the car. If that space is large so much the better, but as long as there is something between me and the car behind me. Cars like GTIs and C30s don't have that. It's just a personal preference. I like to have a hood and a rear end on a car.

driver100

Kookie combed his hair straight back and was always combing it.

Not quite straight back but you got most of the rest right. It was actually called a jelly roll.

OK, I am impressed, at least you know about 77 Sunset Strip. Guess you can stick around.

I am even more impressed that you sold a battery to Efrem Zimbilist Jr. Surprised he didn't buy genuine Ford batteries...he could probably afford it.

driver100

When I asked if I was eligible for the $7500 tax credit, I was told that I probably wasn't since the dealership was applying for the subsidy.

Interesting. So, if I have this right, a dealership buys a brand new Volt, gets $7500 from the government for buying an environmentally kind car. Then sells the Volt as a used car without the $7500 from the government. How much can they get for a used Volt? Say a new one is $40,000, the dealer gets $7500, then has to sell the Volt for how much can they get...say $38k and hope the customer doesn't know about the rebate if they bought a new car.

I'm not saying I don't believe it, I am just saying it is a heck of a way to scam the government and it is taking quite a chance. Desparate times call for desparate measures, but it is pretty risky. You have to sell the used car for a pretty high price, and hope the buyer doesn't know about the government rebate.

Some people are very enterprising.

driver100

I think it was more an instinctual reaction than "needing" to catch the ball.

I tend to agree. It just doesn't look very nice.

kyfdx

Really... the worst part is: He didn't catch the ball..

tcp2

Yup, but some small bruises from the seats are probably better than getting smacked by the ball.

fezo

I have this record at home. Pink Warners label and all.

Since Richard was so concerned about Obama coming into NYC on our dime I'm sure he'll share in the concern on this one.

isellhondas

I remember Efrem was very laid back and friendly and he didn't act like he thought he was anything special. He tried to keep a low profile but a few customers spotted him. I saw him shake a couple people's hands.

houdini1

As I recall, he also had a beautiful daughter who did a little bit of acting.