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That's my impression. I'd like to try driving the 3 series and the 1 series coupe. A guy at work has a Z3 (I think) that looks nice so I'd like to try that too.
I'd like to get one last performance car in my life. The Eclipse is good for what it is but every time I get a better performing car I have the urge to see what the next level feels like. Also I'd like to pull the trigger before the new gas mileage rules start to gut the performance sector in 2015 or 2016.
Have you seen what the future holds? 56 mpg fleet average by 2025? Lord, we'll be PUSHING those cars up hills! I wonder if they'll come with pedals (and I don't mean gas and brake).
http://www.autonews.com/article/20110627/VIDEO/306279805/1219
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
If you register for updates at BMW.com, it most likely gets you on the list. Even better, call the local dealer (I forget the big one over in lathem, that's where my BIL keeps buying his) and ask if they already had it, and if not, when they will.
If you get really desperate for a fix, just show up anytime and drive!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So true. I wonder if Ford has those driving events also. I'd like to attend the BMW event and the Ford event close together to compare the two.
I've been considering the V-6 Mustang with the Performance package. 0-60 in the low 5s and .97 g is probably all I'd need. That would be over a second faster than the Eclipse and much better handling.
Then again, if I were to go for the GT and took real good care of it, by 2025 it would be the fastest car on the road.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I've driven a Mitsu Eclipse before. But, that was a long time ago. It was their little turbo coupe. Fun car, actually. Not sure what the newest ones drive like.
So, I can't compare them to what you refer to as "the next level".
jay...you're right about Trucar.com. The way I understand it works is they solicit dealers to give them the best % off that they will sell each model (or maybe all models) for. Then, Trucar calculates what the car you configured with the dealership's % discount as one you can buy the car for.
That doesn't mean the dealer actually has the car, though. I got it from pretty good authority that the leads the dealership gets from Trucar, are really good ones, with a high probability of closing.
That said, I had one dealer tell me that they do indeed participate in Trucar. However, they don't like to because they're such skinny deals.
As I mentioned to them, "why participate with them?".
I imagine it's because of the quality of the leads.
Driver--
Don't you mean Sydney? I think Sidney is everyone's poor cousin who lives in Hoboken or Toledo.
Gogiboy
Sidney, Ohio.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Mako--
Wow, the name "Heathkit" brings back memories. My best friend got a Heathkit Boonie Bike (a kind of wide wheeled minibike). That must have been about 1970 or 71. Whatever became of Heathkit?
I delivered papers after my freshman year of college. They started me off with a bike route and then moved me to a motor route. The Detroit News launched a morning edition to compete with the Detroit Free Press so I covered the entire city of Ann Arbor. I can tell you that it's no fun getting up at 4 am (2:30 am on Sundays). I had over 200 papers on Sunday and each one had to be stuffed with ads and the like before being put in the car. Good thing my folk's car had vinyl seats (not to mention a huge trunk) because newspaper ink makes a big mess. Sunday was such a big job that I had to get my brother's help to finish by 10 am. Still, I had plenty of people complain that the paper was late, or that they didn't receive it. Worse, I had to collect the money. You've never seen so many deadbeats disappear or fail to answer the door or tell you to "come back later". I made almost no money from the papers, but was partially compensated because I was being overpaid for mileage (and my folks were charging me zero for gas or depreciation on their car). The distributor eventually discovered their error and quickly chopped the per mile gas allowance, which coincidentally coincided the time I quit. The manager couldn't understand why I didn't want to make it my life's work. I think he was also mad because I was dependable, never missing a day and essentially working for nothing. Good life lesson.
Worst job I ever had although I'm sure many of you can top it Like most papers the D News is a mere shell of what it was and is only delivered 3 days per week. Even in 1975 the News couldn't compete with the Free Press for content or editorials. What's the cliche? Revenge is a dish best served cold?
Gogiboy
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Thanks, that's nice of you to offer. Too bad I'm otherwise committed on that date.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The last version of the Eclipse was built on the same platform they used for their sedan and SUV. It's not a "sporty" as the 2nd generation AWD turbo you drove. It also weighs a bit more. 0-60 is in the mid 6 second range and it pulls .84 g with the OEM all-seasons (I'm thinking about switching to summer tires). With FWD it's not a car you'd take to the track. Still it's the best performing car I've ever owned.
I don't NEED a better performing car but this little voice keeps telling me I WANT one. The Eclipse has given me a taste, now I want the whole meal.
I'll keep dreaming and maybe pull the trigger just before the new 35 mpg standards go into effect.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
It seems to me that 99% of the people who participate wold be joyriders or dreamers but maybe not.
As far as "Trucar", I've never heard of them but I would think they are just one more of the dime a dozen car buyng programs that are constantly coming and going and I would think that the quality of leads would be worse than poor.
It seemed that our store was pitched by one or another of these companies on a weekly basis.
I like that Sidney Ohio! But I have been to beautiful Sidney B.C. which is close to very beautiful Victoria. In fact the airport for Victoria is in Sidney. The population is 11000 and theere are 8 bookstores on the main street.
Lots of retired people live there and it could be listed as one of the most beautiful cities around.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
We were told by the locals that no retirees could live there. If you wanted to live in Banff, you had to have a job. True?
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I wonder how they get the Benz's. And, what makes them think you would choose the BMW over a Benz. A lot of people choose the MB, so I don't know how they can be so sure people will choose a BMW after the test drive.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I haven't put in an aftermarket car stereo since my Pioneer SuperTuner 8-track in 1977.... :surprise:
If they want lots of BASS, I'd suggest Big Papa's Car Audio on Montgomery Road in the Kennedy Heights neighborhood... They do a lot of stuff for the Escalade crowd..
But, seriously, I have no idea who is good and who isn't..
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I don't think that could be true. I think house prices would be so high, and it is really a tourist town, so I doubt retirees would choose to live there. It is absolutely beautiful there, but it would be weird to live there. I think it is a great place to visit.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
From his email I think he was giggling like a school girl when I told him my wife liked the sound of his voice. He said he might call her up for a little chat sometime. :mad:
Fezo, if I see him on the return trip I will be on guard when he is near my wife !! The papers are all laid out for his signature. Maybe I can get Mrs. houdini to help out !!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Then again, I'm not a fan of the thumper crowd. so I'm not the best to ask.
If you're a DIY-er, go to Crutchfield.com. I've used their tech support to help my son with his stereo. They're very helpful and they have good gear.
If you're talking about some major panel cutting, and big power updates, I'd probably let the pros do it, though.
That said, I've hear some of my son's friends bemoan the fact that factory wiring and power generation just isn't hefty enough for a "good install". And, that it's really easy, even for a pro, to really mess up all the advanced power and computer systems in today's cars.
So, proceed at your own risk.
at mine, I met a sales dude who "greeted" me, then I was turned over to the HQ people for the actual even registration and paperwork. Everyone beyond that was part of the road show, and I did not see another dealer person until the end where they casually ask if you want them to find you a car to purchase.
someone asked the guy handling my little group, and he said they rent the cars somehow. I think the benz in NJ had Cali plates or some such. Not that many people were driving the competition from what I saw (I turned down the chance to drive the small MB suv at the X3 event)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
No chance I would mess around myself on a new car for anything more than changing speakers. And even a shop (especially a chain like BB) can easily foul up your electronics (good luck with that remote starter!) and void the old warranty
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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They may not be directly run by corporate.
One of my kids is trying to get one of those jobs right now.
houdini - watch out for Richard with your wife. That voice is the Barry White effect..... well, except that Richard is white, bald and still alive....
They must screen well on those BMW events. They've never invited me. Actually the nearest dealership is 30 miles away and I haven't bought anything that would put me on their radar.
BTW, you look on Facebook? I now own THREE!
How's the convertible inventory....
Meanwhile, as if to add insult to injury I check my E-mail and am told that I won a BMW that is somehow connected to Nigeria.....
Remind him to check the oil level in his Northstar engine.
Things just don't seem the same without his posting. I'll have to start checking grammar and spellings more carefully!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
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As far as Cincinnati goes, the speed shop/car stereo place that has put the aftermarket exhaust, front & rear sway bars, satellite radio for in my Prelude has a very good customer who recently moved out there & was looking for suggestions. Just thought I'd try to help out a friend helping a friend.">
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Thanks for the low down. It sounds like this program is outsourced to another company that has figured out a way to make this work for the dealer.
I wish you had tried that MB SUV, that's the one I wanted Richard to try. I eventually sat in one and it didn't make that much of an impression on me.
Could have been a little fancier for the price. I still like the X3 though.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My wife got sent one (why didn't I get one too? :mad: ) for July 11, 11am to 6.45pm at BMW of Gainsville (central FL) which we can't use, so if anyone wants the spot just say.
But, I would bet his Cadillac will tell him on its message display if he gets a quart low on oil.
He also really should read his manual. It tells him stuff like this.
My concern is that some engines use some oil at higher speeds, compared to the typical driving some cars get. It's my recollection the Northstar does use oil to lubricate and some is burned normally. Also some loss after higher speed driving is actually suspended contaminants that are purged from the oil because the oil gets warmed and the stuff evaporates or burns.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The older ones used to develop " The Northstar Leak" where they would leak in the rear where the halfs of the block mate. It's a 4000.00 job to fix this which in the case of an older Cadillac, it can total the car when the leak gets bad as they always do.
At some point they finally solved the problem or so I've been told.
OK...so I gave up the idea of getting the BMW EXACTLY the way I wanted it. Havent heard from the dealer who said they'd found it for me. Every time they said they were going to call me, they didn't. So, kind of disappointed in that...especially the dealership. Even if they were mistaken, at least make a quick phone call to tell me that instead of leaving me hanging.
That segues into something that just happened this a.m. I mentioned that I used Trucar.com to get some pricing info (in addition to Edmunds). You'll get pricing on Trucar. And, you'll get 3 different stores with 3 prices, along with how far away each store is from your location. What you don't get is the name of the store. For that, you have to give them your contact info.
So, the store that was 50 miles away quit communicating a couple of days ago. Another one was in Chicago, and has been sending emails, but those stopped once I told them what I wanted (color, options, etc). Seems as if most dealers love black interiors (I don't) since that's mostly what they have.
I want tan interior, or at least lite grey. I like all exterior colors except for silver (probably the most popular car color around). Ideally, I want a black exterior with a tan interior.
So, not thinking of a new car, any longer, I get a call from the closest dealer. They found the exact car I was looking for. They did a dealer trade on it trading a 7 series hybrid for a 3 series coupe. I didn't even know there were 7 series hybrids. Further, why would a dealer trade a 7 series for a 3 series, unless the 3 would be an easier sale than a 3 (which is my guess).
Anyway, it's on a truck and on the way to my local dealer. Now, the question is, are we still good on price (we spoke in generalities and I do have the Trucar.com price)? And, do I have to pay for them to have it trucked in since it was obviously at another dealer, pretty far away if it's being trucked in?
We'll see what happens. Not doing anything until I see it in person.
I am indeed gainfully employed, which is surprisingly amusing, I love the new store.
So what are you selling these days? In Jersey? If I actually send an E-mail do you answer it these days?.......
Or, it's possible the other store requested the trade in which case, the other store would be the one paying to truck the cars.
I would think that a 7 series hybrid would be a tough car to sell.
Hard to understand why those other stores have broken off contact with you but I'm guessing it's lack of interest on their part. You want a skinny deal on a car they don't have and probably can't get. Hard to get too excited about that.
Also, a lot of stores simply do not trade with other stores. sometimes, it's a result of bad blood between stores or simply a case of not wanting to mess with all of the paperwork and expense and take a chance of the other car arriving with some kind of a cosmetic defect that can happen during transport.
At the least, they should pick up the phone and say.." Dan, I'm not having any luck finding the BMW I know you really want..any flexability on color or interior color?"
Sometimes when I had a customer who wanted an unpopular color that I couldn't find, they would start thinking..." Wow...maybe I should look at something more mainstream...I may want to sell it someday and I want something that appeals to the masses"
In any event, they should return phone calls.
anyway, since you are obviously not in a hurry, why not just order one exactly the way you want it?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Do tell... where are you and what do you sell these days?
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Banff is a great town. I was there with my family as a kid and went back about 15 years later. I couldn't believe it hadn't changed at all. Then the Olympics came to Calgary in 1988. I was there in 05 and it was much more developed and crowded.
Still a great place though. I love the Canadian Rockies.
Well I did have to ask for a password reset...
I'm at Paramus Hyundai in north jersey... used car manager. Having quite a bit of fun with it actually. Was at Toyota for a long time, got basically sick of it, got recruited to work for a Lexus store which was almost as big of a mistake as investing in a mutual fund that had money with Bernie Madoff (true story).
So I took some time off, almost, and I mean ALMOST bought a Kia store, imagine that? I now work at Hyundai and almost bought a Kia store... 10 years ago that would be unthinkable!
Still have the Vauxhalls!
Still, the dealer 50 miles away made the deal and said they'd get the car (assuming it's the same one, which I think it is). Tell me if they can't do the deal, or get the car, or want no part of dealing with me. Instead, they said they'd get the car and have it trucked in. I held up my end. I gave them a $500 deposit to get the ball rolling, which they requested. They fell down on their end.
I thought the closest dealer (Jake Sweeney for you local folks) just wanted me to order the car. Then, last night they called and told me they had a bead on the car I wanted and asked if I wanted them to pursue it. I told them "yes". I guess it was loaded on a truck last night.
This a.m., they called said they got it, but traded a 7 series hybrid to get it from another dealer.
I can't see 7 series hybrids being hot commodities. And, I bet it's a car that would sit on the lot for awhile eating up holdback.
So, the 3 seems to be a good bet on their part.
I'll find out tonight when it's supposed to get to the dealership.
Good luck GG...at least you're having more luck than me. I am at a dead end until I take the car in to see what my trade is worth.
I have a feeling the wheeler dealer types can do better deals if they can locate a car for you, rather than order new. More room to bargain and either trade or find a dealer that wants to get rid of car for some reason.
On a completely different topic a guy at work drove a friends Saturn Sky last night. It was a Red Line edition. He said it was really a piece of garbage...just 18000 miles and it had lots of rattles. Engine wasn't that great for a Red Line Edition. I don't know what GM was thinking, spending money on a car that would never be a big seller. They should have made a car like the Cruz back then instead, they needed a 4 door Honda or Camry fighter...not a poor substitute for a Miata.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Funny thing about resale value. I think about that all the time when I am buying.
My wife will buy exactly what she wants in cars and houses and couldn't care less about resale value. She wants it exactly the way she wants it, and doesn't care about resale value.
Actually, I think she has the right attitude, after all, what good is it to you if you don't enjoy it to the maximum amount while you own it?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250