Stories from the Sales Frontlines

driver100

You see, there was this little mix up in the hospital when you were born.....

Cute.......how come you have only posted 118 times in 4 years?

I am curious, what do you drive and what brings you to this site?

What do you think about the Mustang vs the M3?

tjc78

Gogiboy,
Stockton is about 60 miles north of me in Central Jersey. As the crow flies I am probably 5 miles from Philly.

snakeweasel

If car 'A' can do everything car 'B' can do but costs $25 K less why would car 'B' be better?

Tell me what is it about car 'B' that makes it worth $25K more?

Can't be because it's a tempermental creature that requires patience and understanding. Thats because that typically means the car is a POS.

fezo

Crows fly from Philly?

roadburner

Can't be because it's a tempermental creature that requires patience and understanding. Thats because that typically means the car is a POS.

As I said earlier, neither car is on my "must-have" list- both are a bit large and heavy to be really entertaining track toys. That said, it appears that the Mustang GT may be the most temperamental of the pair; the Ford's (made in China) Getrag MT-82 manual box has generated more than a few complaints concerning its shift action and overall durability(NHTSA has even opened an investigation).

robr2

Here north of Boston Irene wasn't too bad. We have one limb down and lots of green leaves all over. My son went for a run and said a neighbor lost a big limb.

We lost power for about four hours - I took a nap.

We can tell it's over - birds are out.

My brother south of Boston lost power yesterday for a couple of hours due to a lighting hitting a pole up the street. But no internet nor cable - his kids are actually reading books today!!

snakeweasel

Neither car would be on my must have list either. maybe 25-30 years ago but not now as I prefere to have more practical cars.

oldfarmer50

"...Ford's Getrag MT-82 manual box has generated more than a few complaints..."

All the more reason for mako1a and I to get the auto tranny. Now we will have an excuse when the gear heads start snickering.

I assume that mako1a is back on the Mustang wagon after overdosing on Corvettes.

verdugo

Well, I don't know that they are stolen.

I wasn't saying that they were stolen. I was referring to the fact that they are fakes. As such, they are run by criminal syndicates. I guess that the conditions of the workers in the sweatshops don't matter as long as the fakes are pretty close, right?

Ok, I'll get off my high horse and we can go back to talking about cars.

oldfarmer50

No, it isn't out to buy a car. After 4-5 inches of rain from Irene I will be going here:

http://blog.timesunion.com/cohoes/files/2010/10/100_11371.jpg

2nd only to Niagara and it will be roaring.

sterlingdog

"Ok, I'll get off my high horse..."

I do understand what you're saying. I hadn't thought about crime syndicates and the sweatshops. I'm glad that you pointed that out to me. I'll think about that the next time that I'm tempted to save a buck. We once took a tour of the Persian rug factories in Pakistan. They had 6 yr. old children working the looms for 10 hours a day. It was sickening. Though we have one Persian rug in our house, the others are Amercian made by Karastan. They are made here in North Carolina.

I always respect your advice and opinions.

Richard

sterlingdog

Glad that we heard from you and that you are safe.

Richard

sterlingdog

"Never argue fine points with an accountant."

I thought that you were going to say, "Never argue with Driver because you won't win." :P :shades:

Richard

sterlingdog

You should post here more. I can tell that you would be a perfect fit. I am also curious as to what brought you here.

Richard

sterlingdog

"...his kids are actually reading books today!!"

That's a refreshing thing to hear.

Richard

fezo

Was over to the beach today and it looks about half the size it was a couple of days ago but I've seen worse. It builds back up and of course our tax money builds it even more...

Almost everything is still closed but Surf City Pizza was open. Yay!

driver100

If car 'A' can do everything car 'B' can do but costs $25 K less why would car 'B' be better?

There are lots of cars that cost less than yours but can go just as fast.......lets say a Nissan Versa or Honda Civic......what makes yours a better choice?

The speed of the car doesn't equate to it's value. Somebody has a Suburu here that has more hp than a 328 BMW....so it is faster, might be a better car, might not be. Depends on what you want and need.

driver100

I hadn't thought about crime syndicates and the sweatshops.

Most people don't think about that when they buy knock offs or fakes. In China kids come up to you selling Gucci $400 handbags for $20.

Buying them isn't really fair to legitimate companies who manufacture the goods. I bought my fake Rolex in Egypt to help the guy selling it and to have some fun with the people on the cruise ship. I held it up to the camera whenever someone took a picture. It was such a bad fake no one would mistake it for the real thing.

It is best not to suppost that fake economy, it just isn't fair to real manufacturers and merchants.

driver100

I thought that you were going to say, "Never argue with Driver because you won't win."

Glad the word has got out.................... :P

imidazol97

>his kids are actually reading books today

On their Kindles?

driver100

>his kids are actually reading books today
On their Kindles?

That was good...and probably true.

mako1a

One thing I learned this weekend is not to go to

anymore single brand car shows. Multi-Brand shows

are much more fun with the variety.

Here's a different twist on the Mustang GT vs BMW M3

debate. Value them at 5 years and 10 years old.

That extra 25k will go up in smoke after 10 years

but you'll still have the prestiege, maybe a few pics.

sterlingdog

"I bought my fake Rolex in Egypt---"

Glad that I'm not the only heathen here. No, that's not a good thing to say. We have enough of those in Washington.

Richard

roadburner

That extra 25k will go up in smoke after 10 years

Another reason I prefer used BMWs. Depreciation is your friend; I can get a very nice 2004 M3 for the price of a new Accord. Or a clean 1995 M3 for the price of a Mazda 2.

sterlingdog

That's why I usually buy a one or two year old car. It just seems that I can save so much money. I've had new cars, and I'm sure that there are good reasons to purchase one---brand new, latest technology, first owner with plenty of warranty, etc. I guess it depends on what you want and how you feel about it.

Richard

oldfarmer50

"...Here's a different twist on the Mustang GT vs. BMW M3 debate..."

Edmunds values a 10yo M3 at $14,700 and a 10 yo Mustang GT (not really equal to the current model) at $5900, or $8800 difference. Hardly $25,000.

A better question (as Isell could tell you) is which 10yo car would be cheaper to keep running.

I'm not really taking sides here. I would be happy to drive your new M3 down to you just as much as a Mustang or a Corvette.

oldfarmer50

"...That's why I usually buy a one or two year old used car..."

Except that now many one year old used cars cost as much as new.

I hate to say this but I would be reluctant to buy a new car or a slightly used car until the supply chain disruptions smooth out. Too many dealers standing firm on MSRP.

I've even considering becoming a SELLER of cars. The online appraisers keep telling me my Eclipse is still worth $15K (yes I know, in the real world I might not get that). Even in the real world I'm tempted to sell it for cash and buy a beater to run until next year. Once things are back to normal I could buy a new car cheaper than right now.

driver100

"I bought my fake Rolex in Egypt---"
Glad that I'm not the only heathen here.

My fake Rolex looks so phony no one would think it was a real Rolex, that's what made it so much fun. I am flashing around my new Rolex and it looks really cheap. It was a one time joke item, and I wanted to boost the economy in Egypt, with my $15 purchase. The guy who sold me the watch from a suitcase on the beach was so happy...I really made his day.

The people on the cruise ship got a lot of entertainment value from my new Rolex. When I saw someone we knew they would ask me if my new Rolex was still working.

I just checked it now...it is one year old, seems to have stopped.

m6vx

Cute.......how come you have only posted 118 times in 4 years?

I'm a man of few words?


I am curious, what do you drive and what brings you to this site?

I've been on this site/forum for about 4 years now, but my participation is tied directly with how busy I am at work. I just got through 7000 posts here in the last week or so. OK, I didn't read them all, but did skim through every page of posts and read the interesting threads. I haven't been here since February, but I've got some time now while I recover from surgery.

What brings me here? For great advice on buying vehicles, like graphicguy's post 70976.

Current vehicles:
1999 Wrangler
2007 Caravan
1984 CJ
2001 Cherokee
1994 Ram 2500


What do you think about the Mustang vs the M3?

See Snake's post 72220. I think that sums it up quite well.
"It was 0.09 seconds slower. Thats 0.1% slower which stastically is nothing. One would suspect that at those times what would the results be if the track was run several times, or if a different driver would run the track. It might be that the Mustang is 0.1% faster."

robr2

>his kids are actually reading books today

On their Kindles?

It's a joke between my brother and I. Both of our younger kids are pretty smart but just don't like to read. But since he was without power for almost 24 hours, she had to read.

driver100

What brings me here? For great advice on buying vehicles, like graphicguy's post 70976.

Thanks for replying and I found your answers to be very interesting...especially all your vehicles.....are you a curbsider? ha ha

I hope you can join us more often, and that your recovery goes well.

nyccarguy

We've had this discussion before. There are pros and cons to both sides of buying new vs. used. This is my view of it:

Used cars can be a fantastic value given the depreciation rates, especially if you are an enthusiast or like luxury cars.

New car financing rates are cheaper. If you are someone like myself or oldfarmer this can be very attractive.

If you are a cash buyer or just need to fiance a small portion of the purchase & can pay off the loan in 1 or 2 years, then buying used definitely makes sense.

For $25,000 to $30,000 you can get a beautiful, new Camry or Accord (nothing wrong with either of these, just not my cup of tea) with a full 3 year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty or you can get a beautiful, used, well driven, still under warranty 2008 Infiniti G35, 2009 BMW 328i, or 2008 BMW 335i.

Oldfarmer makes an excellent point about used cars being expensive right now. Take my 2010 Acura TSX (Which BTW is officially 2 years old today).

to be continued...

michaellno

Take my 2010 Acura TSX (Which BTW is officially 2 years old today).

to be continued...

Has somebody taken your TSX? Or, will somebody be taking your TSX?

oldfarmer50

"...I just got through 7000 posts here..."

Good, another 65,000 or so and you'll be all caught up. :P

Welcome back.

sterlingdog

"My fake Rolex looks so phony no one would think it was a real Rolex..."
"...I wanted to boost the economy in Egypt..."

Come on now. You're as guilty as I was. Those fake watches were still made in a sweat shop controlled by criminals. I could also say that I was trying to boost the economy of New York or Key West. It doesn't negate the fact that we shouldn't have done that.

Richard

jmonroe

That's the big difference in leasing compared to owning, you are really renting your car. It is like renting a place to live compared to owning...except homes usually go up in value.

At least if you don't like your car or have a financial problem you can sell the car whenever you want. Also, you don't have to worry about how many miles are on the car. And, no penalties when the lease is over.

That’s the way I look at it too. I don’t have the temperament to be a lease person. I can never see myself doing it but the car biz would be dead without it and it did almost kill them. I’ve got to hand it to them, they are a resourceful bunch.

Having said that, my brother, the one who retired to Florida, has leased for many years. He understands numbers (undergrad in accounting and an MBA). He can buy a car outright if he wanted to do it that way but he has told me several times that he doesn’t want to be bothered with maintaining a car when they are several years old. And I stress the WANT bit, he just doesn’t want to do it and he can well afford his bad habit. Although I doubt there are many leasee's like him.

jmonroe

tjc78

And I stress the WANT bit, he just doesn’t want to do it

I was like that. It was a big reason for leasing for me. Accept that you will always have a car payment, but for that always having a newer car that requires little maintenance and repair.

Leasing just isn't for everyone, but, like I've said before.... If you want a new car every couple years it is the easiest way to do it. All costs are upfront. There isn't any worry that the value may be less than you thought in three years or diminished value if you get in an accident.

Pros and Cons to everything as usual. I am totally undecided for my next purchase. It will either be a 3 year lease on something new or a purchase of something a few years old and keep it awhile.

fezo

I just checked it now...it is one year old, seems to have stopped.

But it still has the right time twice a day....

jmonroe

Round Table Pizza, lousy pizza. Then again every chain pizza place has lousy pizza.

Here we go again with the pizza talk.

I never considered myself as a snob but I just can’t bring myself to open my mouth for most pizza’s and the national chain stores are enough to give me lockjaw. :mad:

jmonroe

sterlingdog

"Except that now many one year old used cars cost as much as new."

Glad you reminded me of that fact. You won't believe this, but I checked two sources including Edmunds. My '08 SRX V8 that I purchased one year ago is now worth $1,800 MORE than I paid for it! It doesn't seem possible. I knew that I got a really good deal and now I'm ahead of the depreciation. It certainly goes to prove your point. Used car prices have really gone up.

Richard

sterlingdog

We know nothng about pizza in the South. I even think that Pizza Hut has delicious pizza. :P :sick:

Richard

fezo

If the value went up in $1,800 in a year just imagine what it will be worth in ten years!

That's when you'll give it to me.

We went over to the island yesterday to see how things held up (very well). Most places were closed but a favored pizza place was open. Yum!

tjc78

There are so many good independent pizza shops in my neck of the woods, that I couldn't even imagine ordering from Pizza Hut, Dominoes, or Papa Johns. Yet, there plently of them around too. :confuse:

jmonroe

Krispy Kreme is still around? I thought they joined Nash (Ha! car reference, so there) in extiention. Every one by me closed their doors years ago.

I never did understand all the hoopla over Krispy Kreme either. When they moved into the Burgh area about 7/8 years ago, it actually made the local news. They were at the grand opening showing cars backed out onto the road waiting their turn at the drive-through and there was a heck of a line of cars (car related thing here). I’ve had those donuts before when I lived in SC. I just couldn’t get it. :confuse:

They even opened a local distributor not too far from me that’s gone now along with a large store not too far from me that is now a Chick-fil-A. At least I got to take my grandson to that one before they closed to show him how they flipped over coming down the conveyer.

They had crazy prices too. I like a plain ole granulated sugar donut and when I got the bill I saw that the price was higher than I thought it should be. When I questioned it they said I got a “premium” donut. :sick: Everything other than their signature glazed donut was a “premium” donut. Most people around the Burgh don’t like donuts that are all air, “premium” or otherwise. I only know of one store still standing around here. The one that had the lines backed onto the road. The big difference is that now there is almost no line, so I’ve been told by the people that live in that area.

I can get much better donuts at the grocery store bakery dept and most around here also know that.

jmonroe

jmonroe

We know nothng about pizza in the South. I even think that Pizza Hut has delicious pizza.

I know that. I lived in SC for 5 years. Pizza was NOT on my menu.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

So like I said:

Use my 2010 Acura TSX w/ Technology Package as an example. According to an expert on Real World Trade in Values I could get $19,500 as a trade in on my car. What would a dealership typically list it for, $23,995? And sell for $22,000?

Invoice on a brand-new 2011 is $31,362. We're talking a difference of a little over $9000. So maybe it is worth it. You can get the new one with 1.9% or 0.9% financing for 60 months.

Hmmmmmmmm - maybe I need to rething how I buy cars

sterlingdog

The only true, delicious donut is the one that was made 5 minutes ago. There used to be a local only donut shop at North Myrtle Beach. Their first tray of donuts came out around midnight. My buddies and I would be there to enjoy them. They would melt in your mouth at 20 cents each. I've never since had better.

Krispy Kreme had been a regional business here for many years. Going nationwide was a major mistake. The dad allowed his boys to handle it---another major mistake. Their donuts were actually very good before then. I think that the boys suffered from donut holes---in their brains. :sick:

Richard

mako1a

While at Carlisle, Pa this past weekend I went in search of

(you guessed it) Chipped Ham BBQ. Folks there acted just

like they do here. Squint at you and say "sorry, never heard of it"

Isalys just doesn't leave the local market much, does it?

verdugo

It is best not to suppost that fake economy, it just isn't fair to real manufacturers and merchants.

That's a good point driver. You also cheat the taxpayer, i.e., you!

mako1a

City of Bristol has a Krispy Kreme store with conveyor, etc.

The state line is in the parking lot as it's in both Virginia

and Tennessee. -----------------------------------------------.

Southern staples are Biscuits and Gravy, Pork Rinds, Krispy

Kreme Donuts all washed down with a Nehi and a Moon Pie.