Stories from the Sales Frontlines

sterlingdog

After driving a school bus, oldfarmer may feel that the Vette is like driving my SRX.

I knew someone who had a new Vette in 1969. I rode in it several times. it was the roughest ride that I have ever experienced in a car. He must have felt the same way because he traded it two years later for a Porsche.

Richard

roadburner

Now, you know the taxpayers are getting a raw deal, when half the judges and prosecutors retire early...

My early retirement deal was a pilot program. Retire early with an enhanced benefit in exchange for working 600 days subbing for judges all over the state. In July I put over 900 miles on the MS3- and 1200 in August. I also had to buy some years and that was not cheap(thank heavens for my decision to contribute monthly to Deferred Comp decades ago). In any case, the program wasn't renewed so I had to enter the program before it closed to new applicants on January 31 2009. However, the retirement administrator suggested I go out in June 2008 so I would get a 3% COLA right off the bat on July1; COLAS were capped at 1.5% after that date.

stickguy

when my son was in HS, he did marching band, and I was the official truck driver (they went to away games, and a lot of competitions). I drove the equipment truck, they got to ride in a bus.

the truck was a FS diesel Ryder with a 26' box. We are talking big Mama here. At first, it was an ancient (80s vintage) International. What a beast. then moved up to a newer IH, and finally modern vintage freightliners.

The old ones were, to say the least, stiff. Especially empty. The FLs at least had air suspension seats (the old ones were like park benches).

Worst though was the newer IH. Drove the ebst (steering, etc.) but stiff! Empty, it was like riding a bucking bronco. Without a seatbelt, you would be tossed around like a ping pong ball in the lotto machine.

after a day in that, my accord felt like a Buick.

kyfdx

Yeah... I remember..

Why do you think you get so many days in Campbell County? Everyone up here retired..

andres3

One guy was hitting golf balls across the street and one hit a car and smashed the window. He said if the car was going slower it would have missed hitting the car. Could he have been responsible?

Now that's just dumb. Since when is a road a golf course?

A young lady skids out on an icy road and mows down a hedge and a tree and takes out a mailbox. Was she responsible? According to her it was the nasty weather that did it, couldn't have been her.

Do you think it would help if someone explained to her that she is the one that made the DECISION to drive during "nasty weather" and that someone more responsible may have avoided the risk all together? Do you think she'd understand if someone told her a properly trained driver may have been able to drive the same vehicle during the same weather and avoided that accident all together?

Do you think she remembers the DMV handbook stating you should adjust your driving to take into account weather and road conditions?

roadburner

Why do you think you get so many days in Campbell County? Everyone up here retired...

I know- I spend almost all my time in Boone, Gallatin, Campbell, Kenton, Owen, Harrison...

fezo

You've got the idea (well except for the $5,000 a month part :sick: ).

Really the way it works (at least on paper) is OK. Depending on when I actually go out I could be looking at 9 months where the pension check coming in is my only financial contribution to things. I can manage that. Not great but I can manage that.

The way that works is assuming retiring the first of October I'll put in for temporary disability from the state. That lasts six months because they work on the theory that (pause for laughter) that Social Security disability will kick in by then (the real average time for those folks to figure a case is two years. So after March I'm screwed for that portion. The following January I'll turn 62 and Social security at the lower rate will kick in. I'm pretty confident that I'll eventually win the disability case at which point Social Security would cut me a big check to pick up all the time since March and keep sending me a bigger check than if I had just chosen to retire at 62.

It's not a perfect situation by any means but as long as the transplant is successful it's manageable.

I am debating selling the Ody just before I go in the hospital. I'm pretty minivaned out. I could just rent one for the few occasions I need one. I'd put the money from that in my little car account (a habit I finally picked up) and get something once I'm back and able to be on the road. I figure for starters to just pick up a cheap car for cash since my lower income at that point wouldn't make a car loan attractive. Once things are settled I'll get myself a Mazda 3 hatch or some similar thing.

jmonroe

Wimps- None of my cars are known for having a cushy ride,...

I don’t want a cushy ride either but if I had to choose between riding in a rock like the Vette’s that I remember in the ‘60’s/’70’s and a Buick, then I’ll choose the Buick.

The regulars here know that I traded in Mrs. j’s ’06 Sonata LX for my ’09 Genny and she got my XG 350 as her ride. Now that she has become accustomed to the ride of the XG (which is why I traded the Sonata), when she is in the Genny she complains that her car rides much better and I was ripped off when I got the Genny, because as she puts it, “any car that costs this much should ride a lot better than this”. Sounds a lot like ‘tjc’. They just don’t appreciate that there is a middle ground when it comes to how a car should ride.

As for me? My next ride will almost certainly be one of the following...

Those LOOK tempting but are probably too harsh for me.

FWIW, Son #1 has all but given up on getting an M3 as a track toy. He figures they are too expensive to repair and for similar repair costs he would rather have a Vette now.

jmonroe

imidazol97

>my son was in HS, he did marching band, and I was the official truck driver (they went to away games, and a lot of competitions). I drove the equipment truck,

My son was in marching band for 4 years also. Thank you for driving the truck to carry the equipment. As a parent I appreciated the guys who loaded, unloaded, drove t he truck and stayed at the competitions (BOA level including Nationals in Indy) along with a bunch of area competitions. The drivers and uniform case moms really did a lot.

> I drove the equipment truck, they got to ride in a bus.

Would you rather some of the students drove the truck and you got to ride in the bus? :confuse: I recall the band director tell us about being called t he principal's office Monday morning after a home game. He had the secuty camera video of two students streaking through one of the wings of the build. While changing at their cases, they did a streak run --I was never clear on whether there were underwear only or true streaking -- too much information. I don't think I wanted that kid driving the equipment truck!

Just ran into him at a quick market with the EMS vehicle and crew. He is part of the fire department rescue squad for our town. I have to trust his abilities now; he might be tending me some day in a medical emergency. But I'll not forget the mental picture of two boys streaking. Did I mention the other young'un was the son of a school counselor?

tjc78

when she is in the Genny she complains that her car rides much better and I was ripped off when I got the Genny, because as she puts it, “any car that costs this much should ride a lot better than this”. Sounds a lot like ‘tjc’.

See its not just me! BTW all reports are that the 2012 Genny rides a bit softer than the 09-11. Ever since I've sold mine, I see many more here in my area. Yesterday alone I saw three different ones. I still to this day have only seen one other Cab Red Pearl though (the best color on that car IMHO).

Speaking of cars...... when I get back from vacation I think I am going to start a bit of shopping.

houdini1

That life of leisure you are contemplating might not materialize. As soon as you get that transplant and the first time you say, "Hey, I feel pretty good", your wife will be putting you back to work !!

Just like they say about those cars with over 200,000 miles on the clock, there's still a lot of good miles left !!

roadburner

FWIW, Son #1 has all but given up on getting an M3 as a track toy. He figures they are too expensive to repair and for similar repair costs he would rather have a Vette now.

A C5 Z06 is a fantastic track toy. The only knocks on it that I've heard are that the steering is a bit numb and that the seats are uncomfortable. I suspect the Z06 would be cheaper to maintain, but be aware that a lot of the Vette guys will compare the cost of dealer maintenance on the M3 to the cost of DIY service on the Z06. Compare apples to apples and the difference isn't that great. That said, either car is an excellent choice...

fezo

The good part is for a year I'll not be allowed to do things like vacuum - or even be in a room where the vacuum is in use.... Takes a year to rebuild an immune system.

That said, my white cell counts have been terrible and I rarely catch anything. I only get chronic debilitating things - not colds....

fezo

Meanwhile..... Top Ten Cars Old Folks Buy.

Quickly I can see that neither Richard nor jmonroe seem to be old guys but maybe tjc does.....

I also have reached a point where if I bought a Buick I'd be bring their average age UP! GM wouldn't like that....

tjc78

but maybe tjc does.....

That article is too funny.... at age 33 I've had

Two Avalons (one at age 25)
One Town Car (and its brother the MGM)

I've test driven the Azera and the Lucerne. I also wouldn't throw a DTS out of my driveway.

I'm considering the LaCrosse to replace the Genny. I guess I'm the exception.

fezo

Man, you are heading for the geezer grand slam.....

imidazol97

That website is nasty to use. It takes a long time loading a bunch of junk for each separate page. But they have slanted the data. Having the Lucerne AND the LaCrosse both as top sellers is not reasonable. The Lucerne is no longer being sold. So it can't be a top seller. It's replacement for some seniors must be a LaCrosse. So it's either the LaCrosse or the Lucerne, but don't load up the top 10 with both.

And it's got all 3 Cadillacs, CTS, STS, and DTS. Is the DTS still being sold?

On the other hand, this shows that older people have sagacity as to what cars they purchase to save money. Ask Richard: he owns a Cadillac. Of course he's not a senior, but he has critical thinking skills.

mako1a

Lucerne, LaCrosse...is there a difference?

Seems like they should combine all the geezer gadgets

in one so they don't have to strain about "which one is for me"?

explorerx4

One of my relatives lives across the street from a golf course.
When they find golf balls in their front yard, the philosophy is to hit the ball back across the street onto the course to help that poor golfer out.
Of course, the ball may have been in the yard overnight.

explorerx4

Isn't the blue one a Jensen Interceptor or something like that?
I know it has a big Chrysler V8 in it.
Don't picture you tracking that one.

oldfarmer50

"...Just pick up a cheap car for cash..."

OH Goodie! Since my nephew blew me off and ran away to college and my son's car has filled my need to dump money into my mechanic's pocket, I've had trouble justifying my time searching Craigslist. Now, you have given new purpopse to my life. I'll get on the hunt in the NJ Craigslist listings tomorrow.

In no time I'll be bugging you with links to every hooptie and beater you could imagine.

Would you consider a car missing it's trunk lid to be a hatchback? :lemon:

fezo

Oh, this could be fun!

Meanwhile, they still sell the Lucerne though I think 11 was the last year, though. Don't they have a replacement in the pipe?

Yeah, the DTS is gone. That's a sad thing actually. The last DeVille.

nyccarguy

I'll buy a Cadillac CTS-V in a second. Call me a Geezer in my supercharged, 558 horsepower V8, RWD super sedan.

Advertisers always talk about the coveted 25-54 age demographic. They do need to realize that a "Senior" today in 2011 is not what a "Senior" used to be. Senior used to be another word for old.

My parents are a perfect example. My Dad is 65 & my Mom will be 63 in a few weeks. I do not think of them as "Seniors" even though they are eligible for many senior discounts. My Mom drives a freakin' Porsche for heaven's sake.

roadburner

Isn't the blue one a Jensen Interceptor or something like that?
I know it has a big Chrysler V8 in it.
Don't picture you tracking that one.

Right; it wouldn't be a track car, but it would allow me to enjoy '60s era V8 power(a 440 + a 727 Torqueflite slushbox) in a cool continental GT. They are still undervalued in the US; some people have picked up nice ones for under $10K but the bulk of the good cars are in the $15K-$20K range. Pick of the litter is the Interceptor SP- SP standing for Six-Pack(the 3X2 bbl. upgrade more often found in Road Runners and Super Bees).

roadburner

I'll buy a Cadillac CTS-V in a second. Call me a Geezer in my supercharged, 558 horsepower V8, RWD super sedan.

I'd take a CTS-V wagon- since BMW NA won't import the Alpina D5 Biturbo:



345 hp, 0-60 in less than 5 seconds, 168 mph top speed, and 38 mpg.

sterlingdog

"...they got to ride in a bus."

After some of my experiences riding with students on a bus, you were better off driving the truck. I still remember some of my standard comments: "Keep your hands where I can see them.", "Sit up where I can see you.", "Give me the breath test.", "All cheerleaders to the back of the bus.", "Hand over that magazine.", "Let's see what's in that cup." What wonderful days they were. :shades:

Richard

sterlingdog

"Of course he's not a senior, but he has critical thinking skills."

I intend to pay your dues here for the next five years.

Richard

sterlingdog

"My Mom drives a freakin' Porsche for heaven's sake."

Good for her!

"I do not think of them as 'Seniors'..."

Nice parents + cool son= Great family.

Richard

oldfarmer50

"...Oh, this could be fun..."

You really shouldn't encourage me. Here's my first hit. Not a 3 but it's in your neighborhood.

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/2571521190.html

oldfarmer50

This is closer to what you mentioned:

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/2601119510.html

Edmunds says it's worth between $6700 for a stripper and $8100 loaded (inc. NAV). zoom zoom.

snakeweasel

My Mom drives a freakin' Porsche for heaven's sake.

Funny you should mention that, the other day I saw a blue haired little old lady driving a 911. Unfortunatly I got stuck behind her at a light where she went from 0-40 in under 3 minutes.

snakeweasel

I'll believe 345 HP with 0-60 times of less than 5 seconds and 38 MPG when I see it.

roadburner

I'll believe 345 HP with 0-60 times of less than 5 seconds and 38 MPG when I see it.

Read all about it.

I was wrong about the horsepower- it has 350 rather than 345... :P
Regardless, here are the other pertinent numbers from the Alpina D5 Technical Data page-

Acceleration:
0-100km/h(62 mph) 5.2 seconds

Fuel consumption:
Urban (l/100km) 7.5(31.36 US mpg)
Extra-urban (l/100km) 5.5(42.76 US mpg)
Combined (l/100km) 6.2(37.94 US mpg)

fezo

Hey! That 626 is right in my town! Always thought that was a nice car.

oldfarmer50

"...Hey! That 626 is right in my town!..."

Yeah, it belongs to your neighbor George down the street. I took the liberty of calling up all your friends and neighbors last night about 3am to ask if they had a car to sell you. Most just said: "fezo who?" and hung up. A couple did say they knew you and would be coming over to your house today.... with hatchbacks I presume. :surprise:

stickguy

if it is a 5 speed with a moonroof, I'm interested!

no hatchback of course in '98. I did have a 1991 626 5 door. One of my favorite cars. Just hated the rat belts.

snakeweasel

Oh I have read it, I just don't think you cn get that type of performance and mileage out of a car. It defies physics.

kyfdx

I can believe 38 mpg highway out of a diesel car.... even a powerful one...

At the VW dealer today... The Touareg TDI V6 is rated for 28 highway. And, I'm guessing that weighs a lot more and is less aerodynamic..

robr2

Well at 4700 lbs., I say 26 highway is pretty good.

roadburner

Oh I have read it, I just don't think you cn get that type of performance and mileage out of a car. It defies physics.

That's Alpina's specialty. In any case, they don't make a habit of making outlandish claims. My B7 loaner averaged over 20 mpg while I had it- yet it went from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and ran a 12.8 second 1/4 mile in the Car and Driver test of the same car. And it made 500 bhp and weighed 4684 pounds.
I would be extremely surprised if the D5 doesn't meet or exceed every performance figure Alpina claims.

snakeweasel

I am not questioning the performance stats I am questioning being able to get that kind of milage with that kind of performance.

driver100

Watch Judge Judy one day and you will see people are never responsible for their actions.

Welcome to my world...

I was thinking of you when I wrote it. I love watching the show for 30 minutes when I have nothing else to do, but listening to irresponsible drunks and unethical creeps all day would not be as easy as it looks.

driver100

I got caught up in all the posts since I was last here.
Internet on the ship costs 65 cents a minute.
I am at an internet cafe in Florence Italy $1.40 for an hour.

We went to Monte Carlo yesterday. Parked in front were 3 Bently's...I liked the convertible...beautiful inside. My wife took a picture of me looking like I am ready to get in it and drive away.

We did lose 5 Euros on the slot machine...just to say we did it. Outside the casino were Lamborginis, Ferraris, and lots more to numerous to mention, and one young lady who was driving an Excalibre. Having a BMW badge doesn't mean much in Monte Carlos where an apartment costs 18,000 Euros per square meter - about 10 sq ft.

Hey JMonroe. I traded in the 328 for a 5 Series because it is larger and safer, and I will keep it for 4 or 5 years at least and I will be older. But, comfort and ride wasn't the main reason, a 3 Series is fine for me, my wife doesn't like the sun and wind and so there isn't much use in having a convertible for the few times in a year I can use it. I like a firm ride...though that could change at any time...but I don't think so, not soon.

Off to Venice tomorrow...............

mako1a

I've been to Italy a couple of times and loved it. Beautiful place, nice people with the attitude...we've done the world power thing, now we're just here for the party.

Venice, never had the desire to go there. All I could think of was what if you wanted to go for a walk? Out the front door, take 3 steps and find yourself in 27 feet of water swimming for the sidewalk.

sterlingdog

Can't get beyond yesterday's posts. I'm posting now to see if I can reach today's posts.

Richard

8sparkplugs

Are there any other post today?

sterlingdog

There must be because Isellhondas told me that he had no trouble getting on here and posting. I can't figure it out. I've tried everything that I know on this site. I can post but I can't read any posts beyond Sunday night.

Richard

verdugo

Can't get beyond yesterday's posts. I'm posting now to see if I can reach today's posts.

I thought it was just me. Something fishy is going on.

Time to face up, who didn't pay their dues?

houdini1

OK, seems to be working normally for me. I can read and post.

fezo

Works now.

Heading into the city tomorrow. They apparently think a match is unlikely and are now talking cord blood. I'll keep you posted but it won't be until late.