Stories from the Sales Frontlines

explorerx4

Last winter it was.

[Deleted User]

Tractor trailers are an interesting point. Mass is obviously the most damaging aspect and little can be done about that. However, note the location of their front bumpers and the impact beams on the rear of the trailers. They're all low to the ground to make contact with smaller vehicles' safety systems. A typical jacked up truck, on the other hand, has a frame with a much higher strike area. Should jacked up vehicles be required to install lower impact beams similar to tractor trailers?

jmonroe

I'd like to get your input on a recent event that took place in Utah

The truck had an aftermarket lift kit and oversized tires, raising the frame substantially from the manufacture's specs

I live in PA and we have an annual state safety inspection in this state and I’ve often wondered about how some of those jacked-up trucks could make it through the inspection. A couple of years ago when I took one of our cars to the garage, that I’ve been dealing with for about a dozen years now, for it’s inspection, a guy with a one of those jacked-up truck came in and wanted an inspection. The owner of the garage took one look out into the lot and said, “I’m not touching it, take it somewhere else. It’s not worth me losing my license putting a sticker on that truck”. If there were more garages like this that would lesson the number of those trucks on the road.

The thing I don’t understand is that the state police have the authority to pull those trucks over and do a road side inspection but I’ve rarely heard of them doing it.

jmonroe

houdini1

Plus you don't see those over the road trucks around schools, suburban areas, shopping areas, etc. where most of these intersection accidents occur. That is where those jacked up, huge tired vehicles cause their damage. Those things are off road vehicles and that is where they belong, off road.

stickguy

as others noted, trucks are set up for this. I spent a lot of time driving a Frieghtliner 26' box Ryder, and it had an underride in the back, and the front bumper was quite substantial, and also pretty low.

damned thing was, plenty of people still pulled out in front of me. If I hit them, it would have been like a snow plow hitting a 6' pile.

nyccarguy

Yup Fairfield County, Stamford specifically. Very close to the New York State border. Very different. The people we've met seem to be nicer and very genuine. The houses have rock walls around the properties. The air seems crisper, our property taxes are MUCH lower. It FEELS like New England. It really does snow more in Stamford than it does in lower Westchester.

robr2

Well you've only been in Stamford 1 year and as explorer said, it was bad last winter.

I looked it up and Stamford gets about 29" a year - same as White Plains.

Come up to Boston - it's 42".

To be honest, all I know of Stamford is what's along 95 - it looks like it could be any urban area in the United States. Besides if there are more Yankees fans than Red Sox fans, it ain't New England!

roadburner

My wife and I are a perfect fit- we only wanted one kid and neither of us wanted a minivan. Now that our son is cruising in the 1975 2002 she is looking at a Mini Clubman or a 128i.

driver100

but will soon go back to regular cars. I still way prefer the way cars handle.

Me too, and I agree with your comments about the Explorer. I know people love them, and they were big sellers, but when I test drove one in 1995, it was big and heavy and felt like driving a truck. But, there is something about them that people loved....they were selling like crazy. Go figure?

driver100

We are going to Florida in November..."
Funny, so am I. If you see some scruffy fellow eyeing your BMW don't call the police

Yes, and you are in the Clearwater area I believe. I'll be watching for a scruffy fellow driving a Ram Truck or Corvette.

tjc78

but when I test drove one in 1995, it was big and heavy and felt like driving a truck.

There is good reason for that..... They were a truck, based off the Ranger platform.

driver100

Come up to Boston - it's 42".

Toronto area gets about 45" of snow. Not that much more spread out over 5 months. But, enough to make me head south to Florida.

driver100

she is looking at a Mini Clubman or a 128i.

Had to check out what a Mini Clubman was. That's an interesting choice to make a Mini or a 128i. I'd be curious to know how they compare.

verdugo

Well you've only been in Stamford 1 year and as explorer said, it was bad last winter.

I looked it up and Stamford gets about 29" a year - same as White Plains.

I lived in Stamford for 8 winters and I can verify that Stamford gets the same amount of snow as White Plains. Last winter must've been an anomaly. Did White Plains also get more snow than usual?

robr2

Last winter was heavy all over the northeast. IIRC, Boston got close to 100" of snow.

dino001

Landed in Munich today morning and went to see their factory. The sheetmetal shop is trully bizzare experience: Twenty robots per person. That one person is either just watching the water boil or is feeding machine with some small sheetmetal elements that can't be automatically picked up. Rooms and rooms with no humans, but robots. What's left for humans is engine assembly, final assembly and QC of all processes. Wonder how long will that last.

BTW, the BMW Welt center has display of their models, which I gave a title "all cars Americans
don't want or deserve": 1-series 5-door hatchback, 5-series wagon, X1, small diesels in all models, etc.

The car is presented to me tomorrow. Can't wait...

driver100

The car is presented to me tomorrow. Can't wait...

Sounds like a great experience! What a great way to buy a car!

Let us know what happens...I have to live the experience through you......

fezo

We are jealous.

Yeah, last year was a miserable winter anywhere on the east coast. That's been two consecutive winters that have sucked. It's what has kept Subaru on my radar when I dump the van. Actually right now the van with its traction control is not a bad snow vehicle. Not 4WD but good to go in most stuff.

driver - I finally got to reading The Lincoln Lawyer. Great stuff. Now I can see the movie.

I am on to the newest Daniel Silva which as always is a page turner. If you haven't read him start early - The Kill Artist or The English Assassin. Well worth it.

driver100

driver - I finally got to reading The Lincoln Lawyer. Great stuff. Now I can see the movie.

The movie is really good too, especially the shots of his big Lincoln.

The Reversal (Lincoln Lawyer #2) is really good too.

A lot of people have been telling me Daniel Silva is a really good author. I will definitely put it on my list.


A friend told me I have to read "The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson".
It is a true murder story that takes place in Chicago during the 1800s when the World Fair was on. I am just going to start it today Read the reviews;
The Devil in the White City

canadiantoyota

Congratulations on the new ride and thank you for the sales story. Well done.

Randy

canadiantoyota

Congratulations and have a safe trip picking up your new ride. Send us some photos if you can.

Randy

roadburner

The Lincoln Lawyer Bah!

My son saw it and now he wants to go to law school...
I may yet disown him... :mad:

28firefighter

Tell him law school is nothing like The Lincoln Lawyer.

Don't...let...him...do...it.

nyccarguy

It might snow the same amount in Stamford as in White Plains, but it is way different. It is actually colder in Stamford because we are north of I-287. Stamford gets similar weather to northern Westchester. So the snow in Stamford will stick sooner & we'll get more accumulation on the road.

One thing that New York State does an absolutely brilliant job at is Plowing and Salting. When I lived in Hartsdale (basically White Plains) & left for work (during a snowstorm) at 6:50 am, most main roads (Central Ave, 119) were down to the blacktop as were all the major highways (Thruway, Sprain, 287, 684).

I'll admit last year's winter was tough all over the place, but when I left for work at 6:20 AM - 6:30 AM in the snow, the roads were barely passable. The entrance and exit ramps on the Merritt Parkway weren't even close to plowed. Like I said, I live close to the Merritt Parkway where lots of people have well water and they DO NOT SALT.

There are too many Red Sox fans in CT. One of the things I don't like about Stamford.

If all you've seen of Stamford is off of 95, then you've only seen a sliver of the city. We have really nice beaches on the sound. I live about 3 miles away from 95 in a very quiet, suburban neighborhood.

verdugo - where in Stamford did you live?

jmonroe

Last winter was heavy all over the northeast. IIRC, Boston got close to 100" of snow.

February of 2010 was the bad month and year for the Pittsburgh area. Early 2011 wasn’t bad at all in comparison but still more than typical for these parts. I had a little over 30 inches of snow on my deck in February of 2010 and it shorted out the outdoor receptacle mounted into the brick of the house about 18 inches above the deck. Several neighbors had over $10K of damage to their homes because of the ice that damned up on the roofs. I was lucky, my house gets the afternoon sun and that saved me and the people on my side of the street, although I had lots of ice from the melting snow/ice in my driveway. Just 2 weeks ago the guy across the street that had the most damage had his gutters replaced with the Gutter Helmet brand in hopes of not having another problem. I’m not so sure that will help him because when the water freezes in the gutter it’s still going to back up onto the roof. Maybe he also had a gutter heater installed but I’m not sure of that.

Car related thing: Because of that 2010 February snow, coupled with the horrible Dunlop all season tires that came with the Genny, I got dedicated rims with Nokian Hakkapeliitta R snow tires for the rear and while the Genny is still not as good as FWD in the snow it is waaay better with the Nokian’s than the way it came off the line. I’m about ready to take the tires to the tire store to make good on my lifetime balancing every year to be ready to put them on around Thanksgiving unless we get a freak heavy snow fall before then.

jmonroe

dino001

1. Airlines (esp. American carriers) manage to invent every day new ways to bring down flying experience month by month. This was my first time when on transatlantic flight they (United) charged coach passengers for glass of wine or can of beer. :mad: Wonder if Delta or American have (will) followed suit. Euro carriers are still having open bar.
2. Remember to punch a ticket in Munich transit. I did, but then I put it away in another pocket, so when the comptroller asked, I pulled out another one (spare), causing a scene and embarrassing search (bags out, you know the drill). Finally I found it, so they let me live. I wonder what would the do to me if I didn't. BTW, ticket machines are not very easy to understand, even in English, when you want to buy a systemwide daily ticket. Maybe they don't sell them - I had to go to the cashier.
3. I saw many 3-series wagons in production there. So there are parts of the world buying them, just not here in US.
4. You'd have to see the prices posted in BMW Welt (those are for Germany). Holy s... ! At least 50% higher than ours, often topping 100% for same configs :surprise: Looking at that I can maybe forgive them for being cautious and selective what they bring to the US, even if it's not what I really like. I think we all here don't get how lucky we are when it comes to consumer good prices.
5. Everybody I met in BMW Welt speaks English, from desk clerk to waitress. I'm sure, it's really not really "everybody", but it shows US is important to them.

driver100

The Lincoln Lawyer Bah!
My son saw it and now he wants to go to law school...

He might not want a bimmer...he may want a Lincoln Town Car instead.

Kirstie_H

And what a coincidence... just had a member wanting to sell a '96 Town Car today, described as: "White outside,cream leather inside and the seats are almost immaculate!"

I mean, just in case he wants to truly emulate.

verdugo

verdugo - where in Stamford did you live?

When I first moved to Stamford, I lived in downtown (summer st.) It was great and I used to walk to work (I worked at UBS.)

I then moved to Riverside Ave (near Scalzzi park.) By the time I left, I was living off High Ridge road (Swampscott.)

I lived next door to the guy who owned the Dairy Queen downtown, but I never got free ice cream.

verdugo

A lot of people have been telling me Daniel Silva is a really good author. I will definitely put it on my list.

+1 I've read them all. Some are better than others, but there aren't any bad ones.

verdugo

Wonder if Delta or American have (will) followed suit. Euro carriers are still having open bar.

Everyone of the major has been doing that for a while. I'm not sure about the discount carriers.

Everybody I met in BMW Welt speaks English, from desk clerk to waitress. I'm sure, it's really not really "everybody", but it shows US is important to them.

It's not just the US. English is the world's lingua franca. Luckily for us, Chinese is very hard, so it'll remain like that for a long time.

dino001

Discounts don't fly to Europe at all. Before this flight I knew domestic flights had alcohol charge, but this was first time I saw same thing on transatlantic flight. I admit last time I took an American carrier it was 1998, when I came here. Later I flew Air France, SwissAir, Lufthansa, SAS, LOT. It was more coincidence (prices and schedule) than a concious choice.

Now I'm asking myself, what's wrong with those guys, really. If Scandinavian, or German airlines find a way to give you some wine to your dinner and a drink after on 8-hour flight, why is it bank breaking for United or Delta. What do they save on this? It again shows me they got American consumer conditioned to basically put up with just about anything. Funny, cause everywhere else Americans are probably most demanding customers on the planet (get it right or else), but somehow an airport seem to have gotten a federal waiver on service quality. It looks like that homeland security stuff allowed airlines to tack in some practices that would not fly (so to speak) otherwise. It's like if you voice that don't like to be mistreated you must be a terrorist (or at least you hate America), so better don't ask for a blanket or even some small consideration. Looks like to preserve American way of life, we just voluntarily decided not to have it at an airport or on a plane.

Another part seems to be Americans generally don't fly with foreign carriers (on a foreign airline plane you see 80% foreigners/immigrants and an born-American here or there) and domestic kartel knows it so why bother. It's not like if you don't like United you'll go to Lufthansa. I never flew with Middle/Far East carriers. I only heard Singapore and Emirates are best, even in coach. There is something about Asian hospitality. A friend of mine mentioned that when you come from places like Hong Kong (remember: lots of people, high traffic volumes) and touch the ground in US, the adjustment is shocking: rudeness is the word of choice (reportedly). I'm not talking just about planes, also ground crew, or even security. They still achieve their goals (no hijacked planes in Asia), yet manage to get there with better tone and tact. I don't know that for sure, that's just what people tell me.

oldfarmer50

"...Come up to Boston-it's 42"..."

My average snowfall is 60". Last year we got 96". I almost hung myself in the barn by spring. :sick:

I could, never live in Buffalo.

explorerx4

In January, we had over 6 feet of snow. I was in pretty good shape by the end of the month. It's all been downhill since then.
Used the heated seat in my Explorer for the first time today.
Bought it at the end of May.
I am pretty sure I saw your Governor today.
Saw a black Escalade with PA plates with a number something like 000001.
Maybe he was in Hartford to discuss the plot by CT and PA to take over NY.

jmonroe

I am pretty sure I saw your Governor today.
Saw a black Escalade with PA plates with a number something like 000001.
Maybe he was in Hartford to discuss the plot by CT and PA to take over NY.

He's pretty hard to confine, I think he escaped.

He's a bragger too...that's his IQ. :sick:

jmonroe

tjc78

Used the heated seat in my Explorer for the first time today.

I actually tried out the cooled seats in my car today. I think that is going to be a favorite feature of mine, especially when it is hot outside. It certainly wasn't hot today, rainy and humid.

I've never used the heated seats in any of my cars, but my fiance absolutely loves them.

fezo

+1 I've read them all. Some are better than others, but there aren't any bad ones.

Good man.

He's one of the few folks where when his new book comes out I immediately put it on hold at the library and the moment it comes in I'm hooked.

That library part is why I'm only on the new one now.

driver100

I immediately put it on hold at the library and the moment it comes in I'm hooked

At the library! How am I supposed to make a buck if you don't actually buy the book?

At this rate, there won't be a 328 hardtop convertible for me to pass on. :P

driver100

I actually tried out the cooled seats in my car today.

How do cooled seats work. Are they just designed for air circulation or are there little air conditioner units in each seat?
I guess it could be freon or something in tubes. Seriously, how does it work?

tjc78

The leather is perforated, and fans draw air through it. They work pretty well. They really shouldn't be called "cooled", ventilated is a better term

In my car if its really quiet, you can actually hear the fans turn on when you press the switch. With the car going down the road you can't hear them.

Speaking of the LaCrosse, I really like it. Great combination of ride/handling/comfort. Its not floaty, but also not at all harsh or unsettled. The car feels completely sedate until you push it a bit, once the tach hits 4K it pulls really hard and you are in "big ticket territory" quickly.

jmonroe

I actually tried out the cooled seats in my car today. I think that is going to be a favorite feature of mine, especially when it is hot outside.

I gather you didn’t have this option in your Genny but it explains everything now. If you had it all you had to do was activate it and your Genny would have put a cushion of air under you and it is like riding on your couch which because you didn’t have it, you thought your Genny rode too hard. Glad to hear that you now have a car with the options that will satisfy your love of a soft ride.

I've never used the heated seats in any of my cars, but my fiance absolutely loves them.

With the weather about to get cooler I know someone that will soon be complaining AGAIN that she wants her old Sonata back. If she weren’t about to blow some serious cash on a bath redo she could have had a new one.

jmonroe

jmonroe

The car feels completely sedate until you push it a bit, once the tach hits 4K it pulls really hard and you are in "big ticket territory" quickly.

I had that feeling coming to work this morning myself. It’s been a long time since I’ve stomped on the peddle in the Genny but I did it on the pike today. There was a train of 4 semi’s and they were taking turns passing each other for at least a mile. They do this because there is a slight grade coming up and they want to maintain their speed then they usually stay in place in the right lane going up the hill. I didn’t like being behind them so when I got the chance I got in the left lane, flashed my lights a couple times (even saw a couple of them flash theirs) and I hit it. The next thing I knew I was well over 90, the limit is 65 and I was going about 60 when this all started. When I looked behind me they were at it again just before the grade. There wasn’t a car within a quarter mile of me for a couple minutes after that.

I don’t use all of the Genny’s horses very often but it’s nice to know they are there when I want them.

jmonroe

driver100

The leather is perforated, and fans draw air through it. They work pretty well. They really shouldn't be called "cooled", ventilated is a better term

Thanks for the explanation. The new 535 will have ventilated seats, but it doesn't say anything about cooling or a fan. I have the feeling they are ventilated but not actually cooled.

Cars have come a long way. I remember on hot days all we could do was roll the windows down.....now we couldn't survive without a/c. I remember when power windows came out I thought who is so lazy they can't crank down a window. Now, I it seems pretty silly to sit and crank down a window. Once you get used to something, it is hard to go back.

Glad you are enjoying your new car. One friend has a new Regal and I was a passenger and I thought it did ride nicely and the seats were very comfortable.

driver100

I don’t use all of the Genny’s horses very often but it’s nice to know they are there when I want them.

My point exactly. I would rather arrive at the airport an hour early than an hour late (that's what I tell my wife). And, I would rather have extra horse power rather than not enough.

Sometimes when we go a certain direction we have to make a right turn onto a fairly busy street. It is nice to have the extra horses so you can turn right and keep up with traffic. We would wait a long time if it wasn't for those extra horses.

tjc78

J, that was funny about the "cushion of air". Many people would say that I have enough cushion of my own. Lol

driver100

The leather is perforated, and fans draw air through it. They work pretty well. They really shouldn't be called "cooled", ventilated is a better term

I was looking over the invoice for my 535Xi and noticed it had ventilated seats.
I checked with my friend who has a 7 Series and he said those seats do have a cool feature, so mine should be able to be ventilated and cooled off too.

Then I checked the build your own site agin and noticed if you get the M package you get $1000 off on the Premium Seat Package. A window pops up. It doesn't happen if you order the Premium Seats first.

I emailed my salesman and he checked it out. He said it looks like I am right and they will deduct another $1000 off the price of the car.

Interesting! Dealer A had a fixed price plus they added on $2500 in case of a price increase that never happened for this car so now I have saved $5000 buying it from Dealer B. My friend recommended Dealer B so I told him I owe him and his wife a nice dinner.

driver100

that was funny about the "cushion of air". Many people would say that I have enough cushion of my own

But do you ventilate?

bolivar

We have a 2005 Deville with cooled seats in the front. It's my understanding there is a 'pizo-electric' device that generates cooling, with a fan. I don't understand how it works, but it definitely is cooler than just ventilation. And I don't think there are ducts to the AC.

tjc78

In the literature for my car it does say "cooled" I always assumed it was just a fan, however, knowing GM the same unit in your Deville is probably in my LaCrosse. At any rate, I know that they will get a lot of use.

tjc78

so now I have saved $5000 buying it from Dealer B.

That is great! It will pay for some furniture for your Florida home!

As for ventilatiing...... I just can't touch that :P :P