Stories from the Sales Frontlines

jmonroe

Fire Sale

Ouch…I’m not sure how that’s going to be buffed out. :surprise:

jmonroe

driver100

Here are two Genesis sedans you can get for a bargain price.

Hope they weren't paying too much attention to their HUD.

abacomike

Lexus drivers could care less aboui revs

Yep! I agree. But this GS350 is not what your tame Lexus driver would normally buy. They buy the ES, LS and RX models. This model is not a tame model, no matter how you assess or review the engine, the technology or the handling. The car is stiff on cornering and road handling, something the typical Lexus driver would scoff at. Yes, it is smoother on the road, but not that much smoother that it would entice them to this car.

When I talked to Lexus (know several of the managers and sales people there since I worked for Lexus for a few Years in early 2000's and they were by buddies) about handling prior to the test drives, they showed me the adjustments for economy, normal, sport and sport+. When you put he suspension into sport+, it feels like a BMW, in normal or eonomy, it feels like an LS460.

But, getting back to tachs, you are right. Most don't even know what it is. I don't project tach settings on the heads up displayl, just speed.

fezo

roadburner - the only negative I see on the reviews of the Klipsch are a few folks complaining about durability. Do you buy that?

I think I'm between them and the Cambridge Soundworks I think. I can't see spending less and getting things with no bass.

Mike - I can't find the ones you mentioned but they are a little big for working out of where I am now. The two I'm looking at have nice little tweeters and a subwoofer. Yowzer. Compact and nice sound.

roadburner

fezo- I don't think you'd go wrong with either one. I haven't owned Klipsch computer speakers, but I've used Klipsch floorstanding and surround speakers for decades and I've never had a moment's trouble with any of them.

Kirstie_H

If I were buying the "last pair of speakers you'll ever buy in your life" pair of speakers, I'd definitely go B&W. I have a pair of their towers for my home - spent a small fortune on them - but there's just no comparison, IMO.

It's not just the highs and lows. The middle is where they're untouchable.
They have an iPod dock for ~$300, but the prices only go up from there. I wouldn't buy them for my PC, but I don't play music out of it. I'd consider them if I did.

fezo

I like your idea but I think $300 is out of my range. Think I'll go with the Klipsch.

The more i think about the durability thing the more I think any system like that has some wire issues - they're just easy to pull at and such. I think the complaints are mainly operator error.
B&Ws in my head....

Kirstie_H

I hear ya. They'd be out of my range right now too.

fezo

OK. Done deal. I ordered teh Klipsch.

rb - if I don't like them you can owe me...... I DO expect to like them.

tjc78

Kirstie,
I have B&W all around in my home theater (except the sub which is a Klipsch). I have nothing but great things to say about them. Equipment has come and gone but I'm not replacing them anytime soon.

Kirstie_H

They retain their value like mad as well. Not parting with mine any time soon either.

oldfarmer50

"...I get a laugh out of Lexus putting RPM..."

Most of my automatics have tach gauges but my one manual doesn't. :confuse: I suppose they are there just for show these days. It's useful in the Eclipse though, as the VVT kicks in at 4000 RPM and if you keep it in the sweet spot using the manual shift function it can be a lot of fun.

I've been busy lately because they are unusually short-handed at work and this is planting season at home. I've only been able to lurk.

Fezo--so glad you're doing well. Hope it continues to go well.

Mako1a--where are the owner reports on that Mustang? Best 0-60? # of tickets for speeding? # of young girls throwing themselves across your hood? You know, standard stuff.

Jmonroe--did you dig yourself out yet?

The old Corvette goes back on the road tomorrow and the weather may be good enough for top off driving. Can't wait.

oldfarmer50

"...the last pair of speakers you'll ever buy in your life..."

I'll stick with my system:

http://www.electricka.com/etaf/muses/music/music_prizes/grammy_awards/grammy_mul- timedia/gramophone.jpg

abacomike

tach gauges there just for show

When I had my TR6 (Triumph), my MBG-GT, my '67 Corvette Stingray 427 or my GTO, tachs were a necessity for performance shifting and to make sure you didn't go passed redline. Today, a tach on an automatic is not essential, except when you have paddle shifters and a transmission that will hold a gear until up-shifted with the paddle, where there is a danger of over-revving.

abacomike

I'm pulling into a parking space at a mall and decide to use the parking brake as there is a fairly steep incline (a rarity here in south Florida). So I lift my left foot to press down and... NO PARKING BRAKE PEDAL. I'm searching hi and low for the parking brake with no luck. I open the owner's manual and look up the right page where it is listed in the index. They show 2 buttons - one shows AUTO and the other shows BRAKE. OK now I search for these buttons. It takes me several minutes even while looking at the diagrams to locate them. The BRAKE button, located under the start button behind the steering wheel sets the parking brake electronically. You release the brake by pulling the button toads you. The AUTO button is pushed to "ON" and a light glows. It sets brake when put in park and releases in drive.

Unbelievable!

tjc78

I did the same thing in my car. I was like "where is the parking brake?". It's a button on the console. I don't have the auto hold though, that is sweet.

Sounds like you are really enjoying your car.

fezo

Nice time tonight. The Coaches vs. Cancer were here for a nice Italian dinner and to hang and chat.

Well, I'm a Rutgers grad and who is there but Mike Rice the head BB coach there. I was the only Rutgers guy there so I had him all to myself for an hour and a half. We talked Rutgers sports, what I'm going through and just a bunch of stuff. Had a ball. Almost makes one forget one is cooped up here for months which I suppose is the point...

driver100

The BRAKE button, located under the start button behind the steering wheel sets the parking brake electronically. You release the brake by pulling the button toads you.

I think all these manufacturers get together and bring out the same things the same year. My parking brake is also a button you press down to engage and you pull up to turn off.

How do all the manufacturers come out with the same ideas the same year?
ABS, traction control, voice control, bluetooth, HUDs, start buttons, 4 modes-econo, comfort, sport and sport+, etc etc. I think there must be collusion.

abacomike

coming out the same year with...

Yes, the AUTO button is just a little above the BRAKE button. When pushed, a little green light glows inside the button. When you put the transmission in PARK, the Parking Brake sets automatically. When you put it in drive, it disengages the Parking Brake.

I think tomorrow I am going to count all the buttons in the car to get a better idea of what this thing has.

2 buttons for ventilated seats
2 buttons for heated seats
2 buttons rear for heated seats
8 buttons rear for radio, climate control, etc.
1 button for Park Assist
1 button for rear sun shade
4 buttons for heads up display
8 buttons just below the display screen for ventilation, heat, A/C
1 large controller on the console for the computer screen
2 buttons on the console, one for map/voice and the other for menue
1 button for push start function
8 buttons on side of drivers seat for seat positioning
8 buttons on side of passenger seat for seat positioning
4 buttons on drivers door for memory seats
4 buttons on passsenger's door for memory seats
3 buttons for selecting left/right side view mirror and then rotating/moving
4 buttons for window on drivers door
2 buttons for lock/unlock

I can go on and on and I haven't even scratched the surface yet as I have not counted the myriad of buttons on the rear view mirror for garage doors, etc., or the buttons on the bulk head for Lexus Enform, interior lights, rear lights, and I haven't mentioned the buttons on the passnegers door or rear passsenger doors.

This is truly unbelievable.

Buttons everywhere - including one in my navel area.

mako1a

Mako1a--where are the owner reports on that Mustang?

I wish I had a report to give. Building a custom car takes 5 to 6 weeks.

I am going a little crazy wishing this would all get done, but they tell me

week of the 14th it will be delivered to my driveway and they'll drive the

plow truck back to the dealership. I did ask if I could throw in the Escape

and up the ante for a 2013 V-8 on the lot now. Surprisingly they said yes.

I'm still thinking on that one.

driver100

1 button for Park Assist

Is that the button that parallel parks the car alll by itself? I thought I had lots of buttons but you certainly out-button me.

driver100

I did ask if I could throw in the Escapeand up the ante for a 2013 V-8 on the lot now.

Now it's getting interesting. I can just see a little devil on one shoulder and a little angel on the other shoulder. I wonder which one will win?

fezo

I obviously should have developed a business as a button supplier to Lexus....

mako1a

little devil on one shoulder and a little angel on the other shoulder

I check Magic City Ford for new arrivals daily.

2013 Mustangs

More buttons may be incentive.

jmonroe

I did ask if I could throw in the Escape

and up the ante for a 2013 V-8 on the lot now. Surprisingly they said yes.

I'm still thinking on that one.

If you've thought about the V6 or the V8 more than twice, and money is not an issue, you're not going to be satisfied with the V6. At least that's the way it was when I got the V8 Genny. You can fool everyone else with your reasoning but it's almost impossible to fool yourself.

jmonroe

mako1a

I just got my driving points back to zero a few months ago.

Also, I thought (wrongly) that the V8s required hi test gas.

If I was 20 years younger, V6 would not even be considered.

I've driven both and even though 306HP and 420HP seem a

lot different, Ford has made both of them similarly manageable.

abacomike

park assist - is that what parks the car ?

No, thank goodness. We don't have parallel parking in most cities in Floida. We have nose first parking everywhere where you pull in and back out. In addition to a rear camera, if you activate PARK ASSIST, it turns on parking sensors front, front left and right as well as sensors rear, rear left and rear right. Don't expect I will be using those much, but rear camera will be used every time I back up. I believe the self-park system is only available on the LS460.

With Lexus Enform, I hook up my iPhone to the computer system via a USB connection found in the center console. Can download Pandora, Bing and a few other data programs. Streaming, I think it's called, for music.

I find that NAV traffic was much better on the Mercedes than in the Lexus as is Weather which is all downloaded from Sirius Radio. Lexus uses XM so I wonder if that is the reason. One feature from XM that was not supported in the Mercedes if FUEL PRICING. I start voice control and say "FUEL PRICING" and 30 to 40 gas stations po up in the 12" screen showing Regular, Midgrade or premium gasoline prices depending on your pre set preference for listing fuel by grade. So far, pricing is correct as I've tried out a few.

jmonroe

I've driven both and even though 306HP and 420HP seem a

lot different, Ford has made both of them similarly manageable.

OK...if you say so. :surprise:

jmonroe

nyccarguy

I agree with you mako1a. Sure, who wouldn't LOVE a V8 5.0 Mustang? I'm certain I probably broke your chops about it in the past (about buying the V6). The 300 hp V6 might give you more useable, everyday power. Like if you are going 60 on the turnpike & want to blow past a couple of trucks. You'll dip into the V6 Mustang's throttle & be happy passing the slow pokes at 85. Do the same in a GT and you'll hit triple digits REAL quick. I won't discourage either car.

This advice is coming to you from the guy who recently acquired a BMW with "only" 230 horsepower.

abacomike

I was on my way home from the Apple Store in Boca Raton yesterday on a major street artery when this county police car, no lights flashing and no siren, passes a red light on a cross street in front of me doing at least 70 miles per hour. He comes within 5 feet of slamming into this little Fiat 500 2 door (that new import sold at Chrysler/Dodge dealers). I had no idea where he was going and, if on an emergency call, why no siren and why no flashing lights?

Who protects the public from these idiots? If this cop had hit that Fiat, the woman driver would have been killed, for sure. And the county sheriff would have stood behind the cop, as they do with all these rogue cops. If course I have total respect for these hard working men and women who put their lives on the line every single day, but to almost kill a woman who was driving within the legal limit because this cop was in a hurry with no regard for human life is unforgivable!

This sort of thing is not an isolated occurrence! The evening news is filled with similar stories. A few months back, a state trooper goes on a high speed chase trying to pull over a Miami-Dade patrolman in his speeding marked car on the Florida Turnpike. When stopped, this cop said he was late for his moonlighting job. He was doing 90 mph. Then, to get back at this trooper for having the nerve to stop a fellow police officer, Miami-Dade patrol cars start pulling over state troopers for absolutely no reason. This went on for a week or so until more same minds began to prevail.

Who protects us during these illegal chases from being hurt or killed? The police or sheriff's deputies? Yeah, right!

driver100

I check Magic City Ford for new arrivals daily

You will drive yourself crazy if you keep doing that. You have to buy it and say, that's it!

Big difference in price between a V6 and V8!

Also, they have a lot of manuals, that surprises me. BMW dealer says probably around 5% of the cars they sell are manuals. When we looked at the 2012 328 the cost of a manual is the same as an automatic. The Passat (had to work that in here) cost $1100 more for automatic.

If you keep looking at those new cars on the Magic site you will want them all.

I have to agree with Monroe....if you really want the 406 HP make sure you aren't talking yourself into the 300 hp engine, or you will wish you got it, and may end up spending more because you will trade in early to get it.

driver100

One feature from XM that was not supported in the Mercedes if FUEL PRICING

Is there a setting to find out what flavors are available at the closest Baskin and Robins?

fezo

Save yourself the $1,100. I'll be happy to inherit a stick....

abacomike

nearest Baskin Robbins

Only God knows! If there is such a setting, I'll never find it. I just found out where the Parking brake was! Maybe this morning when I go out grocery shopping, I'll be successful in finding out how the lights work! Even though I've had two presentations on the car's technology, for some reason my brain is crashing just like an overloaded CPU.

Even the delivery specialist has dome problems with finding sub-routines for settings. I guess I'll have to start reading that 3" thick manual cover to cover. I tried talking to the computer, but I guess it does not understand me. I said CANCEL and it did not understand the command. I think I'm in big trouble now!

fezo

No worries. In no time you'll be setting it to the nearest Awful Awful. Of course that will be in Rhode Island.....

tjc78

I have to agree with Monroe....if you really want the 406 HP make sure you aren't talking yourself into the 300 hp engine, or you will wish you got it, and may end up spending more because you will trade in early to get it.

What a great time to buy cars when the "base" engine is over 300HP and gets almost 30 MPG on the highway!

jmonroe

I have to agree with Monroe....if you really want the 406 HP make sure you aren't talking yourself into the 300 hp engine, or you will wish you got it, and may end up spending more because you will trade in early to get it.

I wasn’t looking for anyone’s agreement between the V6 or the V8. I just wanted to state that if you are THINKING about it a time or two you more than likely have a preference and you might be trying to convince yourself that the V6 is PROBABLY just fine. I’m talking from my own experiences through life and what I have seen others do. Living in the Burgh area with its hilly terrain I know when I have a choice of engines I go with the larger one.

I’ve mentioned this before, my SIL in Delray Beach is on her second Genny V6. The first was an ’09 and then just last May she got one of those “come see how much your car is worth” mailers and she got an ’11. Even got her payment for her lease down about $6 too. I don’t know how she pulled that off but she did. Anyway, I’ve driven both of those cars and they are identical as far as I can tell, and down there on level roads, that car is fine. No doubt about it. It has plenty of power but I can obviously tell the difference between it and my V8. Although I haven’t driven the V6 around here I know I wouldn’t be satisfied with it, especially after having owned the V8. Using this same reasoning is why I went to Columbus to get Mrs. jmonroe’s 2012 Legacy Limited. I wanted a 6 not a 4 and as large as the dealer’s inventories were here in the Burgh area in November 2011, they didn’t have the 6 in the color and options I wanted. Honest, I don’t drive 3 plus hours for my health to get a car.

Since we are talking about cars with power, just yesterday morning as I was coming off the PA Pike I was merging into traffic on an interstate. This spot is a heavy merge area and coming off the pike ramp you are warned about this. I see an opening and I step on it to get up to speed as fast as I can like I ALWAYS do. Low and behold after I’m on the road and I look in my mirror as I’m slowing down to take the first exit that is only about an 1/8 of a mile from the ramp, I can see that I pulled out in front of a state trooper. I didn’t come close to cutting him off but now he’s right behind me as I take the off ramp from the interstate. I’m turning right at the stop sign and he’s in the left lane. We are now parallel waiting our turn at the stop sign. He motions to me to put down my window and says, “I was leaving you plenty of room to pull out but I can see you didn’t need that much room. I see you have the V8. I have a friend who has a 2010 V8 and I’ve driven it a few times. I DO like how that car moves”.

All of what I just said about a 6 vs. an 8 only holds true if money is not an issue. Thankfully, for me it wasn’t. I have a bad habit but I can afford it.

jmonroe

tjc78

I've driven the V8. Quite a beast. What I found was that off the line they felt pretty similar, but on the highway at say 60-65 the V8 just never ran out of breath. I really couldn't believe the surge of power.

300HP is enough for me, I'm a heavy foot as it is and more power just feeds the habit. Overall despite the Buick having a few more HP the Genesis (being lighter) was a tad quicker but not enough to matter in the grand scheme.

driver100

Save yourself the $1,100. I'll be happy to inherit a stick....

Thanks for that bit of information.....you didn't seem to like the idea of white with a moonrock (light gray) interior, while you're submitting your preference, what color would you like us to get? I'll see if my wife likes your suggestion.

driver100

I've had two presentations on the car's technology, for some reason my brain is crashing

Before you are allowed to buy some cars you should have to take a course at Lexus U!
We have an IT guy at work that can figure out anything....I think your car was meant for geeks, I mean people like him.

I hope you figure out how the lights work, you might just need them.

btw, my bmw dealer has a guy who will answer all these questions any time after I buy. I would write down everything you need to know, make an appointment, and go in one day. You will have specific questions once you have the car awhile. Slowly, you will have enough knowledge to get by at least.

driver100

I wasn’t looking for anyone’s agreement between the V6 or the V8.

Sorry, I didn't mean to agree with you. I was speaking from experience too. I got a 328 because I thought that was the prudent thing to do, better gas mileage, more than enough power, how much power does one need.

My wife wanted the 335. There is a huge difference. Much smoother gear shifting for one...it allows for a lot more imperfection...you can go longer in each gear. The extra power is there when you need it. Steering and handling are tighter and firmir. Well worth the difference in price if you can afford it.

It might cost $500 or $600 a year to drive the car you really want - using the Driver Dollar Cost Averaging Method - but if you want it go for it...you won't be sorry later and say I wish I had bought the one with the more powerful engine.

abacomike

i hope you figure out how the lights work

Well, I've already done that. Went in Monday and spent an hour with their guy. Went home and still a lot of that stuff didn't sink in, so I wrote down a list of about 18 items and went in there yesterday for a car wash and sat down with him again in a floor model and went through the systems.

Now I'm not stupid - I have a PhD. in Educational Administration, so I do have some intelligence - but your IQ has nothing to do with figuring out these things. You are right - a geek would have a ball in this car - probably spend hours and hours with the controller and all the sub routines available. I haven't even asked about syncing the phone to the computer and Enform so I can use Bing and Pandora - that's at least a few months away - after I learn to find the steering wheel!

abacomike

take a course at Lexus U

Yes, I need another degree or two, for sure. I think this problem started when I fell in love with the handling and ride of the car and it's looks and styling, inside and out, without first asking if this car is user friendly with its systems. That might have prevented me from this purchase - who knows?

I just assumed it was like Mercedes and BMW - but no - it's more like NASA!

nyccarguy

More food for thought on buying a V6 powered muscle car. I do business with a salesman who is on his 2nd V6 Challenger. The 1st was an '09 SE that he liked, but it was nothing special in the looks or the performance dept (250 hp V6 mated to a 5 speed slush box). He traded it in for a '12 Challenger V6 (now the pentastar) with 18 or 19" wheels. It definitely looks the part. He's more than happy with the performance of the 306hp V6.

dino001

I would actually write to the city/county (whoever "owns" the cop). I was once tailgated by a police car, wrote an email to the City and got a phone call within an hour. It turned out it wasn't their vehicle, but it was very nice to see the officials took it seriously. If you described the incident in detail, including place and time, you may be surprised.

nyccarguy

Just to echo what some others are saying here, definitely DO NOT try and talk yourself into buying the V6 if you really WANT (and can afford) the V8. Even if you are rarely going to use the extra power, it is nice to know its there. Plus you can brag about your 420 hp V8 on the Internet;)

For me it depends on the car. I'm perfectly happy with the base 230 horsepower I6 in my 328xi. I think also just from a cost standpoint alone, if I'm going for a German car that I'm going to have to stick with the base engine. There is a part of me that's always wanted a V8 though. If I were ever in the market for a full sized sedan, I'd say to myself: "Well, it's not going to handle like my Prelude or my BMW so I might as well get the V8"

Genesis - which I would never consider because of jmonroe's XG350 horror story, I'd get the V8.
Chrysler 300 - Gotta go for the Hemi
Dodge Charger - Gotta go for that Hemi baby

driver100

That might have prevented me from this purchase - who knows?

I know my 5er doesn't compare to your Lexus in the gadget department. But, it was pretty overwhelming for me at first too. Slowly you will get to know the things you want to use and know about, and you will do it without even thinking.

Look at the brightside, you aren't going to get tired and bored with this car too soon. It might take you 2 years to learn how most of the electronics work.
By then you may want to keep it because the next one you will need a special engineering degree before you can buy one.

abacomike

...look at the bright side...

I don't think a special engineering degree will help with this car. Maybe a special "GEEK" degree or something like that.

I tried voice recognition today (I try something new everytime I get into the car) and I couldn't get the darn thing to accept a command. Then, I was told by Lexus that I have to go into one of the sub menus and enable "expanded" voice command. Good grief, how am I going to handle expanded voice command when I can't even get the darn thing to accept "turn radio on" or "radio on". The response was, "...pardon? I didn't get that...please...." Do you see what I'm up against? Now, I have to spend a few hours trying to access expanded voice command. That should be fun!

Yes, by the time I figure out what is going on, The 2014 will be introduced in
September of 2014.

As for getting tired or bored with this car, there is no chance of that happening. I can tell you one thing, boredom is the furthest thing from my mind in describing these experiences.

At least I found a short-cut button on the lower dash to access audio more quickly instead of having to navigate with the mouse to the radio or audio setting page when all I wanted to do was change bands and select a channe.

Yes, I'll get there, but the trip should be an exceiting one.

jmonroe

The response was, "...pardon? I didn't get that...please...." Do you see what I'm up against?

Yes, I see what you mean. If I didn’t know better I’d say you were in Mrs. j’s Subie because that is what I get when I tried talking to her car. Pardon…Pardon... Well, PARDON MY [non-permissible content removed], IF YOU WERE LISTENING TO WHAT I SAID YOU’D KNOW WHAT THE HELL I’M TALKING ABOUT. Do you sense a little frustration on my part? :mad:

Like I said, when I get back from our vacation to Disney World (that starts when I have to leave my driveway tomorrow morning at 4 AM. Thank you Son #1 for inviting us ) I’m going to the Subie dealer for a one on one session.

jmonroe

mako1a

if you really want the 406 HP make sure you aren't talking yourself into the 300 hp engine

NYC, amazingly enough I don't really have anyone to impress except myself.

Wife has her Denali, BIL drives an 88 P/U and an old 49 Chevy restorer, SIL has a 97 Jimmy, my cousin had a windstall (not sure if she's still fighting that one).
Best buddy has a 2004 Silverado and a 77 Corvette I gave him. I'm the only one that cares about cars as more than A to B grocery getters.

Wife's brother is a doctor and has everything. Shelby GT 500, Ford GT (yes, the $160k one) pair of 69 Camaros, 08 Vette, etc. He lives 800 miles away.