Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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Haven't noticed any Canadian stations on Iheart.com but when you're in Tampa you can probably get it easily. Pandora plays tracks on albums, but iHEART.com actually tunes to the radio station in the city you select. I was listening to Lite FM from Chicago this evening. See if you can load iHEART.com on to your home computer. If it does load, all you do is select a city, then see if a station that plays soft rock is available. It's that easy.
I also listen to air traffic control ATC at various airports throughout the country. I used to fly a Beechcraft King Air 350 when I lived in Palm Desert CA. Owned it WIYH several other private pilots (4 of us all together). So I listen to Ft Lauderdale approach/departure and Miami approach/departure. Interesting. You can go to google and they have lots of programs that let you listen in to ATC both small regional airports and large airport approaches. Similar to iHEART.com where you choose the city, etc
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Motion detectors set off the alarm if someone tries to tow your car. Lots of cars are stolen by towing without opening any doors. If you've ever watched one of those repo reality shows you would be amazed at how quickly they can "remove" a car these days. Then they open the doors once they get the car to a safe place. Thieves are tricky these days, so better safe than sorry. :sick:
I was working a deal once on a new car but had not yet pulled a credit report because the deal had not been completed. The customer and I were sitting in an office overlooking the parking lot. This tow truck pulls up, extends its forklift prongs under my customer's car, and away it went. I motioned to my customer that his car was being towed away and all he said was - "...I guess the lease company finally caught up with me!"
So, I'm sitting there and it became quite clear this guy's credit was probably a little weak to lease a car of his car was just repossessed. So I mentioned this to him, but he says -"...don't worry, my credit is great because the repossession probably won't show up until next month - so we're good to go, right?"
So I go ahead and get the price I wanted (now that the cat was out of the bag, so to speak. I take his credit application to the sales manager and he pulls the credit report. 822 beacon score, no late payments, etc. a perfdct credit report. So the manager tells me to finish the paperwork and take the customer to finance and get the new car ready for delivery. I tell the manager about the repo that just took place on front of the dealership and his response was - "...then you better hurry up before his credit score drops!"
Couldn't believe that - so I refused to finish the sale. If I ever had to testify about what had taken place, and I sold him a car anyway, it wouldn't be the manager's hide that would be tanned, it would be mine. So, the manager turned the sale over to his pet salesman who got YHE commission for the sale - $1900 out of my pocket.
3 weeks later, the finance company refuses the deal due to a repo. The general manager of YHE dealership calls me into his office and gives me the third degree. I tell him what happened and what the sales manager said. Next day. There was an ad in the wanted section of the newspaper for a sales manager and a new salesperson. It seems that the sales manager was fired as was that star salesman because they both knowingly tried to defraud the finance company as well as the dealership.
Like I always say - be honest and you'll always be right! I have other stories about repos that I even participated in - not very pleasant. I'll tell them to you on a slow posting day.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Since ‘driver’ has done an experiment or two when Gigi has not been in the car and there have been no inadvertent alarms, I think you should prepare yourself for dinner. So, how do you like your dog food with ketchup or honey mustard? :surprise:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Further, I also look in the newspaper to see what my particular car is selling for in the classifieds. Finally, I look at different ads that dealers put in the paper to see what they are asking for my particular car at retail (understanding their car won't actually sell for that).
That gives me a high, and a low, of what I can expect on a trade (and also tells me who's lowballing me on that same trade).
Will I allow some wiggle room when I have a trade involved? Sure! However, I'm either going to be on the high end of my trade value, or I won't make a deal, given the new car I'm buying is a fixed number in my mind.
One other thing.....you traded your '12 E350? Just got it, right? Was there something you didn't like about it? I looked at those based on your reports over on the MB boards. How long did you have it?
I think we need to hand out the "Chronic Car Buyer" award over to you to put on your mantle for awhile.
I had the E350 for about 7 months. I think I got bored with Mercedes, but excellent cars, never had to take one in for problems - not once out of 6 of them. Also, I bought them for $3500-$4500 below invoice thanks to USAA special pricing and MB Financial incentives. I paid $55,000 for the 2012 (MSRP was $63,000) and they gave me $52,500 trade value, so I drive the car for 7 months for $2500 which is better than a lease. I bought the new Lexus GS350 for $54,500 less $1500 conquest incentive. MSRP was $58,850. As long as I can buy cars for that kind of money, I'll continue. When that dries up, if ever, I guess I'll have to keep one for 4 or 5 years.
Lexus rides and handles much better than the Benz.
As for your buying approach, your techniques are right on target!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
You might be right - but I'm sure driver can set the table for me with Gigi and I speak 5 different dog dialects - including French arfs.
SOUP's ON, GIGI
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I think I actually saw that movie.
How about telling us how many X’s preceded the title.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
That comment got me thinking. I work for a large technology company and a large source of software revenue comes from subscription and support. Subscription allows the customer to get software upgrades - patches and version upgrades - and support is, well, support - getting questions answered and report on software bugs. A large support organization exists just to address those customer issues.
With all the technology found in today's cars, I wonder which manufacturer will recognize this opportunity to charge customers for tech support.
Think about it - how many hours has Mike been on the phone with Lexus' corporate HQ? Who funds those resources?
Would you be willing to pay an annual fee to access that type of assistance?
Also think about situations such as nav system updates and fixes to problems like Ford is having with MyFordTouch. Rather than be charged $100-200 for a single nav upgrade, there may be an opportunity to develop stream revenue by charging an annual fee that entitles customers to upgrades and fixes.
Am curious as to what others on this board think of this.
I think when you’ve made a car so high tech that only a geek knows how to use the options, you’ve gone too far.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I likes the IS350. Tried to buy one twice. No go!
I drove the old GS. It wasn't a bad car, but you could tell it needed a total refresh (this was last year). Would love to drive the new one, though.
Sounds like a great car. Congrats!
Almost fell out of my chair when i read that one. I was thinking the same, I have been locking my car every day since Sunday, Gigi has not been left in the car since Sunday....the only common denominator for the alarm going off is Gigi being in the car!
The engineer could be right....he has worked out all the details!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I just read an article on this very subject. "How to be Happy with What You Have", and one thing they mention is cars. To be happy with your present car (or home, TV, watch or anything) you have to really appreciate it every day, and not immediately want something better or more expensive as soon as you obtain your new car. I guess the word is "savor" or "appreciate" what you have.
I know of people who obtain something beautiful or nice, and then they immediately want something more expensive as soon as they get it. The article said this was really an addiction because as soon as you get a fix you need another one.....it's a quest for more and more.
I am not saying Mike has a problem. He can trade cars every few months at a reasonable cost....not much more than if he leased the car as he says. His situation is a little different, but as with all possessions, it is important to be thanful for what you do have, and appreciate it while you have it!
Now, if I can just get this alarm fixed................
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I would be pretty upset if I had to pay to find out how the gadgets worked in the 535. I think that should be built into the price of the car.
It's like Dell computers. They had complaints about their free customer services because the reps couldn't be understood, English wasn't their first language...in some cases probably not their 2nd or 3rd either. So, they decided to charge extra if you wanted a customer service rep who spoke English. Customers were rioting in the streets. I haven't followed through but I would be surprised if they followed through on that plan.
No, I think if you buy a product you should be able to find out how it works, quickly and easily and at no charge. Now, in your business, you are adding new products, or converting existing ones, you are selling new or more services, and for that a customer may want to go on a program that offers advice for a set price.
But, that's just one persons opinion.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I agree with your assessment, however just wait until Mercedes or BMW or Infiniti start producing cars with direct web connections. I think things are truly getting out of hand. A car is meant to get you from one place to another safely and with the least distractions possible! With this new "blind spot monitor system," the driver now depends on that monitor to pick up vehicles for him rather than looking 2 or 3 times to make sure it is safe to change lanes. The "intuitive park assist" now tells the driver via beeps and special animations on the display how close he is to an object or wall front and back. I also have a back-up camera that does almost the same thing. A parking brake that is set by merely pressing a button. Navigation systems that create animations on the display to tell you which way to turn and when to turn. Heads up display giving the driver redundant information that is available in the instrument cluster. A "ride and handling" system that allows you to change the the responsiveness of YHE shocks and steering by pressing a button. The list goes on and on getting more and more complex.
Remember the good old days when you shifted your own gears and if you needed yo make a phone call, you pulled off the road and put a dime in the pay phone? Boy, those were the days!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
You won't get any arguments from me, driver! The article you are referring to is right on target. Definitely an addiction, but one I would overcome if I had to buy a car and it cost me thousands of dollars. I'm on a fairly fixed income (pension + social security. Lost almost every cent I had in my 401K in 2009. So the simple fact is if I can't break almost even every time I bought a car, I just couldn't do it. But so long as I can get these new cars at or below invoice and get top value for my trades, I'll enjoy this addiction.
This last car I bought will probably be one I will keep for a few years - not only because it drives unbelievably well, but it has more goodies on it than I will ever need or use. I am not independently wealthy, and must live within my means. Except for my car buying habits, I am quite frugal, which most of you would find hard to believe.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Brought the 2013 Mustang home today. 5 grueling weeks of waiting for it to be built. Now worth every day of waiting.
I couldn't be happier. Problem is now I've turned into Mike and don't want to take it out of the garage. It has just over 100 miles on it, waxed to perfection (or it seems like it to me) and not one scratch or chip. If only sirius worked in the garage. :shades:
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Lots of luck with the new 2013 Mustang. I know how anxious you were to get it home. What color, what engine, what transmission - come on tell us all the details. You have a all waiting on pins and needles to hear everything about it. How's the ride? How many heads turned at each traffic light, drool coming from their mouths? Come on tell us everything!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
That's exciting! We are having a pretty good year around here for new cars.
Yes, give us all the details, color-interior/exterior, hp, model, etc.
You can't keep it in the garage, if you 've got it, flaunt it.
Part of that being happy with what you got is to enjoy the moment. When you get in your car think of how great it is to be driving the car of your dreams.
Enjoy the ride................
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When I brought the Escape in I arrived under the new delivery canopy and there it was. Wow! Polished aluminum wheels, halo lights all around and 3 blink turn signals. The manager came over and asked if it was mine. I proudly said yes. He said "you did a great job ordering-It's been here one hour and I could have sold it three times" That made me feel good. Dealership will get a great CSI along with the salesman. He rode home with me to pick up the plow truck and drive it back. It was a 2 trade for 1 deal and I am very pleased.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Sounds like it's really beautiful - enjoy! It is great to drive home in something that you truly enjoy! I haven't seen any on the road because it's so new! Now, go out with your lady and flaunt a little - you worked hard for it and you deserve it!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Hey driver*, on my way down to my dealer to have the spoiler put on the rear, I caught sight of a new Passat. I have not seen this model yet and they sure have gotten bigger. It used to be a small car, but it's longer and much more refined than what I remember. It was white and I think it had an LX on the right rear - at least I think that's what the letters were. Definitely a contender in the mid sized line of cars. I think you mentioned you are thinking of white. Down here, white, silver, beige and light gray make sense because of the heat and sun.
Excellent choice!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
she was still driving her very early Saturn SL2 (maybe a '93?). was getting ratty and failed inspection big time, and needed ~$600 worth of work to even marginally pass, and likely wasn't worth it even then. So their mechanic pretty much stiff armed them into replacing it.
after visiting a few dealers, and finding nothing vaguely suitable in their (apparently not very high!) price range, they stumbled upon one at the Toyota dealer. A 2004 Corolla, with 101K on it. supposedly "spotless" per mom, new tires and brakes, etc. she said it is comfortable for her and she likes driving it, so all is well.
given that she is 80, and only put 1,500 miles on her Saturn last year, should be perfectly suitable for putting around town. ANd probably safer than a clapped out Saturn with rat belts! Nasty car.
Oh, forgot the key (sad?) part. At the moment, that was the only stick left in the family! I forgot to ask, but I assume the Yota is an automatic.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
driver - the silver of gray would be great!
(I wish it was a Mustang)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
You should see the back seat...it is like a limo back there. VW decided to build the Passat in the USA, cut out a few extras, and make it much larger for American tastes. With those new lights I find it looks a bit like an Audi. Right now we are planning on white with beige interior.
Jettas got a lot larger too, and at $3000 less are very attractively priced. But, when you are in Florida you tend to go places with other people alot, so the extra room is a nice feature.
The LX model with a spoiler and sunroof can look really nice. The Passat should make a nice Florida car, especially for my wife...she wants the standard transmission and she loves European cars.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Glad you put in your request. I'll see if my wife will change her mind............
but, if I were you, I would start dreaming of a white Passat.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Hey Mako, I know this one isn't red, but is this a 2013 Mustang? It is the first one I have seen with the new grill they seem to be using on all the new Fords, including the new Fusion.
Red is a great color for a Mustang!
This green color doesn't do the car justice....I will try to get a better picture if i know this is what I am looking for.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Pictures. We like pictures!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
For those of you that can, go back 35 years. The recent passing of disco queen Donna Summer made the 1970's flash before me.
My 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ...with 400 cubes...two tone silver/grey with red leather buckets.
Donna Summer blasting out "Love to love you, baby" on the 8 track....NOTHING was ever better than that!
Sorry to get all nostalgic on you, but those were good times. And far less complicated.
For those who are too young to know what the heck I am talking about, please forgive me.
For those who say that they can relate to that...remember those moments and treasure them.
Doug
True, but we only remember the good things. I think if you drove a 1977 Pontiac and compared it to a 2012
Pontiac, whoops, I guess a 2012 Buick or (won't say Impala because the 77 Pontiac is probably better) most new cars in a comparable price change the new car would have a lot of advantages....more comfort, better gas mileage, better handling, better design, better engineering etc. etc.It's nice to think back and to even imagine having the cars we had in the good old days....but, the reality is most things are better today, including cars.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Doug
I guess those are all the things that gave old cars "character", right?
We really are spoiled now being able to just hope in and go the vast majority of the time.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Yes, I agree, it looks a little like the A4 Audi. Really has gotten longer and the stance a little lower. Like those wheels. Since your better half (notice the word better) prefers the manual transmission, is she aware that in a front wheel drive car all she is doing is pushing rods in and out of the transaxle? Very different from a manual transmission on a rear wheel drive car - where your gear shifts are directly engaged with the transmission. Additionally, with the advent of paddle shifters with automatic transmissions, you have the control without the constant left foot engaging the clutch.
But, between you and me, I'll bet she just like having COMPLETE control over her car and is a hot rodder incognito!
Yep, nice car for Florida - white, silver, or silver, or silver, or silver.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
*stickguy, what's a choke? What's a carbeurator? hmm - I mentioned those words to my grandson and he was totally stumped. He had to look up the words in a dictionary. I think my son has the same problems with those words.
I remember, when I was a kid, that my grandmother started her '49 Chevy 2 door fastback coupe by pulling out the "C" lever on the dashboard, the "T" lever on the dashboard, and reached over to the center hump with the bottom of her foot on the accelerator and the top of her foot (toes) pressed up against a funny looking thing called a starter. Sure was an effort to get those cars started, even without cold weather or snow! Anyone else remember those starter modules on top of the center hump in the front of those cars? Then, they replaced that with a button on the left side of the dashboard in 1952.
"...gee our old LaSalle ran great, THOSE WERE THE DAYS!"
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
My later cars (of my own) I think all had automatic chokes, where you pushed the gas all the way down, and hope it worked. I much preferred the pull out lever (better control over the process),
Yeah, those were the days. A car with no AC, a stick shift, manual steering and brakes, maunal choke, roll up yourself windows, etc. But it did have the important feature, 4 wheel disk brakes!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Oh, I forgot about chokes...I had so many cars with chokes...talk about a crude device. That made me think of pumping the gas pedal and then if you did it too much you would flood the engine.
I liked my 65 Galaxie 500 that I bought in 69, but no a/c p.b. or p.s. I doubt if cars had FM radios then. No, those cars do bring back fond memories of a simpler time, but life is always full of tension and problems, and the more we have the more complicated life becomes.....but it is better overall.
Imagine a world where cars were like the 77s, we had those 1970 color TVs where you had to adjust the color all the time, and even then people looked green most of the time, we had about 10 channels....and, NO computers to keep us busy when things are slow during the day.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yes, I noted "better half" and she will appreciate that, and it is probably accurate. No, I doubt if she knows the manual will work differently in a FWD car. I didn't realize that. The FWD makes the steering much firmir, but it feels like a BMW (and probably your Lexus) in Sport + drive.
Paddle shifters just won't be the same for her...I have them in the 535 and I have never used them and I doubt if I ever will, even though I sometimes miss the manual transmission. Paddles do nothing for me.
It would have been a good idea if we could have tried a manual Passat. The BMW salesman figures only 5% of bimmers are manual, so it must be under 2% of Passats. That is why we will have to order 2013 the way we want it, or we will never find one.
I saw one today in white and it did look nice. We both have white cars now, and if the Passat is white that will make 3. Easier to remember at least when we come out of a store.
That reminds me...I went to the same grocery store where the alarm went off last time. Gigi wasn't with me and the alarm did not go off. Gigi is the only common denominator, so she is looking more and more guilty all the time.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Now we have gone full circle, back to starter buttons. Talking about going back, I see some new cars like the 2013 Fusion will have no draft windows.
Maybe some car maker will reintroduce the "choke".
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Enjoy your new toy. I know you’ve been waiting impatiently for it.
One wax job early on is a good start but you can’t stop there.
FWIW, XM on both the Genny and the Subie work in our garage just fine.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
My 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ...with 400 cubes...two tone silver/grey with red leather buckets.
I know what you mean. I had a ’75, Burgundy with a white landau top and white vinyl bucket seats. Had a friend who had a ’76 (all black) and had another friend who had a ’77 (grey with BENCH cloth seats and a 350 engine :confuse: ). I had a lot of fun with that guy. I really got him going when I told him a REAL Grand Prix had a 400 engine and bucket seats. He almost went to tears when I said that.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Hey Mike...get ready for that Kibble n' Bits dinner. :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I prefer a snack, like Beggo's. I love bacon and will roll over or play dead for a Beggo. Can that be added to the menu? Or is it Kibble 'n Bits and nothing else?
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I feed him better than my kids I think!
seems silly, when his favorite pastime when we go on walks is finding little "presents" left by the Canadian geese (driver, please take them back home!) that have infested my area, and scarfing it down. those I guess that too is "all natural"...
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The last five represent "and bark at the moon."
I'll leave it to others to figure out the first two.
The clue for the forgotten passwords -- what dogs do.
Well, since you're on Gigi's side in this I guess you should eat what she eats. I think driver said that is Pedigree. If you can't gag that down I'll ask my sons who feed their dogs Iams. Then again 'stick' offered up some of the gormet stuff his mutt eats. So, I guess you may have a choice in this by dinner time tomorrow.
Maybe you can get some more offers from the guys in here. We haven't talked dog food yet as best as I can remember. :surprise:
Look at it like this...dog food is amost a natural way of reducing plaque and you probably won't have to floss either.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl