Stories from the Sales Frontlines

tjc78

Looks impressive. I wonder what the pricing will be. It appears to come fully loaded only. I'm thinking around 45-47k at least. A lot of performance for the money.

abacomike

Mike, I think you should see if that new grill will fit on your present car...it will look like a 2014 and cost a lot less.

Nope, front end is completely redesigned with new front lighting. I ordered the special lighting package with full LED lights. Interior is also completely redesigned with larger NAV screen, new center quartz clock, new AC vents, wider and thicker front seating, etc. like I said, they discontinued the natural beige leather and I didn't want a white car with black interior. The beige and gray interiors are too light.

That's why I changed the colors to Iridium Silver and black leather. Need to have leather seating for the ventilated seats.

The silver is $800 less than diamond white.

I guess, if I can buy the car for the pricing I want, I'll take it when it arrives at the dealership. If not, I'll keep my Diamond White 2013. Simple as that. Fuel economy goes to 23/32 on the 2014, which is a 10% improvement. We'll know by mid to end of April if there will be another sales story from me!

oldfarmer50

"...how is it secret, if you know about it?..."

LOL, I guess I have low friends in high places.

Wal-Mart (WMT -3.1%) responds to a leaked internal memo indicating February sales are weak by...
Friday, February 15, 2:48 PM ET
Wal-Mart (WMT -3.1%) responds to a leaked internal memo indicating February sales are weak by noting to CNBC that an executive was issuing an opinion rather than any official company data. While true, the alarm bells are still ringing. The Wal-Mart VP of finance and logistics on February: "The worst start to a month I have seen in my ~7 years with the company." Look for the topic to come up during the firm's earnings conference call on February 21.

mako1a

Gas prices in Virginia have gone up 40 cents per gallon

That's because they were the lowest in the nation until the Governor

decided to discuss removing gas tax and raising sales tax thus

making moot, the low gas prices we had been getting.

mako1a

RWD, 415 horsepower V8, 50/50 weight distribution, Sport Tuned Chassis, Nice Looking, HId Headlights

Add 5 more HP and you could be talking Mustang GT.

Not to blow Ford's horn, but GM never replaced their design crew from the 60s-70s. Except for Corvette, GM has ZERO in the looks department.

That SS may be aimed at police depts that can still afford to buy HP.

houdini1

Bloomberg reported this about 2 PM on Friday. Wal Mart stock price dropped over 2% after the report. Kind of silly...but looks like a good buying opportunity.

stickguy

don't make an appointment. No need for it, and that would imply you were serious about buying!

Just go in at about 10:00 on Tuesday, and odds are you will be the only customer in the place.

Just do what I do. Tell them you got the flyer, and since you had been wanting to check out an IS for a while, figured it was kismet, so you came in. If they ask, tell them you may not be buying immediately, but have been considering making a change soon and wanted to know if the IS was worth the cost.

Heck, it is a Lexus dealer. They will be too polite to throw you out. Besides, dealers know once they get you hooked on the car, sometimes the checkbook comes out. Just please, drive the Eclipse there, and not the GMC or your schoolbus!

stickguy

I seem to recall reading at one point that Walmart was almost an inverse of the health of the US economy. basically, when people were doing well, they shopped at a "real" store, but when the economy and jobs went in the dumper, people went to wally world more to save a few $ at the expense of quality (and in some stores, personal hygiene).

stickguy

Chevy is coming out with a civilian version of the Holden police car? I did not know that. Thought it was to be cops only.

Not that I have any interest in a giant barge like that. way too big. A 3 series is about the biggest I would ever want for daily driver.

houdini1

If that was true, as bad as our economy has been for the last 5 years, Wal Mart's stock price would be higher than Apple's. Plus, I know a lot of "millionaire next door" types who shop there.

abacomike

How is it secret, if you...

I saw the same info in this morning's business section...worst profits and sales in 7 years...per Walmart VP. So I guess it isn't a secret any more.

He attributed the decline to increased payroll taxes (social security) and delayed income tax refunds.

I think he is wrong - I think our economy is headed for another dip. Morgan Chase also reported significant declines. Our economy is in for a loss on GDP this first quarter.

If that is the case, purchasing high ticket items over the next 6 months could be a wise move if you have available cash.

mako1a

Chevy is coming out with a civilian version of the Holden police car?

Just to bring our friends here up to speed> Holden is Australian and GM has teamed up with them for hi performance cars like the 2004-2007 GTO (the kangaroo goat). So it is very possible GM will use them for cop cars with the demise of the Crown Vic and the real Chevy Impalas.

driver100

That's because they were the lowest in the nation until the Governor
decided to discuss removing gas tax

When we arrived in Florida on Christmas Day gas was $3.29. Yesterday it was $3.77. Something is going on!!!!!

driver100

If that is the case, purchasing high ticket items over the next 6 months could be a wise move if you have available cash.

I think I hear another reason for buying that 2014 E.

abacomike

When we arrived in Florida on Christmas Day gas was $3.29. Yesterday it was $3.77. Something is going on!!!!!

At the beginning of January, I was paying $3.69.9 go premium. I filled it up last week and paid $4.05.9 a gallon. We have no shortages of oil or refining capacity! Looks like the oil companies decided to make more profit than the did last year.

Something is definitely going on, but no one in Washington cares. This is another possible reason for a double dip recession this year.

driver100

possible GM will use them for cop cars with the demise of the Crown Vic and the real Chevy Impalas.
">
Seems most police departments are using the Taurus these days. That is what Tampa is going to use, and they are going back to the classic black and white colors.


Ford’s cancellation of its Crown Victoria means law enforcement officials have to rethink their police car fleet purchases. To fill the void, General Motors Chevrolet has introduced its police-ready Caprice, Dodge has updated its Charger and Ford — wanting to hold on to its sales-dominant position in the segment — has come out with its Taurus Police Interceptor. To give police departments some objective purchase advice, the Michigan State Police annually rank the bad-guy-chasing vehicles in acceleration, braking, and vehicle dynamics tests. And from a report on Jalopnik.com, the Ford sedan is the top performer. While the GM and Dodge vehicles use rear-wheel-drive and eight-cylinder engines, the Taurus uses a turbocharged six and all-wheel-drive.
Driving.ca

kyfdx

Maybe Wal-Mart sales are down, because the middle class is doing better, and can go back to shopping at Macy's and Target?

Just saying....

houdini1

More likely they can't afford the gas to drive to Wal Mart.

kyfdx

Our local police decided on the Charger for their new rides.... Said contrary to appearance, the Charger had the best visibility, access and emergency handling.... plus, the V-8... Our force doesn't have take-home cars, so they are in use 24/7... They think the V-8 adds durability..

roadburner

It looks really nice, but it will be a bit pricey, according to C&D- they are projecting an MSRP close to $40,000. For that price I'd rather have a CPO E60 M5 or E90 M3- but then I'm always thinking what used sleds my $$$ will buy...

abacomike

Maybe Wal-Mart sales are down, because the middle class is doing better, and can go back to shopping at Macy's and Target?

Just saying....

Target, probably. Macy's, probably not. Average household yearly incomes have fallen 8% since 2010. Prior to 2007, household incomes rose 5% per year. Credit card debt is down and savings are up. That is indicative of a "contracting" economy. 50% of the population receives food stamps compared to 32% in 2000. Social Security Disability has risen 19% since 2007. More indications of contracting economy.

roadburner

Seems most police departments are using the Taurus these days. That is what Tampa is going to use, and they are going back to the classic black and white colors.

Here's hoping that the police Taurus has better brakes than the SHO with the "Performance Package". A friend who is an HPDE instructor has an SHO with that package and after just five laps of Putnam Park road course the brakes nearly caught fire...

roadburner

My local Fiat dealer had a Valentines Day contest on their Facebook page; send them your cheesiest pick up line and possibly win an Abarth t-shirt. I won a shirt with the following submission:

"Baby, your legs must be tired- 'cause you've been running through my mind all night long."

My wife was SO proud... :P

imidazol97

2014 SS



http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/201- 3/Feb/0215-chevy-ss.html

oldfarmer50

"...drive the Eclipse there and not the GMC or your school bus..."

When I bought the Eclipse I rolled in driving my old Cirrus dressed like someone from the homeless shelter. I kind of like it when they underestimate me. It would be a blast to roll in there in the rusted out old van wearing jeans and my ski parka with the busted zipper.

However, for a trip to Lexus I might have to dig out the one suit I own and put on a tie.

bwia

Average household yearly incomes have fallen 8% since 2010. Prior to 2007, household incomes rose 5% per year.

Well, here are the official statistics from the Bureau of Labor statistics. Then again, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics. http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm

abacomike

Well, here are the official statistics from the Bureau of Labor statistics. Then again, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics.

I think it's time to leave this forum and Edmunds - I have never been called a liar before, but I guess there's always a first time.

Enjoy your life bwia!!!

Bye all

cdnpinhead

have been strong, much too strong. Everyone needs to take a deep breath. Mike has added a lot to the board over the past months, and I'm guessing no one wants to see him go.

I monitor the sales of aerospace castings within my company. We buy upwards of $165M in castings annually direct; our machining suppliers buy even more. Those expenditures have dropped 8.5% over the past two quarters, after 9 consecutive quarters of increases. This is a leading indicator, since castings are the longest lead time items in our supply chain.

Make of it what you will.

This isn't something I read somewhere; it's something I generate myself and have for over 12 years.

nyccarguy

Mike - if you are still reading, please don't go. You are a good guy & I for one enjoy your company!

sterlingdog

Mike, you can't leave us. You're my only educator friend on this forum. You're not feeling well and it contributes to your being on edge. That's natural for any of us.

You and I know that bwla was posting a government report, and how much we trust the ink on that paper. Bwla didn't mean that you were a liar. He even agreed that statistics can be like lies. As educators, you and I know what can be done with statistics. I'm in total agreement with you. I still see people suffering to make ends meet and I think that we'll see another dip. As for gas here in North Carolina, it's gone up 25 cents in the last two days! Our cable company sent a letter last week that monthly bills will increase by $5 per month beginning in March. Our local utility rates also increased last month. As for an improving economy, I just can't wrap my brain around it. Saying it 500 times a day doesn't make it true.

Get well and don't let us get to you. We all mean well, whether we type it correctly on our keyboard or not. You have too much to offer here to just disappear on us. Have a nice glass of wine and post again.

Richard

houdini1

Mike, I was just trying to put my post together when Richard pretty much summed up my thoughts for me. I could not have said it better and agree with him 100%.

Remember, this forum is like the Hotel California...you can check in but you can never check out.

driver100

I think it's time to leave this forum and Edmunds

Please don't believe. I don't think bwia was saying you were a liar...at least I hope not. I thought he was saying statistics can mean different things, depending on which ones you read.

Even if he did mean it the way you interpreted it, which is also possibility, big deal, we all just try to do our best with any information we post, we aren't experts and we aren't paid for our time.

You have given us a lot of good useful information and your posts have added to the forum....please hang in there.

stickguy

that was just an old quote about statistics. Did not read the comment as being a personal attack, more like a conceptual comment!

houdini1

I also think that was the case. Hopefully bwia will clarify for us.

bwia

I don't think bwia was saying you were a liar...at least I hope not. I thought he was saying statistics can mean different things, depending on which ones you read.

Precisely Driver. Mike, I did not intend to offend you. A thousand pardons and I am so sorry for upsetting you on this pleasant Saturday evening.

As to the quote attributed to me, I was simply trying to use the old expression about statistics, and not you being a liar. You have been a valuable contributor to this forum and I enjoy reading your many informative posts especially on the sales and marketing end of the car biz.

Once again, mea maxima culpa.

stickguy

He has to stay. We need the 2x year sales stories!

mako1a

mea maxima culpa
And I didn't even know you spoke French. j/k I know it's Latin...I was joking.

Mike has been going thru a double dose lately. Fall and Nasty virus. I'm sure

he will find his center once again after his ailments clear up and meds stop.

I'm wondering how we can attract someone here from Great Britain. This is

a worldwide site afterall. I would like to know how car sales etc work in the UK.

stickguy

Look around for Magnette. He is in the UK. And there is at least 1 guy (Graham Peters?) from down under. Almost the same thing.

fezo

Same, Mike I thought that he was calling the statistics lies. That's how I read if before seeing your response.

Meanwhile, a sign of better things for one used car dealer anyway - I bought a 2004 Mazda 6 wagon (with a stick no less - I've been in automatic purgatory too long). Nice deal and wonderful car. The mechanic who checked it out did a nice report and said the only thing it needs is a rear wiper blade.

Originally this was going to replace the Accord that my daughter blew the engine on but between when I first saw the Mazda in my shopping and today we ended up putting a used engine in the Accord but by then I was hooked. So now we have 5 cars for 4 drivers but that is likely to change as we may retire the Celica in which case that daughter would get the Camry and my wife and I would split time between the Solara and the Mazda.

There will be some financial finagling but we'll be OK. I fronted the Accord repair and gave my daughter a payment plan.

sterlingdog

I've been trying to get back here but have had situations preventing it. I caved in and agreed to consult for the community college two days a week through April. Then our upstairs heat/air unit died. I've been dealing with the home warranty company for the last week. They never want to come across with the money. I finally got them moving toward a solution. Then we replaced the shrubbery on the front of the house---35 years old and beginning to die. We had to search for full grown box woods; we haven't got the time to watch them grow. Naturally, that wasn't a cheap project.

Let's see now. Since my last visit, you have covered refrigerators, hiring lawyers, cruise ships, doc fees, and a few nice posts dealing with cars. I'll endeavor to be brief.

1. Refrigerators---Yes, Jmonroe, an antique ice box does have value now. You can pay anywhere from $1K to $3K for a decent one. I remember my grandmother's and how I wish that I had it.

2. Hiring lawyers---Been there, done that and it isn't cheap. As I've said here before, people can holler "Sue!" all they want, but try paying for your attorney. When we had to sue the evil BIL to protect my wife's share of the farm property, it took nearly two years and quite a bit of money. It's not for the faint of heart or faint of the wallet.

3. Cruise ships---Been on three cruises and enjoyed them. What happened to The Triumph would not prevent me from going again. Accidents happen, but when you consider the number of cruises booked each day, the mishaps are a small percentage of the total.

4. Doc fees---We've had this discussion a hundred times. I'm with GG---give them your price and walk if you don't like what they say.

GG: Great description of the Chicago Car Show. I enjoyed your comments.

Roadrunner: Thanks for always trying to keep us on track. Most of your posts deal with something about cars.

Richard

roadburner

My son and I just saw The Who in Louisville- the "Quadrophenia and More" tour. Just brilliant. The opening act was a R&B Motown styled act called "Vintage Trouble"- they were great as well. Here is a little sample.
A great night!!!

driver100

one used car dealer anyway - I bought a 2004 Mazda 6 wagon

Sounds like a nice car...and all the mechanic could find wrong was one wiper blade.

Let us know your driving impressions. There are few wagons offered in the USA these days...people prefer SUVs or vans, but wagons make a lot of sense. Alawys good to have at least one in the fleet.

Congratulations and thanks for the car sales story.

abacomike

Precisely Driver. Mike, I did not intend to offend you. A thousand pardons and I am so sorry for upsetting you on this pleasant Saturday evening

My apologies, bwia, and to the rest of my friends on Edmunds. I just got home from being in the hospital for 2 days for dehydration. My electrolytes were way out of kilter and spent most of my time in the hospital (again) in the washroom. I've been so sick and in pain for the past 2 weeks that I allowed my usual calm demeaner to get the best of me. I took something that you said (posted) personally rather than universally.

When you posted the US Gov't statistics, they did not answer or provide evidence of what I was trying to convey to my friends here on Edmunds. Household incomes in 2010 averaged (could me median income, I forgot which) at $54,000+. Currently, the average is $51,000+, which is scary to most of us. Especially after so many years of gains well over 5% per year.

I though you were trying to communicate that what I had posted was contrary to what the US Gov't statistics show, thus calling my comments "lies, false, etc."! Once you explained your intent, (and thank goodness I opened some of my emails this morning when I got home from the hospital), I saw your explanation.

Again, my sincerest apologies to you, bwia, as well as everyone else. I am just so tired of being sick and physically in pain. Hopefully, this too shall pass.

fezo

Hey, Mike! Very good to have you back. We all understand what you are going through and I'll bet all of us have reacted that way at one time or another. I know I have.

No harm no foul.

driver100

I'll bet all of us have reacted that way at one time or another.

Never happened to me. :P

gogiboy

"Mike, you can't leave us. You're my only educator friend on this forum."

R--

Where's the love? Or did you mean public educator? Or maybe it's my lack of postings.

I'm a bit less pessimistic, but I do see a dip if those dips in DC can't deal with the looming sequester debacle.

As for statistics I'm reminded of the quote attributed to Stalin that goes something like: if you kill one person and that's murder, if you kill millions that's statistics. He should know.

Like you I'm disappointed in the continual gouging in which cable--or in my case satellite--companies engage. So much so that I keep debating about dropping them in favor of an HD antenna for local stations and subscriptions to Netflix (I already have) and Hulu Plus, which will run a lot less than my monthly satellite. I'm not that big into sports so I can live without those channels and at least 80% of my basic package is stuff I never, ever watch.

Gogiboy

isellhondas

Hey Mike...I'm glad you didn't leave and I hope you get to feeling better.

No apology needed.

Heck, back in the "old days" we had some REALLY nasty people that would show up from time to time and I was usually the brunt of their nasty comments. I would often walk the wire and bite my tongue but I can't tell you hapw many times I just left before I REALLY dumped on them.

I will admit to toying with them and the hosts knew it and I think they also knew when I would just back off.

Usually they would push things too far or explode in a torrent of profanity and get banned or just go away.

bwia isn't one of those people.

I could tell some stories but they may be reruns.

abacomike

Like you I'm disappointed in the continual gouging in which cable

I agree wholeheartedly! I have Comcast and no other choices for TV reception - a true captive audience! AT&T does not have TV service in my area and since we live in a condo, we are not allowed to have dishes.

I have high speed Internet (15+ mps), WiFi, HD on one TV, expanded cable on 2 TV's, limited cable on the kitchen TV, and a phone connected to the computer (which I didn't want or need but saved me money in the long run because of the package deal) all for a few bucks a month - $118.00 a month to be exact. My condo association pays $27.00 a month through maintenance fees which brings the total to $145.00 a month. That is outrageous in my opinion. But I have no options. They have me by my proverbials - I've researched this over and over - but no way out.

Filled up with gas this afternoon after food shopping for $4.09.9 a gallon. ROBBERY!

Margarine that used to cost 68 cents is now 92 cents. What the heck is going on?

imidazol97

>but I do see a dip if those dips in DC can't deal with the looming sequester debacle.

It takes a head dip who actually governs, and who tries to lead the two other dip groups to form an agreement. I was just listening to a very capable analyst telling how the economy is having a slowdown and prediction what may happen through the rest of this year.

In this area things have not been so good. Very high unemployment especially when the U6 data is used rather than the whitewashed data the dips like to feed us through the MSM. They keep telling us now that things are getting better, but reality says otherwise short of lots of new middle class jobs for all those working at part time jobs and at jobs far below their previous level of pay.

Inflation also has been minimized by underreporting methods put into place. I'd like to know the real inflation rate. Social security payments are kept lower by not having to raise the payout when the inflation numbers are kept lower than reality.

Have been looking at what car I might want to buy to replace my older leSabre. I'm thinking I'll wait for the 2014 models to show up and see if they offer something more attractive to me than the current models that I'm considering.

I'm also toying with buying an older car, a la Fezo, to replace my 98 leSabre, and then buying a newer model within the year.

abacomike

Inflation also has been minimized by underreporting methods put into place. I'd like to know the real inflation rate. Social security payments are kept lower by not having to raise the payout when the inflation numbers are kept lower than reality.

Exactly. I received an increase in my social security this year from $1331 to $1354 per month. That is net after Medicare takes out $104.00 per month. I still have to pay taxes on 80% of the total ($1354 + $104) of that amount at the 22% rate. So my net income from social security each month is $1097.00 per month. Not much to live on, is it? Thank goodness for my modest pension.

If gasoline prices do not decrease to the levels of 3 months ago or less relatively quickly, it will cause a major recession here in the US. People are spending there available dollars on gasoline rather than on durable goods. What does that result in?

Yes, the president says the economy is doing great, but the business facts are the reverse - most every indicator show a contraction of our economy for the third and fourth quarters.