Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,794
    If those toilets are too troublesome, I'd go with the pit.
    Not much goes wrong with those. ;)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,794
    Back in 1991, I (we) had made a deal on a Mustang GT convertible.
    It was dark green, with dark titanium lower accent paint and a tan top.
    I thought it looked awesome.
    After I made the deal, I thought of another one parked behind it that was white with black top and interior.
    Started thinking, what if I don't like the color of the 3 color combo after a while?
    I called the salesman and offered to split the difference on the white one, although it stickered for a bit less.
    He agreed and we still have that white Mustang in the garage today. :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    we still have that white Mustang in the garage today

    Hey, I have one of those too. Is that how long it takes before

    I get tired of it...22 years. Wow.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,621
    People who exercise patience are way ahead of the game!

    Said another way, he who cares least (or appears to) wins the negotiation every time.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,072
    Technology in schools is anything but cheap these days

    Well, based on all the comments I guess it's probably not as far out of line as I thought.

    NYC,
    I hate XM/Sirius it's the one bill/service I let my wife handle I just can't stand those people.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,621
    Made me start thinking, why hasn't home building changed over the years?

    What you (and others) have described is maintainability. It nearly always costs more up front and saves lots in the long term.

    North America is a short-term place. Europe (& Israel), not so much.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,621
    I'm curious as to what's in writing.

    I was thinking the same thing. If it weren't for Opie/Anthony and Ron/Fez I would have cancelled my subscription long ago. I preferred XM to the new combination deal, but doubt that it's worth what it costs on a regular basis.

    From time to time I'll hear something on one of the music channels that I haven't heard in a long time, and feel better about spending what I do on it, but it's a rare thing.

    I'm sure that when I do cancel it's going to be a real experience.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,794
    edited March 2013
    One of them is a little over a year older, but my kids don't remember it not ever being around. BTW, it has around 36k miles on it. :surprise:
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    When I was re-reading the recent posts, a sales story came back to me when I was a salesman in the car business.

    The manufacturer of our brand came out with a long-awaited 6 speed transmission in its smaller newly released IS300 back in 2002. It was a 6 cylinder sedan which, in its own right, was quite fast with their automatic transmission with one of the first "button" shifters (like paddle shifters, but with buttons in the back of the steering wheel). But with the introduction of the 6 speed manual in the car, it became a hot seller.

    I had a customer come in, wife in tow, who wanted to test-drive the new 6 speed manual sedan - he said that he learned to drive on a manual transmission (3 speed manual in the late 1940's). Needless to say, I was a bit taken back by the fact that this 70+ year old guy who owned an LS430 at the time, wanted to buy a stick shift car for himself as a kind of toy.

    I showed them the car on the showroom floor and mentioned to his wife that around town, up shifting and downshifting was quite difficult, even for young people. The wife says that whatever he wants, he should get!

    Reluctantly, to say the least, I pull a 6 speed up to the front, load the couple in the car, and drive off the lot. I show them the intricasies of manually shifting the transmission, reminding the guy that since he last drove a manual transmission in the 1940's, they developed synchromesh transmissions which smoothed out downshifting and up shifting with no gear grinding. He shakes his head and wants to know when he can drive the car.

    I pull into a church parking lot and switch positions with him. He gets behind the wheel, depresses the clutch, puts the car in gear, and "poof", he stalls it. He tried 4 or 5 times to get the car moving in a straight line in this huge parking lot. Then, he starts fiddling with all the power functions (windows, seats, mirrors, etc.). He then turns to his wife and asks, "...so what do you think of it?" She responds, "...if you like the red car and the ride, you should get it!"

    He then says for me to drive the car back to the dealership and he would give me a check for the full amount (we were not discounting them at all due to the limited initial availability and the fact that they were selling like hot cakes). Needless to say, my mouth was agape, by rear end ready to excrete a brick, and my heart was pounding at least 100 beats a minute. I really wanted to say something like, "...sir, you don't know how to drive a stick..." or "...sir, you'll kill yourself if you try to drive this car..." or. "...do you know what you are doing - wouldn't you rather have an automatic?" Buy having been in the car business for 2 years, I knew to keep my mouth shut.

    We get back to the dealership and complete the paperwork. I asked him if he is going to drive his new car home since his wife was going to drive the LS430 home. He says to me , "...are you nuts! I'd kill myself on the way home. No, just deliver the car to my Boca Raton home and I'll expect you to teach me how to drive it!"

    To make a long story short, I delivered the car to his house, spent 2 hours with him teaching him how to shift gears without killing himself or anyone else, and as I was getting ready to have him drive me back to the dealership, he gives me 3 $100 bills. I pleaded with him to drive me back in his LS430 as I was a little skittish about his lack of prowess with a 6 speed. he assured me he would drive me back in his LS430 so as not to upset my fragile nerves.

    When I got back, all the managers and salesmen rode me for days about that deal. I remember the commission was about $1700 + the $300 he slipped me for teaching him how to drive the manual transmission. This guy was so tickled with his new car that he called the GM of the dealership complimenting me on the wonderful job I had done.

    This world is made up of many, many odd people and he was definitely one of them!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    What you (and others) have described is maintainability. It nearly always costs more up front and saves lots in the long term.

    Thanks for the explanation. I thought maybe I just imagined people in some countries were really thinking....sounds like long term repairability is more important in some countries than in others.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,794
    I don't really have a problem with SIRIUS.
    It takes some patience to deal with their customer service, but they will work with you.
    Last weekend I was able to transfer the credit from the remainder of the 1 year plan for Explorer I traded in, to my wife's Escape and get the same price starting when her trial period expires next month.
    She's good through mid April 2014 for an additional $40.
    I gave the customer rep top marks on the survey.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,544
    You know the really sad thing is that I went out & bought satellite radio (Sirius) not too long after Howard Stern made his announcement. Sirius had 600,000 subscribers. I bought a lifetime subscription for my Prelude. I stopped listening to Howard about 6 - 8 months ago. I like the '80s & '90s channel, but we've got great radio stations in the NY market. I've got my iPhone hooked up for when the commercials come on.

    I really feel bad for my Dad who really enjoys the music. He listens to the 50s, 60s, 70s, Soul Town... He saw how curious I was when I hung up the phone.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Said another way, he who cares least (or appears to) wins the negotiation every time.

    You hit the nail right on the head! graphicguy played it perfectly - and it paid off for him in spades!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Started thinking, what if I don't like the color of the 3 color combo after a while?

    Seems white is always a safe color. Most cars look good in white, and it is a classic color, always in style. Even white appliances still look good after all these years. Many colors have come and gone (almond, harvest gold, olive green, copper, black), but white always looks good.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,794
    For us, one of the big benefits is to listen to the same station, usually sports, on a road trip.
    My kids get sick of listening to 'Classic Vinyl' and 70's on 7. :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    I just remembered another sales story. When I first started in the car business, I didn't have a customer base and obviously no referrals. For the first several weeks, all I did was train. Then I was buddies up with a veteran where I learned most of the things I should never do - veterans seem to take too many short cuts which newbies like me could ill-afford to repeat.

    All I did those first few weeks was take a draw - no sales. Needless to say, I was a bit depressed, wondering if I made the right decision to move to Florida and give up education. My Dad noticed my depression and was quite concerned.

    The next week, he comes into the showroom (he had bought his first Lexus there 2 years before) and asks for me. He asked me what I would recommend for him as his next new car. I suggested the GS300. He bought one that day for a few hundred over invoice, but at least I had made my first sale.

    My twin brother was in the next day and bought an LS430. The next day, one of my father's golf buddies came in and bought a GS300. The next day, one of our neighbors came in and leased an ES300. Over the next two weeks, I had sold 7 cars to family and friends - but not one to a first time customer. But a couple of days later, things got better and that next month, I sold 22 cars and the following month, 28 cars.

    I owe my success in the car business to family and friends - the rest came pretty easy thanks to little help from friends and family!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    dino - congratulations! That is fantastic!

    I remember in 02 essentially being the one to swear in for my youngest daughter in Guangzhou, China. She was 9 months old at the time so couldn't say much.

    Richard - shame on you trying to influence the vote of this fine new citizen. I'll have to offer the rebuttal..... I already did that routine when I was in the hospital. My music therapist was a new citizen. He had triple citizenship. He was born in Italy, raised in Germany and has lived in the states now for many years.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • Great story, Mike. Thanks for sharing. Truth be told, the people like the gentleman featured in your story are the ones I most like meeting and engaging in conversation. The world is full of average people, but someone like you describe adds diversity that I appreciate. I once had a boss, the Chief Technology Officer in our engineering/manufacturing company, that was a genius with all things mechanical. He literally changed the industry in which we competed. And as smart as he was, he could get lost driving 8 miles home from from our office. He had absolutely no sense of direction and frequently, loudly argued with his GPS navigation system. He was accentric and drove some people nuts, and I appreciated him all the more for it.
  • 28firefighter28firefighter Member Posts: 9,852
    Nah - I'm not looking to make any changes that drastic or permanent! The fabric seats are what I love most about it as they are two-tone black/blonde fabric.

    I'm going to leave it as is for a while...the money can be better spent towards saving for a house, which is the next major purchase on the 12 month horizon.
    2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,505
    Mike, by coincidence, I bought a stick at a Lexus dealer. But it was used.

    back in 2001, I was looking for a used Maxima, and my local Lexus dealer had one advertised, so I stopped in to see it. They happened to have it on a little parking pad in front of the dealer, packed in with a couple other cars, that was on the side of a hill.

    salesguy goes to get it. Not sure if he tried to move it or just thought better, but after a few minutes he came back, and sheepishly handed me the keys and asked if I could get it unearthed! Not the easiest thing, but I got it out in one piece. No clue if he could actually drive a stick more than in an emergency, but at least he was smart enough to know his limitations!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,505
    I keep forgetting, do you live in MS or bellmawr?

    Pretty sure in my district they would spend 56K on the consultant to tell them which system to buy. There is a reason I cry whenever I see my tax bill.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,072
    I'm in Runnemede, which is a very small school district. Little town that is run like crap, from what I can tell. I pay just shy of $6000 for a 3 bedroom rancher, I cringe to think what you pay.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,505
    I think I knew that, but always get them confused.

    I bought my Scion from toyota of Runnemede, and pass through a lot going to Deptford!

    figure about 2x on the taxes give or take, but it is a bigger house. size for size probably fairly close.

    and wasteful, patronage riddled, overly stuffed government entities sucking down our tax $ (and keeping all their relatives un-gainfully employed) seems to be a given in Joisey. Must be the Philly influence!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,544
    2 great sales stories. See, your brother isn't THAT bad :P . Thanks as always for sharing!

    explorerx4 - I used to listen to Classic Vinyl & Classic Rewind a lot, but we have 2 greta classic rock stations, New York's Q104.3 & Fairfield County's 95.9 The Fox.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    edited March 2013
    Mike, by coincidence, I bought a stick at a Lexus dealer. But it was used.

    I don't remember if I ever told this story before, but I get a chuckle just thinking about it.

    In December, 1965, I was looking at a new car for my graduation present from my mom and dad. They told me I could spend up to $3500 on a new car. I had graduated with honors from NYU.

    I had been attracted to the GTO by Pontiac, and the 1966 model had just been redesigned and was at dealerships. I lived in Queens so I went to a dealership on Queens Blvd. in Rego Park or Forest Hills. They had a fire engine red one on the showroom floor with black interior. It was a beauty, but all they had was a 4 speed stick. I had never bought a manual transmission before, let alone driven one. He took the car off the showroom floor and taught me some quick pointers. I was sold on the car - who wouldn't be. It had tremendous horsepower but getting the hang of the clutch - giving it gads in first gear and remembering to depress the clutch was difficult for me - I was only 22 years old at the time.

    I bought the car on the spot with a blank check my dad had given me. They detailed the car and delivered to me two hours later. The salesman's name was Harry H. - I am sure he is deceased. He went over the buttons, knobs, etc., and off I went. I can vividly remember almost killing my self at least 4 times on the way home. What was worse is that in my neighborhood, you didn't park a red GTO on the street if you wanted to still own it the next morning. So I talked my grandparents into letting me park it in their garage (they didn't own a car at the time) since they lived only 4 blocks from my apartment building.

    Luckily, the next morning, my dad spent a few hours with me to make sure I was at least competent shifting gears as he was adept with manual transmissions. I believe the engine in that car was a 7.5 litre v8 with dual quad carbs - 400-450 horsepower. It was a very hot car and was the fastest in my neighborhood. I had friends who had the Chevelle SS or the 442 Olds, but this was way ahead of those cars in terms of off the line. I loved that car very much. But there were many times I nearly killed myself drag racing etc.

    Ahhhh, those were the days!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,505
    Bradd, what I have found with XM is that the service varies depending on which group/area you need. some are better than others.

    I recently had to adjust my account (I cancelled the radio that had been in the Odyssey and added the RDX off it's trial period) and started with some clueless off shore guy, and ended up getting transferred to a woman that I am pretty sure was US. or really faked it well!

    but best part, she knew what she was doing, and got it all fixed up pretty quick.

    I have gotten used to FM, but I drive so little in my car I could hum instead. My daughter actually does not like XM, and did not even want it in the volvo when I already had the active radio for her (and yes, it is very, very rare for her to save me money!).

    we do use it in the RDX, though with bluetooth and USB it is easy to iphone (not that I have one) or ipod. I still prefer the variety and will pay for it.

    2nd unit is my son's TL. When that goes, cancel city and he is on his own! That does not have anything bu radio and CD, and the commute to school is through a whole lotta nowhere!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,505
    that reminds me of a sales story. Not me, some friends, probably about 20 years ago.

    They had just relo'd from PA to NC, and she needed a new car. Somehow, they ended up buying her a stick shift (pretty sure that the deciding factor was that He was, shall we say, a cheap B). So, they buy this car, and she is all excited to drive it home.

    well, minor problem, she never drove one before. Plus she is a bit of a ditz. No clue how she got it moving after a quick lesson at the dealer, but off they go, her following him.

    of course, they come to a stop sign, and she gets all bollaxed up with the extra pedal, and runs into the back of him. Slow speed, so more embarrassing than anything, but funny at the time (well, maybe not to them!)

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • 28firefighter28firefighter Member Posts: 9,852
    I have Sirius in both my cars but resisted a few years ago the offer to get lifetime radio subscriptions just for the potential response you received. Actually, I was more concerned Sirius would up and go mahoola more than anything.

    I maintain subscriptions both on my C30 and my wife's Mazda3. I've been getting the $77/year plus tax deal for sometime on my car and they have a comparable secondary radio rate that is a bit less (I think $55 + tax). My wife has a 23 mile roundtrip commute each day and she likes not having commercials - $77+tax is a small price to pay to keep her feeling comfortable on the commute. I have no excuse for keeping it other then the fact I like it. All my driving is on the weekends.
    2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    image

    Here ya go, Mike

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    We did almost 100 posts yesterday!!!!

    Poor Old Farmer...he'll never catch up again. Where is he anyway, this isn't planting season is it?

    I read about 25 just to catch up, now I am too tired to write any (ya, I know, yahhhhhhhh) :sick:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,544
    I'm starting to see more RDXs around. Nice looking little SUV. Clean, simple lines, nice wheels. I'm sure Honda's corporate V6 motivates it quite nicely considering the pickup inky wife's Pilot is decent for a vehicle of its size (uses the same motor).

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    edited March 2013
    If you want a real shocker, stop by your local board of education one day and ask to see a copy of the capital outlay and facilities budget. If you're still standing on two feet after that, ask to see the equipment budget for the current school year. It takes millions these days to run a school system.

    My town has a student population of about 3,000. The yearly budget for the schools is $48 million not including another $1.5 for the town's contribution to the regional technical school.

    In the past 2 years we've replaced an elementary school, overhauled the middle school, renovated the high school gyms and completely revamped the high school field with turf and new/safer bleachers. They also implemented the 1:1 iPad initiative in the high school and that has now been implemented at the middle school.

    Luckily town meeting understands that good schools means good home values. There are a few that think the kids should be taking English, Math and Science and that everything else is a waste but they're the ones that are outside yelling at the clouds....
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    North America is a short-term place. Europe (& Israel), not so much.

    IIRC, 7 years is the average that North Americans spend in a home.

    Years ago we asked a German company we represented to add a "Lifetime Warranty" to their faucets. They were incredulous. "We can't afford to support products for life."

    Our reply was "Lifetime in America means 7 years." In Germany, people stay in their homes for decades.

    They agreed to do it.
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Here ya go, Mike

    That's it! Except I had the hard top, but that sure brings back great memories!!!!!!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    My town has a student population of about 3,000. The yearly budget for the schools is $48 million

    I think that works out to $16000 a kid....just be cheaper to give them the money and let them invest it.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,137
    edited March 2013
    dino....first and foremost, congrats on your newly minted Citizenship. We're delighted you've become part of what we consider the greatest country on earth.

    Yeah....I did soften my stance on the BMW pricing. Although people talked to me about the car, once they heard the $38K-$40K price range, the conversation came to a screaching halt.

    Got a bit more than qbrozen pegged it in the RWTIV thread. Got a little less than I thought it was worth. But, to me it was a great car. To someone else, it's just another car.

    I never did get the chance to shop it at the local BMW dealers. I would have been interested in hearing their "buy number". No matter. I'm pleased.

    It's another chapter closed and I'm moving on.

    BTW...I was just thinking last night, in my lifetime, I've probably sold 8-10 cars privately. Each one really was a different little novella that was unique.

    nyc...thanks for the Led lyrics. You reached into the old Zep closset for that one.

    Funny, both my sister and my best friend want to fix me up with "someone they know who'd be perfect for me". I told both of them....."gimme a few weeks to get my bearings".

    It's been a long time since I've been unattached. Not sure what the rules are anymore.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    I think that works out to $16000 a kid....just be cheaper to give them the money and let them invest it.

    And they'll get the knowledge to invest that how??? I don't know if you have children but would you have taken that stance with your child's education?

    My town is right in the middle. Per pupil expenditures range from about $9,000 to $22,000 in Massachusetts. The highest is the tiny town of Provincetown which is way out on the tip of Cape Cod. It's expensive to live there and little to do in the winter - it's tough to recruit staff.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited March 2013
    OK, Mike,

    Your 1966 GTO came with a 389 engine. They didn't go by liters than but I think that was 6.5 liters.

    They were available with one 4BBL carburator or with 3 2 barrels. The single 4bbl version put out 335 H.P. and the one with 3 2's put out 360 hp.

    Great cars to be sure. I once owned a 1967.

    I sold quite a few stick shift cars to people who really didn't know how to drive one. Not just people without experience. I'm talking about people who always drove sticks yet they slipped the hell out of the clutches when shifting etc. Then they wondered why they had to do a clutch job every 40,000 miles!
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    Way to go dino !!! We could use more like you.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I never did get the chance to shop it at the local BMW dealers. I would have been interested in hearing their "buy number".

    Yeh, I would have been interested to hear their number too. Remember I checked online and calculated the trade in value for a 2008 ranged from $20000 to $25000. I expected $24K because I don't know how much bette it could be. Dealer low balled at $20K with their excuse number 2, we can pick up cars like that at the BMW auction for $20K.

    Remember, BMW dealers have to check it over, and then they have to warranty it, so they have to allow for at least $5K cost price.

    The Audi dealer had the advantage....didn't have to do a BMW 4 year warranty. He would try to sell for $28K and if worst came to worst sell for $25K and make a quick $1000.

    So, I don't think the car would have meant much to a BMW dealer.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,386
    edited March 2013
    Remember, BMW dealers have to check it over, and then they have to warranty it, so they have to allow for at least $5K cost price.

    Selling a BMW with a CPO warranty is optional. One car I looked at on my dealer's lot has 10 months left on the new car warranty, but it is not a CPO car. The cost of the CPO warranty varies a bit as well- not all that expensive for a 128i, but eye-watering for an M6...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    Thank you guys for all kind words. I look forward to enjoying the the benefits and complaining about the drawbacks of the citizenship. ;)

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    I had a 3 month trial subscription on my Lexus LS that I bought last fall. About the only thing I ever listened to was the old time radio show broadcasts..Johnny Dollar, Sherlock Holmes, Jack Benny, Gunsmoke, etc....just all those old shows.

    When it came time to renew, they acted like they could care less, never even sent anything to let me know the trial was about to end or try to get me to sign up, just plugged the plug.

    So, I found an app for my ipad mini that lets me download any of those old radio shows that I want and use Blue Tooth to play them back while in the car. Works great and absolutely free. Thanks Sirius/XM for saving me a little cash !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    And they'll get the knowledge to invest that how???

    Just send the money to me, I'll take car of it;
    Driver101
    Box 5000
    Canada.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I look forward to enjoying the the benefits and complaining about the drawbacks of the citizenship.

    Oh, oh, it is starting all ready!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Your 1966 GTO came with a 389 engine. They didn't go by liters than but I think that was 6.5 l

    You could be right, isell, but I vividly remember that just behind the left and right front wheel wells, there was an elongated triangular emblem that I thought said "7.5 litres". Could be I just dreamed that.

    Also, I know it did not have a single carbeurator, so it must have had 3 douces like my '67 vette had.

    I didn't have the car very long because I was out on Long Island one night with some friends, drinking quite a bit, and on my way back I rear ended a car, totalling my whole front end and moved the engine back into the cabin. I hit her pretty hard. After having the car repaired, it never drove the same, so I got rid of it and bought that '67 Corvette Stingray Fastback with 4 speed lock-out reverse (Muncie, I believe). Now that one was fast. So I guess I learned to drive a stick on the GTO, then once I had my training wheels taken away (GTO accident), I had it down pat.

    Of course, one of my roomates took that vette without permission when I was in New York City for a Funeral, and when I got back to Chicago, it was at the dealership in the body shop being repaired because he jumped a parking stump and landed squat on my transmission and oil pan - that was the end of that one - never handled or drove the same after that either. Even though the roomie paid for the repairs, it just wasn't the same - shifting was difficult, etc.

    Ahhh, so life goes!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,137
    edited March 2013
    '66 GTO could be had with the 389 c.u. with 3-2bbl carbs (or, affectionately known as "3 deuces".

    In '67, the GTO engine was bore out to 400 c.u. with a standard 4bbl carb (and 335HP, or about what the S4 has today with a SC 3.0L 6 cyl). You could also get the GTO with a 2bbl carb (SACRILEGE) or a HO and RAM AIR 400 (360HP).

    I had a '67 with a "plain Jane" 400-4bbl back in the '80s. It was gold ext with a black int, 4-speed. But, the birth of my son inched me into something more "practical" at the time....sigh! :sick:

    I remember it "drank" about a gal of premium fuel (with a leaded additive I used on every fill-up) every 9 miles.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    it must have had 3 duces

    No, Mike, the tri-power was not an option on the 66 GTO. It had a 4 bbl.

    Also the Ram-Air could not be ordered on the 66 as GTO that year became
    a package (unlike the 65) where it was a GTO Lemans add on. However, you
    said it would beat anything "off the line" and I believe it because you had a
    4:11 rear end gear ratio. Making it a full on drag car built for the street.

    Don't ask how I know all this stuff, because I was 15 in 1965. I remember most everything about muscle cars. I grew up 22 miles from Don Yenko's dealership. And listened to radio ads from Grand Spalding Dodge in Chicago where they sold mostly modified muscle. It was a grand time to be getting a drivers license.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Good for you, Dino. Now, just vote Republican! :)

    Seriously, you did it the right way, learned English and joined the Melting Pot that makes our country what it si!
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,072
    edited March 2013
    65 and 66 GTO models shared the same engine/carb choices. From what I've read/seen 1967 the 3 2bbl option was dropped for a Rochester (Qjet) 4BBL.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart

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