Stories from the Sales Frontlines

jmonroe

The 1966 Pontiac Grand Prix was a 2-door, 5-passenger hardtop that was priced at just under $3,500. A total of 36,757 were produced.

Like I said before I bought the ’66 Bonneville and the window sticker was $4007. It was a 2 door dark blue hardtop with medium blue cloth seats (which looked and felt a lot better than the vinyl seats which cost more), power windows, power steering and power brakes but no A/C or FM radio. It had skirts which I’m pretty sure was standard for the ’66 Bonneville. That was a pretty well equipped car back then.

I remember the Grand Prix convertible was just a tad under $4400.

1967 featured a convertible Grand Prix for one year only.

I've read that too. The only people in my family who saw the same thing that I saw are no longer on this earth; my dearly departed Father and recently departed Delray Beach Brother. There is no sense in talking about it anymore because I don’t know what else to say and all publications say I’m all wet. I can live with that.

jmonroe

driver100

happy to take your money that there was NEVER a '66 Grand Prix convertable.

I am a little lost about what was claimed about the convertible Grand Prix but in this Wikipedia article they say they made the Grand Prix in 1967 only. Is it possible our good friend JMonroe saw a 67 Grand Prix in the Fall of 66 when the 67s are usually introduced?

1967

1967 Pontiac Grand Prix on display at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History
Revised sheetmetal with more rounded wasp-waisted styling highlighted the 1967 Grand Prix and other full-sized Pontiacs, along with the addition of a new Grand Prix convertible. Also new to the GP were concealed headlights with horizontal mounting (all other full-size '67 Pontiacs retained the vertical headlights for one more year), concealed windshield wipers and ventless front windows on hardtop coupes. Out back were louvered taillights similar to those found on the GTO.
Inside, Strato bucket seats and console were still standard equipment with Morrokide vinyl or cloth upholstery, or a no-cost optional notchback bench seat with either trims. Other changes included a revised instrument panel and door panel trim.
Under the hood, the 389 V8 was replaced by a new 400 cu in (6.6 l) V8 with four-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts and 350 hp (260 kW). Similarly, the 421 V8 was replaced by a new 428 cu in (7.0 l) V8 rated at 360 hp (270 kW) or an HO version with 376 hp (280 kW) - both with four-barrel carburetors. Both the 400 and 428 V8s were basically bored out versions of the older 389/421 block but with various internal improvements including bigger valves and improved breathing capabilities.
New this year was a dual master-cylinder braking system and optional front disc brakes[7] along with Rally II wheels. Also new for 1967 was an energy-absorbing collapsable steering column.[8] Plus, Pontiac added an 8-track Stereo tape player.[8]
The Grand Prix convertible would be a one-year only offering and dropped after this one year.

Wikipedia - Grand Prix

abacomike

Like there was a ’66 Grand Prix convertible?

*jmonroe, is it possible you saw a 1967 Grand Prix convertible in November, 1966, but bought a leftover 1966 Bonneville Convertible? In other words, is it possible you got the years wrong but still bought a 1966, but in late 1966? Then it seems very plausible that you saw a 1967 Grand Prix convertible. That seems to make sense - no?

abacomike

There is no sense in talking about it anymore because I don’t know what else to say and all publications say I’m all wet. I can live with that.

No, *jmonroe, I truly believe you saw what you say you saw. I just think you saw a '67 on the showroom floor in '66. As for being all wet, never!

murphydog

looking at D5200 and T4i - as many have pointed out the "key" is the lens, and not the body so much.

I think I will buy the body only and two lenses of my choice.

I am looking for low light performance. The point and shoots that I have used indoors seem to have two modes. No flash and blurry picture or flash on and people look like an atomic bomb just went off

jmonroe

In other words, is it possible you got the years wrong but still bought a 1966, but in late 1966? Then it seems very plausible that you saw a 1967 Grand Prix convertible. That seems to make sense - no?

I agree that would make sense but I know I bought my ’66 Bonneville in November 1965. It was on a Saturday and they were introduced sometime earlier in the week before that Saturday. I got a price for a ’66 Bonneville from a local dealer the day (actually I went at night) they were introduced but I wasn’t satisfied with it so we went out looking on the following Saturday. When I saw the dark blue with a lighter blue cloth interior I knew right away I liked that color scheme better than the lighter blue (silver blue) with light blue vinyl seats I saw at the local dealer. The car with the vinyl seats cost a little more but the price was not the problem, I just liked the one I got better.

I kept the Bonneville for 2 years and traded it for a '68 Olds Delta 88 Custom with a 455 CID V8 with black vinyl bucket seats. It had FM radio with the Wonder Bar feature. The window sticker on the Olds was just a tad over $4500, which I thought was a lot of money for a car back then.

jmonroe

stickguy

any chance that it was really a Catalina or a different model, and you are confusing it with looking at a HT Prix at the same time?

it was a long time ago!

abacomike

any chance that it was really a Catalina or a different model, and you are confusing it with looking at a HT Prix at the same time?

it was a long time ago!

After hearing from *jmonroe several times on this matter, I have to side with his "sighting" of a 1966 Grand Prix convertible. If he says he saw one, even against all odds, well then Gosh Darn It, he saw one. PERIOD! Now let's move on to another topic!

isellhondas

I agree about moving on. I suspect he saw a gussied up Catalina with G.P. wheels but we will never know now.

If anyone provides proof that a 66 GP convertable was built I'll be the first to apologize for doubting him.

driver100

It was on a Saturday and they were introduced sometime earlier in the week before that Saturday.

It is amazing you can remember any of this at all. My first new car was a 73 Maverick, and I don't remember a whole lot about buying it.

I was trading in a 67 Galaxie that was totally falling apart and when you went around corners it sounded like marbles were rolling around under the floors. The tires were going flat so I had four different kinds of tires on it, all pretty worn.

No one checked the car over when I came in to pick up the new one. I signed the papers, gave them a check for $2400, the new one cost $3200 and they gave me $800 for the trade in, and the salesman pretty well chased me off the lot and I never went back.

bwia

Just wanted to share with those who have a sweet tooth for pastries; the best coffee cake in the word. It is so good that you cannot resist having another slice, and another…until you feel guilty. Taste it with your eyes at. http://www.mygrandma.com/

Enjoy!

graphicguy

isell....Sony took over Minolta's camera business a few years ago. I always liked Minolta's camera offerings. I don't know if their DSLRs became better under Sony's brand or not. Might be worth a look, though.

Someone mentioned good looking coupes several posts back. My vote on the best ones I've ever seen, in no particular order....

-Buick Riviera (especially those from the '90s)
-Lexus SC series
-BMW 6 series (current)

Not saying the above drive (drove) well. Just that they were beautiful coupes.

abacomike

Just wanted to share with those who have a sweet tooth for pastries; the best coffee cake in the word. It is so good that you cannot resist having another

I have been an insulin dependent diabetic since I was 22 years old. In all these years there are only two (2) things that are so appetizing and/or irresistible to me that it is difficult for me to deny myself of a mouthful or even a binge at times:

1. New York style thick, heavy cheesecake
2. Reese's peanut butter cups.

As for the cheesecake, before I taste it, it has to be thick and heavy enough that if you stuck a fork into it and a hurricane passed over it and the fork did not move or vibrate. Then, and only then do I succumb to my irresistible urge.

As for the Reese's candy, any size or shape would push me over the edge.

Once eaten and satisfied, I would have to take at least 100 units of R insulin (quick acting) to keep from going into a coma.

I could be tempted by a few other goodies, but those two are too difficult for me to resist. What can I say?

jmonroe

It is amazing you can remember any of this at all.

Not amazing enough! The part I thought I remembered best has pretty much been proven to be bogus. I guess I saw a Catalina and didn’t know it.

jmonroe

houdini1

Now don't start waffling and disappointing us. I want you to still be talking about that '66 convertible as they drag you away to the home !

Kirstie_H

How Would You Improve the Car-Buying Experience?
All ideas, from regular consumers to ex-pros, are welcome!

gogiboy

"I am looking for low light performance. The point and shoots that I have used indoors seem to have two modes. No flash and blurry picture or flash on and people look like an atomic bomb just went off."

Murphy--

The problem with most point and shoot cameras is that consumers essentially want an idiot box. Nothing wrong with that, but there are so many limitations including navigating tons of sub-menus to do anything other than auto-everything. Also, most P&S cameras have slow zoom lenses that make them unsuitable for indoor or low light situations even with minimal movement. Try blowing up something shot at anything above ISO 400 and you will see tons of noise in the shadows and dark areas.

I would define a fast lens as anything below f2.8, with f2 or under being better. Most cheapo zoom lenses run from f3.5-? as do cheap primes, telephotos and wide angle lenses. That makes them wholly unsuited for indoor or low light shooting. To compensate the photographer has to boost either ISO (adding distracting noise) or decrease shutter speed. Reducing shutter speed to more than 1/30 sec is hard to hand hold, necessitating a tripod. Some shooters have success at 1/15 or 1/10 sec by bracing against a wall or other stationary object. Remember, that wide open aperture is the smallest f# listed on the lens so that function can only be pushed so far, and often is not adjustable with a P&S.

Finally, most all point and shoots and many bargain SLRs have a small CCD chip. Buyers are told to focus on megapixels, which are valuable to a point, but increasing chip size means that you can pack a similar, or even smaller number of pixels on the chip, but they are larger. Sort of like having more rods in your eye which allows one to see better in low light. Bigger chips add big bucks to the price of the camera. Ever price a Hasselblad medium format digital? $20K or more (and no lenses), which puts the buyer in Civic or Corolla territory (to make this marginally car related).

Auto everything is great for sports shooting or other situations that require split timing or if you don't want to think, just blast away.

Gogiboy

verdugo

Anybody make a purchase from B&H? Low prices, no tax and free shipping

I've bought from B&H both online and in-store. Buy with confidence.

The only downside is that they mail you a HUGE catalog. I feel guilty about the number of trees needed to make that thing. :P

jmonroe

Now don't start waffling and disappointing us. I want you to still be talking about that '66 convertible as they drag you away to the home !

A man’s got to know his limitations. I’ve been nearly beaten to death over this. Tell em to come and get me. I've had enough. :sick:

jmonroe

driver100

I guess I saw a Catalina and didn’t know it.

Pontiac actually had 4 convertible models in 66, Catalina, GTO, Bonneville, and Le Mans....so anyone could get a bit mixed up. Sometimes when we get older our dreams become reality so maybe you dreamed it.

abacomike

Pontiac actually had 4 convertible models in 66, Catalina, GTO, Bonneville, and Le Mans....so anyone could get a bit mixed up. Sometimes when we get older our dreams become reality so maybe you dreamed it.

Joshing and poking fun in the short run is something we've all participated in here on this forum. But enough is enough!

What do you want *jmonroe to do? Admit himself to the psychiatric ward at the University of Pittsburgh for a complete psych evaluation?

I for one feel we've beat this to a pulp and we owe *jmonroe some peace over this. Come on everyone, give it a break!

jmonroe

Sometimes when we get older our dreams become reality so maybe you dreamed it.

Damn, that’s what it looks like and I had to come to this forum to be awakened after all those years. :mad:

Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

jmonroe

jmonroe

What do you want *jmonroe to do? Admit himself to the psychiatric ward at the University of Pittsburgh for a complete psych evaluation?

I for one feel we've beat this to a pulp and we owe *jmonroe some peace over this.

Nah, pile it on, I can take it. I know what I saw didn’t see. :shades:

jmonroe

Kirstie_H

Same here - I bought on-line with B&H. They had the best price on the item I wanted, and the free shipping and no sales tax nailed it. It was around Christmas in 2011, and at that time it was 2-day shipping for free. Unbeatable.

(You can tell them to stop the catalogs - I did after my first one.)

jayrider

How does NY style cheesecake with peanut butter cup pieces baked into the cake ? Sounds good to me.

verdugo

(You can tell them to stop the catalogs - I did after my first one.)

I did that after a couple of them.

Fun fact: The B&H store is owned by orthodox Jews. So the store is closed on Saturdays while everything else around is open. Then they open on Sundays when everything in that neighborhood is closed.

abacomike

How does NY style cheesecake with peanut butter cup pieces baked into the cake ? Sounds good to me.

It has some real possibilities! Best of both worlds - how bad could it be?

bwia

As for the cheesecake, before I taste it, it has to be thick and heavy enough that if you stuck a fork into it and a hurricane passed over it and the fork did not move or vibrate.

My wife makes a mean cheesecake. She brings one to almost every dinner or outdoor party that we've been invited.

Now back My Grandma's coffee cake. Last year I received one as a gift and after tasting it I fell deeply in love. It was the New England blueberry coffee cake and it was oh so so delectable....I licked my fork with every bite.

Since then, I have sending a cake to each of my children and grandchildren for their birthdays and on holidays. If you have not yet tasted My Grandma's New England coffeecake you have not lived.

With that said, I believe we should send our gracious host, *Kirstie, a nice gluten-free coffee cake for the Easter holiday.

Let them eat cake.

jmonroe

With that said, I believe we should send our gracious host, *Kirstie, a nice gluten-free coffee cake for the Easter holiday.

I don't think Edmunds allows that, since it could be inferred that she would put in a good word for us and we wouldn't be charged the same dues as prescribed for others, but it's worth a shot. :surprise:

jmonroe

abacomike

I was sitting in the den this afternoon trying to recollect some sales stories from my experiences when I remembered the "...this is going to be a two-car deal" story.

One Saturday afternoon (I remember it was a Saturday because it was on my birthday) an elderly couple came into the showroom and asked to see me. The receptionist called me over and introduced me to the couple. The man told me he was a friend of a friend of my father's. when I heard that, I knew it was going to be a long afternoon. I asked him, "...which friend of my Dad's is your friend?" He told me it was his friend Arthur who plays golf with my Dad. I knew no Arthur and of course I knew my Dad's golf cronies, so I decided to play along - after all, a sale is a sale and a two-car deal was a rarity in this business.

I introduced them to one of my veteran salesmen and told the salesman right in front of them that I wanted him to help them select two cars, one for him and one for his wife, but that I would handle all the pricing. They each had a trade-in vehicle.

About two hours later, the salesman comes to the sales desk and informs me the couple had each selected a new car and he gave me the appraisal sheets for the trades. I handed them to my used car manager and when he had arrived at the ACV's of both vehicles, I worked out a price for each car at $500 over invoice for each, which was a fair price at the time considering it was the beginning of the new model year and they both selected 2007 cars which had just arrived at the dealership.

I presented the numbers to them. They asked me, "...you mean to tell me this is the best you can do for a 2-car deal for friends of your father's golfing buddy?" I informed them that they were buying their cars for $500 over our cost, which I had to get the owner of the dealership to approve since our lowest profit on new cars was $1000 over. He then says, "...we'll take both cars for $250 over invoice for both cars." I again reminded them that the owner would not agree to that.

After some back and forth about this Arthur and how disappointed Arthur would be if they did not get their price, I asked if they minded if I made a call on my cell phone while they listened in? They said of course not. I dialed my Dad knowing that this guy Arthur was not a friend of my Dad's. I said, "...hi Dad. I have Bernice and Harold here, friends of your golfing buddy Arthur. The want me to sell them 2 cars for $750 less for each car than you paid for your new car last week." I then turned the speaker phone on so they could hear his response. He responded, "...Arthur? Arthur who? I don't know any Arthurs. And why should strangers pay less than your own father paid a week earlier?" After hearing my Dad's response, the buyer said he thought Arthur played golf with my father. I guess he doesn't.

I thanked my Dad and hung up. I looked at both of them, as their tails hung limp after being caught in a lie, and commented to them that their friend Arthur really didn't know my Dad. I then said that if I couldn't sell my Dad a car for what they were paying, how could I sell them a car for that price. Harold then says to me in a meek, low voice, "...could you sell us the cars for what your dad paid?" I said "DEFINITELY"!

As the were leaving the dealership with their new cars, I walked up to them in the parking lot and asked if they were happy with the deals and how they were treated? They said they were.

About 4 days later, Harold comes in and asked me why he couldn't have bought the cars for what I originally offered - $500 over invoice for each car instead of $1000 over invoice like they paid. I told him, "...you mean you wanted me to go home to my Dad and admit to him that I sold total strangers cars for less than he paid?" He responded that he understood.

BTW, Arthur is the name of the golf clubs starter on the first tee. He was no friend of my Dad's, that's for sure!

oldfarmer50

Got this e-mail and I'm wondering if it is legit.


Congratulations, you've been selected as a beta tester for myCARFAX™
Stay organized with help from myCARFAX.

Your FREE membership includes 24/7 access to service information reported to CARFAX, including:
Service history of your vehicle
Unlimited online storage of your service records
Important safety and recall alerts
Timely service reminders

myCARFAX does not intentionally send unsolicited email and respects your right to
receive only information that is of interest to you. Please click here if you do not
wish to receive future promotional mailings from CARFAX. Your request will be
processed within 48 hours.

Have questions for CARFAX? Please contact us at: myCARFAX Help

Please do not reply to this automated email.

CARFAX Inc.
5860 Trinity Parkway, Suite 600
Centreville, VA 20120
myCARFAX.com

They want me to click on to a link to activate but I'm suspicious of it. Does it sound like a scam?

BTW, I received my $75 for test driving that Lexus. At least that was genuine.

stickguy

if you aren't sure, go to carfax.com (directly) and see if it is there, or get the number and call them. Never quite sure what a link will do if you click on it.

tjc78

Delete email and move on. 99% of those type emails are scams.

explorerx4

I say it's scam.
This line clinches it for me.

Have questions for CARFAX? Please contact us at: myCARFAX Help

If it was /Help. then maybe.

mako1a

beta tester for myCARFAX

OF, I got the same thing 4 days ago. Probably because I used Carfax a few years back. I deleted it immediately. Carfax isn't expensive, spam and junk mailing frustration is.

nyccarguy

I had to get my Dad's truck inspected today (in NY), so I called our trusted mechanic & he told me to bring it over. He's always got a few cars that he buys at auction & tries to sell. I ask him what's the deal with that explorer? He tells me it's a 2000 Eddie Bauer V8 with 141K miles (olive green/tan interior). He's asking $3200. That car is a 5.0, right?

oldfarmer50

"...used Carfax a few years ago..."

If memory serves I used Carfax last in 2006. Quite a lag leading up to that offer.

At least it seems to be legit and not some Phishing scam.

robr2

Fun fact: The B&H store is owned by orthodox Jews. So the store is closed on Saturdays while everything else around is open. Then they open on Sundays when everything in that neighborhood is closed.

I used to have a customer in Brooklyn that closes their store on Fridays and Saturdays. In fact, they even shut down their dot com e-store between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday.

explorerx4

Yes, it's a 5.0. Trans was a weak point. AWD is less complicated than the 4WD models.

roadburner

stickguy and I already discussed this on CCBA, but I can now proudly announce that my son is going to the University of South Carolina.

stickguy

he just wanted to be closer to Spartenburg.

venture

BTW, I received my $75 for test driving that Lexus. At least that was genuine.

You inspired me to take advantage of Buicks offer of a $50 pre-paid VISA card for taking a test drive.

Buick has been nagging me ever since I bought the Regal a little over a year ago. They starting sending offers to trade my car even though it was, at that time, a little over 2 months old!

I stopped and told my salesman that I received the offer. He asked if I had the paperwork with me. I went to the car and got it. He wrote a number on it and said that's all I needed to get the card. I got online and submitted the information.

Yesterday I got two pre-paid VISA cards for $50 each. I figured only one would be good since you have to call a number to activate it. They were both activated. :shades:

I hope they run the rest of their business better than that.

Oh. BTW. I bought a Subaru Impreza 5 door for my daughter a few weeks ago. Nice car.

cdnpinhead

I hope they run the rest of their business better than that.

It's the sort of thing that one expects from Government Motors.

murphydog

Thanks for the feedback, my plan essentially is to get one lens (~50mm) below f2.8 for those indoor shots and a second zoom lens for outdoor fun. I have one neighbor who loves Nikon and one who loves Canon, but essentially they both told me the same thing - avoid the prepackaged bundles, find 2 quality lenses and look to by the camera body by itself.

Keeping my fingers crossed for outstanding dads and grads promotions in the next 90 days. :shades:

roadburner

he just wanted to be closer to Spartanburg.

Well. in addition to my cousin in Columbia, I have several friends in the BMW CCA and BMW CCA Foundation National Offices in Greenville. So he's only @100miles away from them. Actually, he IS hoping he can get a summer job or co-op at BMW Manufacturing.

stickguy

I had a summer job one year in college at the BMW HQ up in Montvale. Only working in the parts warehouse, but still, I spent all day around BMW parts. still the best job I ever had!

abacomike

stickguy and I already discussed this on CCBA, but I can now proudly announce that my son is going to the University of South Carolina.

And who says dreams don't come true?

South Carolina is one of my favorite states. You get a mild change of climate most years, they have a great seashore on Beaufort County, and it is centrally located along the east coast for rapid access to DC, Philly and New York. All that and a great university system as a bonus.

My congratulations to you and your son. You should be very proud of him!

abacomike

My wife makes a mean cheesecake. She brings one to almost every dinner or outdoor party that we've been invited.

If her cheesecake can hold a fork to a 120 mph wind and not vibrate, it's thick enough for me.

*jmonroe would appreciate this story

I think I mentioned this once before, but my wife, kids and I drove from Chicago to Pittsburgh to visit her brother who was doing his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh back in the late 70's. we wanted to take him to a nice restaurant for dinner before we went home so we made reservations at The Park Schenley.

We had a great dinner and asked my brother-in-law what he recommended for dessert. He said we all had to have their strawberry cheesecake, which the were famous for. There were 5 of us so the waiter said it would be less expensive for us to just order a whole cheesecake - 6 slices per cake. So we did. It was the best cheesecake I had ever had. Could have handled three forks in a hurricane.

It was so good that the next day before leaving, we went back, bought a whole cheesecake, put it in the cooler with ice, and drove straight back to Chicago. We had cheesecake for a week!

graphicguy

roadburner....congrats on your son's admission to University of South Carolina.

Other topic.....I've bought from B&H before. Good service and good prices.

They used to handle more audio gear, but not so much lately. So, it's been a couple of years since I've looked at their WEB site. I know they specialize in cameras and camera related gear, however.

explorerx4

Congrats on your son picking a school. I hope he likes football, it's kind of a religion down there.
My wife and I go to at least 1/2 dozen college games in the fall.