Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Stories from the Sales Frontlines
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT, driver!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I read an interesting article a couple of years ago regarding personalized and vanity plates. I remember these things from the article:
The article also pointed out the danger of having those bumper stickers that brag about your children---your children could be kidnapped. The same would go for those white window stickers that show two or three "stick children" and a dog or cat. Your pets might also be stolen.
The other thing that I remember was about political or religious bumper stickers. Some people have had their cars damaged because some stupid jerk didn't agree with the owner's beliefs.
I suppose that the article bordered on paranoia, but better safe than sorry. Neither of my cars has any personal information revealed.
Richard
"Borders on paranoia? Almost defines it.
Every vehicle has a unique identifying plate on it. I'd have to see some real statistics on that one. I have a FEZO plate on the Solara (there are four FEZO plates in four states. I'd bet someone would remember the Mazda plate more readily and it was randomly assigned by the state of NJ - WTF 34D.
A Little Humor
An elderly man in Oklahoma calls his son in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day son, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce; 45 years of marriage... and that much misery is enough!"
"Dad, what are you talking about?" the son yells.
"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the old dad explained. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her!".
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this."
She calls her elderly father immediately, and screams at him, "You are not getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, you hear me?" she yelled as she hung up the phone.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay", he says, "it's all set. They're both coming for Mother's Day and paying their own air-fare."
Enjoy!
Cadillac SRX probably reveals quite a bit.
They had a report on the radio that Target could know when a customer was pregnant before her husband found out. And, it could be done indirectly, just from knowing what products she might be ordering, and not necessarily things like baby clothes. They can find patterns, like stop ordering wine, increase in certain vitamins etc.
The license plate thing may be a bit paranoid, but, then again, there may be good reasons to be paranoid these days.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I guess we should not trust people without vanity plates less, since they my be hiding something.
lol....good point....but, they may have some other problem that makes them need vanity plates
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
had to edit my post regarding vanity plates
LOL!
Richard
Well, I always did wonder about people who had to advertise themselves. They just have to put their names on car tags, houses, clothing, bath towels, silverware, drinking glasses, luggage, etc. I love calling people by the designer names on their clothes---Polo, Nautica, Tommy, Chanel, Coach, etc. It usually takes them a few seconds before they get it. My wife loves monogrammed bath towels. I like to fold them backwards and hang them so that the initials are reversed. For some reason, she never thinks that it's funny.
Richard
LOL....but I just noticed I got these great short sleeve shirts in Florida and I am wearing one now. It says Calvin Kline on the shoulder...of course, they only cost $15 each at Bealles Outlet Stores.
Calvin
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I really dislike those - they annoy me so I considered putting this on my car:
@sterlingdog
My wife thinks those stick figures are adorable. I say: No Way!
The only vanity plate we have in our family is on my Dad's 1966 Corvette. It reads: 4 TWO 7
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
"The only vanity plate we have in our family is on my Dad's 1966 Corvette. It reads: 4 TWO 7"
I had a '67 Corvette with the 427/435 hp. But I do not consider your Dad's plate to be a vanity plate. Vanity plates IMHO, are names or initials identifying the owner.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I have a family on the back of my Mazdaspeed- but it's Stig- not stick:
As for vanity plates, my Club Sport wears BMWCCA while the Mazdaspeed' sports GOJIRA(replete with matching Kanji characters).
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
@roadburner
Ha! I LOVE the stig figures;)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Just because you're paranoid doesn't men they aren't out to get you...
lol................I agree, I think they are out to get me.....................
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Has anyone else been following the recently added series to the AMC channel entitled "TURN"? I think it's in the 6th week or so of it first being aired.
I've been watching it every Sunday night at 9:00 PM EDT. It stars Jamie Bell as one of the first spies for the Continental Army under George Washington. It's gotten outstanding reviews. The realism is uncanny.
If you haven't watched it yet, try to catch up on the hour long episodes on ON DEMAND. Definitely one of the best series I've ever seen on the Revolutionary War. Acting is superb!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
What cars are in it?
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Driver, it is fine to go to the end of the pricing modeler here, and get to the price summary. There are sidebars asking if you want to contact a dealer, but just ignore those. I have never gotten any kind of spam from using it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I agree with you
I really like my Wrangler.
Long ago and far away, a lovely young woman in a bar met me. She kept calling me, "Polo," I assumed for the trendy shirt of the day that I was wearing with the ubiquitous logo. Finally, I mentioned it, asking her if she was referring to my shirt. Her reply, "Not really. You overdid it a bit with the Polo cologne!" You're welcome, Mr. Lipshitz!
And, on topic, I drove to said bar in an Acura I bought from a new car dealer. Unfortunately, I can't remember the story...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Mr. RoadBurner: When do you drive the i8?
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Thanks stick...I want to try it...just don't want messages everyday...like from amazon local. I need need hair removal or laser brightenned teeth (my dentist says avoid teeth whiteners - no one knows the long term affects), or having my headlights cleaned.
I will go through the process, I am curious to see what the final price will be.
OK, I tried it but it asks me for my name and email address and that will be given to 3 dealers. Are you sure they won't try to contact me?
How can they give me the lowest price possible...which I could print, and take to any dealer? Just wondering how and why this works.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"What cars are in it?" AMC. He said that.....
Yeah...I wanna know, too. I need details.....cause I'm getting more and more interested in the electrics. You say it was over $40K? How much "over". How'd it handle? How quick would you say it was? Ride? Steering? Seats? Options?
Details, my good man....details!
Depends on when/if my editor gives me an assignment. The i8 is a hot ticket right now...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Driver, you should see a summary screen with numbers. Ignore the buying help and contact dealers crap
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Here's one of my favorite stories from when I was a sales manager in a dealership.
One weekday morning, a retired gentleman entered the showroom. He was casually dressed and started looking at one of our luxury cars on the showroom floor. A salesman approached him and presented the features of the car as they walked around the vehicle and eventually sat inside.
After a demo drive, the customer said he would like to buy the car. I appraised his 2-year old BMW 5 series and put a value of $33,500 on it as it was immaculate, but had 35K miles on it. He said that was a fair price but wanted another $1000 off the price of the new car. So I put another $1000 into his trade and the sale was finalized.
He had brought the title to his trade with him and since he was paying cash for the difference, the rest of the process went quite smoothly. He was very excited and said when his wife returned from her European trip with her college reunion lady friends, he was going to surprise her.
About 3 weeks later, I see him pull up in front of the showroom, parked his car, and he along with this young women entered the showroom. The young woman (she appeared to be in her late 20's or early 30's) starts to scream and yell in the showroom demanding to speak with the manager. I introduced myself to her and she asked the customer if I was the person who had sold him his new car. He said yes. She then slapped me across my face and started calling me a thief who took advantage of her husband!
Needless to say, I was flabbergasted! Not just from that wicked slap to my face, but at the significant age difference between the customer and his wife (at least 40 years difference). With my nose bleeding all over my suit and shirt and the showroom floor, several salesmen ran over to subdue her. The police had already been called by the receptionist, and the wife had promised to behave herself if she could just sit down in an office.
The police arrived about 5 minutes later and proceeded to read the young woman her rights and placed handcuffs on her wrists. They took her to the police station with her "husband" following.
I was asked to file a complaint, but refused because of the possible ramifications associated with subsequent developments. The owner of the dealership concurred with that decision.
Later that afternoon, the customer and his wife walk into the showroom and came over to me to apologize for breaking my nose (I had been to the hospital where they taped me up) and thanked me for not pressing charges with the police. She was just charged with disorderly conduct - a misdemeanor.
To make a long story short, they left that evening with a brand new coupe in addition to the sedan the husband bought, and since the coupe was in short supply since it had just been redesigned, she paid full sticker for it.
The moral of this story? Don't be too quick to place blame on someone or something - it could end up making you infamous!!!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Mike....Uuuhhhhhh...Sadly for me, I would have responded in a much different (and much less restrained) manner. Good for you!
"Mike....Uuuhhhhhh...Sadly for me, I would have responded in a much different (and much less restrained) manner. Good for you!"
I failed to mention that I wanted to cup my hands under my nose bleed, collect several milliliters, and toss them at the woman's $1000 outfit, but sanity got the better of me. Besides, the owner was involved and when he got involved, we always agreed with his suggestions!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Stick, I get to this page for a 4 door Focus Sedan, SE model with auto.
edmunds.com Ford Focus SE auto 4 door sedan
Then, to see the special deal I have to give my email address. Go to the page and copy and paste the link, and I'll try to get to it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
>
I am so glad I didn't go into selling cars. If I ever get the urge to give it a try, remind me of this story.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"I am so glad I didn't go into selling cars. If I ever get the urge to give it a try, remind me of this story."
The funny part of this story is that it seems the older man was this woman's accounting professor at her university. They fell in love (May-December romance) and got married right after she graduated. She worked as a CPA for her own firm (her husband was the one who set her up in business) and both were quite wealthy. His parents left him millions upon their death and I guess he preferred younger women.
I guess marrying someone 37 years your junior shows that kind of preference.
BTW, my nose healed nicely and the owner paid for my vacation to California as a way of compensating me for my "war injuries"! It was an NADA conference in LA and I got to spend some time with my son and grand kids.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
When you sold them the coupe, the entire profit should have been yours! I don't know which career was the worst for you, selling cars or teaching school.
Richard
"When you sold them the coupe, the entire profit should have been yours! I don't know which career was the worst for you, selling cars or teaching school."
Actually, I enjoyed teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grades very much. When I was promoted to school principal, that's when the serious stress started in my life. It hasn't stopped, even in my retirement. But the stress was worthwhile when I look back on my career and remember the positive affect I had on thousands and thousands of children.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Then, to see the special deal I have to give my email address. Go to the page and copy and paste the link, and I'll try to get to it.
Just enter any name and email address. Phone number too. I used Rat Face.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Wasn't the Comet just a re-badged Maverick with some cosmetic changes? And you can get a Ford for under $17K.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
My Philosophy is that when it comes to religion it's either all or none. If you accept some and reject some you are not really accepting the religion but creating your own.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
With unique plates, you had better live a clean life. It would be easy to identify your vehicle if you were parked in a place that you shouldn't be---a bar, some lady's house other than your wife's, a local motel, etc.
I would think having a unique looking car would be more of an issue there. What would be more noticeable? A beige Civic with the license plate "I AM BOB" or a bright purple PT Cruiser?
Since plate are hard to read at a distance I find this hard to believe. I would think that plates would have no effect on that?
See above.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Personally I go out of my way to avoid having corporate names on my clothing.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
"I would think having a unique looking car would be more of an issue there. What would be more noticeable? A beige Civic with the license plate "I AM BOB" or a bright purple PT Cruiser?"
People keep asking me if my name is Max because my tag (plate) has the letters MAX followed by 3 numbers. No, I am not MAX, but thanks for noticing the tag!
Here in Florida, we have a choice of over 50 different styled plates to choose from - all in different colors and many in support of organizations like:
ASPCA, Save The Panther, Save The Manatee, Miami Heat, Dolphins, Education, University of Florida, The Seminoles, Challenger, Florida Keys., etc.
So if you get a special plate, part of the proceeds goes to the organization named on the plate (we call them tags down here). They are quite colorful and good looking - some great art work on some of them.
As for vanity plates, they are quite costly and can be had on any of the 50+ available designs.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Hmm. Driver, on the main home page, I select a car. Picked 2014 focus sedan.
that brings up the 2014 Focus page. In the middle box, click on "build and price your car"
answer the various questions (want heated seats? Cruise control?) or click on the "see all styles" link if you know you want a particular model, and select Titanium.
check the option boxes you want (manual, etc) and click on the "Next Step GET TRUE MARKET VALUE® PRICING" orange box.
that gives you the summary screen with all the pricing. no, that did not post right!
Just don't click on the "get dealer quotes" link, and you shouldn't get any requests for info or requirement to enter contact info.
Invoice
$22,362MSRP
$23,900
$22,682
True Market Value®
The True Market Value® (TMV®) price is our exclusive method for calculating what others are paying for a 2014 Ford Focus Sedan Titanium in Voorhees, NJ (based on actual sales data from your region).
True Market Value® Pricing
DescriptionInvoiceMSRPTrue Market Value® Base Price $21,975$23,565$22,301 Charcoal Black Surround w/Charcoal Black Insert $0$0$0 Performance Blue Metallic $0$0$0 5 Speed Manual Transmission $0$0$0 Equipment Group 300A $0$0$0 SYNC and Sound Discount ($438)($490)($490) Destination Fee $825$825$825 Advertising Fee Unavailable* Regional Adjustmentfor Zip Code:
UPDATE
$46 Color Adjustment $0 Total Price $22,362$23,900$22,682 Incentives & Rebates ($2,000) Customer Cash Adjusted True Market Value $20,682
*DisclaimersNext Step GET DEALER QUOT
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Be glad it isn't SUE
We have them here in the [not so] great state of Illinois, I have veterans plates on my car.
Personally I think there are way to many specialty plates available.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
"Be glad it isn't SUE"
I guess there ARE worse plate letters than MAX. SUE would be worse.
Picture getting out of your car with you Dad and someone asking you, "...which one of you is SUE?"
Or, "...whose the ambulance chaser?"
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
There is a lady at work that has the plate SEXYME with a number after it. All I can say is that it's false advertising.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
it's false advertising.
LMAO!!! I love your comment regarding her tag!
Richard
You may have 50 tags in Florida, but I still love the original with the picture of the orange on it. I grew up seeing those tags and always liked them.
Richard
Mike, what was she all worked up about, and what turned her around so that they bought the second car?
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6