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Ahhh, the good old days and we still complained because we could remember when gas was 21.9 a gallon. I can remember my father complaining, “if this gas didn’t cost so damn much I could afford to buy stock in the oil companies”.
There weren’t many, if any, Hondas or Toyotas back then, just good old American gas guzzlers.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
One of my favorite moments in history is from when Carter had been trying for 444 days to get the hostages freed and 30 minutes after Reagan was sworn in they were on a plane coming home.
Like we were going to sell it for that. :confuse:
Our hot items right now are as always F-Series Trucks, then the Edge's, Fusions, and Escapes. The Focus is pretty hot right now to with improvements for 2008.
We could sell a field full of Hybrid Escapes right now. The funny part is that the people who want to buy them don't understand it would be a waste of money for them. They would be better off just buying the 4 cyl Escape and not wasting the money on the Hybrid because with there driving habits a Hybrid would be useless.
Even if you did sell it for that price, he would have complained about Doc fees and that stupid $2.50 per tire fee. Some people are never happy. Imagine having that guy as a repeat customer
BTW, Let me know if you guys goof on an F series, LOL
Not to worry. It’s almost baseball season. Those Louisville Sluggers should be flying off the assembly line about now. :shades:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
This is also a little off topic but I couldn’t help but notice your handle and member date. Have you been lurking around here just waiting for the perfect opportunity to jump into the discussion?
Welcome aboard; just make sure you pay your dues on time. The hosts will put up with a little off topic stuff but not deadbeats.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Yes - I have been entertained and informed for years without posting. It so happens I wanted to post a question to Real Market Values and that provided the push to register.
I am from Central KY but lived in Lousville from 1971 to 1980 and used to drive by the Fern Valley Road Ford factory every week day.
I once had a woman run up to my school bus and curse me out because I didn't pick up her garbage cans. Takes all kinds. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I just saw the new body Focus today. I agree it's a nice style improvement. I think Ford now has three vehicles I would consider: Focus, Fusion and Mustang. It's great to see a domestic car company that "gets it". Ford now has three vehicles that look good and handle well. If the reliability matches I can see Ford having a long and prosperous life.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I just saw the new body Focus today. I agree it's a nice style improvement.
i still don't understand why they don't have the hatchback anymore. The European Focus is pretty nice. :confuse: http://www.ford.co.uk/ns7/focmca/focmca_photos/cms_focmca_gal/-/-/-/-#
Don't get ahead of yourself. Nissan was always the same way for years. Power windows/ power locks... you get a remote.
The first time I saw pw/pl with out a remote is in the base 2.0 Sentra. But I give anyone who buys that car remotes... unless I didn't like their attitude which happened once... it only takes me 2 minutes to program 2 remotes on a new vehicle. A couple years old and I it can take 20 minutes. With the new technology coming out with these I-Keys I won't be able to program them anymore
GP
I saw that happen when I first got into the business. There was a Pathifinder on the frontline with the Green number stickers $ 9,999... It should have said $19,999. The 1 must have blown off on a test drive... happens from time to time.
Well anyway this lady comes storming in the showroom ( it is around 7 at night ) with her friend and starts screaming false advertising.... Call fox news... She got on her phone screaming at the managers she was getting the news shows down there. I can't remember who called the cops but the cops showed up and had to escort her out of the showroom.
She was just a woman driving by on her way home I would assume. I know she wasn't in our showroom at any time recently to that event but she could have had a previous disagreement with that dealer.
Laurasdad... The dealer I used to work for was Quirk... You might have heard of them since you are on the South Shore or have at least read the Globe
I worked there 2 years.
GP
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
:shades:
Yeah? Were you the one that knocked them over? If not what was your response... "I don't make trash I burn it"? :P
Mackabee settles in behind a terminal and picks up the phone, he dials Ms White's number while loosening the tie and collar on his impeccably pressed shirt.
The phone rings for what seems like an eternity and then a voice answers.
Ms White: "Hello" she sounds like she's on a speaker phone. "Hi Ms. White, this is Mackabee at xyz Toyota. I'm one of the floor managers and I just wanted to follow up on your visit and see what we can do to sell you a car."
Ms. White: "Well, I'll tell you this; the two salespersons I talked to yesterday were the worst I've seen in my life. They couldn't answer my questions, one told me he used to sell Volkswagens and just started with Toyota and the other one sold Hondas." she replies.
"Well, let me apologize for the poor service you received. I'm a 10 year veteran with Toyota so I know just about everything about the cars but can't remember it all at once." I tell her trying to break the ice.
"What kind of car are you driving now?" I ask
"I have a 1990 Toyota Celica with over 300k miles" she replies. "Wow! That's great! My first Toyota was a 1981 Celica, and there's been quite a few Toyotas in the family after that one. I'm looking at the notes here and it looks like you've contacted our internet department, looks like you are looking for a Camry or Solara in a stickshift. Is this correct?" I ask her.
"That's right. You guys don't have any and they told me they wouldn't bring one in unless I gave a deposit. I want to drive the car first before I buy it." she replies.
"That's understandable. There are a few costs associated with bringing a car from another dealership that's why we ask for a deposit and make sure the customer is ready to buy. A 5spd is rare now days and if we get one in for you and you decide not to buy than we are stuck with a car for a while. So which car do yo prefer, the Camry or the Solara?" I ask her. "I think I like the Solara but the Camry SE is also available with a stick so I would like to drive one of those too." she replies. "May I make a suggestion? I have one SE Camry in stock with the 4cylinder engine but with the automatic transmission. Why don't we set up a test drive on this car. It will be the same as one with a 5spd. So the only difference will be you shifting gears or just putting the car in drive and take it for a drive and see if you like the suspension and handling.' I suggest. "That's an idea, I could stop by your shop tomorrow. What time are you in.? she asks. 'Tomorrow is my late shift so I should be in around 1pm." I tell her. "That's good, I will see you tomorrow then. You said your name is Mackabee?" she asks "Yes, do you have a pen or pencil handy? Let me spell my name for you and give you my cell number in case you need to reach me before tomorrow afternoon." I give her the spelling of my last name and cell phone number and say goodbye...............
TO BE CONTINUED
:shades:
"
Mack
Talking of extreme actions... Of course, different world and different era - early 1990, former commie country, democracy had just broken out... No more cheap/free oil from the Soviets. Long lines in the capital (I was in the service at that time in a base nearby), people waiting in line for a day, also taking out adds in the classified to offer waiting in line. Then the ugly stuff: people stealing gas siphoning it from other vehicles; or some to speed it up just laying a pan/pot under the gas tank and puncturing it with a nail.
Then on base, transport trucks' mileage dropping to that of a T-72 Tank (about 0.75mpg) - the guys were selling it on their way to and from the base straight from their gas tanks, until threats of court martial started to look quite real...
My dad still puts just enough to get him to the villa and back.
My dad still puts just enough to get him to the villa and back.
As bad as some bleeding-hearts try to make it sound, the USA is by far the best place to be.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Typical capitalist running-dog propaganda. You probably don't even believe that Bush and Chaney are hiding all the oil in the white house basement to drive up prices. :mad:
It wouldn't even surprise me if you think that car salesmen should make a (gasp!) PROFIT!
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Of course I believe that.
It wouldn't even surprise me if you think that car salesmen should make a (gasp!) PROFIT!
No I don’t since I also believe they put those two guys up to it. :P
FWIW, I hope I don’t get in trouble for this off topic comment but “it sure has been quiet in here for the last couple of days”. :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
There is tons of media gloom about the economy. Sub-prime mortgage collapse continues to unfold, and now prime market is affected and worsening. This is bleeding over into other credit markets. Oil at all time highs. $4.00+ gas. The dollar continues to weaken. We have not seen any effect on the job market yet. There are some very dire prediction beginning to rumble around. All levels of government are attempting to figure out how involved they should be, but more governmental involvement is almost certainly coming.
So, what effects are you noticing? Slower sales are pretty well documented, but is it affecting all segments? Are you noticing tighter financing? More people who can't get financed, even those without horrible credit? Is there more interest in smaller more fuel efficient cars and less interest in full sized, less efficient vehicles? Any increase in trading down? Comment on anything you may be noticing. We have heard lots from pundits, politicians, and experts. I can't say I have heard very much from those most directly affected by all this.
A lot of the problem comes from the media telling us how bad things are. I'm sure some people are reacting by holding off major purchases.
I live and work in a fairly affulant area so getting people financed isn't much of a problem for us. Once in awhile I'll get some one who recently filed bankruptacy wondering why nobody will finance them but that's not common for us.
Strangly, I seem to have more Accord buyers wanting V-6's when they are totally unnecessary. For whatever reason, they think they "need" the extra power. Pilot and Odyssey sales haven't been bad either.
We do get a lot of people wanting to trade in their tankers for cars that get better mileage. We cringe when the Suburbans and Expeditions etc pull in. We don't want them and neither does anybody else. The customers "know" what they are worth thanks to the various internet sources but in reality they are worth thousands less because of gas prices.
Like all things, these times will pass.
Right now I'm in the process of selling an Prius and an Avalon to a couple and their trade is an Ford F-250 in this color: :lemon: Since they are the parents of one of our employees they are getting any available discount on the new purchase but now the hold up is the trade. We put 30K and they want 33k. I spoke to our wholesaler and he told me it was all the money since you can get a new one cheap with all the rebates Ford has.
We'll see what happens, I have the Prius in stock and have to dealer exchange the other car which right now it's not looking good since there are only 5 listed and one is a demo, two are sold and we're waiting on a callback from the other two stores. Otherwise my customer said she will take a different color which we do have in stock and hopefully will not sell by the weekend.
mA k
Fascinating about the V6's.
So, what's the typical reaction to the $8k upside down on that '06 Expedition?
Just a drive by observation ya know. I drive by them daily.
Customers having any concerns, or any problems selling the 6 cylinder Camry?
Consumer Reports no longer recommends the 6 cylinder due to, "Reliability of the V6 dropped to below average and is not recommended."
I believe the V6 has had, or is having, problems with an erratic shifting transmission.
The wholesalers don't want them. They No Sale at the auction and the local dealers that sell those brands are already choking on their own inventories.
As used cars, the tankers can be great buys right now if gas mileage isn't a concern!
This is from today's Business Week on-line:
Does the Media make the Economy Worse?
Lots of opportunity for some though. If I had a heavy trailer or boat to pull, I'd think there would be a great deal to be had somewhere on a buggy to pull it.
People do this on these forums.
I’m not at home right now so I can’t be sure of the date but I’m pretty sure it was August 2004.
They were just about giving money away for a 15 year home mortgage. We had about 21/22 years left on a 30 year loan at 7% that started in 1998 as a result of making 2 half payments a month vs. one payment. Boy, I sure hope Mrs. jmonroe doesn’t see this post because when we moved back to the Burgh from South Carolina in 1997 she thought we were going to just buy a house outright. Said something like, “why would people our age finance a house”? I told her that since our investments were doing pretty good (like everyone else’s at the time) it would be unwise to pay cash for a house. It took some doing but she finally relented but only if we financed no more than half the value of the house. OK, I considered this a win, since she hit me right at my high end number.
Like I said, almost free money in August 2004 for about a week. It was 4-1/2 % (yes, you read that right) and after hearing the particulars the very first question banks and brokers wanted to know was, “How much money do you want to walk away from the table with”? :surprise: I wasn’t going to do this but I relayed this to her saying, “See, it’s so cheap now we should get some more”. She was sitting down when she heard this but if she was standing, not only would I have gotten the same look, I would have surely gotten one of those patented female two-hippers.
I’m sure there are people who walked away with plenty. I’m also sure if you asked them today to tell you where it is, they’d have no idea other than to say it went to a good cause. Yeah right.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I also can't believe some of the "creative" deal that people signed up for. ARM's, balloons, etc.
Home equity loans...WHY?
15 year fixed hit 4.5% for about 2 days... I locked it in... closed in late April, 2004..
Straight Re-Fi, though... Didn't take out anything extra..
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I also can't believe some of the "creative" deal that people signed up for. ARM's, balloons, etc.
There have been blogs since 2004 throughout the internet on the looming mortgage crisis. However, everyone was making lots of money - the appraisers, the money lenders, home flippers, etc.- on the deals. And many of the best blogs came from people who were originating "liar loans" - no doc loans where there was no income verification.
The justification for home equity loans in that you can deduct the interest on your taxes. However, I saw a few cases where taxpayers did not exceed the standard deduction and derived NO benefit from the HELOC.
Maybe I can get an answer here?
Hybrid? Does that mean 2 sources of propulsion? Electric and Gasoline?
How far will a hybrid go with an empty gas tank?
Is a Prius and an Explorer hybrid powered in the same way?
Hopefully more than just me want to know the answers to these questions (or will if prices rise at the pump) Thanks, Dave
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Blame it on that "Hold on to your dreams" commercial. They all want that 268hp Accord.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I agree with you on the Fusion and Mustang(I'd buy a Bullitt today if I could get one on X Plan), and I'd also add the Edge as another solid offering.
But, I find the "New" Focus to be a bland and gawky restyle of a platform that is long past its sell-by date. If the European Focus ST was offered here I might have given it the nod over the MS3. The current model is just another appliance that I hope Hertz won't saddle me with on my next trip.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
When I bought my Eclipse I brought pay check stubs and my business tax returns so I could verify my income. We completed the financing and they asked for NOTHING, just my word that my income was what I said it was. Since it was 0% money I financed everything, including TTL. Only cost to drive away was $100 on the credit card.
I guess easy credit is still out there. Now, I'm the kind of kook who would sell his blood to make my payments, so they don't have to worry about me. I'm learning however, that my old-fashioned sense of responsibility is getting rather rare. They are taking an awful chance giving cars away without any guarantee of getting paid.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible