Options

Stories from the Sales Frontlines

15925935955975982003

Comments

  • tedebeartedebear Member Posts: 832
    if you own a neon you buy head gaskets by the dozen

    Interesting. Our family owned two Neons back in the late 90s and we never had any head gasket problem with them.

    Perhaps you bought one that was built on a Friday.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Now if I could just find out at what point this software cuts your posts off I would be very happy and so would you guys and gals that like my stories. I would end them in one sitting.

    However, it was lost on the first post when I hit post.


    Hint...since you're prone to long tales, having them chopped and then having to rewrite what you have already written has to be a pain. I suggest writing them in WORD. Then copy/paste into the box. Then when they're chopped you still have it in WORD so you can pick up where it was chopped. This would save some aggravation.

    Confused?

    Follow my tip and you won't be. ;)

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Even the Jipster is upside down?

    The only time I'm upside down is when I'm dangling off the side of my bed reading the newspaper. Try it. I find it very relaxing.

    We've got one more payment on our 2004 Mazda MPV, then she's all ours... and we will be totally debt free. Anybody need any money? Only members of Team Jipster, in good standing, may apply for this limited time offer. :P
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    nope as a gsm of a chrysler dodge jeep store i have bought and sold tens of thousands of them over the years.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    they should have stovepiped the trade (instead of trading and rolling the water) after getting done on the newcar. :shades:

    the repo rate is going thru the roof right now. i had a deal with a 705 beacon that the bank (wfs) quoted a buy rate of 11.25 for 72 on a 2007 suv.

    guess who wont get a deal from me for awhile ? :lemon:
  • tedebeartedebear Member Posts: 832
    nope as a gsm of a chrysler dodge jeep store i have bought and sold tens of thousands of them over the years.

    I guess we owned the only two that didn't have head gasket problems. Maybe we should have kept them. A rare vehicle like that would be worth a lot of money today.
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    Notepad or any other plain text editor would be safer for C&P into anything online such as this forum. There's gremlins in Word that like to play around and muck up the text when you hit post. But the general advice to C&P a long post is a very good practice.

    On top of that mack would have all those stories archived conveniently for that book I keep hearing about.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    eat your cake and send the suv back to the lender. :surprise:
  • alamocityalamocity Member Posts: 680
    I have a Neon, no head gasket problems after 165,000 miles so guess I am lucky too, though did replace transmission.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    the sohc 2 liter was the turd. the dohc 2 liter was not bad. the 2.4 liter is rock solid.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    "Yes! You can have your cake and eat it, too".

    How many slices of that cake did you buy?

    Advertising, what would we do without it. I'll bet that about 10% of the people that hear/see it will at least think about it. :surprise:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,750
    i made that move 4 years ago. i still need the suv, but the kids now drive it unless it is needed for another reason. next week, outer banks, guess we'll take the suv.
    so moo, is a gt3 a nice car? ;) i'm going to drive one tomorrow.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I do have Firefox, I don't like IE. I don't think I did hit the back button. I had like five windows open at once.

    I appreciate all yous guys suggestions about Word and Notepad. One of my kids had suggested that before but I just didn't listen. You know, Father knows best. :blush:
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    I love my GT 3 :shades:
  • tedebeartedebear Member Posts: 832
    the dohc 2 liter was not bad

    I guess that would explain it. Both of the ones in our family were the DOHC.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,231
    "...i think i would be happy to pay 2 grand more for a 08 with 5K and clean carfax than a 03 with 50k and a dirty carfax..."

    Yea, but then your deal would only be a LITTLE better than my local guys. If I could get your 08 for the same price as their 03 it would be a SCREAMING deal. Hence my question about extra fees. :)

    In NY the doc fees are limited to $45 but I hear there are no limits for you.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,231
    "...I got a better deal for you!..."

    Oh goody, a bidding war. Now I see why jmonroe, Jipster and snake enjoy pitting dealers against each other.

    Or is it because I was willing to buy a Mitsu you figure I'll go for anything? ;)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • madmanmoomadmanmoo Member Posts: 2,039
    You'll be one up on me then. I haven't been able to drive one yet. Only seen a handful (of the 997's). It's a track car though with plenty of punch. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. :D
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Damn, ya'alls pay plans are confusing as hell. We do

    1 to 9.5 units 25%

    10 to 13.5 units 40%

    Unit bonus's along the way.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Now I see why jmonroe, Jipster and snake enjoy pitting dealers against each other.

    I for one don't pit dealers against each other. I may shop around and compare prices but I will never tell one dealer what another is offering.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    my gt3 and my viper acr gts lap sebring within 2 sec of each other. a monkey can drive the viper as fast as a hero can drive the gt3.

    track day rules for 911 owners

    rule 1 slow in fast out

    rule 2 if a drop of water hits your windscreen head to the pits

    rule 3 never lift mid corner

    rule 4 slower traffic keep right

    and last but not least

    rule 5 get heat in your brakes and tires before a hot lap because you dont want to look like a miami coke dealer walking back to the motor home while the hook is towning your balled up beauty to champion for a rebuild.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    i guess thats smart.let the guy up north make $5 k on you while i am only looking to make $1500. :confuse:

    i know down here a 03 pt is worth about a quarter unless it is a gt or a cabriolet then may 5k to 6 depending on the clock and the condition.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    mine dearler/doc/mop fees are fixed. if i charge one a dollar i have to charge everyone a dollar.

    the selling price on nonsale units is not fixed so i have ways to better a deal .
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,231
    "...Mythbusters...confirmed your assertion..."

    Really? I thought they said it all evened out. Guess I shouldn't drink and watch the Discovery channel. :blush:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I thought they said it all evened out.

    I don't think so but it's been a while since I watched that episode.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,231
    "...What are the magic words for me to say to get the best deal right away?..."

    I'M LEAVING. ;)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,231
    "...if you own a neon you buy head gaskets by the dozen..."

    But aren't the pt cruiser and neon basicly the same? Same engine too, right?

    By the way, Mack made the last bid. What's your counter? :shades:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Err I think the PT Cruiser used a different engine. I think the PT Cruiser engine was either the 4 cylinder from the Minivan or from the Sebring/Avenger.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    very true but the srt 4 neon shares the turbo 2.4 with the pt cruiser
  • unkownuserunkownuser Member Posts: 23
    I have to laugh when I hear the rap from sales people that their hands are tied with regard to doc fees, and there is some mysterious law that says that if one customer is charged that, all must be.

    Nonsense. By the same token, if one customer is charged one price for a model, all customers must be charged the same price.

    I have no doubt the 'doc fee' is fixed. It is fixed by the dealership.

    Another good one is the contention that the "doc" fee is some sort of state-mandated charge.

    But as is mentioned, all they need do is take their absolute final bestest offer on the unit, and then mark it down further by the exact amount of the doc fee. And then it is a wash and everyone is happy.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,231
    "...let the guy up north make 5K on you..."

    Heck no. The local guy is on crack if he thinks I would pay what he's asking. I mentioned him because your deal seemed SO MUCH better that there must be some hidden costs I didn't understand. Otherwise it is as I figured...the local guy is a crook trying to take advantage of the hot market for anything 4cyl.

    It's crazy up here right now. SUV's parked on every lawn with desperate "FOR SALE" signs written with shaky hands and tear stains running down them. And the dealers are circling like sharks. I think I mentioned seeing a low-milage 2005 Focus listed for $20,500.

    It's like some kind of si-fi horror movie. People running down the street screaming "I've got to dump my gas guzzler, help me, help me!" :surprise:

    In 6 months to a year the hysteria will die down and these folks will feel foolish.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Yeah and the SRT-4 Neons or the ACR neons are the only ones really worth having.
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    haha

    "Attack of the Killer SUV's"

    "Mad Max: SUV Graveyard"

    "The Guzzler from the Back Lot"
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    The DMV in my state has told us if we charge a handling fee it must be the same for each customer.

    The doc fees on bank contract in my state are capped by the state treasurer .
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    back in the late 90s a tech in my shop purchased a Acr neon that showroom fresh and out of the box would run mid 14s at the local 1/4 mile here in humid florida.
  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    for what it cost to trade a suv just bite the bullet and pay for the fuel.

    a buddy of mine pays 14.76 a gallon in the uk and drives a supercharged range rover then for the town runs or for short trips he keeps a audi A2 .
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,750
    didn't mislead me. i went for a free oil change today, and it was free! i have the greasy fingerprints on the hood to prove it. ;)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I’d like to ask a question on behalf of son #1.

    He’s looking to replace his 02’ Grand Caravan with 110K miles and he’s looking at an Odyssey EXL-RES, MSRP $34,400. I know you dread when someone shows up with one of these but this is what he has.

    So far he’s gotten a price of $29,500 + tax and the usual stuff from one dealer and $31,982 + tax etc. from another guy that says he can take $2K off that or $1K off that and get 2.9% financing. I don’t know what kind of financing he can get with the one at $29,500.

    Now for the best part. According to him, Edmunds says his van is worth $2500 in average condition and KBB says it’s worth $4800. :surprise: In fact, the dealer that quoted $31,982 said in their email reply that if he is trading a vehicle to go to KBB for the trade price.

    From what I’ve heard about the Caravans I told him he’d be lucky to get $2K if the prices he's gotten on the Odyssey's are real.

    So now for a couple questions:

    1) what are the Odyssey’s like he wants going for
    2) what do you think his beast is worth
    3) and since his wife is short, he’s thinking of getting the model that has adjustable pedals, so what model would he have to get for that option.

    He thinks if he goes for the model with adjustable pedals, it’s about $4K more but you get other stuff like Nav that he doesn’t care about. Is there an in between model that has adjustable pedals without all the other fluff?

    He’s also considering the Chrysler Town and Country because the one he’s looking at has the adjustable pedals without the fluff and it’s about the same price as the Odyssey EXL-RES.

    I think he’s better off with the Odyssey (any model) for a myriad of reasons but I’m not the one buying.

    So, can I get any help from you before mid week because he’s got an itch.

    Thanks,

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    For 4k more, I would tell the wife to pull the seat forward. ;) Remind him to get free towels for the mats. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Welcome home. It has been much too serious with the team captain on vacation. There has been a lot of talk about cars on this thread. :P

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    For 4k more, I would tell the wife to pull the seat forward.

    There is a method to his thinking. It's not very safe to be in an accident when you're sitting on top of the steering wheel when the air bag goes off.

    Remind him to get free towels for the mats.

    He's too much of a car geek for that. :P

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • deskmandeskman Member Posts: 485
    trade acv should be 3500- 4000 if the van is in the wrapper
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    Does your DMV mandate that if you charge a doc fee to one customer that you must charge a doc fee to every customer?
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,750
    i went for my drive. i have already named it 'the hullk'. seems kind of normal until you go over the line. then it is 'warp speeed'. :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    The numbers that he's getting on the Ody are a bit high - it should come in at less than 29 without the special financing.

    The top of the line Touring is the only one with adjustable pedals. The best recently reported prices are just a shade under 34 with 34.5 being a more typical good price. So the spread is truly more than 4.

    His Caravan sounds like a good craigslist candidate.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You're right of course. I wasn't thinking. I read that you shouldn't sit too close to the steering wheel. What does deskman mean when he says, "...if it is in the wrapper."? Being a consumer, I don't always follow his terminology.

    Richard
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,421
    means "like new" condition. Or, like it was in the wrapper a new car comes in.

    Of course a 2002 with 110K won't be like new, so ITW in this case means it is nice and clean, and doens't need any significant recon good itres, etc).

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

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    What does deskman mean when he says, "...if it is in the wrapper."?

    I think he means in "great condition". But I've already said my son thinks it's in fair condition because of a few scratches and the typical paint bubbles starting to appear on the front edge of the hood and a few other places. My son says he's looked at other 02' Caravans in parking lots and his doesn't seem to be as bad as most. Maybe, although his car is a little better than typical for its age it should fall into the "poor" category and not "average". :sick:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    The numbers that he's getting on the Ody are a bit high - it should come in at less than 29 without the special financing.

    He thought that since $29,500 was the first price given and it was given pretty quickly, he figured the final price should be, maybe as low as $28,700, that’s why I asked the question.

    The top of the line Touring is the only one with adjustable pedals. The best recently reported prices are just a shade under 34 with 34.5 being a more typical good price.

    If he finds that to be the case that will probably kill the deal. The van he is buying is for his soccer mom wife and she seems to favor the Chrysler Town and Country but he is insisting that she has to drive both before they decide.

    His Caravan sounds like a good craigslist candidate.

    I’ll mention this to him but I don’t think he will want to bother with that. He has sold cars himself before he was married but things are different now. He’s a busy guy with three sons. ;)

    Thanks for your help.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    What about 14 units and up? Back end money? CSI bonus? That 40% looks mighty tasty. You got room for a Toyota salesman?
    ;)
    Mackabee
This discussion has been closed.