Stories from the Sales Frontlines

sterlingdog

Mike, I have never worried about the lifetime power train warranty. Most of my cars have been a year old at purchase, and I don't generally keep them more than 4 or 5 years. I did keep my Towncar for six years. My Explorer XLT will be the first car that I am planning on keeping for a long time. It was a year old at purchase and I have had it for five years. With proper maintenance, it has remained in excellent condition and now has 92k miles. We're planning to keep it until it reaches 150k miles. That will mean about another four years. IIRC, I have purchased only seven brand new cars. Two of them I only kept for a year. I like to purchase cars that are a year old because I can save quite a few bucks when I do.

Richard

snakeweasel

I'll join in with Richard, I bought mine almost 3 months ago and I love the car. Rides nice, handles well and I get a lot of complements. I have the LX and paid a bit less than what you have there. If you want a ragtop I would recommend it.

mikefm58

We have a 2008 Siebring Convertable on our lot with 14,000 miles. It's tagged at 14,700. Been here 75 days and not one looker.

In your opinion, why do you think that's happenning? That vehicle seems to take a huge hit in depreciation in year one. Now I know that is typical for Chrysler products, but even so, the Sebring convertible is taking more of a hit than is typical, even for a Chrysler. Is it the Limited? Wish we were closer.

I really do like the value though!

sterlingdog

I checked my mail at Car Space, but I didn't have a message from you. This happened to me the first time that I tried it. Here is one thing that I know. Don't click on "Send and Trash". Just click on "Send".

Richard

sterlingdog

Mike, perhaps people are hesitating because his Sebring is sitting on a Honda lot. When I purchased mine two months ago, my dealer had seven of them. There are only two remaining now. There may be more confidence when people see a car sitting on the same brand lot.

Richard

isellhondas

It's a silver and it's not a Touring.

The Touring only adds about 1000.00 to it's value.

Nice car, just not much of a market for them especially with the recent news.

Even worse are PT Cruisers! the market is DEAD on these!

mikefm58

Even worse are PT Cruisers! the market is DEAD on these!

LOL, I saw one advertised, don't recall where, for something like $8k, that was a low mileage one year old one. You know, for someone who doesn't care about the resale value and will drive it until the wheels fall off, that's an incredible value.

driver100

Just click on "Send".

I tried again. I cut and pasted and sent it again. I guess the first one is in cyberspace.
Let me know.....

mikefm58

The Touring only adds about 1000.00 to it's value.

I've seen an 08 Touring convertible with 11K miles for $14K and a similar Limited for just under $16K.

sterlingdog

If #1 is in cyberspace, then #2 must be in outer space. Do you suppose it is because you haven't asked to be my friend on Car Space? Let's try that first, then maybe it will work.

Richard

driver100

because you haven't asked to be my friend on Car Space?

Oh man, life is just one challenge after the other! I went and checked back. Do I have to put in a picture? It will take a bit of time, maybe next week. We are going to a play in Niagara Falls at the Shaw Festival, called Born Yesterday so I'll be away Fri to Sat (I know my many fans will have to get by without my words of wisdom for 24 hours). Our IT guy is off until next Wednesday. So, I will send the info when I get a chance.

Briefly, we did talk to both people involved. They say they will act civilized with each other. Your input was very helpful. I do think the problem is resolved, at least for awhile.
Thank You Very Much

graphicguy

While I'm not very familiar with the Chryco dealerships that have closed down in my general area, there is one that I pass by from time to time. It's in a small town (a town that has seen better days) dealership. Been there for decades. Used to be an American Motors dealership before Chryco bought AMC. Dealership hasn't changed outside of changing the cars they sold.

I can see them only selling 35 cars a year. On the other hand, I can't imagine they have much debt. Same family has owned it all those years. Property has to be paid for. Any equipment in the service area has to be paid for. Stock levels were never really high.

If that's the kid of dealership Chryco and GM are closing down, I'm not sure where all the hand wringing is coming from. $700,000 close down cost?

Maybe.....if they don't sell existing stock. But, my guess is, that stock will be gobbled up by other dealerships.

I think some of these dealerships are overstating the costs involved. No doubt there are some that will have considerable debt service. But, they also probably leveraged the dealership way more than they should have.

stickguy

I imagine that a lot of those small operations just sell the new cars so they can advertise being a dealer. They are making the money on used cars and service, not selling 5-10 minis a month.

So, they can still sell the used, just not be an authorized service center (really only matters for warrenty work I guess)

Actually, this would be a perfect time for a manufacturer that was trying to build a dealer network to swoop in and do it on the Q&D. And cheap. Plenty of dealers will be looking for something else t osell.

Not sure who though. Someone like FIAT if they weren't already coming in the backdoor? Maybe Tata? Whoever the next KIA is I guess!

lrguy44

Tata does not have anything ready for the US Market and already has an established Jaguar-Land Rover network. Fiat will inherit existing Chrysler dealers and Kia is already established. Those that go away will have trouble finding a replacement new car franchise.

driver100

If that's the kid of dealership Chryco and GM are closing down, I'm not sure where all the hand wringing is coming from. $700,000 close down cost?

40% of the GM dealers are to close down by Dec 2010 in Canada. $700,000 to $800,000 includes costs like severance pay for employees, selling your building etc., payments for parts and machinery etc.

You don't just come in and tell 50 people the doors are closing and don't show up for work, lock the doors and leave. GM has to do a bankrupcy....dealers are hiring lawyers as I write.

As one auto expert said though, this has never been done before, and it could do more harm than good. There are manufacturers, especially from China, who might jump at the chance to get an instant dealer network up and going - while they are selling at depressed prices.

driver100

Those that go away will have trouble finding a replacement new car franchise.

This could be the newest franchise coming......">

Coming soon from China, Build Your Dreams new electric cars. This one looks like a Mercedes copy;
<img src="

joel0622

I'll bet most car salespeople are making far north of 50K.

I bet they average out to around $40K a year. Thing you have to remember is that 30% of the sales people are selling 70% of the cars. We have 5 big guns on our staff and 15 also rans who why I can never understand continue to hang around selling 5 or 6 cars a month. Once in a blue moon they hit 10.

Kind of like the realtors. The average realtor sells a house a month. Thats because there are 1000's of them not doing nothing.

jmonroe

I like to purchase cars that are a year old because I can save quite a few bucks when I do.

The last 3 cars I bought (05', 06' and 09') were new. Now who's tight? :mad:

jmonroe

wlbrown9

"I heard that cars will have to be radically different if we are going to be able to achieve 35 miles per gallon by 2016. We would all have to drive Smart Cars to do this. If car makers can do it, we will be driving cars that are very different than what we are driving today. "

Well, that depends on how you try and do that. How about a full size SUV that averages low to mid 30's mpg in extend range a lot more than that for daily driving? One company took a H3, converted to a PHEV.

IMHO, this would be a good start...Similar to the VOLT, but in a vehicle that about 50% of the public wants... Mid to large SUV and trucks. Raser has both. 30-40 miles on battery, then the generator kicks in averaging between 30 & 35 mpg. Daily driving could use little or no gas, extended driving range of 350-400 miles. Plug into your existing electrical socket to charge at night...use gasoline from our existing service station network for extended range.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12415083
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6556706
http://www.rasertech.com/pdfs

BTW, I would not really want to by this in a Hummer H3, but put it in a Tahoe or crossover like a Traverse and I would be real interested.

sterlingdog

I never claimed not to be tight; I just called YOU tight. :P

Richard

sterlingdog

"Oh man, life is just one challenge after another!"

I'm sorry that you had so much trouble connecting to Car Space. Some things can be a real bother at times. I have spent the last three days trying to connect to Caring Bridge to tell the family of a friend of mine that I am sorry that she had a stroke. I did three profiles and three passwords, but it just wouldn't work. Today, I discovered why. The word "Save" was hidden beneath my screen, and I didn't see it until this afternoon. I was so glad to finally connect. It's the little things that "drive" you crazy.

Keep the faith. You'll figure it out. If I did, I know that you will. At least I am glad that the situation with your two employees is better.

Richard

stickguy

Well, big SUVs might be a problem, but for cars, whats the big deal? Plenty exist today that meet the requirements (note: I have no idea how they actually calculate the target).

Only difference is, people have to give up some size and power. Buy a civic, and 90% (WAG) of people will be adequately served.

Heck, my 2005 Accord was rated at 26/34 (4 cyl, manual tranny), and I was averaging 32+ overall when doing 85miles/day commuting (lots of stop and go too). And that I consider to be a full size car!

Our family car used to be a Mazda 626 5 door (1991). Stick of course, with a whopping 110 HP. But it held a ton of crap, easily cruised at 75, and was pelnty quick. And it got mid-upper 30s on the highway (actually about the same MPG as my Accord does now)

A new Cruze with the 1.4L turbo should easily blow away the standards, in a car that again is probably plenty big for most people.

Put the same powertrain into a wagon version (like a Jetta size), or even one of those little mini-VCUV styles so popular in Europe (think Kia Rondo). THere's your utility vehicle!

roadburner

In Europe you can buy quite a few BMWs fitted with four or six cylinder turbo diesels. The five door 123d averages 44 mpg and handles the 0-60 sprint in less than seven seconds. If you want something a bit hotter, the 330d M Sport gets 40 mpg and takes only six seconds to hit 60 mph. Now, if only BMW NA will start bringing them over here...

joel0622

I don't know about now but in the 80's when I was stationed in germany and Italy you could not swing a dead cat with out hitting a 3 series BMW that a service member was selling for $1500. The only time in my life that I have owned a car that was not a domestic is when I was in Germany. I had a VW Golf. Fun little car that I drove for 3 years and then sold to a buddy. If that car could talk/type it would have allot of stories if we had a forum for such thing but it would definitely violate the TOS here based on content.

driver100

Speaking of feeling sickly, the sticker search just about wore me out for the day. I was on my hands and knees in the garage with a magnifying glass and a flashlight trying to read the door sticker. My lab was licking my face, and my wife was calling to me to take a telephone call.

I am still laughing about this whenever I think about it. Never fails, you finally get a few moments when you can start on a project and 3 other things start happening. :sick:

joel0622

I am still laughing about this whenever I think about it. Never fails, you finally get a few moments when you can start on a project and 3 other things start happening.

Let me tell ya, about 2 months ago my wife and I decided to sell our house. So I contact a realtor and make an appt for the following week. Two days later my septic pump goes out, Boom $1000. Get hat fixed and on my day off a few days later I am cleaning the garage and see a puddle of water, Bam, the hot water heater is toast. Initial estimate is $1000, luckily I shopped around and bought a gas hot water heater at a scratch and dent for $70 and got it installed for $150. Few days before the Realtor is supposed to come....Wham storm damage to the roof of the house. Insurance puts a new roof on. Finally got it all done last week and got our house on the market yesterday.

sterlingdog

They say that things come in 3's. Well, you certainly had your three, and they were expensive items. On the bright side, you can boast to clients that you have a new roof, a new hot water heater, and a new septic pump. Those things may help your sale go better. One thing is for sure. Just when you don't need it, Murphy's Law will kick you in the butt.

How is the housing market in Nashville? It's picked up a little here in the Pinehurst area. Unfortunately, there are no bargains. These golfers think that they can still ask those pre-2007 prices. With all of the corporate jets flying in and out of the airport here each day, maybe they are correct. Good luck with the house sale. It's not easy to keep your house picture perfect every day for clients. Been there, done that so many times. I'm sure that your pretty wife is the type that makes you wipe your feet, straighten your bath towel, and put the commode lid down. :P

Richard

joel0622

its not what it was but still holding its own. We are in a unique position because we are not on a cookie cutter lot. it is 3/4+ acre with trees on two sides and the last house on a dead end so it is very quite and tranquil out back.

Any one want to buy a house in TN?

link title

imidazol97

>not easy to keep your house picture perfect every day for clients.

Don't forget the vanilla warmed in the oven for that fresh baked homey smell.

michaellno

Any one want to buy a house in TN?

I'd be mildly interested, but:

1) I'd have to sell my house here in Colorado
2) The wife would have to find a new job

Joel, where is White House, TN in relationship to you? I've got a co-worker who works from his home there. And, my mom was born and raised in the Tri-Cities area (NE corner) and still has some distant family and friends there.

sterlingdog

...or the cinnamon sticks on the stove.

Richard

sterlingdog

You have a pretty home and you have it priced well. Your wife has done a great job of getting it ready---very neat and organized. That's not easy with a grand baby around. You are quite the yard man. I like the landscaping details. The home appears to be move-in ready---a real plus!

I only found one negative to the house. There are no pretty Fords sitting in the drive. :P

Hope the next 30 days will bring you many good offers. As I always tell my wife, you only need one good offer.

Richard

joel0622

Thanks for the kind words!!!

boomchek

Nice place Joel. I still can't believe the price differences between houses in the US and here in Canada, at least in Vancouver.

A place like yours even in the suburbs of Vancouver would be at least $500k.

Otherwise in the city $244k buys you a 1000sq ft 2 bedroom 10 year old condo at most.

joel0622

See there, I could sell you a house and get you a job. Come on down Brother!!!

boomchek

No problem Joel. Doc $1k off my paycheck each month to pay for the house, get me a demo Mustang GT convertible, and convince my wife, and we have a deal

explorerx4

great idea richard. a nice ford fusion hybrid in the garage for an open house date ought to get people excited. if joel can't sell the house right away, maybe he can sell a car or two!

oldfarmer50

"...Even worse are PT Cruisers! the market is DEAD on these!.."

Oh that is music to my ears. I always had a soft spot in my heart for those things. The wife thinks they are cute and likes the ease of entry/exit. I just hope I can get past the fact that it is basicly a 1990's design. Pretty much obsolete.

Local dealers are asking about 13K for an 08' (Touring) with under 15,000 miles. Not rentals either. Might just go for a look if they are willing to deal.

Even at full boat that's a 9 grand drop from MSRP in one year. (Yeah, I know, nobody paid MSRP on those for years now.)

stickguy

The house prices are one of the reasons N'Ville is now high on my list of places to relo to!

Just curious, but what are property taxes on a house like yours run?

joel0622

Right at $1100. We don't have a state Income tax here either. Plus my home owners insurance on total replacement value is only like $700 a year. It is a pretty affordable place to live

explorerx4

with numbers like that, you don't want to know about living in connecticut!

sterlingdog

We stopped at the Holiday Inn in Hartford one night several years ago on our way to Maine. Big mistake! As we were checking in, one guy tried to sell my wife crack and another one tried to hit me up for a ten spot. We didn't realize until we reached our room that the windows had bars on them. We departed as soon as the sun rose the next morning. The hotel was actually very nice but, according to the manager, law enforcement either couldn't or wouldn't help them with the outside influences. I heard plenty from the wife about that reservation!

I'm sure that there are many safe, beautiful places in Connecticut.

Richard

explorerx4

richard,
unfortunately, as you found out, Hartford is not one of those beautiful places.
It could be, and is getting better, but there is just too much political corruption.
If you decide to stop in the area, i can recommend some better places to stay that are close to the city and not out of the way of your destination.
if you decide to stay locally, we can go out to dinner.
let me know what find of food you like.
my wife will be shocked that we are going out to eat with someone i only know from the interent, but i think it will be ok.

sterlingdog

Tell your wife that I don't own a gun. If I did, I would probably shoot myself in the foot. Also, when I use a knife to chop an onion, I usually cut my finger. I don't use drugs because I can hardly think straight as it is. I will take a drink---if I am going to bed within two hours. That should about cover her fears. :P

We may be up that way at the end of July. I'll let you know. Thanks.

Richard

jipster

Even worse are PT Cruisers! the market is DEAD on these!.."

I don't know if anyone recalls "The Munsters". But, the PT Cruiser bears a striking resemblance to one of the sportier cars that Herman drove. Every time I see one of those things the theme song to the Munsters pops into my head. :surprise:

snakeweasel

Joel, where is White House, TN in relationship to you?

IIRC Joel is in Nashville and I know White House is north of Nashville along I-65. I seem to remember that its a little north of Davidson county (Nashville) so I would say its about a half hour or so north of downtown Nashville.

stickguy

Well, staying totally off-topic, but that house in NJ (outside philly) in my nice town would probably gor for ~400K (hard to tell exactly how big, etc.)

But even if it was ~350K, the property taxes would be 10X yours 9at least 10K/year.

ANd we do have income tax.

Gotta go now and start checking out the monster board for Nashville. Hope the schools are good!

oldfarmer50

"...As we were checking in, one guy tried to sell my wife crack..."

That terrible! You should have driven up to Albany NY. There they will have room service bring the crack up to your room. Imagine, having to hit the pipe out in the parking lot! No class at all! :mad:

I bet the hookers are sub par as well. :lemon:

joel0622

I live in Mt Juliet which is in Wilson County, the school are why we moved to this county to get out of Metro Davidson County. Rutherford County also has a good school system along with Williamson County. The problem with Williamson is that you are paying allot for the zip code. It is where the other half lives. If I picked up my house and dropped it in Williamson County it would be at least $50K more.

I am not sure what you do but if you are an IT guy let me know, my GM's son is a Head Hunter for high end IT stuff and places people for big money.

For the OP I am 41 miles from White House TN.

kyfdx

Oops... should have checked out Vandy, instead of the Ivy League..

$1000 for property taxes on a $244K house? Even in KY, our rate is about four times that...