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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    I am in the process of buying a 1998 Ford Contour ($1200.) so I can have a beater to drive in the salt and slush this winter. Bright metalic green, 92,000 miles, practically new Michelin tires, and it drives really good. 4 banger with auto. The darn thing is in great shape. I am buying it from a little old lady. Seriously.

    Come next Spring I might have a clunker to trade in if it meets the mpg standard...and the c4c is revived.

    Looking down the road, the only problem I can see is finding a stick big enough to beat all the women off when they get a load of me cruising around in this baby. :D

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    That's OK. The President thought that there were 57! :sick: :confuse: :surprise: :shades:

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...and the c4c is revived."

    Wash your mouth out with soap! :P

    Richard
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    No, that was Heinz varieties.....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I am in the process of buying a 1998 Ford Contour ($1200.) so I can have a beater to drive

    That would be my dream car. I would love to have a beater that you don't have to worry about. Just park it on a lot and not care how someone opens their door next to you. Not worry whether it is clean or not. I hope you get it.

    (This seems to be a pretty safe post, I don't think I can get into too much trouble with those comments). :P

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,123
    GG, where is Italy, Ohio and how big a place is it?

    Richard, I forgot about my profile. I actually have dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Italy. Both of my parents are from Italy. My late Father came here was born south of Rome in 1920. His parents came over with him and my late uncle in 1936.

    My Mother came over when she was an infant, about 2 years old in 1926 with her parents.

    Both my parents (and my grandparents) became US citizens and considered the US their native country. My late Father actually fought in WW II and was among the first waves in the Invasion of Normandy. They wouldn't let him fight in Italy, but the rest of the European campaign was where he served.

    I had a romantic notion that at some point, I would live and work in Italy. Thus, the dual citizenship. I still hold out hopes that someday I will. I've visited, and fallen in love with the country.

    That's the reader's digest version of my designation. BTW....I am a US citizen, through and through. This is my native country.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,123
    oldfarmer....I'm an admitted "lead foot". You do that in the Tahoe, and the MPG goes south, very quickly. Still, I'm on the "go peddle" of my Accord pretty regularly, too. And, the MPG still meets, or exceeds the EPA numbers.

    On the Tahoe, there's just no getting around the fact that you've got a V8, hauling around a lot of mass and weight. I shudder to think what the MPG would be without the "cylinder shutdown" technology that it uses. Still, any stop and go type of traffic kills its MPG.

    When I was towing and hauling with it, MPG would dip down into the single digits. Last year, when gas hit $4.29/gal, it wasn't unusual to see the pump hit $100+ on a fill up.

    The Tahoe is a great vehicle for what it does. MPG isn't one of those things, though.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thanks for clearing the air. No wonder that I couldn't find it in Ohio. :D
    Like you, my 42 year old niece always wanted to live in Italy. She gave up her 6 figure salary this summer; sold her house; enrolled in design school in Florence, and left for Italy. For the first time in her life, she is so happy. It was a bold thing to do at her age, along with the hard economic times, but we only live once. She had an ugly divorce and had hated her career choice for years. The family thought that she had lost her mind. I told her to go for it. Others can't live your life for you.

    To stay on topic: She sold her red Corvette and her BMW sedan before she left Arizona.

    Richard
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    How dare you denigrate my new car (new to me). Of course I will keep it clean and no one had better ding my doors either !! :mad:

    Driver, some days you just can't win !! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    some days you just can't win !!

    I think I give up, I should probably go on hiatus.

    I won't comment on that cabbage metalic green color or I might get into even more trouble. :blush:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I tried to find out just how accurate EPA ratings are, and most say it is a good guide as a comparison. Most articles say mileage depends mostly on how you drive. This article probably said it best:

    For 2008 and onward, the EPA has adjusted its testing requirements to simulate higher driving speeds, faster acceleration, running a vehicle under colder temperatures -- and the opposite, operating a vehicle with the air conditioning on.

    The additions have reduced mileage projections. Results are expected to be somewhat closer to the actual mpg estimates listed on the sticker, but don't expect them to be right on target. Estimates will still be higher than most of us will see in real life, because it's impossible to duplicate our actual driving habits in a laboratory.

    EPA Ratings - the Bottom Line

    EPA ratings can help you compare vehicles in the same class, but don't count on them for an accurate projection of your actual gas mileage.

    To read full article:
    EPA

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,224
    "...They wouldn't let him fight in Italy..."

    That's profiling! :mad: He should have sued somebody!

    My Irish father had the same problem in the Navy during WW 2. They wouldn't let him drink. :cry:

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

  • lvrangerlvranger Member Posts: 27
    Thanks for the honesty and the kind words.

    I just put some new tires on my bike over the weekend so I have to be slow for 50-100 miles while they break in. I'll try to use that as a catalyst for a overall change. :shades:
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,743
    driver, all you have to do is not take care of your current car and it will turn into your dream car hooptie. ;)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • 8sparkplugs8sparkplugs Member Posts: 111
    I had a 2000 Contour. It was actually a very good vehicle. I bought it after gas prices shot up after hurricanes Katrina/Rita, Sept of 2005. I paid $2000 for it and it had 110,000 miles. I sold it about two years later for $1750 with 150,000 miles. The only money spent on the car other than gas/oil was 2 new front tires. It was a 4 cylinder and got 31-32 miles per gallon. It was nice having a car that you didn't worry about the little things that happen.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    That is my plan, and yes, the car seems to be very sound and actually drives quite nicely.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    It is more of a bright iridescent Mallard head green. I hope that term "cabbage green" was not meant as an insult !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • tedebeartedebear Member Posts: 832
    I am in the process of buying a 1998 Ford Contour ($1200.)

    I had a 1998 Mystique V6 for about 10 years - the Mercury version of the Contour. Check your Carspace mailbox for an important message.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,743
    it's a new reality show, 'flip that contour' :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "I won't comment on that cabbage metallic green color..."

    I thought about that, too. Then I decided how good it would look at Christmas decorated with red lights. He could park it on the front porch. :D :shades:

    Ducking and running!

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...the EPA has adjusted its testing requirements to simulate higher driving speeds..."

    Did they tell the Highway Patrol? That sounds like a good excuse if I get caught speeding again. :P

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    It is more of a bright iridescent Mallard head green. I hope that term "cabbage green" was not meant as an insult !!

    No, not an insult at all, Mallard Head Green sounds even better. I haven't seen that color listed on any charts in dealer showrooms.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "That's profiling!"

    Don't you remember that back then we thought "profiling" was turning sideways to have your picture taken? :P

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Then I decided how good it would look at Christmas decorated with red lights.

    LOL.....but red lights should look even better with Mallard Head Green!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    See there. A higher force is looking out for you. Let me know how you like the slower miles.

    Richard
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    driver, all you have to do is not take care of your current car and it will turn into your dream car hooptie

    Thanks for the advice...it is 2 years old with 20k miles on it...so it might take a few years.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "I haven't seen that color listed on any charts in dealer showrooms."

    LMAO!! You just can't get it right to save you, can you? :P :D :shades:

    Richard
  • murphydogmurphydog Member Posts: 735
    Mallard Head Green is far to descriptive and clear to a potential buyer... It would be something like "simmering water fowl"

    Which would leave you completely guessing what the color really was... :blush:
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    OK, OK, pass your humorous remarks and have fun. This saga of the Green Hornet (that is what I am going to call it) might develop into a decent sales story yet. Seems the old lady can't find her title.... :sick:

    To be continued...

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    This saga of the Green Hornet (that is what I am going to call it) might develop into a decent sales story yet.

    Well, at least it isn't that Mallard Duck - - - - brown that most Contours come in.

    Good luck with the paperwork...I always dread having to look that stuff up, they should make allowances for seniors when it comes to having to dig up old papers.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,123
    Some of you might remember a long and arduous process I went through helping a friend of mine buy a new Honda CR-V.

    Well, get a call from her last night. Over some small talk, I ask her how she's liking the CR-V.

    Seems as if she's got some issues with it. I inquired what the issues were.

    -"Well, for one, it sits higher than my previous Sonata" (which her lease was completed, thus the quest to replace it).

    -"I thought you said you liked sitting up high?"

    -"Well, I do. But, not that high. Plus, the seats and interior shows a lot of lint and dust." (The seats are black cloth).

    -"Get one of those lint brushes. It shouldn't take much to get the lint disposed of."

    -"Do you think the Honda dealer would make a deal with me on an Accord or Civic and allow me to trade in the CR-V?"

    -"Sure they will. I think you're going to lose about $4,000-$5,000 on the CR-V, though."

    I'm thinking that even with low mileage (around 3K miles), it's still last year's model ('09). We bought it right ($20,200 with the rubber mats). Still, it's considered a one year old vehicle. No reconditioning has to be done....not even an oil change. Dealer would probably put it up for sale at about $17K-$18K. Have to make ~$2K or so on it. That makes trade-in around $14K-$15K.

    Losing that amount of money for what? Lint? Sitting up 4-5 inches higher?

    As they say, no good deed goes unpunished when helping others. :sick:
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Seems as if she's got some issues with it

    Wow GG, You worked your butt off getting her that deal on that car. It would be interesting to hear the ex's side of the story, as to how she became single.

    I think some people are never happy unless they are unhappy. She could try to sell privately, might not lose too much, and the dealer could put the car through as a sale, with the opportunity of selling another new car. Don't know if you want to get involved with that one though.

    New Business idea for you:
    GG's Auto Consultant and Family Counselling Services.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,224
    "...Seems the old lady can't find her title..."

    Oh oh, I smell a scam. Maybe a Nigerian prince has the title. :P

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

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Got the message and thank you very much. I have checked it out and it looks very interesting !!

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    This DOES sound like an interesting story. Keep us posted. Driver is a bad influence on me. I promise no more jokes. (My fingers are crossed behind my back. :P )

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    WHAT??!! You worked like a dog to help this lady. Even if she didn't care much for the car, she shouldn't tell you! I wouldn't have had the nerve. The next time that your telephone rings, look at your Caller ID. You really don't need this person in your life. You're too nice.

    If you insist on helping her again, at least tell her that you now charge by the hour. I bet her Ex has some stories.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Do you remember the Ford sedan that Barney purchased from the little old lady? :D

    Richard
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Hmmm...now that you mention it, I think the little old lady is from Nigeria...

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Your friend is a nutcase and I think you should stay away.

    On the other hand, if she really hates her CRV the time to take the hit is now.

    She's better off losing several thousand dollars (if she can afford it) than driving a car every day she doesn't like.

    But, who is to say she won't like it's replacement any better?

    I've seen this happen. Not often, but it happens.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    So, did your friend come right out and ask you to help her buy a new car, or was she beating around the bush... and you've been beat enough?
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    If you happen to need a new CR-V, this could be an opportunity for you to pick one up at a good discount !! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,743
    gg, you started the conversation about the cr-v, so that what you get!
    tell her to hang in there until the first snow storm.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,743
    worst case you can get another copy of the title. might take a little while.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Wonder if she would like to swap the new CR-V for a nice used '03 Explorer? ;)

    Richard
  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    The problem with that is the dealership will drop/reduce the price on one end, and put it somewhere else. Local Hyundai dealer easily agreed to drop the price of a dealer add-on of alarm system, pinstripes, and mud flappers... listed at around $1.800. But, they would not go down very far on the price of their Tucson

    -----------------------

    jip, the reason they added all that stuff is Hyundai has very little markup in the tucson's (i used to sell them). alot of dealers add this stuff because alot of customers just want to see a big discount. MSRP hasn't gone up much in the last 10 years on similar vehicles, but the invoice has, so there is a very fast shrinking profit margin.
  • nthenthe Member Posts: 414
    Do you salespeople run into this kind of customer often? I bet there are a lot of men who don't do their homework either.

    -----------------------------

    around here, some of the hardest negotiators have been women. the worst are the men or women who just kind of pull a number out of the air and then won't listen to reason about why their number won't work.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    jip, the reason they added all that stuff is Hyundai has very little markup in the tucson's (i used to sell them). alot of dealers add this stuff because alot of customers just want to see a big discount. MSRP hasn't gone up much in the last 10 years on similar vehicles, but the invoice has, so there is a very fast shrinking profit

    Sorry, I meant to write that Kia was the dealership(s) that had a lot of the expensive dealer add-ons. All of the local Kia dealerships, under one owner, had several thousand in add-ons on every car on their lot. Hyundai didn't have all that extra junk, which is a big reason why the individual I was advising bought a Tucson.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    the worst are the men or women who just kind of pull a number out of the air and then won't listen to reason about why their number won't work.

    I hate those. You can't even reason with them, and by the time they hit 10 other dealers and really figure out that that price is undoable, they will never come back and see you just to save face.

    Usually the number is based off a boxing day shoe sale, or % markup on furniture they bought once in their life.

    They will think they are tough negotiators by not budging but they fail to realize that being a good negotiator is more than just pulling numbers out of thin air.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    oh boy GG.

    Hey, at least it's not your money she's playing with, nor do you have to hear about it every day from her.

    Good think you told her straight up that she'll take a massive hit.

    Her solutions for the lint is to get seat covers or aftermarket leather ($1000 for front and rear seats).

    The ride height solution is to drop the car 2 inches with sportier springs (although it will be stiffer),

    Sometimes people just say stuff they don't really mean, so maybe she was just thinking aloud but doesn't really hate the CRV. :confuse:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,510
    When the time comes to relegate my Prelude to 3rd car status (it can never be replaced) in a couple of years, I really don't know what's going to make me happy. There aren't too many new cars out there today that drive like my Prelude. I drove a MINI Cooper S (before I went with the TSX for C4C) & thought it didn't transmit the road feel & feedback I get from my Prelude My next car will definitely have to be a sedan. I'm a big BMW fan, but the 3 series is too small & on the pricey side. Perhaps a G37 S sedan w/ 6 speed stick. I'll be sure to keep you all informed & in the loop. Hopefully I won't have to buy another car until 2012.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

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