Did you recently rush to buy a new vehicle before tariff-related price hikes? A reporter is looking to speak with shoppers who felt pressure to act quickly due to expected cost increases; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com for more details by 4/24.
Stories from the Sales Frontlines
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Hey Boom--
Where are the Caravans being manufactured now? For years I would semi-annually drive past the huge Chrysler Plant just north of I-44 in St. Louis and see a red, white and blue Caravan prominently displayed in front of their Chrysler/UAW sign. It's really depressing driving past that huge group of empty buildings now.
Gogiboy
Or somewhere else in America's Hat.
Or is it just that all the dealers heard that richard64's Explorer is coming on the market?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
TL is definitely bigger than the previous version. TLX is now about the size of the previous TL, too....even though it's Acura's entry level model.
Bottom line, there's lots of overlap, not only in Acura's lineup, but in just about every manufacturer's lineup (something GM learned all too painfully, in the past).
Some say the TSX is a glorified Accord. I can see where they're coming from. Lots of "Accord look and feel" in that car, right down to the dashboard. Both come with 4 or 6 cyl engines. Both are roughly the same size.
I consider the TL a "tweener"....something that's somewhere between a BMW 3 series and 5 series. Or, something that's somewhere between an Audi A4 and an A6.
The local car show is coming up in a couple of weeks in my 'burg. For the first time in a long time, attending that show will probably steer me in one way or the other as to my next purchase (as opposed to just ogling and fondling the new iron, which I usually do, with no intention of going out and buying something).
Interior look and feel is very similar. As far as options: TL has power seats and sunroof ($1500 option on Sonata). TL has leather, I wish that it didn’t (it’s cold in winter and hot in the summer time, at 60K on the clock, my leather seats show a lot of wear, much more than any other cloth seats I ever had). TL has memory seats, not a big deal. TL has automatic AC, I would miss that. TL has DVD Audio, how many DVD Audio disks do you own? TL has XM, so does base Sonata. TL has Bluetooth, so does ’11 Sonata.
As far as performance, test drive Sonata and you will see that it can keep up with traffic just as well as TL. Yes, TL will outperform Sonata on the open road if you really step on it, but how often do you do that? With TL’s torque steer the first time I floored it, it scared the hell out of me. Plus TL has bumper ride; therefore the better handling is more of a nuisance in everyday commute than an attribute.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 03 Montero Ltd
The new TL doesn't do anything for me but the old TL was probably the best FWD sports sedan on the market. I can't believe anyone is trying to compare a Sonata to a TL.
Just because the TL has standard features that you don't particularly care for doesn't make the Sonata a better car. Most people do want those features.
All cars are snowed in, only the SUVs were able to make it to the dealers' to be traded in. :P
Then, when the proverbial "poop" hit the fan with the economy 18 months ago, all those plans seemed to stall.
Hindsight being 20-20, that's probably a good thing, given the amount of money Toyota poured into the Lexus IS-F (have read it cost over $1B to develop, and few takers in the showrooms). I bet Toyota wished they had that $1B back in the bank about right now.
I don't see more than 1 or 2 new RLs on the lots when I visit an Acura store, if they have any at all. So, Acura must not be producing many of them, either. EVen the previous gen RL wasn't all that competitive for the last several years of its existence. The RL is priced like a 5 series or an E series, but falls way behind in the performance dept....especially for the money.
In reality, the TL is Acura's top of the line. It gets the big motor, the SH AWD as an option. And, you can option it up just as much as you can an RL. It will outperform an RL, too. I think it even has more room on the inside than an RL has.
In short, I can't figure out why Acura is still producing them, unless they're still trying to spread the R&D cost for the motor and SH AWD over several models. I do think that Acura is trying to move upmarket. They've got the standard TL, which seems to me to be a competitor to the Lexus ES the way it drives (only a shade sportier). The SH AWD feel eerily similar to an A6 quattro or 535ix series...both in size and performance.
That's what makes the G37 appealing too.....acceleration, handling, build, feature content, it far outshines the C class for less money (much less money after negotiations). It's bigger and more comfortable, and matches a 335i in performance, again for a lot less money.
In the car business there are three types of advertising
Tier 1= Come to ABC Motors today and buy a Zorch for $11995
That is an add the dealer himself pays for out of his pocket.
Tier2= Just announced 14.9% APR for 6 months on all new Zorch's. See Your local Mid State Zorch dealer for details.
That is regional Advertising payed for buy the dealer group in the area usually handled by the FDAF or some other type agency.
Tier 3= Have you driven a Zorch.......Lately, look here is the all new Zorch Hoopty xlt, se, sel, v-9 model. The add does not really mention a dealer or a region it is just about the Product. That is the one the manufacture is paying for.
So it depends on if they are pulling Tier 1, 2, or 3.
That concludes your crash course in advertisement management in the car biz, now back to your regularly scheduled BS sessions.
www.infinitioftysonscorner.com.
Do you really want "Stow and Go' type seats that fold flat into the floor?
Try sitting in one of the thin rock hard ones used in some Chryslers. They had to make them thin and hard or they wouldn't fold. They were also a huge pain to "Stow and Go".
It'll be interesting to see the finished product.
The Challenger is also made in Ontario, but in Brampton.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I'm working across from Schomp BMW right now so I'm over there a couple of times a week at lunch just to see what they have
Didn't they build a new building or is the store still on Broadway?
Not in my area. The last big storm that buried you all gave us maybe an inch. I can still see the grass on my lawn. Ha ha.
The last storm missed us too. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I don't know about that. Our school owns several Chrysler T&Cs for school bus duty. They have the stow and go rears. The kids love them for long trips. To be fair, anything is better than standard school bus seats.
The drivers have played jokes on new drivers by stowing the seats and then telling the newbies that someone stole them. :shades:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
OH, SHUT UP!! :mad:
So you send all your snow south to where these folks don't know how to deal with it...
I grew up in the hills and am used to it but most people down here at the shore think that the warmth of the ocean is supposed to make us Florida....
Richard
I wish that he would stop dong that trick. We're getting ready for another one tomorrow night! :sick:
Richard
There was an article about the building in the paper not long before it opened. They spoke with Lisa Schomp, who was not happy that BMW "forced" her to build the new dealership, especially when the economy turned south.
I've not been there yet, but it certainly is a nice facility, from what I've seen going past at 65 MPH.
Private-Car Selling Scam
Warning: Don't start watching other things on the sight (but RR might like the Fast and Furious BMW)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Of course, I'd have to slog through snow covered OH to get to even "snowier" VA to get to them. Might be worth a trip to save about $1,500, though.
Again, thanks!
In the Twilight Zone, both those scenarios could have happened, you've both caused me considerable consternation twenty four years after the fact.
There's nothing like reflection to appreciate the present.
Richard
I haven't seen it. I would be a bit afraid to look at any Odyssey at the moment, as they still seem to be having a lot of trouble with their transmissions. Also, an oil consumption problem, burning a quart every 1,000 miles (ruining some engines... as who checks oil level every thousand miles), has been affecting some Odys, per the Ody discussion board.
Everyone makes mistakes, when your job is that serious, a human error can really become a big issue. At least in the book business no one can get injured too badly, or in teaching, as in Richard's career, there is a bit of room for error. I am glad I didn't have that much responsibility...where lives are at stake. I wouldn't even want to be a bus driver!
But as a great manager and mentor once told me, if you can correct the mistake then it doesn't count against you.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I had trouble feeling sorry for those greedy "buyers". How could they not know something was wrong?
You know, it's funny. When a few Odyssey transmissions cause troubles, it's a disaster. Were it a domestic, it would have been expected.
2005's and newer don't have transmission problems except a few 2007's had torque convertors that could cause a "judder". all replaced under warranty.
And, I have NEVER heard of excess oil burning although a quart every 1000 miles is withing acceptable limits. I doubt this is happening.
If a person were to read the "problems" boards, they would never buy anything.
It was a classic scam, ....take advantage of peoples greed. That's why people gamble, go to horse race, play lotteries, reply to a king in Nigeria etc.
The con artists were smart, using a house. The victims have enough information to make them think, this has to be real, a house, a mother, a nice car. The seller just doesn't know what the car is worth. I think a lot of people could be taken in.
In fact, it sounds like a great business idea...................
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
So much for global warming.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Oh, imidazol, I finally got your message on my carspace. I just never think to look there, but I did and I saw your email and replied. Sorry, about the delay. I appreciate you taking the time to write and state your thoughts.
I am wondering about global warming, normal temperatures in Tampa are supposed to be 70 this time of year, but we are in the mid 50s.
We have to go back a week early, a family situation came up. Thrifty car rentals were very good and actually will give a refund for one weeks worth of use, even though the fee was based on a one month special price. I was very impressed with Thrifty, not too impressed with the RAV4, but I am glad I didn't take it back...just one more day and hoping the gas pedal doesn't stick.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Good for people who say any car can get you from A to B, so why buy a Mercedes?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
However, my older sister was a big Fiat fan. I was a youngster, so I don't remember the year, but she had two of them, both bought new. In talking to her, she said one was an 850 Spider. I remember that one because she'd take me for a spin in it regularly. I remember it was a convertible, but I don't remember it being very fast (I suppose that's because it had an 850 motor?).
The other one, which I remember to be a lot more fun to ride in, was a Fiat X1/9. Again, I don't remember it being very fast. And, instead of being a convertible, it was a "targa". I do remember the motor being directly behind the passenger compartment, mid-engined. And, it made some glorious sounds, too. Again, didn't seem all the fast.
Neither was very reliable. IIRC, the Fiat 850 actually caught on fire (which is what led to the Fiat X1/9). The X1/9 seemed to be at the dealership more than she drove it. I distinctly remember her screaming some not so very nice words regarding it, too.
Sorry to inform you but the king has died. I know because I'm working with his heir, the prince, to get some money out of the country. I'm expecting my share any day now.
Just think, if those scam victims had run the VIN through CarFax they could have saved all that money.
As the pros here say, most of the public is not a savvy as the Edmunds posters.
Ooooooh, I like the new spell checker. It highlights my misspellings in red now. I'd be lost without it ( no one could understand my posts).
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
And they most likely will call at odd hours.Plus on a test drive-they may just rip the car or abuse it..What if he gets into an accident and has no insurance?? What if he shows you a fake license and then crashes? Are you safe with him on the test drive? And the stupid low ball offers!! What about joyriders? Guys coming for some test drive fun?? :mad:
I have never understood folks selling privately.Way way too much hassle. Your safety is at risk..Yes there are good private sales stories,but the negatives far outnumber the positives..Too much stress and risk involved for a 1000 or 2000 dollars..Not worth the risk to limb or life at all.. Trade it in, get the new car tax deduction,let the dealer make some money
Hell I made one this morning.
I sold a used E150 8 Passenger Van to some folks who are putting wheel chair lift on it for there daughter. I was meeting them at the conversion place with the can and the paper work then giving the customer a ride home.
Well I had allot on my mind this morning, my daughter missed a flight to Elpaso via Dallas due to the snow and I was feeling bad for her cause she was so excited. Any how. I went to take off the stickers with my razor blade and window cleaner like I have done 1000 times before. As I was scraping the glue off from the sticker I thought, "why are such big chunks of glue coming off".
Made a huge rookie mistake. The windows had aftermarket tint on them which I removed two big patches of. There was a $200 mistake
And if the dealers don't make money, the salesmen won't make money, and we will run out of stories.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Like my mentor said, if you can fix it up it won't count as a mistake. But, hope it wasn't a real skinny deal, or you won't be left with much commission
Actually, does that come out of your pocket or is that something the employer absorbs?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250