Stories from the Sales Frontlines

driver100

how about that ice hockey Team USA?

Yeh, yeh, yeh.

That was just a practice run.....the real "Gold" is coming up. :P

explorerx4

those city boys in 'Deliverance' drove a Country Squire and most of them made back out out of the woods.

explorerx4

i know, but you've got to brag while you have the opportunity!

fezo

My wife and I owned one of those recalled Explorers and the '95 Windstar at one time, at the very mention of Ford my wife says "over my dead body".

Never had an Explorer except as a rental but I hear you on the 95 Windstall. Will have a hard time convincing my wife to look at a Fusion.

driver100

Has anyone seen these new airless Michelin tires...coming soon;

These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very soon.
The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on these.
Just think of the impact on existing technology:
A.. no more air valves...
B. no more air compressors at gas stations...
C. no more repair kits...
D. no more flats...

driver100

Joel and Richard, you are my new heros - grinding it out right before our eyes. This is better than American Idol!

explorerx4

My wife won't buy anything but a Ford, ok, maybe a Lincoln.
She has owned several other brands, but always had unhappy ownership experiences with them. That made my life not so good, also, so I am glad she is driving a Ford.

explorerx4

that was designed years ago. get some snow in a quarter of that setup, and see how you like it, then.

gogiboy

"Ever hear of the Ford Pinto memos? I had forgotten about them till another poster at another forum reminded me. They didn't go over well with the public then and we weren't nearly as safety conscious as we are now. "

BR--

Precisely! It's always the whiff of cover-up that ends up being more damaging than the original infraction (not that I'm making light of the alleged deaths and injuries).

There was a graph in a recent issue of Time Magazine showing the top 5 auto recalls of the last 40 years. Toyota's fiasco comes in at #5 with approx. 6.5 million cars recalled (thus far). Ford had recalls totalling 14+ million in 2009 and 8 million in 1996. These were followed by a couple of GM recalls in the 70s/80s. The creator of the graph makes no mention of how many different models accounted for each total recall.

If this debacle was just about numbers Toyota's latest recall would pale in comparison to the two Ford recalls. For many it now boils down to who knew what when and whether the government regulators were in cahoots or asleep at the switch. Sound familiar?

Gogiboy

fezo

Come our next vehicle, which will not be anytime soon if we can help it, we may finally end our Honda as default choice. Nothing wrong with them but I think we're getting bored. Not like we'd change drastically. Might get a Subaru. I've always liked those.

explorerx4

I will never be bored with my Fords, at least not some of them.
It's not a reason to change brands, for me.
Since I already have a 2 stroke lawn mower, I don't need a Subaru.

nyccarguy

I have pics of the Tahoe on my Computer, just don't know how to post them here on town hall

kyfdx

Upload them to your CarSpace first... then, it's easy to post them here... or links..

You can't upload them to the forums directly from your computer.

mako1a

It just keeps getting better every day with this Avalon. Now I hear there may be some connection between accelerators and radio transmission.

I happen to be a licensed HAM operator (KJ4ROS) and sometimes have my little HT (portable 6m,2m,70cm) radio on in the car with me. I don't remember transmitting while the car was on, and thankfully it's only 5 watts of the 1500 watts I'm licensed for. What will they come up with next? :sick:

nyccarguy

See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ

nyccarguy

It's too big, that it goes too fast. Some folks say its too bold & uses too much gas...

Those people will get run over & flattened by the beautiful 20" Polished Aluminum Wheels.

cdn_tch

No he'll be one of the arrogant government employees that seem to know so well what the American public wants.........

Don't blame the government employees, they are just employees doing the bidding of their bosses, just like any other employee does.

The arrogant government comes from some of the people that you and I elect to office and that arrogance is spread pretty evenly across the political spectrum.

deltheking

Toyota`s resale values are still holding quite well. After a couple of months ,things should really stabilize to prior recall levels. :shades:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/toyota-resale-values-down-only-slightly-2010-02- -22?reflink=MW_news_stmp

kyfdx

Nice photography!!

jimbres

Might get a Subaru. I've always liked those.

I'm also a longtime Honda guy, & I've had the same thought.

My neighbor, who buys a new Subaru every 12 years whether he needs it or not, just came home with a 2010 Outback. A most impressive car.

snakeweasel

You do realize just because the sign says "park" doesn't mean you can park it right in front of those doors. :P

graphicguy

nyc....beautiful. Again, exactly like mine, only mine is dark blue. Ooops, noticed another difference....the body side moldings are black and mine are body colored.

I should take a pic of mine, except right now, it's filthy from all the (melting) snow and salt it's been through recently.

Did get a quote on replacing the tires (which mine is going to need shortly).....looking like about $1,000, give or take.... :sick:

graphicguy

kyfdx....you going to the car show? Day? Time? Would love to meet you.

driver100

2010 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ

Nice looking car. That red color is popular, could be the same color as Richard's new vehicle.

I hope you didn't take those pictures in front of your home.

houdini1

Damn, those things are FUGLY!!

houdini1

You can really turn a phrase. Nice Truck. Is that strip joint?

fezo

My neighbor, who buys a new Subaru every 12 years whether he needs it or not, just came home with a 2010 Outback. A most impressive car.

I love the new Outbacks and Legacies.

I have a friend who usually does kind of a self lease. He buys a new Outback and around 50K trades it in for another. He's past due on his current 05 or 06 but with the lousy economy he's letting it go a bit longer. I may pick it up if he decides at teh right moment.

Explorer - to each his own. Fords are only now getting interesting and to me not compelling but in the market which is more than they've been for quite some time for me.

murphydog

Man, that is one nice looking Tahoe - exactly how I would get it (ok in dark blue) if the wife had any interest... :sick:

boomchek

The local fans were not happy at all.

If Canada loses today's game they're out of medal contention.

But other than that Vancouver has turned into a party town. It's nice to see this kind of atmosphere and patriotism on our streets!

houdini1

Boom, good luck today, many of us are pulling for Canada to stay in medal contention. Obviously I was and will be pulling for U.S. against Canada but I will be pulling for Canada in all other games !!

fezo

That Tahoe looks great. Not my cup of tea but a nice looking vehicle and that color really works with it!

boomchek

Thanks, we're hoping for the best!

isellhondas

I'm pulling for you too, Boom....unless you're playing us!

kyfdx

Yes, I'm going... The plan was for Thursday evening, but I'm not positive on that, just yet.... I'll let you know.

nyccarguy

kyfdx - thx. It is much easier taking pics of the truck than my 3 year old & 11 month old.

Snake - I pulled the truck out of the garage to get a decent shot of it -

Graphicguy - I think the body side moldings are body color with chrome, not black. I have a customer with an '09 Navy Blue LT (w/ the optional 6.2L V8 ARGH ARGH ARGH!). The Navy is a sharp color as well.

Driver - Thank-you. It actually isn't my home, the garage next door to where I work (in The Bronx - Home of the 27 Time Defending World Champion, New York Yankees!)

houdini - Thank-you! :P not a strip joint...LOL!

Murphy & Fezo - Thank-you.

explorerx4

one day i got home from work and there was an envelope from a ticket agency on the counter. once one of my kids realized i was home, it disappeared.
when checking our email i noticed there were some sent from MLB.com.
since my birthday is coming up shortly, i think that means i will going to 'The Stadium' some time this year.

nyccarguy

I'm a partial season ticket holder & I can tell you first hand you are in for one incredible experience. Not cheap though. Make sure you spring for a LOBEL'S Steak Sandwich - $15, but well worth every penny.

tjc78

Make sure you spring for a LOBEL'S Steak Sandwich - $15,

Garlic fries.... OMG!!! The best thing I ever ate at the ballpark.

kyfdx

Autozone Park.. home of the Memphis Redbirds..

Barbecue chicken nachos... sublime..

mako1a

mako1a

oldfarmer50

CBS just had a story about how there are over 100,000 Chevy Impalas on used car lots across the country that have the side airbags removed. People are being told they are there but they have been removed.

It seems from 2006-09 GM allowed rental car companies to opt out of side airbags to save them money. When the rentals were sold as used cars they never revealed that the cars had them removed at the factory. Even the window sticker at the car lot said the vehicles had the airbags so the first time the retail buyer would know they were missing would be in an accident. Wow!

CBS did a hidden camera investigation where they showed salesman after salesman saying "Yes it has side airbags". The reporter then pulled up the carpet in the trunk and found a sticker with the code AK5 which showed that the airbags weren't there. They then showed the window sticker on the same car which said they were there. :lemon:

Enterprise Car Rental has offered to buy back cars they sold under false pretences.

I have to ask, do you sales folks know about this? I would think that even the most honest sales person might not catch something like this. I know that pulling up trunk carpet to check for secret codes is not something I would do when buying a car.

driver100

Those are nice cars....but quite a change into the Avalon????

I was curious about the Ford Fusion and Focus ads with Mike. They are really good ads, Mike seems to be such a nice regular guy. It made me think, in the past year I have rented a Fusion, a Camry and a RAV4. I would definitely buy a Fusion over the other two, based on handling and pleasant (I won't say fun) to drive factor.

By the way, did you see that lady testifying about her out of control Lexus? That was riveting drama. She says she put the car in nutral and reverse and it still kept going 100 mph, and even when she stopped the engine was reving out of control.

I think Toyota is going to have a big problem now. I wonder what she did with her Lexus?
Is someone else driving it now? Also, seems first Toyota blamed her, then the floor mats, then the gas pedal, but it almost has to be a computer problem.

driver100

over 100,000 Chevy Impalas on used car lots across the country that have the side airbags removed.

Interesting story OF. Between used cars that have been in flood zones and ones with airbags removed, I have to say, by the time you calculate the real cost of owning...it is better to buy new, if you are able to do so. That is just my opinion.

houdini1

but it almost has to be a computer problem.

Either that or driver error and panic. That old computer between the ears sometimes has problems also. Remember Audi?

IMO I don't think Toyota is any guiltier than any other auto manufacturer. You do your best but none of these cars are perfect and neither are the drivers. It is human nature not to want to admit that you made a mistake especially when it is very convenient to blame it on someone else.

Toyota is in a tough spot and they can't fight mass hysteria, the UAW, and Congress so they will probably try to cut their losses, roll over, apologize, and accept responsibility.

Now that the ball is rolling the other manufacturers might as well line up to take their turn. If they get dragged before congress they will have to answer just like Toyota has been, and will look just as guilty. Ninety % of cars do not have brake override.

Just like the tobacco fiasco, these lawyers smell blood. The end result is a lot of lawyers will get rich and the price of cars will go up so we all will share in paying the attorneys. End of rant.

imidazol97

>been in flood zones and ones with airbags removed

Are we talking airbags removed from cars after damage?
OR are we talking about delete options that didn't include the airbags when built per request of rental companies?

On Chevies, the side airbags have covers that are marked indicating there's an airbag behind them Are those covers there feigning the presence of an airbag while the RPO tag in the trunk shows the airbags were deleted at build?

lrguy44

Amen and well said.

28firefighter

I am a longtime lurker, and have been following the negotiations between Richard and Joel. It has been very interesting to watch. Seems that negotiations have fallen off (maybe just from our view). What happened?

isellhondas

How would a salesperson not know the side airbags had been removed?

It seems to me that the labor required to remove the side air bags would have eliminated any savings. Then, what would they do with the airbags they removed?

I'm crying "foul" here and I find this story hard to believe.

jwilliams2

This was a "Factory Delete" type option available to rental fleets to save a few bucks. So they weren't really removed, they were just never installed. And if the side airbags were erroneously listed on the window sticker as standard equipment, I doubt any salesperson would question it.