Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100 · September 2014

Good thing that salesman went out when he did or you would have lost a lot more cars. These are usually inside jobs so the police usually start looking at employees first.

Once I worked for a distributor of baseball cards when they were really popular. One of the delivery drivers came back at night and stole a few skid loads. Sold them for cash to his customers, they didn't know they were stolen. The incredible thing was, he had worked for the company for about 35 years, had 3 years to go before collecting a good pension, and he blew it all.

RE: My E400. I will get 6 months free Sirius which is nice, because mine will expire Oct 15. I asked salesman for tracking info but he just said it will be in late in Oct. I don't think he can look it up or wants to bother. Doesn't matter too much, as long as it is here before we leave for Florida early November. btw....in todays paper it said Canadians by more property in Florida than any other country except Americans. $2.2 billion worth last year, and about 1/3 of all homes in some areas like Naples.

abacomike · September 2014

@driver100 said:

"I asked salesman for tracking info but he just said it will be in late in Oct. I don't think he can look it up or wants to bother. "

He's lying to you. Be careful, driver, sometimes they tell you one thing and go ahead and sell your ordered car to someone else for full sticker and reorder another car for you.

If I have a VIN# already and my car is already on the ocean on its way here - and since we ordered our cars at the same time - your car should also have a VIN#.

Go to the manager and ask him to show you the status screen on the car you ordered. I was shown mine and it had all the history on the car, shipping date, etc.

It is quite possible we won't get the cars until late October if they don't release them, but your car should be produced and there should be a VIN#. Don't be skiddish, driver, you have a right to know the specific status of your new car!

Mr_Shiftright · September 2014

I'm surprised it'll be ready in October. The dealer I went to, who I know pretty well, told me January for a specially ordered C400, maybe February.

abacomike · September 2014

Mr_Shiftright said:

I'm surprised it'll be ready in October. The dealer I went to, who I know pretty well, told me January for a specially ordered C400, maybe February.

Don't know about C400's, but I do know my car has been produced and is on it's way to the US port of entry in Brunswick, GA. I drove a loaded C400 the other dat - so I know they are building and shipping them. It could be that tgere is such a demand for the bi-turbo V6, they are going to take awhile to catch up. They are built here in the US.

driver100 · September 2014

sometimes they tell you one thing and go ahead and sell your ordered car to someone else for full sticker and reorder another car for you.
If I have a VIN# already and my car is already on the ocean on its way here - and since we ordered our cars at the same time - your car should also have a VIN#.

Mike, thanks for the warning. I have never heard of that happening here, and, I don't think a dealer of this quality would try that....but, he did give me the VIN number, and I didn't ask. He said it took him a day to get back because he had lots going on. I believe that part, I think they either don't want to give you a date, or the salespeople are told not to give out shipping/tracking info....and I can understand why. I would prefer to know, but, I think it is their right not to give out that info.....customers could really use it against them one day.

Your case is different, you know how it works and you aren't going to cause any problems.

Thanks for watching out for me...much appreciated!

driver100 · September 2014

Mr_Shiftright said:
I'm surprised it'll be ready in October. The dealer I went to, who I know pretty well, told me January for a specially ordered C400, maybe February.

Lots of reasons for that happening. When I got my 2008 Cabriolet 328 they only produced so many 335s and 328s a month, dealers were given limits for what they could sell. If I missed the October build date I would get moved back another month, and if I didn't make that list I would be moved back again. They only allowed 2 mer month of 328s...the new hardtop convertible model.

You could try another dealer, quota may not have been full.

abacomike · September 2014

driver100 said:

sometimes they tell you one thing and go ahead and sell your ordered car to someone else for full sticker and reorder another car for you.
If I have a VIN# already and my car is already on the ocean on its way here - and since we ordered our cars at the same time - your car should also have a VIN#.
Mike, thanks for the warning. I have never heard of that happening here, and, I don't think a dealer of this quality would try that....but, he did give me the VIN number, and I didn't ask. He said it took him a day to get back because he had lots going on. I believe that part, I think they either don't want to give you a date, or the salespeople are told not to give out shipping/tracking info....and I can understand why. I would prefer to know, but, I think it is their right not to give out that info.....customers could really use it against them one day. Your case is different, you know how it works and you aren't going to cause any problems. Thanks for watching out for me...much appreciated!

If they gave you a VIN#, you should be OK!

Even though the new car will arrive here in a week or so does not mean it will be released to the dealer. Since this is a new model, they may not release them foe many weeks depending on a predetermined release date, inventories of 2014's on dealer lots, etc.

snakeweasel · September 2014

abacomike said:

The car business is not a glamorous profession as evidenced by these two stories "from the dark side of the business"!

This brings up a question, how often do dealerships perform an inventory count? I know that it has to be done at least once a year for audit purposes but is it done more often? I have worked for companies that had big ticket identifiable items. (Like cars with VIN numbers) and they all did monthly inventory counts on those items.

ab348 · September 2014

The M-B dealer locally told me that their allocation of the new S-series means they cannot get one for a new customer until next July or some equally ridiculous date. I imagine if I showed up as a spectacularly wealthy individual with lots of cash they would find one for me.

jayrider · September 2014

snakeweasel said:

abacomike said:

The car business is not a glamorous profession as evidenced by these two stories "from the dark side of the business"!

This brings up a question, how often do dealerships perform an inventory count? I know that it has to be done at least once a year for audit purposes but is it done more often? I have worked for companies that had big ticket identifiable items. (Like cars with VIN numbers) and they all did monthly inventory counts on those items.

I would think that big dealers would put some sort of electronic ID/tracking device in each car to make inventory an easy daily procedure. Just bring up a list and make sure everything is there.

abacomike · September 2014

@jayrider said:

"This brings up a question, how often do dealerships perform an inventory count? "

At our dealership, the accounting department did one every 3 months and the bank holding the floor plan note did one every 6 months.

I don't know how often other dealers did it. When banks do it, they must "touch" each car. Internally it is done using bar codes and readers.

abacomike · September 2014

ab348 said:

The M-B dealer locally told me that their allocation of the new S-series means they cannot get one for a new customer until next July or some equally ridiculous date. I imagine if I showed up as a spectacularly wealthy individual with lots of cash they would find one for me.

My dealer has them available for sale - I saw 10 of them on his lot. The larger the dealer, the more allocation. But, you are limited in choice and equipment, of course.

My dealer sells 140-150 cars per month - high volume for a Mercedes dealership.

venture · September 2014

explorerx4 said:
@venture, what kind of mileage are you getting? 5k is far enough along to get a ball park average.

I never checked it before, but on the computer it says 17.8 mpg. I've never re-set the computer.

That's almost all driving around town with trips of a short duration.

driver100 · September 2014

Even though the new car will arrive here in a week or so does not mean it will be released to the dealer. Since this is a new model, they may not release them foe many weeks depending on a predetermined release date, inventories of 2014's on dealer lots, etc

.

When I took the Audi A6 out for a test drive they had new 2015s coming in....they were partially covered so you couldn't really see much of the car. I think the auto industry is really trying to put people off from ordering 2015s when they still have stock of 2014s around. The more 14s around the longer it will take for them to start rolling out the newer model.

As business and in particular the car business gets more efficient and competitive, they have to find ways to maximize profits, and getting rid of 14s first is a good way to do thet.

I am so glad I am not working in this very competitive environment....working used to be fun, not so much these days.

houdini1 · September 2014

abacomike said:
@stickguy said:
"that is how the car salesmen find the one they are looking for. walk around the lot pushing the alarm button until something lights up."
Exactly right! Push the panic button on the key fob and the car you are looking for "calls to you!"
Reminds me of what happened at my dealership one day. A salesman pulled 3 keys and took a customer out to the lot to show the 3 cars. About 20 minutes later the salesman comes back inside the showroom to inform me (manager on duty) that he could not find any of the three cars. Since all three cars were the same color and model, I told the salesman to pull two other keys (I gave him the stock numbers of two identical cars) and show those cars to the customers and I asked him for the three keys he originally pulled.
I called three lot boys up to the showroom and told them to locate the three cars (we had 400+ new cars out on the lots). About an hour later, they returned and told me they could not find any of the three cars.
I informed the dealer principal and he directed me to immediately do a total new car inventory. It took me 9 hours using 6 employees trying to match keys to cars. We found 14 cars that were supposed to be in inventory that were unaccounted for. I checked all dealer trades and accounted for 2 of the cars leaving 12 missing.
I contacted the police department and filed reports on 12 stolen cars. The detectives decided to set up a set of 2 details to watch the lot for 1 week. I got a call at 4:00 AM one morning that they had caught two of my employees (a lot boy and a salesman) taking cars off the lot without permission. They had uncovered a theft ring that had hit other dealerships in the area. Luckily, insurance covered the stolen cars but only after some hefty deductibles.
They never recovered any of our stolen cars.

Moral of the story....if you are going to steal a car, steal all the keys as well.

bwia · September 2014

First Test: 2015 Ford Mustang GT

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1409_2015_ford_mustang_gt_first_test/?eml=952018&sp_rid=4297980
A sappy opening but a detailed and interesting review with lots of pictures and a video. Nice car but I am a Camaro man myself.

Enjoy!

qbrozen · September 2014

near 200 lbs heavier. Huh.

mako1a · September 2014

That's just a tick slower than the last performance-pack-equipped 2013 Mustang GT

That's good to hear. Plus my wife has me on a no carb diet from which I dropped 16 lbs.

ab348 · September 2014

I still am not sure if I like this new Mustang. 3800 lbs is a lot for a car like this. The styling as shown in the photos still does not thrill me - I will need to see one in the flesh. And the interior looks busy, and of course like every Ford these days, is all black. Ugh.

I'm not willing to write it off yet, but I'm far from sold.

explorerx4 · September 2014

It's interesting reading all the reviews of the new Mustang. Personally, I love the sound of a V8, but I would get in a lot of trouble with 400+ HP. I feel like this new Mustang is a base for the future, not the be-all-end-all.

driver100 · September 2014

bwia said:
First Test: 2015 Ford Mustang GT

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1409_2015_ford_mustang_gt_first_test/?eml=952018&sp_rid=4297980
A sappy opening but a detailed and interesting review with lots of pictures and a video. Nice car but I am a Camaro man myself.

Enjoy!

I like it, but, our friends won't enjoy trying to crawl into the backseat. I'll have to pass.

Hey Mako, I am down 18 pounds! (my goal is 20)

mako1a · September 2014

Hey Mako, I am down 18 pounds! (my goal is 20)

When I retired I neglected to exercise and gained 48 pounds over about 5 years which set off pre-diabetes, triglycerides too high and BP too high. Now I have to lose the 48 to remove all the bad effects. To accomplish this I figured a bowling ball weighs 16 pounds so I divided the weight loss as 3 bowling balls. 1 down, 2 to go. Sister-In-Law saw me today for the first time in a month and raved about how much I lost. Sure made me feel good as it is a lot more work taking it off than it was gaining it.

jayrider · September 2014

mako1a said:
Hey Mako, I am down 18 pounds! (my goal is 20)

When I retired I neglected to exercise and gained 48 pounds over about 5 years which set off pre-diabetes, triglycerides too high and BP too high. Now I have to lose the 48 to remove all the bad effects. To accomplish this I figured a bowling ball weighs 16 pounds so I divided the weight loss as 3 bowling balls. 1 down, 2 to go. Sister-In-Law saw me today for the first time in a month and raved about how much I lost. Sure made me feel good as it is a lot more work taking it off than it was gaining it.

A gallon of water weighs 8 1/3 pounds. Try carrying 6 of those around all day. Every 8 .33 pounds you can pour one down the drain. Good luck.

driver100 · September 2014

To accomplish this I figured a bowling ball weighs 16 pounds so I divided the weight loss as 3 bowling balls. 1 down, 2 to go.

That's great! Now when you walk up stairs it is like carrying around one less bowling ball. That will be easier on BP, diabetes etc too, not to mention knees and other body parts.

It isn't easy losing that many pounds, but congratulations, it is a great accomplishment. It is so much easier not to put the weight on in the first place, but, much easier said than done.

driver100 · September 2014

jayrider said:

mako1a said:
Hey Mako, I am down 18 pounds! (my goal is 20)

When I retired I neglected to exercise and gained 48 pounds over about 5 years which set off pre-diabetes, triglycerides too high and BP too high. Now I have to lose the 48 to remove all the bad effects. To accomplish this I figured a bowling ball weighs 16 pounds so I divided the weight loss as 3 bowling balls. 1 down, 2 to go. Sister-In-Law saw me today for the first time in a month and raved about how much I lost. Sure made me feel good as it is a lot more work taking it off than it was gaining it.
A gallon of water weighs 8 1/3 pounds. Try carrying 6 of those around all day. Every 8 .33 pounds you can pour one down the drain. Good luck.

Very unique way to look at it! It is so hard losing weight, but so rewarding if you can do it.

imidazol97 · September 2014

mako1a said:
Hey Mako, I am down 18 pounds! (my goal is 20)

When I retired I neglected to exercise and gained 48 pounds over about 5 years which set off pre-diabetes, triglycerides too high and BP too high. Sister-In-Law saw me today for the first time in a month and raved about how much I lost. S .

Good job. What are you doing in the way of exercise that's working for you to lose the weight?

bwia · September 2014

You want what for your trade? An even exchange for a Ford-150
http://col.stb00.s-msn.com/i/E2/8F2CFE32DF4326794D78215B331D3.jpg

Hey computer savants, how do you post a picture instead of the link?

mako1a · September 2014

imid, just removing carbs has done wonders for weight loss (even though I dream about a slice of pizza). Exercise is walking the dog(s) in the driveway so far. Along with hiking up and down the big hill on our side yard. We're on 6 acres, but it is mostly hills with a 1/8 mile driveway. I'm stuck now at 235 lbs and looking for a new way to lose more. Food and exercise options if you will. I don't like the elliptical machine and am looking at more upper body like a bowflex, but haven't found one yet.

isellhondas · September 2014

A year ago during a routine physical my Dr. told me I had diabetes (barely) and gave me a test kit to poke myself with every morning.

The next morning, I got the kit out and said FORGET THIS! I knew what to do!

I am now down 40 pounds and three waist sizes! I know what foods not to eat and I quit drinking beer! Exercise is important but it's what we eat that is the main thing.

Went in last leek. blood sugar is now normal but cholesterol is too high.

Gotta get back to my hikes!

oldfarmer50 · September 2014

bwia said:
First Test: 2015 Ford Mustang GT

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1409_2015_ford_mustang_gt_first_test/?eml=952018&sp_rid=4297980
A sappy opening but a detailed and interesting review with lots of pictures and a video. Nice car but I am a Camaro man myself.

Enjoy!

Read that this morning in an email from a friend. I thought it was a kind of luke warm review. The mustang can't really be up over 3800 pounds can it? I guess when you ad $10k worth of options it could put on 200 pounds.

$46k? Yikes!

mako1a · September 2014

Hey computer savants, how do you post a picture instead of the link?
BWIA, there are a number of ways to post a pic, but the easiest is to copy it to your computer first. Save it on desktop or in a folder you can find. Then when posting, click the little bent over page just above this posting screen and click. It will allow you to find the pic on your computer and insert. ps I'd post that pic, but I found it not to my liking (lawnmower pulling people in a cart).

mako1a · September 2014

Here's a nice pic right off ebay

Mr_Shiftright · September 2014

Weight Watchers Online works great and develops good eating habits so that you keep it off.

mako1a said:
imid, just removing carbs has done wonders for weight loss (even though I dream about a slice of pizza). Exercise is walking the dog(s) in the driveway so far. Along with hiking up and down the big hill on our side yard. We're on 6 acres, but it is mostly hills with a 1/8 mile driveway. I'm stuck now at 235 lbs and looking for a new way to lose more. Food and exercise options if you will. I don't like the elliptical machine and am looking at more upper body like a bowflex, but haven't found one yet.

abacomike · September 2014

C300 vs. A4

Edmunds did a comparative review of the 2015 C300 and the A4. Edmunds rates the Mercedes over the Audi citing technology and quality of build among other pluses. But they did indicate that a refreshed A4 and BMW 3 series coming out next year, this could be a shortlived "win"!

abacomike · September 2014

My son starts his radiation treatments today. Had his head shaved but he won't send me a picture - he claims I have a "baldy" picture of him when he was born. LOL!

driver100 · September 2014

Imid said-Good job. What are you doing in the way of exercise that's working for you to lose the weight?

Thanks for sending the information about the air exchanger...much appreciated. I'll let you know what I find out, I might have to leave it until the Spring though, since we are in Florida for most of the winter when it really matters. I can't email you back because I don't know how (and I am too lazy to figure out how to do it).

About losing weight. I had a teacher who once said the best exercise is to push yourself away from the table. You lose way more pounds by being careful what you eat, compared to what you lose doing exercise. Though, you should do both.

You have to be willing to give up beer, pizza, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, baked good, chips or similar snacks and eat much less. After a while, you get used to it and you feel better, and don't want to mess it up.

Mr_Shiftright · September 2014

It's really about portion control (never eat anything bigger than your head) and not snacking.

driver100 · September 2014

abacomike said:
C300 vs. A4
Edmunds did a comparative review of the 2015 C300 and the A4. Edmunds rates the Mercedes over the Audi citing technology and quality of build among other pluses. But they did indicate that a refreshed A4 and BMW 3 series coming out next year, this could be a shortlived "win"!

Whoever (or is it whomever) has the latest model always has the edge. The A4 is in it's 3rd or 4th year of this design, the 3 Series I think is in its 2nd or 3rd. Advancements come so fast that a one year newer design makes a huge difference in the engineering going into any car. You may pay for that advanced engineering though.

One friend and neighbor (not the one with the pool - this is a nice one) just got an MKZ. It's a 2014 with 6000 miles on it. Looks like new. Pretty smart looking, but more of a jazzy look. No dials or buttons on the dash, all smooth. Even the gear selection is a row of push buttons, flat and built in. I don't like sitting in it, I feel too low and the instrument panel comes up high, and you can't see the hood wich drops away.

The centre console is like a bridge, empty space below but do you want things like a box of Kleenex sittin there in view?

graphicguy · September 2014

driver....Lincoln just sent me an invite to drive their MK something. They let me keep their car for a 2 day test drive and give me $100 to boot. Can't see me buying a Lincoln, but I'll take their $100 anytime. Guess I'm going to be driving a Lincoln for a day, too.

driver100 · September 2014

graphicguy said:
driver....Lincoln just sent me an invite to drive their MK something. They let me keep their car for a 2 day test drive and give me $100 to boot. Can't see me buying a Lincoln, but I'll take their $100 anytime. Guess I'm going to be driving a Lincoln for a day, too.

You do good car reviews GG so I'll be interested in hearing your report. Lincoln seems really jazzy inside and I give them a lot of credit for trying a unique design....same with that sun roof which slides right down, but, I wonder overall if the more classic interior of the Mercedes will stay in fashion longer.

ab348 · September 2014

I'm not a fan of the MKZ. Too much like a tarted-up Fusion.

explorerx4 · September 2014

My wife and I are going to a Lincoln charity event on Sunday. Will test drive something or two.
Wife even asked me what an MKC is. She might have bought one if they were out when she bought her Escape.

imidazol97 · September 2014

graphicguy said:
driver....Lincoln just sent me an invite to drive their MK something. They let me keep their car for a 2 day test drive and give me $100 to boot. Can't see me buying a Lincoln, but I'll take their $100 anytime. Guess I'm going to be driving a Lincoln for a day, too.

What I'd really like to read is a comparison of the Lincolns with the equivalent Ford model from which they are a derivative. E.g., the Fusion fully optioned up vs the equivalent Lincoln (the lettering system of Lincoln completely comfuses me, but I know the one I mean is an MK something).

You do good reviews, along with many others on this forum. I'd enjoy reading the comparisons.

sterlingdog · September 2014

SALES STORY! After four years, I am finally able to post a new car sales story. As many of you may remember, I had wanted a truck but fitting it into the garage became an impossibility. Having abandoned that prospect, I began a ruthless search for either a car or another SUV. I tried out the Honda Pilot, the MB SUV, the Explorer, the Cadillac ATS and CTS, the Subaru Legacy, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Jeep Wrangler, the Lincoln SUV, and a Chevrolet Impala. There was just something about each one that didn't excite me....either too low to the ground, poor visibility, lacking in comfort, poor materials, poor handling, etc. Two came the closest to happiness: the Cadillac CTS and the Subaru Legacy. Still, I wasn't thrilled as I have always been when purchasing a new vehicle. I finally gave up and resigned myself to waiting another year or two in hopes of better choices.

I went to my sister's home (200 miles away) to help her clean out her attic and garage and prepare to get the home ready for sale. She will now be between her Pinehurst home and her Florida home. The attic took four days---52 years of accumulation stacked from eve to eve. So many memories of a husband, wife, and two children encased in boxes, trunks, and bags. It was a sad effort at times, but we kept progressing. Needless to say, the attic was as hot as Hades. We kept drinking lots of water and moving ahead. The garage took two days but was a picnic compared to the attic. My sweet wife washed, dried, and repacked things to be saved. Sorry, but I digress.

We finished early on our last day there. After a shower and a fine, well deserved dinner, we decided to ride around and look at vehicles. My sister was also interested in a new purchase, especially a comfortable SUV. We went to several dealerships and I concentrated on helping my sister determine one or two choices for her purchase. The last dealership just before dark was the Ford. I was tired of looking at cars. After all, I had been looking at cars for days back at home. As my wife and my sister were looking around, I wandered off by myself. With many other thoughts of the day running through my head, I wasn't really paying much attention to the vehicles. Suddenly, it was as if I had been awakened. There it was---staring me right in the face, the most beautiful set of wheels I had seen in quite some time. I was nearly breathless as I moved closer. What a sight! I called to my wife and my sister who came right over. They both loved it. My wife said, "That's you; that's it. You must call them in the morning." The next day was Sunday and the dealershi0p was closed. We left and drove the four hours back home. All day Sunday, the images of what I had seen just wouldn't go away. I could hardly wait until Monday morning to call the dealership.

TO BE CONTINUED...in honor of Mack

Michaell · September 2014

sterlingdog said:
SALES STORY! After four years, I am finally able to post a new car sales story. As many of you may remember, I had wanted a truck but fitting it into the garage became an impossibility. Having abandoned that prospect, I began a ruthless search for either a car or another SUV. I tried out the Honda Pilot, the MB SUV, the Explorer, the Cadillac ATS and CTS, the Subaru Legacy, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Jeep Wrangler, the Lincoln SUV, and a Chevrolet Impala. There was just something about each one that didn't excite me....either too low to the ground, poor visibility, lacking in comfort, poor materials, poor handling, etc. Two came the closest to happiness: the Cadillac CTS and the Subaru Legacy. Still, I wasn't thrilled as I have always been when purchasing a new vehicle. I finally gave up and resigned myself to waiting another year or two in hopes of better choices.

I went to my sister's home (200 miles away) to help her clean out her attic and garage and prepare to get the home ready for sale. She will now be between her Pinehurst home and her Florida home. The attic took four days---52 years of accumulation stacked from eve to eve. So many memories of a husband, wife, and two children encased in boxes, trunks, and bags. It was a sad effort at times, but we kept progressing. Needless to say, the attic was as hot as Hades. We kept drinking lots of water and moving ahead. The garage took two days but was a picnic compared to the attic. My sweet wife washed, dried, and repacked things to be saved. Sorry, but I digress.

We finished early on our last day there. After a shower and a fine, well deserved dinner, we decided to ride around and look at vehicles. My sister was also interested in a new purchase, especially a comfortable SUV. We went to several dealerships and I concentrated on helping my sister determine one or two choices for her purchase. The last dealership just before dark was the Ford. I was tired of looking at cars. After all, I had been looking at cars for days back at home. As my wife and my sister were looking around, I wandered off by myself. With many other thoughts of the day running through my head, I wasn't really paying much attention to the vehicles. Suddenly, it was as if I had been awakened. There it was---staring me right in the face, the most beautiful set of wheels I had seen in quite some time. I was nearly breathless as I moved closer. What a sight! I called to my wife and my sister who came right over. They both loved it. My wife said, "That's you; that's it. You must call them in the morning." The next day was Sunday and the dealershi0p was closed. We left and drove the four hours back home. All day Sunday, the images of what I had seen just wouldn't go away. I could hardly wait until Monday morning to call the dealership.

TO BE CONTINUED...in honor of Mack

Oh, you're killing me, Richard.

abacomike · September 2014

@driver100 said:

" I wonder overall if the more classic interior of the Mercedes will stay in fashion longer."

By classic design, if you mean functional and logical, you might have something. Mercedes, for years, has placed a traditional phone key pad with corresponding buttons to actually dial a phone number, if preferred, over using the voice control system. You can also manually dial up an FM frequency or a channel on satellite radio or even call up a pre-selected saved FM, AM or satellite radio station.

I once read an article on that key pad and why Mercedes keeps that design as opposed to a touch screen system. It seems the designers and engineers want to make the interior controls as functionally familiar as possible for the driver.

There are two screens the driver can use - the main NAV screen in the upper center of the dash as well as a special settings screen in the center of the speedo housing to select special settings and safety features. You can even change the color of the ambient lighting in the car from amber to white to pale blue, activate lane keeping and blind spot monitors, collision alert systems, acoustic locking, and 25 other special settings by just using the steering wheel buttons.

Definitely a more classic functionality set up for the driver.

abacomike · September 2014

@sterlingdog said:

"I could hardly wait until Monday morning to call the dealership.

TO BE CONTINUED in honor of Mac..."

What a cliffhanger - gotta love your style RICHARD!!!

explorerx4 · September 2014

@michaell, He's a serial killer. He got me too!

jayrider · September 2014

TO BE CONTINUED...in honor of Mack

My guess is the pick up truck of SUV's -- the Ford Flex. I like them --- great utility and a huge cargo area -- put in a tarp and haul plants and mulch as well as chairs and tables.

imidazol97 · September 2014

sterlingdog said:
There it was---staring me right in the face, the most beautiful set of wheels I had seen in quite some time. I was nearly breathless as I moved closer.

I'll go for $1000 on a Ford pickup truck like he had been looking at earlier!

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