Archive for the 'General Topics' Category
Cars and Gadgets.
Car owners expect cool gadgets in their cars just like Dolphins fans expect losses.
Here’s some of the coolest car gadgets of 2007:
- Volvo Blind Spot Information System | Leave it to Volvo - two tiny cameras & little orange light tell you if its OK to change lanes.
- Sync Hands-Free System | Ford’s solution to fiddling with portable music players while driving: simple voice commands allow you to play your music.
- Sirius Satellite TV | Chrysler lets the kids make the buying decisions by offering the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network available. I wish I was 9 again.
- Easy Third-Row Access | Folding your seats down manually is so 2006.
- Heartbeat Sensor | Great idea for older drivers and/or Ferrari owners.
- Integrated Booster Seats | No more booster seats needed to trash your leather interior; leave that to your kids.
- Full-Size Hybrid SUVs/Trucks | Now people who feel the need to drive around in 6500 pounds of eco-friendly steel won’t get harassed from people who drive around in 2500 pounds of eco-friendly steel.
- Around View Monitor | This is a neat gadget from Infinity: A 360-degree camera-eye view for tight parking spots and navigating crowded areas. Which begs the questions, why are you trying to squeeze into tight, hard to see spots in an Infinity EX35??
- Scratch Shield Paint | Infinity’s super elastic resin with a clearcoat finish claims to protect from minor scratches, dents and even fingernail scratches under the door handles. (Save some money - get your wife a manicure and get the Satellite TV)
- Lane Departure Prevention | Another top tech toy from Infinity keeps you safely in your lane by detecting lane markings, applying brakes when needed and providing dashboard alerts.
Still no word on the Nagging-Wife Silencer or the Friend Who-Always-Needs-A-Ride Ejector…there’s always next year.
Everyone can rattle off a couple of cars that have significant memories. Your first car…your dream car…the car your wife crashed. I’m sure you have some.
Here’s a list of the cars, and their memories, for which I’m thankful for.
Datsun 200SX | My first ride; when I got in this car it made me feel like Jimmie Johnson hoisting his championship Nextel Cup. When getting out of it, I was just glad it got me to my destination in one piece.
Ford Squire Station Wagon | I grew up watching the Brady Bunch pile into this land yacht every day. I’m thankful my parents didn’t own one of these.
Lamborghini Countach | I believe this was a mandatory bedroom wall poster for any teenager in the 80’s. This was supposed to be my first car…then I found out the price. Hello Datsun.
Mercedes Benz 450/380SL | Riding in my Dad’s classic convertibles served as the impetus for my appreciation of all things automotive.
Mustang GT | This was the first car I bought. It was also my first car I had to sell once my son was born. Good thing I didn’t have to sell the Countach.
Bugatti Veyron | Another super-car dream crusher. This was supposed to be my next car…until I found out they priced it upwards of one million bucks. For that money, I could have had 10 Lambos.
Dodge Viper | The perfect Pre Mid-Life Crisis car. Used ‘96 -’98’s represent some of the best super-car values available today. Looks, performance and uniqueness…for less than half the price of competing cars in it’s class. Definitely time to park one of these in the driveway.
Lexus ES300 | The car my wife crashed…
Be thankful for the memories your cars provide…savor those on the horizon.
Happy Thanksgiving.
The leaves have fallen, I can see my breath in the morning and my bald head is colder than an angry wife after a long night of poker with the guys.
That only means one thing in New York…the month and a half of Autumn is over and the snow is ready to come crashing in. Perfect time for a Top 9 list of the best vehicles to drive in the snow. (Top 10 lists are so yesterday)
A couple of things to keep in mind when shopping for a 4×4 winter sled. Make sure it comes with snow tires, has decent ground clearance for your driving habits, and appropriate tire width.
Used SUV’s may have low grade all-season treads that can under-perform in thicker ice and snow conditions. Do you make short commutes in minimal snow cover? If so, you may only need a smaller all-wheel drive/crossover vehicle rather than a taller, full-size SUV. Plus, those fat tires on the big boy SUV’s probably won’t grip as well as a standard set.
- Ford Edge | A 256hp crossover that’s safe & roomy.
- Toyota Highlander | One of the original crossovers - reliable, light-weight & handles great in the snow.
- Subaru Forester | Top rated AWD with great handling, safety & sensibility.
- Subaru Tribeca | Modern, stylish & high safety rating.
- Volkswagen Toureg | Classy, lots of fun & powerful - up to 310hp available.
- Lincoln MKX | Dress up your Ford Edge in it’s Sunday best and this is what you’ll get - pleasantly refined.
- Mercedes Benz M-Class | Smooth riding, very safe & strong in the snow.
- Volvo XC90 | This 7 passenger snow tank is perfect for a winter family trek; lots of room & power.
- Subaru Outback | Perfect for light duty winter driving - AWD, high quality and loaded with features.
My Favorite? The VW Snow Sled at the top. Germans make awesome sleds.
Ever feel like you weren’t firing on all cylinders? Now you can and you don’t need to feel bad about it.
Honda Motor Co., General Motors, and Chrysler are rolling out Cylinder Deactivation Systems to help drivers save on gas by increasing their MPG, while still getting the horsepower they originally wanted from their car or truck.
The ‘07 Impalas and the two-wheel drive Pilot SUV have Variable Cylinder Management - even the Odyssey minivan has had it since the ‘05 model year was introduced.
Just press a button and you can be driving on only 3, 4 or 6 cylinders. It’s pretty simple - when cylinders shut off, fuel consumption decreases. (And it has a Green affect by lowering carbon dioxide emissions as well.)
Drivers have been asking for a horsepower/gas savings solution for a long time. (GM tried a variable cylinder solution way back in the 80’s; it mis-misfired though)
The automakers seem to have answered this one perfectly.
This is the perfect accessory to put next to your recently purchased used car.
I’m not one to tinker with tools but this insane toolbox on steroids makes me want to put on a one-piece mechanic’s jumpsuit and start breaking fixing things.
You’ll probably spend every weekend in the garage doting over the 230 tools stocked inside; DeWalt, Johnson, Channellock, Stanley and Mag-Lite are among the who’s who list of tools included.
The tool Gods also jammed it full of nails, screws, plumbing and electrical supplies, glue, cables ties, hole filler and other goodies. And, each tool rests in its own numbered and labeled pocket; now you can inventory your entire tool set in under 30 seconds. (I never realized this was such an important need.)
Having the luxury to do so will run you about $3,000. Although they provide DVD training and promise excellent customer support. You may need it as there are over 4000 parts from top to bottom.
For those times that 4000 parts is a bit too much, you can use the detachable tool bag. Don’t worry, that has 100 tools in it.
Don’t be shocked when your neighbors stop over more frequently.
Most people freak out over the thought of changing a flat.
I’ve only changed one flat tire & If I ever have to change another one, this is the jack I’ll use.
Plug it into your 12-volt outlet, press the button and jack it up…in just a few seconds you’re all set.
This electric jack is a must have at only $50.
The only negative is that it could eliminate using “I had a flat tire” as an excuse for being late again.
If you see this in your rear view mirror, pull over right away. No chance you’ll out run this cop car.
Here’s a few no-brainer tips to help avoid racking up the points and begging for rides from your friends. Nobody likes that guy.
Avoid driving red, yellow or orange cars. These are ticket magnets. Too may tickets and you’ve got a 3500lb yellow paperweight in your driveway.
Think like a cop. Where would you hide? Behind that old tree? Behind the bridge barrier? You know the hideouts, just pay attention to them. Be on the lookout for fake construction crews too - sometime they’re just pretend workers working a speed trap. (Hard to tell though, sometimes they’re just pretend workers without radar guns)
Pay attention to the courteous drivers in the opposite direction flashing their highbeams. Be nice - flash back:)
Pick your speeding times wisely. More drivers on the road = more cops. Rush hour speeding = not wise. Mid-afternoon = better. (But, if you’re leaving work to speed, you’ve got other issues to work out)
Ditto for holiday time. the posted speed limits aren’t guidelines or ranges.
Pay attention to the current traffic flow. Especially if you’re hitting the pedal without adequate radar protection. The red brake lights ahead of your mean something is up. Stay alert.
Don’t forget about the creepers - those cops that sidle up behind you without notice. People get over confident while drafting off the car ahead of them and forget to check who’s behind them.
Don’t turn your daily commute into a one man Skip Barber training class. Weaving in and out of cars to show off your newly learned Project Gotham skills will only draw the attention of the man in the badge.
Get a top of the line radar detector. Duh. Spend the extra dough and upgrade to something like a Valentine One, Bel Vector 995 or Bel Pro RX65.
When all else fails, just head out to the track and burn some rubber there.
Drive safe & drive smart.
The five items women look for when making sure they purchase the best used car:
- Vehicle reliability/durability
- Interior comfort
- Exterior styling
- Quality of workmanship
- Gas mileage
Women don’t seem to flock to one make & model - they are influenced more by lifestyle, age and income.”The one big difference between men and women is that men are a little more power-performance conscious; women are more miles-per-gallon-economic conscious,” says Charlie Vogelheim, vice president of automotive development for J.D. Power and Associates.
When age is considered the under 30 crowd steers toward the Honda Accord & the Toyota Camry because of their affordability and safety reputation.
Three other cars popular for those in their 20’s:
- Nissan Versa (base price $12,550)
- Toyota Yaris (base price $11,150)
- Honda Fit (base price $13,850)
Young women with families are drawn towards:
- Toyota RAV4 (base price $20,950)
- Mitsubishi Outlander (base price $21,370)
- Honda CRV (base price $20,600)
- Chevrolet Equinox (base price $22,865)
- Ford Escape (base price $18,580)
The two most popular vehicles in the luxury sector, that women can be heard talking about just everywhere:
- Lexus RX350 (base price $37,400-$38,800)
- Infiniti FX35 (base price 37,950)
What it really comes to is that women want their comfort and convenience as well - it’s all about the features:
- Power lift gate/trunk/hatch
- Sunroof
- All-wheel drive
- Remote engine startup
- Bottle holders in door panels
Make things even easier - when your significant is out shopping for the perfect used car, think back to this helpful blog post.
You’ll know exactly why she picked out that pretty baby blue Honda CRV while you were busy drooling over the bad-ass black Hummer on the other side of the lot.
Credit Cars.com for this cool article…
CHICAGO — With the first game of the new NFL season kicking off late last week, fans are getting into high gear. And what’s one of the biggest ways fans celebrate their football devotion? Why tailgating, of course.
To help dealers and consumers identify the best vehicles for tailgating, Cars.com explained its top picks.
“Automakers are catering to football fans with a wide variety of features and options that are every tailgater’s dream,” said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com managing editor.
“Manufacturers are trying to stand out and win over fans with features that make it easier than ever to carry the grill, entertain friends before the game and clean up your car when the game is over,” he continued.
When looking for a car that’s going to take center stage at the big game, Cars.com recommends that shoppers look for models with the following features that will help make any tailgate party a little easier to accomplish:
1. Storage areas under the floor
Car that does it best: 2007 Honda Odyssey
“No need to worry about your game-day gear reaching critical mass. Most minivans and SUVs offer extra storage space under the load floor that can accommodate plenty of extra equipment. Contents in there will be reasonably protected from getting jostled en route, a crucial feature when you’re hauling enough food and beverages to keep fans energized well into halftime,” officials commented.
“Minivans usually have the largest under-floor storage, which doubles in most models as the place to stow a fold-flat third row. Our favorite is the Honda Odyssey, whose Magic Seat incorporates one of the largest storage wells of its kind,” they continued.
2. Two-pronged household power outlets
Car that does it best: 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
“Unlike most cars’ 12-volt cigarette lighters, household outlets can connect to traditional two-pronged plugs. That means you won’t need a power inverter or generator to wire your hi-fi stereo or portable TV. The Volkswagen Touareg wins our vote for this feature, as it comes standard with a 115-volt household outlet in the cargo area, not to mention four other 12-volt plugs elsewhere.
“For any car that has this feature, it’s wise to pack some jumper cables, as your battery will be hard-pressed to survive an entire afternoon’s festivities,” executives reported.
3. Stain-resistant seats
Car that does it best: 2007 Honda Element
“Stain-resistant fabrics add a layer of defense against spills, so feel free to chow down on that chili dog in the driver’s seat. The upholstery is marketed under a range of names from Honda’s Fabric for Extreme Conditions to Chrysler’s YES Essentials and Volvo’s T-Tec.
“We like the stuff in the Honda Element SUV, which comes standard in most versions of that car. Any of these examples should prove an easier match for errant condiments than traditional seat fabric, which tends to stain just enough to ding your car’s trade-in value down the road,” Cars.com said.
4. Load ‘n go storage floor
Car that does it best: 2007 Dodge Nitro
“The Nitro’s load ‘n go cargo floor slides 18 inches backward, extending past the bumper to create a convenient shelf that sits waist-high. Once loaded, the shelf slides forward again into the cargo area behind the rear seats. It may not seem like much, but it should free you from some of the strain of loading and unloading gear, and your back will thank you later. In the parking lot, the shelf’s 400-pound capacity makes a handy spot to set up a buffet,” executives pointed out.
5. Rear-flipping tailgate seat
Car that does it best: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country
“Several minivans have offered tailgate seats for some time. The concept is simple: The third-row seat pivots onto its backside, allowing carousers to unwind facing out from the cargo area. Yes, you can do the same off an ordinary bumper, but the tailgate seat adds an upholstered backrest with the upright seat bottom.
“It’s comfortable enough that anyone stuck there won’t wish they’d placed dibs on the inflatable Barcalounger. The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country can motor back upright or be stowed with the push of a button,” officials highlighted.
6. Stereo controls in back
Car that does it best: 2007 GMC Acadia
“Those who use their cars as mobile boom-boxes will appreciate cargo-area stereo controls. They allow you to change tunes without climbing around to the driver’s seat, a case of unintended exercise most tailgaters would just as well avoid. The buttons in the Acadia are situated just inches from where you’d set up your food and beverages,” officials explained.
7. Swing-out liftgate speakers
Car that does it best: 2007 Dodge Caliber
“Car stereos are designed to deliver sound into the cabin, which doesn’t bode well for tailgating parties, where the music needs to radiate out. Enter Chrysler’s MusicGate system, which includes two dedicated speakers that swing outward from under an open liftgate.
“Now the revelers in back can hear your pre-game soundtrack loud and clear, and if you park your car at the right angle, those away fans in the opposite stall won’t be able to hear anything else,” Cars.com executives noted.
8. Swiveling seats
Car that does it best: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country
“Genuine tailgaters will tough it through rain, sleet or snow, but it doesn’t hurt to have a sheltered area for those who aren’t game enough for the weather. That’s where the Chrysler Town & Country’s Swivel ‘N Go seats come in. Swivel ‘N Go includes second-row captain’s chairs that rotate 180 degrees to face the third row.
“In addition, there’s a removable table that installs between the swivel seats, so up to five tailgaters can dine in the minivan’s climate-controlled quarters,” according to the company.
9. Water-friendly storage well
Car that does it best: 2007 Honda Ridgeline
“It’s about time a truck came with a built-in cooler. The one in the Ridgeline comes complete with a weatherproof lid, a drain plug and a water-resistant floor. It can accommodate plenty of ice and drinks, or up to 8.5 cubic feet of dry cargo, equivalent to two-thirds of the trunk in a typical compact car. To keep any sideliners from swiping a beverage when you head into the stadium, the lid is lockable,” executives mentioned.
10. Washable cargo floor
Car that does it best: 2007 Jeep Compass
“Spill and scuff all you want, a washable cargo floor makes cleanup easy. Score one for the Jeep Compass, whose Ultra Floor has a non-skid vinyl service that can support up to 250 pounds. When you get home from the game, wipe it down with a sponge or rag. It’s removable, too, so if your bash turns particularly messy, you can always use a garden hose,” officials pointed out.
Driving a rented leased car? If so, here’s one way to avoid getting whacked for exorbitant wear & tear charges once your time is up. The leasing company wants to be sure they’ll get the vehicle’s assigned residual value. [How much the car is worth at the end of the lease]
The “Excessive Usage” charge for either tires and/or rims obviously runs a lot higher than the cost of a complete set. The most common lease agreements require the stock tires (or a new set) be returned with at least 4/32″ of tread depth - and be evenly worn. Pretty hard to do when unless you’re only using the car to drive the kids to school and pick up groceries.
So many of today’s cars have improved performance capabilities - and besides, it’s just so tempting to squeal the wheels in your new ride!
And, if you do happen to burn the stock tires down to exposed Kevlar status, you’ll need to outfit your car with the original equipment specs. (size, speed rating, etc) This only adds to your ownership expense.
A new wheel/tire set is an easy add-on; it’s the best way to spice up your ride - and even improve performance.
Want better handling? Snap on low profile, plus sized tires & larger rims. Improve your traction with upgraded winter tires to get the most out of SUV or truck’s performance.
Take off the original tires and stash them away until you turn in the vehicle. You’ll have the piece of mind knowing your wheels and tires won’t ding you for any extra charges.
Plus - you’ll have a killer wheel set once you drive home your next used car.
The ‘Net Generation loves driving their cars. They also love their mobile devices.
Unfortunately, they love doing them at the same time as if they have suddenly acquired, and mastered, ninja-like skills.
Nearly 30% of the respondents to a AAA & Seventeen magazine survey said they text message while driving. I live, and work, near malls and I know that I see a lot more than 30% of younger drivers using their mobile devices while cruising around in Daddy’s late-model Lexus.
One 18 year old survey respondent said, “I do it all the time. Drive with one hand, and I text with the other one and look back and forth. But I’m used to texting because I’ve been doing it for over over four years. ”
That’s four years experience texting - two years driving. Scary.
Other kids tried to rationalize it by saying it’s the same thing as changing the radio station. And it doesn’t just stop there.
Some of their cars are loaded up with so much extra entertainment gadgets it looks like a mobile display unit for Circuit City. DVD screens, Navigation units, Playstations, iPod’s, back-up cameras, extra gauges and on and on. (You don’t need to drive the car anywhere - just sit in it, you’ll have a good time sitting still.)
Another survey found that 89% said text messaging while driving should be banned; students in driver’s education have listed text messaging as their top distraction.
Just recently, here in Rochester NY, five high school graduates died tragically when their SUV ran into a truck. Phone records showed that the driver’s cell phone had received and sent text messages seconds before the head-on collision.
More states need to ban cell phones and text messaging while driving. Washington state banned texting while driving. Virginia recently banned both devices for drivers under 18. New York already bans cell phones and is considering the text message ban as well.
Tell younger drivers to put down the mobile device…pls txt me ltr:)
Put down the remote & get off your couch this week. Why? To go see the longest awaited cartoon to ever hit the big screen. The Simpsons movie is finally here.
You’ll be glad you made the trip and did something mind-numblingly funny. (You would have just wasted your time flipping through re-runs of CSI anyway.)
Here’s a great list of the best used cars from The Simpsons, thanks to The Mags Report . If you think of others, let me know.
The Family Car
Homer, Homer Simpson
He’s the greatest guy in history
From the, town of Springfield
He’s about to hit a chestnut tree
The Simpsons family-mobile has taken quite a few lumps over the years- being dumped into a lake, falling through ice, or even having Homer use a pickaxe to put speed holes in it. Through it all, it’s taken a licking and kept on ticking. And the paint has been splendid since day one. Where is Marge’s car? It’s a station wagon. That should be explanation enough. 
DeLorean- Troy McClure“Hi there, I’m a DeLorean. You might remember me from such roles as Time Travelling Device in Back To The Future I, II and III, and as the 20 Years Out Of Style Sports Car Owned By Troy McClure in The Simpsons.”Was there ever a more perfect choice for a vehicle for Troy McClure than the DeLorean? Just a brilliant piece of ‘casting’.
Mr. Plow- Homer SimpsonCall Mr. Plow, that’s my name
The name again, is Mr. Plow
The creme de la creme of snow removal services in Springfield. Able to clear driveways and streets of snow effortlessly, with a jingle that can’t be beat…
The Plow King- Barney Gumble
Until Barney shows up with The Plow King. Apparently Mr. Plow isn’t immune to gunshots to the tires, and the Plow King has the services of Linda Ronstadt.
Canyonero
Can you name the truck with four wheel drive,
smells like a steak and seats thirty-five..Canyonero! Canyonero!
Well, it goes real slow with the hammer down,
It’s the country-fried truck endorsed by a clown!Canyonero! (Yah!) Canyonero!
[Krusty:] Hey HeyThe Federal Highway comission has ruled the
Canyonero unsafe for highway or city driving.Canyonero!
12 yards long, 2 lanes wide,
65 tons of American Pride!Canyonero! Canyonero!
Top of the line in utility sports,
Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts!Canyonero! Canyonero! (Yah!)
She blinds everybody with her super high beams,
She’s a squirrel crushing, deer smacking, driving machine!Canyonero!-oh woah, Canyonero! (Yah!)
Drive Canyonero!
Woah Canyonero!
Woah!
Rolls Royce (various)- Mr. Burns
Would you expect anything else for the richest man in Springfield? Notable for the one time when Mr. Burns attempted to drive on his own-
I thought, uh, I thought I’d chauffeur myself this evening. yes, that’s what I thought. How difficult could it be? I’m sure the manual will indicate which level is the velocitator and which the decleratrix, hmm?
Mercedes SL- Baron von Wortzenberger
Ja, ja, ja, mach schnell mit der art things, huh? I must get back to Dancecentrum in Stuttgart in time to see Kraftwerk. Hey, und dummkopf! Watch out for the CD changer in my trunk eh? Idiot.
Another inspired car choice.
The Bus- Otto Mann
The jump off point for a ton of episodes, and the scene of many a great comedic moment, including the infamous apple/banana race. Just watch out for those pesky gremlins.
Hail to the bus driver man indeed.
The Tractor- Groundskeeper Willie
Well duh. How else would he groundskeep?
The Homer
A perfect example of why the focus group isn’t always right. What did Homer want for his car? Separated children pods, a little ball on the aerial, tail fins, a big motor, huge cupholders, shag carpeting, a Rolls grille, and a horn that played the Cucaracha. The tagline? Powerful like a gorilla, yet soft and yielding like a Nerf ball…it’s amazing that it didn’t sell like hotcakes. Oh yeah, the sticker was $82,000. On the plus side, the failure led to the bankruptcy of Herb Powell, which ultimately led to him coming back to Homer for money help and a reappearance of the drinking bird in a later episode. So it was all worth it.
Any I’ve missed?
…Thanks to the Simpsons Archive for the quotes.
Part 5 of Car Dealer Confessions…By Tug Pullman.
I’ve given you an honest look at the inner-workings of a car dealership and may have painted a slanted picture of the people in the industry. Do they deserve a bad rap? Definitely up for debate. So, I thought in this week’s installment I’d (try to) explain the pressure new & used car salespeople are under. This may remove (a bit) of the culpability for some in the automotive retail industry, but I can’t, in good conscience, defend all of them. Some are just plain old crooks who revel in their ability to deceive car shoppers.
The new & used car salesperson’s’ main pressure point: Financial. After one disappointing month (financially speaking) the General Manager wrote on my pay stub “Work your pay plan!” This was my instruction to work towards the sales and bonuses which paid the best. (Everyone in a dealership has a compensation plan based on commission and bonuses.)
As a rule of thumb, a Salesperson receives 25% of the sales profit, with a bonus for the total sales in a month. “Working my pay plan” means selling cars with the highest profit margins. New car profit margins are limited by law and the market, so the highest profit margins are usually found on used cars and truck. This is why you find the rally cry of “switch them to used” in most new car dealerships.
The shrewd salespeople of the bunch know exactly which used vehicles have the highest margins. These used cars suddenly become the vehicles of choice for their customers. Funny how that works.
In addition to the 25% commission, the dealership gives special bonuses on certain vehicles. Bonuses are paid on the oldest vehicles on the lot. (Aged Vehicles) Dealerships have a “floor plan” - a loan for each vehicle on the lot. They pay interest on each vehicle, so the longer is stays, the more it costs. I’ve seen bonuses as high as $1000 on these older used cars.
If you feel the Salesperson is steering you away from a vehicle you like, this is probably why. For new vehicles, this pressure usually comes from the manufacturer. They constantly throw contests and incentives at the dealerships, and individuals, to increase sales.
This takes me to the industry-favorite: the “Spiff”. No, this isn’t the sharp dressed guy on the floor. The spiff is an extra cash payout if the bonus is hit for a specific time period. Just about every car dealership has a daily spiff on Saturdays. They’ll have a morning “rah-rah” pep rally, and entice the Salespeople with a big wad of cash for even more motivation. Spiffs can be volume based (three sales today earn you $250) or activity based ($10 for every customer you introduce to your manager). I’ve even seen people paid to get their customers to climb into the trunk of a car. (I’ve mentioned this before)
If you want to see what I’m talking about, check out the classic car sales movie Suckers. The writers didn’t make this stuff up…
The bottom line for these new & used car salespeople: If they don’t sell enough cars, or even the right cars, they won’t have a job for long. Where I worked, if you didn’t have enough sales at the half-way point of the month, your days off were cancelled. Twelve hour days, seven days a week is a strong motivator to sell cars at any cost! Unfortunately, when Salespeople are under this kind of pressure, the consumer pays the price.
Add all of this up and you’ll have a plenty of reasons not to shop at commission-based car dealerships. The best interest of the customer doesn’t line up with the best interest of the Salesperson; it’s no wonder most people would rather have a root canal than buy a new car.
Do yourself a favor and shop for your next car at a one-price dealer. Do your homework to ensure it’s a good price. (Unless you live in a cave, you’re probably already familiar with the links within our Friendly Resources.) There’s no reason you can’t get a Salesperson who actually cares about your needs.
Going up against highly motivated and trained professional negotiators, intent upon convincing you which vehicle is right and talking you into paying the highest possible price, is probably not at the top of your list of fun things to do on a Saturday with your family.
Good luck out there, buying a used car doesn’t have to be so tough…
If you’ve ever seen the rings on my fingers - then you know they’re one of Brian Bergeron’s Tire Rings. (Old fraternity bro’ of mine.)
If you haven’t seen them yet…then head over to TireRing.com and buy one - or several.
I’ve got a motorcycle ring & a car tire ring; people always comment & ask where they can get one.
Now you know what to get for that special someone who just picked out their latest ride.
Part 4 of Car Dealer Confessions…By Tug Pullman.
Most new car dealerships have a very similar infrastructure. The Salesperson greets the customers, shows them the vehicles, takes them for a test drive and begins the paperwork. When the time comes to discuss price and payments, the Salesperson must go to the Desk Manager.
The Desk Manager’s sole function is to get as much as possible for the vehicle. Many times it appears as though the Customer and salesperson are combining forces to get a good deal out of the Desk Manager. This is by design; classic “Good cop, Bad cop” rouse.
Unfortunately, for newer Salespeople who don’t know any better, the Desk Manager deceives the Salesperson into thinking it’s the best deal he’s willing to give the customer. They do this to ensure the Salesperson is convincing enough when pitching the deal to the Customer. They call this tactic “loading the Salesperson’s lips.”
To get a price and payment quote from the Desk Manager, at this new car franchise, you needed three things: A properly filled out buyers order with the customer’s information, a written commitment of what the customer will do today, and a deposit.
They teach this from day one in the training. These three things give the saleperson total control over the customer. If the customer says they are not buying today, you still get a written commitment.
As the trainer said, “Any customer will buy today for some price. If it’s a dollar down and a dollar per month, at least that’s a starting point.” The car dealership is just trying to take you out of shopping-mode and into negotiating-mode.
The problem arose for me when a customer saw one of our many “zero-down” commercials. Every one of our ads promised “zero-down.” This customer obviously didn’t want to put any money down - he repeated it several times. I was presented with a conundrum; I had to go to the Desk Manager with a commitment and deposit in order to get a price quote for my customer. How do I ask for a deposit when the customer clearly wants to put zero down as advertised?
I didn’t believe it to be very customer friendly to ask for a cash deposit just to get a price quote. So, I jotted down the customer’s commitment “Customer will take delivery today for zero down and $379 per month”. I trotted back to the Desk Manager with the paperwork and laid it down in front of him.
“Where’s your deposit, Head?” The Desk Manager called everybody Head; this was not a reference to my particular anatomy. “He wants to do the deal on TV, no money down”, I replied. “Still need a deposit to work a deal”, he said gruffly. So I returned to the customer. We had a fairly positive relationship up to his point, but me asking for a cash deposit to get a price quote didn’t go over well. Besides, he didn’t have any cash on him.
I returned to the “tower” (the raised platform in the showroom where the Desk Managers sit). “He doesn’t have any cash, and just wants a payment quote with no money down”. The Desk Manager looked at me for a second, and immediately paged my Manager.
Once my Manager arrived, he said, “This weak sister can’t get me a deposit, will you take a turn and show him how it’s done?” He was half-joking, but obviously trying to make a point.
The floor Manager’s role is what they call, in the car business, a “closer”. They go to the customer to get the deal done. They are trained negotiators and practice this skill constantly. What happened next was one of the most shocking things I witnessed in my short tenure.
The closer came out of the office with my customer’s watch. He actually took his watch as a deposit!
When I asked how he did that, he casually replied he always gets something. Cell phones, wedding rings, even shoes! He entered the tower like a conquering hero as he presented the watch and revised commitment.
They looked at me and said “Now that’s how it’s done, Head!”
I thought to myself…Not in my world it isn’t.