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Smart Shopper Stories from the Sales Frontlines
47365 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 6:32 PM
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Replying to: deskman (Jul 01, 2008 9:23 pm) 
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Replying to: deskman (Jul 01, 2008 7:17 pm) And what did the poor bastard who traded it in pay for it new, 60-70K? You got to love the opportunities that are out there right now. If I had the need for one, I'd buy some big SUV and park it in my driveway until the panic is over. OTOH, if I'm wrong about gas prices, I would be crying as the hybrids pass my out of gas beast on the side of the road. What's that old gamblers saying? Scared money don't win?
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Replying to: oldfarmer50 (Jul 02, 2008 1:57 am) mac.....again, no disrespect to your product. I think Toyota has blurred the lines between it's upscale brother (Lexus) and the "meat and potatoes" of models (Toyota). As I said, I think my friend really liked the looks of the Solara. Maybe if she had driven a different model (SE?) her opinion would be different. But, I had to agree with her assessment. "Pretty car. But, that's where the fun begins and ends". Gotta say, there's been more than once when I've seen a Solara at a distance that I thought I was looking at a Lexus. Honda has done much the same thing. For example, the lines between Acura products and Honda products has blurred quite a bit. Matter of fact, the interior of my friend's new Accord could be straight out of an Acura product. I was that impressed. Side note, a former business colleague just bought a new Benza few months ago. Whatever their new entry level is (I don't recall the nomenclature). Looks good on the outside. But, does it drive any better than the Accord? I've only driven either car a few miles. But, I don't think a Solara/Camry or an Accord gives up anything to the Benz. Plus, his $40K sled looks like a "stripper" model compared to either the Solara, Accord....and definitely looks woeful when compared to my 3 series. The Benz isn't built as well as any of those cars, IMHO. Somebody thinks its worth it to pay for that 3 pointed star, though. I think those of us who have been around for awhile have seen this oil situation play out before. As most know, this too will pass. As oldfarmer points out, people are running scared right now....making irrational decisions.....trading (or trying to trade) $40K SUVs for a Yaris. While the landscape will definitely change among the car buying public,in the short term, with the expanses of blacktop we have in this country, Americans want big, powerful vehicles. Once the bubble bursts on this oil "thing" (and it will, which will spawn another financial crisis akin to the mortgage bubble and the dot com meltdown), all those trucks and SUVs will sell. I can empathize with you, though. Business is out there for the taking, if you've got the right product mix. The market is knee deep in trucks (Toyota included), when the public wants 4 cyl cars. Still, I don't think any of the manufacturers saw this fuel runnup coming. Especially since it hit so quickly. deskman....I wish I had your faith in Chrysler. Daimler left it in shambles. Cerebus doesn't know what to do. Challengers will be tasty, but what else is there in the Chrysler stable that anyone else wants? I've driven the Avenger, as a rental. Boy, I don't know how much money was spent in development, but I'd ask for a refund. Jeep? Can't give them away right now. Even their vaunted minivan is looking like it's being shunned with the cut back in it's production. The 300 may as well be a 100 in the market place it's so long in the tooth. Unless Chrysler has some magic bullet they're keeping under wraps, I can't see any way to bring it back to life short of selling off assets. Every other day we're hearing more bad news (even though they are no longer a public company) about them. That does nothing more than to cause more echos in the showrooms.
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Replying to: mackabee (Jul 01, 2008 9:30 pm) Errrr, do you mean hari kari? Hare kari might be killing a rabbit? Richard III
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Reading through these posts, I see that the general consensus of fourbangers flying off the shelves and trucks and SUV's becoming over stocked holding true. While that is true, really true, I want to promote some optimism. Yesterday I sold a Ford Explorer and brought in a '02 Saturn SL2 4-Banger. Theres a swing in a different direction. 
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Replying to: mackabee (Jul 01, 2008 9:33 pm) |
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Replying to: graphicguy (Jul 02, 2008 4:05 am)  The minivan plant in st louie only built the short wb ones that did not sell retail(fleetcars/rentals),the windsor plant builds the long wb High margin vans. The st louie ram plant built the oddball trucks like the 4x4 reg cab with a 4.7 and a six speed hand shaker. Chrysler is in much better shape than ford,gm and maybe even toyonda.Chrysler has deals with nissan,volkswagen,chery,and soon fiat.chrysler has head hunted major talent from toyota/nissan/ford/gm.IMHO Chrysler is taking the time to make sure the next product to wear a pentastar sets a new standard in the automotive industry .
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Jul 02, 2008 5:05 am) LOL
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Replying to: deskman (Jul 02, 2008 6:34 am) I also cannot believe that people are paying way over sticker for the Prius, you are simply dumping all of your gas savings right into the car payment. Your better off getting a car you actually want. They are selling as high as $30k, You can get a fully loaded Camry, Accord, TSX, etc, that opens a whole other door of cars you can get, and be so much more fun! The gas prices are making everyone freak out, and people are not thinking realistically about making big decisions on this. This is your well, hard, earned money, don't throw it away on a car that is supposed to be loaded at $23k. MSRP! Defeats the whole purpose. Other than an SUV, that I have seen piling up everywhere, I don't blame the dealers for not wanting more of them, and making owners take a hit on trade in. Its a business. Though, I see brand new Tahoe's, Escallades, I hope the owner knows that they just took a huge hit on resale value for their car, and the minute they signed that contract, they just when way upside down. Its almost binding, they might not be able to get out of it, without practically giving it away. But some of us need a big SUV, and that is okay, but realize what your doing. You can get a great deal on one now too though, so that helps!
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Most every auto manufacture around the world has a diesel version of most cars sold in the US and most of those diesel cars get twice the mileage of the gas counterpart. To make things worse, the mandated 10% ethanol in our gas reduces mileage by about 2% and E85 reduces mileage by about 25%. If you are in AG or the recipient of fuel taxes, the US is the place to be. For the fuel consumer, not so good. MB has the BlueTech offering this year and VW is going to have the 2.0L diesel in the Jetta by August I hope. I think Honda had something in works for the 2009 MY What is the word on the show room floor as to new diesel offerings in the form of small to midsized passenger cars? Diesel is higher than gas, but diesel would have to be 35% more expensive than gas before it would be the same in cents per mile to drive. IE $4.00 gas = $5.40 diesel.
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