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surreal1272

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Everything posted by surreal1272

  1. surreal1272
    The XTS is on the way out, hence the existence of the CT6 that replaces it. Now, the only pricing gripe I have is with the CT6 2.0L being only $2K cheaper than the 3.6L. Personally I would just dump the 2.0L because I can't fathom anyone choosing a 4 banger when the V6 is only $2K more.
  2. surreal1272
    That's tough to say. It didn't feel more responsive to me during the week I had it. Maybe it's for the 2016 models. It's bummer if they don't have that worked out yet otherwise. Of course, the more sensible solution is physical buttons. All that touchscreen non sense would drive me bonkers.
  3. surreal1272
    Question William. Was this CTS using the updated CUE system that was supposed to be much more responsive and snappy?
  4. surreal1272
    I see what you're saying but part of concentrating on the product is putting it in more markets to sell more product.
  5. surreal1272
    How is wanting to expand your market reach to the most car centric state in the country a waste of time?
  6. surreal1272
    As a former salesman, I know for a fact that I made money off of buyers, especially when negotiations went in my favor but that was on used cars. There is way more markup on certain new vehicles as well though (full size trucks come to mind here). Then there's the dealer mark up on limited run models like the Shelby, Z28, and the Hellcat. And it's not auto profits most have a problem with. It's that everything is too damn high for the customer in the first place. There are some here that really love to tout those profits though, so that may contribute to the dislike.
  7. surreal1272
    So post a picture about free market while not supporting a free market when it effects your business? Interesting.
  8. surreal1272
    An odd but accurate example of the silliness of some laws. Btw, I live in Arizona.
  9. surreal1272
    Exactly. That law only protects the industry it was written to protect via massive lobbying by that industry. I see nothing that protects the customer as he claims.
  10. surreal1272
    Saying "Well it's the law" doesn't mean the law isn't wrong. There is essentially zero consumer protection in the law. Read what you linked - all that is required is Fleet insurance and a continuous $10,000 bond. There is no protection for the manufacturers (and frankly, I'm not that worried about that anyway, if Toyota can weather Floor-mate-gate, Ford weather electronic ignition-gate, and GM weather ignition-switch-gate, I'm sure they can handle themselves). The only thing the law is protecting is the business model of the existing dealership groups.... and yes it is antiquated these days. Costco is now the largest automotive broker in the country now. People apparently like the process of the pre-negotiated sale, pre-negotiated trade, pre-negotiated financing. It is an unfortunate anachronism that in order to complete the sale, these Costco customers still have to go to the dealership to sign paperwork because of these NADA written laws. An aside, removing the franchise laws would not remove franchises. The franchises would still have a contract with the manufacturer that the manufacturer would be bound to honor. And it is very likely that most manufacturers would want to keep a mix of franchise stores and company stores because building and maintaining a huge network of stores is very cost intensive. So it isn't like all of these dealerships would go out of business overnight. What would change would be the addition of factory owned stores or 3rd parties like Amazon or Costco that dealerships would have to compete with. Dealerships would need to justify their existence, which isn't something they are currently accustomed to. Dealerships need to up their game... people hate going to them for a reason, and they've only existed in this form for this long because they have the protection of these outdated laws. But but, it's the law Drew and we know that laws are meant to protect everyone and not just one industry that is scared of a little competition right? (sarcasm wholly intended)
  11. surreal1272
    But they are not "getting nervous", how do you figure that? I don't see that in the least here. The nervousness is proven by the fact that the dealerships are fighting tooth and nail to keep Tesla from bringing their sales model into their backyard. It's obvious to me.
  12. surreal1272
    That is still not a very convincing argument Reg. especially when you slide in that little OpEd about the cars themselves like it has anything to with their business model versus the dealership model. I worked in car sales about twelve years ago so I know what it takes to keep the machine running and they are more than free to continue to run with that model if they want. I am more in line of giving the customer a choice and if the model that Tesla is running truly sucks as much as you claim, then they will just wither away and die or change and adapt. However, that does not seem to be case and that is why the old guard has been getting so nervous over the last few years. Again, if they can't adapt to the change that may actually benefit all customers, then they will simply be left behind.
  13. surreal1272
    Still have yet to hear that convincing argument of how Tesla's business model is "advantageous". Olds made some really good points as to why it could considered the opposite of that given that dealers can show multiple versions of any one car provided by the manufacturer whereas Tesla does not. That is just one of many reasons why this "advantageous" argument is not very convincing. I'm all ears to this "advantage" you speak of Wings.
  14. surreal1272
    Big shock. A dealership saying that the new guy needs to work with dealers. Again, color me unconvinced because Penske makes a ton of money from their own dealerships so that is just not a convincing argument at all. How many loopholes do you think Ford, GM, and FCA have taken advantage of over the last century?
  15. surreal1272
    ^This!
  16. surreal1272
    And I hope Tesla flips the establishment on it's old ear. No one company has the right to tell another company how to sell their product. The tactics being used by the old guard are typical of companies that are scared of change. To them I say, suck it up buttercup. Change is coming. You can adapt or get left behind. Yeah, thanks, but I don't believe any 'company' is telling any other 'company' how or what to sell. Not sure where in Hades you got that from. The 'old guard' companies are simply hedging their bets by selling EVERYTHING and more power to them. Yes they are trying to tell them what to do via lobbying through states like Michigan by saying that they can't sell there unless they do it through a dealer network. That is the very definition of telling someone how and what they can sell. That is what in Hades I got that from. If you believe anything else, well then it is pure blindness on your part but not surprising given that your employer is one of the companies lobbying hard against Tesla. Nope, sorry.....lobbying for fairness in Michigan is hardly....HARDLY....the same thing as 'telling companies' how to run their business. You sir, are the blind one. Clearly. Nice try, when you clearly misspoke. My point again, is that fairness is the name of the game here. Fairness would NOT be defined by allowing Tesla their own business model that is exclusive. So if the industry wants a different business model, lobby for that. No sweat off my brow and I would welcome it in fact. But until then, a level playing field should be allowed and respected. It is the same when they are not allowing Tesla to sell there because they won't sell through a dealership like the rest. That is not "fairness". You can type it all you want but that doesn't make it so. Again, I don't expect an employee of one the companies lobbying against them to understand. Your agreement on this is not required for it to be the truth.
  17. surreal1272
    And I hope Tesla flips the establishment on it's old ear. No one company has the right to tell another company how to sell their product. The tactics being used by the old guard are typical of companies that are scared of change. To them I say, suck it up buttercup. Change is coming. You can adapt or get left behind. Yeah, thanks, but I don't believe any 'company' is telling any other 'company' how or what to sell. Not sure where in Hades you got that from. The 'old guard' companies are simply hedging their bets by selling EVERYTHING and more power to them. Yes they are trying to tell them what to do via lobbying through states like Michigan by saying that they can't sell there unless they do it through a dealer network. That is the very definition of telling someone how and what they can sell. That is what in Hades I got that from. If you believe anything else, well then it is pure blindness on your part but not surprising given that your employer is one of the companies lobbying hard against Tesla.
  18. surreal1272
    And I hope Tesla flips the establishment on it's old ear. No one company has the right to tell another company how to sell their product. The tactics being used by the old guard are typical of companies that are scared of change. To them I say, suck it up buttercup. Change is coming. You can adapt or get left behind.
  19. surreal1272
    It's certainly worked wonders for Mercedes.
  20. surreal1272
    Just stay away from the i3 for design inspiration and they should be okay. Saw one the other day and nearly gouged my eyes out afterwards.
  21. surreal1272
    Right now, one rather large German company is too busy burning diesel money to deal with electric tech.
  22. surreal1272
    That I agree with 100% dfelt. Well said.
  23. surreal1272
    Bill Clinton did that in the 90's and we still did not get better roads. Then Shrub spent Trillions on his personal war and we still did not win. Wasn't my point dfelt but in my only defense of Bush Jr. he also had to use a military that was cut in half by the Clinton administration during the 90's. There is a direct cause and effect link there but I don't want to talk politics here. It never gets anyone anywhere here.
  24. surreal1272
    Bill Clinton did that in the 90's and we still did not get better roads.
  25. surreal1272
    Very nice looking Volvo but the rear end tail light treatment is "blah". Overall, a very impressive offering though.
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