February 28, 2006
Love to Drive? Become an OTR Trucker!!
If driving ten hours straight and sleeping in a cab for ten, then driving ten and sleeping and so on sounds good to you, then you just might want to become a long distance trucker. Average pay is about $35K and you're never home.
This profile is why there's a shortage of approximately 20,000 truck drivers in the US, and that number is expected to grow to 100,000, according to the New York Times.
You might want to check out this page from the federal government, outlining the basic requirements for a Commercial Driver's License [CDL], so you can start driving OTR.
Posted by Frank at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)
GM to Go Mad With March Incentives?
According to "leaked' documents obtained by The Detroit News, General Motors is planning another round of incentives, to run March 15 to April 4. The new plan is rumored to include MSRP discounts, plus cash bonuses, and perhaps also, dealer bonuses, if they accept more vehicles onto their lots.
I say "leaked" because in the auto world, as in other areas of journalism, some of these are leaks part of the plan. It sounds juicier doesn't it?
GM has already cut MSRP on many of their vehicles, so it will be interesting how deep the incentives can be.
To get a price quote on any GM brand vehicle, click here.
Posted by Frank at 08:34 AM | Comments (0)
Toyota's One on One NBA Sweepstakes
Through May 1, Toyota is running a contest based on NBA One on One plays, where 10 prizes will be given away weekly, leading up to a One on One grand prize.
To get your big chance, you have to register at this site, and then vote on the best NBA One on One play of the week.
The big winner gets to choose his or her One on One experience from playing with NBAer Carmelo Anthony, getting a makeover from style "icon" Marc Ecko, or making music with Jermaine Dupri. Oh boy, what a dilemma it'll be having to make that choice.
Weekly prizes include an iPod shuffle or $100 gift certificate for branded NBA or style "icon" Marc Ecko's merchandise.
Posted by Frank at 08:12 AM | Comments (0)
GM's XM Satellite Radio Site
General Motors offers factory-installed XM radios on 50 of their new cars and trucks, and each of them comes with a three-month free trial, so you can experience the clear superiority of satellite over old-school radio. You can find out more about GM's offering at their dedicated XM site, link below.
If you've already bought a new GM vehicle, you can activate the receiver by going to this site. If you haven't yet gotten on the satellite bandwagon, there's also a link at the site to sign up for a free trial.
At Car Buyer's Notebook, we love satellite radio.
Posted by Frank at 07:51 AM | Comments (0)
The Dieter Show Rolls into Geneva on the 2006 Mercedes Bike
Here we have Dieter Zetsche, CEO of DaimlerChrysler pulling one of his famous auto show stunts in Geneva, on the two wheels of the 2006 Mercedes Automatic Bike. Perhaps this is a foreboding of cost-cutting measures.
Perhaps not. The base price for the Mercedes bike starts at $2,000 and the fully-equipped version goes for $2,240, just like cars.
Still, I love these bikes. They're elegant, high-tech and just plain cool. And only on sale in Germany for now.
The automatic function of this bike involves an onboard computer that selects the appropriate gear for the rider, who can also use manual shifting if he or she prefers.
Posted by Frank at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)
GM's Ethanol Campaign & Dodge Caliber Walkaround -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #159
In today's episode, we talk about how GM seized image leadership on ethanol with their Live Green Go Yellow campaign, and then we leave you with a pretty cool audio walkaround of the new Dodge Caliber, from the company website.
Also, we need our listeners to fill out a simple, 8 question survey to get a read on our audience, so in turn we can get some advertising revenue -- click here to help us help you!
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 07:19 AM | Comments (0)
February 27, 2006
Saturn Ion: Would You Like it More if We Called it the S/Ion?
So, I'm liking the looks of this Saturn Ion "quad" coupe, and the price for the base model is only $13,490. That's with a 140-horsepower engine -- plus it has those cool mini-suicide quad doors behind the main, bigger doors [see pic below].
Now, if you're thinking somewhere in Scion tC territory, I'd take a look at the Saturn Ion, or S/Ion if we were trying too hard to be cool.
While the Scion tC does start at $16,840, that's with a 160-hp engine. You can beef up the Saturn Ion [S/Ion, aren't we cool?] to 170 hp with a performance package that will cost you $17,185.
So it's a bit of an over-under call, and you may not like the Ion, but it's worth checking out, all the same.
Posted by Frank at 03:23 PM | Comments (0)
Volvo C70 Convertible -- Almost Here!
Since the new C70 hardtop convertible is the only new product Volvo is launching this year, you have to forgive them for running several "coming soon" announcements.
Well now it really is almost here, and they've set up a minisite that offers yet another minimovie of the hardtop convertible roof in action. Other than that, there's not much, including this PDF brochure that's mostly pictures.
However, we do have a price on the C70 -- $38,710 MSRP with a 218 horsepower engine. Follow the links at the minisite to price one out, you can get it up to $45K pretty easy.
To get a free, no-obligation price quote on any new Volvo, click here.
Posted by Frank at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)
GM's Ethanol Grand Slam
Bottom line: In the admittedly minor competition to attain image leadership in Flex-Fuels, GM has scored a home run with their “Live Green Go Yellow” campaign.
It certainly helps that they unleashed the marketing blitz around the same time as President Bush's State of the Union Address, in which he said we have to end our dependence on foreign oil.
And they probably spent a boatload of money in the process.
But the fact is, GM fielded an absolutely sterling campaign that caught people's attention, from the theme music, yellow gas caps, messages and images – and a great website that's worth checking out for delightful entertainment value. I particularly like the “cornulator” that calculates how many barrels of oil you'd save driving an E85, or ethanol-powered vehicle.
Now, in the long run, ethanol's really not that big a deal, in the same way that hybrid's aren't. Both are stop gap measures that reduce some of the pressure on oil supply, gas prices and pollution, but the fact remains that petroleum-powered combustion engines eventually have to be eliminated.
So, the win for GM is in the brand psychology department. Their Go Yellow campaign is one of those things people might talk about at the water cooler, in bars or at the bowling alley, and gives the company some much needed feel good go juice.
In terms of image leadership, GM has also scored by practically wresting the Flex-Fuel concept from Ford and Chrylser. Jason Vines, the VP of Communications for Chrysler, is bitching about it on their media-only website, and I'm certain Ford isn't too happy about GM's well-timed and well-executed move, as they started their own initiative several months back with CEO Bill Ford, Jr. at the helm.
So in the same way Toyota owns hybrids, even though Honda was first to market, GM is now in control of the E85 image, even though all three traditional domestic car companies have been making ethanol-ready vehicles for years.
The problem for GM is whether or not they will abandon the campaign after a strong start, in the same way they've been all over the map with their incentive programs. In this characteristic they are similar to Microsoft, which has launched dozens of products and initiatives, only to orphan them once they realize a small project won't let them take over the Earth.
So if GM does truly go yellow on this project, but not in the way they intended, then Ford will be able to get back in there and get some of their juice back. But remember, ethanol just isn't that important in the long run.
Posted by Frank at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)
Will VW's Fast Last? Or a Fad That'll Fade Fast?
VW is using a mascot in its GTI ads, dubbed the “Fast,” that is essentially a stylized plastic bunny. Our VW expert and resident columnist Dave Lewis explained to me that this is a riff on the VW Rabbit heritage of the Golf.
The message in the commercials goes something like, “Get in touch with your Fast.”
I don't like it because I think it's strained. When I first saw it on the web, without the benefit of TV, I was like, “what the hell is that – it makes no sense.”
However, Dave countered with the observation that VW is trying to build buzz and if I was talking about it, “Fast” did its job.
The real life bunnies are also doing their job on eBay for the VW dealers who received them from the company. Currently there are several on sale, and final prices appear to be in the $300 to $400 range.
Posted by Frank at 11:46 AM | Comments (0)
Ford & Chevy: We're #1! [Depending on Who You Ask]
When “final” sales figures came out for 2005, Chevy crowed that they had taken over the Number 1 best selling car brand in America, from Ford. According to Autodata, Chevy sold 2,651,125 vehicles, while Ford sold 2,634,041.
Ford, however, has not taken this easily, and quotes another set of numbers, from R.L. Polk, saying they are still Numero Uno. Some believe Polk's numbers are more accurate, as they are tabulated from actual registrations of new vehicles, whereas so-called industry “statistics” come from the company's themselves and are prone to accounting funny business.
According to Polk's numbers, which Ford has posted on their website, the Blue Oval had 2,630,110 new vehicles registered in the U.S. In 2005, while Chevy had 2,624,538.
Is this important? Yes, but only to a point. The real threat is still from the International nameplates, who, even on up months, continue to gain market share with bigger percentage gains than the domestics.
Posted by Frank at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)
Zero Dollar Drive-Off Leases from Mercury & Volvo
You can get into a Mercury Mariner 4WD SUV for only $279 a month with no cash at signing, for a 39-month lease, and Volvo is also offering a no-money down drive-off deal on their S40, for $299 a month.
The Mercury deal lasts through April 30, Volvo goes through April 3.
To get a free price quote on any new vehicle, click here.
Posted by Frank at 09:58 AM | Comments (0)
Check Out A Cabin in the Woods – A Podnovel by Frank Giovinazzi -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #158
We interrupt the normal programming for this website to introduce our new audio novel, A Cabin in the Woods. We're calling this project a podnovel because we've set up a new channel to publish the weekly installments of the story, a fantasy/horror novel set in the woods.
The main character, Roger Cooke, is a college student who moves to a cabin in the woods to write the Great American Novel, but things take a turn for the weird in a hurry. One of the really cool things about this book is the structure – set up like the Thousand and One Arabian Nights, it goes back and forth between the narrator and the tales, creating its own special world, if you will.
You can listen to this off-topic podcast by clicking here, or you can listen to the introduction to the novel here.
The first chapter of the book is already posted, you can listen to it here; if you're totally into audio books in the Stephen King/Twilight Zone vein, you can put this RSS string into your podcatching software to get the regular downloads: http://acabininthewoods.libsyn.com/rss
If you'd like to check out the text entries for A Cabin in the Woods, you have two choices, at http://www.FrankGiovinazzi.com/a_cabin_in_the_woods/, or www.ACabinIntheWoods.libsyn.com.
Posted by Frank at 09:26 AM | Comments (0)
Updated: Checking in with Howard Stern
Updated: Donald Trump came on the Howard Stern show around 8:05 a.m. to pimp his new season of The Apprentice. After a brief intro, Howard delivers an insightful analysis of the Martha Stewart-Trump dustup, where he parses the situation smartly. Essentially, Martha got bamboozled by the producer, Mark Burnett, into believing that Trump was going to go off the air and let her take over the franchise.
Then, he goes off into discussing Trump's will with his kids, who also appeared, and then he doubles back to the Martha thing where Trump disses her and her daughter by intimating that Martha stole Alexis' boyfriend.
Earlier, they did a funny bit with the vending machine guy, that basically had to do with Artie wiping out the machine so often they have to stock it four times a week instead of two.
The bit ended with a parody song, Vending Machine, sung to the tune of Abba's Dancing Queen.
Then they went to at least five commercials in a row, with Howard coming in and doing a pitch for a phone company. The commercial-free promise of Sirius, and XM as well, is for the music stations only, not the talk, news or sports channels.
Howard's still funny, and is helping Sirius gain in subscribers, which will probably increase, because the company's lawyer's have recently gone after several online bootleggers that were recording the show and posting them to file sharing networks.
Posted by Frank at 07:35 AM | Comments (0)
Ten of the Biggest Underreported Automotive Sales Stories of the Year – Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #157
With sales reports out in a couple days, I thought today would be a good time to put out a story that highlights what everyone else is overlooking. Folks, get ready for some real automotive journalism!
Here's a preview of today's podcast:
Ten Underreported Automotive Sales Stories
1. Toyota is ready to become the #3 best selling car company in America. They've been beating Chrysler for a couple months, 3 brands versus 3 brands, but Chrysler has been adding their Mercedes numbers to avoid the embarrassment.
2. Nissan's sales have been down 4 months in a row. They may not hit a million, unless pride gets in the way of profit.
3. BMW is the second best selling luxury brand in America. Beemer was behind Lexus in January by only 384 units, or 2%.
4. The Chevy Cobalt is a hit. Sales were up 140% in January.
5. Audi is coming on. Sales were up 19.8% in January, and they could be looking at a 100,000 units in 2007.
6. Pontiac is surging. Sales of the G6 were up 273.6% in January, Pontiac as a whole was up 55.3%, and the SOLSTICE BEAT THE MIATA.
7. The Honda Ridgeline still isn't selling. Only 3,814 units in January, despite winning awards and a generous lease. And the Hummer H3 sold 3,777 units but gets no press!
8. The Range Rover Sport is Land Rover's best-selling vehicle.
9. The PT Cruiser is the best-selling crossover/wagon in America.
10. Toyota's hybrid SUVs are failing in the marketplace.
Also, we need our listeners to fill out a simple, 8 question survey to get a read on our audience, so in turn we can get some advertising revenue -- click here to help us help you!
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 06:45 AM | Comments (0)
Swag, Scurrilous Swag
I've gotten to the point where I can't stand swag – free crap from companies with their logo all over the place, designed to make me grateful or indebted. Excluded from this rant are items that have legitimate use, such as press kits on CD.
Swag makes me nauseous for two reasons. First, I don't care for the implied reciprocation that's expected. Gift my ass, it's graft.
Second, and this is what's really pushed me over the top, is the way other people, journalists and fans, react to the crap that companies give away. My first encounter was at last year's NY Auto Show, where people were hounding Carroll Shelby for his signature on a Ford Mustang CD. The guy's up there in years, maybe 80-plus, and finally had to be escorted away from the greedy supplicants. A couple days later a bunch of them were on sale at eBay, which gave new horror to the way people were pestering the guy.
At this year's Detroit Auto Show, the hordes of scumsuckers cleaned out the supply of Dodge Challenger press kits, because the car was hot, and also because the kit included a free ski cap and scarf. You should have seen them, they looked like refugees crowding the back of a UN food truck.
I didn't get a copy of the kit, and I didn't want the filthy swag. What kind of a chump likes to parade around in that kind of crap anyway? As far as I'm concerned when I see someone wearing swag, I don't see the logo but superimpose the word SCHMUCK over it. What I did want was the CD, and all I got from the PR reps was a stupid shrug. Swag sucks.
Posted by Frank at 06:45 AM | Comments (0)
February 25, 2006
My Mother Drives Oldsmobiles
Yes, this is the equivalent of your mother wears army boots, but when we were talking about cars it dawned on me dear old Mom actually owned three Oldsmobiles in a row!
Surely this must have qualified her for some sort of Admiral's Club membership.
But the it got really funny when she told us one story of an Oldsmobile salesman who tried to hound her into buying a Royale when she was looking at a Cutlass. She said there must have been some sort of sales contest, because the guy not only wouldn't let up, he got abusive when she insisted on the Cutlass.
And since we're cut from the same cloth, she went to the manager and told him to keep the creep the hell away from her.
Later on down the road, she went into another dealership, and again accessing our common DNA, saw a Cutlass she wanted and told the guy to write up the deal. He was smart enough just to nod and get the sale without having to do any work.
Posted by Frank at 02:09 PM | Comments (0)
My Sister's Leasing a New Car -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #156
My sister's about to get out of her lease on a Chrysler 300 at $389 a month, and she wants something a little more affordable.
Luckily her bro keeps track of current offers and there are some juicy lease deals out there right now.
Also, we need our listeners to fill out a simple, 8 question survey to get a read on our audience, so in turn we can get some advertising revenue -- click here to help us help you!
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 02:01 PM | Comments (0)
February 24, 2006
Ask the Salesman: What Determines Your Lease Payment?
Now, more than ever, people are leasing their vehicles for many different reasons. When straight financing a car, it is pretty easy to figure out how your payment got to a certain number.
You just take the selling price, add the fees and taxes, then using a calculator, you can figure out what the payment should be at say 5%.
Leasing is a bit different. You shouldn't just settle on a lease payment, you should know what goes into making that payment.
In determining a lease payment, there are some terms you may not be familiar with. A lease payment is basically the result of 3 things. They are the selling price, residual and the money factor. When leasing, it is wise to know all three. It is also wise to negotiate the selling price and to understand that the money factor can most times be negotiated. You should also know that dealers will raise the money factor so they can make more gross profit without the customer knowing it.
The selling price is easy and that should be negotiated just as you would any new car purchase. The residual is what the vehicle is worth at the end of the lease and that is set by the bank. The higher the residual, the cheaper the lease.
For example, if you are considering 2 cars with the same price and one had a 60% residual and the other had a 50% residual, the one with the 60% residual would be less expensive to lease. We leased a Passat wagon several years ago and it was over $1000 more expensive than the sedan but it had a higher residual so it was actually cheaper per month to lease.
The last thing is the money factor. You should know what the money factor is when you lease a car. If you had "A+" credit, you would not pay 8-9% interest on a new car purchase. But if you are leasing, you may be paying that and not know it.
If asked, some salesmen will brush over it or talk around it. The money factor will be something like ".00255". Now of course that means nothing to most people unless you are in the banking industry. The rule of thumb is to take the money factor and multiply it by 2400. So if the money factor on your lease was .00355 that would actually be an APR of 8.45%.
Knowing this calculation takes a lot of the fuzziness out of lease financing, and also makes it easier for you to both know the rate you're being quoted, and to be in a strong position to negotiate it.
Publisher's note: "Ask the Salesman," is a weekly feature where Dave Lewis, a working auto sales professional, shares his ideas and suggestions for vehicle buyers. Dave has been in the automotive profession for seven years and currently sells BMWs at The BMW Store in Cincinnati, Ohio. You can find his website at www.BMWlivery.com.
Posted by Frank at 01:41 PM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2006
Wash Your Damn Car! -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #155
In this episode we get down and dirty and implore all of you to wash your cars.
It's an unscientific fact -- clean cars run better, require less maintenance and have fewer accidents. They also make our lives a little easier.
Also, we need our listeners to fill out a simple, 8 question survey to get a read on our audience, so in turn we can get some advertising revenue -- click here to help us help you!
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2006
Chrome's Just Not Working For Me
Doesn't chrome seem out of place on new vehicles? The dissonance sort of jumps out at you and screams 'auto fashion faux pas.'
Two of the ugliest current examples are found on the Chevy Malibu and VW Passat. In both cases the chrome -- which is indeed faux -- looks like an ill-advised aftermarket dressing.
Neither use of the plastic-coated fake chrome gives the sense that it is integral to the design or idea behind the car, and instead has the opposite effect of making each car look like it got abandoned somewhere along the line from concept to execution.
Maybe it's because we know the chrome is fake. Everyone know's body effects are plastic, so trying to dress it up to look like metal doesn't work. Or maybe it's just that chrome is a relic that isn't ready to be reimagined the way some car designs are coming back.
No matter what the explanation, chrome, real or fake, just doesn't look good.
Posted by Frank at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)
Using the Ford Explorer Navigation System -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #154
Man, there is nothing like using a navigation system on a trip into unknown territory. While we having made it down to Mexico yet, we have been exploring the peaks and hollers of West Virginia, and the system has been a godsend.
Come to think of it, it's saved us over $300 with just one small feature, but you're going to have to listen to the podcast to learn what it is!
Also, we need our listeners to fill out a simple, 8 question survey to get a read on our audience, so in turn we can get some advertising revenue -- click here to help us help you!
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
Tony Stewart, Hypocrite
Even for a NASCAR-viewing rookie, it was clear that Tony Stewart was doing that bump drafting thing he was mouthing off about in the days leading up to the Daytona 500.
I was watching the race during lap 107 when he bumped the 17 car and sent it off the track. While I found the race pretty interesting, I didn't watch all 200 laps, but apparently he bumped two other cars as well.
Stewart got sent to the end of the line for his transgression and he came in fifth in the race, last in the good sportsmanship contest.
Watching the race was fun, I found that by concentrating on the action you can pick up the strategy and tactics pretty easily, which was aided by the announcers who seemed way more knowledgeable than your run of the mill sporstcasters.
Posted by Frank at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)
Sprinter Van RV Conversion
The Dodge Sprinter van that's becoming a big success in the light commercial category has also been used as the platform for a Class B motorhome.
Similar to the Winnebago Rialta, the Sprinter RV is a smallish, 22-foot self-enclosed camper that combines car like handling while providing the freedom of a true over the road camper. With the 2.7 liter diesel engine the Sprinter gets up to 20 miles per gallon, yet can also carry four passengers, has a bathroom with shower and small galley.
Prices run $56,000 to $80,000, check one the PDF brochure here.
Posted by Frank at 07:56 AM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2006
Master of the Storm From BMW Audiobooks
The second story from BMW audiobooks is now available for download; Master of the Storm is by James Flint and runs a litte over an hour.
You can find the story at BMW audiobooks, and once you register, you'll be notified via e-mail of the next 2 installments.
Click here to read our review of the first tale in the BMW audio series, Beautiful Ride by Don Winslow.
Originally published at Book 'n' Flick Reviews.
Posted by Frank at 07:10 PM | Comments (0)
February 17, 2006
We're Driving a Ford Explorer to Mexico! -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #153
We're taking a long ride in the new Ford Explorer this weekend, gonna' crack the knuckles on this baby, first stop, West Virgnia, and after that, who knows? Maybe we'll drive down to the Ford plant in Hermosillo, Mexico and hire a mariachi band to do background music.
Probably not, but we are taking it on a long trip, and will come back with an in-depth review. This podcast is worth listening to because it's so damn funny.
Also, we need our listeners to fill out a simple, 8 question survey to get a read on our audience, so in turn we can get some advertising revenue -- click here to help us help you!
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)
Diesel Defenders of Cincinnati Strike Back
The paradox of publishing opinions is that if you're not committed enough, no one cares to read second-hand milquetoast. On the other hand, when you push the envelope, you're bound to ruffle some feathers.
Rich Corbett, one of the Diesel Defenders of Cincinnati, though a long-time reader and podcast listener, must have gotten his vanity plate before reading my screed on why they are the bumper stickers of our age. He also didn't like the fact that I made of Sudoku, but that's another website.
And we would like to extend our apologies for making him regret the day he went to DMV with his $50 check. But, in this case, we don't think the license plate makes him look like a dweeb, not at all, it's actually kind of cool.
But, is that a 55 gallon drum of biodiesel you're leaning on, Rich? I mean, everyone's got one of those.
Posted by Frank at 10:54 AM | Comments (0)
Ask the Salesman: Financing and my FICO
Whether you are buying a car or not, you should make a point of looking at your credit report at least once a year. You also have a score associated with your credit report that is commonly known as a FICO or Beacon score.
Your score will in most cases determine the interest rate you will receive. Understand that even with a high Beacon score, you are not guaranteed loan approval. A score of 720 or above is generally considered “A+” tier credit.
That being said, understand that just because you have a high credit score, does not always mean you will get “A” tier credit. Along with the score you must be what they call “Established.”
Some of the things they are looking for along with the Beacon score include:
High Credit Limit– You can have a 720 or higher credit score with only one credit card with a $500 limit. Banks are looking for you to have had a high line of credit that you have or are currently paying on. This could be a car or house or some high limit credit cards.
Stability – Banks want you to be stable. They want to see a work history and how long you have lived at your address. If you change addresses and jobs every 4 months, this will count against you.
Probably the biggest thing is that you are paying your current car loan on time.
You could make every other payment on time and if you miss several car payments, the bank will not give you a favorable loan.
Now to the part of the FICO score and shopping for a loan. People are worried that submitting a credit application to several dealerships or having a dealership submit your loan to several banks will significantly lower your score.
That is not true. In fact the FICO score counts multiple inquiries in any 14-day period as just one inquiry.
In addition, the score ignores all inquiries made in the 30 days prior to scoring. So if you find a loan within 30 days, the inquiries won’t affect your score while you’re comparing rates.
Publisher's note: "Ask the Salesman," is a weekly feature where Dave Lewis, a working auto sales professional, shares his ideas and suggestions for vehicle buyers. Dave has been in the automotive profession for seven years and currently sells BMWs at The BMW Store in Cincinnati, Ohio. You can find his website at www.BMWlivery.com.
Posted by Frank at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)
NYC Cabbie Finally Finds a Way to Beat the System
Ray Kottner, an 80-year-old NYC cabbie, is profiled in this New York Times piece as to how he finally gets all those #$%@ b--tards to tip.
Kottner, who probably prefers being called a "hack," doesn't have a meter in his 1982 Checker cab. He tells fares the rides are 'free" and that they are likewise "free" to tip.
I would have liked to know how many miles the Checker has on it, and how many rebuilds, but the article is pretty fun, though it ends on a patented bit of faux elegy. And then it's gone.
Posted by Frank at 09:36 AM | Comments (0)
Subaru Ad Picks Up Where Lance Armstrong Left Off
Subaru is now using Sheryl Crow's tune, Every Day is a Winding Road, in their TV commercials, and we have to agree. The road that leads to the bank.
Posted by Frank at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
Howard Stern Giving XM Agida
The news that XM satellite radio lost 270 million in the fourth quarter last year was fully explained in an Ad Age article, where the cause seems to be none other than Howard Stern.
Stern's new gig at Sirius radio of course prompted his new bosses to spend heavily on advertising to pay for his gargantuan contract, but at the same time XM was spending big to try and capture some of the customers Stern was culling into the Sirius corral.
Besides the ad spend, Sirius was greatly helped by Stern's star power and the magnitude of his move to pay-for-play radio, as opposed to the free airwaves he's been terrorizing for so many years.
Posted by Frank at 08:47 AM | Comments (0)
CrankyFrank Says: Enough With the Vanity Plates
I don't know why people bother getting vanity plates – they remind me of that woman who had a casino's name tattooed on her forehead.
You're stuck with your little personal message to the world for life, and if you're a Sesame Street fan with a SUNNYDAY plate, do you really want to have to answer the thumb's up from another moron driver on the day you got canned from your crappy job at PBS?
And the same goes for those angry-at-the-worlders. In my town, there's one Sartre-groupie with a NIHLIST plate, which always brightens my day, and yesterday I saw one that said EFOHIO. I didn't know people felt that strongly about it. I still can't believe the one that reads BLOHME got past those crackerjacks at DMV.
Vanity plates are the new bumper stickers, which doesn't make them any less annoying. And you know what you think of cars with bumper stickers.
However, for those of you thinking a vanity plate might be a good idea think about what Ace Ventura's plate might read: LOO-HOO-ZER.
Posted by Frank at 08:38 AM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2006
Ford Freestyle Test Drive -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #152
The Ford Freestyle entered the market like a sleeper movie -- a quiet opening weekend, but with word of mouth and relying on its essential quality and features is slowly building into a long-term hit.
We enjoyed driving it -- especially with the black clearcoat paint and all-wheel drive, so listen to the podcast for more details.
Also, we need our listeners to fill out a simple, 8 question survey to get a read on our audience, so in turn we can get some advertising revenue -- click here to help us help you!
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)
BMW Driving School Announces 2006 Schedule
The BMW Performance Center is now open for business in 2006, with programs ranging from $950 one-day courses, to the three-day, deluxe M driving experience for $3,650.
Located in Spartanburg, North Carolina, the center is a $12.5 million affair with professional drivers, slalom courses, a skid pad and a fleet of BMWs. The 2006 schedule follows, full release after the jump.
* One-Day M School ($950) - February 14; March 6; April 10; May 8 and 24; June 8; July 8 and 19
* M Driving Experience ($ 3,650) – March 16-18; April 20-22; May 26-27; June 16-17 and June 30-July 1
* One-Day X School ( $550) – February 23; March 9; April 11, 26, and 29
* Two-Day X School ( $995 for two people, $100 extra for each additional; up to two people) – May 12-13 and 30-31; June 6-7 and 26-27; July 7-8, 18-19 and 26-27
* X Driving Experience ($2,450) – March 30-31
* BMW Driving Experience ($2,450) – June 7-8 and 17-18
* One-Day Teen School ($400 ) – March 25; April 22; May 27; June 8, 12, 21 and 27; July 12, 17 and 24
* Women’s One-Day Driving School ($550) –February 15; March 25 ; April 22; May 12; June 12 and 20; July 3 and 12
* Drive Fore Drive ($1,500) – April 6-8; May 3-4; June 2-3; July 21-22
* One-Day Driving School ($550) – February 22 and 28; March 8, 18 and 27; April 1, 13, 17, 19 and 24; May 1, 5 and 15; June 14, June 22 and June 26
* Two-Day Driving School ($895) - February 15-16, 22-23; March 1-2, 15-16, and 21-22; April 5-6, 19-20, and 24-25; May 1-2, 15-16 and 30-31; June 14-15 and 19-20
* Valentine’s Weekend Program ($2,450) - February 17-18
* Mother’s Day Weekend ($2,650 per couple) - May 27-28
* Father’s Day Weekend ($2,650 per couple) June 24-25
Full release after the jump:
BMW PERFORMANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES 2006 DRIVING PROGRAM SCHEDULE
One-Day M School and a New Program for Golfers Highlight the New Offerings Geared Up for the New Year
Spartanburg, SC - February 15, 2006... The BMW Performance Center today released its schedule of performance driving school programs for 2006, including the debut of the intensive One-Day M School, among the new offerings. Additionally, all Performance Center driving programs will feature an expanded fleet of vehicles to include different BMW models, offering participants a variety of product experiences.
“Our driving schools are open to everyone, from the driving novice to the ultimate auto enthusiast looking to hone their skills by learning superior handling and defensive driving techniques from professional driving instructors,” says Diane Nevelle, manager of driving programs and events for the BMW Performance Center. “We have added a one-day M School this year to provide another convenient option to drivers wanting to enroll in one of our most popular programs. While the all-new BMW 3 Series is the car we use in most of our programs, we also include BMW models such as the Z4 roadsters and the 6 Series models so that participants can experience a broader range of vehicles while at the BMW Performance Center.”
What’s New in 2006:
* The One-Day M School offers plenty of exhilarating performance driving time behind the wheel of a BMW M Model. Participants will experience the advanced handling and traction control systems of these high-performance vehicles as they learn practical skills and avoidance maneuvers on the Performance Center’s slalom course and ultra-slick skid pad. This program was added to the Performance Center schedule in response to customer requests for “the same M in half the time.”
* The Two-Day X School is an exhilarating alternative to the typical getaway or family vacation that utilizes the X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles to demonstrate on and off road handling capabilities. The first day is spent at the Performance Center learning driving skills such as braking exercises and the various active systems that highlight the added safety benefits and capabilities of the BMW X vehicles. Skills learned on day one will be necessary to negotiate the aggressive mountain trails of Chimney Rock Park the following day. The final destination is the BMW exclusive Hickory Nut Falls at the pinnacle of Chimney Rock Mountain, a beautiful 404-foot waterfall.
* Golfers take note – the BMW Performance Center has scheduled the first Drive Fore Drive program of 2006 for April 6th– 8th. Drive Fore Drive is a two-and-a-half day program created for enthusiasts who enjoy their time on the speedway as much as their time on the fairway. Day one of Drive Fore Drive features an intensive curriculum of advanced car control techniques such as braking, cornering and accelerating on various sections of the Performance Center driving course. The second day of the program features driving of a different sort, as participants can play 18 holes on the Thornblade County golf course enjoying the beautiful Carolina weather.
Popular BMW Performance Center programs including the two-and-a-half day M Driving Experience and X Driving Experience, Teen schools and One and Two-Day Car-Control Clinics have returned to the roster for 2006.
All BMW driving programs begin with thorough classroom instruction followed by extensive driving time on BMW’s course which can be configured 35 different ways and uses special features not found in most driver training programs.
Gift certificates are also available for each driving program. For more information on the BMW Performance Center and its programs, call 888-345-4BMW (4269). Schedule changes and upcoming dates for additional driving programs such as the Advanced M Experience and the Two-Day Teen Schools will be posted under schedules on www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/performancecenter.
Posted by Frank at 08:15 AM | Comments (0)
Nissan's Got a Golf Trip for You
The Nissan Open is being played this week in California, and Tiger Woods is in the lead, which we'll get to in a moment, but you can enter to win a trip to Nissan's next golf event, the Nissan Irish Open, from May 16-22.
As far as Tiger Woods is concerned in this week's Nissan Open, it's one of the tournaments where, if he wins, you can win a brand new Buick Lucerne, driven by Himself during the tourney.
So that would be interesting -- Buick getting a free ride off of Nissan's golf sponsorship. Assuming Woods can win his third tournament in row, and break his losing streak at the Pacific Palisades course, where's he's 0-for-8 as a pro.
Posted by Frank at 06:50 AM | Comments (0)
Ford's Jet Fighter Sweepstakes
This sweepstakes entry is worth your time to fill out. Ford's giving away a four day/three night trip to San Diego where you will particpate in a Top Gun training class and fly several mock missions that will be filmed.
The event takes place at Miramar Naval Air Station, so famous Ford mispelled it twice on this page explaining the grand prize.
Your host, or at least the celebrity tag-along for the trip is NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, who drives a Ford Fusion in competition. The tag for the promotion is that Edwards' has O.A.D., for Overactive Adrenaline Disorder, that was "invented" for this marketing effort.
No one's paying attention to the O.A.D. angle, which has fallen flat. Somehow ridiculing brain disorders doesn't work out to be a smart marketing move.
Posted by Frank at 06:18 AM | Comments (0)
Chevy's Frozen Joe Olympic Spot
By going to Chevy's website, you can watch a 2.5 minute movie featuring Frozen Joe in Torino.
It's pretty humorous, and part of the massive marketing tie-in with NBC for this season's winter olympics that are turning into a huge flop.
Posted by Frank at 06:08 AM | Comments (0)
Get NY Auto Show VIP Privileges
For twenty bucks you can buy membership to a VIP arrangement at the upcoming NY auto show, that will help you beat the huddled masses routine somewhat.
The Members Express Club will get you three major bennies -- early entry on Friday and Saturday, special VIP entrance to beat the lines, and a pair of VIP lounges where you can sit down and decompress.
Folks, these shows are madhouses, and $20 is worth it to take a litte of the edge off. The $20 does not cover the cost of the $14 tickets, it's basically an upgrade. It's not a skybox, more like a window seat in steerage.
Posted by Frank at 05:41 AM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2006
Green Geek Field Trip: Attend the 2006 Annual Hydrogen Conference
We attended last year's hydrogen conference, and if your idea of a good time is talking to scientists and engineers about the latest breakthroughs in permeable membrane development, then have we got an event for you!
The 2006 hydrogen extravaganza is in Long Beach, California, from March 12-16, and it includes both a professional and public component. The conference is for scientists and company folk, but the Hydrogen Expo is open to the GP from March 12-14, and you can get an admission ticket for just $100 that covers the three days.
While this is cool for car people, most of the major makers will be there, understand that this event covers the whole range of hydrogen topics, from manufacturing, distribution, science, fuel cells and vehicles.
Posted by Frank at 03:40 PM | Comments (0)
Ford Custom Printed Brochures
Now this is a good idea. The other day I went to my mailbox and pulled out a pair of custom printed brochures of Ford products that I ordered online. If you look close at the 'pic, my name is on the lower right corner of the 'Stang brochure.
In this case, it was for as Mustang and an Expedition, and while the printouts aren't terribly comprehensive, both carried current MSRP on the individual trim levels, and in the Expedition's case, came with a $750 bonus cash offer that is supposed to be in addtion to any other retail offers.
I would say this is good for lovers of "autotainment," as well as for home shoppers wanting to compile of research packet of the different vehicles they're considering. The brochures can also be printed out in PDF, and the link to create your personalized brochure can be found on the left hand side of every vehicle page on the Ford site, where it says "brochure."
To get a free, no-obligation price quote on any Ford vehicle, click here.
Posted by Frank at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)
Yes, Virginia, You Can Buy a "New" VW Diesel in California
We got tipped off to this story months ago, by the Diesel Defenders of Cincinnati -- even though there's a 7,500 mileage requirement for registering diesel cars in California, miraculously, some dealers have cars that exactly meet that threshold.
The rule is, that dealers can't sell new diesels passenger vehicles in Cali, but after a car has 7,500 miles on it, they can and consumers can buy and register them.
An alert reader pointed us to Merced VW, just east of Santa Cruz in the central part of the state, where they have no less than a dozen, 2006 VW Jetta TDIs for sale.
The cars all have 7,534 to 7,833 miles on them, with two of the twelve having a cryptic "contact us" note under the mileage category. Maybe there's less than 7,000 miles on them and you'll have to take a day trip to Vegas or Tahoe to get the car California-ready.
This is the link for the search page, but I think you'll have to re-enter the paramters -- just search for used cars, and Volkswagen to get the widest search return and you should see a gaggle of diesels ready to be unleashed on the state that has become the de facto EPA for the whole country.
Posted by Frank at 03:02 PM | Comments (0)
Win a Ford Escape Hybrid -- Kermit the Frog Edition
Through May 5, you can register to win a Ford Escape Hybrid, in a promotion that is essentially an extension of the Kermit the Frog, "It's Easy Being Green" commercial.
To register to win the Escape Hybrid, click here; to watch Kermit sing and ride a bicycle, click here.
To get a free, no-obligation price quote on the Escape or any Ford vehicle, click here.
Posted by Frank at 02:07 PM | Comments (0)
Buying a Car in a New York State of Mind -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #151
I don't know why people are so afraid of walking into car dealerships, but the bottom line is, you don't have to take any guff!
If you think you're getting manipulated, glommed or suffocated -- cop an attitude! Specifically, an attitude that stems from having a New York state of mind.
Also, we need our listeners to fill out a simple, 8 question survey to get a read on our audience, so in turn we can get some advertising revenue -- click here to help us help you!
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 01:04 PM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2006
Winding Road Magazine Now Online
I've been extolling the virties of this downloadable magazine for some time now, and Winding Road has just gotten better. Downloadable and magazine mean exactly that -- it's painstakingly produced in traditional magazine format, except you download the whole package in an Adobe PDF.
And Winding Road's gotten better in that now, the format is a double truck, meaning you can see two pages at a time, which is a dimensional requirement for automotive porn photo layouts. Included in this issue, number 8, is one of the nicest photo montages I've seen from the auto shows.
Check it out by going to their site, registering for a subscription and then downloading the current issue. Another nice feature is that once registered, you get an e-mail notifying you of new issues. The only drawback for me is that if I want to print out and truly enjoy it, I have to get to a color printer -- the black and white laser just doesn't do it justice.
Posted by Frank at 11:51 PM | Comments (0)
Have a Fit on Honda
Honda's got a schmancy site set up for their new Fit subcompact, with its own nickname, The Socety of Fit, where you can get the usual -- newsletter sign-up, wallpaper, gallery photos, a 360-degree Quicktime Virtual Reality feature, and, a downloadable sheet of Fit decals, like the one you see here.
The trick with the stickers is you have to load adhesive backed paper into your printer, hit print, and you'll have plenty of stickers of the Fit, get it?
Alas, I still don't see pricing for the 109-horsepower five door, beyond the "between 13,000 and 14,000" vagaries. Although if you're interested, there is a pretty good graphic of the various seat configurations that Honda is hoping will make the mini-car more palatable for people who want good gas mileage, but, let's face it, still have to be comfortable and 'fit" stuff in their vehicles.
Posted by Frank at 11:28 PM | Comments (0)
Mercedes Pre-Owned with Cheap Financing
Just like the picture says, you can get a certified pre-owned Mercedes Benz with low 2.9% financing, through March 31, 2006. Deal only applies to C, E and S class Benzes.
Posted by Frank at 11:24 PM | Comments (0)
Porsche 911 Turbo Screen Porn
You can get a free copy of this 1975 Porsche 911 Turbo wallpaper, in various sizes, by going to this page.
The '75 911 did 0-60 in 6 seconds, with a top track speed of 150 mph, according to the fan-drool.
Posted by Frank at 07:50 PM | Comments (0)
Toyota Resorts to Finance Incentives on Highlander Hybrid
For all of their market-bustinng success with the Prius, Toyota is not having as much luck with the highlander hybrid, mainly because owners are reportinng much lower MPG results than is being advertised.
Right now, and through February 28, Toyota is offering 3.9% financing, or "special lease offers" on the Highlander hybrid. We can't report teh detials of the offer, because Toyota requires you to contact dealers to get the game rolling -- a tactic we can't fault them for, the whole purpose of Internet marketing is to get people in the purchase funnel, not entertain them.
As for the MPG numbers, Toyota claims an average combined rate of 29 for the 4WD model and 30 MPG in combined driving for the 2WD. Actual owners have reported an average of 25-26 miles per gallon for the Highlander, which, on the one hand, isn't too bad for an SUV. On the other hand, however, it's not that dramatic, particularly given the overhyped status that hybrids have attained.
To get a free, no-obligation price quote on the Highlander or any Toyota vehicle, click here.
Posted by Frank at 06:58 PM | Comments (0)
Chrysler Goes Back to the Zero Percent Well
Through February 28, Chryslers is offerinng 0% financing on their Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler vehicles, to help move stale inventory off dealers' lots. Excluded from the deal are the 300, Magnum.
The move is partly a back-door deal between the automaker and the dealers -- the company wants the dealers to take in more new vehicles, the dealers are saying not until we get rid of the backlog.
By giving dealers their own form of incentive, the company can ship more vehicles, and in theory, keep production lines moving. And people employed -- which means of course, you should all be out buying new cars, if you're a patriot and care about your country, that is.
To get a free, no-obligation price quote on any new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle, click here.
Posted by Frank at 06:39 PM | Comments (0)
Snow Plow Driver Popped for "Unauthorized Warming Liquid"
A NYC snow plow driver has been charged with driving under the influence after crashing his plow into two vehicles and injuring a driver, according to the NY Daily News.
The vehicle in question was actually a garbage truck with a plow attachment; the driver struck a double-parked van and a car, bruising the car driver's leg. No one else was injured, but some streets didn't get cleared.
Posted by Frank at 06:30 PM | Comments (0)
Britney Spears is Not Spokesperson for Child Passenger Safety Week
Given that an unbelted pop starlet in the back seat of a car traveling at 30 miles per hour can generate as much force as a a young circus elephant -- about 2,700 pounds -- in a crash, imagine how ugly a front seat lap dance crash would be?
This week is national child passenger safety week, for all people, not just the spawn of the famous, and by reminding everyone to restrain their children properly, the hope is that the number one killer of young children will cause less anguish in society.
The feds estimate that 4,193 children's lives were saved from 1975 to 1998 by the use of safety belts and child restraints, and given that 75% of of all crashes occur within 25 miles of home, "it's just a short trip" doesn't cut it as an excuse.
Posted by Frank at 06:17 PM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2006
Nitty-Gritty Car Buying Research -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #150
Want to really get the scoop on your used or new car?
Check out the Office of Defect Investigation website, run by the federal gubbament, that houses all kinds of data on recalls, complaints and technical service bulletins.
But there's a catch -- listen to find out more!
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 05:18 PM | Comments (0)
February 12, 2006
How To Drive Safe in the Snow
Don't.
We just got a foot of snow in the DC-Metro region. We knew it was coming for a couple days, and people bought enough milk to soothe their atavistic fears.
We've got three Netflix movies, three bags of microwave popcorn and two containers of Ben & Jerry's Low Fat Frozen Yogurt in silly flavors on hand. We're staying inside and you should too.
Let the roads be cleared, let the real dummies wreck their cars [taking them out of action for when you have to get to work tomorrow -- it's Darwinian!] and here's a concept, let the snow melt/evaporate.
You don't need to go out, and the cops don't need to pull you out of a snowbank.
Posted by Frank at 08:05 AM | Comments (0)
February 10, 2006
Ask the Salesman: Look ahead to the End of Your Lease
With leasing becoming more and more popular, there are many more people leasing for the first time right now. Unless you understand what to expect at the end of a lease, you may be in for a surprise.
If you plan properly, however, it will be nothing more than an exchange of keys and a couple forms to sign.
When you lease a car, you need to know what the leasing company is looking for when it is returned. The standard answer is “normal wear & tear.” That of course can be subjective.
Before you turn your car in, and you may want to do this a few months out, call the company you leased your car from. Not the dealer but the company you write the check to each month. Ask for the lease end department and ask them what they expect when you terminate the lease.
Typically it is not the leasing company doing the inspection. It is an outside company, an automotive auction or a dealer that looks over your car.
If they do find a problem usually, they will give you a chance to get it corrected.
The first and foremost thing a leasing company will look at are the tires. This is a very important part of the equation. Tread depth is just one part of what they will look at.
The most important thing is that the tires match. Meaning you have the same brand and type on all four wheels. Do not have 2 Toyo tires and 2 Goodyear tires. Some leasing companies even go so far as require you to have the actual same type of tires that would have come on that car when it was bought new.
This will need to be a consideration if you are replacing tires midway through your lease.
Make sure you have all your keys and owners manual. This is important. I have seen people who have lost one of their keys and shown up with one they bought on eBay hoping the inspector did not pick that one to try and start the car. Realize that in this day and age, many new car keys can cost between $150 & $300 to replace new.
Ask about required documentation and service records. Volkswagen, for example now will credit you $250.00 if you can provide the service records when the vehicle is inspected.
When your lease is up and you are ready to purchase or lease your new car you may have some questions as to the condition of your old car. If you are unsure about the condition of your vehicle, every dealership has a Lease Return Manager. They know what to look for in regards to wear and tear. Have the dealership you are buying your new car from look at your car. If they find something that needs to be corrected, you have time to get it done.
The quickest and cheapest way to correct any issues is to have the dealership do it then pay the dealership back. Almost every dealership has what they call "Recon" people (also known as reconditioning companies) come weekly and do minor fixes to their used cars. From touch up painting to fixing dents and even alloy wheel repair. When my sister-in-law was turning in her Jetta from lease, she was worried 2 rather large cigarette burns in the back seat. I had it fixed like new for $40. Nobody could tell the difference.
Lastly, if there is one thing that will make your car pass with flying colors if you think there may be a couple problems, have it detailed. That means go somewhere and spend at least $30-$50 (if not more) to have it cleaned. You can get by with some issues if the vehicle looks like it has been maintained.
Probably 90-95 percent of the cars I have seen come in off lease and get inspected have not had any issues at all. But, in doubt just ask before it is too late.
Publisher's note: "Ask the Salesman," is a weekly feature where Dave Lewis, a working auto sales professional, shares his ideas and suggestions for vehicle buyers. Dave has been in the automotive profession for seven years and currently sells BMWs at The BMW Store in Cincinnati, Ohio. You can find his website at www.BMWlivery.com.
Posted by Frank at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2006
Deep Mechanic Reveals Car Secrets -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #149
In a dark and smoky bar, we met up with "Deep Mechanic" a fleet manager for a national rental company, and he let us in on some secrets you may not ever hear anywhere else.
Included are some scary details about the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon front end, Nissan rotors and how Carfax doesn't always get you the best information.
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 05:46 PM | Comments (0)
BMW Audio Books, Now Featuring Free Product Placement!
I just downloaded the first in a series of 4 free audio books from BMW, and the author, Don Winslow, must have had a clause in the contract to mention the BMW Z4 CONVERTIBLE, a minimum number of times.
These are the first two sentences: The Beemer is parked outside a tent, where Ted Carter is living. If things don't turn around fast, Ted's going to be living in the Beemer.
Okay, I can hang with that, even hard crime novelists have to pay the bills, especially if they aspire to driving a BEEMER.
It's not really a novel, but a 50-minute short story, and besides the obnoxious product placement, I'm willing to give it a shot. Matter of fact, I transferred the file to my MP3 player, and am going to walk to the store right now, because I don't own a BEEMER.
[There, I named the company several times, where's my check?]
Here are the next installments in the BMW audio book series, with authors and story titles, each linked inextricably around a BEEMER, I'm sure. [There's another mention, please increase the size of my check, so I can buy a BEEMER. And again, please.]
February 16 -- James Flint - Master Of The Storm
March 2 -- Simon Kernick - The Debt
March 16 -- Karin Slaughter - Cold Cold Heart
Posted by Frank at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)
On GM Board, Jerry York will Make Donald Trump Look Like a Socialist
Now that Jerry York has a seat on the General Motors board of directors, it would be a good time to review the speech he gave during the Detroit Auto Show.
As soon as his new seat was announced, I told a friend at another car company that the guy was serious about cutting executive salaries -- and during a lull in the conversation I found the news on the web. Which lets me know I should do less talking and more writing.
So far, GM has cut salaries and investors dividends since York climbed aboard the listing ship.
In order to get ahead of his next move, look for an announcement that GM is going to cut the Saab and Isuzu brands from its lineup, and hasten the sale of half of GMAC, its finance arm.
York also made some noise that Hummer might be a good candidate for divestiture, as he didn't see the benefit it brought to the company. In addition, look for the further consolidation of GMC-Buick-Pontiac into a single line.
So far York hasn't made much noise about how dealers are going to have to pay to help the company turn around, but since I was sitting in the audience while he delivered his "How to Save GM" manifesto, smart money says that everyone will be asked to participate in the "equality of sacrifice."
Posted by Frank at 04:24 PM | Comments (0)
February 07, 2006
Can BMW Knock Off Lexus? -- A Look at the Luxe Market
No sooner than BMW got all puffed up, crowing about beating Mercedes in 2005 sales, than the January numbers come out -- and shows that Beemer is clearly within striking distance of unseating Lexus as the best-selling Luxe brand in the land.
With only 384 units, or 2% separating the two companies, you can bet BMW of North America is going bananas thinking of ways to pull this off. [Ve can vin!]
It's not so much German vs. Asian, as that Lexus is seen as an interloper in the market, whereas the Germans really do think the crown belongs to them.
But for the Bavarians to win, they'd have to keep the pressure on all year long, as its sales were 13.7% lower than Lexus' 2005 achievement. [For the record, Lexus sold 302,895 units in 2005; BMW, 266,200; Mercedes, 224,249.]
Mercedes, meanwhile, is in 4th place among the marquee marques, though some would argue that Acura is not really a luxury line.
And hey, if you'd like to get a free price quote on any of these fantastic lines, click here.
Posted by Frank at 05:49 PM | Comments (0)
Best Selling Cars for January 2006
The big news in best selling cars this month is that General Motors scored 4 of the top 10 movers -- three of them Chevys and the Pontiac G6. Even discounting the Impala, a vehicle that is sold mostly to fleets, this is a real nice showing for the General.
Also of note is the big sales jump from the Honda Civic, over 56%, due to the well-received redesign as well as the recent dual victory as Car of the Year.
Finally, the big news in sales this month was that cars represented over 48% of total new vehicle volume, and it appears that once again the car vs. truck dynamic may be leveling out due to gas prices, which are now over 2.30 a gallon.
Posted by Frank at 05:14 PM | Comments (0)
Should You Buy a Car During Mercury Retrograde? -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #148
Several times a year, Mercury, the planet of communication and technology, goes retrograde, appearing to move backward in the heavens.
Astrologers say it is inadvisable to buy a car during retrograde periods -- the next one occurs from March 2-25, 2006. To learn more about Mercury retrograde, click here. File this one under "Frank's different."
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 04:38 PM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2006
Vectrix Maxi-Scooter Revolutionizes Electric Market
The Vectrix Maxi Scooter is coming to a US city near you in 2006, and its specs -- over 60 mph max speed and 60 miles on a charge, are bringing electric scooters into and even beyond performance expectations for gas scooters. One of the bennies is that it has on-board regenerative braking, like a hybrid car, that helps recapture energy as you drive.
No price has been announced yet, but you can check out this cool video at their site.
Vectrix is also working on a fuel cell scooter, but is planning to make the plug-in electric their first official entry into the marketplace.
This article originally appeared at ScooteringUSA.com.
Posted by Frank at 09:35 PM | Comments (0)
February 03, 2006
Ask the Salesman: What Happens After the Sale?
Buying a vehicle is made up of several different elements. Most people concentrate on only 2 or 3 and overlook some of the more important parts of a new car purchase. One of the more important aspects of buying a new car in my opinion, is what happens 6 months after the sale.
The best car buying experience can be ruined by spending 4 hours in a dealers service department waiting on an oil change on a Saturday afternoon.
Working for BMW and Volkswagen for many years has spoiled me as to what to expect from a dealers service department. Before you buy your next car, ask your salesperson what their dealer will do for you in regards to service.
For example, I called 3 Toyota dealers in town asking for a price quote on a particular vehicle for a friend. I advised my friend to go with the one that was not the lowest. My friend was puzzled and asked why. I explained that when I asked the salesman that quoted me the lowest selling price what their dealership would do for me if my car came in for service, his response was that someone would drive me across the street to the shopping mall. When I asked the salesman that quoted me a higher price what the dealership would do for me if the car was in for service, he gave me a long list of amenities the dealership provided. These included:
-- Shuttle service anywhere within 8 miles of the dealership.
-- Free car washes anytime.
-- Free loaner car if my car was going to be in overnight.
-- All the gourmet coffee I could drink.
-- Play area for the kids if I wanted to wait for my car.
What does this mean to you? When shopping for a car look beyond the lowest price. In almost every case a dealer will match price. Even if they do not, I would rather spend my money with a dealership that shows they care about their customers after the initial sale.
My friend bought his car from the dealership I suggested and just had his first oil change. He dropped it off in the morning, they drove him to work then picked him up at the end of the day. All this did was reinforce that the dealer wanted him as a customer.
Publisher's note: "Ask the Salesman," is a weekly feature where Dave Lewis, a working auto sales professional, shares his ideas and suggestions for vehicle buyers. Dave has been in the automotive profession for seven years and currently sells BMWs at The BMW Store in Cincinnati, Ohio. You can find his website at www.BMWlivery.com.
Posted by Frank at 10:55 PM | Comments (0)
Ford's Ethanol-Hybrid Concept SUV
Ford is running an experimental Escape Hybrid SUV that can run on E85 -- a renewable fuel made mostly from corn -- that will further reduce dependence on imported oil. Another benefit of E85 is that vehicles that burn the fuel produce fewer greenhouse gases than straight gassoline.
Combined, a vehicle like the Escape E85 hybrid, if it achieved 5% market penetration, could help reduce American dependence on imported oil by about 140 million barrels of year, while at the same time reducing overall emissions.
Ford reports that simply combining the two technologies isn't as easy as it sounds -- one of the hurdles they're working on is making sure emissions are fully cleared from the hybrid vehicle's system, which is made more difficult because current technology currently relies on an all-time gas engine to perform this function.
Posted by Frank at 06:53 PM | Comments (0)
Buy a Buick Lucerne, Get Free Maintenance for a Year
Buick's running a special for their new Lucerne sedan, offering 12 months of free scheduled maintenance, including oil changes, chassis lubes, etc. It doesn't strike us as that exciting either.
To get a free, no-obligation price quote on any Buick, click here.
Posted by Frank at 06:43 PM | Comments (0)
Global Warming -- The Movie
Courtesy of the organization True Majority comes this entertaining flash movie, Toast the Earth, which attempts to skewer ExxonMobil for their campaign in refuting the apparent rising worldwide mercury.
That being said, I'm going for a walk. It's February 3, but I'm wearing shorts.
Posted by Frank at 06:34 PM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2006
Are the Car Companies in an Arms Race? -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #147
Is it possible that the current standard of spending $300 million to as much as a billion dollars on introducing new vehicles is a form of arms race where the smaller companies will have to fold?
To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.
Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss
Posted by Frank at 07:20 PM | Comments (0)
CrankyFrank Says: The Gas Pedal is the One on the Right
We were in the left lane, next to a tanker truck, and unfortunately, behind a librarian in a Volvo S60. Just past the traffic signal, still red, we could see the road narrowed quickly, eliminating our lane.
the light went green, the librarian was daydreaming of the Dewey Decimal System. We honked the horn, because the tanker truck was warming up to crush us against the Jersey Barrier. The librarian practically gave us the one-fingered shush sign in the rear view mirror.
We honked again, really wanting to give her another one-fingered signal. She goosed the gas, just like the Little Engine that Could, and prompted by another horn blast, allowed us to manage to squeak in between her dowdy self and the front end of a Mack cabin.
Sometimes, real-world driving actually involves mild skills. It's called, "being aware of your surroundings."
Posted by Frank at 01:44 PM | Comments (0)