Monday, July 31, 2006

The Auction

If you watch the Speed channel on cable television, you've likely seen the Barrett-Jackson auto auction. This is very similar to the auctions us dealers see in DFW, where there are five large auction houses.

The Dallas Auto Auction, the largest in DFW and the USs 3rd largest auction, has not one auction block but 20 running simultaneously every Wednesday. Dealers come from around the country to look at what are usually around 5000 cars that day. It can be a sensory overload if you're not used to it.

And, just like Barrett-Jackson, there are classic cars that command high money and lots of attention from the bidding crowd. Posted by Picasa

New Tahoe Sales Slow

General Motors is now reporting that their new Tahoe sales are slumping. Hmmm, could it be gas prices??? Posted by Picasa

Least Reliable Luxury Cars

Forbes magazine compiled this list of least reliable luxury cars of 06 from JD Power and Consumer Reports data...

Land Rover Range Rover SUV
Land Rover LR3 SUV
Lincoln Navigator SUV
Saab 9-3
Volkswagen Touareg SUV (pictured) Posted by Picasa

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Dodge Commercial

Minivan Out; Crossover In

Minivans are becoming a thing of the past....thankfully. I managed to never own one, though the first thing my eX did when she left was go buy one.

Here's a look at the Ford Fairlane, coming in 2008. They're part of a new segment called crossover vehicles. Mercedes has the R-class, Cadillac has the SRX, etc. Watch for more that are here, or are appearing soon. Posted by Picasa

Worst American Cars of 2006

MSNBC compiled this list of the worst American cars of 2006 from fuel economy reports, Consumer Reports, etc....




Ford Ranger pickup
Mercury Grand Marquis / Ford Crown Victoria sedan (Tina!!!)
Dodge Sprinter Van
Dodge Durango SUV (pictured)
Pontiac Grand Prix sedan
Ford E-Series Van
Dodge Ram 15oo pickup (ouch)
Buick Terraza / Chevrolet Uplander / Pontiac SV6 / Saturn Relay minivan
Saturn Ion coupe and sedan

Posted by Picasa

Hot Wagons

According to Business Week, following is a list of hot wagons to own, for different reasons. For me, some I'd consider; others, definitely not. But, that's me and we all have different tastes.

Fastest Domestic: Dodge Magnum SRT8
Fastest Import & Most Expensive: Mercedes Benz E55 AMG Wagon
Most Fuel Efficient: Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix
Best Cargo Room: Volvo V70
Best Resale Value: BMW 325xi
Lowest Total Cost of Ownership: Chevrolet HHR (pictured)
Best Off-Road: Subaru Outback
Safest: Saab 9-3 SportCombi
Best Overall: Subaru Legacy Posted by Picasa

Can You Lease a Used Car???

You bet!

Here's a list of the top 10 used vehicles most researched for leasing, according to the Auto Channel. Let us know; we'll get you one...



1) BMW 330
2) Chevrolet Corvette
3) Porsche 911
4) BMW 5 series
5) BMW 325
6) Mercedes Benz E-Class
7) BMW 7 series
8) Infiniti G35
9) Porsche Cayenne
10)Audi A4 Posted by Picasa

Questions???

You can post questions here....

Cars - Buy New vs. Buy Used

I'm confused.... Well, actually not. I was reading a blog this afternoon. Somebody believes that buying a new car is better.

If you have a lot of money and want the latest and greatest...If you are just really paranoid that a used car may have been misused (I have a brother that feels this way, and yes, he has a lot of money)...If what you want is hard to find and you just can't find a used one or can't wait any longer (like a Ferrari; again, you need a lot of money)...If you are buying a discontinued car like a Lincoln LS and Ford is offering a $7000 rebate (now, maybe this is okay if you plan to keep the car awhile and don't mind seeing the value tumble quickly when you want to sell it; but my boss has a used one and he can't GIVE it away right now - you should buy his). There are other situations similar to those above, and you might be better off buying new. But...

Take that used car, drive it around for a month or a year and try to sell it and you'll see the car depreciates pretty fast. A 2006 (that's 2006, folks; something that could have been bought new this calender year) Ford Taurus SE is selling, on average, on the wholesale auto market for $10,300. That's how much it will cost me to buy it; and, it's probably about how much you'll get for a dealer trade, if you're lucky. Compare that to the price of a new one, which invoices for $18,400, MSRP of $20,830. $8ooo depreciation in less than a year, about $650 per month. That's a small house payment!!!

You're just really better off buying used. Buy a 1-3 year old car from me or another used car dealer and you're generally still under factory warranty. Something breaks and you just take it to the franchise dealer for a fix.

If I sell you a car and I know it's a lemon, I must tell you. If I buy a car and I know it has unibody damage, I must tell you. I'll run a carfax before I even buy it to know some history on the vehicle. There's a lot of cars I WON'T buy...bad carfax, unibody damage, bad body panel repairs, doesn't look right, etc.

If you're worried, and you buy a car out of factory warranty, you can buy a reputable warranty from me.

Folks, let someone else take the initial depreciation hit on a new vehicle purchase. Buy used. It makes more economical sense. :-) Posted by Picasa

Porsche Sale!!!... 2 Days Left

Only two days left for those of you still wanting a used late-model Porsche for $500 over my cost. You won't find prices like this anywhere.

Earlier this month I made this special blog-related sale available through July 31, 06 in honor of Porsche's great JD Power results. You've got to mention seeing the comment in the blog, though. Walk-ups aren't getting this deal. This is for any car in stock, or car to order. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Diamond Studded Mercedes

Here is Saudi Prince Waleed's 38th car, a diamond studded Mercedes. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Danica Stays With IRL

She was only joshing about NASCAR, folks. Danica is staying with IRL, but is switching to Andretti Green Racing, leaving Rahal Letterman Racing. She still wants to win the Indy 500. Posted by Picasa

24 Hours of LeMons

Not to be confused with the 24 Hours of LeMans, this 24 Hours of LeMons California 24 hour racing event this coming October will be run only with vehicles priced less than $500. Looks like an inexpensive way to have a little fun.

I wonder if I can find a Porsche or BMW for $500???

Porsche Targa 4S

In November, Porsche will make available their Targa 4 and Targa 4s models. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Smart Car vs. Mercedes S-Class



Here's why I worry about Smart coming to America.... I honestly don't believe Americans pay good enough attention when they are driving. They miss motorcyclists all the time. Ask a motorcycle rider; it isn't *if* he's getting hit by a motorist, it's *when*.

Americans will not pay attention and this kind of situation is more likely as the Smart car is much smaller.

It's in German. You decide. Are the passengers in the Smart car well enough protected, and what is their surviveability???

Friday, July 21, 2006

Ethanol Production Compromizes Air Quality

According to EPA records, some air quality standards are planned to be compromised in an effort to get ethanol plant production underway. I've already said I'm uncertain about the benefits of ethanol given the reduced fuel economy. The primary concern is for residents near the plants, who are already calling the EPA and trying to get the standards re-tightened.

I'm all for reducing our dependence on foreign oil, but the compromises continue to rack up.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Is My Way Better???

I came across a new blog yesterday, AskPatty. The blog caters to women buyers of vehicles, and the whole concept got me thinking....

If you come to dfwCARFINDER and ask me to find you a vehicle, we publish our fee to find that vehicle for you. Call it markup, profit, fee, whatever, I'll tell you what I paid for the car delivered to your order. I know that with this business concept, I'm in the minority. Car dealers recommend not focusing on price with advertising. Methinks it's so they can maximize their price. Nevertheless, in my find-a-car pricing model, you know, at least I hope you know, that you're NOT getting screwed.

Here's an example. Someone bought a Honda CR-V from my sales manager 2 years ago. Back then, she paid only $350 over cost for the vehicle. Her sibling had shopped and shopped for 6 months, negotiating with dealers, haggling, etc. to buy an identical vehicle. He bought his CR-V before her, and he thought he had a great deal until she drove home in her CR-V from my sales manager. She paid $600 LESS than he did. Both bought an 02 Honda CR-V 2WD, the identical mid-grade package, and her vehicle from my sales manager had LESS miles. Yet, she paid LESS from us, and we published the markup on the vehicle. Kinda pissed her sibling off.

She had less hastle, less time spent finding the vehicle, got a car with less miles, the car was under factory warranty, she knew the dealer profit. It was a win-win.

Is this better? And, does it make buyers, especially women, more confortable??? Really...I'd like to know.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Porsche Panamera to Run NASCAR in 2008

This may be a blog exclusive. Excellence Magazine reports that Porsche is planning to run their Panamera in NASCAR in 2008.

We have people defecting from F1, ALMS, Rolex and IRL to NASCAR. Now Porsche???? What is the world coming to.....

After about 10 minutes, I get bored with the roundy-round of NASCAR. I wonder if my tastes will change??? Will I have a Chevy Monte Carlo SS in the garage anytime soon? Posted by Picasa

Friday, July 14, 2006

Commercial with Ferrari

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Dodge Challenger to be Built in 2008



The Dodge Challenger will be built in 2008, sez Dieter Zetsche. You can "talk" with him now at his new site, askdrz.comPosted by Picasa

Alfa to US in 2009

 

It's official. Alfa is coming to the US with three models in 2009. Posted by Picasa

Tagerwilen Boxster

 

Here's how Swiss tuner Tagerwilen has spruced up the Porsche Boxster with a body kit. Posted by Picasa

Danika May Drive Nascar in 2007



Danika Patrick announced that she's considering offers to leave the IRL and run in NASCAR next season. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Nanjing to Make MG in Oklahoma

Nanjing Automtoive will begin making the venerable brittish MG in Oklahoma. Manufacturing will be outside Ardmore with the global headquarters in Oklahoma City. Right around the corner from us in Dallas....

Syd Passes On

And now, a moment of silence for Syd Barrett, founding member of Pink Floyd, who passed away on Tuesday.... He was there as the driving force for the first two albums, then basically went crazy.

9ff Porsche 911

Here's a 650hp 911 from German tuner 9ff that goes 0-60 in 4 seconds. Posted by Picasa

Ghosn Not Good for GM

According to Automotive News, the marriage of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn and GM wouldn't really benefit GM. Now, it might make a little cash for Kirk Kerkorian, which is probably all it might do.

Carlos is better staying married to his wife, not GM. Posted by Picasa

Vintage Porsche 914 Commercial



Old commercial footage of a vintage Porsche 914.

Self-Parking BMW



Can't parallel park??? Let a new BMW handle the task for you!!!

Pope Gets Volvo

Here's an item close to home, because my brother is a Roman Catholic Priest....

The Pope took delivery of a new custom Volvo XC90 for his personal livery. Posted by Picasa

Smart Car Comes to US in 2008

Dieter Zetsche states that the Smart car is coming to the US in 2008. Smart will be distributed by Roger Penske, who owns one of the 3 largest dealership chains in the US. Some of his dealerships will get the Smart, Mercedes Benz dealerships will get some, and some new dealers will get others.

Daimler and Penske hope to mimic the success of the Mini Cooper launch done by BMW. Posted by Picasa


Full Car Service in an Hour

A company in Saudi Arabia is now advertising a full car service for any Lexus or Toyota vehicle in no more than an hour. Now, wouldn't that make it much more tolerable to get service for us fast-moving American's??? Forget car rentals, friends driving us around, stress of expensive repairs, etc. Just wait an hour while you read a book, magazine, or watch a little TV... Posted by Picasa

Porsche Gains Controlling Interest in VW

The European Union has approved Porsche's plan to gain controlling interest in Volkswagen stock. Porsche currently owns over 21% of VW stock.
These companies have been affiliated since the 30s; Hitler's era. Audi is also part of the affiliation.
 Posted by Picasa

A Fresh Look at Gas Prices

Here's a humorous look at today's gas prices, which are hovering around $3 per gallon... Posted by Picasa

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