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Car dealers fight slow sales after end of Clunkers
AP ^

Posted on 09/13/2009 1:54:37 PM PDT by Chet 99

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. – As Gene Butman Ford opened its doors Saturday, salesmen outnumbered the shoppers looking at a depleted stock of cars and trucks, and it didn't appear that many customers were ready to buy.

Like many dealers across the country, the dealership in Ypsilanti Township, Mich., west of Detroit, is suffering from a Cash for Clunkers hangover, and Sales Manager Paul Grahl isn't sure when it will end.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: automakers; clunkers; dealerships
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To: George from New England

If they would just lower their prices....

We need either a full-size sedan or a minivan, but we’re not willing to pay what they’re asking. Although we’d like a new car, next year will be a good year to buy a great one used.


21 posted on 09/13/2009 2:25:39 PM PDT by Skenderbej
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To: EGPWS

I’m sure the Baraqqis will come up with some ideas.

You’ll get more opportunities to “help out” the UAW with your
tax dollars.

I guarantee Govt Motors and FiatUSA are staying alive until Nov 2012.


22 posted on 09/13/2009 2:26:26 PM PDT by nascarnation
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To: EGPWS
The automotive version of FDR killing the nation's pig population and plowing them under to raise the price of pork. Leftwingers have such sophisticated and nuanced solutions to complex problems don't they.
23 posted on 09/13/2009 2:27:04 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard (truth--the liberal's kryptonite.)
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To: KevinDavis

I wonder what those UAW people who work for Ford are thinking now that the UAW people from GM own part of GM and are partnering with the federal government.


24 posted on 09/13/2009 2:27:15 PM PDT by MichiganConservative (ObamaCare is socialism. It will do nothing but increase premature, unnecessary death.)
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To: TheBattman
I was told of a person who traded a Mercedes with 14M on it and was offered 10M by the dealer and the idiot owner refused the 10M because he wanted Obama's program to work.

He took his $4500 instead.

Just an example as to how insane this country is any more.

25 posted on 09/13/2009 2:28:52 PM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: EGPWS

Okay fine. Don’t buy a UAW car. I don’t care. But please, at least sound like you’re not a robot.

There are other manufacturers out there. Toyota’s running on reputation. Have you driven a Hyundai Genesis?

At least Honda was started by someone who likes cars. Try an Acura, maybe?


26 posted on 09/13/2009 2:30:15 PM PDT by MichiganConservative (ObamaCare is socialism. It will do nothing but increase premature, unnecessary death.)
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To: Chet 99

You mean an unintended consequence stemming from government policy? Nooo... That never happens!


27 posted on 09/13/2009 2:30:21 PM PDT by ConservativeColumns
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To: MichiganConservative
But please, at least sound like you’re not a robot.

But please don't sound like you are the CEO of Hyundai...

28 posted on 09/13/2009 2:32:38 PM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: MichiganConservative
I wonder what those UAW people who work for Ford are thinking

Having worked for GM for 42 years as a salary guy, I can tell you that most UAW members will tell you they work for the union, NOT the company.

The brainwashing is career long and very effective.

29 posted on 09/13/2009 2:33:01 PM PDT by nascarnation
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To: George from New England

I tried to buy a new Ford Mustang GT today. After begging me on the phone to come in because they really wanted my trade, they proceeded to lowball me on the trade-in value and wouldn’t come off the sticker price on the new car. Oh sure, they had tacked on $1000 worth of “dealer-added options” like paint protection and fabric protection, and they got rid of that right away, but the $600 “Dealer Service Fee” was non-negotiable and the factory sticker was as low as they’d go.

I really don’t want to hear their whining anymore. BTW, on the used car side, the cars were parked with 2-3 spaces between them, so it isn’t like they had a lot full of cars.


30 posted on 09/13/2009 2:34:06 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (Question O-thority!)
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To: EGPWS
14M

Do you mean $14,000 or do you mean 14 million something?

31 posted on 09/13/2009 2:34:32 PM PDT by MichiganConservative (ObamaCare is socialism. It will do nothing but increase premature, unnecessary death.)
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To: MichiganConservative

14 thousand miles total on it.


32 posted on 09/13/2009 2:35:54 PM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: MichiganConservative

>>Have you driven a Hyundai Genesis?

I drove two today. Both had the 3.8 V6. One had the 6-speed auto with paddle shifters, and the other had the 6 speed manual. Both were awesome! I went there after my trip to the Ford dealer.

I will probably buy a Genesis Coupe this week.


33 posted on 09/13/2009 2:37:45 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (Question O-thority!)
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To: EGPWS

So somebody turned down 10,000 bucks to get 4500 bucks to help out the Baraqqis?

The Messiah inspires such devotion.....sigh.....


34 posted on 09/13/2009 2:37:55 PM PDT by nascarnation
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To: EGPWS

Many buyers bought foreign cars. Trade in union built crap with 100K miles if lucky, for a Toyota that certainly would see 200K and no costly repairs.


35 posted on 09/13/2009 2:40:35 PM PDT by Orange1998
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To: Chet 99

Inventories will pick up in a few months when the losers who traded in their paid-for vehicles realize they’re worse off than before now that they have a huge monthly note and full coverage insurance costing them at least $600/mo more than before they visited the dealership. It’s not cash for clunkers, it’s notes & a giant insurance boost for clunkers. Wait for the repos.

673,000 cars times $600/mo in payments and insurance instead of purchasing consumer goods on an ongoing basis or buying a new house. Talk about blowback. Nothing but protectionism for the auto unions. Complete fools.


36 posted on 09/13/2009 2:40:56 PM PDT by Ag88 (Fast is fine, but accuracy is final. - Wyatt Earp)
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To: TheBattman

For what my opinion is worth, the new car prices have to align with reality. They are really expensive. And we are looking at a period of depression probably followed by inflation.


37 posted on 09/13/2009 2:43:22 PM PDT by Citizen Tom Paine
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To: nascarnation
The Messiah inspires such devotion.....sigh.....

Mindless drone extraordinaire

38 posted on 09/13/2009 2:44:52 PM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: Chet 99
"We suspect it's going to be 90 days before we get back to any kind of normalcy."

I certainly love to buy a new car. I own free and clear a 99 Toyota with 248,000 miles on it and a 98 Ford Ranger with 110,000 miles on it.

Both will be maintained and run until the wheels fall off.

I would be FREAKING OUT OF MY MIND to buy a new car and saddle myself with a 50 month or more car payment in these very uncertain times.

We may have stopped the slide into recession but we certainly are not anywhere near a recovery

39 posted on 09/13/2009 3:05:07 PM PDT by Popman (Obama "may" be a US citizen, but he's not an American)
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To: MichiganConservative
As for American cars, the Fords have been increasing in quality as Toyota has been slipping.

Glad to hear they are improving. The driver side door fell off my last...very last Ford.

40 posted on 09/13/2009 3:14:43 PM PDT by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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