Recession? Not at these dealers...

[nostatic]

A quick trip to take a look at cars just for grins. Been pondering getting something that is a bit more off-road capable and with more space. Driving past the Ford and Jeep dealer it looked like a ghost town. As much as I like the idea of a Jeep, no way I'm owning one. I don't know anyone that is happy with them.

So first stop the VW dealer just because it was on the way. The place was packed. Looked like deals were in fact being written. Salespeople were attentive.

Next stop Honda. Place was pretty packed as well. Stood around for awhile and was largely ignored. Finally a guy going out to the lot asked if I'd been helped. Said I wanted to look at an Element and he said they were all across the street at the used lot, they were too busy there, so could I walk over there and there would be a salesman to help me. Walked over, a saleguy greeted me then walked me to the lot and handed me to another guy. Other guy says, "there are a few other there" and walks away. I go take a look, and the three sales people are chatting with another guy sitting on his ass. I eventually left the lot.

Final stop Toyota. Place was busy, deals being written. A guy greeted me, I asked to see an FJ, he tried to find one, was told they were across the street so we walked over, looked around and he couldn't find them. Eventually another salesperson said the last two got sold yesterday. Sent me home with a brochure and that he'd call me when they got more in.

So it didn't look like much of a recession at these places. The Honda place though was just lousy salespeople and you can bet I won't go back there (never did get to open up one of the cars).

People seeing this elsewhere, or is it just in LA?

[Gogar]

My $.01

Even if there's, let's say 10% unemployment, 90% of people are still working. More than half of those have never been involved in the market, so they felt no real immediate kick in the nutz from the last 9 months.

So, since Americans are credit junkie whores and have very short memories, all those 0% deals probably look great.

[m21sniper]

IMO the Honda Element (and the Scion that looks like it) are perhaps the single ugliest vehicles ever made.

Ever.

[TimT]

IMO the Honda Element (and the Scion that looks like it) are perhaps the single ugliest vehicles ever made.

Apparently you have never seen an Aztec...

Todd ever consider a Subaru?

I bought a new '08 WRX last year and have to say it is a fantastic car..

You can get a Forester with the WRX power train, full time AWD.

[Dave L]

We have a Honda plant close by and they are laying people off and giving them time off due to shut downs. I think they are trying to match vehicle demand and not overproduce but it does sound like there are some small shortages.

My parents just bought a Rav4, I was impressed, they have certainly grown up from what they once were. They had planned to buy anyways but I think on the 0% financing was the clincher.

[masraum]

I had a buddy with an Element. Initially, I thought it was pretty ugly. It grew on me, probably because I really liked the functionality. The Scion Xb is, to me (based on limited experience), just a boxy economy car, much like the PT Cruiser. It's like putting a sporty looking body on an economy car with an economy car suspension and engine and calling it a sports car. The Element has loads of useful innovation. It's sort of like a mini-minivan but with more off-road type usefulness built in.

[MRM]

We've been sticking our toes in the car market lately, too. Our experience was the same. Toyota and Honda dealers were packed. The domestics were emptly. At the Toyota dealer we tried to look at minivans. At least one was sold between the time it took the dealer to tell us about it and us walking out to look at it. We went to the Buick/GMC/Chevy dealer. Some activity, but a lot of inventory. We looked at the Buick Enclave and GMC/Chevy twins for full sized crossover SUVs as an alternative to a minivan. We wanted leather interior, so we looked at them. They could be had cheaper without options, but with leather they started at $40,000. After my wife stopped choking, she pointed out that a late model used X5 could be had for that. My impression was that the imports were flying off the lot and the domestics were sitting.

[Zeke]

The recession is over.

[strupgolf]

Domestic cars sitting=unions. Imports selling=non union. Domestic car lots=gone soon. Import car lots here tomorrow.

[nostatic]

Not only have I considered a Subie, I owned one a few years back. '09 WRX is on the list as well as they made some significant changes from '08. Still, the A3 feels quicker even though the WRX has more HP. The Audi also handle better even though it is FWD. That said I didn't wring the WRX out so maybe it screams at higher revs.

The Forester with the turbo is only available in an auto. If I'm going slushbox, then I'm going to get a real offroad capable vehicle like an FJ. It's been a frustrating couple of weeks as my back has been acting up, not able to ride the bike and driving a stick is a pain (literally). That said, I just can't deal with an auto in a "performance" car. That includes the DSG...just not my thing.

On the fence. Have a guy interested in my A3 for what I owe on it. I haven't been able to drive an Element but they seem damn useful. I have aspirations for doing some off-road though, so an FJ is far superior for that. And it would get me back into mtn biking with the boy. I'm still not sure what problem I'm trying to solve...other than just wanting something different to drive. With the FJ I figure I could buy a cheap used Miata and tow it to the track every once in awhile. Or tow bikes to the desert. Or tow howitzers.

[VincentVega]

The Element is quite practical, but boring to drive and underpowered. Not sure I'd really consider it an offroad vehicle either. The current Rav4 and CRV are not bad at all.

[Rot 911]

I like the FJ and there is a 2007 with 16K miles at the lot just down the street with a tow package. He is wanting $24K. Only thing really stopping me is that they really are gas hogs. 15 mpg around town and 19 mpg on the highway.

[gprsh924]

If you are considering an FJ, I would recommend driving an Xterra as well. While I think the FJ looks cooler, I find the interior of the X to be much nicer. Plus it has 4 full doors which improves functionality and doesn't create the massive blind spot the FJ has.

[the]

Maybe they are improving, more likely some of it is regional, but there is no denying that all of those manufacturers that you mention have suffered from fairly dramatically decreased sales volume over the last year, because of the recession.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by nostatic

The Forester with the turbo is only available in an auto. If I'm going slushbox, then I'm going to get a real offroad capable vehicle like an FJ. It's been a frustrating couple of weeks as my back has been acting up, not able to ride the bike and driving a stick is a pain (literally). That said, I just can't deal with an auto in a "performance" car. That includes the DSG...just not my thing.

What happened to your back? an old injury or just old age

[nostatic]

Old age is certainly part of it. I tweaked the sciatic nerve about a month ago doing floor stretches, then really irritated riding down to San Diego and back (with 4 hours sitting in a folding chair inbetween). It just started easing up last week when I picked up a box of ammo from the UPS guy and I felt a "pop." Thankfully quick ice, a trip to the chiro and a day or two horizontal seem to have done the trick.

Another gun-related injury...

[JavaBrewer]

If you're back is complaining about the motorcycle I don't see how it will corporate with a MTB. Riding in dirt & rocks = crashing. It's gonna happen. I had to give up MTB cause I knew just one trip over the bars would likely sideline me for a while. Young 20's are long gone.

I like the FJ but would never buy a new one.

[911Rob]

Car dealers are still busy here too; a brand new Honda dealership just opened in my town.?

I've heard really good things about the FJ fwiw.

good luck, I can imagine you want to get off road more to shoot those guns of yours?

[ckissick]

My father's dealership is only selling VWs. Nissan, Chevy, and Jeep are dead. The Toyota dealer next door is dead, too. They have 50 Prius's that aren't moving.

Dad says the VWs are selling because of the usual loyal VW customers, good reviews, better quality, and an exiting line of new cars.

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

I like the FJ and there is a 2007 with 16K miles at the lot just down the street with a tow package. He is wanting $24K. Only thing really stopping me is that they really are gas hogs. 15 mpg around town and 19 mpg on the highway.

ahaHAHAH! Keep dreaming. Maybe downhill. With a tailwind.

24K is a lot for an '07 with 16k.
Perhaps you should talk to my soon to be Ex wife about FJ's.