When it comes to cars, it looks like America might be becoming a buyer’s market. Used cars appear to be getting a little cheaper, and as Matt wrote, there are so many cars for sale that dealers are back to putting cash on the hood. Yet poor Stellantis still has a glut of unwanted cars languishing at dealers.
According to CarEdge, one of the slowest-selling cars in America is the Dodge Hornet. Two days ago, it was reported that there were a staggering 14,596 Hornets sitting on dealer lots, or 428 days’ worth at the current rate in which people are buying them. Conditions have reportedly improved as there are now just 13,477 Hornets for sale, or 323 days’ worth.
Hey, it could be worse. There are currently 1,097 Alfa Romeo Giulias for sale, but they’re selling so poorly that the inventory represents a hilarious 617-day supply. Michael Beranek offers a solid negotiation tactic:
1. Go to Subway and buy a ham sandwich
2. Go to a Dodge dealer and offer the sandwich for a brand-new Dodge Hornet
3. Drive away in a brand-new Dodge Hornet. And they let you keep the mayo!
The implications of this are silly, as pointed out by Pupmeow:
I love the idea that the buyer has so much leverage–so much POWER–in this scenario, that you would unwrap the sandwich and lick off the mayo without breaking eye contact with the sales guy.
I think that’s what the kids call a “pro gamer move.”
Jason’s a bit pissed off about how Volkswagen hides OBD-II ports behind a panel opened with a fake handle. Michael Beranek wins again for this one:
Hey, at least they didn’t use the handle from the Phaeton, which has 16 motors, 27 hinges, four fuses, three relays, and 43 fiber-optic cables connected to the CANBUS.
Fasterlivingmagazine adds:
Actually it’s connected to the LIN bus, so when your handle fails you get no door locks, radio doesnt work, your mirrors adjust to the sky and stay there, multiple warning lights on the dash and your car alarm goes off.
Look, my Phaeton is still working, somehow!
Jason also wrote about a spotting of what could be the Tesla robotaxi. Ignoring how goofy the robotaxi is for a moment, Citrus points out a serious issue:
I stand by the following: If a purpose-built taxi is not built with wheelchair access built-in, it should be scrapped and redesigned.
Disabled people are most likely to be unable to drive and most likely to be isolated because of this. If it’s a ground up design for people who either can’t drive or choose not to, design it in from the outset. It’s not like a private vehicle where you are going to prioritize different things for different buyers, and it’s specifically designed for this purpose.
The ADA exists for a reason.
There’s that, which is pretty important. I’m also confused as to why a taxi needs to be a coupe. What if you have more than two people who want to get to the same place at the same time? Make taxis better, not worse!
Have a great evening, everyone!
(Topshot: Dodge, Autopian, Subway, Meatslinger)
Superfluous post
The Subway Ham Sammich for a Hornet exchange was awesome! Exactly the content I’m here for.
Let’s just keep nagging about the missing notification bell. That is the most productive use of our collective time here.
Notification Bell or we mutiny.
Already at Lowe’s. Pitchforks are no problem. However, I’m rather loath to pick up Tiki torches. Please advise
Have you considered citronella candles glued to a baluster*? I mean, I just really hate mosquitos and don’t want to be bitten while revolting.
I gotta have more
COWBELL!!!!Anybody remember that little bell shaped thing that would tell you if anybody had replied to your comments? It seems to have disappearedAnybody remember that little bell shaped thing that would tell you if anybody had replied to your comments? It seems to have disappeared at least for me. Anybody else noticed this? at least for me. Anybody else noticed this?
Wtf, no, I’m not on drugs. And my iPhone probably wasn’t on drugs. Where did all that repetition come from?
The missing notifications are making us all jumpy. I mean, I NEED to know the exact amount of sandwiches that might be traded to acquire a vehicle, whether with European cars they have to be hot sandwiches, etc.
I still rather have the sandwich then a Hornet.
How can availability of Dodge Hornets decrease by 105 days worth in 2 days?
I don’t think that means what you think it means.
Maybe a city bought a whole bunch all at once for its police force?
Maybe they are for a sting operation?
Just paid off my wife’s dream car (it may have inspired the name). I know it’s not Toyota reliable, but we plan on owning it until the wheels fall off.
I bought a Giulia Veloce. Always wanted one and swore I’d buy used, but I got it for $40K brand new when it was over $56K sticker. It was a languishing 2023 on the lot earlier this year. Makes me grin ear to ear every time I drive it. Shame it had a rough initial launch. To think, all I paid was well equipped WRX money for this gorgeous riot. Yes, it’ll depreciate, but when used lower mileage examples are mid to low 30’s and I only paid 40 flat, that’s actually not half bad depreciation (great that Stellantis took 25% of the depreciation at the lot…). I plan to buy the extended warranty after a couple of years if I commit to keeping it long term.
Such an underappreciated cool car. And oh those wheels.
It’s different when you really know what you’re getting into. Congrats!
I wish Guilias were still selling, man I love that car so much. Yet I still don’t own one…probably why they aren’t selling.
There are tremendous used deals. Find one that’s been without question properly maintained and you’ll grin every day.
With the resources of Galpin Motors do you guys search FB or use the dealership network?
What about mustard?
Where is the notification bell?
+1, noticed this last night but figured I’d see if the tide washed it up
Yeah thought it might be a phone issue but it’s gone on the laptop too.
It’s had issues for a while on Chrome on Android (notified the staff), I’m guessing it could be maintenance
Maybe the clear the whole list of replies when you click on one issue is being fixed. I hope so.
Yep, same for me – out on both. Seems to have disappeared late Fri night (9/13) here in the U.S.
Since this site is owned by a dealer network and new cars aren’t selling too well, I fully expect it to continue fading away. The tiny membership revenue is not enough to keep it running.
“Continue?” It has been pretty consistent content wise, so I’m not sure why you’d say it’s fading. And it’s not like a Galpin is a Stellantis dealer.
Tech issues are a constant on websites.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hUUJHgiMa0s
I wonder who’d be first between me with a Subway sandwich and a Hornet to throw a serious emissions error.
I’d be more impressed if the dealer took the mayo and you got the car and the sandwich.
One again, the conservative sandwich-heavy portfolio pays off for the hungry investor
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/602dac5c-4ace-4d67-80f7-0b038ee37f4a#RhmJOM7J.copy
…Oh No! I’m ruined…
I am humbled, thank you. Don’t forget to tip your waiter!
Oh that tip jar at the sub shop is such a scam! 😉
Yeah, what’s up with people asking for a tip for counter service? Don’t get me wrong, I tip waitstaff very well….. but if you aren’t waitstaff, and you just hand me what I ordered and I pay for it, why would I tip for that? I could maybe see it if it’s someone preparing an item, but if it’s pre-made stuff that you point to what you want, then pay for it? I mean, I don’t tip the self-checkout machine at the grocery store…..
I tip for “I couldn’t have made a latte like that.” I don’t tip for “I grabbed my beer from the cooler, walked out it to you, and paid for it.”
Basically, service and/or skill get tips (including tattoo artists).
Yep, same here.
I was hit up at a drive through for a $2.80 black coffee. Seriously, this is ridiculous. Table service, no problem (broad issues with tip culture notwithstanding) but the drive through? C’mon!
No one tips the FedEx person,the UPS person,the mail person and they all bring the stuff to your house/apartment.
Actually we tip the mail person at Christmas.
This person gets it.
We give Christmas cards (with cash) to the mail carrier, the garbage man (that’s how he signs his cards), and the recycling folks.
It’s not a tip per se, but if the weather is hot and I’m expecting a package, there will be Gatorade and water in a bucket of ice on the front porch.