That does sound like something Ford would do.

I think dealers get reimbursed by the mfg. for most of the cost of keeping a car on the lot.  I believe the line item is called floor plan money.

I think the core issue is that dealers add cost to a vehicle for their part of the existing process.  Consumers could get a lower price by buying direct from the mfg.  Change my mind.

I don’t see why direct sales would exclude the option for a test drive.

I have to admit they wouldn’t let me pick the paint color I wanted, even though it was built-to-order. Something about it clashing with the interior color. This was me.  I also wanted a sunroof and the premium audio.  They said no, and didn’t give a reason.

I have easily waited 8 weeks for a car.  It’s a big purchase.  I like to plan it out.  It’s not an impulse purchase for me.  I prefer waiting to get the options I want versus getting something close.  I keep cars for a long time.

Do you have an example of the other 95% of the time problem?

Do you mean that independent repair shops would go away if we had direct sales option for all cars?

Why couldn’t people order exactly what they want?  I built-to-order my last two vehicles.  And I don’t see why the manufacturer still couldn’t do that when selling direct.  A popular misconception is that a build-to-order costs more or that you can’t negotiate.

-Large manufacturers don’t generally want to be in the sales game and vice versa. There’s a reason people buy everything from places like Walmart and Amazon instead of directly from the factory that made it.

What’s a Microsoft?

Louisiana = LA

Is there a relation to people living near fire prone areas in CA to people living near flood prone areas in LA?

I’m not sure if an increase number of acres burned increasing the past few years is a standard anything. I’m not a tree-hugger, but 2020 was off to an unusual start with Australia on fire. In fact for every gallon of gasoline you don’t burn, I’m going to burn two.

On BAT:  Ran when parked.

Don’t skip leg day at the gym.  j/k.  But that happens to me sometimes in the Cobalt with an aftermarket pressure plate.  The Cruze is fine.  It also helps to slide the seat back so your leg is straight just before the clutch pedal is bottomed out.

Except the interior.

They’ll fix it if you take then to court and win.  Because that’s how they treat GT-R buyers.

How was the wheel / tire balanced?

It’s a veilside body kit on a Fiero.