Magnum Auto Collision, Marietta Ga.

Since the 1980′s MAGNUM COLLISION located in Marietta, Ga has been offering the community with exceptional auto body repair without discrimination to year make model of any vehicle that comes their way. They specialize in High end cars such as Maserati, Bentley, Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW etc and they do a great job at it. Many body shops claim to work on Luxury cars but MAGNUM has proven to us here at Select Luxury Cars that they are a top notch operation that offer exceptional customer service and great craftmanship. Their entire staff have been groomed to roll out the red carpet to all that walk through their door. We at Select are proud to have them as our premier auto body shop.

http://www.magnumcollision.com/services.htm

Select Luxury Cars, located in Marietta, Ga. on Highway 41, hand “Selects” every vehicle. We specialize in the highest quality automobile made all over the world. Whether you live here in the Atlanta area or anywhere around the world, we will find the exact car you are dreaming of. If you are looking for a Mercedes, BMW, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Ferrari or other high end model, begin your search here. http://www.selectluxury.com

Journey of My Sales Career

My wife and I were talking about the different dealerships I worked at over the years.  I am amazed at how I got into the car business and sustained.  I used to drive a roll-off truck for a sanitation company.  One day sitting at a red light I felt there was more in life than this job.  I went back to the office and quit without knowing what I was going to do. Needless to say, with a toddler and a baby on the way, this did not make my wife very happy.  A friend of mine suggested I get into car sales.  Without experience but a lot of knowledge about cars, I gave it a try.  A few days later, I was off and running.

I worked at Nissan, Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda and BMW.  I was fortunate to be the top salesman at every dealership I worked.  I seemed to have found the profession I was good at and enjoyed.  Car sales have come such a long way from chasing the customer when they pull onto the lot. When I started in this business, I felt like I was hustling for a customer (almost opening the door before they put their car in park) to the more refined Internet sales.

I never forget how nervous I was when I began working for BMW.  On my first day, one of the senior salesman, who had been there for 10 years, said to me, “Black people have never made it at this dealership.”  I didn’t let that discourage me and I was proud when I became his boss 2 ½ years later.  The car business is an ever-changing industry.  A good salesperson must be willing to adapt and continue to learn how to succeed.  The old school salesperson cannot keep up with the pace of the new generation of high tech customers. Some customers are more knowledgeable about the car they want to buy than the salesperson.  A good salesperson will know their competitors as well as (or even better) than they know their own product.

Over the years, I trained a lot of people new to car sales and taught them a lot of what I know.  For me, with all of my experience, I am always open to learning more.  I was taught you never stop growing, learning and trying to become better in your career.  When you get to the point when you think you know it all, that will be the day you start your downfall in whatever career you are in.   Continue learning and start to follow the new trends in your field so you will always remain top notch.

Mike Goodall

Internet Sales

Danica Patrick Unharmed and Unperturbed after Recent Wreck

Danica Patrick’s recent wreck in the Daytona 500 qualifying races highlighted two major things: (1) Danica Patrick is one tough woman, and (2) NASCAR has developed remarkable standards and safety measures to protect its drivers. If you take a look at the crash and Patrick’s reaction (ESPN), you would know what I mean.

Patrick was driving upwards 190 mph before losing control of her car and crashing into the wall. It was scary to watch, but she was able to walk away essentially unscathed and with a positive outlook. She tweeted to her fans shortly after the incident, “Well….that was a bummer. I am ok, icing my sore spots down, getting ready for the weekend! Thanks for the concern.”

Aside from recognizing Patrick’s courage and success in a male-dominated sport, it is also important to acknowledge the safety mechanisms NASCAR has put in place. The reason Patrick and other drivers are able to sustain high speed collisions in their supercars is in part due to the “soft wall” technology surrounding the tracks. These are made from crushable foam insulation placed behind rows of square steel tubes that absorb a significant amount of the energy upon impact. The racing seats form around the driver’s head and neck to prevent such injuries, and welded metal fuel tanks have been replaced by fuel cells comprised of a rubber bladder and foam to minimize the risk of combustion. Cars are also equipped with what is known as check valves, which will shut off fuel in the event that the engine separates from the car. These features, along with highly developed helmets, roll cages, and fire retardant suits, protect NASCAR drivers tremendously.

Danica Patrick's #10 GoDadddy wreck aftermath

Even with all this in place, it takes a bold individual with a great deal of nerve and skill to race at these speeds in a pack of cars fighting for position. As Danica Patrick possesses these qualities, she kept her cool enough to remember to take her hands off the steering wheel upon impact. According to experts, this prevented her from potentially breaking her wrist or hands. Such education to drivers is another element of NASCAR safety precautions.

With all this in mind and an inherently bold character, Patrick told reporters after the wreck, “Maybe the backup car will be faster.”

Pure, Undeniable Class: Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.

What weighs 5,800 pounds, has 453 HP and does 0-60 in just 5.7 seconds? Not some souped up Ford F-150, and not a monster truck. Its not even an SUV. No, this is something much, much classier: the Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe.

Its truly hard to put into words just how big this car feels. Its an incredible 18.5 feet long and is entirely hand made. Every single inch of the car is wrapped in leather, surfaced with hand crafted wood, or carefully shaped aluminum. Wrapped in a Blue Velvet paint color, its easy to see why this car gets called a land yacht. The engine is a hand made V12 that features the iconic Rolls Royce 6.75 liters of displacement. That engine coupled with the automatic transmission produces an astonishing 531 torques which makes acceleration feel effortless. In fact, Rolls Royce says that at 70 mph on the highway, that mighty engine uses only 10% of its available power, put your foot down and the Drophead swooshes to speeds close to 150 mph. What is truly spectacular is just how smooth riding this car really is. It truly feels like you are on a hand stitched leather cloud when you are driving around. The auto leveling suspension takes care of everything you could worry about, all you need to do is just sit back and soak in the pomp and circumstance.

Details are everywhere and the more time you spend with the car, the more you appreciate just how much work goes into the most expensive Rolls Royce ever. Each side of the coach doors has its own built in Rolls Royce umbrella, and the doors are electronically closed. The classic Rolls Royce clock disappears behind the dash in favor of a sharp LCD screen displaying settings and audio options. There are even signature Rolls Royce ash trays in each of the doors, just pull gently and they come right out. The entire car is full of carefully crafted details, and almost every panel has something to hide. From the cup holders in the floor panel to the seat controls under the center console, unless you go looking for things, all you see is mahogany and leather.

Tap the centered button on the dash and the 450 watt Logic 7 sound system comes to life through 15 individual speakers but the most impressive sight is straight up, out the windshield. The hood is absolutely enormous! Focus your eyes on the distinct Spirit of Ecstasy and you can see why its compared to a boat, it just seems to float on the road. But we have yet to get to the Drophead’s beat feature: the head drops! Open the center console and push that magic button, and the classic cloth top disappears behind a teak deck over the trunk and you are ready to go for a cruise with the wind in your hair. The back seat is surprisingly small considering the size of the car, but 4 adults can fit in the Drophead with comfort. The concept of the suicide doors does make it difficult to get in and out of the back of the car without having the doors 100% extended, however.

The coupe features a double trunk, opening like an SUV for easy access to getting as much stuff in the back as you can fit, although that may not be as much as you expected. The car does not have a huge trunk, as most of the space is taken up by the convertible top and that lengthy hood. The Rolls Royce is hardly a driver’s car, and it knows that considering how much car you can have for $498,000. No, rather the Drophead Coupe is something more: its luxury on a whole new level, the modernized version of the times when cars were the embodiment of our wealth and creativity. The Drophead is a car for someone who wants to drive around in style; for someone who wants to feel like they belong on the beach somewhere in the Hamptons or Pebble Beach. The Phantom Drophead Coupe is one thing, and one thing only: classy, on a scale you have to see to believe.

-Lincoln Fantaski
Select Luxury Cars, located in Marietta, Ga. on Highway 41, hand “Selects” every vehicle. We specialize in the highest quality automobiles available in the market. Whether you live here in the Atlanta area or anywhere around the world, we will find the exact car you are dreaming of. If you are looking for a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari or other high end model, begin your search here and we won’t disappoint.

Porsche’s Street-Legal Racecar: The Carrera GT

Every so often a car comes to market so sultry, so ridiculous, so expensive that few will ever lays eyes on it. Even fewer will get to hear the howl of the F-1 derived 5.7 liter V-10 gracing such a car. Case in point…The Porsche Carrera GT. Built for three years (2004-2006) only, less than 1300 Carrera GT’s are in existence. Factor in the $440,000 price tag (new) and stratospheric costs to drive and maintain, my guess is that you won’t see one at the local gas & go. Most of these stunning GT’s are safely tucked away in the collections of the ultra wealthy.

The design and engineering on the Carrera GT is so amazing, I’m not sure where to begin. I suppose the carbon fiber monocoque chassis is worth mentioning. The subframe is made with carbon fiber reinforced plastic and is extremely strong despite very few metal parts. The carbon fiber undertray is attached at multiple points under the car. It helps keep the airflow smooth as it approaches terminal velocity. The GT’s wing automatically deploys at 70 mph preventing liftoff as you near the 200+ mph top speed. A beautiful inboard suspension with push-rod activated shocks and huge anti-roll bars also perform their duties keeping the car composed in the twisties. Huge 15″ carbon ceramic brakes bring the Carrera GT back to legal limits after each high speed run. Porsche’s street legal race car has single center lug wheels that are 19″ in front and 20″ in the rear. Let’s not forget the stunning carbon fiber bodywork that includes t-top like removable roof panels.

Mounted behind the cockpit, the heart of this beautiful machine is a 5.7 liter V-10 producing 612 asphalt melting horsepower at an astronomical 8,000 rpm. The engine was originally developed for F-1 and later continued for LeMans. A 6-speed manual gearbox is the only transmission available which works with a two plate ceramic composite clutch getting the power to the rear wheels. The scream of this V-10 is a true delight, and is something to which no video can do justice.

Although it’s DNA is all racecar, Porsche still offered some luxury features. It has incredibly supportive seats covered in leather. Bose sound with internet radio and navigation are options. The Carrera GT was available in 5 basic colors. Red, Yellow, Black, Silver and Gray. Special order colors were offered at additional cost. If you are lucky enough to ever see this stunning creation make sure you take a picture. I’m sure it will be awhile before you have the chance again.

Carguy Michael

Select Luxury Cars, located in Marietta, Ga. on Highway 41, hand “Selects” every vehicle. We specialize in the highest quality automobiles available in the market. Whether you live here in the Atlanta area or anywhere around the world, we will find the exact car you are dreaming of. If you are looking for a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari or other high end model, begin your search here and we won’t disappoint.

Used Cars: Wants Versus Needs

I had a customer visit the dealership and wanted to test drive a Range Rover, SL550 and a 750Li because she wasn’t sure what she wanted. However, test driving different types of vehicles is not the solution.  This will create more confusion instead of helping you make up your mind.  Finding the right car to match your lifestyle can be a ovewhelming experience.  A good salesperson will carefully listen to the customer’s needs and concerns to help them make a suitable purchase.

 

Shave the Fat

Before you begin your search, understand your stage in life.  If you have young children at home and are shopping for a “main” vehicle, a two seater convertible is obviously out of the question.  Don’t wast your time (or the salesperson’s) test driving something that clearly doesn’t fit your lifestyle.

There are blogs that tell you to be stone-faced and impersonal with your salesperson. (This is not my point of view).  Understand she/he  is there to gather information to show you cars that meet your needs and make a qualitative decision.

Some reasonable questions may be:

Will this be your main vehicle?

Are you married / have children?

How long have you had your current car?

• This is to understand if they are a 2 – 3 year and out “kind of person.”
• Do they plan on keeping this car 10 years then give it to their children?

 

Add to Cart

Let me start by saying, cost is important but not the main factor in finding your perfect vehicle.  When starting your search you need to make a list of your wants versus your needs.  Take into consideration your day to day interactions, i.e. kids, hobbies or shopping.

What options are a must have?

• Passenger seating (3^rd row seat)
• Miles per gallon (MPG’s)
• Cargo space
• Heated seats (rear) / steering wheel
• 4WD
• Backup camera
• Navigation

What are you willing to COMPROMISE?

When searching for a pre-owned car, it may have the right options but not be the right color.  It can be the perfect color and is missing an option you really want.  You should be willing to compromise to get the right deal.  Don’t win the battle just to lose the war.

Mike Goodall

Select Luxury Cars, located in Marietta, Ga. on Highway 41, hand “Selects” every vehicle. We specialize in the highest quality automobiles available in the market. Whether you live here in the Atlanta area or anywhere around the world, we will find the exact car you are dreaming of. If you are looking for a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari or other high end model, begin your search here and we won’t disappoint.

US Ingenuity Shines through Fisker Automotive

There is no question that the everyday car will eventually transition to alternate energy sources. We have seen a number of electric vehicles released to the market, but there are few that we could see taking the place of the luxury and sport gasoline-fueled cars we know and love. That may change sooner than expected. California based Fisker Automotive was founded in 2007 with a vision of creating the first line of premium luxury hybrid vehicles.

Then the 2012 Karma was born, and was hailed as the Luxury Car of the Year by Top Gear, the world’s leading automotive magazine. What strikes many about this is the fact that Top Gear is based in Europe, and granted this award to a five-year-old American manufacturer in the face of German and Italian competition that has dominated the luxury and sports car market.

What makes the Fisker brand and its products so special? The design, inspired by the “elegant lines of windswept sand dunes,” is sure to turn heads. There are unique features such as a solar roof that captures enough energy from the sun to give the car up to an extra 200 miles of driving a year. The break pads are able to transfer kinetic energy from slowing down to the battery to allow for more efficient breaking. Finally, the dual electric motors are like nothing we have ever seen before. There is an internal combustion engine that kicks in after about 50 miles of driving, but this serves only to power the electric motors thus creating a purely electric driving experience. All this translates into a 2.0 L, 4-cylinder 240 horsepower hybrid that hits 0-60 mph in 6.3 sec topping out at 125 mph.

Fisker’s first baby isn’t perfect, though. The EPA rated the 2012 Karma to run at only 20 miles per gallon, a rate that many non-hybrid vehicles beat. But this should not discount the strides the young carmaker has made in terms of American design and engineering in creating a hybrid that can compete with gasoline-powered European autos. Creating over 700 US jobs in California and Delaware, and doing business with over 40 American suppliers including GM and Goodyear, Fisker’s ingenuity should be applauded in a time when this seemed to be lacking amidst the recent turmoil of our economy.

Inaya Sabbak

Select Luxury Cars, located in Marietta, Ga. on Highway 41, hand “Selects” every vehicle. We specialize in the highest quality automobiles available in the market. Whether you live here in the Atlanta area or anywhere around the world, we will find the exact car you are dreaming of. If you are looking for a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari or other high end model, begin your search here and we won’t disappoint.

E39 BMW M5…. Still fast, still sleek.

When we think about the year, 2012, its easy to wonder where all the time has gone. When things dated 2002 for example are already 10 years old, its hard to imagination how far we have come since then. Since 2003, BMW has introduced 2 new M5 models, each with more power than the last. But lets not forget about 2003, because at the time the M5 was the car to have!

The E39 M5 features a 4.9L V8 with an absurd 400 HP. Coupled with the luxurious interior, plenty of legroom in the back, and a solid 6-speed manual transmission, the M5 was a well rounded car that would absolutely knock your socks off.

Well, now that it is 9 years old, you can own a M5 for a fraction of the price! Prices average around 20k depending on many factors, but at the end of the day you get a 400 HP luxury sedan for the price of a Honda Accord! Thats just nuts!

Before you go and say “well I dont need an M5, I’d be happy with an Accord” I encourage you to stop and think about that. While some people would be happy with the Accord, many would also love to feel the torque from that incredible V8 or hear the quad exhaust drone as you put your foot down on the interstate entry ramp. You just cant beat the smile you get when you turn the key and hear that V8 turn over in the morning, because BMW has done the impossible: given you a fun car that you can also put the family in without sacrificing comfort or trunk space.

The M5 features a first for BMW: Drive by Wire. What that means for you is instant throttle response as the computer opens the 8 individual throttle bodies faster than your foot could have on its own. Drive By Wire has become standard in every BMW ever since, and they certainly started it off right with the M5.

The engine has a 7000 RPM redline, and you feel the umph of the torque as soon as you get above 2000, so be careful letting your foot slip as you cruise down the highway! Perhaps one of the only limitations of the M5 is that it doesn’t get the most respectable gas mileage… feeding 8 hungry cylinders does take some fuel so you have to make the trade off between exhilarating performance and MPG’s.

All in all, I love the E39 M5. The feel of that V8 is something that not many new cars can replicate. Its smooth yet powerful and really shows you whose boss with all of the usable power. For it’s size, the car is very nimble and drives remarkably smoothly while still being able to take a corner at impressive speeds without even thinking twice (You might want to make sure your rear passengers have their seat belts on first though!). The car fails to show its age anywhere, its both as nimble and as responsive as you would expect any ///M car to be.

So if you are looking for a affordable performance car for around $20,000 but still want to be able to take people for a road trip comfortable, the E39 M5 should certainly be worth a fair bit of consideration.

-Lincoln Fantaski

Select Luxury Cars, located in Marietta, Ga. on Highway 41, hand “Selects” every vehicle. We specialize in the highest quality automobiles available in the market. Whether you live here in the Atlanta area or anywhere around the world, we will find the exact car you are dreaming of. If you are looking for a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari or other high end model, begin your search here and we won’t disappoint.

Negotiating Your Trade-In

One of the most frustration components of buying a new car is trading in your current vehicle.  Let me share a few pointers that will help alleviate some aggravation.

Getting Started

If your vehicle is leased or financed, contact your bank and find out your dealer payoff.  This is one of the more important matters because you need to know if you are in a positive or negative financial standing.  Whether you lease, finance or own your vehicle, you always want to do your due diligence before contacting a dealership.  You can visit various websites to research what your car is retailing for.  The figures on the sites are “retail” amounts NOT “trade-in” value.  Some reliable websites are www.autotrader.com,  www.cars.com and www.ebay.com.  This research is to help you understand the market and provide a clear understanding of what your car value is on the open market.  In the car business, we have a saying “being upside down in your trade.”  This means the payoff is more than the ACV (actual car value.)  When this happens you have two options:

1. Add cash to the purchase of the new car (if you can).  This will prevent you from financing [some of] the car you are trading in.
2. Finance the negative equity from your trade-in in the deal of the new car you are buying. This will eliminate you from having to put any money down.  This is a good tip if you are getting a low interest rate to finance your new car.

Where Has Your Car Been

If you are not the original owner, know the history of your car (if you have Carfax accessibility.)  Most dealerships will do this for you.  Be 100% honest when the salesperson asks you certain questions such as:

Has your car been in an accident?

Has your car been painted?

When was the last service date?

What conditions are the tires and brakes in?

Did the primary driver(s) smoke in the car?

These aspects will affect the value of your car.

Pimp My Ride

We all love to put our own personal touches on a car and there is nothing wrong with that.  However, you should not make dramatic changes to a vehicle like painting it unique colors, placing bumper stickers on the actual paint of the car and some stereo modifications, including rewiring speakers. This can harm your trade-in value.  It is best to keep personal touches to a minimum so the next buyer will be interested in purchasing your vehicle.  You want your car to be marketable when the time comes to trade it in.

Presentation

Present your trade-in in the best light.  Before getting an appraisal, it is beneficial to detail your vehicle inside and out.  Thoroughly look over your trade-in as if you are the potential buyer.  This will give you the opportunity to make sure you are showing your car at its best.  Don’t forget to remove all personal items in the glove box, arm rest and CD player.

Let’s Make A Deal

Make your trade-in a separate deal from the car you are buying.  A lot of dealers will give you a bottom line price on the car you are buying which will include the car you are trading in.  This is a method widely used by dealerships. You don’t want to be confused with how much you will pay for the new car and how much you are getting for your trade-in. To avoid this puzzling practice, have your salesperson negotiate the cost of the car you are purchasing THEN negotiate your trade-in and how much it is worth.  This will allow the separate deals to come together in the end.  This is also a way of keeping your dealer honest.

Once you have completed all steps, this should lessen the hassle and you can go home with peace of mind knowing you got a good deal. Hopefully you will pass this information along to someone you know who is car shopping.

Mike Goodall

Internet Sales at Select Luxury Cars

Select Luxury Cars, located in Marietta, Ga. on Highway 41, hand “Selects” every vehicle. We specialize in the highest quality automobiles available in the market. Whether you live here in the Atlanta area or anywhere around the world, we will find the exact car you are dreaming of. If you are looking for a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari or other high end model, begin your search here and we won’t disappoint.

The Ultimate Driving Machine: The BMW 7 Series

How many of you remember how excited you were when you got your first cool car? Mine was a 1979 black/black 733i with a front and rear spoiler, 4 really bent wheels, and a strut tower that was welded together by the neighborhood fence man in East New York, Brooklyn. I loved that car. That was when I fell in love with BMW 7 series. There are nice cars, and then there is the ultimate driving machine! If you are looking for a full size luxury sedan bring back the excitement you lost with the mundane daily driver, then it’s time to make a change.

I am writing the post as a BMW consumer, and I currently drive a 2006 750i Sport. The 7 series (reviews) commands respect whether standing still or cruising on the Highway. Its luxury appointments make you feel like you’re in your leather recliner with remotes in hand.  Now if you’re an aggressive driver or a cruiser you will not be disappointed with the performance and handling of this car. For a large sedan it is very quick (362hp) and responsive. Style wise, there is not another highline luxury sedan on the market that can compete with the styling of this car. I have seen and driven them all including the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Lexus LS which are the closest competitors in the same class.

There are some quirks that might get you annoyed with the I-Drive system in the car. But the best way to look at the system is like windows and mouse on your computer. You go on the application you want then click on it (navigation, climate, audio, etc.). Other than that, do your regular service on it and enjoy the ride. You can get hundreds of thousands of miles out of a BMW as long as you keep it properly maintained.

Every time you get in your car you should be excited. When you drive a 750i or Li, you will enjoy yourself. So, join the BMW family and you will soon understand why it is called the “ultimate driving machine”.

-Roger Evanson
Select Luxury Cars, located in Marietta, Ga. on Highway 41, hand “Selects” every vehicle. We specialize in the highest quality automobiles available in the market. Whether you live here in the Atlanta area or anywhere around the world, we will find the exact car you are dreaming of. If you are looking for a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari or other high end model, begin your search here and we won’t disappoint.