Sign of the times: RepoDepot.ca

Posted on March 24, 2009 by mark

Perhaps it’s because I’m more sensitive to stuff like this nowadays, but I spotted a sign for a business in Toronto’s West End that just struck me funny. Given the increase in repossessed automobiles because of the nasty economy and everything now having a ‘Depot’ (Home Depot, Office Depot, etc.), the sight of a giant ‘RepoDepot‘ logo in the air had me piqued with curiosity.

repodepotca-subaru-stiAnyway, the company’s been around since the ’70s, is apparently well managed and not slimy at all, but you have to imagine that business is getting brisk. Just browsing through the site led me to a few peaches, including this 2006 Subaru WRX STI pictured here.

The company also sells vans, trucks, construction equipment, ATVs, properties, aircraft… anything that gets repossessed. And they’re in 28 cities across Canada… and Alabama. Go figure…

While the purchasing format is traditional auction, you have to imagine there’s some gold in them thar hills. Might be worth a visit with a camera.

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Thursday CarChat Wrapup: Building momentum

Posted on March 19, 2009 by mark

carchatsearch2Building on the great successes of the initial #CarChat event on Twitter last week, this week’s installment was certainly more organized, thanks mainly to Michael Banovsky who led the charge organizing ‘guests’ and topics, and also more widely attended. While the numbers are still being calculated, I’d guess we had over 600 separate tweets with two-dozen participants putting their two cents in.

We covered a range of topics, including a segment with manufacturer social media reps Scott Monty (Ford) and Angie Kramer (Nissan), new-vehicle recommendations for growing families, discussions about the current dealer model and much, much more. The exchange of ideas from every participant made the event exciting.

Next week’s #CarChat is already looking good, with Stilo Bertone’s Jason Castriota making himself available for questions. Castriota’s the gent who penned the Ferrari 599 GTB, Ferrari P4/5 and Maserati Birdcage concept before recently moving along to Bertone.

So ‘tune in’ next Wednesday by visiting search.twitter.com and entering #carchat in the box, and you can catch up on yesterday’s fun the same way. Enjoy!

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First new Camaro

Posted on March 18, 2009 by mark

camarolaunch1Despite all the doom and gloom surrounding the auto industry, there are still events happening that just make you smile. The latest was an event put on by General Motors in Oshawa yesterday to commemorate the first producion version of the new 2010 Camaro rolling off the assembly line.

NASCAR team owner and giant dealer group principle Rick Hendrick was on hand to drive vin #00001 off the line, which was already sold for $350,000 (US) during the 2009 Barrett Jackson auction in Arizona. And you can be sure it’ll certainly be sold for a ridiculous price at the 2066 Barrett Jackson auction…

I know that everyone at GM in Oshawa really have their hopes pinned on this ride. During a visit to the factory to do the same thing (albeit with a much less cool Impala) and chatting with most of the floor workers, they were all of the mind that they’d hang around until they could build ‘their’ Camaro, and then retire off into the sunset. Wonder how many are still around now two years later?

Anyway, there’s also a neat video of the driving off ceremony, although I do apologize for the soundtrack… Would be nice to hear exactly what an uncorked SS model sounds like!

Photo Credit: George Saratlic
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Edmunds details every vehicle used in new F&F movie

Posted on March 16, 2009 by mark

67chevyfuelheistWhile the Fast & Furious franchise is one of the most ridiculed in movie history, its producers know that the series is money in the bank. Every time a new chapter is released, millions line up to see the excruciating dialogue and brain-torturing plots, but we all know that the hopped-up rides and insane stunts are the real stars.

Well, Edmunds Inside Line has a feature on all the cars and trucks that will feature in this spring’s high-octane brain drain, and it looks like the usual small-displacement import rides give way to plenty of V8-powered muscle-car goodness. There are photos and videos, along with great descriptions on how each vehicle was chosen for its appearance, and the number of cars that didn’t survive is surprising, and sometimes a little heartbreaking. I pine for all the clean Buick Grand Nationals left in the world, and I’ll arm-wrestle anyone for the keys to that copper ’67 Chevrolet truck.

Anyway, the movie opens April 4, and I guarantee that despite their responses to the contrary, I’ll probably see all my friends in line ahead of me…

Photo Credit: Kurt Niebuhr
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Inaugural Car Chat a success

Posted on March 12, 2009 by mark

Well, last night’s inaugural #carchat on Twitter was an unqualified success, even though I had to leave the party a little early. One of the biggest stories to come out of the conversation that isn’t being publicized enough are some of the deals available on brand-new models right now.

Perhaps none are better than the massive money off a brand-new Pontiac G8. That’s abcarchatpricingout $10,000 off both V6 and V8-powered machines.

Other GM deals to watch out for include Saturn Astras for a tad over $14,000 (regularly hovering around $20K), and virtually any Saab for about $10,000 off.

Now, these are all cash purchase prices, so expect that you’ll have to have the money up front, although no one says you can’t get a bank loan to take advantage of the deals.

Chrysler Corp also has the red pen out, slashing some of their most attractive models. The V8-powered Chrysler 300C gets a $10,500 rebate, while regular 300 models are $9,000. Dodge Charger and Viper are also up for $9,000 rebates, while the Grand Caravan/Town & Country minivan twins each get $6,000 off. The (rather awful) Chrysler Sebring Convertible gets $8,500 in savings. And that’s not including the extra cash off, extra options or extended service plan you get as well.

Is it any wonder why Chrysler was the best-selling brand in Canada last month?

Even Toyota has money available on its trucks and sport-utility vehicles, including $5,000 off of FJ Cruisers and 4Runners. Honda has $3,500 off Accords, $4,000 off the fuel-sipping CR-V, Elements and Pilots, and $4,500 off Ridgelines.

As we’ve said before, it’s a great time to be shopping, as long as you can afford it. There are more than a few winners out there to be had!

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