My Car Guru's Podcast: Recent Episodes
My Car Guru...Lennie Lawson
Lennie Lawson is a 46 year veteran of the auto industry and a real, live new car dealer...with a twist.....He tells it like it is. Whether you are buying, trading, servicing, getting repairs, curious about industry trends or just want an insider look and information to keep from making an expensive mistake, LENNIE LAWSON is the CAR Guru and the man you need to listen to and learn from.You will never hear this kind of information from the average new car dealer, salesperson or repair shop....they don't want you to know this stuff....but Lennie does. Give the Car Guru a shot, and be sure and tell your friends (but only if you like them!)
Who taught us about important car-related, survival stuff?
Unless your parents did, or you went to tech school, NOBODY DID!
Until Now.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I learned a lot about selling in my early days, like when to shut my mouth. But the best lesson I learned about selling was, that if you do it right, you will meet the nicest people in the world, many of whom will become lasting friends. Such was the case yesterday when I encountered a man who lost his job and a woman who is dying.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
My mom used to get a lot of crazy phone calls on her home phone. My father had passed away and she was not in a state of mind to filter out the bulls___. I don't know who these scammers were, but I solved the problem.
We, who are able, must protect those who are not.
This show contains some important tips for anyone who wants to protect the elderly from scammers.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Only a car geek would be interested in most car news, but when things happen that could affect every car buyer, it is my responsibility to pass it on....
....this is one of those times
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I hate acronyms. I understand the desire to abbreviate words and phrases to speed things up--that part makes sense, but when you are with someone who is throwing out acronyms like cuss words at Nascar race, then it's easy to get confused and slightly irritated.
BUT, the acronym "TSB" is one exception.....you need to hold on to that one...and I'll tell you what it means and why it is important in this episode.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I'm all for electric vehicles as long as the charging infrastructure is where I need it when I need it. I'm all for immigration....my ancestors were immigrants, but we all know that you just can't have open borders...not in this crazy world.
This stuff isn't hard folks....it's just that some people find a way to make it so...
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Old dogs pee a lot (just like old humans) and they don't care when or where they do it....at least mine doesn't.
Old cars leak a lot, but you might never know it if you aren't "alert" to the smells and sounds your car can make that indicate that something bad (and expensive) is going to happen...and soon.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
In this episode, the Car GURU answers the car questions that should get asked, but seldom do....Like why a Prius does look like a suppository, and the vital importance of AIR, and all of the ways it impacts your driving and ownership experience.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Every quarter, I go back through my listeners text messages and emails to retrieve their most frequent questions, and quite frankly, they are pretty darn good questions.
Some may say this is common sense, but the only thing common about common sense is that its not very common....especially when it comes to car things.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
This is the second of two episodes that originate from my mail bag....where listeners ask specific questions and you get an insider look at the answers. The questions come from real-life situations that car owners have.
Most don't have a clue what to do about them....that's why this show exists.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Subscription offers are coming to your car (if you buy a new one anytime soon). You will have to subscribe to things like satellite navigation, heated seats and steering wheels, self-driving technology, massaging seats and many other features.
Yes, your car may have those features and they may work for 3 months or so, but then, they stop working and YOU HAVE TO PAY in order to enjoy them further.
Make sure you understand what you are really getting with your next new car purchase.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
We had a 2018 Ford F450 stolen off of our lot 3 weeks ago. We have still not been paid for the loss. The insurance company is trying to screw me (translation: they want to pay a car dealer (me) $10,000 less than my recent trade is worth).
The fact is, the truck has gone up in value $3000 since we traded for it.
As they say around here, "That ain't happ-nin"!
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Marketing is a science. Pretty soon, thanks to Artificial Intelligence, every marketing message you see or hear will be customized to YOU...what you buy, what you read, what you value.
Learn how that happens and why it's important to defending yourself and your privacy
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
S--t happens....but much of it is preventable. In this episode, the guru let's you in on some valuable insider information on how to avoid buying a bad car and what to do if your bad car S--ts the bed.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
In this episode, I tell a story of very rare, and relatively unknown classic car and how my process of determining the value of it will be a valuable lesson for you and your car.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
There are few professions I respect more that a great mechanic or body/paint tech. These people have a level of genius that I will never attain...and I wish I had gone to shop class when I had the chance, even for the fundamental knowledge I could have had for free.......and it's not too late for your teenager.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I never did like being told what to do. I can handle an inference, a suggestion or even a hint...but don't tell me what to do...especially, what to buy with my own money.
Thats exactly what is happening in the EV space, and like other things, I ain't laying down.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
You never know who might be sitting in front of you during a job interview...that is, unless you ask the right questions and give them a chance.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
It was inevitable. As the baby boomers aged out of the realm of importance, a vestige of the past, the AM radio, was soon to follow.
In addition, this episode is about famous rivalries in the world of autos.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
The worst thing we can do is to listen to too much news, check the twitter feed or drive a car....yes, even driving a car can make you lose all sense of who you are and what you believe.
It doesn't have to be that way and we certainly don't have to give up that power to someone else.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Building a good customer buying experience is simple, but it's not easy...why? Because humans are involved. The employees are humans. The customers are humans, and sometimes, humans don't see eye to eye.
Automated phone systems, offshore out-sourcing, Amazon, CarMax, Carvana and other realities have changed the expectations of most retail customers.
In this episode, I attempt to help business owners improve their customer's experience at their business.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Yes, there is more to color than the color of skin. In fact, I'm over all of the stuff in the mainstream media and just want to talk about the COLOR OF THINGS and how it influences what we buy.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
"Pick up your room!!!! We don't live in a barn!!!"
I heard that a few times during my youth. My parents wanted me to learn how to take care of my stuff so it would last. They were the experts at making things last, that's for sure.
Making your car last is like money in the bank. You take care of it, it will repay you with years of 'trouble-free' use and good value at trade-in time.
Here are some suggestions....
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
"If you think an education is expensive, try ignorance"...source, unknown
We all learn that lesson, usually the hard way. But, you can avoid the hard way if you listen to this episode.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
"Where do you want to go eat, Honey?"
"I don't care, you pick"
"I don't want to pick....you pick!!"
...and so it goes. Sometimes we just want someone else to do the deciding.
...and, when it comes to cars, let me do the deciding for you.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
My wife invited me to a weekend away.
I had my choice of vehicles to drive.
I chose a full electric, 2023 Nissan Ariya (I know...weird name, BUT great car!)
After listening to this, all of your questions about EVs will be answered.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Free money is good, especially when there are no strings attached. It's out there, but you have to do the research to find it.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
One of the reasons I love this business is that it is weird and wacky...every day is different, every customer is different and every car is as unique as a fingerprint.
These are all reasons why you need a GUIDE.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
New cars and trucks are ridiculously expensive, and finding a creative way to get one is going to become more and more important in the future.
I have an idea....open your mind to leasing...it may just be the future of car buying.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Along with an important car title warning, I dive into the things that retail buyers crave and the things they detest.
If you own a small business, or know someone who does, you might want to listen and pass it on.
.......It would be your good deed for the day.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I am back....back from the Amelia Island Concours d Elegance (a big ass car show) and the Gooding vintage car auction, where they sold a grand total of $72 million worth of cars....two of which were purchased by me.
Come on....ride with me
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
We used to see this sign on the interstate....BEE ALERT, ARRIVE UNHURT.....My son actually thought there were bee hives that we needed to avoid.
It was really just a call to stay on your toes....something that I had to do the other day when I received a cashiers check for an item I was selling....it was a strange experience and a fake check. But the good news.... I suspected it from the beginning.
Listen and learn how to keep from getting scammed
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
99.9% of the classic cars that I have bought (and that is well into the hundreds at this point) were from owners who never got a around to finishing them.
The reasons: lack of time, lack of money and lack of total commitment to the project.
It's so exciting..... at the beginning, and then reality sets in. Listen to a few great examples and solid advice from someone who has "been there and done that" more times than even he can count.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
When you get a new car, you should want to protect it, and most people do just that until the NEW wears off.
However, there are some solutions.....there are a few things you can do to help preserve the resale value of your car even if you become negligent in your responsibilities of ownership.
Listen to this episode to educate yourself and your loved ones on the subject of "asset protection" (the asset being your car)
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
There's just something wonderful and mysterious about "found money"....it's money that you once had but lost or forgot about, or money that you never had, but luckily found.... and then there's money that you asked for (like a discount) and only got BECAUSE you asked for it.
This episode is all about "found money" and how to get more of it by simply asking
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Everyone screws up...we forget to do "this or that".
But somethings "this or that" can cost thousands and a lot of heart ache.
When it happens to your car, it can make you CarLife a whole lot more difficult.
Here is how you handle it when things go wrong.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I just have a lot on my mind, and in this episode, it just comes out of me.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I almost bought a 4 foot tall pink flamingo the other day. It was made of metal and could be used as a great prank for my friend's and neighbor's front yards. I didn't, however, because I just knew someone would steal it.
Someone wants to steal something from you that is a lot more valuable that a 4 foot tall pink flamingo, and it is....your Social Security number and date of birth. When you buy a car, they ask you for this info and a whole lot more.
In this episode, I tell you when and how to give it and when to tell them to stick it.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I have never been a fan of automated driving. I did not trust the technology or the software engineer who programmed it.....I do now.
I drove over 300 miles this past weekend, and other than a few minor adjustments, I never touched the steering wheel. That was a revelation for me......and quite fun!
Come ride along and I'll tell you about my experience and what you can expect from self-driving technology in the future.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
When we go into a business, like a restaurant or a car dealership, we have expectations.....they are either exceeded, met or we end up disappointed.
Many businesses are clueless as to why customers defect....it's because they fail at certain points on the transaction....I call them "Moments OF Truth".
Listen and learn how to be a "helpful" customer and a better business owner, whichever the case may be.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Peace Of Mind: it's a wonderful thing to have, but sometimes, you simply have to pay for it.
Certified used cars and trucks provide used car buyers with peace of mind, but you have to make sure exactly WHO is certifying it, what benefits come with certification and how much extra is it going to cost.
Listen and learn why buying a Certified Used Car may be your best decision.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
It happens....you wreck your car, and even though it seems like a minor repair, your insurance company wants to total your car rather than pay to have it fixed.
Unfortunately for you, you owe more on your car than the insurance company is willing to pay.
This scenario is very common today because cars have become so expensive to repair.
One thing every car owner needs to do is read and understand the limits of their insurance policy and consider buying GAP Insurance to protect against financial loss.
Listen to this episode and learn why.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I'm a car guy. I live and breathe CARS. Especially old ones. I love the history of the automobile because it is so intertwined with the history and growth of our great country.
So what are the the greatest and most influential cars of the last 100 years?
Listen and find out.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
It's a scary moment....the moment your teen driver takes off on their first solo drive. I remember that feeling and I also remember everything that led up to that moment.
Too many parents give their kids what they want...and when the teenager is getting their first car, getting what they want may be the biggest mistake you ever make.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
In this episode, I reveal an amazing discovery of mine and an amazing cure for your troublesome credit issues (assuming you have some)
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
We all ignore signs...stop signs, yield signs, billboard signs...there are simply too many signs to keep up with. However, there are signs, signals and warnings you must heed when your car is "talking" to you.
In this "Back to the Basics" episode, the GURU covers the key things you can do to stay out of trouble with your budget and your car.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
There are a lot of misconceptions about how rebates and incentives on new vehicles work. When the rebates come out, or simply increase, folks who bought just before the increase will often go ballistic and spew all kinds of hate toward the salesman or dealer.
Don't blame the dealer...and this episode will tell you why and other ways to protect your pocketbook when buying a new vehicle.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
When we get taken advantage of by a business, or when things just don't go right, we want them to fix it. Sometimes they can't give us exactly what we expect, but they have to do something if they expect us to ever come back. Some business owners just don't get that concept.
"Don't tell me what you can't do...tell me what you will do"--that has always been my philosophy when dealing with customers. If you own a business and deal with the public, this podcast is for you and your team
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Most people just don't know who to trust when it comes to car repair. If they've had a good experience with a mechanic, then they typically stick with them. The problem is that many mechanics move around a lot...from business to business. They are chasing a larger paycheck like most folks these days. So how do you know where you should go to get your car repaired?
Listen and learn from a Car Guru
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Sometimes, even a car Guru, who also happens to be a real, live new car dealer, has to take a break.....this was a big a__ break.
I took my bride of 45 years to Hawaii for a 7-day cruise around the islands, and other than the 9 hour flight from Atlanta to Honolulu, it was fantastic.
In this epic episode, the Car Guru takes takes you on a virtual vacation to Hawaii.
Listen and escape with a Guru
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
In this episode, learn about some of the most famous car brands that are no more...and why.
I love cars, but I didn't love the Vega or the Pinto, and especially not the Gremlin or the Pacer. Most of us can look back and name cars we didn't like (or were ashamed to be seen in)...like a Pontiac Aztec. Oh well, live moves on.
While these brands are no longer with us, they did leave a mark and the auto industry learned many lessons from them.
RIP
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I must admit ( and I'm not bragging) that I can be a popular guy in the grocery store. There's a simple reason for this popularity.... a lot of people in my small town know that I am a car dealer and if you want to know how the economy is....ask a car dealer.
I also get asked a lot of the same questions over and over again...especially when it comes to how to take care of a car. It's not rocket science, but it must be to a lot of folks. So, in this episode, I review the most common questions once and for all (probably not)
I guess that's one reason that I exist.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
We always want to be nice...but sometimes its hard.
Why don't folks take care of their stuff? Is it just the "throw-away, disposable mentality" that exists in society today?
Maybe so....but your car is an ASSET, not a blender or a rechargeable power tool....so don't treat it like one.
ASSETS are things that, if taken care off, can actually retain value, and in some cases, increase in value, but not if you don't do your part.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
It's been a tough few weeks here in GURU land. The cold weather wreaked havoc on my businesses sprinkler systems and forced me into a reconstructive mode. No, I'm not transitioning....I'm just repositioning some water lines and some of my priorities when it comes to restoring and selling cars and there's some good lessons in here for you as well.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I developed the great habit of setting New Years resolutions many years ago...a lot of people set them, but few achieve them. I am one of the latter. BUT, at least those of us who fail do take the time to step back, take a hard good look at our lives and identify the things that we need to change.....that alone is a good thing.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
A "problem car" can be a nightmare for the car owner. Life becomes less predictable when your transportation is unreliable. It screws up your CAR LIFE.
A car is considered a LEMON in Federal and State law ONLY under certain circumstances. As a consumer, knowing what to do and how to do it is the key to solving the problem and getting your CAR LIFE back.
Listen and learn from a real, live new car dealer who tells it like it is.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Nobody likes to be shamed by an auto mechanic, or a smart a__ salesman. Listen to this episode, and in under 23 minutes, you will learn everything you need to know about how your engine works.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Winter is upon us in a big way.
Are you ready?
More importantly....is your car or truck ready??
This podcast could save your life....literally.....and freezing is no way to go. Find out the things you really need to pay attention to regarding winter prep for your car and about how your ability to stop your car is dependent on what you know about brakes......and when I'm done with you, you will know a lot more than you did.
Lennie Lawson, The CAR GURU
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
In this Platinum, Christmas, New Year, Extravaganza Podcast (wow!), the CAR GURU, Lennie Lawson, explains how the automobile, perfected in the 20th century, created and transformed just about everything that we now know, use and take for granted in the modern world.
In addition, there are tips that could save your butt when transferring ownership of a car.
That's a lot of content to squeeze in about 22 minutes....but he did it.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Where to buy a pre-owned car and from whom? That is the question....
A lot of people say CARMAX, or Carvana, or Billy Bob's Used Car Emporium.....but the best place to buy a used car is where they sell new cars and take trade ins.
In this episode, the GURU lifts the veil on the used car business and provides some insider information on used cars, certified used cars and how to stay in control of the deal.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I do have a crystal ball. I also know how to use it.
My crystal ball is limited however....it only sees the future of the automobile and how it will affect our future CAR LIFE.
From Electric cars to self-driving technology......from the fate of internal combustion engines to cars with no steering wheels....The Car GURU takes on the auto industry and government regulators that are doing their best to screw up everything that is good with modern transportation.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Sometimes it's an uphill battle trying to decide what to buy for some people for Christmas. If they are a car lover, listen to this episode and it will be a lot easier.
Car lovers love things that help them take care of their car, keep it looking new or make it look unique and special. You just can't go wrong with a cool tool.
In this episode, the CAR GURU sheds some light on great gifts for the car lover....and just in time for Amazon delivery to make it before Christmas.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
In the "sellers" car market that has existed the last two years, JUNK FEES have proliferated...and the Federal Trade Commission has noticed.
Window sticker add-ons, last minute surprises, hidden charges and worthless "protection packages" have driven up the cost of buying new cars for the average consumer.
The sad part is, if you aren't paying close attention, some car dealers will just slide some junk fees and products into your monthly payment and you won't even realize it.
In this episode, I outline the things you need to look for and how to deal with those bandits who are trying to get into your pocketbook.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Buying a used car can be hazardous to your health...and your financial health. The stress of buying a car is bad enough already. The stress of owning a bad car, or having been deceived, is even worse.
In this very important broadcast, Lennie lays down the law on buying, selling and trading a used car. Listen, and then pass it on.
Good things become great things when we pass them on.
The CAR GURU
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
Your car is the most important thing (device, tool, appliance) that you own. If it doesn't work OR you pay more than you should to acquire it, then you either had no advice or bad advice during your decision making process.
Listen to this episode and learn why you need a car guru, why I decided to become an EV (electric vehicle) dealer (reluctantly) and how failing to change your timing belt in time can ruin your car life BIG TIME.
Listen and learn what nobody else will teach you.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
It's a love-hate relationship....you and your mechanic, that is.
He knows there are 10 simple things you can do to prevent the most common and expensive car repairs from happening. But, he knows that most people won't listen, and he loves making money because of it.
You hate to hear the bad news...he loves to deliver it......see...LOVE-HATE.
Listen to this podcast, because HE doesn't want you to....
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read "I'm Blessed"
You hear that a lot, but lately, it strikes me a little differently... because how do you know if you are "Blessed", and who "Blessed" you?
Will you feel blessed when tragedy strikes?
Why did you get blessed and others didn't?
And most important of all, how do you even define the word?
So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I decided to dive into the "blessing" discussion by looking at two key principles: Gratitude and Thankfulness......because I believe that these two concepts are at the core of feeling "blessed".
So let's jump in.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
The FTC should change its name. They could still use the same three letters, they would just mean something different....The FEDERAL TRUTH COMMISSION instead of the Federal TRADE Commission.
Just imagine if every business claim was true....you could actually grow your hair back. You could make those wrinkles disappear forever. You could buy a new car for $199 per month!
Wouldn't that be great?
Listen to this episode and find out how the new FTC rules could help you on your next car purchase.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
According to the Ford Motor Company, about two million of you fine folks are going to go electric in 2025....they hope you will go electric in the all new Ford F150 Lightning truck for the Mach E Mustang SUV.
I reserved one of these electron-eating machines in July 2022...that cost me $100. Yesterday, Ford notified me that it was time to order my truck and kindly send them $500 more as a deposit (I didn't tell them I was a Ford dealer, but you think they would know that???)
Anyway, in this episode, I explain how easy it is to spend $90,000+ in just a few easy keystrokes. Maybe there's a lesson here for you.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
This episode is full of it....I mean full of car information and cool analogies. Like why buying a mattress and buying a car is a similar experience in more ways than one.
And what's so special about the Shelby name? Nothing, unless you love Mustangs.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I have trained a lot of people how to sell...not just cars, but anything.
In truth, everyone sells something. They sell an idea to someone they live with or work with. They sell themselves during a job interview. They sell a girl on the idea of going on a first date. They sell their kids on the value of being responsible.
WE ARE ALL SALESPEOPLE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER
The problem with most people is they are selling the wrong thing first...they try to close the deal before the customer is ready to say yes.
Three sales have to be made, and made in the right order. If you don't sell these three things, the product (or idea, or plan) won't get sold.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
The root word of "ignorant" is "ignore".
I'm "ignorant" about a lot of things like calculus, electricity, plumbing, nuclear physics......But too many car buyers ignore the really important aspects of a car deal. They don't understand what the unscrupulous salesperson is actually up to when they switch the buyers focus to the monthly payment, and the innocent ends up getting ripped off.
The dictionary defines ignorant as: "lacking knowledge, information, or awareness of a particular thing."
The favorite prey (as in fresh meat) of a dishonest car salesperson and/or a dishonest dealer organization is the ignorant car buyer. Listen to this podcast....it is educational and it is insurance against the most common rip-off in the car industry.
Email Lennie at mycarguru2020@gmail.com
I know...catchy title, but it really sums up this broadcast. One of the fastest ways to lose everything is to be under-insured when it comes to liability coverage.
In this episode, Lennie provides you an easy answer to sleeping better and not worrying about getting sued. Plus, learn the secret power behind relationships with the people who can make your CAR-LIFE run a lot better.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
Electric vehicles....they are all the automotive industry wants to talk about these days. Automakers have bought into the GREEN mindset "hook, line and sinker".
Going EV involves many changes to your budget, your lifestyle, how you travel and, in some cases, becoming more dependent (and vulnerable) to government regulation.
Who controls electric rates?....government and quasi-government agencies....not independent companies. Who controls the light switch? THEY DO.
In this episode, Lennie delves in to the cost of going EV. Listen, learn and pass it on.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
We all have to learn how to "protect our flanks"----They teach that in military school, but they need to teach the concept to all students in every school.
"Protecting your flank" is all about being prepared, thinking ahead and understanding the possibilities--positive and negative. Too many people buy cars before they find out the total cost to own it, including fuel costs, insurance costs, maintenance costs, reliability issues and more.
This is an episode for the folks who prefer to just "wing it" and hope for the best, even though experience teaches otherwise
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
Everyone has an opinion, and a few other things, and this is mine. There are certain features of the modern automobile that are indispensable......to me.
You probably have your own list, but maybe there is a feature on my list you haven't thought about that could change your life forever! (well, that may be a stretch, but you get the point)
Listen and learn about features that the Car Guru, and maybe you, can't live without.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
"When should I trade cars?"
"When is the best time of year to buy a new car?"
"How often should I change my oil or have a front-end alignment?"
"How can you tell if a salesman or mechanic is lying to you?"
These are just a few of the many car-related questions I get asked quite often, either through emails and text messages from listeners to the "MyCarGuru" daily radio show, or out in the showroom of my new car dealership.
In this episode, I answer some recent, and common questions from the mailbox that might just be the same question you would ask, if you only knew someone who would answer themhonestly.....and now you do.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
I've seen too many people lose lots of money because they did not understand how to properly handle these car titling scenarios:
- You bought a car but the title still shows a lien (a loan against it)
- You lost the original title and need a new one
- You sold a car several years ago and now you are being sued because it was involved in a serious accident
- You gave a car to a relative and now they are stuck paying sales tax
- You traded your car at a dealership with a lien, but it never got paid off....oh my!
All of these scenarios are possible and avoidable if you have the right information and take the right action...and you will have it in 23 minutes or less if you listen up.
..and it's my pleasure......Lennie Lawson, The CAR GURU
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
Quite frankly, there are a lot of things I see in peoples cars (since I do own and operate a car dealership) that I wish I could UN-SEE....but it seems that the "erase feature" in my brain only works on things I am supposed to remember.
That being said, there are several very important items that everyone who owns and operates a car should remember to have in their car at all times....and especially with a few items for when the temperatures drop.
In this podcast, we go over that list and review some important skills that every car owner should have.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
Most salespeople at car dealerships are well-trained. They know what questions to ask in order to maximize two things: the NUMBER of cars they sell AND the PROFIT they make on each one.
If you are car shopping at a very aggressive, high pressure dealership and you answer any of these five questions in the wrong way, you will end up paying too much for the car....guaranteed.
In this episode, Lennie lets listeners in on the secret (but effective) tactics that many unscrupulous salespeople use to close more deals and make more money when they aren't entitled to either.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
I'll admit it....I have a relatively small platform to do my thing as a CAR GURU. I have a new car dealership with 65 employees, a radio show that reaches several thousand folks a day and a podcast that reaches out even further. But I learned a long time ago the value and importance of "helping just one".......If I can help just one person with a financial decision, one person with a life decision or one person just looking for comfort or some positivity in their life, then that is what I am called to do.
In this episode, I give a recent example of a car buyer who bought from a dealer in a nearby town and had a severe case of buyers remorse....and for good reason. I also wanted to reflect on a few examples of how we, as Christian business owners and influencers, can use our "platform", whatever size it is, to do something good for others.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
I'll admit it....I've never had the windows tinted on any car I have ever owned.
What the factory does has always been enough for me. Plus, If I need to flip somebody off, I want them to be able to see me do it. (just kidding)
The truth is.... I'm old and in the minority on this issue...and thank goodness.
Window tinting is a hot and growing business and definitely has value to the folks who can't live without it. Quite frankly, there's a lot more upside than downside, and in this episode, I do my best to shed some extra light through those deeply tinted (and probably illegal) windows out there.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
This podcast is a reflection of the past.
I just saw a name on Facebook that I haven't seen in 50 years. He was one of my brother's best friends, so I had to reach out to him and get reacquainted. I do that periodically...reach back in time to get reacquainted with history, including the car business.
We have come a long way since Henry and his Model T (models A through Z were failures) and thank goodness our past was full of inventors, engineers and business-minded folks who were always working to make the automobiles we drive perform better, be more reliable and keep us safer.....it's just when the government gets involved that things have gone a little sideways.
Maybe can learn a lesson or two from our past....if we take the time to study it.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
Our time is the most precious gift we can give to someone else. Spending time with my grandchildren can often be exasperating, but when we work on a project together and actually build something, a connection is formed that can last a lifetime....that's why I got into building LEGO cars.
In addition to this familia advice, I talk about how car-tech may be making our car-life more complicated and how to navigate around a pushy car salesman....all that and more just for you.
Email Lennie at Lennielawson2020@gmail.com
We know, "opinions are like a_____, everyone has one", but in this episode, Lennie digs deep into automotive history and his driving experiences to pick his 10BEST vehicles to drive....(and he's driven them all).....And, as bonus offer, he includes the 10BEST vehicles of all time just to sit and look at.
If you love cars, check out his list and then let him know what you think and what your favorites are. Email lennie at lennielawson2020@gmail.com
Email Lennie at LENNIELAWSON2020@GMAIL.COM
In this episode, Lennie gives money saving advice to car owners....including when they get the "warranty offer of a lifetime" in the mail.
In addition, Lennie has narrowed down some key habits of car owners that cost them the most money on maintenance and repairs.
Call this the "car-savings account" episode, because it will save you thousands if you listen, and change your habits
The short answer to that question is "maybe", but probably not. Especially if the car requires restoration. The truth is, most restoration intentions are never fulfilled. Life gets in the way and most well intentioned "restorers" never really have the stamina to make it to the finish line....plus they usually run out of money first.
In this episode, Lennie offers some "not-so-common" sense on buying old cars, whether doing it for an investment, to make a quick buck or just for nostalgia sake.
Anyone of those reasons may be valid, but you have to be careful....and let logic override your emotion.
PS. We all struggle with that...
It's true....the actor who portrayed Tommy Boy, a Chippendale's Dancer and Matt Foley (who lived in a van down by the river) on Saturday Night Live IS NOT the CEO of Ford...No, Chris Farley is not...but his cousin Jim Farley is. (You could win a trivia quiz with that little tidbit).
In this episode, Lennie discusses even more relevant trivia and provides insight on getting a good deal on a car when good deals are few and far between. "Sometimes, asking for a discount is a waste of breath, but throwing the salesman a "curve ball" in the form of a unique request may get you some freebies you weren't expecting".
Listen and learn from a genuine Car Guru.
The liberal media machine loves to talk about "carbon footprints" these days. I guess a good definition for a "carbon footprint" would be the amount of carbon dioxide you emit, and carbon-based fuels you burn, while doing what you do....like driving a car, heating your home or flying your private jet to Monaco.
I'm NOT going to do my share when it comes to carbon emissions, and I'm not sorry about it. I probably only have about 20-25 more decent years on this planet, and beyond that, I've got no real affinity for icebergs or polar bears.
So, I'm going to drive my Porsche too fast, go to car races, turn the heat up and sell as many diesel Ford trucks as I can.
--Lennie does rant some about the aforementioned environmental dilemma, but he also talks about the importance of research when buying anything expensive, like a car or a 37' Motor Home.
"There's oil and gas in them there hills"...at least that's what my daddy told me when he instructed me to start paying property taxes on 1200 acres of land in West Virginia. Apparently, his relatives sold the land but kept the mineral rights, and maybe, just maybe, the gusher will happen.
"In the mean time, there's a lot of real money sitting out there that is yours to claim...but only if you remember to claim it".
In this episode, Lennie explains cancellations of after-sale products and how to get money back when you trade cars.
This is why its important to have a CAR GURU on your side.
All jokes aside, your ears are your best defense against a major automotive repair bill, but if you are not listening, your next call could be to the towing company.
In the episode, Lennie discusses two money saving, and "car-life" enhancing strategies for every car owner:
1. How to listen to your car AND common things to listen for in order to prevent huge repair bills
....and as a special bonus.....
**2. How to make sure you get superior service when you wreck your car...from the insurance company and the repair shop.
Listen, learn and save**
In this episode, Lennie and the family are headed to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to go "Glamping".....better known as Glamorous Camping. The Margaritaville RV Resort is his destination, but he wants to be safe and get to watch Tennessee beat Florida.......So, towing considerations are on his mind as well as answering some serious questions from car buyers about avoiding some common car buying mistakes.
It's five o'clock somewhere....so listen in and enjoy riding with Lennie, The Car GURU
I wasn't feeling well. I had a slight cough, body aches and the sniffles...."Have you had a covid test?", the strange lady in the elevator asked as she looked at me with disdain.
"No, I have not....have you?", I replied, slightly insulted by the question
She replied, "NO! I'm not the one coughing in the elevator..."
Maybe someday, we won't have to deal with this crap, and a cold will just be...a cold, but in the mean time, we just have to deal with it. In this episode, a slightly under-the-weather Car Guru is headed to the car auction to attempt to compete with the power of the internet. Buying cars today is as hard (and expensive) on the car dealer as it is on the consumer.
Just like any business, the auto business requires certain fundamental skills, knowledge and experience in order for a dealer to be successful....and liking cars is not one of them. Some of the most successful car dealers in the country could care less about cars. They care about people (customers and employees), they know what it takes to make a business successful and they have the capital ($$$$$) to fund the operations...and it takes a lot of capital.In this episode, Lennie talks about the auto industry, what it takes to be a new car dealer (no convicted felons) and the power of "the factory" over what goes on at your local, neighborhood car dealership.
"One day I figured something out. After suffering through everything from minor setbacks to the loss of a child, I came to the conclusion that a big part of living is learning to live with loss"
"We lose our youth. Some of us lose our cognitive abilities, some find ingenious ways to throw away money and lose homes, cars, investments, and ultimately, their lifestyle"
"Life is about loss...AND....about how to overcome loss and keep on moving forward".
--Lennie Lawson
In this episode, Lennie talks about how things are changing faster than any human can keep up with....and that "keeping up" is often a waste of time and energy. Your Car-Life can be made a lot easier (and a lot less costly) if you follow some simple guidelines. These guidelines apply to life and to our financial health...we just need to empower them to keep us "between the lines" and out of the ditch.
"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive"...Sir Walter Scott.
Traditional dealer advertising is loaded with half-truths and outright falsehoods. Unfortunately, these practices have endured because they work.
The most important thing a buyer can do is to not fall for the wrong things....fall for a beautiful car that fits your lifestyle AND NOT for a false promise.
In this episode, Lennie lays out the most frequently used "deceptive phrases", what they really mean and how they can be used to take advantage of a novice car buyer.
Listen and pass it on.
Ethics matter...but they don't to a lot of people in the car business, especially the ones in the high pressure sales departments at a lot of dealerships today. There is a strategy that will defeat even the worst "bandits" in our industry.
In this priceless episode, The Car Guru explains how to WIN in the negotiation game and keep the wolves at bay. Some (not all) just want your money and their commission and could care less if they ever see you again.....many hope they won't.
The average person spends $750,000 in their lifetime on automotive related products. If you want to spend less...listen and learn.
I read a book several years ago titled "The Myth of Excellence" written by Fred Crawford and Ryan Mathews. At that time, I was struggling during a difficult period in the car business and was trying to figure out how I could change my business plan to differentiate it from my competitors.
Everyone advertised "price, price, price" and the customers just weren't responding.
This book opened my eyes to perspectives and possibilities that I had never considered...that I didn't have to compete just on price.
Yes....I had to offer competitive pricing, but I could also focus on other things that my potential customers could relate to and appreciate. **I could give them other reasons to choose me!
In this episode, I want to encourage all business owners to make a decision....**When you look at the attributes of Price, Product, Service, Access and Experience, which one is your most important business attribute? Which one is second?....and while all of them matter, which ones could you afford to be at least better than average at?
....Because the truth is, you can't (and don't need to) be great at everything.
Lennie Lawson...businessman (and Car Guru)
Lennie has sold a lot of cars.....well over 75,000 over his career as a car dealer. Most of his sales were to strangers, who later became friends and repeat customers. But none of that would have happened if he had taken a lot of shortcuts, not been reliable and/or not bothered to follow-up when he had a new opportunity.
The number one reason salespeople fail is because they fail to follow-up.
The number two reason is because they see sales as a "part-time job" and refuse to take it seriously.
In this episode, Lennie talks about his biggest sale ever to a man he has never met face to face. It is a lesson in salesmanship and relationships...which go hand in hand in a successful sales career.
"Occasionally, I am wrong....but, I am a big boy and I am willing to eat my crow in public."
"I thought Ford was out to get their dealers and turn them into dinosaurs."
"But...I was wrong, and it took an incredible experience in Las Vegas to find out the truth."
----Lennie Lawson, The Car Guru
In this episode, Lennie talks about the future of the car business and the truth about electric vehicle adoption and what will happen to the internal combustion engine....and when.
Few things are more frustrating than owning a problem car. We rely on our cars for so much in modern society, that when they break, our lives breakdown too.
The purpose of this episode is to make sure you know what your rights are when it comes to problem vehicles and to make sure you understand the limitations of different kinds of warranties and service contracts.
Too many car buyers settle for TOO LITTLE. One of the reasons for that is that they don't treat their car with the respect that a seller should. If you were putting your car in the front yard with a "For Sale" sign in it, wouldn't you wash it first? Well....why don't customers do that when they try to trade at a new car dealership?
In this episode, Lennie provides advice that could mean thousands of dollars in YOUR POCKET just by taking care of a few things your car needs before you go car shopping.
Learning to listen....its always been a problem of mine. Just ask my wife.
But something that I have always listened to (and never intentionally ignore) is my transportation. Yes...I listen to the sounds my car or truck is making because I know that abnormal sounds can strand me by the side of the road and cost me a lot of money....even if I do own a car dealership.
In this episode, I discuss CAR SOUNDS that you should listen for and what they probably mean.
So get the wax and distractions out of the way and start listening to your car!
Just who do you thing you are? Well, when you are paying the repair bill or getting warranty service, you are the most important person in the world to that business....at least at that particular moment.
YOU are the customer...and If you aren't treated right, you will defect.
Just what are you entitled to? In this episode, Lennie discusses what happens, vs what should happen, when you go in for service, whether it's a new car dealership or an independent repair shop...or any business for that matter.
So, let's go for a ride down a road that we all have to take every now and then.
From Ransom Olds to Henry Ford....from John DeLorean to Lee Iacocca....the men behind the cars of the last 100 years turned ideas into a new realities for American drivers. Sometimes, their new creations led to societal changes beyond any reasonable expectations.
The Model T started out as an appliance you could buy from a catalog and became a symbol of freedom and personal mobility. The Mustang changed the way Americans look at a car and changed the driving culture in a myriad of ways.
In this episode, Lennie looks back 120+ years and identifies the most iconic cars from each decade since 1900.
With a little money and moderate effort, you can protect the paint on your car and keep it beautiful for several years, OR you can spend a lot of money and keep it looking new forever.
In this episode, Lennie discusses paint protection products and the value of OEM (original equipment manufactured) parts. He also explains the downside of using an automatic car wash.
Exciting stuff....(maybe not)...but it is something every car owner needs to know.
It happens....You still owe money on your current car and you go trade it for a new one. After 30 happy days in your new car, you get a delinquency notice from the bank where you financed....the old car! Now you have TWO car payments to make.....what happened?
In this episode, Lennie discusses how to protect yourself from a dishonest dealer who doesn't payoff trade-in loans.....this is a common problem which can be prevented if you follow these simple instructions.
A lot of people do podcasts...some actually know what they are talking about. Lennie Lawson is an actual new car dealer with a twist...he tells it like it is.
In the world we live in, there is no substitute for experience and the ability to network and form lasting relationships with people who can help us, whether it's a plumber, a lawyer or a car dealer.
In this episode, Lennie talks about how he became a Car Guru and how you can, and should, develop a dependable source of information for your family's automotive-related questions.
A little extra knowledge about car dealer games and tricks can save you thousands of dollars.....that's right...THOUSANDS. And every $1000 you save drops your car payment $25-$30 per month.
The Federal Trade Commission has recently passed some new rules for car dealers with regards to deceptive advertising and predatory auto financing practices.....but it may come too late to help you.
In this podcast, a real-live new car dealer tells you what to look out for the next time you shop for, and buy a new or used car.
Sometimes it helps to have a Car GURU on your side......and I'm glad to help.
Lennie Lawson, The Car GURU
Your credit score represents an opportunity OR and obstacle....it's totally your choice. Too many people fall victim to a bad credit score when it is their bad habits and poor judgement that is causing it. In this episode, Lennie explains how credit impacts the "freedom to choose" and the "ability to pay" for the things we want to buy.
Where does the Beacon Score come from? How does it affect my rate? What can I do to fix my low score and get back on track?
Learn the answers to these questions and more from the GURU himself.
When you have car trouble, or otherwise unreliable transportation, it puts a giant kink in your everyday life. Lennie has some helpful information to insure your car-life stays on track, even when the odds seem like they against you.....it helps to have a Car Guru on your side.
I have bought and sold more cars that most humans alive or dead...when you do what I do for over 44 years, that is not an outrageous claim to make. What is even more outrageous is how often innocent people make terrible car buying decisions when they avoid the dealer and buy from an individual.
In this episode, Lennie offers some very important advice on how to keep from getting screwed on a car deal when you buy from an individual, whether online or in-person.
Lennie Lawson has been in the car business since 1978 (when he had "big hair" and bell bottoms) so he knows what buyers face when they go car shopping. There are simple reasons why buying a car is so stressful and most of it is the fault of car dealers.
In this episode, Lennie gives some very helpful tips to take control of the car buying experience and make buying a car a lot more fun....like it should be.
In this episode, Lennie talks "Four-Wheel Fundamentals" and how you don't have to be a mechanic to understand how the cooling system works on your vehicle and just how important it is to the life and longevity of your engine.
Should you have the system "flushed"? How often? By whom?
....Lennie has the answers in this episode of MY CAR GURU
Someone is always trying to get something from somebody else. That's one of the many downfalls of living in the age of multi-media scams. Whether by letter, postcard, email, infomercial or robocalls, one of the worst scams involves the sale of extended warranties (service contracts) on cars.
Lennie takes the fear and uncertainty out of everything automotive and today he tackles warranty solicitations and the dealership finance office. Learn what to avoid and how to know if there is any real value in all of those after sale products.
I like most new car dealers....partly because I AM ONE and because most are good, honest businessmen and women trying to run a business. BUT, there are some bandits out there and they give all car dealers a bad name. Sometimes it's just some bad characters who work for good dealers (there are bad apples in every bunch).
So, what is an innocent car shopper to do?
Some pundits are calling for the end of the current dealer/factory model and going to direct sales like Tesla.
I'M NOT THERE YET
Lennie Lawson, a real-live new car dealer and a CAR GURU, has some tips and techniques to give the CAR BUYER the advantage against a predatory car salesman/dealer. This episode is part of a series of educational podcasts on how to save money on a new car purchase.
I'll admit it...occasionally, my podcasts are like surfing...I go where the waves take me. In this edition I discuss the difference between a car show and a concours, some classic car auto auction stories (with the rich and famous) and the dealer franchise system that is currently under threat.
Come on...let's go for a ride
When you wreck your car, your insurance company is supposed to pay for repairs that return your car to its "pre-collision state", right? Well it doesn't always work out that way. Your vehicle value and condition can drop significantly unless you ask the right questions and know what to look for. In this podcast, Lennie provides vital points for anyone dealing with body damage and paint repairs. Listen, learn and pass it on.
Anyone who wrecks their car needs to listen to this BEFORE they hand their car over to a body shop.
Too many people know far too little about their cars and the basic operation. (it's really not that boring) A little bit of knowledge can help you protect your automotive investment and save you money when you take it to the shop. Lennie begins a series of Podcasts about how to keep from getting ripped off by unscrupulous repair shop operators and mechanics who often rely on the ignorance of car owners to make more money.
It's scary out there in "car-buying land". Dealers are charging more, but customers are paying more. How much is too much? Lennie gives some insight into "car-flation" (He made that term up) and how to avoid some of the traps car buyers step into and what you can do when the dealers tries to "getcha". Listen up and save.....what else you gotta do for the next 23 minutes?
Innovation is what drives progress, or that’s what some folks would like us to think. Wouldn’t it be great if the innovators would just find something else to do? In this episode, Lennie offers up some leadership advice, some nostalgia and some reflection on the “electric car” revolution we find ourselves struggling to comprehend.
Buying a used car is fraught with hazards and pitfalls, but not if you know what to look for and how to “really” protect yourself. In this show from the archives, Lennie shares some of his 44 years worth of experience as a dealer so you can protect your money and your sanity.
Everyone knows what bad service feels like and looks like....What do you do when you get your own taste of bad service? Lennie has some pointers that may help and also the best plan of action for dealing with it when it happens to you.
Lennie almost got CREAMED by a man running a red light yesterday....so he is on a mission: to ID the top causes of auto accidents and offer some tips to avoid them.
Most people don’t know anything about their car and how it truly operates. Getting to know your car is easy as long as you have a Car Guru to guide you….and that Guru is ME