Thursday, October 8, 2009
2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Ride and Drive October 28th
As of October 28th, I will be personally familar with the new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour.
In usual Honda manner, it doesn't quite look like other CUV's, but you can tell from the new pictures the interior will be fantastic quality. I have several customers lining up for the first Crosstour's we get and the general age group is 40-70's.
I look forward to offering the Crosstour as a alternative to the CR-V and a smaller subgroup of younger customers as a bigger version of the Fit. On a side note, I really hope you can flat tow this like the CR-V!
I like how they blended the Ridgeline's in bed trunk into the rear of the cargo floor. That was a smooth move on Honda's part. As always with Honda, less is truly more and quality over quantity is number 1.
I will have a full report on my personal thoughts and driving impressions on the Crosstour late on the 28th after I get back from Tacoma during Honda's Ride and Drive event for consultants.
Till then!
Pictures: Honda.com
In usual Honda manner, it doesn't quite look like other CUV's, but you can tell from the new pictures the interior will be fantastic quality. I have several customers lining up for the first Crosstour's we get and the general age group is 40-70's.
I look forward to offering the Crosstour as a alternative to the CR-V and a smaller subgroup of younger customers as a bigger version of the Fit. On a side note, I really hope you can flat tow this like the CR-V!
I like how they blended the Ridgeline's in bed trunk into the rear of the cargo floor. That was a smooth move on Honda's part. As always with Honda, less is truly more and quality over quantity is number 1.
I will have a full report on my personal thoughts and driving impressions on the Crosstour late on the 28th after I get back from Tacoma during Honda's Ride and Drive event for consultants.
Till then!
Pictures: Honda.com
The Western Conference Centers Vs. the new Greg Oden
Greg Oden has the flash. His time is coming and over the next 5 years he will peak. With health as the main issue, barring injury Oden could produce some David Robinson/Hakeem Olajuwon type numbers. His ability to learn the game of basketball is the key to his success and with Maurice Lucas as one of his many mentors, the opportunity to do such a thing is there.
Right now I think we are seeing the dawn of a new age of great centers. Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, Brook Lopez, Al Horford, and Andris Bierdrins are several young names that pop up in the top 10 for center Pers and all are 23 or under. Not to mention the arrival of several high profile Forward Centers like Blake Griffin.
Oden has played two preseason games where he looked the monster he is supposed to become. Averaging about 20 points and 10 boards in mid 20-minutes with minimal bad fouls and good free throw shooting are what the Blazers are looking for.
If the Blazers are going to make it to the Western Conference Finals and challenge for a spot to get the Title this year, G.O. has to get through several tough centers out west. This is a comparison of match ups with Oden and his top Western Conference counterparts.
Nene Hilario/Chris Andersen Denver - Both are fast, defensive minded and experienced. Oden will enjoy a height advantage but with the leaps of these guys - problems could be exploited on the foul end and look for both to try and pick the ball. Going straight at this guys and getting them into foul trouble is the solution. Getting Oden low in the block or off the screen to lob with Miller will be difficult for them to defend. His new jump hook brings the ball away from either defender underneath the basket for a easy bank hook that you can't defend without a double team Advantage: Oden
Chris Kaman/Marcus Camby LA Clippers - Who knows right? Both of these guys uninjured vs. Oden and the Vanilla Gorilla Pryzbilla may be tied for toughest starting/reserve center combo in the league. All are rebounding block monsters and shot swatters. I like the Clippers out west, but if Oden can draw them out with his foul line jumper and then position himself first on the block on the defensive end he should have the advantage thanks to his athleticism and strength. Advantage: Oden
Andrew Bynum - LA Lakers - 2008's next great center. His year was held back due to injuries and he is the one guy in the conference that can match the size of Oden. But he is not a great rebounder and probably won't see minutes in crunch time. Bynum's success is on the offensive glass and low block position. By fighting Bynum in the beginning of the play at the free throw line for position will eliminate his high percentage shots around the basket and allow Oden the easy defensive rebound on a miss. Advantage: Oden
Mehmet Okur - Utah Jazz - Mehmet Okur is not exactly a defensive minded junkie. In fact his strengths mirror that of most guards, steals and 3's. His a below average rebounder and Oden will be to much for him down low in the block. Boozer figures to step in once Okur gets into foul trouble and will find himself dealing with the pick and roll of Miller/Oden that he is to small to stop. Advantage: Oden
Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs - With Yao's injured foot, he is once again the sole elite Center out west. The Big Fundamental does all the right things and knows how to play the game of basketball. Good timing however for Oden, Timmy is at the end of his long 4 ring career but has yet to drop off yet with production. It is coming though, and that will parallel with Duncan's overall health. Over the next few years Oden will surpass Tim in production and Per - maybe even this year. Right now, Oden will need to play to his strength's against Tim because Tim has the huge advantage of being a top 10 basketball IQ to make up for his lack of physical prowess. Oden has height, athletic ability and speed vs. Duncan. The overall advantage at this moment is with Tim, but if they meet in the post season, the bet will be a healthy Oden, vs. a injured Duncan for the Blazers to be completely successful this year again San Antonio. Advantage: Duncan for now or Oden with a Duncan injury.
Right now I think we are seeing the dawn of a new age of great centers. Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, Brook Lopez, Al Horford, and Andris Bierdrins are several young names that pop up in the top 10 for center Pers and all are 23 or under. Not to mention the arrival of several high profile Forward Centers like Blake Griffin.
Oden has played two preseason games where he looked the monster he is supposed to become. Averaging about 20 points and 10 boards in mid 20-minutes with minimal bad fouls and good free throw shooting are what the Blazers are looking for.
If the Blazers are going to make it to the Western Conference Finals and challenge for a spot to get the Title this year, G.O. has to get through several tough centers out west. This is a comparison of match ups with Oden and his top Western Conference counterparts.
Nene Hilario/Chris Andersen Denver - Both are fast, defensive minded and experienced. Oden will enjoy a height advantage but with the leaps of these guys - problems could be exploited on the foul end and look for both to try and pick the ball. Going straight at this guys and getting them into foul trouble is the solution. Getting Oden low in the block or off the screen to lob with Miller will be difficult for them to defend. His new jump hook brings the ball away from either defender underneath the basket for a easy bank hook that you can't defend without a double team Advantage: Oden
Chris Kaman/Marcus Camby LA Clippers - Who knows right? Both of these guys uninjured vs. Oden and the Vanilla Gorilla Pryzbilla may be tied for toughest starting/reserve center combo in the league. All are rebounding block monsters and shot swatters. I like the Clippers out west, but if Oden can draw them out with his foul line jumper and then position himself first on the block on the defensive end he should have the advantage thanks to his athleticism and strength. Advantage: Oden
Andrew Bynum - LA Lakers - 2008's next great center. His year was held back due to injuries and he is the one guy in the conference that can match the size of Oden. But he is not a great rebounder and probably won't see minutes in crunch time. Bynum's success is on the offensive glass and low block position. By fighting Bynum in the beginning of the play at the free throw line for position will eliminate his high percentage shots around the basket and allow Oden the easy defensive rebound on a miss. Advantage: Oden
Mehmet Okur - Utah Jazz - Mehmet Okur is not exactly a defensive minded junkie. In fact his strengths mirror that of most guards, steals and 3's. His a below average rebounder and Oden will be to much for him down low in the block. Boozer figures to step in once Okur gets into foul trouble and will find himself dealing with the pick and roll of Miller/Oden that he is to small to stop. Advantage: Oden
Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs - With Yao's injured foot, he is once again the sole elite Center out west. The Big Fundamental does all the right things and knows how to play the game of basketball. Good timing however for Oden, Timmy is at the end of his long 4 ring career but has yet to drop off yet with production. It is coming though, and that will parallel with Duncan's overall health. Over the next few years Oden will surpass Tim in production and Per - maybe even this year. Right now, Oden will need to play to his strength's against Tim because Tim has the huge advantage of being a top 10 basketball IQ to make up for his lack of physical prowess. Oden has height, athletic ability and speed vs. Duncan. The overall advantage at this moment is with Tim, but if they meet in the post season, the bet will be a healthy Oden, vs. a injured Duncan for the Blazers to be completely successful this year again San Antonio. Advantage: Duncan for now or Oden with a Duncan injury.
Monday, July 13, 2009
1 Week Til Vacation!
I am entirely looking forward to my 10 days off at the end of this month for my vacation. With my average two weeks at work totaling around 110-120 hours, even a extra day off seems like forever.
I will be turning off my phone, not checking my email and generally just kicking it with the fam. We are going to up to Long Beach, probably shop a lot (we need a new computer) and play with the kids. I also have several projects that I have been putting off for months now.
Although not my favorite if I don't do something about these blackberry's in my backyard I will be in trouble next year. We used to just hit em up with the gasoline in the sprayer and burn them. Unfortunently I don't live in the woods anymore and I doubt my neighbors would like me to burn their houses down too.
Honda has special deals running right now on the Civic's, Accords and CR-V's through the end of this month and the cash for clunkers gov't trade in allowance starts officially on the 24th. Also Washington buyers don't have to pay ANY sales tax on new hybrids that get over 40 mpg before the 31st of this month. I've got a small but nice supply of 2010 Insights and 2009 Civic Hybrids for those of you interested.
My crew at work has been on a tear lately. It's been all about quality, not quantity. I'm leading the board right now and if I'm lucky I'll rock out this week and put enough distance between me and 2nd place. It would be too funny if I take a 10 day vacation AND get salesman of the month. One can always hope I guess. Traffic at the lot has been good, 4th of July weekend was slow as mollasses but then really picked up wedsnesday through monday. Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Cash for Clunkers
So the gov't has instituated cash for clunkers. So far, I've got two real solid car deals lined up with deposits set to go on the 24th. Of course, then I realized 'crap, I have my surgery on the 24th'. Hopefully I can get someone at work to keep me on my deals and put them on the road for me while I am out. Honda just dropped their incentives this month, the only cars that have anything are the Civic, Accord and CR-V. Did I just hear ridgeline, pilot and odyssey sales hit the floor? Honda salespeople are smart and are going to chase the money. Never fails when it comes to that. July needs to be big for Honda on Civic's and Accords, but I'm not sure why. Anyway, off to the office!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
Honda is unleashing another old favorite back in the US with the Crosstour. Scheduled to debut this fall in showrooms, this hatchback/wagon will feature 4wd, CR-V like prowess with all the benefits and features of the legendary Accord.
Accordingly, the Crosstour will offer two options of the 3.5L 271hp V6 and the 190hp 2.4L four cylinder. I think with the right adjustments (like a spoiler over the rear window like the Fit Sport), the car will look sleek. As you can see from Honda's sneak peak website - http://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/, the wheels mimic the Ridgeline more than the Accord.
I'm looking forward as to learning details on the towing capacity and ground clearance.
Lets Live Green
This is a great website, I just ordered my supply for the next month. I've used JR Watkin's Pain Relieving Liniment for a long time, MLB's Johan Santana uses it during the season too.
Help save the environment and order online.
letslivegreen.weebly.com
First Post
Well I am officially blogging and twiting. I enjoy keeping tabs on the Auto industry in general. I work on the frontlines of a high volume Honda store in Vancouver, WA.
I will keep you posted on all the new Honda information, as well as hot topics in the auto industry.
I figure the best way to blog is to draw on what I have interests in. This includes business in general, sports and sports marketing, MMA, music, guitars and other odds and ends.
I look forward to finding good blogs and contributing to the community on the net in general.
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