Comments on How to Show Cars

What's funny is that as new car dealerships try to adapt to the internet and adapt their approach, their tactics are still the same: bait and switch, make like you don't have or can't get the model when you do or it's actually available, pile on add-ons when possible, try to sell the shittiest car on the lot and so on.

Don't think buying a car is that much easier or better. In most cases, it's not.

Car lots used to be great architecture. The old Lincoln dealer down on Westlake for example, and the many, many fine Googie examples around the country. Now, they pretty much all suck, though some high-end dealers are trying to do a little modern style; see Carter Audi in Ballard (across the street from the VW side).

I wish your mom could come with me when I shop for cars, Jen; I'm the worst haggler in the world. I'm likely to come out with gems like "Oh, is that all?", "blue smoke, that's the kind that's not a problem, right?", "I'll bet we'll get used to the smell" and "ooh, it's green, I want it!"

Then it will match Benaroya, which looks like an oversized car dealership from 2nd avenue.

The real architecture buzz in town is about the accidental swapping of plans by a stoned bike messenger that led to the construction of a prison intended for Grant County at the corner of Broadway and John.