A chronological story of how a young man from East Tennessee became a Car Guru
About this episode
Lenny Lawson shares his journey from a young man in East Tennessee to becoming a respected car guru. He recounts the evolution of his family's car dealership, including missed opportunities with brands like Honda and Fiat, and the eventual success with Mazda. Lawson discusses the challenges faced during the Great Recession, the importance of adaptability in the automotive industry, and his commitment to helping others navigate car ownership. He emphasizes ethical practices in the dealership world and offers insights from his extensive experience.
Email Lennie at [email protected]
Chevrolet
"dad bought a little underperforming Chevy dealership and we were pretty much standalone Chevrolet until he started I guess getting interested in in a Japanese brand."
Chevrolet, often called Chevy, is a popular car brand in the United States. They make many types of vehicles, including cars and trucks.
Chevrolet is an American automobile brand known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from trucks to sports cars. It is a division of General Motors and has a long history in the automotive industry.
Honda
"It was actually a Honda and he was trying to go around the different dealers especially in in our market trying to find somebody who wanted to be a Honda dealer"
Honda is a well-known car brand from Japan. They make reliable cars and are also famous for their motorcycles.
Honda is a Japanese automobile manufacturer known for its reliable cars, motorcycles, and power equipment. It has a strong reputation for engineering and innovation in the automotive industry.
Fiat 124
"... headed to medical school and he really liked the Fiat 124 Spider and thought that was a cool car and I thou..."
Fiat 124 Spider
"he really liked the Fiat 124 Spider and thought that was a cool car and I thought they handled really well..."
The Fiat 124 Spider is a sporty car from Italy that many people love for its good looks and how well it drives. It was made a long time ago but is still popular today.
The Fiat 124 Spider is a classic Italian sports car known for its stylish design and agile handling. It was produced from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s and has a strong following among enthusiasts.
Mazda
"I was looking at a sports illustrated and...found an advertisement for Mazda. Well I mean I'd heard of Mazda..."
Mazda is a car company from Japan that makes a variety of vehicles. They are known for their unique engines called rotary engines, which are different from most other cars.
Mazda is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for its innovative engineering, particularly its use of rotary engines in models like the RX-7 and RX-8. The brand has a reputation for producing sporty and fun-to-drive vehicles.
rotary engines
"I knew they made cars with rotary engines and also knew that they really sucked gas..."
Rotary engines are a special kind of engine that works differently than most car engines. They are smaller and lighter but can use more fuel.
Rotary engines, also known as Wankel engines, are a type of internal combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor instead of pistons. They are known for their compact size and high power output relative to their weight, but they can be less fuel-efficient than traditional engines.
Mazda GLC
"they were coming out with this new car that was a piston engine car called the Mazda GLC and so I called my dad..."
The Mazda GLC is a small car that Mazda made in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was designed to be affordable and good on gas.
The Mazda GLC is a compact car produced by Mazda in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was known for its practicality and fuel efficiency, making it a popular choice during its time.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
"...car that was a piston engine car called the Mazda GLC and so I called my dad I said dad maybe we ought ..."
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a fancy SUV that offers a smooth and comfortable ride. It's known for its stylish design and high-quality features, making it a good option for people who want a nice vehicle that feels luxurious.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a luxury compact SUV that combines style, performance, and advanced technology. It is significant for its comfortable ride, high-quality interior, and a range of powerful engines, making it a popular choice among those looking for a premium vehicle in the SUV segment.
Mazda RX-3
"we got a Mazda RX4 an RX4 wagon an RX3 those are three rotary engine vehicles..."
The Mazda RX-3 is a sporty car that also uses a rotary engine. It was made in the 1970s and is loved by many car fans.
The Mazda RX-3 is another rotary engine vehicle produced by Mazda, known for its sporty design and performance. It was popular in the 1970s and is considered a classic among car enthusiasts.
Mazda RX-4
"we got a Mazda RX4 an RX4 wagon an RX3 those are three rotary engine vehicles..."
The Mazda RX-4 is a car that uses a special type of engine called a rotary engine. This engine is different from the usual ones and gives the car a unique feel when driving.
The Mazda RX-4 is a rotary engine vehicle produced by Mazda in the 1970s. It is known for its unique rotary engine design, which provides a different driving experience compared to traditional piston engines.
minivan
"...Chrysler had done a pretty good thing they came out with the minivan pretty much invented the minivan..."
A minivan is a family-friendly vehicle that has a lot of space inside for passengers and cargo, often with sliding doors for easy access.
A minivan is a type of vehicle designed primarily for transporting passengers, characterized by its spacious interior and sliding side doors, making it popular for families.
Chrysler New Yorker
"...the Chrysler New Yorker the Chrysler Fifth Avenue to me just pretty much junk..."
The Chrysler New Yorker is a big, comfortable car that was popular in the past but has had some problems with quality.
The Chrysler New Yorker is a full-size luxury car that was produced by Chrysler, known for its spacious interior and comfort features, but it has faced criticism for quality issues in certain years.
Chrysler Fifth
"...the Chrysler New Yorker the Chrysler Fifth Avenue to me just pretty much junk..."
The Chrysler Fifth Avenue is a large, luxurious car that was made in the past, but it had some problems with how well it worked.
The Chrysler Fifth Avenue was a full-size luxury sedan produced by Chrysler, known for its plush interior and classic styling, but it also suffered from reliability issues.
Oldsmobile
"...part of that deal was becoming an Oldsmobile dealer..."
Oldsmobile was a car brand that used to be very popular in the U.S. but is no longer in production. It was known for making reliable cars.
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobiles produced by General Motors from 1897 until 2004. It was known for its innovative engineering and was one of the oldest car brands in the U.S.
Mitsubishi
"...so we added Mitsubishi..."
Mitsubishi is a Japanese car company that makes different types of vehicles, including cars and SUVs, and is known for their durability.
Mitsubishi is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a variety of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and performance cars. The brand has a reputation for reliability and innovation.
Ford
"...we were a Ford Lincoln and Mercury dealer in addition to being a Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Mazda and Mitsubishi dealer..."
Ford is a well-known car company that makes many types of vehicles, including cars and trucks. They have been around for a long time and are very popular in the United States.
Ford is an American multinational automaker known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and cars. The company has a long history and is one of the largest and oldest automobile manufacturers in the world.
Toyota
"...there was a Toyota dealership in the Tri-Cities that came up for sale..."
Toyota is a car company from Japan that makes many popular vehicles, known for being dependable and good on gas.
Toyota is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles. It is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world.
Great Recession
"...there was this small financial problem that developed it was called the Great Recession..."
The Great Recession was a big economic downturn that happened around 2008, causing many people to lose jobs and spend less money, which hurt car sales.
The Great Recession was a severe worldwide economic crisis that occurred from 2007 to 2009, leading to significant declines in consumer spending and major financial institutions facing bankruptcy. It had a profound impact on the automotive industry, resulting in decreased vehicle sales and several manufacturers declaring bankruptcy.
AutoNation
"...just like Auto Nation you know they're traded on the New York Stock Exchange or Sonic Automotive..."
AutoNation is a big company that sells cars through many dealerships in the U.S.
AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, operating a network of dealerships across various brands.
Sonic Automotive
"...just like Auto Nation you know they're traded on the New York Stock Exchange or Sonic Automotive..."
Sonic Automotive is a company that sells cars through many dealerships in the United States.
Sonic Automotive is a publicly traded automotive retailer in the U.S., operating a variety of dealerships across different brands.
Nissan
"...I just got wind that he wanted to sell his whole operation so I called him and I said I understand that you're wanting to sell but what I'd be interested in buying is just your Nissan franchise and he said"
Nissan is a car company from Japan that makes many types of vehicles, including electric cars and family cars.
Nissan is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and electric cars like the Nissan Leaf.
Jeep
"...he had Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram and Nissan here in our hometown..."
Jeep is a car brand known for making vehicles that are great for off-roading, like the Wrangler.
Jeep is an American brand famous for its off-road vehicles, particularly the Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee.
Dodge Ram
"... he was a what was he had Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram and Nissan here in our hometown and I just got wi..."
The Dodge Ram is a big truck that people often use for carrying heavy loads or towing things like trailers. It's known for being strong and comfortable, which makes it a favorite for many drivers who need a reliable vehicle for work or outdoor activities.
The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck known for its powerful performance and rugged design. It has been a significant player in the truck market since its introduction in the 1980s, often praised for its towing capacity and comfort, making it a popular choice for both work and leisure.
franchise dealership
"...after I had applied the Nissan for the franchise to be approved as a Nissan dealer see it's not as easy as you think it is..."
A franchise dealership is a car store that sells cars from a specific brand, like Nissan. They have permission from the brand to sell their cars and help customers with services.
A franchise dealership is a business that sells vehicles from a specific manufacturer under a licensing agreement. This means they can sell new cars from that brand and often provide services like repairs and maintenance.
Plymouth
"...a lot of the brands have just gone away Oldsmobile there was a standalone Oldsmobile dealer a standalone Plymouth dealer..."
Plymouth was another car brand in the U.S. that made affordable cars. It was known for models like the Barracuda and Voyager, but it stopped making cars in 2001.
Plymouth was an American automobile brand that was part of Chrysler Corporation. Known for its affordable cars, Plymouth was discontinued in 2001, with models like the Plymouth Barracuda and Plymouth Voyager being notable.
payoff balance
"you have to make sure of when you trade in a car that has a payoff balance you got to make sure that it gets paid off..."
The payoff balance is how much money you still owe on your car loan. You need to know this amount when trading in your car so you can pay it off.
The payoff balance is the total amount of money still owed on a vehicle loan. When trading in a car, it's crucial to know this amount to ensure the loan is settled before completing the trade-in process.
Carmack's
"you see big box used car dealers like Carmack's what are they do they have any new car franchises no but they do sell..."
Carmack's is a place where you can buy used cars. They don't sell new cars, just pre-owned ones.
Carmack's is a used car dealership that operates without new car franchises. They focus on selling pre-owned vehicles, often providing a different experience compared to traditional dealerships that sell both new and used cars.
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