My Car Guru Podcast
My Car Guru...Lennie Lawson
Updated about 1 hour agoLennie Lawson is a 48-year veteran of the auto industry, a current new car dealer, motivational speaker, and financial coach. He’s a straight shooter who tells it like it is—no fluff, no sales pitch.If you’re buying, trading, servicing, repairing, or just trying to avoid an expensive mistake, My Car Guru gives you the insider knowledge most dealers would rather you didn’t have. Lennie pulls back the curtain on the car business and gives you practical advice to improve your Car-Life—and maybe your Financial-Life too.Whether you’re curious about industry trends, need help navigating repairs, or just want a dose of good old-fashioned common sense, this is the podcast that cuts through the noise. No gimmicks—just real talk from someone who’s been in the trenches for over four decades.
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Episodes (578)
The best sale I ever made was not to my girlfriend......
Send us a textLennie 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. Email Lennie at [email protected]
"My car is a LEMON".....and other good reasons you need to understand warranties
Send us a textFew 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. Email Lennie at [email protected]
If you want more money for your trade in...THEN ACT LIKE IT!
Send us a textToo 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. Email Lennie at [email protected]
Your best defense against expensive auto repairs is a good set of EARS.
Send us a textLearning 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!Email Lennie at [email protected]
"I'm not acting entitled! I'M THE D___ CUSTOMER!"
Send us a textJust 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. Email Lennie at [email protected]
The most popular cars in the last 100 years were not always the best sellers...but some of them CHANGED US!
Send us a textFrom 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
Warning!: Automatic car washes are Fast, Convenient and AWFUL for the finish on your car
Send us a textWith 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
Car Trading Horror story: "I traded my car, but my previous car loan was never paid off"
Send us a textIt 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
"Smarty Pants" or "Seasoned Veteran".....When you have car questions...choose wisely
Send us a textA 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. Email Lennie at [email protected]
Quick sand, bear traps and other ways a dishonest car dealer can get you.
Send us a textA 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 GURUEmail Lennie at [email protected]
"Pardon me sir...but you eat like a pig"....and other observations from a frustrated employer
Send us a textWhat the heck happened? Where did things like "common courtesy", "proper etiquette", "chivalry" and normal, everyday "manners" go?? What about planning for the future, setting life and financial goals, saving money??As an employer (and an addicted observer of human behavior) I find it very frustrating to have so many people apply for jobs in my business that have no clue about these things. They wear cut-offs and flip flops to a job interview. They work for the "money" and that's it...no loyalty, no real commitment to the organization and certainly no plan for the future.....they just want a job.But there's one problem...I'm not hiring them, and the sad thing is, they have no clue WHY.In this episode, Lennie identifies the problems and potential solutions for today's LOST workforceEmail Lennie at [email protected]
Why does your credit matter??? Because it's horrible...and here's what to do about it
Send us a textYour 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
And you thought buying a car from a dealer was dangerous...watch out for your neighbor
Send us a textI 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
Your "car-life"....the oversized role our transportation has in our daily life
Send us a textWhen 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
Why is buying a car so hard? Because you don't know the right things to say
Send us a textLennie 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
Keep it COOL...or suffer the consequences
Send us a textIn 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 GURUEmail Lennie at [email protected]
"FINAL NOTICE!", "Time is running out!" and other automotive warnings that are total BS
Send us a textSomeone 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
The "demise" of the new car dealer....fact, fiction or just "wishful thinking" by the media
Send us a textI 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 YETLennie 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
Miscellaneous ramblings of a car nut
Send us a textI'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 rideEmail Lennie at [email protected]
Wreck your car? You need a body shop....but make sure you listen to this show first
Send us a textWhen 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
A little bit of basic car knowledge can save your car and save your wallet..listen and learn
Send us a textToo 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]
How much is TOO MUCH to pay for a new car?
Send us a textIt'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?Email Lennie at [email protected]
The safe ways to buy a used car
Send us a textBuying 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. Email Lennie at [email protected]
Innovation can lead to some interesting places
Send us a textInnovation 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. Email Lennie at [email protected]
What to do when the car dealer screws up
Send us a textEveryone 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.Email Lennie at [email protected]