Tuesday’s column: Grandin Automotive owner to call it quits
Grandin Automotive in Roanoke is one of the last full-service gas stations around. But owner, Bill Millner, 70 of Boones Mill, is closing his doors at the end of the year. | REBECCA BARNETT | The Roanoke Times
Grandin Automotive is one of a handful of mom and pop service stations around town that still pumps customers’ gas, checks their oil and washes their windshields.
Sometimes, they take “full service” to the extreme. It’s not unheard of for mechanic Tim Kessler, who has worked there 25 years, to go over to an elderly customer’s house and wheel her trash out to the curb, or change a light bulb.
But it looks like this is the last month for the Grandin Business District landmark. Owner Bill Millner says he’s purchased his last load of gas. It’ll be gone by the end of this week. Chances are good he’ll shut down Dec. 31.
“I haven’t made any money in four years,” Millner told me Monday morning. “I fought it hard, fought it and fought it.”
Millner used to employ six mechanics. He’s laid off three, and the others haven’t had a raise in five years. He used to have television in his waiting room for customers. He cut that out to reduce expenses, along with magazine and newspapers subscriptions.
He’s renegotiated his contracts for trash hauling and insurance, cut back on his own salary, and cut out his wife’s salary entirely – she’s retired from Verizon, and does the station’s books.
Still, he’s losing money on every gallon of self-service gas he sells, he says. About 80 percent of sales are via credit card, and banks charge fees as high as 4.5 percent for those transactions.
“I remember three to four years ago, my [former] bookkeeper called and said, “You did fantastic on gas last month. You only lost $2,” he said ruefully.
READ THE REST OF THIS COLUMN HERE.
December 11, 2012 - 6:00 AM
He might have tried to tough it out if Mitt Romney had been elected president, he told me. He believes Romney could have turned the economy around, but he doesn’t see that happening under President Barack Obama.
I’ve heard this over and over and over from business people. Every intelligent person knows this is true, yet the communist MSM insists otherwise and a lot of people are ignoring their lying eyes and going along.
You bloggers should smarten up. You know there is no way the economy can heal when the guy occupying the White House is spending like a crazy man who shows no signs of changing.
Dan, I appreciate your journalistic integrity regarding the Grandin Automotve article. I imagine it took great restraint not to editorialize when the owner said he might have kept the business going if Romney was elected.
the patrons who visited back in the day when dallas and pee wee owned and operated the station are all gone including my parents. as a youngster, i remember when they were located at the corner of grandin rd and memorial ave across from the community inn.
This makes me sad
I am sorry to see this business close. They have been a fixture on Grandin for my entire life. However, the culprit here seems to be good old capitalism.
Unfortunate but “bound to happen”. You cannot run a business today with a 50 year old business plan. And probable Oakey’s is the only kind of business that can succeed by having a focus on seniors. Take note small business owners.
Glad you got the scoop, Dan.
As we can see, pammala was indeed right about the guy giving up the business, but, as expected, she was completely wrong about the reason. Romney being elected would not have saved Grandin Automotive (and putting up anti-Obama signs sure as heck didn’t help it). Particularly in this day of people driving their cars longer, there’s plenty of business for mechanics and plenty of folks making a decent living at it. It isn’t Obama’s fault that Millner’s customer base was aging and he wasn’t able to attract new clientele.
I hope he can sell the business to somebody else.
Reality is that despite what the media says about the economy improving, it isn’t really happening in the real world, as this is a good example of that.
Very sad to see yet another small business landmark close but I’m not sure I agree with the “bad economy” being the biggest culprit. There aren’t less elderly in our City, quite the contrary as bemoaned by many folks here in Roanoke including the RTimes. We are an ageing community, the census doesn’t lie. My guess is those historically loyal customers are now buying gas cheaper at Kroger and Sheetz. Maybe they are doing it because of the economy, my guess is they’re just doing it to save money like everyone else. And Mitt Romney had about as much chance of “fixing” this economy as David Bowers has at missing the next ribbon cutting opportunity. Some folks will drive by Louie’s Burger in the Square on Brambleton to buy a more expensive and less quality product at (in my opinion) at Five Guys, Red Robin or any other national chain. I don’t get it, but it’s the way we are these days. Customer loyalty is also on the decline. It’s all about getting the most stuff for the least price. It’s become the American way, and along that way businesses like these are standing as casualties. Good luck to the owners and may their retirement be blessed.
AC Thank you. I would add that anybody who reads the story knows that Romney’s election would not have stopped senior citizens in Raleigh Court from moving into nursing homes, or dying. That’s Grandin Automotive’s biggest problem.
Two old pictures showing service and uniforms when Dallas Shelton owned it:
http://www.roanokeradio.com/Old%20Roanoke/sgravely/sixtythree.htm
AC and suzie, the business owner needs to man up and take responsibility. Full service gas stations have been disappearing for decades, long before Obama. The guy lost out to other folks with better plans and better service. It’s called capitalism. I can explain further if I’ve lost you.
Actually, I wonder why he was losing money on gas sales? I thought there was an 8-10% margin on gas for the retailer.
I doubt if this particular situation would be different if Romney had been elected. However, Romney would have been a huge ally for business compared to Obama who flew to Michigan yesterday to be an ally for big labor.
Yes Mr. Business Owner…maybe Romney would have rendered your octogenarian client base immortal and thereby ensure your continued profitability. I hope someone with a more flexible and forward-looking business model buys the place.
Any time a small business is forced to close it is unfortunate. However, just from the article, there were several issues that explained the loss of revenue. He didn’t evolve the business model from one developed in the 1950′s. He ignored the overwhelming preference for customers to pay at the pump. He failed to offer products & services that were in demand by the overwhelming majority of his customer base. He ignored his cost structures and his budget. I could go on, but surely the point is made.
Another interesting note – he purchased the station in 2003, from the smart guys who got out of the business of an actual service station. They were the fortunate ones, they realized it was a dead end, and were able to unload the business. Back to the point, he only bought in 9 years ago. He commented that he had seen problems for the last six years – or in other words, since three years after he took over the business. What’s he done in the last six years to grow the business, as opposed to just cutting expenses on the business?
Of course, we’ve got to mention the Obama jab, since he felt compelled to blame someone other than himself for the success or failure of his business. I thought Republicans were all about – ‘Let the free market decide…’? Well, the free market is evidently deciding that his business model is not acceptable, so he will just fall to the wayside. Now that he finds himself in a dire situation, he wants help from outside sources. That’s ironic, considering his stance on Obama being unable to grow the US economy, and his inability to even maintain his small business.
Best of luck to him in the future, but it certainly seems a self inflicted loss.
BTW, I’ve seen a couple of FB comments from friends now about what a good guy the owner is, and I don’t doubt that, but still. Also note that he said his business started down BEFORE Obama was elected.
And, suzie, I remember when you also blamed the closing of the Success Buffet at the corner of Peterson Creek and Melrose on Obama, when in fact they were beaten out by a competitor with a bigger and better offering. This whole capitalism thing really is a mystery to you, isn’t it?
I hate to have this happen to Bill Millner and Grandin Auto. Here is a guy who works hard every day and has an uncertain/negative future outlook. Unfortunately this will continue to happen not only to Bill but to other places business. This is the personal side of a poor economy that will last at least another 4 years. I do not think a Romney win would have made Millner a millionaire but I think consumer spending would have increase…some which may have found its way to Millner’s pocket…as Millner notes in the article.
Dan, What is your take on Obama wading into Michigans “right to work” state issue? I want to hear the “humble” opinion of the liberal mind. Do you think he alienated the 49% of people who didn’t vote for him?
I think the unions are going to tear this country apart. There is no balance or compromise when dealing with unions in my opinion. I thank God Virginia is a “right to work” state.” It is much less chaos. Thoughts?
And Dallas Shelton was a darned good bowler. I was on a team with him for a few years.
I don’t specifically about Grandin Automotive, but, it seems most of those old school true gas stations are all but gone because their gas prices are significantly higher than a “Sheetz” etc.
Example, why get an oil change at a place like GA when I can get the same thing at Walmart for half the price ?
I don’t know, but back in the day it seems as if we didnt have any or many other options except the “Grandin Automotives” of the world.
Kristen…you seem so cold…where is your compassion for all…coexist..remember??..betcha you would be nicer if it was a (fill in the blank) social issue.
The store currently is tied for highest price gas at $3.29 in the last 48 hours at
http://www.roanokegasprices.com/GasPriceSearch.aspx?fuel=A&qsrch=Roanoke,%20VA
The cheapest gas in Roanoke is listed at $2.93 with many stations at $2.99. That would be a difference of around $5 to the consumer for every tank of gas.
If the owner Mr. Millner is losing money on every tank of gas, and the consumer is losing $5 on every tank of gas, then I’m thinking it’s probably not a viable business.
It is kind of odd how those who screech “Capitalism” at every chance now want something else to blame a business closing on.
PP at 10:15, I have no idea what you’re talking about. And you’d have to clarify how Romney was going to miraculously make people want to pay more for services at this guy’s place than they can get elsewhere cheaper. His magical undies perhaps.
:I think the unions are going to tear this country apart.”
Do you have even the foggiest idea of how few people actually belong to unions? Quit parroting right-wing cliches and think a little.
“Dan,
What is your take on Obama wading into Michigans “right to work” state issue? I want to hear the “humble” opinion of the liberal mind. Do you think he alienated the 49% of people who didn’t vote for him?
I think the unions are going to tear this country apart. There is no balance or compromise when dealing with unions in my opinion. I thank God Virginia is a “right to work” state.” It is much less chaos. Thoughts?”
PP, unlike many others here who have claimed a philosophical allegiance to Adam Smith only to quickly jettison certain things he wrote with which they disagree, I am a capitalist the the Smithean mold. And, as you know, Smith prescribed labor unions as an effective counterbalance to overwhelming power of bosses who would inevitably (Smith wrote) use their power to abuse workers for the sake of profit.
Private industry unions today make up less than 8 percent of the work force. Including public workers, unions make up about 12 percent of the work force. That is down from a high of about 36 percent, some decades ago. Yet, there still are folks like you who have fixed on them as a bogeyman for what is wrong with this countr, and are illogically arguing that they are to blame for tearing this country apart. Good grief!
Was this country better off economically in the late ’50s than it is now, PP? Why don’t you look up the % of union membership back then.
Where is my comment, Dan Casey?
It’s sad, but not hard to understand. Large regional/national retailers can sell their fuel at a much lower price than most locally-owned stations because of the wholesale volume discounts they can secure by being large buyers (like Sheetz getting a tanker every other day, vs the local station getting a tanker every 2 weeks). Plus, the presently successful gas retailers offer more than just gas or vehicle service. The most successful have attached convenience stores or fast food joints, so people can do some one-stop stuff. That trend has been going full-bore for 20+ years, with companies like 7-11, Sheetz, Wawa, Stop-In, Parker’s, Wilco/Hess, etc capitalizing on the trend…and older sellers without the conveience store closing up shop due to lost market share and revenue, or having to massively overhaul their operations in order to regain market share and stay competitive. I’ve been involved in several of these new operations or complete rebuilds of gas stations.
In my community, there were 4 gas stations about a decade ago…all older and smaller. We added a Sheetz several years ago, and they have been hopping busy ever since. One of the old stations closed a couple years ago…they were behind the times, were old and dingy, and expensive (an old Citgo/Deli-Mart). One modernized a bit and is holding steady (BP/Buckos). Another rebuilt completely and added a Bojangles and a full-size convenience store…and are doing far more business now than they used to (Wilco/Hess). The last has repainted the building and changed gas brands, and remains the only one offering auto service and full-service gas sales (but little else aside from vending machines)…they are also, FWIW, a Pure-branded location, locally owned and operated….and they are always 10-15 cents more expensive than everyone else. Despite having about the same number of pumps as the Hess and BP, they almost never have customers buying gas, and they even close their pumps at night, while the Hess and Sheetz stay open at night.
Funny thing isn’t it, OJ, how certain commenters praise Walmart for having a better model and driving locals out of business, but suddenly change their tune if they think they see an opening to blame Obama?
Five smaller stations/convenience stores in the vicinity of the Sheetz at 419 and Apperson in Salem have closed since that Sheetz opened. One, a Hess, remains, and the Sheetz is booming. Me? I’m blaming Obama.
Dan and Gdad, I do not really think Unions are literally “tearing America apart” …I just like to get Dan steamed up every now and then..Unions can promote a less efficacious workplace in the end result.
Why do you favor a more powerful government but a less powerful business place? And I guess Gdad is now Dans new speaker in chief. Gdad…you seem so angry..use a stress ball.
Dan, Since you are a Smithean capitalist you would know Gunnar Myrdal argued, “…the reason government regulation does not work is because it is based upon political whim and popular passion…” He advocated “expert government planning.” I guess the key word would be “expert”??? 51% of the population think Obama is expert and 49% do not. It sounds like we will stay divided for a while.
PP, Adam Smith believed that regulation of business was an absolute necessity and that capitalism could not survive without it.
Gosh, PP, I’m not angry at all.
Unless I’m mistaken this station, in the 1950′s when it was at the original location, was the one where legendary NASCAR driver Curtis Turner used to like to gas up on Sunday mornings, before breakfast at the Coffee Pot and then a street race with a buddy up the hairpins of Rte. 221 toward Floyd (per his published biography).
yeah, gdad, I’m always amazed when I see the contradictions out there.
In what election did 100% of the nation vote PP?
In what tally did Romney get 49% of the votes cast?
What was the gas/service station at this spot before Grandin Texaco moved there from the location by the church? When the station by the church was still there, wasn’t some other business in the spot at Grandin & Bluemont? Maybe I am not remembering correctly.
I believe Adam Smith said “…in the great chess-board of human society, every single piece has a principle of motion of its own, altogether different from that which the legislature might choose to impress upon it. If those two principles coincide and act in the same direction, the game of human society will go on easily and harmoniously, and is very likely to be happy and successful.
If they are opposite or different, the game will go on miserably, and the society must be at all times in the highest degree of disorder.”
I take that to mean that if the government is doing what we believe they should be doing, we are on the right track. The majority of this nation agrees with raising taxes on the highest 2-3% of earners and supports a fair, equitable tax structure and fair, equitable safety nets. Until the government comes in line with that thinking, we are not going to be “happy and successful”.
dobbs, I gleaned from Pee Wee Hall that it was a Shell Station. Or maybe the Shell was where 7-Eleven is now. Something like that. Texaco owned the land where the church was and Pee Wee and Dallas moved out when their lease was up and bought the place up the street. Texaco later sold the land back to the church, from which it had purchased it in the 1940s.
By the way, everyone, one of the clips I used in researching the station’s background was written by gdad.
Yes, my business has sucked for six years and it’s all Obama’s fault!
Wearing your politics on your sleeve is rarely good for business, (unless you’re a crumb.)
It’s sad to see any mom and pop business go away. Heaven knows I’ve written more than my share of stories like this, about mom and pop tackle shops that just couldn’t make it — in bad economies, good economies and so-so economies. That’s the harsh reality of this capitalistic society: We want it now and we want it cheap.
I live in the Grandin neighborhood and have been to Grandin Automotive once in 14 years, to have a tire plugged. They did a good job at a fair price. But I’m like most other drivers, going elsewhere for gas that will cost me $5 less per fill up and that I can pay for at the pump.
If Bill Milner was really going to give this a go, he’d have to put in new pumps and probably start carrying convenience items in a small store. That’s a massive investment and it’s hard to blame him for not gambling on it because he would still have a tough go of it competing against the chains.
You people, well MOST of you, amaze me. There is nothing in the story I remember that is essentially linked to any element of politics other than the owners statement that he would have toughed it out a little longer had Romney won because he had more confidence in Romney’s economic approach. Obviously with business being bad for 6 years it is all Bush’s fault anyway. And Sandi, what’s the deal with Adam Smith! We go from a 70 year old who had a failed business plan to a quote of Adam Smith. You need to get out and focus on some serious problems…as do a good many of you others. We little people of the world are just players in a much bigger drama. It’s a real world life story reasonably well presented, not with a happy ending but after all we do have a 70 year old who just might be ready to go out to pasture. What’s the point of making every issue red or blue! Oh well, guess some are just not happy unless they can get up and poke someone in the eye every day. Happy me. I don’t need to do that.
At this point, I must disclose that “Bubba Greene” is the infamous Al, the guy who compared reading my column “having a habanero enema administered with a 40-foot-long, barbed wire-wrapped hose” and having “a wisdom tooth extracted through the ear, sans painkillers.”
Thanks again for that, Al! It still makes me laugh. And welcome back!
Dan, very accurate but unfortunate article today on Grandin Rd Auto Shop. The former station nearby run by Fred Hall and company was a tough act too follow. Hope these guys can find a suitor who will keep it running profitable.Having a parent that lives nearby in the almost 90 age group will surely miss the full service egde they have provided.That Grandin Village area is a piece of americana that needs to be preserved.
My goodness Bubba/Al you appear to have changed, and for the better. Poking people in the eye used to be your favorite pastime.
Thank you for your article. It is an end of an era, for sure. I’m sorry to read so many angry comments, however. I live in Washington, DC, but grew up in Roanoke, where my mother lived to age 100 and passed away last year. Bill, Tim, and Grandin Auto took care of her car for many years and, after her death, sold it for me. They could not have been kinder to her over all of these years and she never worried about her car because of them. I’ve also had my car repaired there and have been unfailingly impressed with the service provided at such a reasonable price – far less than I would pay in D.C. To the political issue, I am a supporter of President Obama and don’t think that Gov. Romney could have made a difference in the economy (which, by the way, IS improving) but I do understand the difficulties many have experienced in this economy, especially for small businesses. But, nonetheless, I am so sorry to see Grandin Auto close. They were wonderful friends to my mother and to me and they will be sorely missed.
Bubba/Al, I was the third person to mention Adam Smith, but thank you for noticing. Believe it or not, I can do several things and carry several thoughts all at one time. I do indeed “get out and focus on some serious problems”, I also enjoy talking with friends (and irritants) here. Why is that your business? Are you trying to say your post was a warm hello rather than a “poke” in the eye? Seriously?
Kroger opens up a new fuel center on Peters Creek Rd this week and Grandin Road Auto Shop announces a closing.Kind of like Seinfelds theory of everything balancing out in life on its own.
“dobbs, I gleaned from Pee Wee Hall that it was a Shell Station.”
Dan, a frien odf of mine who’s been in the auto industry around Roanoke for many decades told me tonight that the current location Grandin Automotive used to be a Gulf station.
“By the way, everyone, one of the clips I used in researching the station’s background was written by gdad.”
Glad it got some use. While at the RT, I wrote several pieces about the Grandin Village area because I grew up going there with my parents for most everything in the 1960s — shoes, groceries, the dentist, movies, the drug store, the five and dime, to eat out, the branch library (now Pop’s), and the hardware store.
Mention should have been made sooner of the OTHER story in today’s RT about an old gas station, the Extra section Cornershot about the preservation of the former Carlin Amoco building on Williamson Rd. It’s a 1940′s streamline modern style, and like the one that was saved to house the ad agency on Wells Ave., it’s a good architectural example to preserve. Just two years ago one of the area’s few remaining former gas stations in a 1920′s style was torn down in Salem to make a bank. Like the preservation of once ubiquitous tobacco barns in the countryside, it also preserves a part of the fabric of history.
The Williamson rd. corridor still does good things with the vintage car drive ins, and the Transportation Museum is including auto culture more. As Mark Twain said, buildings, politicians and prostitutes can become respectable with age.
http://www.roanoke.com/extra/cornershot/
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/311377
Warren, in my hometown a beautiful little white gas station from the 20s with a little turret on it was turned into a Starbucks. It was a great repurposing.
I’m sorry Mr Milner is closing his business. I’m not sure it can be blamed on the results of the presidential election. I have enjoyed reading what different memories people have of the “service” stations in the Grandin rd area. As a sixteen yr. old living in the area in the early sixties, I would like to join in. I remember Dallas and PeeWee at Grandin Texaco. A Shell station at Mr Milner’s current location. Fred Hall’s Esso at Memorial and Denniston. (Big Sam wrecker) operated by Bruce Morrow. I think there was Shrine Hill Sinclair station at Grandin and Guilford. I remember an Esso station at Brandon and Brambleton,an Esso across Memorial bridge (Mt. View), and another Esso on the north side of Wasena bridge across the street from Charlie Fackler’s Amoco station. On the south side of Wasena bridge I remember a Gulf station operated by “Doc” Burnette. I could be wrong on some of these but it’s brought back some great memories. The Grandin rd (village) area was booming then. Garland’s drug store, Kroger, Mick or Mack, First National bank, Grandin theater, Grandin car wash, Jake McVeys hardware store. The good old day’s. Thanks folks..
#47 And I raced slot cars there.
It sounds like that area did not hurt for gas stations, Mr. Dannel!
I might be wrong about this, but it also seems to me that vehicles just don’t break down and or need repair as often as they used to. I can remember when getting 100,000 miles out of a car was pretty good. Now, 200,000 isn’t uncommon, and with fewer visits to a mechanic.
gdad, you are correct. A lot of the reason cars last so much longer and are so much more reliable is due to Federal law. One such law pertains to catalytic converters. They must retain something like 97% functionality after 100,000 miles, so automakers had to re-design engines to reduce oil consumption and piston ring wear. The reason? Oil burning in the combustion chamber due to loose tolerances and piston ring wear was a primary factor in degrading the function of catalytic converters. Plus, worn rings also allows unburned fuel to pass through the exhaust more readily, another major factor. So, to comply with that, engines are designed and built to much higher standards.
My Focus, as an example, can go 10,000 miles between oil changes with a full synthetic oil. I won’t have to change coolant or transmission fluid until I hit 100,000 miles…same for spark plugs. The serpentine belt is good for 150,000 miles. Basically, barring a mechanical failure…all I’ll need to do for the first 5-6 years of owning it are oil changes, filter changes, wiper blade changes, a set of tires and alignment checks, brake pads/shoes, fluid checks and top-offs, and cleaning it.
Compare that to my old 88 Ram that was in the shop every 2 months for something or other breaking, oil changes every 2 months, etc…and that contributes highly.
Plus, most parts are simply made better now. At one point, exhaust parts for cars were rarely made of stainless steel, which is more resistant to rust and corrosion. Mufflers, tailpipes, and other parts would have to be replaced regularly. Now, it’s hard to find parts that aren’t stainless. One muffler shop owner I spoke with said it forced them to broaden their work services because their sales of mufflers had fallen by more than half.
At this point I must defend myself. Ever hear of a business (small) with a common system (available to more than one user), IP ID and email? Guess not. For the record we had an Al here some time ago but it was an ALice as in female not an AL as in Al. Alice left about a year ago with somewhere in the neighboirhood of $3k in company funds. Amazing when proving such a thing cost more than the amount of the theft. She appeared to have a thing about Casey. I think she was physically attracted to him. You must admit that Dan-o statue is a real chick magnet. I’ll tell you this and you can take it to the bank. My name IS Greene and people close to me know the Bubba part. It stuck with me from childhood when my brother was unable to say “brother”. It came out bubbah. But it is not my given name and I will keep that to myself. I would also wonder what the privacy code is for the paper. If I were AL, would it be appropriate for the paper to make such a disclosure? And how about others who MAY use more than one ID? I’m sure they are out there. How about it Mr. C?. Going to let the world know who they are? I recall being a moderator on an MSN message board about 6 years ago before they shut it down. Moderators were held to a standard no matter if we liked or disliked what the posters views were. We were expected to block multiple ID’s. Funny how it worked. One person would present a point then argue with themselves just to generate traffic. And guess what. MODERATORS were the worst offenders. Building traffic on the board was considered a positive thing. Guess the paper has no such interest. In building traffic, that is. I check out the paper from time to time just to see if there might be anything there I have missed. Usually, there is not. The Grandin Road Auto Center did catch my eye. That’s all there is to it. Still wonder what you people do for a day job.
1. “If I were AL, would it be appropriate for the paper to make such a disclosure?”
2. “And how about others who MAY use more than one ID?”
3. “I’m sure they are out there. How about it Mr. C?. Going to let the world know who they are?”
–Questions by Bubba Greene, who is posting with from the same IP address and with the same email address formerly used by Al.
1. Yes
2. Yes, them too.
3. I don’t disclose identities or emails. Whenever I know about it, I disclose it when anon posters on this blog appear to have created other anon IDs for the purpose of posting here.
And BG, I don’t care if you moderated an MSN message board or not.
“A lot of the reason cars last so much longer and are so much more reliable is due to Federal law.”
Maybe the the Grandin Automotive owner was figuring that Romney would ditch a lot of these regs so that manufacturers could start making crappier cars that need more repair again. Or maybe he hoped folks would start buying more Humvees.
But you bring out a good point, some right wingers like to whine and cry about any government reg, but there’s no question that the rules on cars and pollution have resulted in much better and more reliable cars that are MUCH, MUCH safer and get a whole lot better gas mileage. You mention the muffler guy and that sparked the realization in me that I can’t remember the last time I had to get one replaced. Not all that long ago, my cars went through mufflers like crazy.
And “Al”ice had a posting style remarkably similar to Bubba’s. And had no problem being addressed as a guy.
Please make up a more believable story.