True Confessions of a Car Guy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by John Gavin & Richard LucianoSponsored By:  Zenzio AIhttps://www.zenzio.comSome salespeople don't close deals — they hold people in place until it happens. In the car business, they had a name for it. And the guy who perfected it had customers leaving deposits in microwaves, shop vacs, and floor-model TVs. That was just Tuesday. Then a woman slides a men's Rolex across the desk to hold a car — and a week later, a very calm, very motivated ex-husband calls looking for it. Turns out that watch had a whole history. And now so did the dealership. Bagi, John & Richard break it down. True Confessions of a Car Guy — the podcast for Dealers, Hustlers & Lifers.🎙️ True Confessions of a Car GuyNew episodes every week.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThere are stories from the car business that never get told. Not because they aren't real — but because nobody thought anyone would care.We do.True Confessions of a Car Guy is a podcast built around the people, the deals, and the moments that shaped an era of automotive retail that most people never saw — and that those who lived it will never forget. Hosted by John Gavin, with co-host Richard Luciano, and produced by Bagi — the man bringing it all to life — this show is for the guys who were there, and anyone who wants to know what it was really like.This needed to be said. So we said it.🎙️ New episodes dropping soon.🌐 trueconfessionsofacarguy.com📩 [email protected]#carguy   #Podcast #AutomotiveRetail #CarBusiness #TrueConfessions #DealerLife #CarSales #WholesaleCars #JohnGavin #RichardLuciano #CarDealership #OldSchool #Automotive #PodcastLaunch #CarGuys

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by John Gavin & Richard LucianoSponsored By:  Zenzio AIhttps://www.zenzio.comJohn Gavin and Richard Luciano have 80+ years in the car business between them. This week they talk about the one "reward" no dealership would ever put in writing. The van was real. Tommy was real. And on a good Saturday — you went to see him.🎙️ True Confessions of a Car GuyNew episodes every week.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by John Gavin & Richard LucianoSponsored By:  Zenzio AIhttps://www.zenzio.comRichard Luciano has 42 years in the car business — and a family background you don't ask too many questions about. Born on the East Coast, now living in Las Vegas, Richard is one of the most seasoned voices in the automotive world. Old school instincts. Real experience. A story you haven't heard yet.In this episode, John and Bagi introduce the newest co-host of True Confessions of a Car Guy. This is Episode 1 of the Richard Luciano era.🎙️ True Confessions of a Car GuyNew episodes every week.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]#CarGuy #Podcast #Automotive #CarBusiness #TrueConfessionsOfACarGuy #RichardLuciano #OldSchool #Vegas #CarSales #dealership #carsalesman 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by John Gavin & Anthony PalermoSponsored By:  Zenzio AIhttps://www.zenzio.comBefore the apps, before the algorithms — deals were done with a handshake and a stack of titles in the glovebox. John Gavin sits down with his long-time friend Anthony Palermo to talk about the wild west era of wholesale. The characters, the chaos, and the raw instincts it took to survive the back lot in the 80s. These two were there. And they're not holding back.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by John Gavin & BagiSponsored By:  Zenzio AIhttps://www.zenzio.com In this episode of True Confessions of a Car Guy, we break down how top dealers stay profitable during inventory shortages. From protecting gross to creating urgency and selling smarter — this is the real playbook for winning when supply is low.No cars. No excuses.If you’re in the car business, this one’s for you. 🚗🔥

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by John Gavin & BagiSponsored By:  Zenzio AIhttps://www.zenzio.comUnits and gross still matter—but they’re no longer the whole story. In this episode of True Confessions of a Car Guy, we break down the metrics today’s dealers can’t afford to ignore in the AI era. From lead response time and follow-up consistency to data quality, conversion signals, and where deals are actually being won or lost, we talk about what really moves the needle in modern dealerships. The tools have changed, the scoreboard has changed, and the dealers paying attention are pulling ahead—while everyone else is still arguing about yesterday’s numbers.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by Lance Campbell CEO of Zenzio AISponsored By:  Zenzio AIhttps://[email protected] isn’t coming for your job… but the dealer down the street using it might be. In this episode of True Confessions of a Car Guy, we break down why AI isn’t some Silicon Valley buzzword—it’s the next competitive edge on the lot. From follow-ups that actually happen, to smarter pricing, to knowing which customers are real buyers and which ones are just bored at work, we talk about how AI is quietly changing how deals get done. Old-school hustle still matters—but in the future, the smartest dealerships won’t just work harder, they’ll work smarter.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode its John and BagiSponsored By:  Zenzio AIhttps://www.zenzio.com/Sales gets the applause, managers get the credit—but F&I cashes the checks. In this episode, we break down why the finance office is the backbone of every successful dealership. War stories, hard truths, and real-world lessons on how F&I saves bad deals, boosts gross, and turns “maybe” into “approved.” Love it or hate it, F&I is the real MVP.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIt’s December on the lot—cold coffee, colder weather, and everyone swearing this is their last deal before Christmas. In this holiday edition of True Confessions of a Car Guy, we take you back to the days when year-end meant no days off, managers living in the tower, and salesmen fighting frostbite for one more signed buyer’s order. From last-minute shoppers to “I gotta talk to Santa” objections, this episode is all about the chaos, comedy, and pure hustle of closing deals when the showroom smells like pine trees and desperation. Grab some eggnog—this one’s a December classic.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode its John and BagiMonth-end at the dealership: where pencils fly, egos clash, and every ‘almost sold’ car suddenly becomes a miracle. Watch managers sweat, salespeople hustle, and coffee disappear faster than a Suburban in January. In this episode, we laugh through the chaos, the wild deals, and the sheer madness that only happens when the month is about to close.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailStep onto the showroom floor with us for a live Q&A about the car business where the deals are wild, the stories are crazier, and the challenges are all too real. We’re talking to people in the car business past and present: sales pros, managers, finance folks, and anyone who’s lived the grind. From outrageous customer stories to the hurdles dealerships face today, nothing’s off the table. Whether you’re an old-school car dog or just curious about the business, this is your front-row seat to the raw, unfiltered side of the auto industry. [email protected]🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5839632634871808

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by Tom McGovernSome deals come together quick… and then there’s this one. In this episode of True Confessions of a Car Guy, we tell the tale of a customer who “just had a few questions” and somehow stayed until closing time—three days in a row. It’s the kind of deal that drains your coffee pot, burns your lunch break, and makes you question your career choices—until they finally say “Let’s do it.” If you’ve ever needed a nap after a close, you’re gonna feel this one.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by Glen ConnorStep back in time to the untamed golden era of car dealerships—when the engines were loud, the deals were fast, and the showroom smelled like gasoline, cigars, and aftershave. Wild West on the Dealership Floor, we share the raw, unfiltered stories from a time when classic cars ruled the lot, the coffee was spiked, and salesmen lit up in the office while closing six deals before lunch.If you miss the rumble of a big block and remember when business was done with a handshake and a wink, this show’s for you.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by Larry Malitz an insurance professional. Before fax machines and compliance departments ruined the fun, insurance binders in the ’80s were a dealership's side hustle goldmine. In this episode, we’re talking backroom deals, mysterious premiums, and how some sales guys couldn’t spell "deductible" but sure knew how to mark one up. Buckle up for binder tricks, policy pranks, and stories that’ll make your modern-day F&I manager cry.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail A no-BS ride back to the finance desks of the 1980s car business. This show dives into the high-octane world of dealership F&I when interest rates were wild, deals were done on cocktail napkins, and every customer was “a laydown if you worked it right.” Join us for stories of rate bumps, payment packing, repo roulette, and the kind of finance managers who lit cigars with credit apps. If you were there, you’ll laugh. If you weren’t, buckle up.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we dive deep into the $216 million lawsuit filed by the FTC against auto industry figure James Douvas. What led to one of the biggest consumer protection cases in recent memory? We break down the allegations, the reactions from the car business community, and what this case could mean for dealers across the country. If you're in the car business—or ever bought a car—this one hits close to home.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by Tim Mathisen—whose journey started as a young man in the car business. From the showroom floor to launching his own company, Tim shares how the lessons he learned in sales, service, and hustle helped him build Fruition Supply. If you've ever wondered where a career in the car biz can take you, this episode is for you.If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we dive deep into the $216 million lawsuit filed by the FTC against auto industry figure James Douvas. What led to one of the biggest consumer protection cases in recent memory? We break down the allegations, the reactions from the car business community, and what this case could mean for dealers across the country. If you're in the car business—or ever bought a car—this one hits close to home.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we hang out with Frank Gavin — a service writer who’s been in the dealership game for over 12 years. He’s done a bit of everything, from sales to finance, and brings some great stories and solid insights from life on the drive.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore the CARS Rule, its recent legal challenges, and the significant effects it is having on the automotive industry. We discuss how the Federal Trade Commission’s efforts to regulate auto retail practices were halted by the Fifth Circuit Court in early 2025, sparing dealers from costly compliance requirements. We also examine the broader impact of this development on car sales, pricing transparency, and dealer-consumer relationships amid ongoing regulatory and market changes.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of True Confessions of a Car Guy, we continue our coverage of the Jimmy Douvas case, spotlighting the increasing public support surrounding his situation. We also report on a significant vote in Congress that could shape the future of gas-powered vehicle sales across the country.Have a story of your own from the car world? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Send us Fan MailWelcome to EP001, our fist show. Today we introduce ourselves to the world and also talk about an important legal case concerning dealers, The Jimmy Douvas story.  We also have a few laughs and share some crazy storieshttps://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2huT3VhYmh1TFNwVnZUSVpfTk9mU2xQUGkxZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTUcxMDlGT29BM0VJa29DR29OSUlRbU5ESF9mTTRuQlBZS3ZDMXdiZEROV19QV0o5cVZZYW01dUxLZG1HUnZ5bE9BZy1YSVNXV2FxRHJwVU1xZVIzZjFGNnYwTEZ5N1dQVmRtVHVpWVBWTTcyQkhiZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftrue-confessions-of-a-car-guy.podcastpage.io%2FIf you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThe podcast will officially launch May 1, 2025. Here is a sneak peak

Send us Fan MailThis show is about a time gone by of how it was really like to work  in the car business. This show is not about how to get a great deal on a new car, or tips and tricks for car dealers to use to maximize profits.The Host of the show is John Gavin,  a car guy with over 40 years of experience in the car business, its time to step back and reflect on those fun and crazy times. The show is produced by Bagi, a car guy himself with over 10 years in the car business and also an aspiring content producer Join us every week as we talk about those crazy times with special guests along the way

Send us Fan MailThis show is about a time gone by of how it was really like to work  in the car business. This show is not about how to get a great deal on a new car, or tips and tricks for car dealers to use to maximize profits.The Host of the show is John Gavin,  a car guy with over 40 years of experience in the car business, its time to step back and reflect on those fun and crazy times. The show is produced by Bagi, a car guy himself with over 10 years in the car business and also an aspiring content producer Join us every week as we talk about those crazy times with special guests along the way