Does This Republic Stand?
All revved up for a Duel fueled by pure Foolpower? This week we take a look at Republic Industries <% if gsSubBrand = "aolsnapshot" then Response.Write("(NYSE: RII)") else Response.Write("(NYSE: RII)") end if %>, the company hoping to revolutionize the automotive industry. From opening used car superstores to buying up new car dealers (much to the dismay of objecting automakers), Wayne Huizenga's latest, and possibly most ambitious venture ever, has a lot of us motoring.
Jim Surowiecki (TMF Cinder) and Louis Corrigan (TMF Seymor) are safety belt wearing Dueling Fools. Jim sees a green light. Louis is blinking amber. Is this a blockbuster investment or a waste of time? Read on and find out.
So, toss out your antifreeze -- this engine is about to overheat. And for some Foolish tips on buying a car, check out our new "How To Buy a Car" area.
You Get to Vote!
After reading all of the arguments, cast your vote for the winner of the Duel. We'll tabulate results each week and revisit them from time to time to see whether you were right! As always, we invite you to join us in the Republic Industries Message board to continue the duel.
[Any suggestions, comments, praise, or flames, please send them along to the Dueling Fools Team.]
| The
Bull... The toughest time for used-car dealers is when buyers are flush. Boom times for consumers often translate into tough times for used-car dealers, especially in a world where new car prices are rising barely, if at all. If you can get a new car for a couple thousand dollars more than a used car, with low financing, why even bother to look at a "pre-owned" vehicle? Continue... |
The
Bear... As an Atlanta boy, I measure entrepreneurs by Ted Turner. Wayne Huizenga is no Ted Turner. Fighting words? Maybe, but they should matter to potential Republic Industries investors because the main reason anyone has given this company a second's thought or a dollar of capital is because it's a Wayne's world concoction. Continue... |
Results for last week's Microsoft Duel
| Answer | Percentage |
| I can't make up my mind | 3% |
| Jim Surowiecki's Bull argument | 55% |
| Louis Corrigan Bear argument | 24% |
| They were both excellent | 12% |
| They were both lame | 6% |