nc211

Another small item to think about when you change your pads, is any type of grease or lubricant that might get onto the rotor itself. If this happens, and considering the job, happens quite a lot, you will get severe shuttering for the first few miles, until the heat of the pads can burn off the grease and such from the rotor's surface. I recently replaced rotors and pads on my 4runner, hit the highway, hit the brakes, and the thing shuttered like the wheels were going to fall off. At about 100 miles down the road, all was fine, and remains so. I use only oem parts, as I find them to be just as cost effective when ordered online. I use parts.com, and everything I've received for the 4runner are coming from a Toyota dealership in Arizona. Question: my GS, at 57k miles, is ready for a new set of brakes as well. I'm curious if you guys are finding two, brass-like, centering screws placed on the center hub of your oem rotors? I know my LS had them, and if you forget to reinstall them, it can make the car feel like it's out of balance. I'm curious if I need to swing by the dealership for a bag of new screws before getting into the project. If I recall, they'er soft metal, and very easy to strip the threads when removing.

And they're not, trust me. I spent thousands of dollars on my 95 LS, mostly due to gaining confidence in my repair ability and wanting to try. But, you've also got to take into account the fact that many of the folks on here asking "help me" questions, are driving 10+ year old cars. Age hurts almost as badly as neglect. But, I get what you're saying, I really do. As Lexus has a unique characteristic about their cars, that isn't matched by anyone else, so does Mazda and their zoom-zoom approach. Which they do very well. You won't find a match to that characteristic in the Toyota branding, period. Nissan and BMW are about as close as you're going to get. I always felt like our 3gt drove more like a little BMW 318ti of yesteryear, then any other type of 'small' car on the market. VW has their feel too. I think what you're wanting, is exactly what Toyota engineers dial OUT of their cars, which is also what attracts a lot people to Toyota. That is, the road. Toyota insulates you from the pavement and the mechanicals of the car. Especially the Lexus brand. They go for "smoooooth" operations. Mazda, doesn't even really try. Of the asian cars, I would have to say Nissan has created the best balance between the two. But, ever driven a 50k mile nissan? They're not the same car you bought new. If I could, I would have kept the 3 for my "toy" car. But, that just wasn't in the cards. I think you'll also see more repairs on Toyotas now too. I think the curse of being #1 is going to get them. #1 = bullseye on your back. #2 is the best spot to be in. I say this, because it seems to me that the cars built up to 2005/06 seem to be performing better then the 06+, when Toyota was clearly going to take the #1 spot. Getting something, and keeping something, are two totally different animals. I'd rather have something in the "getting phase", then in the "trying to keep it phase".

Thanks guys! I'm really enjoying the car, and getting back to my "cruising" persona. The Mazda was fun, but demanded a different kind of driver, as it wanted to be tossed around and revved up. I liked it, but up here on these HORRIBLE roads, a softer cruiser is more inline with the environment. I agree Blake, good choice on the V8 indeed, as I've fallen in love with "juicing" it here and there. Looks like you and I shall continue down the path of lexus ownership!

You're not the only one who has posted these same feelings before. I too felt that way about my 95. I loved that car, but got a horrible itch to drive something a lighter on it's feet, and fun. I bought my wife a 07' Mazda 3GT in April of 07', new. One drive, and I was hooked. But my wife was not comfortable driving the LS. So, the LS became the 4runner, so I could get my hands on the Mazda more. We had our 1st child, the 4runner became her car, the Mazda mine, and after a year of the Mazda, I've returned to Lexus with a GS. The GS is a good balance between the two. You get a soft ride when you want it, but have the more nimble feel when you want that too. It's basically Lexus's definition of the BMW 5 series. Granted, it's not a BMW, but you get the point. The LS is the 7 series, the IS is the 3 series, and the ES, well I'm not quite sure, but they're also very nice and even more nimble. But if you're looking for more feedback from the road type of car, then I'd say either the IS, or a different brand all together. Maybe an Infiniti G35 would fit that bill? I've heard lots of folks loving them for that quality. I've got a buddy who had a G35 sedan, but had to sell it when he was starting is own law practice. He replaced it with a used IS300. Said the G35 was a lot more fun to drive, but overall he loves the IS better.

Hey Ed, how goes it amigo! I just picked up a GS with the 430 engine, and I noticed a tapping/ticking noise as well. I think it is the injectors. Our V8 in the 4runner does it too. I think it's normal. Our Mazda 3 "which was traded for the GS" had a horrible internal tappng noise to it. It was the injectors as well.

Thanks guys, I'm loving the V8 too. It's a rainy day here today, and on my way into the office, while at a stop light, I put my foot in it about half way. The rear end wiggled, the trac light came on, and I laughed so hard I nearly had to go home and change my pants. Ah, I've missed rear wheel drive! I've posted pictures of it in the general discussion section, titled "i'm back".

Thanks Kyle, I'm loving it too, and suggest that if you want one, now is the time to buy one, probably the best time to buy one actually. I bought this one for the simple fact that I did not have faith the Mazda would hold up to the kind of standard I like in cars over the next 3 years. What I'm trying to do is position ourselves now to not need any big ticket items over the next 3+ years. If what I think will happen in the economy, happens, things are going to get quite expensive soon. As the ball rolls, one way to the next, the next logical step in a deflationary environment, is an inflationary one. And if anyone here is (a) old enough to remember, or (B) a student of, the late 70's and early 80's economy, then you know how out of whack it can get. Mortgage rates of 18%, that sort of stuff. So, if you can do it, you're comfortable enough to do it, then I say do it. Just make sure you ask yourself "do I feel comfortable that this will keep me happy for the next few years". The GS series for me, is a firm "yes" to that answer. Big enough for me, small enough for my wife to be comfortable driving it, safe enough for our son to ride in, and dependable enough to not worry about it. Factor in the small distance I will actually drive it during the work week "60 miles total", and gas prices don't really matter, and we're not going anywhere for a few years anyway. I would also try to find one with under 60k miles. At 60k, if the owner didn't really address the fluids in the power steering, transmisison, etc, you're at that point where damage to the internal workings have not occurred beyond a simple flush to fix. RX, have you seen the movie Dazed & Confused? I'm gonna' start calling you Wooderson. "Livin baby, l.i.v.i.n." "I'm gonna' blow the wood screws clean off your doors Benny".

They're higher, but not too bad. I think it costs us about $75 a year more. Oddly enough, the Lexus costs me about $10 more a month than the Mazda, thanks to the cost of repairs and that V8 engine. We're with USAA, which for us is just a fantastic operation. I've got both cars financed with them now, and simply can't beat them. Overall for insurance, for both cars, is about $100 a month with $250 deducts across the board. Love that traction control! We've got some rain today, and coming into the office this morning, I put my foot in it about half way from a stop light. The rear end wiggled, the little trac light on the dash came on, and I was glad nobody was with me, because I just giggled like a little school girl! The car has new Goodyear tires, I think they're called GT4's? I could be wrong, but something like that. Man, I love rear wheel drive!

At first, I wasn't too keen on the spoiler on the car. But I must say that's it's grown on me, quickly. I love it now that I've had a chance to drink a few beers and stare at it, like a 16 year old boy who's stumbled upon an open window at a strip club! My new neighbors have got to be wondering who in the hell has moved in next door! Hahaha! They better not push too hard, as I can easily dig into my southern background and put a few dirty alternators and car batteries on the front porch for display. That'll help the property values around here! I learned a valuable lesson on my last Lexus, which is don't buy a leased car, especially a "corporate" lease. I also learned another lesson, one that I thought might be the case but was stunned at the level. That is, if you want a good deal on a used luxury car these days, go shopping in the richest part of town. I bought this from a local Caddy/Saab dealer in a very high-end suburn of Chicago. They have two lots full of used luxury cars. Guy said folks are coming in left and right with their BMW's, MB's, Jag's, Lexus, Porsches looking for stuff like Honda Civics to trade on. Said they're taking "whatever we offer, no questions asked". Their making a killing on the spread, and guys like us can get great deals! Dang, I can't wait for 8:00 am tomorrow! I hear jainla on finding a different route! Unfortunetaly, see that Garmin Navigation gadget on the window? That's the only way I know how to get around this place, otherwise I'm sure my internal berrings would put me right inthe middle of the hood in no time. I think someone should suggest to Garmin to add "fun drive route" to the options for navigation, instead of just "shortest route or fastest time".

I woke up this morning at 4:15 am, with a feeling that I haven't had in a while, that sense of excitement that a Lexus is sitting in my garage with my name on the keys. I was like a kid on Christmas morning, wanting my wife to wake up. I tried to find any excuse I could find to go drive it "honey, how about I go get us some breakfast". But, as anyone with little kids knows, the real ruler of the house is the one in diapers. So, I haven't had time to really drive it today. The 4runner is the baby buggy when we all go out and about. I'm actually looking forward to a Monday morning tomorrow, so I can drive it to the office! Here are some photos I took this afternoon.... Man, I love that Lexus leather smell, it's unique to the brand, and intoxicating! RX, we're actually in the same weather pattern as you guys are down there, mid 60's with sun! It feels great outside! The only real bad weather we've had since we arrived was the weekend after we arrived, with 10 inches of snow. We had to fly back to NC that day to pick up our boy from Grandma & Grandpa's house. The 4runner made no issue of that amount of snow. Infact, it was kind of fun to finally drive it in 4 wheel drive. But, this place is ugly as sin in the winter time, that's for sure. Trees are bare, and everything is brown with a light hint of white from all the damn salt on the roads. A few days of good springtime rain should fix that though. We're starting to green up a bit. The 4runner had those plugs too, and I changed them at 60k miles, and made a very nice difference. I think the dealership probably hit the engine with the steam machine, as the car stumbles a bit at idle. Classic case of water "or 87 octane". I've got a bottle of seafoam in it now to see. They lubed everything with armorol so badly, it looks like a s*x toy under the hood. I've wiped a lot of it down. Another thing I need to do is the transmission fluid, asap. The stick shows red, but WAY too much of it. It's overfilled a good bit. Going to the Toyota dealer tomorrow for a case. Thanks DC! I'll do my best to keep my butt out of trouble! But, with 300 horses under my right foot, that could be a challenge. I've never had a car with this kind of power before. From the reviews, it says it'll hit 60mph in about 5.7 seconds. Way too fast for me " ;) "One thing I really liked about the 6 over the 8 is the managabliliyt of the throttle control. The 6 was easier to drive, and felt more light on it's feet. The 8 definately has a heavier feel to hit overall, more like the LS, and if you push the gas just a little too hard, it'll down shift and launch you like a bat out of hell. It'll take a little bit to get used to that. The 4runner's V8 is the same, and I nearly flipped it over when we first got it with a left turn at a stop light. Had to scoot across traffic, and got more than I had bargin for. Thing practically leaped out of it's skin.

NC211 has returned to his roots, in the Lexus fields of glory, with a 2001 GS430 with 57k miles on the clock. She's silver on the outside, black leather on the inside. Wood steering wheel, Mark Levison stereo, heated seats, and all the other bells and whistles. Local car, sat in the owner's garage I'm guessing, only drove it 7500 miles a year. $13k out the door plus the keys to the Mazda, inclusive of all tax, title, tag, etc.. Not to bad of a deal for both parties. They were asking $16k. The Mazda was a good car, not great. That engine made some uncomforable noises, and after two idle tensioners, new a/c unit, and several trips to the dealer to figure out what in the hell was making a hissing noise at idle, I finally said "enough of this mess" when the check engine light started coming on recently. Apparently, whenever the temp falls below 45 degrees outside, some EVAC modulars malfunction. A problem mine started having when we moved to Chicago, and apparently the dealers have a tough time fixing. That, and bad windshield clips that lost their cushion in cold temps which caused it to rattle, were enough for me to say "back to what I know". So, I'm back in the family! First up: New fluids, filters and plugs. After that, I doubt I'll do much. Probably brakes soon though too, as the pads look about 50% worn down. At the end of the day, this lexus costs us about $1,200 less a year to own!

nevermind, i answered my own question today, and bought the 430 engine. 2001 GS430 with 57k miles! I liked the 6, but didn't like the specific car's condition. But when i put my foot in the 430's engine of another car, I loved it!

Hey fellas, I'm really close to trading in our 07 Mazda 3 GT for a 01-04 GS in the 60k mileage range. I'm curious though, for you city drivers out there "gas prices are not a concern". Is the 430 engine worth the extra coin? Does it make the car feel heavier in city driving? My route to and from the office is only about 10 miles, round trip. So there is no real need for us to keep the Mazda and it's payment. Plus, since I've inherited it from my wife, it's not really my type of car. Does the i6 engine have a timing belt or chain? Thanks all!

You're right, they have been sending a good bit of back-office staff asignments overseas to reduce costs. JPMorgan's increased allocation of overseas jobs are in that "back office" segment. But, was this not what Obama was talking about stopping in his campaign? Making the exportation of jobs to China and such less attractive then keeping them here for us? I don't know, I've just got this feeling we're re-entering a "scandal" period again for the White House. I don't think it'll be hookers in the closet and cigars in the dna shredder stuff, but I've just got a feeling we're starting to go backwards in that regard to the "class" appearance of the White House and our political system. Randy, although I don't agree with some of your comments "although I understand them", I certainly agree about the inflationary situation that is coming! I don't think it'll be in oil again though, but I do think it'll be in consumer goods. That's why I'm really really really thinking about trading up on our Mazda 3 back to Lexus, with a GS. Prices are so low, dealers are so desperate, that it's almost too difficult to not do. We're buying things that we need and want right now left and right. New furniture, another hdtv, possibly a nicer car, in anticipation that soon these things will cost twice as much! It's the classic followup play to deflation. The further it swings one way, the further it'll swing the other way. If I were a mortgage holder "not anymore, to affraid to buy in Chicago at the moment", I'd make sure I had a FHA loan on my house. That assumability clause associated with the FHA platform will be worth it's weight in gold soon. When you have a 5.5% assumable mortage and need to sell your house in a 10% lending environment....well, you see the advantage of telling the buying marketplace that they can assume your 5.5% rate! That equals additional value to your home!

Well, what do you guys and gals think so far of our new President? Presidential? On course, or throwing punches at shadows? Me? Well I have my concerns, which tie back to my original gut feeling about his lack of experience when a similar thread popped up last year. Now that I'm living in Chicago, his home base, I've had the chance to see a lot about his history, that I didn't get a chance to see from North Carolina. I saw a very insightful show on him called Frontline. I was stunned to see that nearly everything he said during his campaign for President, were the EXACT same things he was saying back in his earlier days, his intro days into politics, just 10 years ago. I thought that was insightful. It got me thinking, about the whole slogan of his of "change". Frontline portrayed him as using "change" as the weapon against the sitting canidate for whatever he was going after. It also showed that he was thinking two steps forward. Wanting to win this seat, so he could position himself for the next seat. He was speaking for that second seat, while trying to get elected for the first seat. Now, he has the last seat in the chain, and it's time to prove what he's been saying. I'm concerned about his ability to put up, or shut up. Here is why: Simple: When the Oval office becomes the Corner office, things get spooky, things get blury, and things get scary. The Oval office is NOT the private sector, and to use it to run the private sector, never works. Look, I'm ticked about the whole AIG thing too. I think it's wrong, as I think the vast majority of the approach to this "bail out" has been handled. This isn't a crisis of liquidity, but a crisis of balance sheets. Throwing money at it, won't fix it, ever. But, when you have the President of the United States on Jay Leno, bashing AIG, I have to wonder what the other CEO's are thinking? I know what they're thinking, and as evidenced by a move from JPMorgan two weeks ago, they're saying "USA is too scary to base operations out of right now". JPMorgan has increased their job allocation to 25% for China this week, with more to come. That's what hit the press, so you know others are doing the same in the shadows. I'm just saying...I am growing more and more concerned about Obama's "Presidential" abilities. I get what he's doing, wanting to be the "common man" President. But, honestly folks, would you want your neighbor, the same guy who drank all of your beer last weekend and still has your yard edger, being President? I don't, I think. I'll give him some slack as he's new, and in the honeymoon period and still figuring out how things work. But, I am very concerned about how he is using the White House mouthpiece to discuss the private sector. Whether you like what's going on or not, the fact remains that many of those big ole' companies are the same ones paying salaries, health insurance costs, and most importantly, providing competition which is the backbone of our country's economic health...capitalism. You spook off the competitors, then you've got anti-trust issues and we're all forced to pay whatever the last one standing says. So, whatcha' think amigos? How's he doing?

Well, only 90% of you. You'd still have your hands and driving gloves!

"Ut Oh, better get MACCO"..........NOT!

First: Go back to autozone and write down the code numbers, as trying to figure this out without the computers help could, and probably would, cost 10 times as much with the "hit n' miss" approach. Second: Transmission Fluid: Take it to a Toyota dealer and have them replace the fuild with new oem stuff. Third: Fluids in general: At those miles, I'd have every fluid in the car changed, to be honest. Unless you know everything in there is new oem fluild already. Fourth: It's doubtful, but possible, you have a hinge wire loose in the trunk, along the trunk's hinges. This effected the earlier models of 90-94 the most, almost nonexistant in the 95', but some of your symptoms sound exactly like what happens to those models when their littel black wire get's pinched at the hinge. It's been a few years since I've had my 95', and don't recall a black wire, but never had to look for it either. You've got to get the codes though man, otherwise we're pretty much flying blind!

Known as the Sage of Omaha for his long history of successful investments, Buffett was caught out by the global financial crisis. Berkshire's net worth tumbled $10.9 billion in the final quarter of 2008 and profits fell 96 percent, due mostly to losses on derivatives contracts tied to the stock market. Berkshire had $4.65 billion of net investment and derivative losses in 2008. ....and yet another one, a VERY WELL KNOWN one! You don't get losses like this on just the NYSE DOW tanking.... This cost Buffett his cherry "AAA" credit rating, which was cut to AA. If you ask me, if you were one these mega players with the financial horse power to manipulate the price of something, and you were "in" on the oil sham, then you deserve what you get! WE all lost a lot of money too, at $4.50 a gallon. Nice to see these guys didn't get to keep it either! I hope these kinds of massive losses and the results of them, will serve as the basis to the investment community to never, never, never try to manipulate the commodities sector again! You can try to screw over the other guys who understand what a p/e ratio is with your techie stocks and such. But if you try to hose the american public with the items on their kitchen table and in their garages, you'll lose every single freakin' flippin' time! If you can't tell, even though these are very difficult times for all of us right now, I am enjoying seeing some of these people who "stole" from us last summer, start to take some hits.

How about "Key Me". :o

WASHINGTON – Freddie Mac said Wednesday it will ask the government for nearly $31 billion in additional aid after posting a gargantuan loss of more than $50 billion last year as the U.S. housing market worsened. The mortgage finance company posted a loss of $23.9 billion, or $7.37 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2008. That compares with a loss of $2.5 billion, or $3.97 a share, in the year-ago period. The recent loss was driven by $13.2 billion in hedged trades, $7.2 billion in credit losses from the declining housing market conditions and $7.5 billion in writedowns of the value of its mortgage-backed securities. The company also took a charge of $8.3 billion for now-worthless tax credits. Allow me to translate that last paragraph, specifically one specific part which relates to this thread and what I was saying last year when oil was going through the roof - my stance on speculators trying to manipulate it to recover losses from their housing investment, and what would happen if oil tanked before a viable investment alternative could be identified for all of that money to flock to, which didn't happen..... Can you see it? No? It's the "The recent loss was driven by $13.2 billion in hedged trades," The other categories translate to the "mark to market" accounting crap used to value an investment in "real time" dynamics, not in "holding time", which is why many home owners with lines of equity have seen those limits reduced over the past few months.

I also think the answer lies in the business model and revenue streams most focused upon for the company. I think also takes into account a certain level of product pride from the individual line worker. It seems to me, and again just my personal opinion, but the asian community has a stronger work ethic than we do, with more pride taken from producing the best possible product they can, versus a job that provides the best possible paycheck that it can. With that said, the business model and revenue streams can be easier to identify. GM, focuses more on the ongoing servicing of the vehicle, ie, alternators, water pumps, etc... Toyota seems to focus more on the retention of the customer for future sales, which is why you rarely see a Camry with a failed alternator at 40k miles, in comparison to a Chevy Cavalier. Most anyone will tell you the profit margins are higher in the servicing bay, then on the show room. I think over time, as the asian car makers began to build bigger "more american friendly" cars, folks began to realize there was an alternative to the Malibu and it's on-going repairs. When a 50k mileage Avalon drives nicer than a new Malibu, you've got a problem. But at the end of the day, it comes down to the pride of the product in the specific individual versus the pride of the paycheck and living lifestyle afforded to that individual. Not saying american autoworkers aren't proud of what they do, but you don't see a lot of Honda/Toyota/Subaru plants with strike lines out front.

Our house in Carolina went under contract within 4 days of hitting the MLS, for what we asked for. I could possibly be one of the last few guys left to make a profit on a piece of residential real estate in the country! Especially considering we bought it in Oct. of 06' right at the tail end of the inflated price bubble. One word...Cul-de-sac!

....and yet GM is saying they'll go bust in a few days without another bail out, plus Citi stock, once the world's largest bank by market share, hit $.97 CENTS a share today.... Eehyaya, what a mess.

This is a good sign! Retail Sales Top Projections on Springtime Inventory (Update1) Email | Print | A A A By Allison Abell Schwartz March 5 (Bloomberg) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., TJX Cos. and Aeropostale Inc. reported better February sales than anticipated as spring merchandise drew bargain-hungry shoppers back to stores. Sales at U.S. stores open at least a year rose 5.1 percent at Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer said today. That outpaced its quarterly forecast of 1 percent to 3 percent growth. Aeropostale reported an 11 percent rise, higher than the 6.9 percent estimate in a survey by Retail Metrics Inc. Sales at TJX, which runs the TJ Maxx chain, were unchanged, better than an estimated 2.1 percent drop. Retailers had less merchandise left over from the holidays, and offered new spring inventory in February, which brought more people out to shop than the previous month, according to Richard Jaffe, an analyst at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. in New York. Warmer weather mid-month also helped lure customers, he said. “With a late Easter this year, we believe retailers are exceptionally well-levered to benefit, should the warm weather return and, hopefully, fuel increased consumption,” Jaffe said. Easter falls on April 12 this year; it was March 23 in 2008. Retail Metrics, the Swampscott, Massachusetts-based researcher, said U.S. comparable-store sales rose 0.7 percent in February, better than the 1.1 percent decline analysts had estimated and the first positive result since September. The outcome was helped mostly by Wal-Mart, said Ken Perkins, president of Retail Metrics. Cheaper gasoline has drawn more shoppers to Wal-Mart, where they’re buying food, TVs and other products for entertaining at home, said Eduardo Castro-Wright, the Bentonville, Arkansas- based retailer’s head of U.S. stores. ‘Financial Responsibility’ “You’ve got a trend toward financial responsibility,” Castro-Wright said in an interview Feb. 26. “It’s almost like a significant percentage of consumers realize that they might have been living beyond their real means.” Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, rose $2.30, or 4.7 percent, to $50.79 at 9:51 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Costco Wholesale Corp., the biggest U.S. warehouse club, said yesterday that February same-store sales in the U.S. rose 4 percent, excluding gasoline and currency conversions. Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club, the second-largest warehouse outlet, said sales excluding fuel increased 5.9 percent. No. 3 chain BJ’s Wholesale Inc. posted an 8.2 percent gain, leaving out gasoline. U.S. consumer spending fell in six of the past seven months as unemployment reached its highest level in 16 years, according to the Commerce Department. March same-store sales may drop as much as 1 percent, Mike Niemira, chief economist at the New York-based International Council of Shopping Centers, said today in an interview. The U.S. savings rate climbed to 5 percent, the highest in almost 14 years, the Commerce Department said. Aeropostale, Limited Aeropostale wasn’t the only clothing retailer to outpace predictions. Sales at Limited Brands Inc., owner of the Victoria’s Secret chain, dropped 7 percent, better than the 7.6 percent average decline estimated by analysts. Gap Inc., the largest U.S. apparel chain, said February sales slid 12 percent, beating the estimated 15.4 percent decline. “Aeropostale is the value-price leader right now,” said Brian Sozzi, an analyst at research firm Wall Street Strategies in New York. “I would think they’re going to have continued strong sales heading into the spring.” Sales suffered at department stores, which have had to slash prices on perfume, handbags, shoes and clothes to attract budget-conscious consumers. Department stores have a larger assortment of goods and generally have to discount more than specialty stores, according to Sozzi. Macy’s Drops Macy’s Inc.’s sales dropped 8.5 percent, more than the 7.8 percent estimated drop. Dillard’s Inc. posted a 13 percent decline after analysts predicted a 9.3 percent slide. Nordstrom Inc. retreated 15.4 percent, more than the 13.6 percent analysts expected. Luxury department stores have also turned to discounting to clear inventory. Saks Inc. said sales plummeted 26 percent. Analysts estimated a 20.7 percent decrease. Neiman Marcus Group Inc.’s sales sank 21 percent. Results were weak in all regions and in all merchandise categories, the retailer said. Confidence among U.S. consumers plunged to a new low last month, signaling spending will slump further. The Conference Board’s index declined more than forecast to 25 in February, the lowest level since the data began being reported in 1967. January’s reading was 37.4, the New York-based research group said Feb. 24. Retailers continue to cut prices. Aeropostale is selling two $29.50 polo shirts for the price of one. American Eagle Outfitter Inc. is taking 15 percent off all items, and Talbots Inc. is offering as much as 70 percent off spring merchandise. “There are still discounts, but the discounts are not as deep as they were in December and January,” said Hana Ben- Shabat, of the retail practice at consulting firm AT Kearney in New York.