Why Driving During the Fall is Awesome For Taking a Scenic Road Trip

Sometimes, you need to get away.  Work is exhausting, your favorite TV sitcoms have gone off the air, and it’s time to break the mold.  Imagine breathing in the cool breeze of an ocean, or the soothing heat of a morning sun while taking a trip down the countryside.  Road trips are a great way to embrace the open road to view what our beautiful country has to offer.  So, you have the keys, a bag of snacks, and a couple days to check out your surroundings, but where do you go?  In today’s blog, we’re discussing some great scenic places to visit while you travel. 

Overseas Highway – Florida Keys

A highway that spans 113 miles, composed of roads and bridges from the Florida mainland to the country’s most southern point, the Overseas Highway is a beautiful place to drive.  There’s blue ocean, ships, boats, fisherman and tourists at every turn.  As an added fact, the Florida East Coast Railway was converted into this awesome highway.

Finger Lakes Region – New York

The Finger Lakes are a chain of lakes in central New York State shaped like…well, uh…fingers with the lakes formed by glaciers.  The lake extends 75 miles from Syracuse to Rochester.  There’s farmland, quaint towns and hundreds of wineries.  An Autumn trip adds an accentuating foliage to a beautiful drive year around. 

Pacific Coast Highway – California

This is known as one of the most scenic views in the world.  Hugging cliffs, and coastlines line a 123 mile stretch in a blissful five hour dream of beauty and saltwater scents.  However, this is not for the faint at heart.  The PCH offers some hairpin turns, narrow shoulders and steep drop-offs so BE ALERT. Honestly, take some time to pull over in safe places to really enjoy the vista. 

San Juan Skyway – Colorado

This scenic 233-mile drive through San Juan National Forest, Grand Mesa, is known as the “road to the sky” because of its mountains, quaint towns and ancient Native American pueblo ruins.  The drive features steep cliffs, alpine forests, campgrounds and plenty of outdoor activities. 

Mini Dictionary of Automotive Terms

Are you coming into the dealership soon?  Perfect! We like to keep our clientele in the know.  We provide FULL transparency and great customer service to provide an awesome experience.  In today’s blog, we go over some of the auto terms we use to provide a better understanding of the buying process.  So, without further ado, please soak in the following provided by Bankrate and feel free to ask us questions!

Add-on interest -- Interest that is computed at the beginning of the loan, then added to the principal, so that all must be repaid, even if the loan is paid off early.

Base price -- The cost of a car without options. This price includes standard equipment and the manufacturer's warranty and is printed on the Monroney sticker.

Blue Book -- Formally, it refers to the Kelley Blue Book, an industry guide dealers use to estimate wholesale and retail vehicle pricing. In common parlance, "the blue book price" can actually refer to a price looked up in one of the many guides to pricing. The books now come in a variety of hues, are issued by many organizations, and are commonly available online or in the reference sections of public libraries.

Dealer holdback -- An allowance, usually between 2 percent and 3 percent of manufacturer's suggested retail price, that manufacturers provide to dealers. A holdback allowance may allow the dealer to pay the manufacturer less than the invoice price. A buyer could obtain a car below invoice price and the dealer would still make a profit.

Dealer incentives -- Programs offered by manufacturers to increase the sales of slow-selling models or to reduce excess inventories. Dealers may elect to pass on the savings to the buyer.

Dealer preparation, or dealer prep or preparation charges -- An additional charge that dealers try to impose on buyers. It represents pure profit for the dealers, who have already been paid by the manufacturer for the cost of preparing the car for sale.

Destination charge -- The fee charged for transporting the vehicle to the dealer from the manufacturer or port of entry. This charge is to be passed on to the buyer without any markup.

Extended warranty or Service contract -- A contract that covers certain car repairs or problems after the manufacturer's or dealer's warranty expires. Extended warranties are sold by car manufacturers, dealers and independent companies. With a new car, the extended warranty usually must be purchased by the end of the first year of ownership.

Invoice price -- The manufacturer's initial charge to the dealer. The price may not be the dealer's final cost because dealers receive rebates and other incentives from the manufacturer. The invoice price always includes freight, also known as the destination charge.

Monroney sticker or Dealer sticker price -- The sticker on the car window that shows the base price, the manufacturer's installed options with the manufacturer's suggested retail price, the manufacturer's destination charge, and the car's fuel economy (mileage). This label is required by federal law and it is only removed when the car is sold by the purchaser. Named after A.S. "Mike" Monroney, a longtime Oklahoma congressman who wrote the Automobile Information Disclosure Act.

Prepayment penalty -- A lender's charge to the borrower for paying off the loan before the end of the term.

Rebate -- A manufacturer's reduction on the price of the car as an incentive to buyers. Rebates appeal to people with no credit or less-than-perfect credit who cannot qualify for the lowest-rate loan. A rebate may also appeal to first-time buyers who don't have a lot of cash for a down payment or another car to trade in.

Some of the Most Famous Cars in Modern Film & TV

We’ve all experienced the magic. The popcorn is buttered to perfection and the lights are dimly lit.  The slow stir of anxiousness floods your body.  Watching a movie for the first time is an experience in itself.  The character interaction with trying situations creates a bond between you and the protagonist, but it doesn’t end there.  Movies have created certain characters that, even after the film is over, you still have a connection or admiration for.  In some cases, a protagonist’s car can be given this title.  A vehicle used by main characters in the plot have a mind and personality of their own, or are reflective of their character, creating a cool ensemble of on screen characters to watch.  Here’s a look at some famous cars in cinema:

Ford 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

This car, American muscle defined, starred in the film Gone in 60 seconds with Nicholas Cage in 2000.  The Mustang named ‘Eleanor’ in the film had 360-hp and in one scene launches 30 feet in the air over 15 feet of cars to land intact on the other side.  WOW

1981 DeLorean DMC12

Maybe one of the most classic movie cars of all time, the DeLorean starred in Back To The Future with Michael J. Fox.  It was able to break the law of quantum physics with a modified flux capacitor to travel through time at 88 mph.  The ill-fated Irish sports car had a good run.

1963 Volkswagen Beetle 

The distinguishable red and blue racing stripe, the number 53 on it’s hood and the human-like emotions of a Classic Volkswagen, all incorporated Herbie’s demeanor. The car star of several films of the same name, it was even able to drive himself from time to time!

1969 Dodge Charger

The General Lee was an icon.  The Dukes of Hazard car had a confederate flag painted on its roof, doors that were welded shut, and a trunk full of sandbags and concrete to let it fly over those hills.  The Duke boys had it good…

1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

This car was a super smart, crime-fighting machine built to protect its driver, (a young David Hasseloff) in the TV series Knight Rider.  The car, known as ‘KITT’ was backed by an ‘Alpha Circuit’, which only the producers of the show know where it came from or how it made KITT speak.

1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ambulance

Who you gonna call?  The Ghostbusters was a national hit when it was released in 1984 and with the “Ecto-1”, a white end loading ambulance corroded with dust and ghost catching technology, the Ghostbusters were able to speed through New York to solve problems with the macabre. 

There are countless movies with unforgettable cars.  What are some of your favorites?  

Top 5 Kia Instagram Pics from August

The Top 5 Kia Instagram pics from August; selected by out staff.

@d2racingusa

@mrswright_x

@r_bizzle93

@northtexaskdm

@fortefied

The 10 Best Automotive Quotes Ever

Who doesn’t love classics?  From cars to TV shows to movies, we’ve always had a thing for nostalgia.  When it comes to cars, everyone has fallen in love with a classic car they loved.  It’s just inevitable.  So, in today’s blog, we’re listing the coolest car quotes said by awesome people.  Enjoy:  

To finish first, you must first finish. – Juan Manuel Fangio

The winner ain’t the one with the fastest car, it’s the one who refuses to lose. – Dale Earnhardt

Once you’ve raced, you never forget it…and you never get over it. - Richard Childress

To achieve anything in this game you must be prepare to dabble in the boundary of disaster. – Sterling Moss

What’s behind you doesn’t matter. – Enzo Ferrari

Nobody remembers the guy who finished second but the guy who finished second. – Bobby Unse

Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson

When you win a race your on top that day, so take it for what its worth, have a good time and party, cause the next day when you get out of bed, the meter goes back to zero again. - Bobby Allison

If you’re in control, you’re not going fast enough. – Parnelli Jones

Auto racing began 5 minutes after the second car was built. - Henry Ford

Bonus!

Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary… that’s what gets you. – Jeremy Clarkson

The Best Automotive Instagram Profiles of 2013

Are you on Instagram?  Yes?  Maybe? No?  Well, for the 100+ million users Instagram has siphoning through its content on a daily basis, you’ve most likely heard of it.  Instagram is a fast, beautiful and fun way to share your life with family and friends via a picture or video.  You’re also able to add filters to your content to transform the look.  In today’s blog, we’re listing the TOP automotive Instagram users.  These individuals eat, sleep and breathe gasoline.  They’re tuned into the latest trends in automotive and provide a bird’s eye view of the automotive landscape.  Check it out:

Vossen Wheels - @vossen

Vossen is the quintessential wheel shop.  They create gorgeous photos with different makes and models accented by their beautiful rims.  It also reveals a unique lifestyle by Vossen employees as they create dynamic videos, prank each other and reveal their undying passion for the automotive industry.

Dave Nickerson - @davenickerson2

Dave Nickerson is a professional photographer of everything automotive.  He’s also an auto aficionado with a passion for high-end cars.  He captures the beauty of vehicles in still shots taken with his iPhone, revealing behind the scene shots from countless photo shoots.

Ken Block - @kblock43

Ken Block is a legend in the automotive competitive circuit.  He’s known for events like the X Games, WRC, Rally America and more. 

Auto Kings - @autokings

Autokings is a crowd-sourced Instagram profile with a wide range of vehicles.  Manufacturers range from Ferrari, to Honda to Jeep with a feeling of random automotive bliss.

Do you have any to add?  Feel free in the comments below!

Carpooling Should be Called Car “Cool” ing

The carpool.  When this word comes to mind you can imagine four adults slowly sipping coffee, one on their phone having a lengthy conversation with a significant other, another half asleep, hot coffee spilling into their lap and…well you get the idea.  Carpooling isn’t ideal in a lot of individuals’ eyes.  People show up late, complain, and touch your radio settings without warning.  Many would call it a burden.  The carpool should be more popular than it is, but it hasn’t seemed to catch on or so WE think.  According to recent federal government studies, 10-16 million commuters use carpooling as their principal means of transportation to work every year. That's two to three times the number of people who use public transportation.  Not too bad if you ask me, but it could be better.

Carpooling isn’t as bad as you think, there are countless benefits to riding with a co-worker.  The best incentive is financial.  The AAA estimates that “operating costs (gas, tires and maintenance) average 14.1 cents per mile for 2005, all of which are shared in a carpool. If ownership costs — such as insurance, depreciation, finance charges, and taxes — are also shared, the economic benefits skyrocket. Additionally, many employers offer financial incentives for employees who share their rides to work.”  Websites like http://www.rideshareonline.com/ will match people based on location.  You should set ground rules to avoid conflict and follow these tips provided by Edmunds.com.

·      Print driver schedules

·      Create policies on stereo, AC, Cell phones…

·      Set rules for latecomers

·      Advance notice for vacation

·      Establish a back up plan

A successful carpool takes a bit of work, but can make life a whole lot easier.  Good luck, guys!!!