News Service

Top 5 Underrated Dealership Offerings

Presented by Toyota Cars have come a long way since their inception, from impressive new technologies to crazy efficient MPG. Nonetheless, there isn’t a vehicle on the road that doesn’t need to be maintained and cared for to ensure it operates safely and efficiently.While car manufacturers generally supply a maintenance schedule for new vehicles, it’s always good to know some of the underrated services that can help keep older (and newer) cars working and functioning to the best of their ability. While car manufacturers generally supply a maintenance schedule for new vehicles, it’s always good to know some of the underrated services that can help keep older (and newer) cars working and functioning to the best of their ability. Here

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Buying new and used cars: 11 buyer mistakes

There may be as many theories on the best way to buy a car as there are manufacturers. Edmunds.com is often praised for its detailed car reviews, but it also has a comprehensive section of service-oriented content — including tips for buying new and used cars. A recent article, titled “11 mistakes car shoppers make,” covers exactly what the title suggests. It’s a list of new and used car-buying “musts” — monthly payments to trade-in appraisals. Here’s what Edmunds.com editors wrote about monthly payments for new and used cars: “Many buyers go in with a set amount they’d like to pay every month, and are happy to share that figure with the salesperson.” “When you do that, you’re not actually

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Bubba Watson and his controversial drive, a 1969 Dodge Charger

Bubba Watson, a golfer of emotion and a non-purist’s swing, won The Masters for the second time in three years Sunday on the storied layout at August National in Georgia. Watson’s second victory at the event showcased his aggressive style of play. But the golfer’s first win at The Masters also included a slight controversy. But how did a nearly 45-year-old Dodge Charger put a damper on Watson’s first victory? Watson’s skills and personality were captivating. But his choice of cars, a 1969 Dodge Charger named The General Lee that once “starred” in the Dukes of Hazard television program, isn’t exactly an image appreciated by NASCAR and likely not the PGA Tour, either. The General Lee was driven by Luke

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Tesla, Toyota Prius among most fuel-thrifty 2014 cars

It’s easy to list the most fuel-efficient cars and truck simply by miles per gallon. But listing the most fuel-sipping vehicles in categories is more comprehensive. Kelley Blue Book assembles a lot of car lists each year, but its most efficient car list for 2014 is arguably its most informative. The list ranges from cars under $20,000 to truck-based SUVs and electric cars to sports cars. Here’s what Kelley Blue Book wrote about the Toyota Prius c One, the most fuel efficient car in the United States with a sticker price of less than $20,000: “The littlest Prius has a strong family resemblance to the full-size Prius and a name that has earned green cred over the years. Delivering 50

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PREVIEW: Honda Fit, 2015: Quicker, better mpg

The Honda Fit, which debuted in 2006 as a 2007 model, has been heavily praised as among the best bargains in the automotive industry. The Fit has also been recalled more than once and has been criticized for Honda’s inability to produce better gas mileage averages for the fun-to-driver, spacious subcompact. Honda is aware, and according to a report in the CarConnection.com, the Japanese carmaker plans to introduce a new line of more efficient, and thus, fuel-savings engines and transmissions in its cars. The project, called Earth Dreams, will include, according to the site, a new generation of direct-injection engines, plus Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) for fuel efficiency and dual-clutch automated gearboxes for hybrids and sporty models. The new Fit,

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Apple in your navigation system? Call it CarPlay

Apple has introduced CarPlay, which the manufacturer claims is an “incredibly intuitive way for iPhone users to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch.” CarPlay allows users to easily control the car’s native interface or push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate the Siri voice command without distraction. Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will premiere CarPlay to their drivers this week. BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp., will also feature CarPlay soon. Once iPhone is connected to a vehicle with CarPlay integration, Siri will allow

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PERK Vent Wraps make your car smell good

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PERK for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine. PERK Vent Wrap air fresheners are a novel idea. The approximately two-inch wrap fits discreetly on automobile and truck air vents — or anywhere else — and provides a fresh scent for 60 days. With the sub-title “Wake Up Your Space,” the wrap grips the vent tightly with a slight push. And unless you know it’s there, you’d never know it was there. If truth in advertising counts, the PERK Vent Wrap vent air freshener marketing folks are spot-on. The wraps are advertised with the statements: “Fragrance you’ll notice, an air freshener you won’t,” and “It’s virtually invisible and won’t block

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Michael Schumacher: Will he remain comatose?

Michael Schumacher, the most decorated Formula One driver in history, remains in stable but not critical condition more than two weeks after he was placed in a coma in a French hospital following a skiing accident. Schumacher’s physicians have not updated the retired driver’s condition to the public for more than one week. German media is speculating he may not emerge from the coma. “The sooner an artificial coma ends, the faster return usually normal body functions such as breathing,” Heinz Peter Moecke, director of the Institute for Emergency Medicine, Asklepios Kliniken in Hamburg told the German newspaper Bild. Moecke said patients are usually kept in a coma for a few days or at most one or two weeks because

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CAR PREVIEW: 2014 Hyundai Sonata: Major makeover

The 2014 Hyundai Sonata will include more than 50 new or redesigned features, including exterior enhancements, safety technology, comfort and convenience additions. The 2014 Sonata GLS will also offer a greater value for money, with MSRPs beginning at $21,350 — an increase of $155 from 2013. Gas mileage for the 2014 Sonata is 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway with the standard six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®. The Theta II GDI engine produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb.-ft. of torque. In the SE trim, which includes a standard dual exhaust, the engine delivers 192 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine also features Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) and a Variable Induction System (VIS) for better

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MotoGP hits wall, won’t return to Laguna Seca in 2014

MotoGP, the most prestigious international motorcycle racing series, won’t return to California in 2014 after a nine-year tenure at Mazda Raceway Lagua Seca. According to a report on the Monterey County Herald website and confirmed by racetrack officials, the hugely popular event held as the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, will stop after a mutual agreement with Laguna Seca and the MotoGP parent company, Dorna Sports. The absence of the MotoGP on the Monterey Peninsula means the global series in 2014 will have only two stops in the United States — in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Austin, Texas. “There is, frankly, not enough of everything to go around for three world championships in the United States,” Gill Campbell, general manager of

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PRODUCT REVIEW: ProClip offers simple, safe iPhone car use

When I received my ProClip in the mail I was skeptical. Why would I want to car mount my iPhone where I could easily see it? I didn’t want an iPhone distracting me from my driving. I have always synced my phone to my car and thrown the phone in a inconvenient storage area — never to be seen again while driving. Not any more. iOmounts has paired its patented, infinitely rotatable, magnetic mount with the uber-slick, auto dashboard mounts from ProClip USA. With ProClip, my mobile phone usage habits have totally changed. The phone is held in my ProClip where I can easily see it with a quick glance.  When the phone rings, I still answer it through the

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New Product: Easy access fire extinguisher car mount

Convenience and access are good things in the fire extinguisher world, in homes, office buildings, schools, churches and in often-forgotten locations — automobiles. H3R Performance in Larkspur, California, has made the car option easier with a fully adjustable fire extinguisher seat mount that installs easily in most vehicles. It attaches to the seat rail bolts or above the sliders of the driver or front passenger seats. The extinguisher is easier access, and its installation eliminates the need to drill mounting holes. Attaching the assembly above the sliders, where possible, allows it to move with the seat when it is adjusted. The patent pending mounts are made from lightweight, durable aluminum and available in black (model SM01BK) or brushed (model SM01BR)

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Elon Musk channels Chevy Chase in pending Tesla trek

Elon Musk has never been shy about expressing his opinion or touting his iconic vehicle, the Tesla. Now the CEO of the high-performance electric sports car manufacturer will further promote his vehicles with a well-tested approach — leading by example. According to a recent report on CNNMoney.com, Musk has finalized the details of a six-day trip cross country car trip with his five sons at the end of 2013. “Just finalized the LA to NY family road trip route in Model S. 6 day, 3,200-mile journey with only nine hours spent charging,” Musk Tweeted in his trip announcement. Three months ago, Musk announced plans to drive across country to promote the Tesla and his expanding network of superchargers. “I’m planning

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Electric car wars heat up, Chevrolet Volt $5,000 less in 2014

The electric and green car wars between Chevrolet and Nissan continue to heat up in the carmakers’ pursuit of a bigger market share in their competition against the dominating Toyota Prius family. The latest move involves Chevrolet reducing the starting price of the 2014 Volt by around $5,000 for its fourth year on the market. The Volt will now have a starting price of $34,995 (*including $810 for destination), but when the 2014 model will be available is unknown. Nissan previously announced it had lowered the starting price of the Leaf by $6,400. The Chevrolet Volt can now potentially cost as little as $27,495 after $7,500 federal tax credit. Two  new colors of the Volt will be offered in 2014,

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Top-10 cheapest cars in the United States, all less than $16,000

Since the average price of a new car in the United States is just under $30,000, what can a consumer except to purchase with a budget of $15,000 or $20,000? Some might say what’s a good cheap car? Others might look at it as buying a good car at a good price. Turns out, for whatever reason, the options are plentiful. Seven U.S. and international manufacturers combined offer 10 cars all with a base price of less than $16,000. Based on the average transaction price, including the MSPR, taxes, license, factory rebates and dealer discounts, 10 U.S. and international manufacturers combined to offer 10 cars priced at less than $18,000. The cheapest car available nationwide is the Nissan Versa with

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Jerry Seinfeld, Seth Meyers get coffee in the perfect car, really?

Jerry Seinfeld’s latest comedic innovation, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, will conclude its second season with Chris Rock as the guest of eighth episode finale. Like Seinfeld’s television show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is based on the complexities and yet simple ways of natural comedy. It’s about cars and coffee, but not really. The Internet-only series premiered July 19, 2012 on digital network Crackle. In each episode, Seinfeld introduces a classic car. He calls a comedian and drives the car to pick up the guest. The duo then drives to a restaurant and has coffee (and sometimes lunch). There are deviations from the norm (as one would expect) like the poignancy of last season’s episode when comedian Michael Richards

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