Category Archives: New Cars

2016 Buick Cascada Convertible

Buick, New Cars
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jacksnell707/8865144900/in/photolist-evobHS-evoGtu-evoGpd-evobKh-evoGno-evobT7-jMZYys-odbEN9-iZ2RPq-pjExR3-p5dAkZ-nXJ3Bb-dYUS6x-dbTu8y-jMXFYi-nXJkQP-dVfjCY-rjmKKp-uZjchP-aXpiEg-aLDeLF-dV9KxH-a2sPjL-dV9KkF-k17PSe-nAPSbf-dVfjwo-aDCjTP-dYURUr-qzLWQx-qSeerr-dV9KfP-dV9Ksz-dV9KhB-qS59Ri-aXMkCe-k17JdD-k17S7e-qzEWb9-dVfjK1-e5Mmk2-r3Drw4-dZ1yAw-eUypqp-pjEymG-dYUS26-oHvAsL-aGZkda-gDBRRY-oXXTr7
Jack Snell, Flickr Creative Commons

2016 will see the introduction of the first new convertible in Buick’s storied line in twenty five years: the 2016 Buick Cascada. Needless to say the Cascada will incorporate 21st century engineering and styling to make it a stand out vehicle for all occasions. One of the innovations supplied with the Cascada is the spring-loaded, pyrotechnically-activated roll bars behind the front seats which are linked to the air bag system that are designed to protect the occupants in rollover situations.

According to Buick.com:

“The Cascada’s strategically reinforced body structure supports the roll bar system and is the foundation for the car’s strength and responsive driving experience. Elements include:

  • A-pillars featuring press-hardened steel in the inner structures and reinforced with high-strength, hot-rolled and cold-bent tubes within the pillars
  • Reinforced rocker panels with increased cross section
  • Underbody reinforcements including X-braces, V-braces and additional brackets
  • A reinforced “torsion box” bulkhead behind the rear seats that incorporates the pop-up roll bars

As a result of the structure’s rigidity, engineers were able to tune the suspension and steering systems with a high degree of precision, because they didn’t have to compensate for chassis flex.”

 

The roll bar system and the retractable roof are also designed in such a way that both the lines of the car are uninterrupted as well as trunk and storage space are largely unaffected. The individual rear seats also fold out of the way allowing up to 13.4 cubic feet of storage when the top is up, that space is reduced to 9.8 cubic feet when the top is stowed. Also, the top is stowed under a hard cover and can be lowered in 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph.

Other features include a 200hp engine, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Park Assist, and the rear view camera. The 2016 Buick Cascada convertible will be an exciting new vehicle for all driving scenarios!

 

2016 Enclave Comes With Streaming!

Buick, New Cars
https://www.flickr.com/photos/digital_3rd_eye/8629540339/in/photolist-exEgmF-eoXPVH-en1He7-e9yDGg-dAiHZa-dzKJzn-doeroT-dnbYUK-dn3Bn9-bxrAGh-bxryF3-ayH4Vo-adycWi-adB3eu-adB3b1-adB37m-adycCH-adB2Xh-ady7gp-nWRLfJ-f4DVJ8-ekB78n-adAWw3-adAUos-adxYiF-adANsS-adANju-adANfN-9Qvfd1-9PLbzm-9PHcXe-9PHbKk-9PKZdw-9PJfJs-9PFoKe-9PFnAT-9GnWzp-9GqQCs-9GqQwU-9GnWnP-9GqQjw-9GqQbN-9GnW3g-9GqPZC-9GnVRH-7WQxeV-7HNmn2-7HSh9o-4YaHwQ-4kTs7Q
James, Flcikr Creative Commons

Holy Family Vacation Batman! Buick has just announced that their 2016 model year Enclaves will feature OnStar’s 4G LTE Connectivity!  What this means is this will be a major upgrade in connectivity for families on the go. The 4G LTE comes with a Wi-Fi Hotspot that will support up to 7 devices simultaneously. Let’s face it folks, those days of license plate bingo, and the endless “Are we there yet?” questions are fading into a thing of the past. You see more and more cars on the road where everyone is on their device of choice, and now they’ll be able to connect on the road as well.

And now a little about 4G LTE. It is rated as the fastest and most up-to-date mobile network, and is advertised as being 10x faster than 3G and 100x faster than previous versions of OnStar service. As an added benefit, OnStar provides broader, wider-ranging coverage for smartphones than they can currently achieve through their cellular networks. Not only will you be able to stream on the go, but OnStar’s RemoteLink Mobile App will allow you to control several vehicle functions from your phone!  You’ll be able to send it directions and access information on the vehicle as well!

You’ll get 6 months of service as a standard, with an opt-in feature called FamilyLink which will allow you to receive vehicle position alerts, check location of the vehicle online, as well as stay connected with your loved ones while they’re on the road. If you choose the five year OnStar Basic plan, it comes with OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics which conducts monthly tests of all your vehicle’s systems and provides an alert if maintenance is needed. Also included is the RemoteLink Key Fob Service which will allow you to lock or unlock the doors, start the engine, honk the horn, turn on/off the lights from your phone anywhere you have a data connection! It’s a killer option.

Test Drive GMC Canyon…online!

GMC, New Cars
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cayobo/18335133928/in/photolist-tWdmwL-ueArxG-o7864o-rRnofh-5UyrZq-rUSLrq-9vV4qH-9vV3un-9vV4CZ-9vV4ec-9vV43v-9vY5Q3-9vV3EH-dShMTb-g8W4uR-dx4tjw-dx4tmJ-dx4tBs-7LSB3E-7LSAFf-7LSB6s-7LNCNZ-7LNCEH-7LND3R-7LNDq2-7LNDKn-7LSACA-7LSBhE-7LNCXM-7LSAPW-7LSAZW-7LNDht-7LSBf7-7LNDea-7LND1e-7LNCHc-7LNDvi-7LSAoA-7LSBtu-7LSAuh-7LSBny-7LSAm9-7LSBBJ-7LSAww-7LNDAR-7LNCx8-9KayL4-9KazaZ-9KdoXu-9KayHP
Cayobo, Flickr Creative Commons

GMC continues to be a leader in innovative ways to allow you to experience their products. For example, you can test drive the new GMC Canyon midsize pickup from the comfort of your own home! The “Canyon Experience” allows you to virtually drive a Canyon pickup in four different environments, the first of which is YOUR neighborhood! Thanks to Google Maps and Google Street View, you simply allow the Canyon Experience to use your current location to tailor an experience to where you are right now. One of the coolest things is to “park” your Canyon outside your house and see just how good that looks!

The four different environments you can select for your test drive are: mountain, shore, city, or rural. Not everybody lives in town, not everybody lives where it’s flat, but the Canyon can handle all environments with ease. The Canyon Experience will work with laptops, desk tops, tablets, and iOs and Android phones as well.

I gotta tell you, I enjoyed my drive through the mountains this morning. I could almost feel the lack of humidity and the un-Texas change in grade. Not only that but the Canyon looks pretty darn good parked in front of my house! Oddly enough it looked best in front of my house in the Quicksliver Mettalic color! I casually left the laptop open on the kitchen counter over night, and when my wife checked her email this morning, the first thing she said was, “Wow, that’s our house! That truck looks GOOD out there!” You could have knocked me over with a feather, I thought the whole “new truck” conversation was either going to be big trouble or was entirely forbidden.

So, if you have 10-15 minutes to explore online, and we all know you do, then give the Canyon Experience a try. You can try it yourself right here!

Buick’s Apple CarPlay

Buick, New Cars
smoothgroover22, Flickr Creative Commons
smoothgroover22, Flickr Creative Commons

Buick has just announced at the C3 Connected Car Conference in New York that in 2016 all models of the Buick Regal and Lacrosse will be offered with Apple CarPlay, which will integrate smartphone technology through Buick’s IntelliLink System. This will allows hands-free voice communication, text communication, navigation, as well as entertainment options to be displayed on the eight inch IntelliLink panel.

“Buick understands the importance of connectivity integration in everyday life and this new connection technology provides drivers with a smart and simple way to have all the conveniences of their mobile devices safely at their fingertips,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “It’s another step in building and implementing technology that consistently puts our customers first.”

Apple CarPlay allows iPhone features to be displayed on the eight inch (diagonal) screen for quicker safer access during driving and can either be accessed by touchscreen or by voice vis Siri. There are also steering wheel mounted buttons to assist in interacting with this innovative technology. The goal of course maintaining connectivity in the vehicle in the safest, and most situationally aware capacity possible.

We’ve all seen the statistics for distracted driving-caused accidents, and the fact of the matter is the world is not becoming less connected. So Buick and Apple are striving to allow you to be connected, and at the same time focused on the task at hand which is arriving to your destination safely and ready to go.

From a more recreational standpoint, the interconnectivity of your iPhone with Buick’s ApplePlay technology will allow you to have hands free navigation service where ever you may wish to drive. Won’t it be nice to be able to drive through Yellowstone or Yosemite without worrying about getting lost and wasting precious vacation time worrying about getting to your destination?

Buick and ApplePlay at your service.

2016 GMC Terrain

GMC, New Cars
https://www.flickr.com/photos/portland_mike/4583957451/in/photolist-6MYUxK-5XZ6wz-s72YNs-6MYnpP-qNexfJ-fqLgzG-awDfHa-gCGyF-oEJGJC-7Y8TB8-nSaLyv-8vkLuz-7X3mup-7Z4YRa-kfTVXV-rSdboJ-bTAdrp-7CAjLP-fBErfY
mike krzeszak, Flickr Creative Commons

Well y’all, it’s that time of year when next year’s models begin to make their appearance in media so everybody can oooo and ahhhh over the new features, the new front ends, the new taillights, the new options, the upgrades, etc etc etc. Well the 2016 GMC Terrain is pretty exciting. Not only does the front end get an upgrade to a more updated contemporary look, but the Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are being offered for the SLE and SLT models this year. Other alerts include Rear Park Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and a Forward Collision Alert.

The Terrain is a compact SUV that seats five comfortably. Most models come with all-wheel drive, and a whopping 32 mpg on the highway! If you need to do some occasional towing, a V6 engine is available and a tow weight of 3500lbs is advertised.

Here is a more or less complete list of updates for the 2016 Terrain:

  • New front and rear fascias with C-shaped lower chrome trim that accentuates the Terrain’s wide stance
  • New, chrome-accented grille designs for SLE, SLT and Denali – including specific tri-segment grille texture on Denali
  • New power dome hood design
  • New LED daytime running lamps on uplevel models
  • New 18-inch aluminum wheel design offered on non-Denali models
  • New 19-inch aluminum wheel design offered on Denali
  • Revised instrument panel “center stack” with new storage shelf and updated control graphics
  • Revised model lineup: SL, SLE (SLE-1 and SLE-2), SLT and Denali
  • Premium cloth seat fabric now standard on SL and SLE models
  • New Saddle Up leather interior available on SLT
  • New Light Titanium/Jet Black interior combination offered on Denali
  • Front passenger eight-way power-adjustable seat offered on SLT (previously available only on Denali)
  • New, chrome-trimmed transmission shifter
  • Available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features on SLE and SLT (previous available only on Denali).
  • New White Frost Tricoat and Crimson Red Tintcoat premium exterior colors.

 

Fort Worth and Dallas New Car: Know your ABC’s

Insurance, New Cars, Safe Driving, Tips and HInts, Used Cars, , , , , , , , , , ,

I was running out for lunch the other day and I noticed something during my trip that I thought I needed to write about.

Let me first start by saying that in the late 80’s automakers began installing airbags in cars for safety reasons, and there’s no doubt that over the past 30 years airbags have saved thousands of lives.

However, it is important to note that airbags are designed to protect average-sized adults…not young children.  I know we’ve all heard it, but airbags can pose a serious risk to children who ride in the front seat.

In fact, according to research conducted by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “children exposed to airbags during a crash are twice as likely to suffer a serious injury”.  The American Academy of Pediatrics states, “children under the age of 13 are safest seating in the back seat of a car”.

The following are some safety guidelines for children riding in a car.

  • Infants seated in a rear-facing safety seat should never be placed in the front seat of a car that has an airbag – When the airbag engages, the force of the airbag is directed right at the infant’s head as it comes out of the dashboard.
  • Children seated in a forward-facing child should not be placed in the front seat of a car that has an airbag. – Again when the airbag engages, the child’s head is in the path of the airbag as it emerges from the dashboard.
  • Remember for children 13 and under: The safest place to be in a car is the back seat.
  • For children ages 13 and up riding in the front seat remember:
    • All children should wear a lap/shoulder belt.
    • Move the front seat as far back as possible from the dashboard.
    • Make the sure the child doesn’t lean forward.
    • Have the child sit upright against the seat at all times.

Note: Engineers are constantly improving airbags to improve safety.  Known as 2nd-generation or de-powered airbags, these airbags are still NOT designed for children.  Children are best protected in the rear seat.

If you have any questions about child safety in your vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact me at Freeman Grapevine. You can even swing by, and we’ll show you thee proper way to install your child safety restraint systems.

 

Hints To Buying a New Car

New Cars, , , , , , , , , , ,

The excitement of buying a new car usually comes just before you make that decision to get a new car, and just after you’ve left the lot with that new car and sealed the deal.  Who really enjoys the actual process of buying a new car? Not many. However the car buying process shouldn’t be as stressful as it is perceived when you understand the process.

For instance, do your research first, have a few options in mind, procure your loan early so you know what is really in your budget and don’t be scared to shop around. Of course I want you to come and buy from Freeman Grapevine, but for your own satisfaction, see what else is out there.

The advice on this video should help out. Additionally, do some research online before you go, and do some research on the dealership itself too.

So the bottom line is: Be Prepared! Not only do you want to do your research, but you also want to know what your credit report score is before you go. If you walk in to a dealership and they know more about your credit than you do, that’s just bad. Also, when you do check your credit report, you may find an error that will affect whether you can get a car loan or not!

After all is done, then come to Freeman Grapevine. We like our buyers to be educated about the industry, the products and the Dallas car dealers.

But if you aren’t, that’s okay too!

Knowing your Credit Score Can Make Buying a Car a Snap

Credit and Financing, New Cars

It’s true, the more tools you have on your side, the easier the negotiating process is.

Here are few easy ways to raise your credit score I found at myautoloan.com:

1. Pay your bills in full and on time. Your current bill payment accounts for about 35% of the FICO score.  Missing credit card payments or submitting the minimum due each month will immediately lower scores, as will any debt collections or bankruptcy filings.

2. Build up an active and lengthy credit history. Don’t close out all of those old credit cards! Keeping them open builds your credit history.  This makes up about 15% of the FICO score.  Keep a few dormant accounts active.

3. Don’t open new accounts within 60 days of making a major purchase. This is 10% of your score.  Taking out new credit lines raises red flags because it makes you look riskier.

4. Maxing or topping out your credit cards will drop your score like a rock.   Even using 50% or more of your limit can cause problems because it increases the risk that you may not be able to repay.  If you have five credit cards with a $10,000 credit line each, for example, it’s not wise to carry a balance of more than $5,000 per card.  It’s better to carry smaller balances on several cards than to pile everything onto one card.

5. Get a copy of your credit report. This is very important.  Since credit scores are based on credit reports, it’s very important to make sure the information in your reports are fee of errors and fraud.  Federal law gives you the right to get a free report from each of the major credit bureaus once per year.

6. Hold a wide variety of credit experiences and loans, over time.  This is diversification. You’ll get credit for having a variety of loans. It’s better to have an assortment, including installment plans like auto loans or mortgages rather than simply credit cards.

Here’s an informative video that will explain the importance of understanding how your credit score is calculated and what you can do to raise it.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntd9X1jPDGY&feature=related]

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask, or come by and see me.

To Buy, Or Lease…That Is The Question

New Cars

To Lease or to Buy? Everyone who is in the market for a new car has to first decide if they are going to buy or lease. Let me first say, that the only good reason not to lease a car or truck is that you don’t understand it.  Leasing is just paying for what you use rather than all of the value of the car whether you use it or not.  The famous industrialist J. Paul Getty is credited with the statement, “If it appreciates, buy it; if it deprecates, lease it.”  Ft. Worth, cars and trucks depreciate.

The key is to understand the math.  First of all, the value of the vehicle that you don’t pay for is called the residual.  It is determined by the party who provides the lease and it is an educated guess at the value of the car or truck at a certain age and mileage.  In the lease, you pay for depreciation and interest.  Depreciation is calculated by subtracting the residual from the selling price of the vehicle.

For example a car that sells for $16,000 is worth $8000 in 36 months from now with an additional 45,000 miles on the odometer.  The depreciation would be 16,000 minus 8000, or $8000.  If the interest were 6% annually on the average outstanding balance, which would be 16000 plus 8000 divided by two, or 12,000, then the interest would be 12,000 times 6% times 3 years, or $2160.  So, the depreciation plus interest would be 8000 plus 2160 which equals $10,160.  10,160 divided by 36 months would be the monthly payment for depreciation which equals $282.  The only additional components to a lease payment would be sales/use tax plus and additional fees.

Paying off the whole car in 36 months at 6% would be $484 per month plus taxes and fees.  When faced with this choice, most people respond, “but I don’t own it.”  This is a good thing, going back to Mr. Getty’s observation.  What you have instead of ownership of the car is an option.  All consumer leases are what are known as closed end leases meaning the customer leasing the car or truck is NOT responsible for the market value of the car or truck at the end of the lease.

The option and the end of a closed end lease is actually three-fold.  If the car or truck is worth more than the residual, you can exercise your option to own it and trade it or sell it and realize the additional money.  Or you can purchase it and keep it.  Or, if the value is less than the residual, you can turn it in.   One of the biggest benefits of leasing is that you eliminate the risk of excess depreciation in the market value of the car or truck, but you can still benefit if the actual market depreciation is less than the value guaranteed by the party providing the lease.

Was this helpful to anyone? Did it make you rethink how you are going to purchase your next new car? Let me know!

The 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Is Coming!

GMC, New Cars

The 2015 Yukon Denali is a machine that you have to drive to understand why the people who own them, love them. What makes a Denali, a Denali? GMC has taken the Yukon and added a touch of luxury and comfort to the existing vehicle, making it one of the most sought after luxury cars in the world. Additions such as a heated, wood-grain steering wheel and a 10-speaker Bose sound system are only just a few of the improvements. When it’s frigid outside, there’s nothing better than driving around with heated seats. On the flip side, during the hot summer months, a cool seat to sit in while you’re driving around town, would make your journey much more enjoyable. With the Denali package, you can have the best of both worlds. The front seats in your Yukon have the ability to be heated or cooled at the hit of a button. For your passengers in the 2nd row, even they can enjoy the comfort of a warm seat. With the combination of wood-grain tones and chrome accents, the instrument panel is a sight to behold. GMC has re-organized their instrument panel and produced a stylish interior command center.

The exterior of the Yukon Denali is one of the most noticeable and recognizable features of the car. 20″ chrome wheels, the signature Denali grille, plus the smooth, sleek lines of the Yukon make the Denali one for the ages. Try finding a better looking luxury SUV. Accessibility improvements, such as Power Rear Liftgate and Power Retractable Assist Steps, help you get in and out of your vehicle especially when you’ve got your hands full. Technology has come along way since the first year the Yukon was produced. Now with the Denali addition, you’ve got a wealth of technological advancements at your fingertips. A touch-screen control panel with access to turn-by-turn navigation, SiriusXM radio, 30GB of music storage, a rear-vision camera system, and optional DVD controls for the kids in the back seats. With these SUVs, safety is always a concern. Worry less with the Yukon Denali’s safety enhancements. 6 air bags create a 360 degree layer of protection. In addition, the Stabilitrak with Proactive Roll Avoidance helps keep you upright and on your way. A side blind zone alert notifies you of a car in your blind spots. If you can’t see it, the 2015 Yukon Denali can! I can write all day about the new features and the improvements they’ve made, but the best thing to do is come out and see it for yourself. Come see me and we’ll take a 2014 for a drive! The 2015 Yukon Denalis will be available to order in January!