Category Archives: New Cars

When is it time for a new car Fort Worth?

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dallas Buick Dealer, Dallas GMC Dealer, dallas GMC Truck, dallas new car, dallas Used Car, dallas Used Truck, dfw driving, financing, GMC Dealer, GMC TruckLike most, you may have a special relationship with your car. I know I do. I love my truck! It only stands to reason that when the time for a change comes it may become difficult when it’s time to part with it. Heck, you may even be in denial that it is even time to part with it.  If you’re on the fence on whether or not you should start to consider a new car or not, take the quick quiz below by answer yes or no to each question below to see if you should be in the market for a new car or if the one you’re currently driving is just fine:

  1. Is it hard to find parts for your car when repairs are needed? Spending hours on the phone or the Internet tracking down a part to your car is big waste of time, but necessary if you need to drive.  If you take your car to your trusted mechanic and even they are having a hard time finding parts then time may up on your car.
  2. Do you find yourself putting more money into your car than your car is even worth?  Sure, in your mind your car may be a classic, but if your car is costing you more than what’s it worth it’s time to revisit basic accounting before you get yourself further in the red.
  3. Do you trust your vehicle? If you get into your car and are just not sure if it will get you to the place you need to be without any problems, you need one that you do trust. No one likes being broken down in the road. It’s dangerous, a waste of time and just frustrating.
  4. Is your car safe? If you were to get into an accident do you think your vehicle could protect you with airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control which are all pretty much standard on today’s cars.
  5. Will your vehicle pass the emissions test? Cars that close to or older than 15 years old have less of chance passing emissions testing. And just about every state has some sort of emissions testing that their vehicle needs to pass in order for it to be legally on the road.

In my opinion, if you answered yes to even one question, then I would highly suggest putting a new car purchase in the budget. Of course you don’t have to buy brand new, a used car is new car to the new owner.  The bottom-line is that you need to be safe in your car and be able to trust that it can get you from point A to point B without any problems. And if you do have problems you don’t want to be sinking a lot of cash into something that doesn’t give a return, especially if you’re going to be running into more and more problems.

Come by Freeman Grapevine today, we’d love to help determine if your current car is just getting to old. And if so, we have a lot of new and used cars for you to take a look at.

Freeman Grapevine: DFW Winter Driving tips

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

So far, this winter has been fairly moderate, but it’s still just the beginning and here in Texas, particularly Dallas and Fort Worth, cars fall easy prey to our sudden cold snaps. So, in keeping with the Boy Scouts motto, “Always Be Prepared” here’s just a little refresher on driving in foul Winter weather.

For those not used to navigating ice and snow covered roads, which is ALL of us, this can be, with little, doubt the most dangerous driving time of the year. Even those of you that have been raised in the Northern and Midwest states could take a few minutes and reflect upon some good safety tips and make sure we keep our precious cargo safe.

Getting Winter Ready

  1. Check you fluids — It is very important to have a well supplied anti-freeeze  resorvoir in cold weather. Wiper fluid is also often consumed in large quantities, and don’t just use water or it will freeze on you.
  2. Tires and Brakes – A good set of well tread tires can be the difference of being in the ditch or safely on the asphalt. Pressure must be kept up as well, since cold weather promotes flatter tires. Anti-lock brakes are the best for winter, but you should always have good brake pads for icy stops.
  3. Wipers- Nothing beats a set of maintained wipers in a blizzard or sleet storm. Rain-X is also a valid choice for extreme climate conditions.
  4. Battery and Engine — Good clean battery posts and a good charged battery are a must when starting in cold weather. Engine tune-ups and regular oil changes also are a must for reliable winter travel.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmiPM-eXAjs

But that’s not all folks, there are a few other key points to remember.

  • Stay home if you can, as there is no substitution for safety
  • Know your route — research road closures and delays
  • Have plenty of fuel — this will provide much needed warmth
  • Have a well stocked safety kit — flashlights, jumper cables, water, etc
  • Cell phone – communications are important when stranded
  • Drive safely — keep plenty of space between you and cars or obstacles

You can stay safe during these winter months! See Freeman Grapevine with questions and feel free to share your driving experiences.

Freeman Grapevine: “I don’t think my New Car is Upside Down?

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At Freeman Grapevine, we get asked all of the time by new car buyers: “What does it mean to be “upside down” on your new car?” Well, simple put, you owe more than the car is worth.

The first step to getting out of this crazy situation is to understand that you are not alone. Roughly 30% of people in the United States are in similar situations, and what’s more is that many of these people are in this situation from the get go. That’s right…almost the moment they drive off of the lot. Sometime you gotta’ do what you gotta’ do when you need a new car.

Now that you know you are not alone, the next step is to take stock of what your current options are.

One of the more common strategies people use to get out of such situations is to try and sell the car. Unfortunately, unless you are able to sell the car for what you owe, you are still responsible to pay the loan in full, regardless of who actually owns the car. Another common strategy is to trade in the car that is upside down for a new vehicle. While this may get you out from under one inverted car loan, it is going to put you right back under another one.

This is great advice:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDQzoeVWS_k

The best thing you can do is finish paying that car off and then sell it or use it as a trade. If you are upside down, you are probably going to want some guidance as to how you can get back on your feet. That’s where Freeman Grapevine can help.

Does anyone have a suggestion or service they can recommend?

Fort Worth & Dallas: FIX YOUR POTHOLES

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Hey, it happens even to the best of us here at Freeman Grapevine. You’re driving along, focusing on the road ahead, and you might not even notice the huge hole in the road…until you drive over it.

Bam, you just hit a pothole. It might have sloshed your coffee, or made your CD player skip. You quietly curse the pothole and you might even shake an angry fist in the rear view mirror, but then you just go about your day. What you might not know is, driving over potholes can cause serious damage to your car.

First off, what exactly is a pothole? Well, as roadways freeze and thaw, some of the water erodes the dirt beneath the surface of the road. Then the asphalt will start to crack and chip away. This leads to small holes in the road, and they will eventually turn into potholes.

How can potholes affect you? Well, you could notice immediate damage via a flat tire or long-term damage could start to affect your alignment and steering. Pothole damage accounts for about 500,000 insurance claims every year, so you should look for any signs of damage as soon as possible.

If you have aluminum rims, they might become bent or warped if you hit too many potholes, and they just can’t withstand the impact that older, steel rims can. If you hit a deep pothole, it could chip away some of the rust proofing on the undercarriage of you car, and you will want to get that repaired as quickly as possible.

The biggest problem will have an effect on your steering and shocks. If you notice that your car starts to pull in one direction or the other when you let go of the steering wheel, your alignment is probably off. If you notice that your drive is becoming a little rougher and you can feel every little bump in the road, those potholes might have messed up your shock springs.

Let me know if you have any funny or nightmarish pothole stories, and I might include them in a future blog post! Of course, if that pothole has left you with any of the issues I mentioned above, then feel free to bring it into Freeman Grapevine so we can take a look.

Dallas GMC Dealer’s take on surviving an accident Financially

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Buick Dallas, GMC Dallas, Texas Buick, Texas GMC, Texas GMC Dealer, Used Car Dealers Dallas, Used Cars Dallas, used cars fort worth

Have you been in an accident in your new car recently, are you suffering pain as a result of your car accident and it wasn’t your fault? Does this sound like an advertisement for an ambulance chasing lawyer? Well, regardless if it does or not, the fact of the matter is that this Dallas GMC Dealer believes you may have a good compensation claim against the other party.

Now, I hope you are never in a car accident accident and if you were I really hope that you don’t have to go through the stressful experience of a lawsuit of some kind. However, this is real life and things happen…here’s what to do if they do.

Many compensation personal injury solicitors now work on a No Win No Fee basis meaning you don’t need to pay them a penny for their services. If you win your case you will not have to pay their legal costs and the fees and cost for helped you will be collected from the other party. If you lose your case , it is very likely to get nothing, that’s why they mostly take cases on they believe will win.

In regards to insurance, any medical costs from the hospital, health care and also any medicine you’ve had to purchase can probably be claimed. If any other costs have arose from this car accident then make it clear when you speak to your lawyer, they will need to know the full facts of the accident as well as the pain and costs you have or are suffering from.

Remember, every car accident compensation claim is completely different from any other. It depends on the injuries that were caused, any costs or medical treatment, time off work needed and much more. As well as the time it took them to close the case. It could take a few months or a couple of years, so just keep this in mind when choosing your compensation claim lawyer, get a good one.

Some good questions to ask are :

• Will I get the ‘whole’ of my compensation? If yes… continue
• Will I need to pay a fee? If no… continue
• Do you recover costs from the other side (i.e. people at fault)? If yes… continue
• Would I need to pay anyone any money once my claim is settled? If no… proceed.

Again,  Freeman Grapevine hopes you never have to experience any of the above. However, if you do, know that you have recourse to file claim against the offending party. Be wise in your choice of lawyer, he should have your best interest in mind…not his.

Dallas Buick Dealer and the New Buick LaCrosse Concept

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Buick Dallas, GMC Dallas, Texas Buick, Texas GMC, Texas GMC Dealer, Used Car Dealers Dallas, Used Cars Dallas, used cars fort worthAs a Dallas Buick Dealer, I know that when some people think of Buick, they don’t necessarily think of the word “luxury”. “Comfortable, smooth, well-built” are the words I hear the most to describe the Buick LaCrosse.

Well, it was only a matter of time before we started to see more refined sensibilities come out of the Buick design factory, and if this new Buick LaCrosse Concept give any hint of what to come from Buick, I think we are all in for some really nice surprises.Buick Dallas, GMC Dallas, Texas Buick, Texas GMC, Texas GMC Dealer, Used Car Dealers Dallas, Used Cars Dallas, used cars fort worth

Some upgraded luxury touches include  a palette of trims including cabernet red, dark cocoa brown and caramel chocochino; French-stitched premium leather seats; suede on the headliner; and a red exterior with tinted chrome accents.

“Every surface in the interior of the LaCrosse GL has been crafted with the knowledge that Buick customers enjoy the finer things in life, but don’t need to flaunt it,” Magdalena Kokoszynska, creative designer on LaCrosse GL said.

Buick Dallas, GMC Dallas, Texas Buick, Texas GMC, Texas GMC Dealer, Used Car Dealers Dallas, Used Cars Dallas, used cars fort worthThe exterior of the Buick LaCrosse GL Concept is colored in red with brushed and tinted chrome accents on the grille, door handles and deck lid, as well as around the windows, taillights and headlights.

“The LaCrosse GL concept expresses Buick’s distinctly human kind of luxury – one that is as warmly inviting as it is elegant and refined,” said David Lyon, executive director of design. “The design cues that already distinguish the production LaCrosse – such as the premium leather-upholstered seats, ice blue ambient lighting and soft touch surfaces – are amplified in the GL and serve as inspiration for future Buick models.”

Now of course we’ll see some type of price restructuring, but as of now, since there is no word of a production model yet, I guess Buick is just testing the market to see what type of reaction the LaCrosse GL receives before making any decisions.

If you are interested in seeing the current production model of the Buick LaCrosse, don’t hesitate to swing by your Dallas Buick Dealer and take a test drive. You’ll be glad that you did.

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below.

Dallas Buick Dealer Invites you to see “Compact Luxury”

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buick verano, GMC Dallas, Buick Dallas, Used Cars Dallas, Texas GMC, Used Cars Fort Worth, Used Car Dealers Dallas, Texas Buick, Texas GMC DealerThe luxury car world is always looking for the next big thing, could it be that the next big thing is actually making a luxury compact? Your Dallas Buick Dealership was thinking the same thing, that is until we were personally introduced to the new 2012 Buick Verano.

From the get-go, it’s clear that GM wanted the Verano to be a clean break from its checkered past of rebadging Chevy compacts. In sharp contrast from Buick’s last compact, the Skylark which died out in 1998, the Verano hides its Chevrolet roots well from the outside. With only a subtle “hockey stick” character line betraying its Opel roots, the Verano is neither a rebadged Euro-market sedan (like the Regal) nor a “pure” Buick design like the LaCrosse. But it does split the difference between the two designs, marrying a subtle design with a few discrete Buick cues like the hood-mounted ventiports. The overall impression is of a clean, classy car that is, if anything, possibly a bit too substantial and anonymous… which, upon further reflection, makes it quite Buick-like.

buick verano, GMC Dallas, Buick Dallas, Used Cars Dallas, Texas GMC, Used Cars Fort Worth, Used Car Dealers Dallas, Texas Buick, Texas GMC DealerInside, GM’s newfound parts-bin savvy takes center stage: just as the Regal was rebadged from a different market, the Verano’s interior is borrowed but not a duplicate. The seats, which are some of the best available in the compact class, are the huge, well-bolstered thrones from the LaCrosse.

So, if you were wonder what “Compact Luxury” looks and feels like, stop by your Dallas Buick Dealership, Freeman Grapevine and take one for a spin yourself!

A New Navigation System That Offers Dallas Cars More Than Just Directions

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I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot when I find an accessory that can do more than just one thing.  And if it’s got a touch screen then that is even better.  Recently GMC Fort Worth has just come out with a jackpot when it comes to navigation systems.

I can remember just a few years ago when the TomTom was all the rage. And it also came with a pretty hefty price tag too. But now, the TomTom can’t touch what is going to be available in the new 2012 GMC Terrain.

The new 2012 GMC Terrain will have the option to come with a fantastic Color Touch Navigation System which includes a radio system, Sirius, maps, hands-free phone capabilities, directions, photos, traffic, weather and more.

Check out this video for an inside look at the new Color Touch Navigation System:

httpv://youtu.be/x45q1PCjc20

The Color Touch System will also have a SD card reader that allows all who get to ride in this fantastic vehicle the chance to view pictures from smartphones and cameras. Of course for safety reasons, you can only do this when you’re parked.  So, say you just got back from a great birthday party with friends where of course you used your camera. No more waiting to get home to view them on a larger screen. You can do it in your Terrain!

And you bet the Color Touch Radio System is loaded with options and has hook ups like USB and auxiliary inputs for MP3 players and iPods, plus the standard AM/FM/CD.

With voice command, you can tell the navigation system what to do and still keep your attention on the road.

“Terrain’s Color Touch Navigation System is practical, purposeful technology with a high-tech look and feel at an economical price point compared to competing systems,” said Dave Bojanowski, GM navigation systems engineer. “Anyone familiar with smartphones or tablet computers will find its 7-inch color touch-screen and large app icons intuitive and easy to use.”

Come check it out in person at Freeman Grapevine and see if the new 2012 GMC Terrain is the perfect fit for you.

The Buick Verano is Almost Here Grapevine!

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It’s time to break out the congratulatory cigars! The delivery of the baby is almost here. No, we’re not talking about a human baby, but the new baby Buick also know as the all-new, redesigned 2012 Buick Verano which will be making its appearance here soon at your local Buick dealer, Freeman Grapevine.

Although it may be the smallest vehicle that Buick has to offer, it by no means is small when it comes to anything else. In fact, the baby Buick has a long list of amazing, luxury features making it hard to not notice.  More on that in a minute.

But first, one of the things I love most about Buick is its Quittunning Technology. I’ve been in a lot of different types of vehicles and one thing that I can totally appreciate is when the vehicle is a quite and smooth ride. With this Quittunning Technology, the 2012 Buick Verano has triple-sealed doors, acoustical laminated glass and the refined chassis is designed to block or absorb sound and vibrations. Relaxing indeed!

Back to the list of some the great options, Buick will have include a touch-screen navigation system, a heated steering wheel, keyless ignition, front and rear heated seats and dual-zone climate control to name just a few.

Here’s a look inside the new 2012 Buick Verano:

httpv://youtu.be/4FFhjIryO5c

And if you’re on the up and up when it comes to technology, Buick has OnStar Owner App and remote control, Intellilink, OSE premium auto speaker system, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity.

Safety also remains a top priority for the Buick Verano. Though crash-test rating are not yet out, GM expect that it will receive a top five-star federal rating plus a Top Safety Pick from IIHSA. The Buick Verano is armed with the highest protection like electronic stability control, ten standard airbags, OnStar Automatic Crash Response and anti-lock braking with brake assist.

Although this may be the baby of Buick’s it sure does have a lot of grown-up features. If you’re like me and are patiently waiting, contact us or stop by with your information so that you can be one the first contacted when the all-new 2012 Buick Verano hits your Buick dealer, Freeman Grapevine.

GMC Adds a Front Center Air Bag for Even More Protection, Ft.Worth!

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At Freeman Grapevine, we know that you depend on your vehicle for a lot of things namely, transportation. However, another very important feature of a vehicle that is often taken into consideration before buying a new car is safety. Besides providing the some of Fort Worth’s best vehicles, GMC is also highly in tune with providing the most comprehensive safety system in the automotive industry.

Just recently GMC announced that it will offer a new layer of protection during collisions in their crossover vehicles. The new air bag will be centrally-mounted and is said to protect occupants in side-impact crashes better than before.

The new air bag will be located in the space between the driver’s and front passenger’s seats and will deploy during a  side collisions.

Check out the video demonstrating a crash without the airbag and a crash with the air bag:

httpv://youtu.be/2YOEwNPCKH8

Now, after watching that I’ll bet you are hoping that GM will extend it’s new air bag technology to other models.  I know I am. Look closely, that air bag can really save someone from some serious side whip lash.

GMC is leading the pack when it comes to the new air bag as it’s an industry first that is providing protection between drivers and front passengers.

By 2013, GM plans to have this new air bag as standard equipment on it’s crossover vehicles including the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia. This new air bag is not required by federal safety standards, but I have a feeling that with such a great safety advance, that will change.

Hopefully GMCs in Fort Worth will have the air bag before 2013, but we are keeping our fingers crossed that they will come out sooner than later.

What do you think about this new air bag technology?  We’d love to hear from  you. Just post your comment below or swing by Freeman Grapevine today!