Archive for the ‘Ford’ Category

As football season kicks off, fans are prepping the very best of their tailgating arsenal.  Perhaps the most important element of any memorable pre-game grill out is the centerpiece – your ride.  A tailgate-worthy SUV must be versatile enough to act as both shelter and storage.  Performance Auto offers a full line of SUVs that rise to the occasion, ready to meet fans’ pre-pigskin needs. Below are our top five picks:

2011 Ram 1500

Aside from its enormous storage bed and “game-face” appearance, the Ram 1500 has a few tricks up its sleeve that will surprise even the most experienced tailgater. Its most exciting feature may be the “RamBox” storage management system, providing weatherproof, illuminated, lockable storage compartments integrated into both fender sides. Coolers, grill tools, groceries and blankets will fit easily in these hidden compartments. To top it off, you can customize the interior of the truck with in-floor compartments for even more storage. One thing’s for sure with this truck – it will make your pre-game prep a breeze.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

As the athlete of the auto world, the Jeep Grand Cherokee brings its A-game to any sporting event. Get to the game early with your crew of up to five, who will fit comfortably in the spacious interior seating cabin. Don’t worry about room for your gear – chairs, a grill, coolers and even more can fit easily in the wide-mouthed back hatch, especially with the fold-down rear seat.

If you want to crank up some pre-game music or game coverage, the six-speaker, 506-watt sound system will surely provide crystal clear audio, with two 1-inch A-Pillar mounted tweeters, two front-door 6 x 9-inch full-range speakers and two rear-door 6.5-inch full-range speakers.

2011 Honda Odyssey

There is nothing mini about the presence of this car at any tailgating event. Its roomy interior and removable center console provide ample storage for standard game gear, and the robust sound system makes it a prime option for concert tailgates. Plus, it’s totally family friendly if the little ones want to stay inside the main cabin and watch the 16.2-Inch Honda DVD Ultra Wide Rear Entertainment System. Become submerged in sound as rhythms of the available 12-speaker Premium Audio System fill the cabin in 5.1 surround Sound Theater Mode.

2011 Lexus RX 350

Not every tailgate session has to get wild – for the more tame tailgaters out there, the Lexus RX 350 is a perfect mix of class and function to get you charged up for the event. Catch pre-game announcers or your favorite artist’s greatest hits on the Mark Levinson sound system, and feel free to open up the surprisingly large storage space of the back hatch to present your array of food and drinks. The remote touch navigation system will also come in handy when you try out a new shortcut, trying to beat the crowd home after the show.

2012 Ford Explorer

This multi-purpose party machine was born for parking lot shin digs. Not only can it house seven members of your crew, but all the ways it can transform to accommodate different cargo makes for an event of its own.  A 50/50 split-folding third row, 60/40 second row, and fully adjustable front passenger seat means the possibilities are endless. If your tailgate festivities leave you too exhausted to make it into the stadium, recline and relax inside the Explorer, while the game pumps through the premium HD sound system.

We’ve revealed our starting  line-up, now let us know what vehicle you’re working with this season. Comment below, or visit any of our Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Honda, Ford or Lexus dealerships to get more information on the contenders mentioned in this post.

Planning a fun and enjoyable road trip starts with choosing the right vehicle to travel in. Performance Auto offers a variety of vehicles perfect for your summer adventure, including these top picks*:

Fiat 500, starting at $15,500

With a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Fiat 500 offers drivers 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The interior offers ample room for two and iPod input to keep you entertained on your journey.

Scion xB, starting at $16,000

The Scion xB’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine gives drivers 22 city and 28 highway miles per gallon. Its spacious interior lets families travel in style without feeling like everyone’s on top of each other.

Ford Mustang, starting at $22,310

A 3.7-liter V6 engine gives the Ford Mustang the power you crave on your road trip and up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway. Excellent handling gives you the performance and power you need on your trip.

Toyota Sienna, starting at $25,060

Drivers are treated to a performance-driven ride and 19 city/24 highway miles per gallon in the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder Toyota Sienna. With spacious seating for up to eight passengers, the Sienna’s a vehicle the whole family can enjoy!

Honda Element, starting at $20,825

Easy cargo loading makes the Honda Element a great pick before you even hit the road. Offering 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway, the Element is equipped with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and plenty of interior space.

Volkswagen Touareg, starting at $44,450

Offering 16 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway, the VW Touareg’s 3.6-liter V6 engine gives you plenty of get up and go on the highway. Its roomy interior lets you travel in comfort, while the navigation system ensures you arrive at your correct destination every time!

Once you’ve chosen the right road trip vehicle for you, the following tips** can also make your road trip more enjoyable:

• Get your vehicle’s oil changed and all fluids checked before beginning your trip.  Few things ruin a vacation faster than mechanical problems that could have been avoided with routine maintenance.
• If possible, take turns driving. Taking turns driving means that everyone gets a chance to sit back and enjoy the scenery without watching the road, which can make the trip more enjoyable for everyone.
• Bring your own music. Searching for a radio station can be tricky when you’re on the road. Bringing your own music ensures you’ll actually enjoy what you’re listening to on your whole journey.
• Bring your own food and drinks. Bringing some snacks along with you will save you both money and time because you’ll be able to stop less and spend less at pricey gas station convenience stores.
• Plan for unexpected stops. If there’s a certain time you need to arrive at your destination, leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get there.
• Get gas before your gas gauge is on empty. Sometimes the distance between gas stations can be hundreds of miles when you’re traveling in remote areas. Plan your fill-up destinations ahead of time to avoid being stranded on the side of the road.

Most importantly, though, drive safe and have fun. With these great road trip vehicles and tips, your summer vacation can be a blast!

*Based on a list from www.money.cnn.com

**Tips from www.uptake.com

The month of May means that graduation is around the corner, and many teens are patiently awaiting the gift of a new car as they head for college or full-time work. For those who are lucky enough to receive such a token, vehicle style and aesthetic appeal may not strike parents the same way it does teens.

As your loved one accelerates off into the distance, safety and reliability are elements that carry more weight during the car shopping process. Furthermore, because teens are more inexperienced and have a higher tendency to “panic steer,” features like electronic stability control are very important.

Size Up the Competition

When considering the size of a new car for your teen, bigger isn’t necessarily better. Some experts suggest avoiding trucks and large SUVs as these massive machines tend to have clumsy handling, poor fuel economy and oftentimes, a high center of gravity, making them more prone to roll-over accidents.

On the other hand, those sweet little sports cars that may look cool in the movies or in street races, obviously aren’t the best option either. These rapid rides have a higher rate of accidents than any other type of car, with high insurance rates to match. Small, sporty cars may also tempt drivers to drive fast, which is extremely dangerous.  There are many vehicles out there that represent the “middle ground,” possessing top-of-the-line safety features.

More recent models of SUVs and crossover vehicles , have higher safety ratings, as they are being designed with more steering control and have become less top-heavy. Cars like Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV 4 and the Honda Pilot are rated as some of the safest vehicles for teen drivers by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and also based on quality and reliability scores from Consumer Reports.

New or Used?

Most parents don’t even consider a brand new car for their teen.  Possible dents, scratches and high insurance premiums are factors that generally deter parents from picking a new car off the lot. Remember that pre-owned cars can be just as reliable as new cars. Some of the top-rated mid-size sedans for teen drivers include the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Fusion. These three models scored highest on their ability to protect the driver and front passenger in front and side-impact collisions, according to NHTSA.

Though a dent might appear here and there on the car, you can be sure one won’t appear in your wallet. Most gently used and pre-owned vehicles listed above can be purchased for less than $20,000. Though the safety and well-being of your teen is priceless, you don’t have to burden your finances for a car they can rely on.

Visit Performance Auto Group to browse our online inventory, or stop by any one of our locations to test drive a vehicle with your teen.  We also ask that you check out the C.A.R. Alliance for Safer Teen Driving website, and change your message to eliminate distracted driving and keep you teens safe on the road.

CNN Money recently released a list of SUVs that don’t guzzle gas. Performance Auto SUVs that made the list include: Ford Escape Hybrid, Ford Flex, Lexus RX450h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. All of these SUVs offer you excellent performance and the mileage you desire with today’s climbing gas prices.

Ford Escape Hybrid, starting at $21,215

• 34 city/31 highway miles per gallon
• 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid engine
• Small hybrid crossover SUV
• Traction control
• Stability control

Ford Flex, starting at $29,200

• 17 city/24 highway miles per gallon
• 3.5-liter V6 engine
• Plenty of interior space for passengers and cargo
• Third row seats

Lexus RX450h, starting at $43,935

• 32 city/38 highway miles per gallon
• 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine
• Luxury hybrid SUV
• Continuously variable transmission

Toyota Highlander Hybrid, starting at $37,490

• 28 city/28 highway miles per gallon
• 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine
• 280 horsepower
• Available third row seating

All of the above SUVs have the ability to get you where you need to go with more room and more cargo, all while saving you big bucks at the gas station.  If you’re ready to start saving money without sacrificing vehicle size and space, check out our lineup of fuel-efficient SUVs at www.PerformanceAuto.com today.

If you’ve ever wished you could take your Internet radio apps like Pandora and iheartradio with you on the road, you’re in luck. Ford, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz are all teaming up with cell phone companies and these internet based radio apps to bring your favorite tunes to your favorite vehicles by the end of this year.

The biggest block for most automakers with bringing smart phones and entertainment systems together is making it easy for drivers to use. Until recently, most drivers had to use a complicated series of wires and extra attachments to hook their systems together. Ford AppLink, Toyota Entune and Mercedes-Benz Interface Plus are making using your cell phone’s internet radio capabilities a breeze.

Ford AppLink

Ford AppLink works together with the Ford SYNC system to make using Pandora and iheartradio easy to use in your vehicle. Most applications with AppLink are operated with voice control so drivers never have to take their eyes off the road to switch between songs.

Toyota Entune

Toyota Entune requires you to download the Toyota mobile app to your phone, where you can then access in-car applications, such as Pandora and iheartradio. Entune gives you the option of using an in-vehicle touch screen or voice commands to control your applications.

Mercedes-Benz Interface Plus

Mercedes-Benz Interface Plus allows you to connect your iPhone to your stereo using a simple connector. You can then access and control Pandora and iheartradio from your vehicle’s in-dash stereo controls.

If that all sounds great, but you still have no idea what Pandora and iheart radio are, here’s what you need to know:

• Pandora is an internet-based radio app you can use on your personal computer or on your smart phone. Song lists are created for you based off of songs and artists you choose.
• Iheartradio is an internet-based radio app from Clear Channel Communications. It gives you the ability to listen to over 750 of America’s favorite radio stations from 150 cities across the US.
• Both applications are available for iPhones and most Android and Blackberry phones.

All of this new technology is making it easier than ever for you to use your smart phone with your vehicle. Discover how your phone can take your vehicle’s entertainment system to the next level today!