Archive for the ‘Honda’ 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.

Think minivans are just for soccer moms? Think again. Our new Chrysler, Dodge, Honda and Toyota minivans prove you don’t have to give up great styling for space. These classy new vehicles are packed with comfort and fun features the whole family can enjoy and be proud of.

The Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna were named as some of the top family-friendly minivans in a recent article by MSN Money. Kid-friendly extras, chic styling, power-driven performance and excellent safety features makes these vehicles excellent choices for any family.

Chrysler Town & Country

Offering 17 city and 25 highway miles per gallon, the Chrysler Town & Country has a starting price of $30,260. It’s loaded with kid-friendly features including child seat anchors, child safety locks, an optional rear-seat dual-screen entertainment system with DVD and Sirius Backseat TV and optional window shades. Other features include:

• 3.6-liter V6 engine
• 283 horsepower
• 260 pound-feet torque
• Post-collision safety system
• Head restraint whiplash protection system
• Front, rear and third row head air bags
• Three zone climate control
• Leather trim
• Optional leather seats

Dodge Grand Caravan

Starting at $21,800, the Dodge Grand Caravan is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 flex-fuel engine and offers 17 city and 25 highway miles per gallon. Stow n’ go second row seats easily fold into the floor to give drivers plenty of cargo room with little effort, while 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet torque offers excellent power and performance. Other family-friendly features include:

• Upgraded interior materials for 2011 to offer more comfort and better styling
• Dual zone air conditioning • Audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel
• Child seat anchors • Post-collision safety system
• Head restraint whiplash protection system
• Interior air filtration • Optional heated second row seats
• Optional iPod integration and rear-seat entertainment system

Honda Odyssey

With a starting price of $27,800, the Honda Odyssey offers the same sporty feel and smooth ride of driving a car. A multi-function second row center seat and easy-to-fold third row seat offer a variety of seating and cargo storage options. Other features include:

• 18 city/27 highway miles per gallon
• 3.5-liter V6 engine
• Front and rear air conditioning and heating
• Child seat anchors and rear door child safety locks
• Engine immobilizer
• Adjustable headrests
• Cruise controls on the steering wheel
• Optional rear-seat entertainment system
• Household-style power outlet

Toyota Sienna

Loaded with family-friendly features and comfortable to drive, the Toyota Sienna starts at $25,060. With tons of entertainment options including an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system, USB jack and iPod connectivity, the Sienna keeps the family entertained and happy on both short and long journeys. Other features include:

• 2.7-liter 4 cylinder engine or 3.5-liter V6 engine
• 19 city/24 highway miles per gallon
• 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet torque
• 12 V front and cargo area power outlets
• Cargo tie-downs
• Front, rear and third row head airbags
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Dual zone air conditioning
• Interior air filtration

If you’re ready to check out one of these family-friendly vehicles, head to your local Performance Auto dealer today!

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.

Tight budgets, lay-offs and other financial factors are making it more important than ever for drivers to get the most bang for their buck when choosing a new vehicle. But which automaker offers the best value? Consumer Reports recently answered that question with their 2011 Automakers Report Card, where Honda came out on top.

Data on 270 vehicles from 13 auto manufacturers was collected and analyzed to give all 13 automakers a rating of Better than Average, Average or Worse than Average. With a rating of Better than Average and an overall score of 74, Honda finished first on the Best Value list. Every vehicle was put through more than 50 tests, and overall value scores were based on on-road performance, reliability and fuel economy.

In addition to topping the Best Overall Value list, Honda also came out on top amongst small cars with the best overall value with the 2011 Honda Fit. Scores in this category were based on the five-year owner cost, Consumer Report’s road-test scores and the publication’s own predicted reliability. Predicted reliability is based on subscriber surveys while five-year owner costs are calculated based on:

• Depreciation
• Fuel costs
• Insurance premiums
• Interest on financing
• Maintenance and repairs
• Sales tax

On top of the excellent value it offers, the 2011 Honda Fit also gives drivers excellent performance reliability with the its many features:

• $15,100 starting price
• 27 city/33 highway miles per gallon
• 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine
• 106 pound-feet torque
• 117 horsepower

Check out a Honda Fit or any of Honda’s other performance-driven vehicles today and get the most bang for your buck!