Summer Car Safety Tips

Summer.   The byproduct of pent up pubescent energy, barbequed sausage links, and strangely warm swimming pools. It’s a time of childhood freedom, family road trips, and a generous amount of suntan lotion, all wrapped into a 3-month span.   Driving your vehicle during the summer months can put wear and tear on your car, the extreme heat causing internal frustration and outward sweat spells.  In today’s blog, we suggest ways to keep yourself and your vehicle cool during the summer months.

Our first option is an auto shade that sets in your front window.  It cools your vehicle, and protects your dash from cracking from sun damage.  Make sure your shade:

·      Fits your car fully

·      Dark and reflective shade

·      HEATSHIELD- made to conform to specific makes and models of vehicles.

Another way to drop your car’s temperature is to install a window film, or tints on your vehicle. Several companies’ make a nearly clear film that reflects U.V. and infrared rays.  By keeping your vehicle temperature down, it takes less time for your A/C to cool your car down.  Thus, saving you energy and promoting overall efficiency.  If you have any other options to contribute, please leave a comment below.  Have a great summer!

Safe Driving Tips for Memorial Weekend

It’s an exciting and hectic time.  If you’ve been running around frantically, searching for the best gift, buying decorations, or trying to balance work and home life lately, you’re not alone.  The holidays are a time of love, compassion and the occasional MAYHEM.  While you’re out and about this time of year, take precaution.  Traffic is heavy this time of year and its important to still keep your driving skills up to par.  Here are some tips on maintaining your safety this holiday season.

Vehicle Maintenance

Get a tune up and make sure your car is prepared for travel if you’re taking a road trip.  This is CRUCIAL, especially regarding winter driving conditions.

Restrain Yourself Properly

This should be the norm.  Remember, the rear seat is the safest place for any children to ride.

Stay Alert and Energized

Take plenty of breaks and don’t push to meet unrealistic schedules like finishing all of your holiday shopping in a few hours.  If you feel yourself getting tired, pull over into a rest area or business, and get out and stretch.  If that doesn’t work, find a place to rest.  These crashes most often occur during the late night/early morning hours and the late afternoon hours to drivers who are sleepy.

Keep Speed Down

Hey, Ricky Bobby, give yourself plenty of time and distance to react to the traffic around you.  Let impatient and aggressive drivers pass you.

Choose a Designated Driver

There will be tons of intoxicated drivers on the roadways.  If you absolutely have to drive during this time of year always have a designated driver.

So, do you have any tips?  Feel free to comment below!

Drive safely this holiday season with our blog tips!

How to Read a New Car Window Sticker

It’s happened to everyone.  Yes, even you.  You’re perusing the inside of our dealership, checking out the coolest new vehicles and you’re bogged down by the infamous New Car Window Sticker that has TONS of new information on it.  In today’s blog, we’ll provide some details courtesy of Edmunds.com.  Check it out below:

1. Model Information

This is where you will find the basic model information for the vehicle. The section is usually located in the top left or right corner. It tells you the engine and transmission combination, exterior and interior color, the year and trim level of the vehicle. Checking this part of the sticker is the best way to quickly ensure that the car in front of you has the engine and color configuration you're looking for.

2. Standard Equipment

This section of the window sticker lists all items and features that are included in the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). Items listed here should be consistent with any other vehicle in this trim level. These items are grouped into such categories as: Exterior, Interior, Safety/Security, Comfort/Convenience and Mechanical/Performance.

3. Warranty Information

This section lists the length of the new car's bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties and notes any roadside assistance package that the manufacturer offers. Some new cars also come with free maintenance programs, and that coverage is also listed here. If you want to compare coverage among automakers, Edmunds keeps a comprehensive list on the warranty and roadside assistance page.

4. Optional Equipment

In this section, you'll find information on the car's factory-installed options. Some carmakers bundle them into packages. Others offer them à la carte. Knowing a vehicle's options can help you price it correctly and make apples-to-apples comparisons with other cars on the lot.

5. Pricing Information

This is where you'll find the base price of the vehicle and a breakdown of options and fees. Other items that would appear here are the destination charge (cost of transporting the vehicle to dealer) and any gas-guzzler tax (levied on cars with a combined MPG of 22.5 or less). The total price of the vehicle is sometimes located here, but it often occupies its own space.

How to NOT Maintain your Porsche

So, you’ve got a reliable vehicle that’s great on gas, looks great, and gets you from point A to B in style.  You want to keep it for a long time, but you also want to maintain a lot of the value associated with it so you can trade or sell it when you’re ready to update.  In today’s blog, we’re describing 5 ways to devalue your car quicker than you can say “junk it”  So, hold on and be prepared, it’s going to be a bumpy ride (pun intended).

1. Lack of Maintenance and Servicing

Every buyer wants piece of mind.  A feeling of tranquility when they purchase their car AND verification that the vehicle is in a good state of reliability.  Each car comes with a service book, which will be marked and stamped by the dealer, so keep ALL of your records to show prospective buyers (dealerships, too) that your car has a great history.

2. Lackluster Paint Care

DO NOT neglect your paint job.  In most cases, vehicles these days maintain their paint jobs due to the detailed precision of application during the car’s inception.  Don’t buy discount car care products.  The best wax kits include: washes, waxes, polishes, and extra protective layers.  Don’t use brushes to wash your car, but rather soft clothes.

3. No Insurance

Always get insurance for your vehicle.  Why?  Because it’s the single most important remedy for accidents that can happen when you’re driving.  It also means any damage will be fixed properly, usually by us or a reputable bodyshop. 

4.  Smoking Cigarettes 

If you EVER want to resell your vehicle., don’t smoke in it.  Smoking seeps into fabric surfaces, seats, headlining and carpets and is virtually impossible to extract.  This will depreciate any potential buyers who are repulsed by smoke, or potential buyers with children.

5. Dirty Interiors 

For some parts of the day, your vehicle is your home, and should be treated as such.   Make sure you keep your car clean and vacuumed. Even consider doing a full detail annually.

To schedule a test drive or find out more about our great Porsche deals, visit Porsche of San Diego right  HERE. 

Top V-Day Tunes for Car Lovers

Lets paint the scenario…

You’re driving down a winding road on Valentine’s Day Night, the top is down, the stars are shining and you’re contemplating the next step after a romantic dinner.  The conversation is great, until you reach a few seconds of pure silence.  Your palms begin to sweat, your muscles ache and you’re not sure what to do.  Don’t worry, here are a few great musical tunes during Valentine’s Day:

“Car Wash” by Rose Royce

“Changes” by David Bowie

“Mud on the Tires” by Brad Paisley

“She’s Lost Control” by Joy Division

“Drive My Car” by the Beatles

“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen

“Photograph” by Def Leppard

“Vincent,” by Don McLean

“Vacation” by the Go-Go's

“Red Barchetta” by Rush

“Summer Nights” from the “Grease” soundtrack

“I Can See for Miles” by the Who

“Route 66” by Depeche Mode

Have any auto related tracks to add to the list?  Feel free to do so below!

Dealership Dictionary Vol. 1

Hey Fans! There are a lot of acronyms, sayings, and verbiage used in the auto industry nowadays.  Sometimes, the savvy buyers can pinpoint exactly what they mean.  On the other hand, buyers may be confused as to what these certain words mean.  In today’s blog, we’re providing a quick list to reference before you come in to see us.  We’ll be happy to elaborate!

APR – Annual Percentage Rate: this is a ruler used in comparing the various ways of computing interest or finance charges for all loans

Cap Cost Reduction – refers to any cash the leaseholder may pay upfront, this can include a down payment, trade-in credit, or rebate.

Dealer Trade – This is when a dealer will exchange one of his cars with another dealer to meet a customer’s likes or requirements in color, or model.

Free & Clear – A customer’s trade-in, which has no liens on it.

House Financing – This is a customer’s purchase, which is financed through the dealership

MSRP – Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of a vehicle.

These are just a few terms that we use in order to make your experience simple, easy, and effective.  For details, don’t hesitate to contact us!