Hyundai Vel-Ahhh-ster

I have never known or cared about the Detroit Auto Show...until now.

Seeing the cars that Hyundai plans to release excites my inner car nerd. But this car probably pushes me to the max. The Veloster is expected to be released in late summer/early fall 2011.

First of all it has 3 doors, which is crazy and reminds me of the movie Back to the Future. And I do not mean "3-door" - one door on each side and a hatchback. I'm talking two doors on the passenger side, one door on the drivers side. Cool. Not only does it take new leaps in the exterior but the price is phenomenally low for the coupe/hatchback/sedan...starting price is clocking in around $17,000. Wowzers.

The nitty gritty details include:

• dual clutch transmission
• direct injected 1.6 liter 4 cylinder engine
• Bluelink system which allows you to stream Pandora, text message, and update your facebook & twitter accounts all with voice control (WHILE YOU DRIVE)
• a promised 40 mpg in US driving

So now that the Auto Show is packing its bags for next year, I will continue to wonder what Hyundai has coming out next year. The cool thing? You can take peeks from time to time of what Hyundai is working on...Look HERE at future car concepts.

Congress Wants YOUR Opinion

Dear Congress, I've never thought of telling you about that pothole in front of my house but here goes...

Thursday (January 20) Congress launched a new Social Media Campaign to get some opinions on their new transportation bill. You have about 6 weeks to chime in! They want to hear from everyone - anyone who uses our nations transportation network is asked to share their opinions, comments, concerns, ideas and even personal stories. They are targeting the social network users: you may post a comment on Facebook or you can upload a video to YouTube (this could get dangerous).

“What better time than now during the first month of the new Congress to tell members what Americans need and want when it comes to transportation,” said John Horsley, AASHTO executive director. “We expect Congress to draft new legislation this year that will set transportation policy and funding levels for years to come. It is AASHTO’s goal to help Congress understand the priorities of the American people.”

Tell 'Em What You Think

...once my older brother was riding a moped down our suburban Chicago side street when he hit a pothole that was being repaired and while the workers went to lunch, not well marked. His front wheel flew into the hole while he was projected forward. He had road rash so bad the printed letters on his t-shirt burned off...What can you do about that?

Boost Up...what?

Hyundai Rewards Saving UP for a DOWN Payment

Saving for a new car is tough. It just so happened that when I purchased my car last summer my grandparents savings bond finally opened up for my use and supplied me with a handy down payment. But that is not always the case. Especially since my savings bond is gone now. What will I use next time?

Problem Solved. Enter Boost Up.

Boost Up is a "social networking saving site" that allows you to use the power of social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc) with the power of saving....and begging for money. I will say that this is surely directed toward younger people, but guess what? People of all ages like saving money - so I've learned.

Ok, so why are we talking about it? Because Hyundai will match the amount you save up to $500! Sounds like some hearty money to me.

https://www.boostup.com/

And if you sit tight I will explain how it works & the rules behind it (because there ARE rules that come with free money....sorry).

1) Go to www.boostup.com

2) Create your FREE account - I made my own, thus to be more relatable and honestly to see how much junk mail they send me (only 1 so far and it was a welcome message). But it's really fun, you get to customize your page and pick the car you're saving for!

3) Start saving money. You can get a recurring transfer linked over from your bank account, you may email friends & family to ask for money at graduation, birthdays, weddings, etc. And you can link it to your Facebook so people can just add money if they are feeling particularly generous one Thursday morning... At this website you can even send an e-card to your friends & family to remind them of
the program or casually mention that your birthday is coming up and you'd really
like them to put money towards your car. An email helps because the website that links
directly to your bank account is at their fingertips. Literally.

4) Now for the benefits, once you reach your goal , just print a voucher and bring it to your dealer. Hyundai is currently matching up to $500!

Cool, huh? Start saving!

2011 Sonata breakin' records

Dear World,

We'll stop talking about the Hyundai Sonata when it stops being so cool.

Sincerely,

Sonata Owners Everywhere

Congratulations Hyundai!! Coming in with a new record...last year, 2010, over 200,000 Hyundai Sonatas sold in the US. That is over 90,000 more than any other car in the industry! You've officially made it. This year Hyundai's sales in the US were up 117% making it their best year ever.

Our dealership definitely reflects these statistics. Rolling into a new building helped, but basically Hyundai products just keep hitting home runs. And since the Sonata is coming out with their Hybrid this year, it just keeps getting better.

What made the Sonata so delicious to car buyers?

• Hyundai made a bold decision to forgo the obligatory 6-cylinder engine which saved the car significant weight. Jumped right on that Biggest Loser bandwagon.
• Top Safety Pick
• Sassy Exterior Styling - "fluidic sculpture" design...mmmm, aerodynamic.
• 5 Star Crash Test Rating

All of these awards and accolades helped the Hyundai Sonata be the "most shopped car" for 6 out of the 7 last months! And while some cars...ahem, Toyota and Honda, can be stuck on a lot for up to 90 days, the average Sonata sells in 16 measly days. We make car-selling look good.

And guess what? The Hybrid will be here in about 30 days. Try to beat me test driving that beauty.

New Year...New Car?

Oh, come on I know you have been thinking about it. And before the Superbowl comes with its bright and shiny commercials let’s help you make a smart, budget-friendly decision.

Before you decide to finance a Volvo for seven years with a low, low $999 monthly payment. Yikes.

Ever heard of a Program Car? Ok, here’s the thing. I would like a new car too. But, my wallet just doesn’t stretch that far. Or it could, but I do not want to live scrapping for my car payment. The solution: a program car (and it was MY solution the day I drove my pick up truck to work and it was smoking under the hood). And our lot has quite a few of them. Each week one of the owners goes to the Auction and purchases gently used cars for you & me.

I started researching these cars... Here's what I found! The most interesting thing I noticed: they practically beg you to get a Car Fax on each car (which, FYI, costs a pretty monthly payment). Eckert Hyundai already does that for you! They are loaded right on to each pre-owned car page. Not to name any names but I did some research: not many dealerships do this. What can a Car Fax show you? A bundle of things, for starters - previous owners, accidents, flood/fire damage, mileage reports, any time the airbags have deployed, even service records! In a nutshell, check the report out, it will more than likely save you some headaches and money.

The other allure these cars have is low mileage. Most are still under warranty, which means that you will not have to pay for minor repairs yourself. The factory warranty will last you until your vehicle exceeds 60,000 miles. So, you've got a while. Unless you make two road trips to Chicago to visit your family in it...personal problem.

Then, while interviewing our Finance Director, James, I realized YOU could get the BEST DEAL. Here's how: because the Hyundai Sonatas and Elantras (both 4 door Sedans) have completely changed their body types for 2011 the 2010 models are currently going at killer prices. This could be to your best interest. If you are looking for a budget friendly car to keep for years, this one is knocking...and I'll tell you what my husband tells me, "saving money is sexy."

So go on, give us a call .

Big Words: Simplified.

Car And Driver Magazine named the Hyundai Sonata one of the 10 Best Cars for 2011.

The thought is rather flattering. To be compared to the likes of Porsche, Cadillac and BMW is like being compared to the Prom Queen in High School. We did it! The Sonata is in the cool crowd.

Without basically re-writing the article I will tell you, it’s classy. The 2011 Sonata has been out for about a year now. It has been said that its “greatness is undeniable.” It may look like a sports car but it is indeed a family sedan; refurbished with your needs in mind.

Guess what else this car has to offer: The LOWEST base price in its segment! Hyundai didn't want you to feel like you were settling so the lowest base price will still get you a six-speed transmission. With this car, the good just keeps on coming, with Bluetooth and XM radio and trunk space to boot, you will swoon when you see this car in your driveway (post Christmas present? Or how about Valentines Day?).

Here, peruse our stock.

Asterisk Abuse. Not your momma's commuter car.

The exciting news can finally be revealed: The New 2011 Hyundai Elantra is here! Finally

I personally feel like every carmaker taps into our inner 5 year old and makes you blurt out, “ooooh, I want that!” I am still paying off my 2008 Hyundai Sonata (which I adore, by the way, nothing but good reports about it) and I want to trade it for either the 2011 Elantra or the Sonata, both incredibly sporty and just in general, better than my car. Remain calm. My head suddenly goes through a thousand scenarios, I am selling things on Craigslist to scrape together a down payment, I am asking my Father for a new car. No, that's silly.

They shouldn't have let me test drive it.

Reasons Why I Have Fallen For the New 2011 Hyundai Elantra:

• 29 mpg City, 40 mpg highway. Oh my goodness, Need I say more?
  • for those uninformed out there....which was me 2 years ago, let me explain mpg = miles per gallon. The reason it's lower in the city is because you are stopping and starting so often. These numbers are so high and that means...you fill up on gas less, which I hate anyway, it's so inconvenient, take me back to the days of full service gas station pump attendants, please!
• Redesigned, sleek body. Wow, this 2010 body was thrown out the window! This car looks like a scaled down 2011 Sonata which, let me tell you, is a good thing. Not only sporty but also aerodynamic. Someone was doing their homework.
• I'll just say it, I am nearly 6 feet tall. Finding a car that fits my legs is tough. But driving the Elantra was a joy. I started out by sliding my chair back and it went TOO FAR. Too far, seriously? That never happens. Then I sat in the back seat (with my driver seat extended) and there was enough room to put someone on my lap...not that I did.
• Talking about space...don't get me started on trunk space, it was unlimited. It went in so far, which I imagine helps with wheel noise reduction.
• Heated front AND REAR seats? I have always wanted those....just in my seat, let alone all of them! This is so cool (calming my inner 5 year old all over again).
• Last but not least proximity, touch start engine and touch screen navigation (let's hope they have an Australian accented guide)

I could go on and on about the engine and how there is a 6 speed transmission, etcetera, etcetera. But those aren't the sinkers. With this new car, Hyundai has you in mind! They honestly pursued making you feel special for under $20,000 (and a little bit more than that if you so desire all of the bells & whistles).

Back to the Asterisk Abusing out there. As I read and read article upon article to maximize my Elantra knowledge I realized there are some number fudgers out there. Why say that your car has 42 mpg with the dreaded asterisk (which I realized I was spelling incorrectly)? Dreaded asterisk....meaning you can hit a whopping 42 mpg if you are being dropped out of a helicopter onto a highway, going down wind and if you are a supermodel who weighs 12 pounds, thus never slowing down you car. Come on! The special thing about the new Elantra is:

a)you don't have to be a supermodel and weigh 12 pounds and

b) it has 40 mpg on the highway no matter what (GASP!).

So, get one. Or at least test drive one and satisfy your inner 5 year old, please!

More info? Click here.