One great deal. Guaranteed.

Go Hyundai! I know I told you about this once before but here is a new genius plan from one of the better carmakers on earth. Literally.

Hyundai has this new Trade-In Value Guarantee. Let me break it down.

You buy a new Hyundai.

You drive it like a normal person for anywhere from 2-4 years.

You want a new Hyundai.

You bring your old Hyundai to the dealership and get exactly what they told you you would get for it 2-4 years ago.

You go home with a new Hyundai, Happy and not feeling ripped off.

Basically Hyundai has a way to determine how much they will give you exactly for your car when you buy it. No Kelly Blue Book-ing your life away or hassling with Craigslist to determine what your car should be worth. We told you 2-4 years ago. AND! If you are gentle to your car, you could get MORE than what they told you 2-4 years ago. If your car is in worth less than the guaranteed value when you go to trade it in, they will give you the guaranteed value (minus any extra mileage costs or damage costs). This is a great plan! You have all of the good parts of a Lease (like you can bring your car back and get a new one) without all of the bad parts (like you HAVE to bring your car back, and no mileage restrictions). Ok, I'm letting you loose, good luck and happy shopping!

Making Changes to the Elantra Already?

Flattering Changes is Hyundai's New Way. Read this whole article.

"Hyundai's new Elantra is one of the auto industry's most undeniable hits, and the South Korean automaker could afford to let the model ride along unchanged for a couple of years. But it's already making changes. Despite being on sale for less than a year, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra gets new standard equipment that should help improve fuel economy.
All of the compact sedans equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission now get the "Active Eco System," which modifies engine and transmission controls to improve gas mileage by smoothing out throttle response. Pressing the Eco button should improve real-world fuel economy by 7%, Hyundai says. A similar feature is available on the smaller 2012 Hyundai Accent. Fuel economy is still EPA-rated at 29/40 mpg city/highway with either the automatic or manual transmission." --Colin Bird, Car.com's Kicking Tires

Pretty sure the Elantra is doing just fine on it's own two feet, but Hyundai decide to not stop while their ahead in this marathon race of perfecting the car for the consumer. I guess they can't stop thinking of you.

Well, Well, Well, Look Who's Here.

It's the 2012 Hyundai Accent!

And, it's a big deal. Subcompact cars are no longer a thing of the future. And the all-new 2012 Hyundai Accent is ranking high amongst it's competitors. With a sweet 30 city/40 hwy MPG how could it not turn heads.

Not only does it offer great mileage but the new and improved Accent strikes with a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback, larger cabin, split folding back seats, 138 horsepower, 1.6 liter direct injected 4 cylinder engine, 6-speed manual and automatic transmission, 6 airbags, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stability Control with the option of GLS, GS and SE trim....and need I say more? But, yes, the base price for the GLS starts at $12,445!

If you don't believe me. Read what Family Car Guide.com has to say here.

Or read what Motortrend.com has to say here.

Or read what Autoblog.com has to say here.

Do you need anymore hard evidence or are you sold?

Sold? We thought so. Schedule an appointment and browse online at the Accents we have now.

Simple Interest Loan

I asked James, one of our Finance managers, "What is the most common question people ask when in your office?"

First of all, his office feels like the scale at the doctor, you may just not want to know or you may feel like you have to explain yourself...But instead of saying, "Sorry I went to a birthday party last night and ate a lot of cake," you say, "Well, a family member died and I accrued a lot of debt and spent a year trying to get the hang of it...that's why my credit is the way it is."

What you'll find is, we don't think about it either way. We have probably seen something worse, and we WANT to help you get in a car. When we look at credit scores we more so think, "how much down payment will they need, and what bank will be best to work with them?" So, don't be so afraid.

Back to James' answer. Simple Interest Loans. No one knows what they are, and that is what we use the most. Explanation, ready?

Simple interest is the amount paid on your loan. You can figure it through this easy calculation.

Simple Interest = (amount financed)x(interest rate)x(loan term, in years)

• Amount financed = your cost of car - trade in & down payment + tax title and license
• Remember the math...if your interest rate is 8.49% it will be calculated at 0.0849
  

Simple interest loans are easily calculated and easily reduced. You can save yourself a nice amount of money if you understand interest. Through simple interest loans there are no penalties if you prepay, or pay more than your "monthly payment" each month. All you have to do is let your bank know to apply it to your principal. Through simple interest loans you will daily accrue interest, if you pay off before your monthly "pay date" you can save the interest for that those few days. Which can be pretty substantial (THIS is why banks are so excited when you sign up for a debit authorization, because the likelihood of you paying early and saving $$ is low...beat the system! Go to the bank and make payments).

For Example: in a 72 month term (ahem, 6 years) one extra monthly payment a year will help you pay off your car in approximately 65 months (5 years and 5 months!)

Hopefully this will help you feel wise when you sit down in a finance office.

$3,000

That's a lot of money. And we're talking cars - that's a nice down payment.



September is fast approaching and with September comes the end of the Aircheck Texas Program. This is a financial assistance program that has clean air in mind. Lately, automakers are doing their best to make cars with low emissions and great gas mileage. These cars are better on the road and better to good ole mother earth.

Well, this program is good to your wallet.

Few requirements:

• Your car has been registered for over a year in one of these counties
• You have passed emissions test in the past 15 months
  
• Your car is over 10 years old (or...it doesn't pass emissions, see above)
• Your vehicle must be a drivable, gasoline powered vehicle. Sorry, no loopholes.
• IF you car will not pass emissions, you have to prove that you have tried to test it within the past 30 days.
• See Income Requirements here.

Most Common misconception about the Aircheck Texas Program: You have to buy a new car. Wrong! You have to buy a car that is at least a 2008 or newer, but it doesn't have to be new (it CAN be new). In a nutshell, once you print and send in your application, if everything checks out they will send you a $3,000 voucher. You can bring in your voucher and your old car (it MUST drive on to the lot) and we will gladly help you find a car that is 2008 or newer and under $25,000 or less after rebates. Ok, so do you want a new car? Are you ready to turn in your beater? Then look here!

See what NPR has to say about Hyundai

What does Hyundai have in common with 1950's film stars? I guess we'll just have to see...In this article by NPR (woohoo!!) Hyundai is compared to Eve Harrington in the 1950's movie All About Eve.

"Jesse Toprak from the automotive website TrueCar.com says just like the upstart girl in the movie, Hyundai had to overcome a checkered past by using excellent marketing. Its Hyundai Assurance plan, for instance, promised to take back your car if you lost your job.

'At the end of the day, I think they only had a handful of people — if that — actually return their cars,' Toprak says. 'But everybody talked about it. And it was just an amazing promotion — and hit exactly the reason why some people may not have been buying cars, which was uncertainty.'

He says Hyundai's incredible success is a sign that the U.S. car market has never been so open.

'So what that means is from consumer's perspective it's fantastic, because you have so many choices,' Toprak says. 'In fact, it is so good that it is somewhat confusing as to what to choose, really. From a manufacturer's perspective, it means that the job is a little bit tougher now.'

Toprak and other analysts say on any given day, almost any of the automakers could surge ahead, so as Bette Davis would say, 'Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night.'" --NPR article, To Hyundai's Rivals: Prepare For A Bumpy Night, by Sonari Glinton

See what all the fuss is about. Come into to Eckert Hyundai!

For the Racers

The more I read, the more I cannot deny our racing fanatics their inside scoop. So here Goes. This month, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis PM580 will make attempt the Pikes Peak International Climb. "Longtime competitor Rhys Millen will drive an exotic racer called the RMR PM580, which looks like a cross between a Le Mans-style prototype sports car and an off-road buggy. The car is powered by a Hyundai engine with the same block, heads and valve setup as the Lambda V6 found in some production cars.
Millen previously set a record in the Hyundai Genesis Coupe in the production-based class for two-wheel-drive cars in 2009. This year he will drive in the unlimited class, in which pure, lightweight racing machines with turbocharged 1,000-horsepower engines often slide sideways while winding their way from the starting line at 9,390 feet to the finish at the Peak’s 14,110-foot summit." --Wall Street Journal's, Driver's Street article by Jonathan Welsh.

For more information on the race, read this article by Motor Authority.

Almost a full year

Loving this car. Got a text message from my older brother in Chicago the other day, "I want a 2011 Sonata." No one is exempt from the desire that fills you when you see this beauty drive down the road. The redesign makes me want to forget about my wheels and hand over the keys for a new car. Automobile Magazine's writer Eric Tingwall has had his 2011 Hyundai Sonata for almost "Four Seasons" now and still loving it. Read this article and let him explain his 4 seasons of love to you.

The thing is, this car came out mid 2010 and it's still receiving GREAT praise. Way to go Hyundai, you make a beautiful baby. Come look at our inventory and contact us for more information!

...The Tough Get Going....

This Month Hyundai/Kia are expected to top Toyota/Lexus Sales...more than just an earthquake?
Read this article for more information

For the month of May 2011, Hyundai/Kia are selling between 115,000 - 116,000 units. Toyota and Lexus are down. But I'm not looking to gloat in their loss. We all know it's [partially] because of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.

"Current Inventory shortages and perceived inventory shortages led to the lowest incentive spending in nearly 9 years and the lowest selling rate of the year [for Toyota/Lexus]."

-- Jesse Toprak - VP of Industry Trends & Insights at Truecar.com

So is it just because of the earthquake that Hyundai & Kia's sales are rising? No! 5 years ago not even this catastrophe in Japan would have rocketed our sales to where they are now.

"We have worked very hard to design our new vehicles around the needs and wants of the American consumer, and the feedback we are getting is that all that work by our team is paying off," says John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America CEO . "We are holding our own and then some in one-on-one comparisons against our more established rivals...our owners are very happy with out vehicles and they are spreading the word."

May 2011 is expected to post a 6.1% gain over April 2011 and a 43.4% sales gain over May 2010. "Fact is that the Korean Car Companies are attracting many more customers and prospects because of vastly improved vehicles" not just living off the earthquake loss.

Special Offers

With the arrival of summer car buying season and a new month (June, WOW!) Hyundai has lots to offer you. You can click here and see the rebates and promotions for the Month of June in our area (North Texas) or you can look up your own zip code or perhaps a car you are interested in.

Ok, try to control your excitement as I carefully explain a few things to you:

• Valued Owner Coupon - Hyundai loves it when Hyundai owners buy more Hyundais! They love it so much they are willing to reward you. Depending upon the car's monthly offer you might be eligible for a Valued Owner Coupon (or Reward). Hyundai will give you free money toward your new purchase if you can prove you have a Hyundai already or you are trading one in! Bring the VIN of the one you already own, if that is the case, it will go smooth-er.
• Special APR Financing - Whoa. This is a great deal. The shorter your lease term is, the lower your APR (annual percentage rate...meaning interest). This deal also is dependent on the special offers of the car you have your eye on.
• Competitive Owner Coupon - Ok, this one is funny. If the car you want (this month, Genesis Coupe) offers this deal, all you have to do is trade in a car that is competing with the Hyundai/Kia brand. Call the dealer for more information and to see if your current vehicle qualifies. But this month you could get $1,500 toward a new Genesis Coupe.
  
• Customer Cash Back - this is a coupon. You can use this toward down payment assistance. What an awesome idea! Not to mention this month you can get $1,000 toward a 2011 Santa Fe, which so happens to be one of our most popular SUV's.

Well, that was fun. Come in, test drive a car and use one of these special promotions.

Keep on Driving.

Summer seems to be in full swing. The faint smell of sunscreen, the 90 degree weather by 11 am. Yes, it's summer.
Summer also leads to lots of car buying. These gas prices may have you thinking about a trade in for something more practical, or maybe your baby is moving to college next year, or you have a road trip coming up. One thing I know for sure, with or without "Cash for Clunkers," in the summer people want to buy cars. No one likes to walk around the lot in the snow. I bought my Sonata in the summer and I wish I had a great checklist to bring with me as I drove car after car in my price range.

Lucky for you, I've found a GREAT checklist, and another equally satisfying checklist.

Here at Eckert Hyundai we certainly want to help you think through everything before buying your dream car. So here are some extra thoughts:

• Bring your child's car seat, make sure it fits, buckle and unbuckle it, see how easy/difficult it is.
  
• Bring your golf clubs, because if they don't fit in the back, that could be a headache.
  
• Merge on and off the highway and check the car's acceleration
• Put the front seats back and check the leg room in the back seat
• Listen for excessive noise.
  
• Print these checklists to bring with you.

photo courtesy of http://www.stayonsearch.com