Checkered Flag

Hot off the press!

Checkered Flag Honda is happy to announce more reasons to buy your Honda this March:

Financing

• 2010 Honda Fit:  0.9% APR up to 36 months or 1.9% APR up to 60 months.
• 2010 Honda Civic:  0.9% APR up to 36 months or 1.9% APR up to 60 months.
• 2010 Honda Accord:  0.9% APR up to 36 months or 1.9% APR up to 60 months.
• 2010 Honda Pilot:  0.9% APR up to 36 months or 1.9% APR up to 60 months.
• 2010 Honda Odyssey:  1.9% APR up to 36 months or 2.9% APR up to 60 months.
• 2010 Honda Ridgeline:  1.9% APR up to 36 months or 2.9% APR up to 60 months.

Cash and Leasing
There are so many different leasing and cash offers Checkered Flag would like to pass on to you.  Check with your Honda Sales Adviser for the latest!

*financing specials are good through Honda Financial for qualified buyers.  Offers are good while supplies last or until March 31st, 201

 


Volkswagen is responding to the increased global demand for customized, individualized vehicles which provide you, the driver, not only sportiness, but also exclusivity.  VW has officially announced, after much speculation following the release of the Golf R and Scirocco R, that they are creating a separate R division!  Special design packages, and enhanced performance models are the main focus.  Going forward all R-badged VW's are the responsibility of the new company, full name: Volkswagen R GmbH. 

What this means for us is more R-branded vehicles very soon.  In fact the new Passat CC that we love so much is already being offered as a Passat CC R-Line in Europe.  Also a Jetta R is rumored to be on the way, its preview was the New Compact Coupe concept at the Detroit Auto Show this year.  We expect to see the Golf R here next year.  For updated information, including availability, contact Checkered Flag VW and stay tuned for updates here. 

Here's the Press Release from Volkswagen:  Volkswagen R GmbH in the starting blocks

Wolfsburg, 16 March 2010 - The Volkswagen R GmbH will be the specialist for sporty exclusive models from Volkswagen in the future. Volkswagen AG has bundled the responsibilities and competencies for development, implementations and sales of individualised vehicle offers into Volkswagen R GmbH. For example, its portfolio includes the two new top models, the Scirocco R und the Golf R as well as the dynamic R Line design packages and luxurious Volkswagen Exclusive items.

"Our vehicles contribute to the emotionalisation and growth of Volkswagen brand," explained Ulrich Riestenpatt gt. Richter, General Manager of Volkswagen R GmbH.

The company's name, Volkswagen R GmbH, responds to the increased global demand for individualised vehicles with contemporary sportiness and exclusivity. The sporty positioning will be reflected more intensely in the programme of Volkswagen R in the mid and long term. The company has its headquarters in Warmenau near Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen R GmbH employs a staff of more than 350.

Source:[Autoblog]

I was very excited to see the email come over from our Human Resources department saying we are looking for all sorts of jobs again!  If you need a job in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, or are just looking around the greater Hampton Roads area, then check us out.

We are hiring for jobs in these areas:

• Automotive Detail
• Automotive Technician/Mechanic
• Assistant Service Manager
• Parts Delivering
• Sales Professional

Be sure to check out our Employment page for more details.

Is it just me, or is this "runaway Prius"story just a little too convenient for the indebted driver?  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's the story.

 Last week a Toyota Prius driver, James Sikes, called 911 from his car explaining to the operator that his gas pedal was stuck and he couldn't stop the car.  Which would be terrible, if it was true.   The highly publicized incident has since been investigated by the NHTSA and Toyota.  The findings are contrary to what Sikes said.  He claimed that he pushed the brake as hard as he could, but according to a draft memo written for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the condition of the brakes suggests that they "weren't applied at full force over a sustained period at high speeds", instead "the driver may have intermittently applied moderate pressure on the brakes."

Another aspect that just doesn't add up is Sikes' claim after the incident that his accelerator pedal was stuck to the floor and he was braking hard at the same time.  But his Prius is fitted with a brake override system that cuts engine power if the accelerator pedal and brake are applied at the same time.  Smells fishy to me!  So the next logical question is, why would anyone fake an "unintended acceleration"?  Money Honey!   Turns out the "victim", Mr. Sikes is over $700,000 in debt and behind on lease payments on the Prius in question.  So it would seem he is just a big fat liar trying to take advantage of a situation to solve his financial woes.  Just pitiful.

Remember, if your Toyota is affected by the recall, call the Recall Hotline 757-481-8888 to schedule your appointment with Checkered Flag Toyota, your Toyota Virginia Beach dealer, and receive a FREE rental car to use while your car is in the shop!

Source:[Autoblog]

My car buying journey is officially over, along with my days of driving a BMW.  I thought I would be sad to give up my 128i convertible, that is until I saw my new ride.  Here's how it all went down. If you remember, my lease wasn't up until April 18th, and I have been checking out all the small SUV and CUV (crossover utility vehicles) available right now.  I test drove the all new, completely redesigned Hyundai Tucson and loved it.  I took a spin in the Honda CR-V and loved it.  And I gave the Toyota Rav4, and VW Tiguan a try and, you guessed it, I loved them too!  All the 'utes have similar features and prices, amazing standard safety features, and great gas mileage.  So how to choose?

Well, with all the stuff going on with Toyota they have experienced a dip in sales, which is unfortunate since they are still one of the safest cars on the road, and the likelihood of having any trouble is so slim you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning, and winning the lottery! I took one look at the lease program Toyota is running this month and decided the Rav4 is HANDS DOWN the best value for me.  The advertised special is $229 down, $229 per month (not including tax, title and license fees), which is outrageously low.  The model that price applies to is the standard model (not Sport or Limited), I test drove it and really liked it, but I opted to upgrade to the Limited V6 4x4 model, which still had a great low payment!

Even though I didn't have to buy my next car until next month I didn't want to lose out on a chance to get such a great deal. Incentives are only guaranteed for one month.  So then I planned to wait until the very end of March to buy it, but I saw how fast the Toyota inventory is being sold, and I didn't want to wait too long and not get exactly what I want.  If someone else came and got my red Rav4 I would have been very, very sad.  So I turned the Bimmer in early and brought home my new baby!

Thanks to my sensational Salesman, Mike Morales, super Sales Manager, Ed Belisle, and fantastic Finance Manager, Jason Rayner for making the process easy and quick! Now what should I name my new Red Rav?  Hmmmm... 

Checkered Flag is proud to announce new military discounts for our friends stationed in the Hampton Roads area.  We already work with credit unions like Navy Federal, Chartway, and USAA to help with car financing.

To enhance things further:

• Checkered Flag will advise military car buyers of all manufacturer discounts offered to qualified military personnel without asking.
• Checkered Flag will work with all affiliated credit union financing programs to ensure a smooth transaction.
• Checkered Flag's has created their own Military Personnel guaranteed credit approval for military personnel at Norfolk.
• Checkered Flag is also an authorized MILES dealer; the national largest Military buying service.
• Checkered Flag will provide full online negotiation services for personnel deployed overseas or at sea to make sure that their car or truck is ready when the hit the Norfolk Naval Base.

Checkered Flag will honor all military discounts that are provided for NOB personnel.  Please read our Norfolk Naval Station discounts page for more details.
 

Wow.. this Saturday at Checkered Flag Toyota was crazy!  I told you last week about our insanely low prices on all new and used Toyota vehicles, and the unbelievable low lease payments available on most models.. and 0% financing (which is still going strong), but the coolest thing of all had to be the TV give-a-way.  On Saturday, as promised, we opened our doors bright and early at 7am to greet thrifty shoppers who know a great deal when they see one.  Twenty-five lucky shoppers took home a brand new 42" LG Plasma TV, just for showing up and purchasing their new Toyota from Checkered Flag.  Oh yeah, and did I mention that current Toyota owners also received two years free maintenance on their new rides?  Yep.. it was that kind of party.  The sale was a huge success!  Stay tuned for the next outrageous Toyota incentives from your Toyota Virginia Beach dealership, Checkered Flag!

 
We don't like to toot our own horn around here, unless its while we're driving up in your shiny new Toyota, but we certainly don't mind if you do it for us!  That's exactly what has been happening on the multiple internet sites for consumer reviews. You, the customers, think Checkered Flag Toyota is the best Toyota dealer in Virginia (and we agree!).   If you take a look at the leading consumer review site for automotive dealers, DealerRater.com, you will see that Checkered Flag has been reviewed over 200 times (almost twice as many as our competitors) by real customers who took the time to share their opinions with YOU.

 I have said it before and I'll say it again, I can understand why my opinion of Checkered Flag Toyota might not really impress you that much (although I am also a customer).  I get it, I work here, so I'm biased. But take a look at the hundreds of other people who live in Hampton Roads, just like you, and took the time to tell you how we treated them.  You will notice a trend, because the reviews are overwhelmingly positive!  We appreciate your kind words and encourage anyone with an opinion to share it with us.  We read each and every review, and look forward to continuing to serve you with integrity.

We've taken yet another giant step towards providing our Toyota clients who are affected by the recalls with unmatched, easy, convenient service.  In addition to the FREE rental car we provide for you during your recall service appointment, and the already extended service hours Monday through Saturday, Checkered Flag Toyota is now offering convenient service hours on SUNDAY as well!  Yep, we are now open every Sunday from Noon to 6pm, so you can drop off your car on Saturday, take your rental home, and pick up on Sunday.  Or, you can drop off on Sunday after church, or brunch and pick your car up Monday on the way to work! 

This is just another way to show YOU, our valued clients that we care about you and value your time.  Please keep in mind that you must schedule an appointment to take advantage of the FREE rental car.  Simply call our Recall Hotline 757-481-8888, or schedule online on the Recall Info page.

New service hours are:

Monday-Friday:  7:30AM-7PM
Saturday:  7:30AM- 6PM
Sunday:  12PM- 6PM

     

Free Rental While your car is here getting your Toyota Recall work done, Checkered Flag will provide you with a rental car at no charge. Just set your recall appointment with our Customer Care Team at 757-481-8888 or visit our Toyota Recall page. 0% APR for 5 years We like to think of 0% financing as free money. Regardless of what we might give it as a knickname, there is 0% financing available up to 60 months on new 2010 Yaris, Corolla, Camry (excludes Hybrid), Matrix, Avalon, Rav4, Highlander (excludes Hybrid) and Tundra models. Included 42" LG Plasma TV For the first 25 new Toyota buyers this Saturday (Mar 6th).  Yes, all other Toyota specials apply along with the TV.  Doors open at 7:00 AM - be there!   Free Maintenance Do you have a Toyota, Scion, or Lexus in the household?  If so, your new Toyota will come with 2 years or 25,000 miles of free maintenance.  That's right, you won't have to pay any bills when you bring your car in for regular maintenance at Checkered Flag Toyota for the next 2 years. Along with all these incredible Toyota offers, Checkered Flag also has leasing and financing plans to fit any budget.  So even if you just bought a car, you still want to see what we can do. See all the Toyota Vehicles that qualify for even more deals. The Fine Print - Not bad! No purchase necessary for the rental vehicle.  The Recall is a free service.  Zero percent APR requires approved credit. 25 new 42" LG Plasma TV's will will be included with car purchase for the first 25 new Toyota purchases starting at 7:00 AM Saturday morning on March 6th, 2010. Free 2 years of maintenance requires that you show us your valid registration on a Toyota, Scion, or Lexus product where the address on that registration matches the address you will register the new Toyota to. You do not have to trade your current car to receive the free maintenance. See your Checkered Flag Toyota sales adviser for more details.