Declare your independence from over-priced Toyotas this weekend at Checkered Flag Toyota with a special Fourth of July weekend offer, just for you, on the incomparable Toyota Camry and the best selling Toyota Corolla. 

For two days only you can purchase a new 2009 Toyota Camry for only $17,388. Thats a savings of $3726 off the sticker price!! 

Or, if you prefer the Camry LE trim level, you can take one home for just $1,000 more!  

And if the award winning Toyota Corolla, is the car you are after, you can take one home with you, this weekend only, for the super low price of just $14,990. 

That?s a savings of $2260 off sticker price!  Hurry in and pick out your new Camry or Corolla right now.

And did you know the Camry is the most American-built car!  What is more American than buying the most American-built car on the 4th of July!

Hurry because these deals end this weekend.

Just two days ago I told you about the new addition to the Hyundai Assurance program called Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock, and already I have even more exciting news for Hyundai customers.  While the rest of the country is waiting with baited breath for the official beginning of the CARS program, better known as Cash for Clunkers, Hyundai buyers can buy their new cars right now.  Yep, Hyundai realized that many people are ready to trade out of their current vehicles, but are waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the CARS rebate program to become available.   So in another crowd pleasing move, they are the first auto manufacturer to back dealerships with short term cash advances.  They dont seem to mind that it may still be weeks before the program is online industry wide.  In true Hyundai fashion this decision to go ahead and honor the CARS program discounts is all about you, the customer!   And you have a lot of options because almost all of the new Hyundai models qualify for the program.  So the wait is over, come in to the Checkered Flag Hyundai and cash in your old clunker for an awesome new Hyundai.  If you need any more info you can call the Cash for Clunkers Hotline at (757) 687-3431.

You want to be patriotic and do your part to help our economy by purchasing an American made car.  So you start shopping at Ford, and maybe Chevy dealerships.  Unfortunately you are not really thrilled with any of your choices.  Moral dilemma right?  What you really want is a well built, safe, reliable, dependable sedan for your family.   What to do? 
 
BUY A CAMRY!

Sorry for yelling, but news flash- Camry is an American made car!  In fact Cars.com posted an independent ranking of the Most American Made Cars on their site, and guess who took the number one spot.. the Toyota Camry!  Shocking, isn?t it?  Well, not really.  The Cars.com American-Made Index ranks vehicles built and bought in the U.S.  Factors include sales, where the cars parts are made and whether the car is assembled in the U.S.  The Toyota Camry is assembled in Georgetown KY, and Lafayette Ind.   It doesnt really get any more American than Kentucky, does it?
So, you can buy a great, reliable car, at a great price, and still feel very patriotic!    And if a sedan is not what you need you will be glad to know that also making the ranks of Most American Made are the Toyota Sienna, Toyota Tundra, and the new Toyota Venza.  Visit Checkered Flag Toyota today and see how great it can be to drive an American made car!

[Source: http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0709]

Here at Checkered Flag, we like to be the first to tell you about new vehicles.  So, as a BMW driver (I love my 128i convertible), I am EXTREMELY pleased to unveil for you the leaked pics of the upcoming Sport Activity Vehicle, the BMW X1.  According to Car and Driver, this car has technically already been unveiled since it was shown last year at the Paris auto show under the name Concept X1.  Oh well, this is the first I have heard of it, how about you?  The official launch of the new X1 is expected later this Summer.  You know we will keep you posted on all the details including availability.  If you would like us to contact you when the X1 models arrive here at Checkered Flag BMW, send us an email and we will send you a personal invitation to come in for a test drive!

Checkered Flag, and other local dealers are preparing for the beginning of the Cash for Clunkers (or CARS) Program.  Here is an article from todays Virginian Pilot.

Uncle Sam could help you cash in that gas-guzzlin clunker

Consumers are finally showing the kind of interest in car-buying that auto dealers havent seen in months.

The reason is cash. For their clunkers.

They have heard about the Car Allowance Rebate System, informally the cash-for-clunkers program, part of a law that President Barack Obama signed last week. It allows drivers who trade in older, less-efficient vehicles for those with greater fuel economy to receive as much as $4,500 in credit from the federal government.

Checkered Flag Auto Groups call center in Virginia Beach has fielded about 200 inquiries in the past week. Since Friday, sales representatives for First Team Toyota in Chesapeake have met with eight to 10 potential customers asking about trading in their old cars.

Local auto dealers said they expect the program to rev up sales.

It has generated a great deal of curiosity, said Steve Snyder, senior vice president of Checkered Flag, which sells many fuel-efficient vehicles - Toyotas, Minis, Smart Cars and some diesel-engine Volkswagens - that would probably meet the criteria for the credit. I think its going to help the whole industry.

Charles Barker Automotive Network, based in Virginia Beach, also sells fuel-efficient Toyotas, Nissans and Scions.

Anything that will stimulate our business certainly is welcome, said Nathan Drory, the dealerships president. It is only going to gain momentum as more information is released in coming weeks. The program officially goes into effect today, but it will take about three weeks to get it running. Dealers said they must wait for the government to issue final rules for registering with the program, ensuring that consumers qualify, scrapping the traded-in vehicles and receiving reimbursement for the credit.

For consumers who meet the criteria, the law directs dealers to dole out the funds toward the sale. Before the car leaves the lot, they want guarantees that they will get paid back.

Until then, consumers wont find many dealers willing to offer them the programs money. The law prevents dealers from moving forward before they register, and they cant register until the agency overseeing the program sets up the application form.

Nobody in the government has figured out what the rules are yet, said Fred Miller, president of Hall Automotive, the regions largest dealer group. For now, the First Team sales staff will help customers figure out whether they qualify for the program and what kind of credit they could get, said Gerry Reust, the dealerships president. First Team plans to call those qualifying customers back as soon as they can take advantage of the program.

Consumers dont necessarily qualify simply by driving a vintage beater. The car cant be older than 25 years and must get 18 miles per gallon or less. With improved emissions controls required in the 1990s, many vehicles made then get more than 18 mpg, said Buddy Perry, vice president of Perry Buick Pontiac and Perry Subaru, both in Norfolk. Also under the CARS program, the owner must show that the vehicle has been registered and insured for the past year, preventing opportunists from quickly buying a junked car off a scrap lot just to pocket the credit.

Those who do qualify can significantly reduce the cost of a new car. Hall Automotive has Nissan Versas priced at $18,000, Miller said. That could drop to $11,500 with the $4,500 credit under the new program plus other incentives.

I see a 10 percent increase in business, he said of the CARS program. This is a great consumer benefit.

In anticipation of increased customer traffic, Checkered Flag recently ordered extra stock of its fuel-efficient cars, Snyder said. Even customers who dont meet the criteria will end up probably purchasing during this time, because it will bring them into the market, he said.

Once the rules are in place, Reust advised, consumers might want to move quickly. With a $1 billion limit on the program, the government could run out of money before it ends Nov. 1.

Once the money is gone, he said, its gone.

[Source: http://hamptonroads.com/2009/06/uncle-sam-could-help-you-cash-gasguzzlin-clunker]

How much money do you spend each month on gas?  How about each year?  I know for me, its A LOT!  Now what if I told you theres a way to get discounted gas for a whole year?  Sounds too good to be true right?  Well, believe it, because Hyundai is doing it.  Your first thought is probably something like.. I wonder just how discounted they are talking about here? right?  How is $1.49 per gallon?! Pretty darn discounted I would say.  Especially when you consider that current regular-grade gas averages $2.64 per gallon.  All you have to do is buy or lease a new Hyundai and enroll in the program, its called the Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock.  For one year you are guaranteed a years worth of regular gasoline priced at just $1.49 per gallon, and if you choose mid-grade or premium, you pay just $1.64 and $1.79 per gallon respectively. You are entitled enough fuel to cover 12,000 miles and the only vehicles that do not qualify are Genesis sedan, Genesis Coupe, and Accent GS.  Now here is the really great part.  This program is being offered in addition to any other manufacturer discounts and incentives!  So you can still get a great deal, and qualify for any advertised special finance and lease deals!

What do you do here at Checkered Flag?
Brand Specialist at smart center Virginia Beach

Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in? 
Virginia Beach

Do you have any children? Any pets?
Four kids, all grown up.  Two dogs- Pugs, who think they are German Sheppards

What?s your favorite TV show? Why?
Bones- I enjoy watching the struggle between the highly intelligent, rational pathologist vs. the emotional and intuitive FBI agent.

What was the last movie you saw?  What is your favorite movie?
The Proposal- it was pretty good.  Favorite movie- Chariots of Fire.

What are your hobbies?
Golf, and Singing.  I sing in a barber shop chorus and a quartet.

What kind of car do you drive? Why?
07 Honda Accord Sedan.  It?s safe, economical, and its a Honda!!

What is your Dream Car?  Why?
There are just too many neat cars.  It changes all the time.  Yesterday there was a beautiful, big Rolls Royce coupe parked next door with 22 inch rims. So for yesterday, that was my favorite car!

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where?
Hawaii

If you wrote an autobiography about your life, what would the title be?
What Do You Want to Do When You Grow Up?

What is a date on your calendar you are looking forward to? Why?
September 17th.  My sons 40th birthday.

What's the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
Probably that I sing.

What's the best thing about working for Checkered Flag?
Everybody says it, but it is the people.

I have exciting news for Jag lovers!  The Jaguar XF which debuted last year, is already getting BETTER!  Jaguar announced there will be an XF Supercharged model for 2010!  Checkered Flag Jaguar should have the O-10 models in October.  Starting price is expected to be around $68,000.

Here are the details from Car and Driver:

Just a year after the models initial debut, the Supercharged?s V-8 will grow in size from 4.2 to 5.0 liters, utilizing a detuned version of the engine in the XFR. Slotting in between the XF Premiums 385- hp V-8 and the top-dog XFRs blown 510-hp V-8, the XF Superchargeds new AJ-V8 Gen III motor makes 470 hp (up from the 09 models 420) and 424 lb-ft of torque.  In addition to the new motor, Jaguars Adaptive Dynamics and Active Differential Control systems are now standard equipment. Other minor changes for 2010 include new 20 inch wheels, upgraded brakes, quad exhaust tips, new interior trim options, and a heated steering wheel.

If you  would like to read the review of the new 2010 Jaguar XFR ? follow this link- 2010 Jaguar XFR - Road Test

For info on availability call, click to chat, or email Checkered Flag Jaguar. Our call center is standing by to assist you!