7 Gifts for Cadillac Lovers

Sometimes finding the right gift for a Cadillac enthusiast is difficult. After a search this a good short list of web pages that have great gift ideas in a price range varying from $14- $40,000 dollars.
Hope that you find this list helpful.

 CadillacGear.com carries Officially Licensed Merchandise.

1. The are offering the Cadillac Hard Cover Book at a discounted price of $52.50. The Book celebrates the 110 year history of Cadillac design and production.

The Cadillac Collection is stocked full of Apparel, and Gifts for the Traveler, Golfer, Executive, Racer and just plain Lover of Cadillac. Prices range from $14.00 and up. Here are 2 items in the collection, that are Cadillac Gift worthy.

2. Remote Controlled Cadillac Escalade: $25.00 Go ahead and give them the keys. This Cadillac Escalade Remote Control Car moves forward, in reverse and left and right. Operates on 5 AA batteries.

3. For the Ladies a really nice Jersey T-shirt from the Cadillac Collection: $31.00 V neck , short sleeved with Heritage logo screen printed on center chest.

How about something for the Man Cave or Garage Art?

4. A Cadillac Neon Service Sign. Many different Priced versions of this sign are available on the internet. Prices seen ranging from $350.00 and up.

5. The History Channel has a Neon Clock for that Man Cave for $95.00. Give your space the fabulous glow of real neon, just like the original!

6. Cadillac Divot Tool Keychain for the Golfer, who seems to have everything for $17.95

 And then of course there is the ultimate Gift. The  Motor Trends  Car of the Year.

7. The 2014 Cadillac CTS Coupe starting at $39,580. It is more than a Luxury car, it's a Cadillac.

 Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring

Winterizing your Car

Are you Ready?

Leaves are falling and the weather is turning cold. A busy time time of the year. Cleaning up the yard, cleaning the sides of the house and cleaning out the gutters.  Checking the heat pump and all the filters in the house. Getting out all of our sweaters and jackets from the back closet and pulling out the boots. Getting your house ready for the holidays to come.

Now..... What about your car(s)? They need to be ready for the Winter as well.

Get your Car ready for this Winter, to avoid breakdowns:

•  Battery Check - Will it start...? Colder weather is tough on your car's battery.During cold weather, your engine requires more current from the battery in order to get the engine started. More power requirements combined with less power output makes for a car that won't start on a cold winter morning. Have a mechanic run a battery load test to see if you need to replace the battery. Also check to make sure that your posts and connections are clean and corrosion free.

• Check your wiper blades and windshield wiper fluid. Wiper blades on average are only good for a year.Fill your wiper fluid reservoir with a brand that has a low-freeze-point ( usually yellow). The normal blue stuff will slush-up and freeze on your windows if it gets real cold, which will make visibility much worse while you are driving.

• Check your tire pressure. Cold weather causes air pressure in your tires to drop. For every 10 degree drop in temperature, your tire pressure drops 1 psi.   Properly inflated tires ensures the best possible contact between your tires and the road.

• 4-Wheel Drive? Make sure that your 4WD is working properly. 4WD has to be used occasionally to stay in working order. Have the fluid levels checked to help ensure that the gears and transmission will engage properly and fully. 

• Check your anti-freeze. This is really important. Make sure that you are 50% water and 50% anti-freeze. This is necessary to prevent your radiator from freezing up.

• Check Belts and Hoses. Cold weather is hard on rubber elements. Check these to be sure that there are not any signs of wear and tear. If so get them replaced. If a belt snaps while you are driving or a hose springs a leak, you will be stranded. Waiting for a tow truck or a ride when the weather is cold, is no fun.

These are just a few of the main things that need to be checked before the cold weather sets in, because you sure don't want be stranded out in the middle of nowhere,  with a major problem to deal with.


Local to Biggs Cadillac Area? 
You can download Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC Free Mobile App for the Android, iPad and iPhone. 
Use the App, get towed, and we will get you back on the road.

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring

Tips to avoid hitting Deer | 10 Tips | Oh Deer

It is peak season for Deer to be found crossing the roads and being hit by cars.

• The temperature is falling

• The fields are being picked and plowed

• The Hunters are out

• and the Deer are moving.

1. The high peak times for them to be crossing the roads are between 5 and 6 in the morning and between 6 and 10 at night.

2. Deer often move in groups, should you see one, chances are there are more around.

3. If you spot a Deer on the road and they freeze up - Deer in the headlights - turn off your headlights for a brief moment, then turn them back on. This may allow the Deer to move off the road and help you to avoid an accident.

4. It is said that October and November are the peak months, but that can be proven to be just the start of things, especially in Northeastern North Carolina.

5. If you have others in the car with you, have them look out for Deer as well. More eyes on the situation will help to spot them faster.

6. If you spot a Deer slow down, and look out, additional Deer or other animals may be around.

7. Break firmly when you notice a deer in your path. Many serious accidents can happen when
drivers swerve to avoid them.

8. Be careful to keep your wheel straight. Swerving can cause you to lose control of your car, and you could end up hitting on coming traffic or worse, rolling over or in a ditch.

9. After an accident with a Deer, call the local sheriff or 911 to report the accident, you will need it for your insurance claim.

10. Be careful, there are loved ones at home waiting for you, and for Bambi as well....:-)

We have had a large number of Deer incidents with our Collision Center customers already this year, and the season had just begun.

Keep it between the lines,

Happy motoring

10 Questions about Buying versus Leasing | Busting the Myths

Harry Umphlett - Sales Consultant and 
Scott Sullens - Business Manager from BIGGS Cadillac Buick GMC Trucks, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina went to the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Scott and Harry spoke about Financing versus Leasing in today's marketplace and discussed the general myths in the automobile industry and the customers approach in the buying of a new or used vehicle in today's market.
They talked about lease alternatives, lease terms and mileage, and financing options. Other subjects touched on were about taking a customer's current auto loan and modifying them, to help save some money, and about the different lenders and their requirements. They also spoke about BIGGS, the services that are offered as a company, how long we have been in business and who we are, what we represent.

After their presentation, I interviewed Scott to see just what kind of good information was shared. I felt that others could benefit from what was talked about.

Q. What are some of the myths about buying a car?

•  "Some of the myths I think are when someone comes in to purchase a vehicle, the salesman consults with them for a period of time, and then they get up and they want to know what is the magic that happens between them and the sales manager. 

The truth is that there is not any real magic, that is a pretty simple process, that we present customers with numbers that may work for the customer to be able to purchase a vehicle that will suit their  needs, and if we can do it great, we can make it good for the customer and good for the company.

Scott Sullens - Business Manager

If the numbers are not agreeable, then we are still going to be friends. Just trying to put it out there that there is not a lot of back and forth, and all day long, and it doesn’t have to be a grinding process. That it should be a simple thing. We try to share with them that we try to make it a fun, quick process as much as it can possibly be here at BIGGS."

Q. What is it that the customer can possibly do before they come in to make the process easier and cleaner cut?

• "Well, the biggest thing they can do is to try to narrow it down to a couple of vehicles that they are interested in, in terms of and SUV or a sedan, something four wheel drive or not, a van versus a car. Those things will narrow down the search and time that is spent at the dealership. When someone comes in and doesn’t’ have the first clue of what they want, that’s when it can take a long time, because we’re really walking around endlessly trying to narrow it down."

Q. Does a credit score have anything to do with how easy or hard it is to get financed?

• "It does. The better the credit score, the much quicker that it goes and the better the rate. However we know, that’s in a perfect world and that 90% of us have problems or blemishes on our credit. We deal with it all the time and fortunately we have over 20 lenders that we work with that can accommodate everybody’s situation."  

Q. So your saying just because your credit isn’t perfect doesn’t mean you can’t get a loan?

• "Not at all. In fact, the banks are lending money. We see that every day. So there we go, we’re back into doing things, and that is a good sign."

Q. What about buying versus leasing, what are the big differences in them and the pluses and minuses of leasing a car?

•  "Leasing can be a great thing for the right company or the right person. The key to leasing is that Cadillac and GMC are running specials on certain models and the Buick Verano with a 2 year lease. It’s a 10,000 mile year lease.

It requires some money out of pocket. We can tailor a lease to meet a customer's needs, in terms of mileage, and money that is required to start the lease. A lease can have tax advantages for a business, they can always check with their CPA, that can be a possibility. Certainly we can look at the benefit of leasing for someone (an individual). 

Really leasing is ideal for someone who likes to have a car every two or three years, and likes to keep up with the latest technology. Leasing allows you to do that without really hurting yourself financially at all."

Q. 10,000 miles, Leasing is good for people or companies who don’t have to put a lot of mileage on a car?

• "Correct. Now in the case with a company, a lot of mileage can work too. Because being a business they can have certain write offs and such like that, that it works out.  But what we don’t want to happen is the old reputation that leasing had surprises at the end. That comes from, a person leasing a car and they had 12,000 miles a year in the lease up front and they really needed to have 15,000 miles. At the end of it, with the mileage penalties, that can add up to a lot of money that the customer would have to pay."

Q. So with leasing, there is other options, or packages other than the main one that is presented or advertised, that you see?

• "Absolutely, and we can specifically tailor a package to fit the customer's needs."

Q. So the advantage of a lease over buying a vehicle is the fact is that it’s a tax advantage?

Scott and Harry with members of the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce

• "It can be. I am always careful to say that when we do lease cars here at BIGGS to our corporate clients. I always explain to them. A lot of times they know ahead of the time. When I am asked, what kind of tax break do I get? You need to check with your tax consultant or CPA. There can be some substantial breaks for you."

Q. Can you think of any tips for a customer before they come into buy a car?

• "One of the keys things is to make sure that they have all the parties with them that are involved in the purchase. All the people that need to sign the paperwork need to be here. If a spouse comes in and they need the other half to come in, then we are going to need another appointment or we are delaying it."

Q. How about insurance, should they have a policy in place before they come in?

• "No, as long as they have full coverage insurance in place on another vehicle in their household, then they are covered by most insurance policies for a short period of time. We will call their insurance company once the transaction is complete; to finalize, add that car on, and take the other car off, if that is the case."

Scott. Thank you for your time. I really think that this is great information and I look forward to sharing it with others. 

• "Thank you"

written by Michelle Hatfield

GMC Terrain and Terrain Denali | A Best Buy by Consumers Digest

What is part Luxury Car, and SUV all rolled into one?

 Who offers a 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder engine, and gets 22-32 MPG?
  
 At a  Suggested Retail Price starting at $26,465 it is a sweet thing.

GMC Terrain and Terrain Denali earned a Consumers Digest Best Buy Award and it is well deserved.
It is really hard not to like this Crossover Vehicle.

I've sat in the rear seat  of one for a long trip and was amazed at the comfort. I am 5'8" and wear heels and did not feel the usual claustrophobia I get in the back.
The rear seats slide forward and back easily and will give you 39.9" of leg room.
The seats will also lay flat just as easily for hauling bigger cargo.
The Terrain has a decent amount of Cargo space, 63.9 cubic feet of it.
The ride is very smooth and quiet.
You can take a nice trip without having to stop and refuel all the time.
An average of over 550 miles on a tank of gas driving city/highway miles.

This Terrain is loaded with the latest and the best of everything you are going to want and need. Some items are optional and some are standard.
  
 Technology and Safety are at it's core.

• OnStar
• 6 Air Bags
• Forward Collision alert
• Rear View Cameras
• Blue Tooth Connectivity
• Available Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist 
• Lane Departure Warning

Entertainment and Navigation

• Color Touch Radio
• Available Intellilink
• Available Rear Seat Entertainment
• Available Color Touch Navigation with Intellilink

Plenty of performance features

• Stabilitrak with Traction Control
• All Wheel Drive
• Automatic 6 Speed with Overdrive
• Hill Start Assist
• Fully Independent Suspension
• Available Trailering Package - (to better tow your toys or equipment with)

Warranty

• Basic: 3 Years/36,000 Miles 
• Drivetrain: 5 Years/100,000 Miles 
• Corrosion: 3 Years/36,000 Miles 
• Rust-Through 6 Years/100,000 Miles 
• Roadside Assistance: 5 Years/100,000 Miles

Take this one for a Test Drive.. You won't be disappointed.

Want more Information?
Consumer Digest
Looking for a Brochure? Click here

Keep it between the Lines,
Happy Motoring

2014 GMC Sierra

Cadillac CTS Engine Sounds

Dirty Engine Air Filter?

Is your engine air filter dirty? 
Does it matter when you changed it last? 
Take a deep breath..... "Yes", it does..
It is a very important, and it is inexpensive to change.

Dirty Air Filter - Engine can not breath

The Engine Air filter(s) are to prevent harmful debris from entering your engine.

Internal Combustion Engines -
From large to small, require air flow to work.
When air flow is restricted - engines quit working properly.
If you run an engine with out an air filter you run the chance of Dust, Dirt, Bugs, and more making there way into your engine, and again.. it quits working properly, and may cost you a bundle to fix the problem.

Sign if Wear?
Sluggish acceleration - Decreased fuel efficiency
Fouled plugs

Engines need good clean air to operate. When your air filter gets clogged it will
slowly perform less efficiently until it just isn't running properly at all.

True Story:
One day I decided I needed to check under the hood. So I started to look everything over.
I wasn't getting the same power as I used to get and I wondered why.
Yep.. here's your sign...

Okay, so what happens when I don't change the air filter on a timely basis?
Umm... Mice make it there home!
Yea...I live in the country, and my vehicle is parked outside, and when I pulled the
Air Filter out of the air box....there was a mouse nest in it...
Well that answered some questions. So I changed the filter, continued to check all the other essentials; Plugs, Lines, Fluids, wiped things down, closed the hood and turned the key..
I could tell almost immediately that the engine was getting more air, and the engine just sounded healthier.

So here is a the short and sweet of it: 

•     Your Air Filter should be changed regularly, or your gas mileage will suffer.

•     A Dirty Air Filter can also cause other systems to run ineffectively, such as your emissions control system, which regulates the car's air-fuel mixture.

•     A Dirty Air Filter can also cause your spark plugs, to foul, as there will be too much fuel without enough air; if your spark plugs foul, you may have problems keeping your car running.

•    Change the Air Filter at least once a year under any circumstances. Some manufacturer's recommend every 5,000 miles.

Let me know, what have you run into when changing your air filter? Any mouse nests for you.?

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring

Cadillac's Concept Elmiraj

                         Cadillac has shown their ability to level the playing field when it comes to the Luxury car market. For years the market has been dominated by manufacturers overseas. Cadillac is now upping their game, by introducing another higher end Luxury concept car, the Elmiraj. In 2011, it was the introduction of the Convertible Ciel, we all hope to see go into production soon. There has been talk, but nothing announced as of yet.

The design concept was inspired by the 1967 Eldorado two-door coupe, the Ciel, as well as the CTS-V coupe.

The recently unveiled concept car has 22 inch aluminum wheels, 4.5 liter twin turbo V8 engine with 500 HP, rear wheel drive, measuring in at 205 inches long, and it will be built with lightweight metals to boost fuel efficiency.

The interior is sexy. Back-lit titanium trim, custom designed high performance seats, and seating for four. Brazilian rosewood, camel leather upholstery, and 10 inch retractable touch screen infotainment system, and more.

This Sexy High End Luxury Cadillac Elmiraj is said to be going into production with in the next two years.

Cadillac is been combining Art and Science in their line of cars, and the
Elmiraj definitely is a true picture of that.

It even had Jay Leno's attention.

 What does this Elmiraj bring to the table?
Everything Cadillac stands for. The New Standard of the World. Let the Competition bring it.

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring

2014 Cadillac ELR - As Jay Leno Reviews it.

Tips for Driving in Wet Weather

• Be careful out on the roads. 
• Check your wiper blades and tire pressures too, for added safety. 
• Do not take your attention away from the roads and those around you. In other words please don't talk on the phone or text, especially in hazardous weather conditions. 
• There are people who care about you and your safety.

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring

Memorial Day - A Rememberance of Why

"...gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime....let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,...the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan." - General John Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868

Why do we have a Memorial Day?
When should we be celebrating Memorial Day?
How should we honor this Day?

We have been  - as a collective society  - enjoying the 3 or 4 day weekends offered by the Memorial Day Holiday by spending time with our families, going on short vacations, partying and shopping the sales. Memorial Day weekend has been the called "The Official Kick Start of Summer". Do we really understand and remember why we have the pleasure to enjoy this time?
Most of us understand that Memorial Day is when we are to remember all of those who have ultimately sacrificed their lives, so we may live in this Nation of ours. They are the ones who have given everything for us. We should take the time to give thanks to them for all that they have done. 

It all seems to have originated as:
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, it was originally called Decoration Day,
"Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans .. the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) ..established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared Decoration Day should be observed on May 30, and It's believed that date was
chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

There are Protocols, and  Resolutions have been added for proper Memorial Day observance. They are as follows:

•  visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.

•  visiting memorials.

•  flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.

•  flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).

•  participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.

•  renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.  

How many of us are aware of these, let alone how many of us observe them?

Notice that this year Memorial Day is on May 27th, not May 30th as it was observed originally.
"Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day." 

So, on Monday are you going to fly the Flag at Half-staff until Noon? I will

At 3:00 will you take pause to think about why this day is named as such and play Taps? I will

And how about the others? Visiting graves, memorials, placing flowers, and aiding those of fallen soldiers and disabled veterans? I will

How about you?
Enjoy your holiday weekend. Be safe, Drive safe.

Keep it between the lines,
Happy Motoring

For More Information about the Origins, History, and Observances of Memorial Day. Check out these links:
www.usmemorialday.org/observe.htm
battle-of-the-memorial-day-birthplaces/
www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

S.A.F.E. Schools Fund - Raising Awareness

UPDATE: 
June 1, 2013 Biggs contributed $2000.00 to the S.A.F.E. Schools Fund. The Event was a Success!

Andy Montero and friends, from Montero's Restaurant accepting the check.

With all of the uncertainty in our Country, Parents have had the added insecurity of their children's safety when they are in School. A Special Fund has been set up to help lessen those insecurities. It is called S.A.F.E. Schools Fund.
One of our Locals, Montero's Restaurant is doing a wonderful job of raising awareness and funds.

Montero's Restaurant- Great Food

Below is an excerpt from their web page explaining what they are helping to accomplish for our Children and our Schools in this area.
Biggs Cadillac Buick GMC is joining in to help. Starting on Monday May 27, Memorial Day and through the week, a portion of each car sale will go to S.A.F.E. It is our pleasure to be able to take part in raising awareness and help with funding the project.

"...Created in the aftermath of the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy, this fund was designed to raise private money for security upgrades in our local schools. With current Federal and State budget restraints, our schools are already doing all they can to keep up with ever changing technology, support student needs, hire, train, and retain skilled teachers, and keep our aging schools up and running.

 The first project for the fund is to provide a security camera, security doors, and an intercom system at the front entrances of our seven elementary schools and two middle schools.
 Our two local high schools have extensive security camera systems along with resource officers already in place, so we feel the elementary and middle schools should be our primary focus.
 In addition, our long term goal is to continue to raise funds and provide a resource for all of our local schools to request funds for different security projects on their campuses.

 Initially, we have estimated a need of $50,000 to meet our first goal outfitting each elementary and middle school with our first project. So far, we have raised approximately $9,000, but obviously have a long way to go.
 Our goal is to start implementing these changes in June, so we have to act fast. Individual school visits have already been completed. Collectively, each School Principal, the Elizabeth City Pasquotank County School’s Maintenance Department, Board of Education Chairman Barry Overman, Anthony Overman of Albemarle Fence and Security, and myself, are diligently working to assess master plans for heightened security at each location.

So, how can you help? As small business owners ourselves, we understand the difficulty and frequency of being asked to contribute. However, we also believe that each business and individual in our community has a unique ability to lend a helping hand, and are open to ideas and excited to talk with you about it.
 In addition to monetary donations, your assistance with fundraisers, man power for solicitation, business connections for security ideas, networking, and good old fashioned word of mouth support would be appreciated.
 As the old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child”, it will take our community to secure our schools.
....... Every person in our community has a connection to our schools in some way, whether through the students, teachers, or staff members. Karin and I appreciate you taking the time to read this and consider helping our cause.
 As you will see below, we have joined forces with the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County School’s Education Foundation. They will be handling all of our donations, which will allow them to be tax-deductible donations for you.
When making a contribution to the SAFE Fund, please put “SAFE Fund” on your check in the memo line. We will be recognizing our wonderful donors through Facebook, on our website, at all fundraising events, and through word of mouth.
Please don’t hesitate to call or email us with any questions or concerns.
With warmest regards,
Karin & Andy Montero.."
eatatmonteros@gmail.com

Should you wish to make a tax-deductible monetary donation, you may do so to:
Education Foundation
P.O. Box 2453
Elizabeth City, NC 27906
Attn: SAFE Schools Fund
Or online:www.theeducationfoundation.net 

http://www.monterosrestaurant.com/our-story/safe-schools-fund
 

Montero’s Safe Schools Fund Facebook Page

Keep it between the lines,

Happy Motoring