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