Friday, June 29, 2012
Thank you Dr. Karen for sharing such kind words! Great job team!
- I bought my Pilot at Paragon four years ago and have been taking it to their service center ever since, and I’m very satisfied with their service. The service rep who helps me every time is named Alex, and although it’s obvious I didn’t know anything about SUVs, he has never once demonstrated any of the sexist condescension so many men use when talking to women they assume don’t know what they’re talking about. Alex always explains the technician’s analysis (and estimate) in detail and patiently answers the dozens of questions I ask. (Once he even drew a diagram to help me understand why a pair of parts had to be changed even though only one was broken.) Last year, I heard a low clunk when I went over bumps and although neither he nor the technicians heard it when they went for a ride with me, they did extensive service and replaced several parts for free. (And then I discovered that the problem was that stuff got under the front license plate.) It’s always very crowded at the Service Center but the wait time has been as short as an hour. The last time the tuck needed a repairs, Alex explained why they would take several hours to fix it and then he got a technician to drive me home and pick me up when the truck was ready (which I was able to find out because he gave me his cell number and told me around when I should call him). The service isn’t cheap, but I’ve learned the hard way that you really do get what you pay for. And I like having things fixed once and well by experienced experts. Addendum: I also had to bring the truck to Paragon’s Repair Center two times because it got hit twice, and both times they made it look brand new. Talk to George, who’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and an expert at dealing with insurance agents! -Dr. Karen
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Honda Jazz Hybrid: Prius C rival here in December
The Jazz Hybrid will give Honda a direct rival for the city-sized Toyota Prius C, which went on sale in March from $23,990, usurping the $29,990 Honda Insight to take the title of Australia’s cheapest hybrid.
Honda Australia director Stephen Collins says he is not interested in entering a “price war” with Toyota and says making the Jazz Hybrid the cheapest petrol-electric vehicle on the market is not the primary goal. Regardless, he is hopeful Honda Australia’s fourth hybrid – following the Civic, Insight and CR-Z – will be priced below $25,000 when it launches in the coming months.
“It depends on a few things, but I think for a Jazz light car [sub-$25,000 is] pretty much in the ballpark of where you’ve got to be,” Collins told CarAdvice.
“We’re not setting out to have the cheapest hybrid. The key for us is making sure the Jazz Hybrid offers good value for money. We’ll make it as competitive as we can, we’ll spec it well, we’ll price it as good as we can, and ultimately the market determines where it goes from there.”
The Honda Jazz Hybrid teams a 65kW/121Nm 1.3-litre petrol engine with a 10kW/78Nm electric motor for a combined output of 75kW of power and 199Nm of torque. A continuously variable transmission sends drive to the front wheels, helping the Jazz Hybrid accelerate from 0-100km/h in 12.1 seconds.
According to the European combined test cycle, the Jazz Hybrid uses 4.5 litres of fuel per 100km, making it 22 per cent more fuel efficient than the conventional non-hybrid 1.3-litre Jazz GLi, but still 15 per cent thirstier than the Prius C at 3.9L/100km.
Honda will be hoping its Jazz Hybrid can mirror the success of the Toyota Prius C, which has become the top-selling compact hybrid in the country over the past three months. A total of 652 Prius C hatches have been delivered so far this year, putting it ahead of the Lexus CT200h (633), the standard Prius (443), the CR-Z (147) and the Insight (124).
Courtesy of CarAdvice.com
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Dr. Karen, thank you for taking the time to write this amazing review! Keep up the great work!
Paragon Honda - (5) Star Review on Yelp
- When you buy a car or a truck, the point is to get the best possible price and deal--and the only way to do this is by (1) researching everything about the vehicle you want and what it should cost, (2) going to as many dealers as possible to find the one who will give you the best deal on everything you want, and (3) negotiating knowledgeably with the salesperson to get him or her to get the sales manager to lower the price as much as possible. That's what I did and that's why I bought my Pilot from Paragon. The salesman was very polite and attentive (and patiently answered my questions and took me out for test drives). But even if he wasn't, I still would have bought the truck from him because Paragon offered the lowest price. What I paid Paragon for a new Pilot (with all the upgraded features) was several thousand dollars less than I would have paid at local and regional competitors. I had no problems with the salespeople, and I got the truck I wanted at the price I wanted. (And it's "held up" perfectly despite driving on roads that are so bumpy they could knock the shocks off a trailer and in "stop and go" traffic on the LIE--which should have worn down the brakes but didn't.)I also had a good experience with the Honda Finance Manager, probably because I did extensive research on car loans and called multiple banks (and my credit union) to find out their rates. I knew that Honda Finance's was the lowest rate I could get. And once I made it clear to the Finance Manager exactly what "terms" and warranty I wanted, he didn't try to sell me anything extra. (The only additional warranty he did discuss and I did decide to buy was one for tires. And I'm glad I did because two of my tires had to be replaced after I swerved into the side median on the LIE to avoid a car whose driver cut me off without even turning his head to see if a car was in the lane.)If you don't want to take the time to use the internet to research the price of what you want and to learn how to negotiate prices with car dealers and finance managers, then you don't deserve the best deal. It's foolishly unrealistic to expect salespeople to educate you or to voluntarily reduce their commission just because you think they should. By the way, nasty put-downs, terrible stereotypes ("sketchy Russian body shop guy," "greasy little sales guy," "prepubescent man-child"), and angry accusations of dishonesty are not helpful to readers. They reveal more about the reviewer's personal problems than about what's being reviewed. (Ditto for people who complain about being victimized. No one "forced" you to do anything.)And no, I don't work for Paragon or know anyone who does (nor am I related to anyone there). The assertion that any reviewer whose experience was better than yours must be lying is an expression of narcissism that's not helpful for readers. -Dr. Karen G.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Honda Named "Brand of the Year" in the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend Equity Study
Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom
Friday, June 22, 2012
Barely Believable Car Tip of the Week: Banish back-road dirt!
Thank you David, for this awesome review! Great job team!
- If I could give 3.5 stars, I would. They have great selection of certified pre-owned cars. My salesperson, Sal, was very easy to work with and responsive to my calls/questions. The only thing that I didn't like about the experience was that I had to wait in the dealership for an extended period of time almost every single time I went in. It probably amounted to 3 hours of sitting. However, I'm happy with my vehicle and with the service I received. -David W.
Thank you Keith, for this exceptional review! Keep up the great work team!
Paragon Honda - (5) Star Review on Yelp
- After speaking with Stephanie Jay of the Acura side of the business, she suggested speaking to Shawn Brown and Ariel Munoz of Paragon Honda. Not only did Stephanie take time to listen to my actual needs, but she sent me over to other staff that seriously had their facts about the vehicle. I left with a lease on a CRV and I couldnt be more happier with both the treatment and the work they put in to get me what I believe is the best deal possible given my not so excellent credit score. I left very much pleased.-Keith F.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Thank you Alex, for sharing these kind words! Keep up the great work team!
- I bought a new Honda Accord here over a week ago and the service was fantastic! I spoke with specialists for each stage of the buying process and they were all very candid and willing to get what works for me. Everyone was very friendly and I was able to drive my car home that day! -Alex G.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Honda North American Output Rises 67%, Leading Region
Honda Motor Co. (7267) has raised output at North American plants by the fastest pace of any carmaker in the region this year as the company pushes to reclaim U.S. market share lost to competitors and natural disasters in 2011.
Honda plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico built 748,217 cars and light trucks in the year’s first five months, a record for the period and 67 percent more than a year earlier, according to the company. Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), Asia’s biggest automaker, followed with a 64 percent North American increase to 787,777 vehicles.
We’ve been doing everything we can to make up for lost time,” Tom Lake, Honda’s head of North American purchasing, said last month in an interview in Raymond, Ohio.
Honda, the third-largest Japanese carmaker, and Toyota are targeting gains of 10 percent or more in U.S. sales this year after losing ground to Hyundai Motor Co. (005380) and Kia Motors Corp. (000270), both based in Seoul. Honda, Toyota and Nissan Motor Co. (7201) are also racing to limit exposure to a sustained rise in the yen against the dollar by shifting output and parts purchases from Japan.
The Japanese currency last traded at about 79.4 yen to the dollar, compared with 91.7 yen to the dollar two years ago and 122.7 yen five years ago.
“Long before the yen became as strong as it is today we’d identified plans for localizing certain specialized parts or materials we’re buying from Japan,” Lake said. “The shift in the exchange rate increased the urgency in getting that done.”
Record Pace
Nissan, tapping alternative supply sources through its alliance with Renault SA (RNO), was able to rebound faster from Japan’s earthquake and tsunami in 2011 and lost less production in North America from parts-supply issues.
Nissan, based in Yokohama, Japan, increased output at U.S. and Mexican plants by 23 percent this year to 562,971, said David Reuter, a company spokesman.
The high exchange rate means Japan’s automakers are also limiting export, Alec Gutierrez, Kelley Blue Book’s auto market analyst, said in a statement June 13.
“Although exports will be managed to limit losses, Japanese manufacturers will continue to do whatever is necessary to maintain share,” he said.
Production of cars and light trucks in North America by all manufacturers increased 22 percent through May to 6.57 million vehicles from 5.38 million a year earlier, according to trade magazine Automotive News.
Rising Production
Among the region’s largest automakers, General Motors Co. (GM)’s output is up 5.4 percent to 1.41 million through May; Ford Motor Co. (F)’s grew 4.4 percent to 1.15 million; and Chrysler Group LLC had a 23 percent increase to 1.02 million, according to company statements.
Japan’s three largest automakers are also producing vehicles in North America at a rate indicating each will set records this year.
Sustaining the current pace means Tokyo-based Honda will produce more than 1.7 million Honda and Acura brand autos in the region this year, topping its best-ever 1.43 million in 2007.
Honda’s U.S. market share slid to 9 percent last year from 10.6 percent in 2010, according to researcher Autodata Corp. Honda’s share is 9.6 percent this year through May, down from 9.9 percent a year earlier. Honda’s light-vehicle sales rose 10 percent during the first five months, trailing the industrywide 13 percent gain.
Toyota, which made an average of 157,555 vehicles each month this year, may produce more than 1.89 million, surpassing its previous record of 1.67 million in 2007. The company is based in Toyota City, Japan.
Nissan made 1.18 million in the U.S. and Mexico last year, its highest volume to date, and may make as many as 1.35 million at the current rate.
Honda’s U.S. headquarters are in Torrance, California. The stock fell 0.1 percent 2,544 yen in Tokyo yesterday.
Courtesy of Bloomberg.com
Monday, June 18, 2012
Honda, Lexus Are Tops In Perceived Quality; Ford, Hyundai Improve
In the spring of this year, ALG interviewed asked roughly 4,000 consumers to share their opinions of both mass-market and luxury car brands. Participants told ALG a bit about their familiarity with each brand and assigned those brands a score of 0 to 100.
Mass-market rankings
On the mass-market front, Honda scored an impressive 81.3 points, though Toyota came in a very close second at 80.1. Six other brands scored above the industry average of 59.1, most of which were Asian marques:
Subaru (71.1)
Ford (70.5)
Nissan (70.2)
Volkswagen (69.6)
Mazda (64.0)
Hyundai (62.3)
At the other end of the scale, five brands scored below the 50-point mark. Unfortunately, three of the five are owned by Chrysler:
Chrysler (49.1)
Dodge (48.8)
Suzuki (48.1)
Fiat (44.5)
Smart (39.6)
It's worth noting, however, that Ford and Hyundai may be the big winners in ALG's survey, since public perception of both has soared over the past several years. According to ALG, Ford’s perception of quality has jumped about 37% since 2008, while Hyundai's score has surged 25%.
ALG also gives a shout-out to Dodge, Fiat, Kia, and Scion. Eric Lyman, ALG’s Vice President of Residual Value Solutions, says that "Kia and Dodge are great examples of perception improvement based on product and marketing.... Both brands have launched exciting new product and impactful messaging. While they both face significant history to overcome, consumers are beginning to recognize their improvement."
Luxury rankings
In the luxury segment, things were slightly more competitive. Lexus was the clear winner, but the slope down to the luxury average of 71.2 was pretty gradual:
Lexus (85.4)
Mercedes-Benz (82.9)
BMW (81.5)
Porsche (80.0)
Acura (78.2)
Infiniti (77.6)
Volvo (75.7)
Audi (74.2)
And below deck:
Cadillac (67.2)
Lincoln (67.0)
Land Rover (60.4)
Jaguar (58.8)
Alfa Romeo (56.2)
Perhaps the most interesting part of this study comes at the end of ALG's report, where the firm explores the relationship between familiarity, ownership, and perception of brand quality.
For example, survey participants seemed largely unfamiliar with Smart, but felt that it wasn't a quality brand. On the other hand, consumers weren't all that familiar with Alfa Romeo either -- perhaps because it's not sold in the U.S. yet -- but scored it 15 points higher.
Thank you to the author of this review for sharing such kind words! Great job team!
- After having bad experiences elsewhere- particularly at Plaza Honda where I was literally told to go away - I went to Paragon Honda and the experience was a pleasure from start to finish. My salesman, Zeeshan, was knowledgeable, patient and hugely helpful. He informed me about all my possible options and, after listening to my concerns, helped me to make the choice that was right for me. Glennys, the finance lady, David, the DMV guy, and Manager Mr. Nadib were efficient, warm and helpful, as well. It was an absolute pleasure to deal with Zeeshan. There was no hustle, he was completely straightforward and he obviously took delight in getting me what I wanted, a great car for a great price. -L D.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
13 Weird Tricks to Clean Your Car
Wash your car with a hair conditioner containing lanolin. You'll become a believer when you see the freshly waxed look, and when you find that the surface will repel rain.
2. Fizz windshields clean with cola
When it rains after a long dry spell, a dirty windshield turns into one big mess. Get rid of streaks and blotches by pouring cola over the glass. (Stretch a towel along the bottom of the windshield to protect hood paint.) The bubbles in the cola will fizz away the grime. Just be sure to wash the sticky cola off thoroughly or your cleaning efforts will end up attracting dust and dirt.
3. Vodka on the job
When your windshield-washer reservoir needs filling, raid the liquor cabinet to make your own washing fluid. In a screw-top gallon jug, mix 3 cups vodka (the cheapest you can find) with 4 cups water and 2 teaspoons liquid dishwashing detergent. Screw on the cap and shake well, then pour as much fluid as needed into the reservoir.
4. Shine those car lights
Keep your headlights polished (and yourself, safe) by applying window cleaner and rubbing vigorously with an old pair of panty hose.
5. A one-step window cleaner
Clean your windshield and car windows by rubbing them with baby wipes stored in your glove compartment. What could be easier?
6. No windshield washing fluid?
If the reservoir is empty (and doesn't it always seem to be?), use an unlikely substitute to clean your windshield: feminine hygiene maxi-pads, a box of which you could stash in the trunk. Hold a pad on the sticky side and rub the windshield vigorously. The glass will really shine once you've wiped it to the max.
7. Clean your blades
If your windshield wiper blades get dirty, they'll streak the glass instead of keeping it clean and clear. Make a solution of 1/4 cup household ammonia to 1 quart cold water. Gently lift the blades, and wipe both sides with a soft cloth or paper towel soaked in the solution. Then wipe the blades with a dry cloth before lowering them into place.
8. You can see clearly now
Add 1/4 cup household ammonia to 1 quart water, pour it into a plastic bottle with a water-tight cap, and keep it in your car for washing the windshield and windows. As soon as your windshield begins to get dirty, take out the solution and apply it with a sponge; then dry the windshield with a soft cloth or paper towels.
9. Baking-soda car cleaner
Pour 1/4 cup baking soda into a gallon-sized jug, then add 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid and enough water to fill the jug almost to the top. Screw on the cap, shake well, and store the concentrate for later use. When it comes time to wash the car, shake the jug vigorously and then pour 1 cup of cleaner base into a 2-gallon water pail. Fill the pail with warm water, stir to mix, and your homemade cleaning solution is ready to use.
10. Banish back-road dirt
In many rural areas, so-called oil roads (some unpaved, others semi-paved) are sprayed with oil to control blowing sand and dust. If you find yourself driving along one of these back roads, your windshield may end up coated with oily grime. To cut through the muck, sprinkle cream of tartar over the windshield, and then wipe the glass down with soapy water, rinse well, and dry.
11. A surprising no-wax washer
Add 1 cup kerosene to a 3-gallon pail filled with water and then sponge the solution over your car. You won't have to spray the car before washing or rinse or wax it once you're done. And the next time it rains, rainwater will bead up and roll off the car, lessening the likelihood of rusting.
12. Watch the heat
Washing your car when it's too hot—right after you've been driving it, for example, or when it's been parked in direct sunlight—can result in soapy splotches and deposits, says consumer reports.
13. Avoid air drying
Also according to Consumer Reports, air drying your car—or driving it around while it's wet—after washing can leave unsightly watermarks on its exterior. Use a chamois or a soft terry cloth, plus a squeegee to soak excess water up—just make sure it doesn't pick up dirt that can scratch the vehicle.
Courtesy of The Reader's Digest
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Sales of Honda car up by 50 percent in US
Courtesy of Auto-Types.com
Thank you Jeffrey and Poppa for sharing such kind words with us! Great job team!
- The sales person who helped me was great. His name is Andres Sanchez. From the minute that I arrived he made my wife and I feel comfortable. He assisted us to what we were looking for and we are happy with the outcome. As we waited for processing, he offered us water, coffee, he also bought us some warm cookies that they had baked in which I think was very nice from the Dealer Ship. Once our New Honda 2012 Pilot arrived, a nice young lady dark skin with very short hair showed me how to work every feature in the car. She also assisted me in programing my bluetooth, importing my music from my phone and adjusting my seat. She was excellent in showing me all the features. I really recommand this place to anyone that is interested in buying or trading their car. They are well organized, friendly and very professional. -Jeffrey
- As soon as my wife and i walked in we were greeted by Ivonne she was with us every step of the way. We're first time buyers and she totally set us at ease making us feel comfortable and answer all of our questions. Its not everyday you meet a sales woman in the boys club that is car sales but she holds her own. She let me test drive the car we wanted and was completely gung ho about us having it and quoting a good price. I'll definitely be back for my next purchase. -Poppa
Monday, June 11, 2012
Best Family Cars of 2012 – High-Mileage Cars: Honda Civic Hybrid
As always, safety is our primary concern. For that reason, every vehicle on our list is equipped with antilock brakes, electronic stability control, and a minimum of six air bags. Plus, a record 14 of our recommended cars earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). To help you save money, we’ve favored vehicles that get great mileage and represent the premier value in their class. We paid close attention to kid-friendly features while also keeping in mind that a smooth, stylish ride makes everyone happy. Honda Civic Hybrid Starts at $24,200
MPG: 44 city/44 highway The redesigned Civic Hybrid is a pleasure to drive and is sleek inside and out. A cool digital readout lets you display mileage, speed, or radio stations. And the loaded version, with on-board navigation and leather seats, clocks in at under $27,000, making it among the most affordable full-feature hybrids. Features: Steering-wheel audio controls standard, IIHS Top Safety Pick, USB jack standard, Bluetooth capability standard, 5 passenger capacity, 2 car-seat capacity
Courtesy of Parents.com
Thursday, June 7, 2012
2013 Honda Fit EV Rated by the EPA at 118 MPGe; Receives Best-Ever Consumption Rating of 29 kWh/100mi
The Fit EV is a part of Honda’s portfolio approach, which includes the development of battery- electric, fuel cell-electric, natural gas, and gasoline-electric powered vehicles, to improve fuel-efficiency and reduce C02 emissions. Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles, from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for eleven consecutive years.In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.
Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Good afternoon fans! Here is a Wednesday car care tip!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Thank you to the author of this review for sharing your experience with us! Great job team!
Paragon Honda - (4) Star Review on DealerRater
- After shopping around at several Honda dealerships, I ultimately bought a Honda Civic 2012 EXL from Paragon. Although the car was used, it had only 5K miles on it and I got a pretty good deal for a practically brand new car.
The salesman who helped me was Sal Sifs and overall, I would recommend him if you go to Paragon. My boyfriend and I went to Paragon a few times before finally deciding to do the deal with this dealership. Everytime that we went, Sal was patient and helpful to us. He's direct and upfront, which I prefer compared to some sleazy sales guys that I've come across through my car shopping experience at some other places. Sal is a professional and accomodating guy - definitely ask for him! Thanks Sal -- I'm happy with my purchase and if I'm looking for any other Honda cars, I'll make sure to stop by again. -chri5tinatsai
Monday, June 4, 2012
Record May Auto Sales for Honda
Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom
Friday, June 1, 2012
Thank you Sabrina for sharing your experience with us! Way to go team!
I went into the dealership with the exact car in mind. My sales assosicate Jose P. was AMAZING. from begining to end he was there with me and my family, even down to cleaning the car himself soI wouldnt have to wait long. Angel Perez explained everything so clearly and made me fel so comfortable purchasing from them. The best car buying experience to date, thanks guys! -Sabrina S.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)