The Pawfect Backseat Drivers
Last month we challenged our Facebook following to post a picture of how their pet used their car. For each picture or video posted we would donate $5 to the Shelby Humane Society. We could not be happier that over 130 pictures were posted and our total donation was $1,400. Thank you all for participating and thank you Shelby Humane for all that you do.
For those of you who don’t know about the Shelby Humane Society you should. These great people work and volunteer to run a successful adoption center. They have over 400 animals available for adoption and take in hundreds of new future family members every month. As a no-kill shelter, they do everything in their power to make sure our furry friends find a new home and have a 98% success rate. This includes services locally and also transportation of animals to states that do not have as many animals to adopt. If you are looking for a new best friend or want to get your best friend a best friend please consider adopting before you buy.
If you are not looking to adopt but want to help out there are lots of options below!
Read the rest of this entry »Why should you choose the Nissan Rogue?
There are so many compact SUVs! So why would you choose the Nissan Rogue over all the others?
In years past, I would have noted its ultra-cramped, emergency use optional third-row as a theoretical positive, but it’s no longer offered. Also, the 2019 Rogue has been around since 2014, so the bad news is the model is a little dated, but by now, Nissan should have worked out all of the kinks.
First, it’s right-size, not so large that it’s difficult to park but big enough to carry people and cargo easily. Luggage space behind the second row peeks at 39.3-cu.ft. With a long reach, you can drop the seat from the vehicle’s rear, creating a 70 cu-ft cargo hold. The wide opening side doors and an available foot-activated liftgate simplify access to that cargo.
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As Americans continue to fall out of love with full-size sedans, mid-sizes are picking up the slack by closely mimicking their flagship kin. BMW’s 5-Series is just another shining example of high-end downsizing in action when it comes to pretty much everything.
Weighing slightly less than the previous iteration, the 2018 5-Series looks like a BMW. Its conservative shape might lack edge, but it should age well…we’ll call it classy.
Inside is a different story. Where, unlike previous generations, the interior looks and feels different. The interior is a modern interpretation of BMW’s classic aesthetic I’d always hope for. That stately character carries over to the driving experience because now the 5-series drives less like a larger 3-series and more like a smaller 7-series. If your tastes lean more to the luxury side of the spectrum, this is an excellent thing. To be clear, the 5-Series still grips, brakes, and accelerates like a proper BMW. It’s just the sensations of doing so have been diluted to some degree as a result of the 5-Series commitment to comfort. In terms of quality, it’s just a hair further than that of the Mercedes E-Class.
Read the rest of this entry »Ford Got The 2018 F-150 Right
If you think modern full-size pickup trucks are big and dumb, you’re only partly right. Case in point, this F-150, might be big, but it is not dumb.
Quite the contrary, Ford has approached this generation F-150 as a literal test bed, switching its bed and cabs construction from steel to lightweight aluminum, helping improve fuel economy and performance. Inside the aluminum body is a seriously functional cabin. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the armrests are well-positioned.
Why Are Gas Prices So High?
The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the United States is about $3.32. However, that average conceals a pretty wide range of prices across the country. For example, the state with the cheapest gas is Texas, where on average, consumers pay almost $2.95 per gallon. Conversely, the most expensive gasoline is found in California, with an average price of $4.65. Alabama is on the lower side with an average of $3.00. So why are gas prices so high?
Do Speed Limits Matter?
Speed kills. In 2019 9,478 Americans lost their lives from speeding and contributing to more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities that year. In addition, the national highway and traffic safety administration predicts that speed-related crashes cost the US more than 40 billion dollars each year. But the emotional toil for those left behind is immeasurable.
Speed limits were created to help prevent loss of life and property. Yet millions of Americans continue to speed every year. According to the 2020 Traffic Safety Culture Index, nearly half of the drivers surveyed have sped at least 15 mph over the limit on freeways. Their logic is that it is OK to go as much as 10 mph over the speed limit and more if they are careful.
Why Are Cheap New Cars Disappearing?
There are about 40 different car brands in the united states. There are American brands and imports, trucks, SUVs, sedans, sports cars, and many crossovers. Of course, there are pricy cars and perhaps more affordable cars, but one kind of car that appears to be disappearing is the cheap car.
Auto industry analysts say sales of very inexpensive cars mean that any new vehicle with a starting price below $20,000 is declining. In fact, they have fallen off a cliff.
Historically, about 1/5 of new vehicle sales would have been below $20,000. But in the last few years, those have entirely dried up. New cars are becoming more expensive. It is unlikely that those cheap cars will ever be back.
Electric Toy Cars Are Even Better Than You Remember
Growing up, there were few things I enjoyed more than my ride-on electric car. Mine was a four-wheeler-looking thing, similar to my number 1 below, that I used to traverse the small hill behind the house I grew up in. It had a plastic seat and wheels, and while no one would ever confuse it as an off-road vehicle, I honestly felt like I could conquer the world driving it around.
These electric toys have gotten even more remarkable over the years. No longer is it just a generic 4-wheeler or generic jeep-looking toy; there are actual brands and models available. They’ve also improved safety by adding seatbelts, lower top speeds, and insulated battery areas. I may not remember every time I tipped over my old toy 4-wheeler, but I am sure my parents do.
Growing up, I may not have had access to the latest and greatest electric toy cars, but kids nowadays do. So here is a shortlist of some of the more exciting toy cars available for your hill conquering kids at home.
While it may seem like some sort of normalcy has returned to the automotive industry, that isn’t exactly the case. There are still numerous supply chain issues and lopsided demand, so most dealers are still hurting on inventory. That could spell problems if you are looking for a specific vehicle but if you are patient you might find some excellent deals out there.
How To Approach A Test Drive
In this blog, I will talk to you about how to approach test driving at a dealership. I want to talk to you about that because there is a lot of misinformation about what matters and what does not. I will try to tell you what to focus on so the whole process is an easy and enjoyable experience.
The first step is to figure out when you will be test driving. In most dealerships, you can walk in off the street to test drive the car you are interested in, but your time is important. That is why we encourage customers to set an appointment. At Donohoo Auto, get the car pulled up for you and have everything ready for when you arrive. It makes the whole buying process function better and allows you to focus on essential things, like driving the vehicle.
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