Checkered Blog by Checkered Flag is the automotive play place in Hampton Roads Virginia

Spend your Labor Day at the 4th Annual End of Summer Super Bash Charity Car Show and Bass Off

If you're looking for something fun to do on this Labor Day join Hampton Road's Largest Scion Enthusiasts Club, Seven City Scions as they host the 4th Annual End of Summer Super Bash Charity Car Show and Bass Off Competition. Come out to the Chesapeake City Park, 900 Greenbrier Parkway, Chesapeake (just past Greenbrier Mall) from 9 AM to 5 PM.

They're expecting to have over 700 cars in the show this year! Lawrence Doligosa, Scion Champion and Internet Sales Manager tells me that Checkered Flag will have cars out on display, so be sure to check them out. There'll be something for every member of the family, including a dunk-tank, food, games and a performance by nationally recognized band, Nemesis. 

Admission is free to the public. Entry into the car show or bass off competition is a $20 donation, $30 for both. All donations collected this year will benefit two charities: The Intrepid Fallen Hero's fund (visit here for details on the organization) and Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. Event sponsors are Scion Corporate (CAT) and Sam's Clubs of Hampton Roads.

Pictures below are from last year's show. For more information contact Joe "J.R." Drake  at scionman1@sevencityscions.net or (757) 235-7928. Happy Labor Day everyone!

Kudos to CF's Walk Around Contest Participants!

Every year, one outstanding sales representative from each dealership competes in the Checkered Flag Walk Around Contest. Each representative was given just 15 minutes to show a vehicle of their choice  to "Bob and Betty," a fictitious couple looking to trade in their current vehicle. The challenge is to cover a ton of information (including items such as window sticker, warranties, and Checkered Flag Winner's Edge) during the allotted time.

We here at the Checkered Blog would like to send out a big CONGRATULATIONS to all of the Walk Around Contest participants, especially to this year's grand prize winner, Phyllis Hunter of Checkered Flag Jaguar! Phyllis showed "Bob and Betty" Jaguar's newest sporting luxury sedan, the XF (it's an Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency, too.) Contest judges awarded her with an all inclusive trip for two to a 5-star hotel in Cancun, Mexico. She says competing was a lot of fun, and she's very excited to go on the trip with her husband. Bon voyage, Phyllis!   

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: BMW X3

On this rainy Thursday, I have another great addition to our Unsung Heroes of Fuel Efficiency list, the BMW X3. This "sport activity vehicle" (SAV) puts an emphasis on BMW's trademark driving experience. It also delivers a combination of luxury, utility, and efficiency.

Checkered Flag BMW's Michael Kulp, a client advisor, showed me a Jet Black X3. The 3.0si, the lone model for the X3 (starting at $38,600), is powered by 3.0-liter dual overhead cam (DOHC), 6-cylinder engine that produces 260hp. Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic with Steptronic gearing control transmissions are offered. BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system comes standard.

The 3.0-liter engine also has BMW's Valvetronic system, which allows for increased power output and efficiency. The X3 is rated at 24 miles on the highway and 17 miles in the city. It's 18 gallon tank can get upwards of 430 highway miles with one fill up.

I spent a few minutes circling around the X3, and it's the perfect size. Not too bulky and not too compact, just a great middle ground choice.  The X3 interior is also impressive with its finely tailored Sensatec Leatherette upholstery. It has firm yet comfortable seats for five passengers.

A Dual-glass-panel Panoramic Moonroof is also a highlight interior feature on the X3. Other standard features include: Anti-theft AM/FM stereo/CD/MP3 audio system with 8 speakers and auxiliary audio input adapter compatible with portable music players; Tilt/telescopic steering wheel column; Automatic climate control with micro-filter and air recirculation; and Vehicle & Key Memory.

The X3 is also one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Picks for 2008. It received top ratings in front, side, and rear crash tests. The xDrive system I mentioned earlier is an intelligent safety feature that adapts to changing road conditions by shifting torque if wheels start to slip. Also, driver's and passenger's front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with advanced technology: dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment, and front-passenger seat sensors, front-door-mounted side-impact airbags; Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), and active front seat head restraints all come standard. For the full list of safety features visit here.

Several optional packages are also available for the X3. The cold weather package in particular adds heated front and rear seats. Check out the link above for details.

See this Unsung Hero in person by visiting Checkered Flag BMW, 5225 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

Rave Reviews Coming In for We All Win

"It's a true American story.  I love it."

That's among the many wonderful comments we've heard since We All Win: How the company launched on a whim succeeded was published several weeks ago.  The book tells the story of Checkered Flag and a reviewer on Amazon wrote this about it: "It's the kind of book you start on a whim but then can't put down until you've finished, and then find yourself wanting more." 

We All Win is now available at Prince Books in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, as well as online here on CheckeredFlag.com (click the book icon to the left), on Amazon, and at all Checkered Flag locations.  Funds raised through the book's sale benefit United Way of South Hampton Roads. Happy reading!

Unsung Hero: Audi A5

In my line of work, I get to spend a good amount of time around some pretty awesome cars. Among all the cars I've encountered thus far, today's Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency definitely sits towards the top of my list. The Audi A5 is an absolutely beautiful car, and YES, it is fuel-efficient. We'll discuss that more a bit later.

I stopped by Checkered Flag Audi on my way home, and talked with sales consultant Bill Thomas about the A5. Well, Bill did most of the talking, while I tried my best to contain my excitement. I really like this car, especially in the Monza Silver. The A5 is a midsize luxury sports coupe. Along with the A5 (starting at $40,300), it's also available as an S5 sports model (starting at $50,9000).

Under the hood, the A5 has a 3.2 liter FSI V6 that produces 265-hp. The S5 has a powerful 4.2 liter V8 engine and hp gets a boost to 354. Both engines have FSI Direct Injection, variable intake valve and intake manifold, and the Audi Valvelift system. FSI stands for fuel stratified injection. This technology allows the A5 to deliver great performance without sacrificing fuel efficiency. It gets 27 miles on the highway, and 18 in the city. With a 16.9 gallon tank, you're looking at about 460 miles with one fill up.

The A5 with its stylish exterior is what initially caught my attention, but the interior shouldn't be overlooked. It comfortably seats four passengers. Standard features include electrically adjustable front seats; full automatic three-zone climate control; panoramic tilt-up sunroof; and an Audi sound system. The sound system brings 180 watts of power with 10 speakers and subwoofer.

There are a ton of options available on the A5, but highlights include: LED daytime running lamps equipped with Bi-Xenon headlamps and the Bang and Olufsen Sound system, which consists digital signal processing (DSP) and ICEpower digital amplification, booming 505 watts, and 14 speakers. Several different package options are also available for you to choose from. Visit here for details.

Audi also outfitted the A5 with a ton of safety features. Advanced anti-theft vehicle alarm system; protective airbag system (two-stage driver airbag, adaptive passenger airbags; seat-mounted side airbags; sideguard side curtain airbags); central locking system; crash sensor; side impact protection all come standard.

Bill says the A5 is an "all-around great sports car." You'll hear no arguments from me. It's captured my fancy, but decide for yourself by visiting Checkered Flag Audi, 2865 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

Meet CF Volkswagen Customer Andrea Asban!

Andrea is the proud owner of a silver 2006 VW Golf. This Virginia Beach resident is a nursing student at Norfolk State University. She also works at Sentara Leigh as a nursing care partner. Thanks for talking with us, Andrea!

CB: What do you like about your VW Golf?
Andrea: It's small. And the drive is really smooth.

CB: What are your hobbies?
Andrea: Eating! I like going to different restaurants. Uhm...what else do I like? Laughing (haha), watching TV, going to the movies, and singing. During the summer time, I go to the beach or a pool whenever I get the chance.

CB: What's your favorite restaurant?
Andrea: Zoe's Steak and Seafood at the Beach. Their steaks are so good! The atmosphere is really nice also. They're also flexible, you can just go there casually or you can dress up.

CB: What's in your MP3 player or CD player right now?
Andrea: Hmm, mostly 80's and 90's music. It's hard to choose a favorite song or artist because there are so many talented performers these days. But, I do like Ne-yo a lot! He sings, dances, and is a pretty attractive guy!

CB: What's the last movie you've seen?
Andrea: Pineapple Express. I was laughing the whole time. I think I was probably the only person in the theater laughing like that (laughs).

CB: Do you have any pets?
Andrea: Nope. If I ever get a pet, it would probably be a dog. A very small one!

CB: What's the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
Andrea: I have 8 people in my family. There's me, my dad, my mom, my three sisters, and then my two brothers. One of my sisters is five years older than me. My other two sisters are 11 and 10. My brothers are 7 and 5, but their birthdays are coming up in November. And I just turned 21!

CB: What's the one invention you could not live without?
Andrea: Oh man, a grill for steaks (laughs). I really love steaks. 

CB: What's the best thing about being a Checkered Flag customer?
Andrea: The people are really friendly here. Also, I like that they help to figure out what my car needs. Last time I came in for an oil change, they gave me a packet that outlined everything I should know about what my car needs. It really helped me, made everything easy to understand.

Congratulations to Dickie on his new Porsche GT2

Not too often does a Porsche GT2 grace your presence.  It is one of those German rarities that makes any sighting a real treat.  It is easier to find Waldo than one of these.....dare I say.....monsters! 

It is a 6 cylinder Turbo with 530 horsepower & 505 lb.-ft of torque, all from 2,200 - 4,500 RPM.  Keep in mind that the regular 911 Turbo has 480 hp.  According to Porsche, the GT2 gets from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and is capable of speeds up to 204 MPH, while only weighing 3,175 lbs.  In order to slow this beast, it needs Porsche's 6-piston ceramic brakes (an $8,000 option on other Porsche's).  When looking at a car like this, gas mileage is not usually mentioned, but the GT2 gets up to 16 MPG in the city and up to 23 MPG on the highway.....knowing Dickie we doubt he will be one to see that particular statistic. 

Click on any of the photos below to see a larger version.

Accented in alacantara and carbon fiber, the GT2 houses one race-luxurious interior!

The lucky new owner (staring directly into the sun for this photo).  Was it worth the wait Dickie?

The photographer said he'd be happy to exchange a proper photoshoot for a test drive.

Everyone at Checkered Flag Porsche wishes to express a big CONGRATULATIONS to Dickie.  He waited years for this car, and we're all excited to see him finally driving a GT2 in his color!

The Body Shop: A Premier Collision Repair Center

Just a few weeks ago, someone in my family was in a car accident. Thankfully, no one was injured in the collision, but the aftermath has been...well, stressful.

My relative's current predicament motivated me to learn more about the auto repair process, so I headed over to Checkered Flag's Body Shop. Bill Evans, Shop Manager (pictured here with members of the Body Shop team, Rich Sproul and Lisa Pfeiffer), offered great insight into the industry and gave me a personal tour around the shop. He says, "This is the last place people want to be, simply because cars are huge investments. So it's our responsibility to be empathetic to our customers and to make the process as painless as possible by providing great service."

The Body Shop opened in 1985 and has since then prided itself in delivering a high level of quality automotive repair. Bill says his staff is composed of experienced "automotive health experts" who are trained to help customers during each step of the repair process. They offer guidance in working with insurance companies (Checkered Flag deals with all vehicle insurance providers) and assist in arranging for rental cars.

Technicians are factory trained A.S.E. and I-Car certified. They take on all types of repair damage, minor or significant. Laser Unibody & Frame straightening equipment and two high-tech downdraft painting and baking booths are used to ensure that vehicles are returned to pre-accident conditions. They're able to accommodate a high volume of vehicles (the most was 63 cars in one week). 

Typically the number one question on customers' minds is how long the repairs will take. Different variables (insurance companies, repair severity, type of vehicle,  parts availability) affect the time needed to complete repairs. It's difficult to pinpoint, but according to Bill, on average for every $1,000 worth of damage, it takes about a week of repair work. Again, this varies for every case. The Body Shop team will work with you to keep you updated during the repair process.

Bill says, "We hold ourselves to high standards here and want to deliver top quality to our customers. It's important to make sure they're satisfied and everything is repaired properly."

We here at the Checkered Blog would like to send a big thanks to all Body Shop team members. Pictured here are Tony Bosques, Lisa Fisher, and paint manager Kenny Jackson. If you're interested in finding out more about auto repair, visit the Checkered Flag Body Shop page or call (757) 490-111. Have a great weekend everyone and drive safely!

Introducing the Hyundai Genesis Sedan

The Hyundai Genesis has finally arrived at Checkered Flag!  This is one impressive vehicle with luxury features reserved for the finest automobiles - it shares the same sound components as Rolls Royce!

Christine can tell you more:

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Toyota Camry

Today's Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency needs no introduction. Everyone is familiar with the Toyota Camry. It's one of the best selling vehicles in the U.S. In the last few months, I've had two friends become proud Camry owners. Both say they based their purchases on the Camry's long lasting reputation of reliability and value. The Camry's stellar fuel efficiency also won them over. We'll go into that a bit later.

The popular four-door mid size sedan is available in four trims: base Camry (starting at $18,920), LE, SE (sport version), and top of the line XLE. Checkered Flag Toyota's Bernard Turner, a sales consultant, shared a few minutes of his time to show me an LE model that's on display in the showroom. 

The base model has a 2.4-liter inline 4 cylinder engine (158 horsepower, 161 pound-feet of torque). All other trim models have a 3.5-liter V6 (268 hp, 248 lb-ft). Transmission choices include five-speed manual or five-speed automatic for the 4-cylinder engine, and six-speed automatic for the V6.

So back to fuel efficiency. The Camry gets 31 highway miles and 21 in the city. Its 18 gallon tank gets 560 highway miles with one fill up. Bernard gave me the scoop behind the Camry's great mpg numbers. He says that Camry engines have Variable Valve Timing (VVT). Basically VVT allows the engine and transmission to communicate with one another, resulting in the great fuel economy. It also helps the vehicle adjust to driving style and terrain, which means less wear and tear on the engine.

The comfortable and spacious 5-passenger interior is also a highlight. I hopped in the back and the Camry has  tons of space to keep three rear passengers happy. Bernard also pointed out the lowered floor hump that offers the middle-seat passenger additional leg room.

Standard features include: Multi-function remote keyless entry system with lock; Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio controls; Multi-adjustable power driver's seat; and an AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, six speakers and in-glass antenna. Visit here for the full list.

Safety wise, the Camry gets a protective system of airbags (Driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System; Driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain; Driver's knee airbag), front and rear crumple zones and side-impact door beams; Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System; and more. 

If you're interested in finding out more about the Camry, visit Checkered Flag Toyota at 5301 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.