Virginia Beach Dealers

The Importance of Choosing Genuine Parts for Your Checkered Flag Vehicle

Wouldn't it be nice if Checkered Flag could gaurantee all of their customers that they would never be in an accident or have any need for maintenance or repair, but this is the real world, and well, crummy stuff happens sometimes. 

If you're like me, you probably wouldn't think twice about taking your Checkered Flag vehicle to the nearest auto shop for repairs.  However, if you are not careful, you could end up worse off than you started.  How?  Well, just check out this video from Checkered Flag BMW explaining the importance of genuine BMW parts.

 


Keep in mind, every Checkered Flag maker offers genuine maker parts.  So, if you take your Volkswagen or Toyota in to your local repair pro, make sure to request only genuine parts.  Also, Checkered Flag has an outstanding Virginia Beach Body Shop with technicians holding a total of over 500 years of experience!  Checkered Flag body shop is both a BMW Certified Collision Repair center as well as a Toyota Certified Collision Center.
 
Call Checkered Flag BMW or any other Checkered Flag parts or repair at (757)490-1111 for more information on genuine parts, collision centers, or general repair and maintenance. 

Vancouver Riot Couple Tells Story Behind Kissing Pic

This past week a lucky journalist caught this remarkable photo of a young couple kissing in the middle of a Vancouver street amid a crowd of police and rioters.  Soon after, those fearless lovers were identified as Australian Scott Jones and Canadian girlfriend Alex Thomas.
 
After the Canucks’ Stanley Cup loss, crowds took to the streets in anger.  As Vancouver riot police battled the crowds, Alex was knocked to the ground.  Scott later stated he got down and kissed Alex to calm her down.  Now that’s a gentleman!
 
Poor Alex has come under attack over the last week for not wearing pants to the riot, but, if you look closely, you can make out that she does, in fact, have on shorts.  Either way, this picture is sure to make the top shots of 2011 and is a great reminder that you can find love (or drunk people) in even the most hostile situations.

Keep tuning in to Checkered Flag Blog for more scintillating news! 

BMW Drive For Team USA Event at Checkered Flag BMW Today June 21st

Head over to Checkered Flag BMW this afternoon to take part in the BMW Drive for Team USA event and meet an American Olympic legend! 

Today from 11:00am to 6:45pm your Checkered Flag BMW will be holding the local BMW Drive for Team USA event.  All of our Checkered Flag fans are invited to join us at Checkered Flag BMW for an exciting competitive driving event tailored around the Olympic Games:  BMW Drive for Team USA. 

This is part of BMW’s partnership to support U.S. athletes as they strive for the opportunity to be the world’s greatest.  In the spirit of competition that drives both BMW and Olympic athletes, this event is your chance to get behind the wheel and support Team USA while discovering why BMW truly is The Ultimate Driving Machine.

This exciting event starts with an in-depth look at the innovations behind the BMW brand.  You’ll then enjoy the opportunity to drive the all-new 650i Convertible as well as the full lineup of BMW models - and, at the same event, get behind the wheel of the competition.  See for yourself how BMW’s innovations create an unparalleled driving experience.  The real winner, though, will be Team USA - because BMW will make a donation when you drive.  In addition, as a special thank-you for attending, BMW will provide you with an exclusive sales incentive.  



From 12pm to 3pm today, Checkered Flag BMW fans have the opportunity to meet and have their picture taken with Olympic Wrestling Silver Medalist, Lloyd W. “Butch” Keaser as part of the Drive for Team USA Event.

Lloyd "Butch" Weldon Keaser was born in Baltimore, MD on February 9, 1950. At Brooklyn High School, Keaser excelled and was a two-time All-District wrestler who caught the eye of Naval Academy wrestling coach Ed Peery.

Under the coaching of Hall of Famer Ed Peery, Keaser won three straight Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association titles from 1970 to 1972, and twice won All-American honors at 167 pounds. In addition, Keaser won the Naval Academy's Thompson Trophy Cup in 1971 and was awarded the Naval Academy Silver Sword given to the Academy's outstanding varsity athlete in 1972. Keaser finished his college career with a record of 54-6-1, placing fourth and third in the NCAA during his junior and senior years.

After his graduation from the Naval Academy, Keaser's wrestling career soared during his five years of active duty with the Marine Corps. Serving as an instructor at the Officer Candidate School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, Keaser won two National Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) titles in 1973 and 1976; a bronze and silver medal in the Soviet Union Tbilisi Tournament in 1973 and 1974; and gold medals in the 1973 World Cup and World Freestyle Championships, for which he was voted amateur wrestling's Man of the Year. In 1974, Keaser captured Gold in both the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Games and the Pan-Am games.

In 1976, Lloyd Keaser became the first African-American to win an Olympic medal in the sport of wrestling earning the Silver Medal in the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal, Canada.

All Checkered Flag BMW Drive for Team USA events are held today at:
Checkered Flag BMW
5225 Virginia Beach Blvd
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

We look forward to seeing you all there!

To register for the Checkered Flag BMW Drive for Team USA event, fill in the reservation form at the following link:  BMW Drive for the Team USA Virginia Beach

For more information call Checkered Flag BMW, your premier Virginia Beach BMW store, at (757)490-1111.

Factory Invoice Pricing at Checkered Flag Hyundai

So, let me get this straight...you want to buy this Hyundai for what the dealer paid for it? 

Here at Checkered Flag Hyundai, we have no problem with that.

That’s right, this Thursday through Sunday; hundreds of new Hyundai cars and SUVs will be sold at Hyundai factory invoice price! 

Every new Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe, and Tucson’s factory invoice price will be publicly posted in the Checkered Flag Hyundai store.  Just pick out your vehicle and check the board for the factory invoice price!  It’s quick and easy and guarantees our customers the best deals in town.



Oh, and as if that weren’t enough, the all-new 2012 Hyundai Accent will also be included on the factory invoice sale!  With a fuel efficiency rating over 40 miles per gallon and 41 available in stock your cash-saving Accent is ready for the picking here at everyone’s favorite Virginia Beach Hyundai dealer. 

So, hurry in this weekend to Checkered Flag Hyundai and grab up your new Hyundai at factory invoice!
Call your favorite Hampton Roads Hyundai store at (757)490-1111 for more information.  Checkered Flag
Hyundai is located at 3025 Virginia Beach Blvd in Virginia Beach.

4 Day Pre-owned Clearance Sale at Checkered Flag Toyota

Looking for the absolute best deals on a pre-owned car or truck in Hampton Roads?  Well, we've got them all in one place this weekend!

Today Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Checkered Flag Toyota is holding a massive used car clearance sale through the weekend at our Virginia Beach Blvd Toyota location.  Hundreds of pre-owned cars, trucks, even Toyota hybrids are included in the clearance inventory!  Check out some of the featured specials below:

2008 Toyota Camry LE for $13,990 (Toyota Pre-owned Certified)  Automatic with A/C and more options (stock #T38458A)

2008 Toyota Prius $16,990 (Toyota Pre-owned Certified)  Automatic with A/C and more (stock #TC21108)

2005 Toyota Corolla $7,990  (Toyota Pre-owned Certified)  Automatic with A/C and more (stock #S39312A)

2008 Toyota RAV4 4X4 $17,990  (Toyota Pre-owned Certified)  Automatic with A/C and more (stock #TC21114)

Also, the Checkered Flag Toyota Pre-owned Clearance includes great pre-owned vehicles from Ford, Acura, Honda, Volkswagen, MINI, GMC, Volvo, Chevrolet, and others!  Look for the full page add in today's Virginian Pilot. 

And don't forget, all Certified Pre-owned Toyota vehicles feature 84 months or 100,000 miles, plus they qualify for special low financing rates that start as low as 2.9% for up to 60 months!

For more information call Checkered Flag Toyota at (757)490-1111.  Special sale hours are Thursday and Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday 9am-7pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Pre-order Your 2012 VW Beetle Online From Checkered Flag

If I'm looking to buy a book, a dog leash, or even a case of my favorite cereal, I'm heading to Amazon.com.  You can buy almost everything from diapers to a washing machine and have it shipped to your home within days.  What’s not to love?  Well, Volkswagen agrees.  That’s why this week, thanks to Amazon, Checkered Flag Volkswagen customers can pre-order a brand new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle from the comfort of your couch!

More information from VW:

Volkswagen of America released on Monday an online reservation program known as the Vehicle Pre-Order program that lets consumers use the Web to claim certain limited-quantity VW models. To facilitate this program, VW turned to Amazon, which it is calling an "industry first."

The first vehicle to be available under this system is the new Special Edition 2012 Beetle.
Consumers can go to www.vw.com/preorder to take part in this pre-ordering program. VW’s reservation process was built using Amazon.com’s e-commerce platform.

Shoppers can punch in their respective ZIP codes, read program terms and choose a dealer for delivery. After these steps, they can enter billing information.

Then, they are notified when their welcome kit is en route.



There is a $495 reservation fee with the 2012 Beetle VPO program. This goes toward the purchase.
VW said the turbocharged Beetle 2.0L TSI will be the first unit available in the VPO program. There will be 600 Black Turbo launch edition models offered.

"With the introduction of Volkswagen's Vehicle Pre-Order program, we are able to offer enthusiastic drivers an exclusive opportunity to connect with our vehicles," said Volkswagen Group of American president and chief executive officer Jonathan Browning

“Through this seamless ordering system, customers will be one step closer towards owning and enjoying a special launch edition of the 2012 Beetle,” he added.

Now, you won’t find the 2012 Beetle on Amazon.com (I know, because I tried myself), but you can use the following link to place your 2012 VW Beetle reservation.  Just follow the link and after you put in your zip code, choose Checkered Flag Volkswagen from the list of dealers. 

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Reservation Link

If you prefer to set up your reservation in person, or would like to reserve a model other than the turbocharged Beetle 2.0L TSI, call Checkered Flag VW, your favorite Hampton Roads Volkswagen dealer at (757)490-1111 or stop by our VW store on Virginia Beach Blvd.

And don't forget, Checkered Flag Volkswagen has a handful of 2010 VW Beetle models left in stock.  2010 was the last year for the current generation, so if you want an instant classic, come grab one soon!

  

Celebrate Flag Day With Checkered Flag

The flags fly high every day here at Checkered Flag, but today, they’re getting a little extra attention.  That’s because today, June 14th, is the national observance of Flag Day!
 
For a little lesson on why we celebrate our stars and stripes every June 14th, here’s a little insight from the History Channel.

”O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

 
During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating that "the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white" and that "the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." The national flag, which became known as the "Stars and Stripes," was based on the "Grand Union" flag, a banner carried by the Continental Army in 1776 that also consisted of 13 red and white stripes. According to legend, Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross designed the new canton for the Stars and Stripes, which consisted of a circle of 13 stars and a blue background, at the request of General George Washington. Historians have been unable to conclusively prove or disprove this legend.

With the entrance of new states into the United States after independence, new stripes and stars were added to represent new additions to the Union. In 1818, however, Congress enacted a law stipulating that the 13 original stripes be restored and that only stars be added to represent new states.

On June 14, 1877, the first Flag Day observance was held on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes. As instructed by Congress, the U.S. flag was flown from all public buildings across the country. In the years after the first Flag Day, several states continued to observe the anniversary, and in 1949 Congress officially designated June 14 as Flag Day, a national day of observance.  End of article.

Pretty nifty, huh.  So, Checkered Flag fans, get your flags out clean and pressed and hang them high this Flag Day 2011!

  

Checkered Flag VW Soon Carrying VW Passat Made in the U.S.A.

Soon, Checkered Flag Volkswagen customers are going to have a pretty nice addition to their new VW Passat sedans and wagons- one shiny little tag that says, "Made in the U.S.A."

Two weeks ago, I ran an article from Autoblog regarding production of the new Volkswagen Tiguan moving here to the U.S., specifically to a new VW plant being built in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  This week, we’re still not certain of the Tiguan’s fate, but one thing is for sure; Chattanooga is ready to start pumping out all new 2012 VW Passat.  And after the first U.S. Volkswagen plant was closed down twenty years ago, they’ve got something to prove.

Article source: [The Virginian Pilot]

Nearly a century after claiming its fame as the birthplace of the wrecker, Chattanooga is again in the automotive spotlight as Passat sedans roll out of its new $1 billion factory here as Volkswagen AG looks to regain traction in the United States.

   VW, the world’s third-largest automaker, is looking to triple U.S. sales over the next seven years. But to reach that goal, it needs to overcome a troubled history.

   Its previous effort to manufacture cars in the U.S. was an admitted debacle. Quality problems and slumping sales prompted VW to close its first U.S. factory in Westmoreland County, Pa., more than two decades ago. 

   It was a huge setback for the company that brought the iconic Beetle across the Atlantic, making VW America’s first import darling.

   VW has recovered some ground in recent years.   The brand sold 256,830 vehicles last year, a 20 percent gain from 2009, according to Autodata Corp., but that was about half of what it sold during the boom years of the 1970s. Sales are up 17 percent through the first four months of this year.

   “We have really tried to draw our lessons from the Westmoreland experience,” said Frank Fischer, chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations.

   Built on a 1,400-acre complex east of town at the site of a former explosives factory, the plant opened this week with a different management structure from that of VW’s previous factory.

   VW pulled in more than 200 company experts from operations around the world, including its   high-end Audi and Bentley divisions, to work at the factory.

   The Passat built in Chattanooga was designed specifically for the U.S. market and won’t be sold in Europe. It has an additional 3 inches of rear seat   room. It also comes standard with options Americans expect, such as Bluetooth and dual-zone climate control. The base European engine produces 122 horsepower, contrasted with the U.S. model, which starts at 170 horsepower, providing the type of merging and freeway acceleration American drivers often equate with a sense of safety and security.

   The car, equipped with a manual transmission, will start at about $20,000. Automatic transmission models and versions with larger engines, including a turbocharged diesel with expected highway fuel economy of 43 mpg and a driving range of 800 miles, will start at about $26,000.

   “This is VW’s first run at making cars tailored to the American tastes and   at parity in price and size with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the cars that dominate that segment.” said Bill Visnic, an Edmunds.com analyst.

   Early reviews of the Passat credit VW for increasing the size and reducing   the price from previous versions. Visnic, however, said its conservative styling won’t draw much attention.

   “The Passat is not a breakout car for VW, and somewhere along the line, they are going to need some breakout products if they are going to reach those sales goals,” he said.  (end of article)

For more information about the Volkswagen Passat, or to set up a Passat test drive, call Checkered Flag Volkswagen, your top Virginia Beach VW dealer, at (757)490-1111. 

Food Budget Saving Tips For Checkered Flag Customers

These days gas prices are getting all the attention.  Which Hampton Roads gas stations have the lowest prices?  Which vehicle has the best mileage?  Yada Yada Yada.  But this week, something wonderful happened here in Hampton Roads; gas prices dropped by nearly 50 cents per gallon in some areas.  If you’re like me, you probably aren’t relying on this surprising lull to last.  So, besides purchasing a new hybrid or microcompact from Checkered Flag, or avoiding any and all forms of travel, how else can you save a few bucks this summer?
 
Well, I’m starting at the grocery store.  That’s right.  I’m the one holding up the line with the full limit of coupons that I watch like a hawk to make sure they ring up correctly.  Don’t be mad.  I’m still catching up from the last gas price hike!  But, coupons are only one way to save on our most important need.  Liz Weston from MSN Money has some great food budgeting tips for filling up our tummies for less.
 
From “How to eat when you’re really broke” by Liz Weston.  Edited for length.

Eat mostly at home. U.S. households on average spend 41% of their food budgets outside their homes, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Expenditure Survey (the proportion is 44% for singles). While you may think you're saving money dining off the dollar menu, you could be courting health problems, since the cheapest fast food items are often the ones loaded with fat and sugar. The foods that should be filling half your plate -- fruits and vegetables -- may be hard to find or overly processed when you buy them from fast-food outlets, so ultimately you'll save money and eat better preparing food at home.
 
Skip the processing. Steer away from foods with lots of additives, chemicals and packaging; they're often not as good for you, and they can drive up the cost of your groceries. Instead, opt for foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. That may mean you have to spend a little more time preparing your meals, but I've included helpful tips below on how to make that more convenient.

Demote meat. Beef, chicken, pork and fish often take a starring role in American meals, whereas in less-wealthy countries they're often supporting players or make only cameo appearances: Think bowls of rice or grain topped with lots of veggies and a few bits of meat or seafood. Or you can skip meat entirely for much cheaper protein sources, such as eggs or beans (a half cup of beans has as much protein as 3 ounces of steak).

Nuts, legumes, seeds and dairy products, including milk, cheese and yogurt, are other good sources of protein. Water-packed canned tuna and salmon, which you frequently can find on sale, can help you get the 8 to 12 ounces of seafood the USDA says you should have every week. The new "Healthy Plate" guidelines, which the USDA recently introduced to replace the old food pyramid, reflect these changes by replacing the old "meat and beans" category with "protein foods."

Promote veggies. The typical household should spend about 40% of its food budget on fruits and vegetables, Post said. Buying in-season produce on sale is one way to save while filling your plate. Also consider frozen or canned vegetables and fruit. Frozen produce is typically processed soon after harvest, which preserves more nutrients, but be careful with canned foods, because they can have too much salt and sugar. Opt for low-sodium versions and fruit packed in juice, not syrup, Post recommended. If you have a farmers' market nearby, consider shopping there, especially toward the end of the day when you may be able to negotiate deals on produce farmers would otherwise have to haul home.

Go for the grains. Wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley and cereal grains are filling and fairly inexpensive, especially if you buy in bulk. Opt for whole grains, which offer more nutrients and fiber. Oatmeal makes a nutritious, satisfying breakfast for just pennies a serving, while brown rice can be served at any meal (it's pretty good heated up with milk and honey).

Watch the waste. Studies estimate that Americans waste up to 40% of our food supply. If that's the case in your household, you could save hundreds of dollars a year just by patrolling your refrigerator, freezer and pantry each day so you can use stuff before it rots.

Drop your bad habits. Alcohol, tobacco, soda and sugary treats may be pleasurable, but they don't fill nutritional needs. That's not to say you can never indulge, but when money's tight, you need to rein in your guilty pleasures.



If your problem is a lack of time to prepare budget meals -- which leads to the temptation to spend more eating out -- here are ways to make sure you still can eat well on a budget:

Get a slow cooker. You can pick up a basic Crock Pot for as little as $16 online or find one for even less at a garage sale. Slow cookers allow you to assemble a meal in the morning so you can have a hot, ready-to-eat dinner when you get home.

Cook once, eat twice. Make double the number of servings you need and freeze the excess to reheat later. Some foods don't freeze well, such as potatoes and crisp vegetables, but most -- including soups and stews -- do just fine. Use freezer-weight storage bags or containers, and mark them with the date so you can use them within three months.

Learn to love lentils. Like beans, these legumes are loaded with protein and iron but are typically much faster to prepare, with cooking times under 30 minutes for most varieties. Couscous and quinoa are two grains that are fast to prepare as well -- five minutes for couscous, 15 minutes for quinoa, compared with 30 to 40 minutes for brown rice.

Have some go-to recipes. Egg dishes, pasta and many casseroles tend to be easy to throw together in a hurry. Keep some veggies, such as a carrot and celery sticks, in a glass of water in the fridge for snacking while you pull together the meal.

June 2011 Jetta Specials from Checkered Flag VW

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is quickly becoming a best seller here at Checkered Flag VW.  But, that won't stop us from making sure that all of our customers get the greatest Jetta deal in town!
 
There are just a few weeks left to take advantage of June specials for the 2011 Jetta  and 2011 Jetta SportWagen at Checkered Flag Volkswagen, your leading Hampton Roads Volkswagen dealer, so, hurry up and get in to our Virginia Beach VW store!

The following special prices and discounts are available at Checkered Flag Volkswagen through June 30th.  Call Checkered Flag VW at (757)490-1111 with any questions or to schedule your 2011 VW Jetta test drive!



New 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

2011 Jetta New Starting Price
The all new re-designed VW Jetta has a new LOWER starting price of just $15,995.

2011 Jetta Finance Special
1.9% APR Financing available for 60 months!

Excludes TDI models.  With approved credit thru VW Credit.

2011 Jetta S Lease Special
Lease a 2011 Jetta S for just $179 per month for 39 months.

Lease special $1999 due at signing. Applies to new 2011 Jetta S models with manual transmission.  Lease and special rate with approved credit through VW Financial Services. 39-month lease, 12,000 miles per year. (Excludes title, tax, options, license, and $499 processing fees.). Excludes TDI model. See dealer for full details.

Offer expires: 06/30/2011





2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Specials

2011 Jetta SportWagen Lease Special
Lease a new Jetta SportWagen for just $249 per month!

Excludes TDI models. With approved credit through Volkswagen Credit.  2011 Jetta SportWagen S with manual transmission, 36-month lease, 12,000 miles per year, $1999 due at signing. Excludes tax, title, license, and $499 processing fees. See dealer for full details.

2011 Jetta SportWagen Financing Special
Get 2.9% APR for 60 months on your new 2011 Jetta Sportwagen

Excludes TDI models. With approved credit through Volkswagen Credit.  $499 processing fee extra. See dealer for full details.

Offer expires: 06/30/2011