Virginia Beach Dealers

Honda Prepares for Indy

Indy season is coming fast-haha-get that, fast...like the cars.  Did you know that Honda powers many of the Indy cars?  Did you know that for six consecutive Indy 500 races (2006-2011), Honda powered all 33 cars? The only six times in “Indy 500” history, not a single driver dropped out of the race with an engine related problem.



Checkered Flag Honda, in keeping with that tradition of reliability and amazing engines, would love to have you visit and check out all that Honda has to offer. They have an amazing line-up of in stock vehicles and a service department that is bar none- if you have a Honda that might need a bit of love in the driveway right now. 

Call Norfolk’s best Honda dealer today at (757) 687-3447 to find out more about all that is available for you at Checkered Flag Honda.  With great Sales and Service specials, they have a service for every need, whether you have a Honda, or another type of vehicle that could use a special loving touch from some of the best master mechanics in Hampton Roads.

Checkered Flag Honda-Makes You Think Zero

Well Honda is coming really close to helping you see zeros when you purchase your new Honda Car, Van or SUV.  One several in stock vehicles Checkered Flag Honda is having a Think Zero and Save special. 

To take advantage of this amazing Honda special on so many different models, come into Norfolk’s premier Honda location today.  Call to schedule your visit at (757) 687-3447.

You will never pay less for a new Honda than you will this weekend at Checkered Flag Honda.

Special APR offer valid on new 2013 models listed, to well qualified buyers on approved credit by Honda Financial Services.  Not all buyers may qualify.  See dealer for full details.  Offer ends 5/31/13.

Special Honda Financing For College Grads

Summer is coming along really quickly.  That being said, graduates are starting to don the cap and gown and think about the next step towards getting to their career of choice.  One big step in that direction is getting the car that will take them from dorm life to the business world.

Checkered Flag Honda offers some amazing incentives to help that dream of car ownership become a reality.  Earning your degree is a huge milestone. So is buying a new car. With exclusive financing rates available on select Honda models, the Honda Graduate Program puts you on the path to your dreams.

Come in today or call Norfolk Honda at (757) 687-3447 to find out more and set up your visit to own your new Honda.  Knowledgeable sales and finance agents are available to make your dreams a reality. 

Virginia Beach listed in "Worst Traffic Cities"

Checkered Flag fans will not be surprised to find their hometown at the top of a newly published list.  The Weather Channel has just released their list of the 2013 Cities with the Worst Traffic.  And, guess who is at #22. 

According to the report, the average Virginia Beach area resident spends 18 hours per year sitting in traffic.  Yikes!  To make matters worse, they added that all that waiting in gridlock can have some terrible effects on the members of our community members.

“Not only can time spent in traffic wreak havoc on your emotional health and stress levels, but also it can damage your sleep cycle, lungs, heart and brain.

The air pollution from traffic has recently been shown to increase risk for heart disease and stroke, as well as lung diseases, such as COPD and poor cognitive performance. One recent study even linked traffic noise to an increased risk of ADHD in children.

Traffic can be so harmful to kids, in fact, that living near a busy road can cause enough lung damage to trigger asthma, making traffic pollution as harmful as secondhand smoke, a study published in the European Respiratory Journal found earlier this year.”

The top three cities with the worst traffic are Los Angeles, Honolulu, and San Francisco. 

Well, if you have to sit in traffic, you may as well wait in style and comfort.  Visit any of our eleven Checkered Flag locations to find the right ride to keep your stress level at a minimum.  We carry a full selection on environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles including Toyota Prius, Honda hybrids, and even BMW hybrids. 

For more Hampton Roads traffic news, stay tuned to the home of your favorite Virginia Beach and Norfolk used car stores, Checkered Flag.com.

Info and image source: [weather.com]

Protect your vehicle from environmental forces

That mess that's all over him?  It hits your vehicle every day. 

No, I don't men mileage or worn tires.  I'm talking about the nasty stuff.  I'm talking about the poop. 

Every day our cars, SUVs, and trucks are spilled in, scratched up, and slowly eaten by salt and acid.  It's not something we think of when we see the shiny new rides perched prettily on our Checkered Flag lots.  But, these vehicles are an investment and should be taken care of as such. 

Now, we have customers who bring their vehicles in on a weekly basis for cleaning, and they usually stick to their maintenance schedules as well, but, there is another step you can take to ensure a long and happy life for your new auto. 

When you purchase your vehicle from one of our Norfolk or Virginia Beach new and used car stores, you will be offered a handful of extra options that are easy to rush over in the excitement of your final purchase process.  However, these offered vehicle protection services should be given special consideration before you drive your new baby off the lot.  Options such as Environmental Protection, Ding Shield Service Plan, Road Hazard, and LoJack could end up saving your vehicle and ultimately, your money, in the long run.  

See the following video then visit Checkered Flag's Vehicle Protection Plans page for full information.  Link to page:  Virginia Beach Car Protection Services

Honda Climbs To the Top for Pikes Peak

Honda is masterful at coming up with new and innovative ways to show what each of their vehicles can do.  This year, they are really pushing that envelope.

Sponsoring this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this summer is one way in which they will be able to show the world what their cars, SUV’s and motorcycles can do.

Honda signs on as Pikes Peak sponsor, race participant
By Jonathon Ramsey

Honda plans to storm the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 30, entering ten cars in nine classes at the race to the sky, and signing on as a corporate sponsor. Part of the company's return to grassroots racing – if that's what you can call factory-backed efforts – the banners of Honda R&D and Honda North America will fly on these entries: a first-gen Acura NSX, an Acura TL SH-AWD, Honda CR-Z, Honda Fit EV, one CRF450R and two CRF250R motorcycles, a CBR1000RR motorcycle and a TRX450 ATV.

One more entry, details of which are to be announced later, will be driven by IndyCar pilot Simon Pagenaud of Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports. LoveFab (pictured above during practice last year) will be there with its new, NSX-based Enviate, but as a privateer entry.

Honda's been to the mountain before, with high-powered gear in 2012 and record-setting EVs in 1994 and 1999, but it's never made noise like this.

Source: [autoblog]

Although Honda has climbed before, this year is sure to show off the brand just a bit more than in the past, given the entry of so many models and even the presence of a few motorcycles.

For more updates on the event and all other happenings Honda related, stay logged on to Checkeredflag.com.  Give Checkered Flag Honda a call today and take home one of their award winning models. 

With the selection and great financing opportunities available with Honda right now, you can drive home in your very own history maker.  Come in to Norfolk Honda today to make that dream a reality.

Honda Smart Home-Highlights Environmental Know-How

We all know and have seen on the streets of Hampton Roads how Honda, through its mastery of the automobile, has created some of the most technologically advanced, greenest and most efficient cars.  They have engineered the more engines than any other manufacturer and now they have decided to take on another venture. 

Beware all home builders out there, Honda has thrown the gauntlet.  They have taken on the building of a "Smart Home".  This home will feature all their green technology and show how someone can live an ecologically smart and efficient life.

Smart Home

The Honda Smart Home (HSH) US will feature advanced sustainability technology to greatly reduce the amount of energy consumed by individual households, including the use of solar power to charge a Honda Fit EV battery electric vehicle. The home will be a true showcase for environmental innovation and personal mobility.
 
Located on the campus of the University of California, Davis, HSH will use less than half the energy for heating, cooling and lighting than a similarly sized home in the area. In fact, HSH is likely to produce more energy than it consumes, while allowing its residents to remotely monitor and adjust all aspects of energy use in real time.
 
For more than three decades, Honda has been working to advance environmental technology-not just for vehicles but also in regard to energy production and distribution. With a low CO2 footprint, state-of-the-art energy management and the direct photovoltaic (PV)-to-car charging system, HSH is a working example of this research.

Source: [Honda]

Being a Honda girl myself, I have experienced the Honda automobile, tractor, generator, and now I NEED this house.  I think that I should be the candidate to receive it!  What do you think Hampton Roads?  Throw a cookie to this Honda lover.

This home really does highlight Honda's mastery of environmental technology. For more information about all of Honda's upcoming Green projects and events, stay logged on to checkeredflag.com.

For more information about their line of green vehicles and all that is offered by Norfolk's Honda dealer, call Checkered Flag Honda today at (757) 687-3447. 

Florida Woman Narrowly Escapes With the Help of Accord

A Florida woman who narrowly escaped death while driving next to a tractor trailer earlier this week feels extremely lucky to be driving a Honda Accord.  The tractor hit an overpass dumping an engine from its cargo onto the top of the woman’s Honda Accord.  Due to her quick thinking and the safety of her Honda Accord, the woman was unharmed.

Honda drivers are lucky to own the safest vehicles on the road, and I am certain that this woman will forever be a spokesperson to the brand.

Florida Driver Survives When Huge Engine Lands on Her Car
By ABC News
Apr 11, 2013 12:01pm

A Florida woman is alive today after a heavy-duty engine fell off a passing truck and crashed directly onto her car.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was driving on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami Wednesday evening when an 18-wheeler carrying heavy-duty engines attempted to drive under the I-395 overpass next to her.

When the truck failed to clear the overpass, two of the engines were shoved onto the road.  One of the engines fell directly onto the driver’s side of the woman’s Honda Accord, causing her to then crash into a vehicle in front of her, Miami police said.

Even though the engine fell onto the driver’s side of the Honda, the driver was not injured.

“I don’t know how it happened,” Officer Kenia Reyes told ABCNews.com.  “She miraculously survived.”

A police officer told ABC News affiliate WPLG that the woman likely survived by moving quickly into the passenger’s seat as the engine fell.

The roadway at the time was busy with Taylor Swift fans heading to her concert at the nearby American Airlines Arena.

The truck driver also survived with no injuries, as did the driver of the car rear-ended by the Honda Accord.

Authorities have not yet said whether the truck driver, whose name was also not released, will face any charges.  WPLG  reported there are no clearance warning signs posted on either side of the overpass.

Source: [ABC News]

The Honda Accord is known for its amazing safety record, both on test tracks and on the perilous roads that are driving daily by US drivers.  This woman got to experience Honda safety first hand.  Thank goodness that she was driving the safest vehicle on the road and she was quick witted. 

For more information about getting behind the wheel of your own Honda Accord, come into Checkered Flag Honda today.  Test drive the Honda Accord and speak to one of the knowledgeable sales agents about the many awards for safety and reliability that the Honda Accord has earned for 2013 and every other year.

Give Norfolk Honda a call today to set up your visit at (757) 687-3447.

Think Zero and Save-Honda Has it Right

*

Like many others out there, I love almost all things that are Zero-zero calories, zero time, zero hassle.  Checkered Flag Honda has figured out my other love, zero money out of pocket.  Come in to Norfolk Honda today and experience some zero love also.


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Checkered Flag Honda has amazing new car specials on the new Honda Civic, new Honda Accord, and new Honda Pilot. 


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Just think Zero and save!

For more information about this savings offer and many more, contact Checkered Flag Honda, Hampton Roads premier Honda dealer today at (757) 687-3447.


*$0 Cash down.  0.9%APR based on 36 month Leadership Purchase Plan at $199 monthly.  Final Residual value $12,445.65.  12,000 miles per year.  With approved credit.  See dealer for full details.  Offer expires 4/30/13

**$0cash Down.  0.9%APR based on 36 months Leadership Purchase Plan at $239 monthly.  Final residual value $14197. 12,000miles per year.  With approved credit.  See dealer for details.  Offer expires 4/30/13

***Special APR offer valid on new 2013 models listed to well qualified buyers on approved credit by Honda Financial Services. Not all buyers may qualify.  See dealer for details. Offer ends 4/30/2013

KBB Gives Credit to Checkered Flag Brands

Checkered Flag fans have always known that some of the best vehicles around were waving the Checkered Flag out front.  It is so nice to be in the ranks with the Best of the Best.  I am sure you are getting spoiled by the accolades on your brands of choice, but really, who doesn’t like a bit of praise.

This year KBB awarded lots of brands as first timers in their market.  Some bloggers were surprised by the titles that were taken, but honestly, I am really not.  Who would be surprised really-if they experienced the cars at their fullest-that Checkered Flag brands could blow your hair back and outperform competitors?

KBB 2013 Brand Image Awards has some obvious and oddball winners
By Jonathon Ramsey

The sixth edition of the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards have crowned a wide range of winners – in a couple of cases the recipient of the laurels might say more about KBB users than they do about the actual winner. Compiled from the responses of more than 12,000 shoppers on KBB.com over the past year, there are 13 categories broken into non-luxury, luxury and truck segments "representing the combined wisdom of the American car-buying public."

The award categories have been revamped this year, with some dropping off, some new ones appearing and at least one other given a new term. What isn't surprising is that Honda won Most Trusted Brand for the second year running, Best Value Brand for the third year in a row and took Best Overall Brand, which wasn't on last year's list of awards.

On our own shores, in the non-luxury categories Chrysler got Most Refined Brand and Buick took Best Value Luxury Brand. Neither one of those marques won anything in last year's Brand Image Awards, while Cadillac, which won Best Interior Design Brand and Best Comfort Brand last year – those awards disappeared this year – went home without a single accolade.

Winners that made us go "Hmmm..." are Toyota for Best Overall Truck Brand and Mini for Best Performance Brand in the non-luxury segment. Last year's truck award was for the Most Rugged Truck Brand and was won by Ford; the switch to "overall" takes things in a completely different direction for KBB users, it seems. And Mini dominating non-luxury performance is something we'd like to hold some focus groups to find out more about.

Source: [autoblog]

There were definitely some obvious wins-which I can agree with.  Honda should always be associated with reliability and value.  Checkered Flag Honda has been able to boast those honors forever, and will continue to do so-with good reason. 

Some of the arguments of the article are a bit flawed to me though.  MINI and Toyota cannot be that great a surprise for anyone who has visited Virginia Beach’s favorite MINI and Toyota dealerships-Checkered Flag.  The MINI performance is amazing.  The speed and road hugging features that come standard with the amazing design of the Cooper should always be considered when performance is being assessed.  The Brits know what they are doing with this one. 

For the Truck segment, who wouldn’t compare the Tundra with some of the Ford offerings?  For the reliability and the raw muscle that comes with the Toyota Tundra, anyone in their right mind would put it leaps and bounds ahead of any competitor.  They have taken the market for Trucks all year, why would anyone challenge or be in question of the ruling by KBB.  They are obviously very smart people at that Kelley office.

For more information about the brands sold by Checkered Flag, stay logged on to Checkeredflag.com.  Come in to one of the dealerships today along Virginia Beach Blvd and see what all the hype is about.  You will not regret the decision to come in and shop where Winners Buy.