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

xD's Reliability Comes From Great Genes

Reliability. Every driver has different preferences in what they look for in a vehicle. But reliability is almost always the one quality that appears on every vehicle must-have list. Consumer Reports conducts annual automotive reliability surveys to aid consumers in their reliable vehicle search. And this year's survey results show the Scion xD as earning the top distinction as the most reliable vehicle.

According to the Consumer Reports' findings, the subcompact hatchback xD achieved the best predicted reliability of any car in the survey.

I caught up with Lawrence Doligosa, Checkered Flag's Scion Champion and Scion Certified Internet Sales Manager, and he says the news doesn't come as a surprise. "The xD benefits from a strong set of genes. It's got good basic building blocks and a good foundation, so it's built to be reliable."

The xD (starting at $15,320) shares the same 1.8 liter DOHC VV-I engine as its Toyota cousins, the Corolla and the Matrix. Its frame is also similarly based off of the Toyota Yaris hatchback. 

 Lawrence says that although the xD is labeled as a "entry level" vehicle it comes loaded with standard features including: power windows and locks, multi-functional information display; tilt-steering wheel column; side mounted turn signals; multi-reflector halogen headlamps; and a Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit (MP3 and satellite radio ready) with iPod connector. 

The xD's safety features highlight it further as a reliable vehicle. Standard safety features include: active head restraints; 3-across rear head rests; anti-lock braking system; driver passenger front airbags; side curtain airbags; and tire pressure monitoring system. See the full rundown of features here.  

Lawrence says the xD has strong appeal for consumers because of the value it offers and of course, its reliability. It's also a vehicle that has a lot of character. Lawrence says you don't see too many of them out there, simply because Toyota/Scion only manufactures a handful each year, so you're really getting a unique vehicle.

If you'd like to see more of the xD, visit Lawrence and the sales team at Checkered Flag Scion, 5193 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 .

Scion raises its iQ

Ever since Toyota's iQ made an appearance (in concept form) at last year's Frankfurt Auto Show, talk about the eagerly anticipated microcar has been swirling around the automotive blogosphere. I've been doing my best to keep up with the latest iQ news, and lately there's been rumors that Toyota would be bringing it the U.S. (it was originally designed only for the folks in Europe and Japan).

Well, yesterday I got "definite" confirmation from Lawrence Doligosa, Checkered Flag's Scion Champion and Scion Certified Internet Sales Manager, that the iQ will in fact be making landfall on U.S. soil, but not as a Toyota.

It'll be the newest addition to the Scion product line. Lawrence says, "I think the iQ is a great car. It's going to fit in well with the Scion brand because it comes with a lot of standard features, excellent mpg, and an inexpensive price tag. And it's definitely different looking."

The iQ takes a two-door hatchback form and sports a "3+1" interior configuration (room to comfortably carry three adults and  a child). Lawrence says it's a smaller vehicle than the current Scion xD. It measures less 118 inches in length!  It'll receive an attractively affordable starting price of under $15,000.

The specs for the iQ are still under wraps, but some speculate that it may receive the same 1.5-liter engine found in its Toyota cousin, the Yaris. Lawrence tells me that mpg should be in the 40's for on the highway.

No definite word yet on when the iQ will make its U.S. debut, but I've heard whispers of a fall 2009 or early 2010 arrival. Either way, the iQ is sure to make a big splash. Lawrence says, "I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes one of the best-selling Scions."

I'll keep my eyes and ears open for more iQ updates and pass them along as they become available. In the meantime, you can check out more photos of the iQ on the MotorTrend website.  Or if you'd like to find out more, call (747) 490-1111 and ask for the Toyota/Scion sales team.

Limited Edition Heats Up Showroom

Welcome back from the weekend Checkered Blog readers! I've got some exciting news to share on this Monday. Remember, Scion's new limited edition Hot Lava xD Release Series 1.0 that we told you about a few weeks ago? Well, I heard from Lawrence Doligosa, Scion Champion and Internet Sales Manager, the Hot Lava has finally arrived.

I headed over to Checkered Flag Scion as soon as I could to check out this magma-inspired vehicle. The "hot lava" orange exterior paint job and DAMD body kit would most definitely help you stand out from the crowd. The matching interior is also a great touch. Orange accents are found throughout the interior including on the RAZO Release Series shift knob and dash. MSRP is $14,550 for the manual transmission, and $15,350 for automatic.

Again, there are only 2,000 of the Hot Lava xDs in the entire world. And FYI, Lawrence says Checkered Flag Scion is expected to only receive two or three Hot Lava models, so if you're interested stop by 5193 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757)-490-1111 for more information.

Coming Soon to a Checkered Flag Near You: the Limited Edition Scion xD

Scion gave word a few months ago about a new Limited Edition xD. I heard from a very reliable source at Checkered Flag Scion today that these limited editions are expected to arrive within the next couple weeks! I'll be sure to keep you posted, but til then here's a little preview.

The 2008 xD RS 1.0 sports a sizzling Hot Lava exterior paint job. It's outfitted with a DAMD body kit, rear spoiler, special Release Series wheel covers, and TRD lowering springs. The Hot Lava theme continues inside with accented seats and interior trim, and a RAZO Release Series shift knob. Each Limited Edition  xD will also have an individually numbered badge.  Scion is only manufacturing 2,000 units. MSRP is $14,550 for the manual transmission, and $15,350 for automatic.

 

 

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Scion xB

The Scion xB is possibly one of the most attention grabbing vehicles on the road. You cannot miss its distinctive shape. What you may not automatically associate with it, is fuel efficiency. We will get into that in just a bit.

I stopped by Checkered Flag Toyota/Scion the other day to get a closer look at this very hip car. Sales associate Ryan Allen (who is always a big help in answering all my Toyota/Scion questions) showed me the xB (starting at $16,370). He even took me around for a short drive around the boulevard in one. First thing that caught my attention about the xB was of course its boxy form. But I was also impressed its generous amount of interior space. Ryan who stands around 6-feet tall sat cozy in both driver and back passenger seats. With the 60/40 split rear seats that fold flat, there is plenty of cargo space. The xB is also equipped with a standard Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system and has iPod compatibility or auxiliary port. Conveniently, the xB also has steering wheel mounted audio controls.

During our drive, I was surprised by how smooth and quiet the xB rides. Under its hood the xB has a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. It is the same engine found in the Scion tC and the Toyota Camry. The Scion Drive Monitor is also a great feature. Sitting at the top of the dash, the monitor displays your driving time, range, fuel consumption, outside temperature, and even average speed. All of which are very important when it comes to fuel efficiency. So how does the xB measure up with miles per gallon? Quite good. It gets 28 miles on the highway, and 22 city. With its 14 gallon tank, you have your hands on around 400 highway miles.

The xB has a bevy of safety features including: driver and front passenger airbags; front and rear side curtain airbags; direct tire pressure monitor system; Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); Anti-lock Brakes (ABS); First Aid Kit; and more.

Scion also offers plenty of accessory options ranging from a navigation system to DVD headrest monitors. The very long list of options can be found here. Also check out Optimize (Scion accessories and apparel program). There you will find an enormous selection of accessories to customize the xB.

Like always, I suggest seeing the xB in person. Visit Ryan and the sales team at Checkered Flag Toyota/Scion, 5193 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757)-490-1111 for more information.

Meet Checkered Flag's Scion Champion Lawrence Doligosa

CF: What do you do here at Checkered Flag?
Lawrence: As the Scion Certified Internet Sales Manager and the Scion Champion,  I help with training and sales. If anyone has any questions, I try to answer them. I help with putting on events for Scion too. Oh, and I also run the computer system here.

CF: How long have you worked for Checkered Flag?
Lawrence: Since March of 2005. Before that I was a student at Old Dominion University, studying computers.

CF: Where do you live in Hampton Roads?
Lawrence: I have lived in Virginia Beach for about 8 years now. My dad was in the military and before moving here we lived in Japan for about 4 ½ years.

CF: Oh, Japan...Do you miss it there?
Lawrence: Yeah, its definitely an experience. I did not want to leave. I think everyone should experience going and living out of the country.

CF: What are your hobbies?
Lawrence: Watching movies, playing computer games. Playing whatever sport I have time to play, but I do not usually have time (laughs). Basically, just relaxing. Oh, and definitely sleeping. That is a good one.

CF: What is your favorite restaurant?
Lawrence: Kyushu on Newton Road. It is Japanese and sushi. If you have not gone yet, you should try it out. It is very good.

CF: What is in your MP3 player (or CD player) right now?
Lawrence: Oldies. Well, I would say that I listen to the music of the time I grew up in, so 80s music. But I got the new Usher CD and I am a Mariah Carey fan.

CF: What movie have you seen most recently?
Lawrence: The Love Guru, and that was alright. I watched Get Smart before that, and I think it was better.

CF: What is one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?
Lawrence: Hmm, that is a good question. Can we come back to that later?

CF: What is one invention you could not live without?
Lawrence: My computer. My Toshiba laptop just broke.

CF: So, how are you getting along with your laptop being broken?
Lawrence: (Laughs) Well, I borrow a computer from a friend. I go over there a lot.

CF: Do you have an answer for the question we skipped?
Lawrence: Uhm, I guess people would be surprised to know that I am a big geek. Well, everyone knows that already. Let me see...wait I will ask someone. (Makes a call to a friend). Oh, yeah that works...I speak Japanese.

CF: What is the best thing about working here?
Lawrence: During the time I spend at work, my co-workers have really become like family. I am thankful for the opportunities Checkered Flag has given me. I love working here and it is fun being here. Also, Scions are the greatest cars!

Special Edition 2008 Scion tC RS 4.0 On Its Way To Checkered Flag

Have I got a scoop for you!  In the next few days, Checkered Flag Toyota-Scion will be receiving two of the limited edition tC in a special "Galactic Grey Mica" color.  Scion is only selling 2300 of them.  What makes this release different from any other tC is the special body kit (see great pictures here from the Chicago Auto Show where it was unveiled earlier this year), two-tone seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel, upgraded audio system and unique badging that prominently features the limited edition number. If you want more information, please call Checkered Flag Toyota-Scion at (757) 490-1111.

Has Scion Lost Its Mojo? I Don't Think So.

A teenager in my family is rapidly approaching the ripe old age of 15 which means, of course, that he is counting the days, hours and minutes until he gets a learner’s permit and, eventually, a license to drive. This is both exciting and terrifying. Said teenager has taken to surreptitiously dropping hints regarding the kind of wheels he thinks he should be driving come May of 2009. In doing so, he is testing the waters, exploring the possibilities and, increasingly, amusing the heck out of us. He often points to the old Land Cruiser/Jeep/Bronco topless 4x4s. We laugh and explain about airbags, insurance, maintenance, etc. He relents and, with a sigh, suggests that a new Toyota truck like his father’s wouldn’t be too bad. We laugh, louder this time, and explain that he’s not getting a new car but rather a gently used one (and only if the grades are good). It’s at this moment that we spot a pre-owned Scion xB. Boxy, subversive and, frankly, a little ugly, I think it might be perfect. In suggesting that the xB was more in line with our parental expectations, we got a halfhearted response. Huh??? Not that this was the first time that my idea of "cool" was different than his. I mean, honestly, every time he picks out a pair of shoes, or elects to not get a haircut, I am reminded of our different aesthetic. I was admittedly disappointed at being wrong about this though, thinking that I knew cars, if I knew anything.

So, I get home later that morning and open the Automotive section of the New York Times and, lo and behold, there is this really funny and well-written article about Scion perhaps becoming too mainstream and possibly losing the loyalty of its core customer base. Keep in mind, no one is saying that Scion isn’t still a top quality product and a good value, rather they are questioning whether its individuality has been compromised as it has been successfully integrated into the American market and whether the younger demographic might be resentful of these changes. Ezra Dryer writes,

"The old xB was like a newly arrived Japanese exchange student who dresses like Max Headroom and pulls live sea urchins out of his lunch bag, blissfully naive about his lack of assimilation. The new xB is like the same kid six months later, still unquestionably the product of a different culture, but now self conscious of that fact and beginning to temper his perceived eccentricities with trips to Hollister and the occasional McRib sandwich for lunch."

So, while Dryer is maintaining that youngsters covet their individuality, my feeling is that Scion would simply say that American consumers wanted a bit bigger car and that's what they were given.  Any marketing expert could tell you that a 5 year old media darling like Scion was sure to eventually be scrutinized (by pundits and picky teenagers alike).  And mother ship Toyota would surely point to the fact that, coupled with Scion, they are poised to take the #1 manufacturer in America throne anytime now.  Scion, like all manufacturers will have to change with the times, and I've no doubt they will.  For anyone doubting their commitment to doing things differently, check out my recent post on the Hako concept.  I bet my teenager would think that is cool. 

Scion Hako Coupe Concept

Here's the new Scion Hako Coupe concept that made its debut last week at the New York Auto Show.  I think I like it.  What are your thoughts?

Checkered Flag Toyota is Tops!

Checkered Flag Toyota just got the word that it has captured Toyota’s prestigious President’s Award. Toyota bestows this honor upon dealers with top-level customer satisfaction scores – the measure of how well they serve both sales and service clientele – and productivity. Checkered Flag Toyota general sales manager Josh Hamilton says the dealership learned informally about two weeks ago that it had received the award, and when the news was announced in a recent staff meeting, "everyone was very excited about it. It’s great to earn this recognition." Congratulations to everyone at Checkered Flag Toyota Scion!