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

Win's Gal = Satisfied Customer

Between commuting to Norfolk on a daily basis and frequent trips out of town, my car has definitely earned some well deserved attention. Last week, I scheduled a service appointment at Checkered Flag Toyota and of course, I documented the experience.

Scheduling an appointment online through Checkered Flag's website was super easy and convenient. It took just a couple of minutes and I immediately received confirmation (through email and a phone call). They were also good about sending an email reminder a few days before my appointment.

When I got to Checkered Flag Toyota, I pulled into the service entrance and was "greeted" by Chris Doligosa, a greeter there. If Chris looks familiar, it's because his brother Lawrence Doligosa, Checkered Flag's Scion Champion and Scion Certified Internet Sales Manager, is a regular on the Checkered Blog. 

After handing my keys over to Chris, I was directed to the Green Team counter (teams are designated by customer last name) where I met my service advisor, Michelle Halstead. Michelle went over some initial service information with me, and then I was off to take advantage of the comfy customer lounge areas. Oh and by the way, all Checkered Flag waiting areas have WIFI and a courtesy computer.

I then got a behind the scenes look at the service shop. I got a quick glimpse of my car propped up on a lift and under the care of a factory certified technician (didn't want to delay the process so I snapped a photo and moved on). I was also really impressed by the cleanliness of the service shop. 

It's a quick walk from the service shop to the showroom, so I was curious to check out the new Toyota arrivals. Got into a good conversation with Lawrence about various vehicles (blog posts on these to come), and then Michelle called saying my car was ready to go.

Michelle was awesome in going over the entire process with me. She explained the additional maintenance my car would need and what the options were. She also scheduled my next appointment, and then I was on my way.

My Checkered Flag Toyota service experience was very pleasant and you can consider me a satisfied customer. Checkered Flag Toyota is located at 5301 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach. Service departments are available at all Checkered Flag locations. For more information call (757) 490-1111.

Meet Checkered Flag Customer Brian Tajo

The Tajo family are big fans of Checkered Flag Toyota. They've purchased their last four vehicles there! The Checkered Blog got the chance to catch up with one member of the family, Brian Tajo. Thanks for talking with us, Brian!

CB: What is it about Checkered Flag that has your family coming back?
Brian: Quality of service. You can't beat it anywhere else. Oh, and Fredie Santos is the man! He always helps us.

CB: Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in?
Brian: Virginia Beach. My family moved here when I was in middle school, and we've lived here ever since then. But technically I don't really live down here anymore. I'm working out of Arlington.

CB: What do you up in Arlington?
Brian: I work for IBM Global Business Services.

CB: What's your favorite place to eat out?
Brian: Does Wendy's count? If you want a "fancy" restaurant, I guess I'd say Ruby Tuesdays.

CB: Do you have any pets?
Brian: I don't have any living pets, but I still play with my virtual nano dinosaur pet (laughs).

CB: What's the one invention you couldn't live without?
Brian: I don't think I could live without microwaveable bacon! I mean living without bacon would be hard enough, but life without microwaveable bacon, that's just painful.

CB: What's your favorite sports team?
Brian: I am a die hard Atlanta Braves fan, even though we didn't do so well this year.

CB: When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?
Brian: I wanted to be the President of the United States (laughs). My 7th grade teacher kind of squashed that idea though. I was born in a different country, so she said if I really wanted to be president I'd have to get 33 states to agree to ratifying the constitution. I'm still working on this (laughs).

CB: What's the one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?
Brian: I was married before...SIKE! I'm kidding, mom. OK, seriously though, people would be surprised to know... that I'm the legal guardian for someone who's the same age as me.

CB: What's the best thing about being a Checkered Flag customer?
Brian: Whenever I come in for service, I have access to their free internet (laughs)! Kidding aside, like I said earlier, the high quality of service they offer here at Checkered Flag keeps my family coming back. If I need to buy another vehicle in the future, I know where to go.

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Toyota Highlander

Last weekend, a couple friends and I packed ourselves into a car and went on a road trip to a college campus in Southwestern Virginia (to keep this blog apolitical I'll keep our collegiate affiliations mum). Our destination was five hours away (for those of you who are familiar with the area, I'm sure you can take a pretty good guess where we went). But anyway, our trip meant a total of ten hours in a cramped compact vehicle. With three of us in the back seat, let's just say the ride was...well, very "cozy."

Which brings me to why I found today's Unsung Hero so wonderful. The Toyota Highlander would have been perfect for our weekend getaway. It's a spacious mid-size SUV that's got room for seven passengers and all the modern day conveniences to keep them occupied even during five hour rides!

Checkered Flag Toyota's Alex Suarez, a certified sales consultant, gave me a tour of the Highlander. He says that the current Highlander brings more room than the previous model, and of course carries Toyota's strong reputation for reliability.

Three trims (well, four including the hybrid) are available: base Highlander (starting at $27,600); Sport; and Limited. Powered by a 3.5-liter dual VVT-I V6 engine, the Highlander has 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque.

Our trip in total was approximately 315 miles one way. With a 19 gallon-sized tank, that garners upwards of 456 highway miles with one fill-up, the Highlander could have gotten us there and still had plenty of gas left in the tank. It's rated at 24 miles on the highway and 18 in the city.

I've already mentioned how awesome I think the Highlander is based on its roomy interior, but it's also very comfortable. Had we taken one for our trip, I know I could have easily (and comfortably) fallen asleep for the whole duration of the ride. Some of the standard features for the Highlander are: Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and multi-information display controls; cruise control (soooo useful for long trips); AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability and six speakers; and auxiliary audio jack.

Another big highlight on the Highlander are its safety features. With Toyota's Star Safety System we're talking Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control with cutoff switch plus Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System (with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist. Other standard safety features include: Driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, front seat-mounted side airbags; three-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags; driver's knee airbag; and active head restraints. And there's more...check out the full list here.

The Highlander makes for a great road trip vehicle, but it'd be just as good for running errands around town. If you'd like to find out more, visit Alex and the rest of the sales team at Checkered Flag Toyota, 5301 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

Unprecedented 0% Toyota Financing Aims to Encourage Customers

If you've been thinking about buying a Toyota, there's reason to move on it even if the recent economic news has been giving you pause. For the first time in its history, Toyota is offering 0% financing on most of its vehicles.

Checkered Flag e-commerce director Alex Snyder says "it's great to see this, because we know quite a few people have been holding off on purchasing vehicles because of what's been going on with the economy. This is one of those offers that rarely ever comes around on Toyota, and a very real reason to buy a new Toyota now. Who doesn't like free money!"

Toyota Division general manager Bob Carter says, "Not only do we have the inventory of today's sought-after fuel-efficient models, but we have the capacity through Toyota Financial Services to finance or lease them."

The 0% financing offer goes until Nover 3 and it varies by model, with terms ranging from 36 to 60 months. It applies to Matrix, Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra.

"If this is of interest to you, please stop by or call us at (757) 490-1111 and we will be happy to give you more infomration," says Josh Hamilton, general sales manager of Checkered Flag Toyota. The delearship is located at 5301 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach.

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Toyota Solara

As the sportier sibling of the Toyota Camry (which is also an Unsung Hero), the Toyota Solara brings the same reputation of reliability and value. The Solara also wins praise for an exceptionally comfortable interior. Its stylish looks and practicality make the Solara a popular choice in the mid-size segment.

Checkered Flag Toyota's Bill Peterson, a sales consultant,  showed me a Solara SLE in the Blue Streak Metallic (this color is a standout!). The Solara is available as a midsize coupe or convertible in base SE (starting at 20,180), Sport and SLE trim levels.

Coupes come equipped with either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 155 hp or 3.3-liter V6 with 210 hp. The convertible models come only with the V6 engine. Transmission choices for coupes are five-speed automatic or manual , while convertibles are only offered with five-speed automatic.

MPG wise, the Solara is rated at 31 miles on the highway and 22 in the city. With a 15 gallon tank, it garners upwards of 470 highway miles with one fill-up. The secret behind the Solara's efficiency is Variable Valve Timing (VVT). Just like in the Camry, the Solara's VVT allows the engine and transmission to communicate with one another, resulting in the great fuel economy.

Aside from power and efficiency, another highlight on the Solara is its interior. Unlike other convertibles in its class, the Solara offers a comfortable and roomy backseat. The convertible seats four passengers, and the coupe seats five. I also appreciated the wood-grain-style trim that gave the interior a very upscale feel (available in the SLE).

Cargo space is ample on the Solara. A large-sized trunk and contoured 60/40 split fold-down rear bench seat offer tons of room to meet your hauling needs.

Standard features for the Solara include: 3-spoke tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and multi-information display controls; Leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake handle; Remote keyless entry system; power windows and power automatic door locks; and AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with auxiliary audio jack and in-glass antenna (body-mounted antenna on convertible models).

Also, ABS brakes, driver and front-passenger airbags and front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, rear-seat Child Restraint System (CRS); engine immobilizer; and Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System all come standard. For the full list of features visit here.

If you're interested in learning more about this Unsung Hero, visit Bill and the sales team at Checkered Flag Toyota, 5301 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Toyota Sienna

We've featured a diverse grouping of Unsung Heroes of Fuel Efficiency, everything from hatchbacks to SUVs, and sport cars to minivans. The list continues today with the Toyota Sienna, a very family-friendly minivan with a strong reputation for dependability and comfort. AAA and Parent Magazine named the Sienna one of the Best Cars for Families in the minivan category. 

Checkered Flag Toyota's Fredie Bagtas Santos, a sales consultant, gave me a tour of a LXE Sienna model in "Salsa Red." Three other trim levels are available: base CE (starting at $24,540), the midrange LE, and top-of-the-line XLE Limited. All models are powered by a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine that produces 255-hp.

Transmission wise, 5-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive with intelligence is offered. You can also choose from front wheel or all wheel drive. The Sienna is rated at 23 miles on the highway and 17 in the city. With a 22.6 gallon tank, it garners upwards of 520 miles with one fill-up.

Fredie took me for a ride in the Sienna. The seats were very comfy and there's tons of leg room. Also, I found the dash layout helpful.  All the controls and switches on the console are placed well and easy to reach.

A highlight for the Sienna is its stellar people- and cargo-toting versatility that you would want and need in a family purpose vehicle. Seven or eight passenger seating is offered. The second-row seats can be tucked away or removed for added cargo space. There's also a 60/40 Split & Stow 3rd row seat that offers even more cargo space.

Standard features for the Sienna include: Dual sliding doors with power windows (dual power sliding doors are standard on Le, XLE, and Limited models); remote keyless entry system; tilt/telescopic steering wheel; AM/FM with single-disc in-dash CD player, MP3/WMA capability, six speakers and mast antenna; and more. It also has a whopping 10 cupholders and 4 bottle holders! For the full list of features visit here.

An assortment of options are available for the Sienna. DVD voice navigation system with backup camera, Bluetooth wireless technology and rear-seat DVD entertainment system would be useful for a family that's always on the go. Details on other options and packages can be found using the link above.

As one would expect in a family-geared vehicle, the Sienna is packed with safety features including: the Star Safety System (Vehicle Stability Control ,Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brake System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist); a protective system of airbags; front and rear crumple zones; and child-protector sliding door locks.

If you're interested in seeing the Sienna in person, visit Checkered Flag Toyota, 5301 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 625-2518.

Meet Checkered Flag Toyota's Josh Hamilton

CB: Josh, thanks for spending a few minutes talking with us today. So, as the general sales manager, what exactly do you do here at Checkered Flag Toyota?
Josh: Anything and everything possible. I help sell cars and manage employees. Also if any problems arise, I help take care of them.

CB: How long have you worked here?
Josh: Hmm...about 8 years now. Before this, I was in the construction business. That was definitely a lot dirtier, and I don't miss it any (laughs). It's great working here. 

CB: Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in?
Josh: Virginia Beach. I've lived here all my life. It's a great location where I can be close to family. I like that the seasons change and that there's always something to do here.

CB: What are your hobbies?
Josh: Car sales (laughs). Other than that...well, my twin boys, Cole and Cristian. They're six months now and it's just awesome.

CB: Where's your favorite place to eat out?
Josh: Ruth's Chris Steak House. I like their steak.

CB: What's in your MP3 player or CD player right now?
Josh: New age rock, like alternative music. 311 is a favorite.

CB: What's the last movie you've seen?
Josh: Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (laughs). It was funny.

CB: What's the one invention you couldn't live without?
Josh: Hmm...probably the TV. I don't have a favorite show or anything, I just like watching a lot of movies.

CB: What’s the one thing that people would be surprised to know?
Josh: Hmm...let's see. I built my own home from the ground up when I was 21. Well, I did it with my Pops. It took forever, almost a year! I got a little nit picky about things, but it turned out exactly how I wanted it.

CB: What's the best thing about working for Checkered Flag?
Josh: Well, I wake up everyday and enjoy going to work. That's a very big deal. And it feels good to work for a reputable dealer. Also, it's great to work with the customers.

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Toyota Avalon

With exceptional interior room and quality, the Toyota Avalon is a leader in its class. This Unsung Hero also boasts among the best fuel economy ratings in the segment. And to top it off, it has Toyota's strong reputation for reliability.

Checkered Flag sales consultant Ray Aiden says the Avalon is "one of the nicest sedans out there." He gave me a tour of the Limited model on display in the showroom. Along with the top-of-the-line Limited, three other trims are available: base XL (starting at $27,325), XLS, and Touring (sport version).   

All trim models are powered by a 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve Dual VVT-I V6 engine that produces 268 hp. Ray says the Avalon brings together the best of two worlds, awesome power and great gas mileage. It's rated at 28 miles on the highway, and 19 in the city. Tank size is 18 gallons, so you're looking at around 500 highway miles with one fill-up. The front wheel drive Avalon comes standard with automatic transmission. 

Aside from power and efficiency, the Avalon's luxuriously spacious 5-passenger interior is a major highlight. I was impressed with the amount of room the Avalon offers. The flat rear floor allows for plenty of leg room for three backseat passengers. Ray, who stands at around 6"1, sat comfortably. Oh, and the real cool thing about the rear seats is the reclining feature (this comes standard on XLS, Touring, and Limited models). Also, here's another perk on the Limited, the front seats are heated and ventilated to offer the most comfort no matter what the conditions.

Other standard features include: Manually adjustable tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and climate controls; Optitron meters for speedometer and tachometer, and coolant temperature and fuel level gauges; an AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, nine speakers, in-glass antenna and FM diversity reception.

Several optional features are available for you to choose from, but here are a few standouts: voice activated DVD navigation system and the Dynamic Laser Cruise Control. I went on a road trip this weekend, and both of these features would have been so useful, especially the Dynamic Laser Cruise Control (visit here for the demonstration video).

The Avalon offers a host of standard safety features including: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution;  front and rear crumple zones; 3-point seat belts for all seating positions; and anti-theft and engine immobilizer systems. It also comes equipped with a protective system of airbags (driver's knee airbag; driver and front passenger airbags with advanced airbag system; front seat mounted side airbags; and front and rear side curtain airbags).

If you're interested in finding out more about this Unsung Hero, visit Ray and the Checkered Flag Toyota sales team at 5301 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

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.          

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is a pioneer in the compact SUV class. It was introduced more than 10 years ago (debuted in 1996), but still holds a strong reputation as a reliable, safe, and comfortable vehicle. This Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency was picked as one of the "Best Cars"for families by AAA and Parents Magazine. IntelliChoice also gave it the award for "Highest Retained Value" in it's class.

As the smallest member of Toyota's family of SUVs, I've always found the RAV4 particularly appealing. A friend drives one and absolutely loves it. And it's easy to see why. I spoke with Checkered Flag Toyota's business manager Brian Korich (pictured below) and sales consultant JR Grayer about the RAV4.

It comes in three trim levels: Base (starting at $21,500), Sport, and Limited. RAV4 models come with either a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 engine, and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. Automatic transmission comes standard. The 2.4-liter produces166 hp, while the V6 engine produces a 269 hp. Both engines get comparably great gas mileage for a vehicle of its class. The RAV4 is rated at 21/27 city/highway (2.4-L, 2WD). The mpg numbers don't change too much with the larger and more powerful 3.5-liter engine. You're still looking at 27 miles on the highway, and 19 city. With a 16 gallon tank, it can get over 430 highway miles.

JR took me for a drive in the RAV4. It drives smoothly and the seats are very comfortable. The RAV4 is a five passenger vehicle, but JR says an optional 3rd row bench makes room for seven. If you don't need the extra seats, the bench folds flat into the cargo floor. I was also impressed by the dash layout. It's straightforward and everything is placed where it should be. JR says RAVs were specifically designed with that in mind. All the controls and switches on the console would be easy to reach for any size driver. JR also highlighted the convenient dual glove box and 10 cupholders.

Other standard features include: 16-in. steel wheels and wheel covers; full-size spare tire mounted on the rear; AM/FM CD player, MP3/WMA playback capability and six speakers; and a handy first aid kit. Also, don't be fooled by the RAV4's grouping as a compact SUV. Even though it stands smaller than other SUVs, the RAV4 still has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds (V6 engine).

Safety wise, the RAV4 has you protected with Toyota's Star Safety System which includes: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control; Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags and front- and second-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags (RSCA) also come standard. The safety feature list is long, so visit here for the full list.

If you're interested in seeing the RAV4 in person, visit Checkered Flag Toyota, 5301 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 for more information.