Happy New Year!

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Which Car Color Is Right for You?

When you’re buying a new car, you’re probably going to focus on features first. But after that? It’s all about the color. Did you know that different colors give off different vibes? Here’s what the drivers around you could be thinking when they see the color of your car: Gold: Warm, Intelligent, Glamorous Gray: Neutral, Sober, Practical Dark Green: Well-Balanced, Trustworthy, Traditional Light Green: Organic, No-Fuss, Understated Dark Blue: Confident, Credible, Authoritative Light-Mid Blue: Calm, Faithful, True Brown: Powerful, Unique Beige: Natural, Down-To-Earth Black:...

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Traveling This Holiday Season? Keep Your Kids Safe!

Car seats save lives! Did you know that only 3% of children ages 1 - 3 ride in a rear-facing car seat? To ensure that your children stay safe in the car, make sure they’re traveling properly. Check out this infographic to get more information on how to protect your kids when they’re riding in a car: http://www.edgarsnyder.com/infographics/car-seats-infographic.html...

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Can You Fix Your Blind Spot?

Your blind spot can severely impair your ability to drive safely. While many car manufacturers are adding special gadgets to their vehicles to reduce this liability, there may be a low-tech method that can work just as well: Passive blind spot warning systems involve -- surprise! -- a mirror. Talk about low tech! Many car manufacturers will offer you the alternative to put a special convex mirror in the corner of your current external rearview mirror that can see into areas where normal rearview mirrors cannot. And if you don't have one of these on your current car, you can probably walk into your local auto parts store, buy one, and install...

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Do you have to change the oil every 3,000 miles?

If you check your car's user manual, you'll probably find you've been changing your oil more often than you need to, at least according to the people who designed your car. Most carmakers abandoned the 3,000-mile (4,828-kilometer) interval long ago, opting instead to advise their customers to go 5,000 or 7,500 miles (8,046 or 12,070 kilometers) between oil changes [source: MEMA]. Some people even go 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) or more without any guilt -- or damage to the engine. The 3,000-mile guideline dates back to a time when motor oil wasn't quite as advanced as it is now. It used to be that if oil were left in...

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Top 5 Signs of Engine Trouble

5. Warning Lights: If your car is working properly, these are what Audra Fordin of "What Women Auto Know" calls "hello, good morning" lights. You fire up theengine and the dashboard lights up like carnival. This is the car's computer checking everything out. One by one, each of the lights turns off and you're ready to drive. If they don't turn off, though, that's bad. Either very bad or slightly bad, depending on which light remains lit. These lights are connected to sensors that monitor everything your car does. If something seems out of whack, the computer will use these lights to tell you what it is. It can't use its words; it's not...

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10 Things Teens Should Know About Cars and Driving

When a teenager gets a driver license, it signifies freedom and the lure of the open road. But with this newfound freedom comes a host of new situations and possible problems that most teen drivers have never encountered before. It's a good idea to review these scenarios with new drivers in your family, and discuss how to handle them before they happen for real. From traffic stops to road rage, here's a primer on what you need to tell teen drivers as they take to the roads. 1. What to do when you're stopped by a police officer Safely pull to the side of the road, turn off your car, roll down the window and keep your hands visible....

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Avoid “Turkey” of a Weekend with Pre-Trip Vehicle Check

One way to avoid a turkey of a Thanksgiving road trip is to make sure the vehicle you will be driving is running well. A 10-minute pre-trip check is small potatoes compared to a big helping of inconvenience if you break down many miles away from home, according to the Car Care Council. “A pre-trip vehicle check provides peace of mind, helping reduce the chance of costly car trouble and providing an opportunity to have any repairs performed by one’s own trusted technician before hitting the road,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “While no inspection can guarantee a car’s performance, it’s comforting to know proper...

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Tire Care Tips

Tires are essential to keeping you on the road in more ways than you might think... Worn tread can cause hydroplaning and can force you off the road. Wear down a tire enough and you'll begin to expose the inner side-walls making it harder to change, and low grip can lead to sliding on slightly wet roads or roads with even a little amount of rocks and sand. Inspect your tires for any tread issues, and have the alignment checked by a technician especially before a long road trip.  Your wheels and trim also need attention – After driving on roads that have been treated throughout the winter, or if you find yourself driving on a slightly...

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Tips for Driving in the rain:

How do we deal with hydroplaning and low view distance? AAA offers these tips of advice: Go slowly. Slow down and increase following distances. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions. When it rains, visibility is reduced and braking distances increase. Light up. Use low-beam headlights to help others see your car and increase your visibility. Remember Maryland law requires headlights to be on when windshield wipers are in use. Be careful of standing and running water. As little as six inches of water on a road can cause most drivers to lose control of their vehicle. Nearly half of all people who die in flash floods are in cars and...

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Tire Buying Tips

Understand Tire Basics Simply put, a tire is a flexible container of compressed air. This air container support the vehicle's load; propels a vehicle forward, backward and side-to-side; stops the vehicle; and cushions the load from road imperfections. Today's tires have between 19 and 25 different components. Tires are built from the inside out rather than the outside in. The heart of every tire is an inner liner. Its job is to give the tire shape and hold in air. Fabric belts are wrapped around the inner liner. The bead is fastened to the bottom of the fabric belts and holds the tire to the wheel. On top of the fabric belts are steel...

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2012 Relay For Life of Wharton County

The 2012 Relay For Life of Wharton County will be tomorrow, October 20th at 6:00 PM at Wharton Tiger Football Stadium.  Visit http://bit.ly/Qw8FFb   for more information....

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Fuel Consumption is Directly Related to Vehicle Care

“Many motorists don’t realize that fuel consumption is directly related to vehicle care and has a significant impact on how much you pay at the pump,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Gas prices can climb quickly, but the good news is that you can fight back. By properly maintaining your vehicle, you can improve your vehicle’s fuel economy and keep more money in your pocket.” In addition to vehicle maintenance, modifying driving habits, such as observing the speed limit and avoiding quick stops and starts, can also increase fuel efficiency. Consolidating trips, avoiding excessive idling and removing unnecessary items...

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The 2013 Dodge Dart

Unknown Reviewer: The 2013 Dart is a big hit, and until this weekend I didn't know why. It's not a luxury sedan, and if price is of not a concern you would probably purchase a $57,000 Cadillac or something of that nature. But one thing is for sure the 2013 Dart is a force to be reckoned with. For months I have been droning on and on about how I need to drive the 2013 Dodge Dart. It has sexy outward appearance, bears the oh so trusty dodge emblem, and is allegedly all things tech crammed into a neat tasty package. So I got my chance to drive both, a mid-package Focus and Dart. The Focus was certainly a smooth ride and the looks were everything...

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Crazy Fun With Jeep

What's the most fun you've ever had with your Jeep? A roadtrip? Mudding in the woods? How about wake boarding through a canal? Autoblog writes: These are the kinds of activities that one may conjure up and say "what if?" but few ever actually follow through on. That said, we don't recommend trying this at home (err... your "home" canal, that is). The video, by Devin Graham, perhaps inaccurately named "Ghetto Wakeboarding," shows a pack of suburban kids towing a series of wakeboard-riding daredevils down a rural canal by way of Jeep Wrangler. It looks like a heck of a lot of fun. We say that the video may be inaccurately named, because...

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Driven By Design

Are you "Driven By Design"? Are you in love with the new Dart? Would you like to win the Dart for FREE?! Then this is the right competition for you! Enter the "Driven by Design: Design Your Dodge Dart Dream Garage" Pinterest Contest What's the key to any dream garage? A dream car! You could win a customized 2013 Dodge Dart and a $5,000 gift card to create a dream garage. Here's how it works: 1. Create a "My Dream Garage" Pinterest board using you account on Pinterest.com. 2. To qualify to enter, pin your favorite Dodge Dart image from below, or customize a Dodge Dart on the Dodge Customizer. Then add the hashtag #DodgeDart. Read more contest...

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Looking For Something Different?

If you're looking for something fresh and a little out of the ordinary stop your search here with the 2013 Enclave. The Enclave has a new panoramic-style LED lit cabin which emits soft blue ambient lighting at night, however is completely invisible during the day... makes for a sort of pleasant surprise with the upgraded cabin, one that's sure to impress friends. GM Authority wrote the following on the new Enclave: Buick designers look to home interior design for inspiration to design in-vehicle ambient lighting. For example, the major light sources (like TVs) in a high-end home at night are complemented by soft, evenly-distributed interior...

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How To Make Your Car Last Longer

April may be national car care month, but it never hurts to go the extra mile to keep your car running longer. “Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Following a routine maintenance program makes financial sense, extending useful vehicle life and helping avoid costly repairs down the road.” The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best for the long haul: -Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission...

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Buick Encore: Stylish - Fuel Efficient

The Buick Encore is certainly a head turner in the SUV / Crossover segment. The Encore is not only designed to offer a luxury experience at a well below average price, but also intends to beat both Ford AND Chrysler products in fuel efficiency bringing a whole to game to the crossover market! Freep writes: The six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive version of the Encore received an EPA fuel economy estimate of 25 m.p.g. in the city and 33 m.p.g. on the highway for a combined rating of 28 m.p.g. The EPA estimated that the average driver would spend about $1,900 per year on gasoline for the Encore. GM bragged that the 2013 Ford Escape’s...

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Turn Your Dodge Into A Mobile Hotspot

Dodge lovers everywhere are going to enjoy this. Sprint has teamed up with Dodge to make uConnect systems like the ones found in the 2013 Dodge Ram pair with cellular devices to create a mobile hotspot. What exactly does that mean? Well, if you love using your laptop while on the road (Say at a rest stop, etc...), you'll now have Wi-Fi access! Wired.com writes: The pickup truck isn’t what you’d call a high-tech platform. But for building contractors and other tradesmen, trucks serve as a rolling office, which is why Sprint and Chrysler chose the newly redesigned 2013 Ram 1500 – along with an even more unlikely vehicle, the all-new SRT Viper...

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Win 1 of 2 Dodge Darts!

What's better than owning a new Dodge Dart? Having Gotten it FREE! Courtesy of Dodge and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, here’s your chance to attend UFC 152 in Toronto on Saturday, September 22, 2012. Not only can you watch a great fighting match, but moving on you can qualify to win one of two brand new 2013 Dodge Darts customized by ultimate fighting stars Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson. They’ll be battling in Toronto for the first-ever UFC Flyweight title. Johnson’s Dart will be built by Kelderman Air Suspension Systems, while TS Designs will be tricking out Benavidez’s Dart. Vote for your favorite fighter and maybe you can...

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Amped Up

Jeep has taken a bold product and made it even more bold by adding some attitude. There's no better fit for this change than the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 destined for 2013 buyers. Cars.com writes: Jeep's amped-up Grand Cherokee SRT8 is already loaded with attitude, but apparently it's not enough. Two aggressive-looking appearance packages will join the SRT8 lineup for 2013. The white Alpine and black Vapor special edition models add a new Black Vapor chrome finish to the standard 20-inch wheels; a black-gloss exterior finish; new hood and door badges; and a unique grill, light bar and step pad. Read More: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingt...

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Crisis Center Bowling Tournament

The EL Campo Crisis Center is hosting a Bowling Tournament for Wharton County this Saturday, August 4th. Morning Registration is 9:00 a.m. - bowl times at 10:00 a.m. and afternoon Registration is Noon, bowl times at1:00 p.m. Entry Fee: $40.00 per team with checks payable to Crisis Center, and entry forms can be found at the Bowling Center. Raffle tickets are now on sale for the 50/50 raffle and silent auction, and we still need sponsors!If interested contact El Campo P.D. Officer Cindy Howell at 979-543-5311 or Executive Director Eugene Davis at 979-245-9109 in Bay City. "Our mission is to create an environment where violence...

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True Luxury

There must be something special about the new Buick Verano as it has drivers everywhere going crazy for it resulting in the best June sales for Buick in the past 6 years! ReadMe writes: As part of Buick's strategy to bring added comfort and convenience to smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, the compact 2012 Verano uses an Ecotec 2.4-liter engine to return up to 32 mpg on the highway, yet it also includes a bevy of upscale features. The Buick Verano comes standard with the brand's IntelliLink infotainment system and QuietTuning technology, which minimizes sounds and vibrations to create a more serene cabin. "The Buick Verano is striking a chord...

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Experience Buick:

Experience a new lease on luxury with a new Buick! Get a new special 24 month lease on a Buick and you'll receive 2 years of scheduled maintenance, 2 years of On Star, and 2 years of Sirius XM Radio! The following Vehicles qualify: •2012 Verano - $199/month for 24 months •2012 Regal Turbo- $259/month for 24 months •2012 LaCrosse- $279/month for 24 months •2012 Enclave- $299/month for 24 months To start your new lease visit us online at: www.donelliott.com or for more details visit Buicks website at: http://www.hartonchevy.com/AboutSpecials?p=buick-2012-Experience-MultiCar Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime off...

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Dodge Dart Pushes Marketing

The Dodge Dart has certainly been a welcoming new attraction to Dodge. It's sleek style, the technology inside, and 41mpg are enough to make anyone's head turn. Now Dodge is ramping up advertising with the latest commercial for the Dart aired during the MLB All-Star Game. DigitalTrends writes: The Dodge Dart media campaign won’t kick into high gear until September, but that hasn’t stopped Chrysler from giving us a glimpse at this hotly anticipated compact car. The spot, which is titled “How to Change Cars Forever,” aired last night during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and kicks off the Dart’s “New Rules” ad campaign. With the...

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What To Do About Your Check Engine Light!

Imagine this: You're driving down the highway, everything seems smooth... No strange noises, smooth ride, then it happens... The check engine light comes on! The Check Engine light has the ability to immediately strike fear in the hearts of drivers everywhere, and leave you wondering how much the problem is going to cost to fix and if you will be able to afford it. While it is true that sometimes the check engine light can signal a serious issue with your car, it can also signal much more simple issues with a cheap or free fix. These problems can be anything from a cylinder misfire to your gas cap not being on tight enough and everything in...

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Volt Drivers... Saving The Planet

If you keep up in auto news at all [specifically Chevrolet] you've probably heard your fair share about the Chevy Volt, but there may be one major thing you haven't heard yet... How it's drivers are saving the world. More specifically Volt drivers have already saved the planet 1 whole supertanker of gasoline! Don't find that very impressive, well, let's put some perspective on it. One supertanker of fuel holds 2.1 MILLION gallons of fuel! That's enough to fill your 40mpg/10gallon tank economy car up 210,000 times making it able to drive 8.4 million miles... who doesn't want that? Ultimately, the Volt is making a huge impact on drivers everywhere....

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When Should You Fill Up?

When do you wait to fill up your gas tank? Do you constantly keep it full, half empty, riding close to 'E'? One blogger writes about what she thinks the advantages and disadvantages are of different fuel levels. Kristy Welsh writes: There has recently been a lot of talk on how you can get better gas mileage by driving when your tank is half full to empty or making sure you fill up when your tank is half full. Which is correct – or does either method hold any water? The fill ‘er up when it’s half full foks proclaim that if you leave the gas tank empty, the gas will be evaporating in the empty space of the tank. Gas tanks are designed...

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More Than Just A Car

The all new Chevy Malibu Eco is more than just a car... it's a lifestyle. It's a lifestyle that involves high end luxury, connectivity, and the ability to go... Hybrid Cars writes: Timing is everything. The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, equipped with a mild hybrid powertrain with an EPA rating of 25/37 city/highway and 29 mpg combined, began arriving at dealers a few weeks ago, just as gasoline began edging past $4 a gallon in several regions of the U.S. The arrival of the new family sedan at the same time that gas hit the $4 benchmark was likely more luck than astute planning, however. The Detroit Free Press reports that General Motors pushed...

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Making the Malibu Safe

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco has been smashed, crushed, flipped and rolled all to provide drivers and their families with unparalleled safety. These are the steps Chevrolet has taken: Before Protection is great, but prevention is better. The 2013 Malibu Eco was designed with that in mind, offering technologies that will help avoid collisions altogether including Stabilitrak® Electronic Stability Control System, which assists with directional control of the vehicle during difficult driving situations. Malibu Eco even offers an available Rear Vision Camera to help see certain stationary objects while traveling in Reverse at low speeds. During In...

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Chrysler 300 / Jeep Grand Cherokee Win Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction Awards

The Jeep Grand Cherokee, along with the Chrysler 300, have been awarded the Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction Awards by AutoPacific. Both cars exhibit the best performance in their perspective categories, meaning you can expect  nothing but the best from you Chrysler. Chrysler Group LLC announced today that the automotive research group AutoPacific has named Chrysler 300 as "Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction" for the "Large Car" category, and Jeep® Grand Cherokee, for the second year in a row, won the "Premium Mid-Size SUV" category.  "We are honored to have the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee receive awards for 'Best in Class...

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Chevrolet to debut rear-wheel-drive SS next year

Several weeks ago an accidental OnStar photo leak revealed that Chevrolet would be revealing a new SS car... Well, it's been confirmed that the rumors are true. Click Here To See The OnStar Mistake A source from AJC.com writes: For the first time in nearly two decades, the Chevrolet brand will have a big, rear-wheel-drive sedan in its U.S. lineup. General Motors Co. said Thursday that the 2014 Chevrolet SS will go on sale in limited numbers late next year. The V8-powered SS is a version of the Holden VF Commodore, a rear-wheel-drive sedan sold in Australia. It will be made in Australia. The new SS will also be Chevrolet's NASCAR Sprint Cup...

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What Kind Of Car Should You Buy?

Figuring out what car suits you best can be easy if you know what you're looking for, but what if you can't decide? Try asking yourself these questions: 1) How many people are you planning on driving regularly with you? Size matters, so you want to grab one that's big enough for everyone. 2) Where are you doing your driving? The country, the city, the desert, maybe coastal? 3) How far are you planning on going on a regular basis? A short trip only minutes away, do you drive multiple hours, or cross-country often? 4) What's your driving style? Do you want speed, or something a little more laid back and less aggressive? 5) Are children typically...

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Go Topless!

May 19th marks the annual worldwide Go Topless Day event, and it's big news for Jeep lovers everywhere!Below is a list of links to help you celebrate, and if you're interested in purchasing a new Jeep, come see us! Visit us on the web at www.gmdonelliott.com/ or give us a call at (877) 664-1229! Here's all the pages with all the information you will need to have a wild of a good time on Go Topless Day 2012! LINKS to More Go Topless Day Information Currently Scheduled GTD12 Events. Our Annual Flagship Event in Massachusetts. How to HOST your OWN GTD12 Event/Activity. Annual Go Topless Day Photo Contest Information. Purchase...

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New Chevrolet Car for 2014?

(Image from www.foxnews.com) Fox News has released screenshots taken from an OnStar screen captured by Christopher Price. The screenshot reveals a 2014 model named the SS Performance, however, currently GM has no SS Performance in production.  FoxNews writes: Chevrolet is working on a secret new car and has yet to reveal anything about it, other than the fact that it will be the basis for next year’s NASCAR entry. No word if it’s a coupe or sedan, rear or all-wheel-drive, what kind of engine it has or even what its name is. Actually, you might be able to scratch that last one off the list. Tech blogger and Pontiac G6 owner Christopher Price...

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HD Radio™ Technology To Be Standard On GMC Acadia & Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia are set to be the first to offer an OEM HD Radio experience for AM/FM Radio stations! HD Radio Technology is available nationwide and has over 2,100 digital stations on-air and over 1,350 HD2/HD3 digital only channels that broadcast fresh new content. This content can ONLY be received and heard with an HD Radio receiver. PRNewswire writes: COLUMBIA, Md., April 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio Technology for AM and FM audio and data broadcasting, announced that Chevrolet, GMC and Buick will be the first American automotive brands to offer the HD Radio...

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Impala Seeing Upgrades in 2014!

Chevrolet has been all about innovation and change lately, and they're showing no signs of slowing down. The "rental-car favorite" Chevy Impala is scheduled for an upgrade for its 2014 model.  The Impala has always been a favorite for many car shoppers for years, and in the past has always had a great deal going for it under the hood, but some car buyers have said they'd like a fresh new exterior, and they're going to get it. The new model is sure to feature a grand list of improvements over previous generations of the car such as a 4-cylinder AND 6-cylinder option as well as 32+MPG with its new e-Assist option!  "Like" our Facebook...

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Don Elliott Auto World Is Now Using Timeline!

Introducing the new Don Elliott Auto World Timeline Facebook Page!  The introduction of Timeline opens the door for us to do very exciting things on our page for customers. It allows us to easily display new photos, track important events, and introduce sales and specials in a fun and interactive way! Timeline will officially start pushing its way to all profiles on March 30th, if you're still new to timeline and would like to learn more, check out this link: http://www.facebook.com/about/timeli...

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Buick Lures Buyers with 24 Month Lease

Tired of lease offers that seem to extend forever, and potentially looking for something more short term? Buick is here to help! Buick plans to offer customers a 24-month lease, and they're including all the bells and whistles as well. USAToday writes: Buick, easily General Motors' most aggressive brand when it comes to trying to get customers to give it a fresh look, has a new gambit. To try to land more people in its freshened lineup, Buick is going to offer a 24-month lease with routine maintenance, an OnStar Directions and Connections plan and Sirius XM radio all thrown into the monthly payment. By shortening the lease term by a year or...

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Facebook for Ford Sync

If you're a Facebook fanatic we have some wonderful news for you! Ford is working on integrating Facebook with Ford Sync, offering you a voice-enabled Facebook experience from within your car. Facebook on Sync will allow you to just view the newest status updates, use it to navigate to a friends house or even use apps like Pandora radio. Cnet reports: "We know that taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road is where you can get into a bad situation," Marchwicki said. "Voice in a vehicle is the natural and safe way to be able to interact with it. And having conversations with your vehicle is not too far off." Read more:...

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Buick Verano is a compact with big-car hush

What if you could have a car that was a compact sedan that carried the sound and luxury of a full-size sedan? That's exactly what Buick has done with the Verano. Designed to deliver optimal MPG, adequate space, a smooth ride, and plenty of horsepower just like a full-sized sedan, packed into a compact. USAToday writes: Can a small Buick feel and sound like a big one? And if it did, would you want to buy one? Drive On came away impressed on all counts earlier this month with the new Buick Verano, a compact sedan that is able to retain the brand's reputation for comfort and whisper quietness in the cabin. At the same time, Verano manages...

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