Just two days ago I told you about the new addition to the Hyundai Assurance program called Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock, and already I have even more exciting news for Hyundai customers.  While the rest of the country is waiting with baited breath for the official beginning of the CARS program, better known as Cash for Clunkers, Hyundai buyers can buy their new cars right now.  Yep, Hyundai realized that many people are ready to trade out of their current vehicles, but are waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the CARS rebate program to become available.   So in another crowd pleasing move, they are the first auto manufacturer to back dealerships with short term cash advances.  They dont seem to mind that it may still be weeks before the program is online industry wide.  In true Hyundai fashion this decision to go ahead and honor the CARS program discounts is all about you, the customer!   And you have a lot of options because almost all of the new Hyundai models qualify for the program.  So the wait is over, come in to the Checkered Flag Hyundai and cash in your old clunker for an awesome new Hyundai.  If you need any more info you can call the Cash for Clunkers Hotline at (757) 687-3431.

Here at Checkered Flag, we like to be the first to tell you about new vehicles.  So, as a BMW driver (I love my 128i convertible), I am EXTREMELY pleased to unveil for you the leaked pics of the upcoming Sport Activity Vehicle, the BMW X1.  According to Car and Driver, this car has technically already been unveiled since it was shown last year at the Paris auto show under the name Concept X1.  Oh well, this is the first I have heard of it, how about you?  The official launch of the new X1 is expected later this Summer.  You know we will keep you posted on all the details including availability.  If you would like us to contact you when the X1 models arrive here at Checkered Flag BMW, send us an email and we will send you a personal invitation to come in for a test drive!

How much money do you spend each month on gas?  How about each year?  I know for me, its A LOT!  Now what if I told you theres a way to get discounted gas for a whole year?  Sounds too good to be true right?  Well, believe it, because Hyundai is doing it.  Your first thought is probably something like.. I wonder just how discounted they are talking about here? right?  How is $1.49 per gallon?! Pretty darn discounted I would say.  Especially when you consider that current regular-grade gas averages $2.64 per gallon.  All you have to do is buy or lease a new Hyundai and enroll in the program, its called the Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock.  For one year you are guaranteed a years worth of regular gasoline priced at just $1.49 per gallon, and if you choose mid-grade or premium, you pay just $1.64 and $1.79 per gallon respectively. You are entitled enough fuel to cover 12,000 miles and the only vehicles that do not qualify are Genesis sedan, Genesis Coupe, and Accent GS.  Now here is the really great part.  This program is being offered in addition to any other manufacturer discounts and incentives!  So you can still get a great deal, and qualify for any advertised special finance and lease deals!

The Cash for Clunkers legislation is very close to potentially passing.  If you are completely unfamiliar with the program, or have some questions about it, we are here to help!

Checkered Flag is a participating dealership in the Cash for Clunkers program, and we are making it very easy for you to buy your new car from us.  Details are not set in stone at the time of this posting, but what we have deciphered from the many sources can be found on our Cash for Clunkers in Virginia page.

Checkered Flag has plenty of fuel efficient vehicles for you to choose from if you want to take advantage of this program - we also have plenty to choose from even if you just want to get a better MPG rating.

Sorry about the title - any chance for being corny and I am all over it!  Just ask my fellow blogger and video star; Christine, she will tell you how I am always asking her to do more cheasy stuff. 

We should be honest with one another though - the factual 8th grade chemistry class approach is booooring.  But I am rambling and I just wanted to apologize for my play with the Hyundai Sonata name.  It is kind of fun to play with....

....Oh-Kay....We all know by now that Hyundai is rapidly becoming a bigger fish in the United States (about time!).  When I started selling cars in 1999, I began with Hyundai.  When you sell cars you will always be partial to your first brand almost like your first girlfriend.  I definitely enjoyed selling Hyundai, but it was a different perception and client back then.  Today, I look at Hyundai with a feeling of pride - as an uncle would watch his nephew graduate from school.  It is incredible to see where the perception and client is now.  10 years is not a long time for an entire product line to get this far!

Well...I am rambling again....the Sonata....I need to stop....here is Christine....

See over 500 quality used cars on Virginia Beach Blvd this weekend at our first ever Garage Sale!  You can view our used cars on Checkered Flag.com, then take advantage of the Garage Sale pricing in the stores as you cruise down the Blvd.

All cars are backed by one of three warranties:

    * Original Warranty from when the car was new
    * Certified Pre-Owned Warranty
    * Best Test Warranty

Did we mention pricing is as low as $499?  And because it is Checkered Flag, you know we really have cars that low.

>> We brought in special vehicles for this event, and some will not be on our website.  Feel free to call, chat, or email us ahead of time.

Watch the Garage Sale TV Commercial.  The whole thing ends on May 24th, 2009.

What do you do here at Checkered Flag?
I help people get What the People Want!

Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in? 
Virginia Beach

Do you have any children? Any pets?
No children or pets

What?s your favorite TV show? Why?
Chuck ! because he is awesome!

What was the last movie you saw?  What is your favorite movie?
Taken!   Anything from the 80s (Fletch, Spies Like Us, The Great Outdoors, One Crazy Summer, Better Off Dead) it is hard to pick just one!

What are your hobbies?
Golf, spending money, having a good time, and watching the Red Sox beat the Yankees!!

What kind of car do you drive? Why?
I have a 2008 VW Passat and a Toyota Tacoma.  The Passat is because I love VWs and the Tacoma because you should always have a truck.

What is your Dream Car?  Why?
Morgan Aero 8.  Because its a classic design with modern technology.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where?
Bali

If you wrote an autobiography about your life, what would the title be?
WOW! That Was Crazy!

What is a date on your calendar you are looking forward to? Why?
May 28th, because I go on my yearly camping trip with my brother and friends of 20+ years

What's the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
I?m a great Chef !

What's the best thing about working for Checkered Flag?
The cars and the people I work with!

Review is by Autoblog

Hyundai has been batting a thousand of late, with new vehicles like the Genesis sedan and Genesis coupe shaking up their respective segments and leaving class leaders looking over their shoulders. The equally new Elantra Touring hasn't created as much buzz as its rear-wheel-drive brethren, but the five-door hatchback competes with a host of vehicles available in the sub-$20,000 range, all of which are screaming for attention from an increasingly picky buyer who demands something practical, affordable and efficient for his dwindling dollars.

In order to be heard above the noise, Hyundai chose to import one of its existing models from abroad rather than developing a new Elantra model from scratch. They chose the i30 (the Checkered Blog reported on a similar car - the Hyundai i30 - in March), designed in Germany and currently on sale in Europe, Australia and South Korea. The Elantra Touring is very much a direct port of the i30 and actually has little in common with the four-door Elantra sedan, save for its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and transmission choices. Rather, its closest mechanical cousin is the Euro-only Kia cee'd.

It would seem, then, that the i30 was not originally developed with U.S. customers in mind. Will the resulting Elantra Touring be a hit here, or has Hyundai finally foul tipped a ball?

>> Read more