8 Tips for driving away with a good deal:

Buying a new car is a big investment. Researching your available options will make you a better consumer.

•Bring a friend: A friend can keep you focused on the task at hand and help you from becoming emotionally attached to the car.

•Know what you can afford: Evaluate your financial situation to determine what you can afford and stay within your plan.

•What’s your trade worth? If you plan to trade in your old car, check Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com for the value of your trade-in. Make sure you check the trade-in link, not the retail link. Very few cars fall under the excellent, keep in mind your car will need re-conditioning, so Good is a typical trade-in. Keep the trade separate from the new car transaction. The price of a trade-in should have no bearing on the price of the new car.

•Research models and pricing: Narrow down your list to three vehicles and do price research on all. There are many sites on the Internet that can help you

•Do you really need the add-ons? Think carefully about additional options like a sunroof because they can affect the price of the car. Decide ahead of time what extra perks you want.

•Is a service contract for you? Service contracts provide for the repair of certain parts or problems. These contracts are offered by manufacturers, dealers, or independent companies. Check to see if they provide coverage beyond the manufacturer’s warranty. Remember that a warranty is included in the price of the car while service contract costs extra.

•Avoid focusing only on the monthly payment: Insist on negotiating one thing at a time. Settle on the vehicle’s price first, then discuss a trade-in, financing, or leasing separately, as necessary. Don’t bring up leasing until after you’ve agreed on the vehicle’s price.

•You’re in control: If it is not the deal or price you want, be prepared to walk away. Don’t let anyone pressure you

Still A Market for Minivans!

Americans bought more than 1 million minivans annually from 1993-2005, and most of those were made by Chrysler. The first to roll off the assembly line in Windsor on Oct. 8, 1983, a blue Plymouth Voyager with wood trim, started the revolution.
The "people mover" is credited with saving then-Chrysler Corp. from the edge of bankruptcy, and it could play a savior role again.
An August market analysis by Kelley Blue Book found used cars continue to depreciate, but minivans appreciated by almost 5 percent -- the highest of any sector.
With no new minivans expected this year, "minivan values should remain strong for the foreseeable future," Flores said.
Also, people are still shopping for minivans, said James Bell, KBB market analyst in Irvine, Calif., and they see only three credible choices: a Chrysler, Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna.
Chrysler made the top-selling minivan until last year, when the Odyssey took the top spot. But Chrysler's total minivan sales remain highest.
Chrysler has always been aggressive in improving its minivans to maintain that dominance, said spokesman Rick Deneau.
Notable innovations include Stow 'n Go seats and, more recently, swivel seats.
*Thanks to the Detroit News!

The Future is Now: Get a Look at the 2010 Dodge Vehicles

You’ve been asking, and now finally the wait is over. Now you can get a look at each vehicle in our 2010 lineup over at Dodge.com. Each page features vehicle highlights and details what’s new.
But wait, there’s more! As you read this, folks are working hard to finish the full sites for each of our 2010 vehicles, and we’ll be sure to let you know when those go live. Until then, select the link below to learn more. http://www.redletterdodge.com/

Thanks to Red Letter Dodge for their great updates on Dodge!

MangoRock

Ever wonder how those Jeep rocks get to the dealerships? Here is a video with Al Mango, of MangoRock that shows just what goes into a "jumble of rocks"

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jOCnBl8jXs

Chrysler, Dodge & Jeep Return to Leasing!

Auburn Hills, Mich., Sep 16, 2009 -
Chrysler Group LLC today announced it will offer a leasing option for U.S. customers on all 2010 model year Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles through Chrysler’s preferred lender, GMAC Financial Services.
“We are pleased to re-enter the leasing market so we can offer customers the opportunity to lease vehicles at rates competitive with the marketplace,” said Peter Fong, President and Chief Executive Officer–Chrysler Brand and Lead Executive for the Sales Organization, Chrysler Group LLC. “Our ability to offer additional financing options will benefit consumers who have long been fans of leasing and appreciate the flexibility this financing option gives them.”
Effective Sept. 17, 2009, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge will offer leasing options for all 2010 model year vehicles in the United States. Featured vehicles with special lease rates through Sept. 30, 2009 are:
Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan, Ram 1500 and Journey
Jeep Wrangler and Liberty
Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge also offer the following incentives, which are valid through Sept. 30, 2009: http://bit.ly/ZpH68

2010 Dodge Caliber New Interiors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZEBKHcWFFs

D0dge is updating it's interiors on the 2010 Dodge Calibers. Check out this video and see what' s in store for you!

2010 Fiat Punto Evo - Auto Shows

Remove the Fiat logos and this new Punto Evo debuting at the Frankfurt auto show is likely a car you’ll see on U.S. roads within a few years’ time—wearing Chrysler badges. The Fiat Punto Evo is a mild face lift of and replacement for the successful Grande Punto, which has been on sale in Europe since 2005. While much has been made of the importance of the tiny Fiat 500 city car in Chrysler’s future—and Fiat Group’s imminent return stateside—the Punto has been Fiat’s bread-and-butter model on the Continent for many years. More here: http://bit.ly/QMqHT

Get your Chance to ask a Dodge Ram Engineer!

The all-new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups are coming this fall but you have a chance to get some of the details now. Have a question about the new crew cab? Want to know if it’ll tow your horse trailer? Ask away.
Submit your questions and vote on your favorites at www.askramengineers.com. Ram engineers will answer select questions that you submitted in a live forum at www.dodgetalk.com from 5:30-7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 17.
Learn more about the all-new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty.

Dodge Ram is MOPAR's Most Accessorized Vehicle!

Chrysler’s in-house parts brand Mopar says the Dodge Ram full-size pickup is the most accessorized vehicle in the Pentastar fleet, with Ram owners spending an average of $389 per truck.
Here are the Top 10 Mopar Accessories for the Ram, according to Chrysler:
Tubular Side Steps ($307-$614): Provide skid-resistant stepping surfaces for easy vehicle entry and exit; available in black or chrome and constructed of light-weight anodized aluminum or powder-coated steel.
Bed Liner ($325): Features ribbed design for drainage. The skid-resistant, under-the-rail liner is tailored and has integrated vertical and horizontal storage dividers.
Trailer-Hitch Receiver ($126): Designed as a one-piece welded assembly and built to match Dodge Ram's impressive towing capacity, the hitch receiver is covered with a two-layer, E-coat paint finish that resists rust.
Trailer-Tow Mirrors ($436): 8.75" x 7.75" mirrors offers improved visibility while towing with convex spotter (3.5" x 4.25") glass for superior blind-spot visibility. Mopar trailer-tow mirrors manually telescopes out 4.5" and folds in. Heated, power control and defrost functions remain active.
Front-Air Deflector ($89-$109): Constructed of shatter-resistant polymers and custom molded to complement Dodge Ram's bold front-end styling, the front-air deflector creates an air stream that directs insects and road spray up and away from the hood and windshield.
Deluxe Molded Splash Guards ($43.45/pair): Designed to be rigid yet forgiving, splash guards are paintable and provide lower-body protection.
Sports Performance Hood ($976): Features an integrated scoop for an aggressive look and the sheet metal replacement hood is manufactured with original equipment materials.
Fiberglass Tonneau Cover ($1250-$1290): Custom-designed for a perfect match with any Dodge Ram exterior color, the durable, easy-opening cover includes inner and outer liners to prevent cracks and features a built-in tailgate lock for added security.
Soft Tonneau Cover ($391-$470): Made of shrink-resistant fabric that features a snapless design, the durable Mopar tonneau cover resists mildew, water and ultraviolet rays.
Fog Lights ($175): Designed for the Ram, Mopar fog lights undercut inclement weather and minimize glare.
By the way, according to SEMA, pickup truck owners on average spend $1,831 on accessories.
[Source: Chrysler]

2010 Dodge Caliber: Better Interiors, Fewer Engines & More MPG!

Article by John Voelcker, the car connection.com

For 2010, Chrysler has slimmed down the choices on its Dodge Caliber hatchback and spiffed up the interior, to make the car more competitive with the best of its class. It now offers just two engines and two transmissions, slightly improving the gas mileage.

The base engine is now the 2.0-liter four, replacing a previous 1.8-liter option, with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). EPA mileage ratings are 23 mpg city / 31 mpg highway for the manual (2 mpg better on the highway than last year's base model), and 23 mpg city / 27 mpg highway for the CVT.

Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger Receive IIHS Top Pick Award

The IIHS has awarded its coveted Top Pick designation to both vehicles. It’s their highest award .

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on Tuesday awarded the 2010 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger its top safety rating. The automaker said the midsize cars feature pre-tensioning seat belt retractors and supplemental side-curtain air bags, plus responsive steering, braking, handling and electronic stability control among 30 other offered safety and security features. These are safe choices, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Dodge to Arm Police Officers with Best In Class Power and even better Fuel Economy

The new 2009 Dodge Charger police car is ready to patrol the streets with the ultimate in pursuit power – the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 engine. The new engine will give the good guys more horses under the hood and even better fuel economy.
“With rear-wheel drive and HEMI power at the pavement, our new 2009 Dodge Charger provides optimum police car pursuit performance,” said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand Marketing. “Dodge has a strong police car heritage, and we are proud to offer a vehicle armed with modern muscle and cutting-edge technology to help law enforcement agencies perform their duties.”
With the new 5.7-liter HEMI, the 2009 Dodge Charger is the most powerful production police vehicle on the road, producing 368 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2009 Dodge Charger is the only police vehicle that offers best-in-class performance in four key pursuit categories: available power, acceleration, top speed and vehicle dynamics. Read more of the story at Automobilesreview.com http://bit.ly/CVxpU