PENSKE: April 2011

Thursday, April 7, 2011

A Look At Acura Warranty and Service

The competition in the automotive marketplace is fierce. Whether selling a new or Certified Pre-Owned Acura, Acura dealers have made it very difficult for other dealers to compete by providing outstanding warranty and service plans for every new or Certified Pre-Owned Acura buyer. We’ll take a look at warranty and service features on both a new and a Certified Pre-Owned Acura.

When you buy a new Acura you know you are buying quality and luxury. The chances are that you are buying another Acura or you have a friend or family member tell you how much they love their Acura. The fact is: when you buy an Acura, you will likely enjoy it worry free for years to come. Let’s look at some of the features.

All you need is a little TLC

Total Luxury Care(TLC) is a complimentary service provided with every new and Certified Pre-Owned Acura. It is just one way that the people at Acura demonstrate their commitment to you. Total Luxury Care begins with the delivery of a world-class vehicle. Owners benefit from Roadside Assistance and 24-hour nationwide emergency and travel services. New and Certified Pre-Owned Acura owners also receive Acura Concierge Service many other special privileges available exclusively to Acura owners.

The New Acura Warranty

New models have a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty – standard. Acura powertrains are covered by a 6-year/70,000-mile limited warranty. If you live near the sea or in an area that gets salted in the winters, you don’t have to worry about your Acura. Outer body rust-through is covered by a 5-year/unlimited-mile limited warranty. Passenger safety is always top-of-mind at Acura. That is why seat belts are covered by a 15-year, 150,000-mile limited warranty. If you want a few extras those are covered too. Acura Genuine Accessories installed by the dealer at the time of vehicle purchase are covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.

Personalize your ownership experience online

My Acura is a web site that is exclusive Acura owners. Go here and register to personalize your ownership experience. Here, you can obtain valuable services and information such as online service scheduling, sale offers and service offers. The My Acura web site contains helpful videos, interactive tutorials, and owner’s manuals to help you get the most out of your new Acura vehicle. You can also order navigation DVD updates and get details about your Total Luxury Care benefits.

The Certified Pre-Owned experience

When you buy a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle you also get a full set of required manuals and the documentation. The Acura inspection checklist ensures each manual is either placed in the glove box or provided at delivery. You get: the Owner's Manual; New Car Warranty Manual; Certified Warranty booklet; CARFAX Vehicle History Report (full history / title check report); a Copy of 150-point inspection checklist; the Radio security code; Navigation code (if applicable) and a Maintenance Journal for 2003 and newer models.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to give is a call at (877) 204-8640 for sales questions; (866) 526-4181 for service questions or (866) 596-1574 for parts questions. You can find more information about new and used Acura cars by visiting our Acura North Scottsdale or Penske Auto Mall.

Acura Luxury: The 2011 Acura TL

While reading about the Acura TL website, one of the first things I noticed was the tagline “Accelerated Innovation”. I didn’t know how fitting this was until I was able to find out more. The Acura TL comes in two flavors: the first is a 280 horsepower, 3.5 liter, VTEC, V 6 engine and the second is the SH – All Wheel Drive 305 horsepower, 3.7 liter, VTEC, V 6 engine. With 208/305 horsepower “Accelerated Innovation” is right. Let’s take a closer look at the Acura-style luxury and power.

The TL has a base price around $35,000. That will get you the 280 horsepower mentioned above and 5-speed automatic; Sequential SportShift paddle shifters; Bluetooth HandsFreeLink; leather trimmed sports seats for a comfortable ride and 17” alloy wheels. Acura also crams a lot of sound into the TL. 8 - 276-watt speakers are standard. There is a 6-disc changer with USB Audio Interface for your iPod, XM Radio ready, Dolby Pro Logic II and an auxiliary input. All of these features are included standard. Now for the fun stuff – the Technology package is simply a must-have. You get 10 - 440 watt speakers; and a few other sound system upgrades, but my favorite extra is the hard drive music storage system. With the hard drive, I can simply sync my music from my iPod touch. I love the thought of never having to change a CD in my car again.

The Acura TL SH-AWD starts under $39,000 and is equipped with a 305 horsepower V 6 engine with VTEC. The “SH” designation is derived from the drivetrain. Super Handling All Wheel Drive means confidence on the road. You will also have your choice of choice of 5-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control, or 6-speed manual transmission with hill start assist. The SH-AWD also has 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, integrated quad-outlet sport exhaust and bumper-integrated front brake cooling ducts all standard.

The TL and the TL SH-AWD can be equipped with the Technology Package. That includes the Acura Navigation System. The Acura Navigation System includes the a rearview camera, Traffic Rerouting, and Zagat Survey ratings and reviews, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic, Weather and Automated Appointments. Both the TL and the TL SH-AWD are backed with the Acura warranty. That means you get a 4-year / 50,000-mile limited warranty on the vehicle; 6-year / 70,000-mile limited warranty on the powertrain; a 5-year / unlimited-mile limited warranty on outer body rust-through; a 4-year / 50,000-mile limited warranty on the accessories and Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC) with Roadside Assistance - 4-year / 50,000-mile limited warranty.

All of this the adds up to peace of mind. It feels great to be worry free and riding in the lap of Acura Luxury. For More information see your Acura dealer.

Why It Makes Sense To Buy A Certified Pre-Owned RSX, TSX or any Acura

What does buying a certified pre-owned Acura mean?

The Certified Pre-Owned logo on a used Acura vehicle means you can rest assured that it has passed the highest standards and is made available to you with all the Acura Certified Pre-Owned Program benefits. That means the luxury and reliability that Acura is known for and the savings of buying a used car.

Before a used Acura can become an Acura Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, that MDX, RSX, TSX or any Acura vehicle must pass rigorous checks and standards. An Acura Certified Pre-Owned dealer will only consider carrying late model and well preserved Acura vehicles. There is a comprehensive 150 point inspection that each Acura vehicle must pass. In addition, a vehicle history check is run through a reliable source like Carfax. Your Acura dealer inspects every major component and system. Certified mechanics inspect the engine, radiator, air conditioning, transmission, universal joint, starter, power steering, brakes, driveshaft, alternator and over a hundred other points. Then the vehicle is serviced to exact Acura specifications. Next, they close the hood and take a close look at the body and the interior to make sure that they both meet the same precise Acura standards. After all, Acura is a luxury vehicle and the Acura dealer holds every car in their care to the Acura luxury standard. Technicians at each Acura dealership ensure every floor mat, valve stem cap, vehicle identification number and cargo net is in place. Certified Pre-Owned Acura dealers know that you are buying more than luxury when you buy an Acura – you are buying reliability.

What are the benefits of buying a certified pre-owned Acura?

Acura Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are a great blend of value and luxury .Whether you purchase a Certified Pre-Owned 2009 Acura MDX or a new 2011 Acura ZDX you can rightfully expect the luxury level standards of Acura. A Certified Pre-Owned Acura comes with a 12-month/12,000-mile Certified Limited Warranty. Just in case the 150-point vehicle inspection discussed earlier wasn’t quite enough. Acura raises the bar again by offering an extensive Roadside Assistance Program. Other benefits included in the Acura Certified Pre-Owned Program include an extended coverage warranty that begins after the new car warranty expires, and coverage that is honored at every Acura dealer across the country. If your Certified Pre-Owned Acura is equipped with an XM radio, a 90 day free trial subscription to XM radio is available.

There you have it. Acura is luxury that fits your lifestyle.

Top Accessories For Your New or Certified Pre-Owned Acura

Congratulations on your decision to buy a new or Certified Pre-Owned Acura. I know you are eager to hit the road and see what your new Acura can do. Before you get behind the wheel and shift into drive, let’s take a look a few of the top accessories recommended by Acura fans and dealers:

The Essential Acura Accessories

· All Season Floor Mats – Do not underestimate how often these rubber / rubberized mats will get used. If it snows where you live, then this is certainly a must have. Even if it doesn’t snow where you are, chances are you get a decent raining season. Save your interior carpeting and prevent damage to the floorboards. You can find them at any Acura dealer.

· Trunk Tray – This serves a very similar purpose as your floor mats. This lays flat in your trunk and protects from all wear and spills. Go to your Acura dealer for a custom molded tray with high sides that keeps a spill, soiled boots or some other mess off your Acura and on an easily cleaned thermoplastic tray.

The Lifestyle Acura Accessories

· Remote Engine Starter System – This is what technology is all about – making life better with the touch of a button. No matter where you live you can use this. If you bought your Acura in the Southwest U.S., you can use remote start to get the air conditioning going without breaking a sweat. If you later move to the Northeast U.S., you will definitely need a Remote Engine Starter System to keep from having to run out into the snow at 7 a.m. to warm up the car before taking the kids to school.

· 18” Chrome-Look Wheels – These do a couple of things for you. Most obvious is the way they bring out the sporty and performance side of your Acura. The second is durability. These wheels look like chrome wheels but are corrosion resistant and far more durable than actual chrome.

· Deck Lid Spoiler – This accentuates the lines of your Acura. Be sure to see your Acura dealer to ensure a factory color match and fit.

· Full Nose Mask – These are custom to fit the contours of your Acura. This will help protect your new Acura from small stones, bugs and other road debris. They are made with No-mar fasteners and cover mountings that help to protect your car’s paint and finish and make for easy installation.

The Acura TSX Sport Wagon is Fun and Ready to Go

Acura has given us something fun just when we needed it. The 2011 TSX Sport Wagon will get you, your friends and skis, bikes, kayaks and tents to where you want to be without breaking the bank. Acura is making a clear statement to the young yet responsible. “We have what you need, and we made it fun!”

People are finally starting to emerge from their SUV’s exhausted from the beatings they have been taking at the gas pump. They need a grocery-getter and want it to get them to the supermarket in record time and with a power slide just for style points. Okay, I’m exaggerating a little but you get the idea – practical and fun. Enter the TSX Sport Wagon with an estimated fuel efficiency rating of 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

You have probably already seen the Acura “Transition” commercial on T.V. or YouTube. If you haven’t seen it, finish reading this, and then check out the commercial. The TSX Sports Wagon is built like a sports car. That means it handles like a sports car. It’s powered with a 201 hp 2.4 liter in-line 4 cylinder engine and tamed with a 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic that combines the convenience and precision of automatic shifting with the fun in-control feel of manual sifting. Oh, and what is that? Why yes, those are paddle shifters.

The TSX Sport Wagon is equipped with leather trimmed seats, 17” aluminum-alloy wheels, hands free Bluetooth technology, USB audio interface with iPod integration and a ton of other goodies. What you really want is the technology package. Scratch that. You NEED the technology package. 15 GB harddrive audio storage; 10 – speaker Surround audio system; Acura Navigation system; power tailgate and the list keeps going.

The Aura customization extends beyond just the tech. There are interior trim options; all season protection packages; a remote engine starter system; a sport leather steering wheel that matches the interior trim package; 18” Ebony-look wheels; 18” chrome-look wheels; bike attachments; ski attachments and more. If you are going to use all that you are probably going to want the option first aid kit – just in case.

Pricing starts around $30,000. For thousands of dollars less than that giant SUV you’re currently trapped inside you can have performance handling, tons of options, great fuel economy, cargo space, Acura style and reliability all. The only question left is, “where do I sign up?”