When shopping for a new car, it is important to take a test drive.  You want to make sure that the car you choose fits your budget and needs for many years.  With that in mind, here are some tips for test driving a new car.

First, do some research.  Before you go to the car dealership, make sure you are armed with facts about new cars that interest you.  Ask yourself if that particular car would really meet your needs.  Think about what you need your new car to do and you will be able to come up with a list of qualities that are must-haves.  Then, think about what you would like your new car to have.  Consider colors and extra features.  Place these on a wish list.  Now, look at prices.  Decide whether or not you can afford the new car you are looking at.  Don’t forget sales tax and registration, insurance, gas, and maintenance costs when thinking about prices.

Once you have a good idea of what your “must-haves” and your “wish list” items are, you are ready to go for a test drive to see if the car you have chosen is the perfect fit for you and your family.

Much of the test drive is done before you even turn on the car.  Sit in the car and ask yourself if it’s a good fit.  Think of it like trying on clothes.  Is the car comfortable for you?  Are the controls easy to reach?  Drivers are different sizes and shapes, so making sure the car is a good fit is important.

Other things to think about before you turn the key are whether or not the car is easy to get in and out of; whether there is enough head- hip- and leg-room; whether the visibility is good; and whether the pedals are situated well for you.

When you’re finally ready to take the car for a spin, the salesperson may drive the car off the lot and then turn it over to you.  This is a good opportunity to evaluate the car fro the passenger’s side.  When it’s your turn to drive, think about and check out all of these areas:

• Acceleration
• Engine noise
• Passing acceleration (does it downshift quickly?)
• Hill-climbing power
• Braking (do the brakes “grab” suddenly?)
• Steering (does it have any play in the wheel? is it easy to place the car?)
• Cornering (does it “hug the road” or does it wallow about?)
• Suspension (how does it ride?)
• Seat comfort and ergonomics
• Rattles and squeaks
• Cargo space (is the vehicle easy to load and does it expand?)

Tell the salesperson you want to really test drive the car.  Accelerate and

brake.  Take a corner.  Be careful that you don’t exceed your driving skills, but explore the limits of the car.

Now that you know how to test drive a new car, put these new skills to work.  Come into Crossroads and test drive a new Chevrolet or Cadillac or one of our quality pre-owned vehicles.  With your new test driving skills and our knowledgeable sales staff, you are sure to find the new car of your dreams.

Tech news provider CNET chose Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink infotainment system as its 2013 Best-of-CES Award in the Car Tech category.  CNET recognized MyLink for its ease of use and its smartphone-inspired interface.

Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink will debut on the 2014 Chevrolet Impala in the spring.  Other 2014 Chevrolet models, including the all-new Silverado full-size pickup, will also have the new MyLink.

“Cabin tech interfaces receive a lot of criticism for being clunky, ugly and slow, but Chevrolet may have cracked the code by copying the smartphone,” wrote CNET Senior

Editor Wayne Cunningham. “The newest generation of the MyLink infotainment system runs smoothly and employs icons that look, and can be rearranged, like those on a smartphone.”

Chevrolet designed the next-gen MyLink to accommodate new features and enhancements and to be highly customizable.  It includes icons for everything from navigation to phone to music apps like Pandora.  The next-gen MyLink also has

Chevrolet’s first use of natural language voice recognition that allows customers to safely make phone calls, enter destinations, play music, browse media, and control other functions by simply telling the vehicle what to do.

Also new on the next-gen MyLink is that the system can store up to 60 favorites, including radio stations, contacts, destinations, music, and other media.  With its eight-inch screen, customers can fling through lists, swipe and click and drag just as they would on a tablet.

MyLink will be standard on Impala LT and LTZ and available on Impala eAssist.  Drivers with compatible smartphones can connect them with MyLink via Bluetooth or a USB connection giving them the ability to play their own music or other media through the vehicle.

Another new feature lets customers whose Impalas are equipped with available embedded navigation to enter destinations in a single step.  Gone will be the days of entering the state, city, street number, and street name in successive efforts.  City-by-city weather reports are also provided.

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala will also include six months of OnStar’s Directions and Connections service as well as Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics, and Roadside Assistance.

Most smartphone users can also download the RemoteLink Mobile App, which lets OnStar subscribers control and manage certain vehicle functions from their phone.

Chevrolet remains on the cutting edge of car tech.  This most recent recognition by CNET is one of many Chevrolet has received and is just one more way in which Chevy “runs deep.”

From China to New York and Australian to Brazil, the all-new 2013 Malibu is Chevy’s first global midsize sedan designed to provide drivers with expressive design, advanced technologies, ride performance, and fuel-efficiency no matter where they live.  Eventually, it will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents.

In North America, the Malibu comes in LS, LT, and LTZ trim levels, plus the Malibu Eco, which uses fuel-saving eAssist technology to give drivers an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city/37 mpg highway.  This makes the Malibu Eco the most fuel efficient mid-size sedan among non-hybrids.

With an all-new, powerful Ecotec 2.5L four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed transmission, it’s 197 hp and 191 lb.-ft of torque, Malibu’s powertrain lineup meets the needs of mid-size sedan drivers. A new Ecotec 2.0L turbo, rated at 259 hp and 260 lb.-ft of torque will debut in the fall.

Additional product highlights for North American Malibu models include:

• Expressive exterior design with a wide, athletic stance
• Segment-best aerodynamics – close to those of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car – that enhance fuel efficiency and reduce wind noise, including active electronic shutters on Eco and other select models
• All-new, Chevrolet-signature dual-cockpit interior that is more spacious, features premium materials and is engineered
  viagra vendita

  to be the quietest in the midsize segment

• New Chevrolet MyLink connectivity seamlessly integrates online services like Pandora® internet radio and Stitcher
  viagra

  SmartRadio®

• European-influenced ride and handling traits
• New safety features and technologies including 10 standard air bags, ultra-high-strength steel, lane departure warning/forward collision warning and rearview camera system
• Ten exterior colors and four interior color combination choices, depending on the model.

The Malibu Eco is a smart choice for customers who want a mid-size car with great fuel economy, but without the higher price of some hybrid cars.  It is the first 2013 mid-size car to earn double  honors for safety, including a 5-Star Overall Vehicle score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a 2012 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.

The Malibu’s interior is roomy and features metallic chrome or wood accents and soft ice-blue ambient lighting.  There are many storage areas to store essentials, including a radio face that moves up and down to reveal a six-inch deep storage area behind its seven-inch touch-screen radio display.  Malibu also offers a full range of the latest infotainment options, including Chevrolet MyLink color touch with available navigation.

If you are in the market for a mid-size sedan that won’t cost you extra at the fuel pump, give the Chevy Malibu a try.  Come to Crossroads and see why the Malibu is turning heads.

When buying a new car or even a used car, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what your price range is.  However, this is an important step to take on before purchasing a new car or a new-to-you car so that you don’t get in over your head.  Many people end up upside down in their car loan, but with a little bit of thought and calculation, you can figure out what your car buying budget really is and avoid this pitfall.

First, figure out your monthly payment target.  This is what you can afford to pay each month.  Your car payment should not exceed 20 percent of your monthly after-tax income.  Keep in mind that this doesn’t include gas, insurance, or maintenance costs.

Once you have an idea of what your new car payment should be, figure out what loan term

you want.  Most car loans are 60 months.  A shorter loan will make your payments higher.  Some financial institutions offer a 72-month loan for people who want their payment to be a little bit lower; however, these longer-term loans also mean you will pay more interest overall.

Keep interest rates in mind.  The higher the interest rate, the higher your new car payment will be.  Shop around to find the best interest rates.

Research the value of your trade-in.  If you have a car, truck, or SUV that you are trading in to the dealer, make sure you know what your trade-in is worth.  Also, keep in mind that selling your car to someone else rather than trading in can sometimes mean more money to put toward your new loan amount.  Figure out what you still owe on your old car (if any) and subtract the trade-in value from that to determine what you will actually be able to put toward a new car.

Make sure you have a good down payment.  Many lenders demand higher down payments than in the past.  Put down as much as you can afford.  A good number to shoot for is at least 20 percent of the new car’s price.  This will reduce the size of your loan and, in turn, means a lower down payment.  Add your down payment to the trade-in value of your car to figure out your total down payment.

Once you have determined all of these things, you are ready to go shopping for a new car.  You should have a good idea of what you can afford.  Finance a car whose MSRP is at or under your maximum price range.  The sales team and finance department at Crossroads can make sure that you find the perfect new car that meets your needs and your budget.

Chevrolet has redefined modern performance.  It recently debuted the all-new Corvette Stingray, which boasts the perfect balance of technology, design, and performance.  Only a Corvette with these qualities is deemed worthy

of wearing the iconic Stingray designation.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray is the most powerful standard model ever, with an estimated 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque.  It can accelerate from 0-60 in less than four seconds and can achieve more than 1g in cornering grip.  It is also expected to be the most fuel-efficient Corvette by exceeding the EPA-estimated 26 mpg of the current model.

“Like the ’63 Sting Ray, the best Corvettes embodied performance leadership, delivering cutting-edge technologies, breathtaking design and awe-inspiring driving experiences,”

said General Motors North America President Mark Reuss. “The all-new Corvette goes farther than ever, thanks to today’s advancements in design, technology and engineering.”

Only two parts were kept from previous generation Corvettes.  An all-new frame structure and chassis, a new powertrain and supporting technologies, and completely new exterior and interior designs make the 2014 Corvette Stingray better than ever.

• An interior that includes real carbon fiber, aluminum and hand-wrapped leather materials, two new seat choices – each featuring a lightweight magnesium frame for exceptional support – and dual eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens
• Advanced driver technologies, including a five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 vehicle attributes to the fit the driver’s environment and a new seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching that anticipates gear selections and matches engine speed for perfect shifts every time
• An all-new 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine combines advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system that delivers more power while using less fuel
• Lightweight materials, including a carbon fiber hood and removable roof panel; composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels; carbon-nano composite underbody panels and a new aluminum frame help shift weight rearward for an optimal 50/50 weight balance that supports a world-class power-to-weight ratio
• A sculptured exterior features advanced high-intensity discharge and light-emitting diode lighting and racing-proven aerodynamics that balance low drag for efficiency and performance elements for improved stability and track capability
• Track-capable Z51 Performance Package including: an electronic limited-slip differential, dry-sump oiling system, integral brake, differential and transmission cooling, as well as a unique aero package that further improves high-speed stability.

“We believe the Corvette represents the future of modern performance cars because it delivers more power, more driving excitement and better fuel efficiency,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “The result is better performance by every measure. The 2014 Corvette delivers the fastest acceleration, the most cornering grip, the most track capability, the best braking performance and what we expect to be the best fuel economy ever for a standard Corvette.”

The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe will go on sale in the third quarter of 2013.

Last month, Cadillac debuted the 2014 ELR at the North American International Auto Show.  The luxury coupe is the first Extended Range Electric Vehicle technology to be paired with a full-line luxury automotive brand.

“ELR is an unprecedented combination of luxury, advanced engineering and progressive design in a coupe that is both sporty and environmentally friendly,” said Bob Ferguson, Cadillac global vice president. “This is a pivotal moment in Cadillac’s history, as we continue our product-driven expansion.”

The ELR has taken the promise of the Converj Concept, on which it is based, and run with it.  The Cadillac ELR’s exterior marks a new, progressive design for the brand while the interior utilizes a new design theme that will define future Cadillac models.  The Cadillac ELR emphasizes modern elegance, technology, and precisely crafted details.

The industry-leading Extended Range Electric Vehicle technology gives drivers a full range of more than 300 miles by combining electric-only driving and an efficient, range-extending generator.  The technology is combined with exclusive Regen on Demand, which allows drivers to temporarily regenerate

energy from the ELR’s momentum into electricity that can

be stored in the battery pack for later use.  It also is enhanced by selectable drive modes that make the most of efficiency.

With the EREV technology, most daily commutes will require zero gasoline with zero emissions.  Drivers don’t have to fear longer trips because the EREV technology enables the same long-distance freedom as a conventional car.

Other highlights of the Cadillac ELR include the following:

Additional vehicle highlights include:

• Enhanced AT-PZEV emissions meet California’s criteria for single-occupancy access to high occupancy vehicle lanes
• Light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps, daytime running lamps and taillamps, as well as signature front and rear lighting elements
• Twenty-inch wheels paired with tires designed to balance responsive handling and a comfortable ride with efficiency
• Interior design featuring cut-and-sew accented leather  incorporating sueded microfiber, chrome, wood and available carbon fiber finishes throughout
• Cadillac CUE with Navigation is standard. CUE is Cadillac’s breakthrough system for connectivity and control, using Natural Voice Recognition, capacitive touch and hand gestures used on smart phones and tablets
• Programmable charging schedules and downloadable energy efficiency reports available online and through smartphone notification charging alerts
• Cadillac’s advanced active safety features, including Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, along with available Side Blind Zone Alert with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and full-speed-range adaptive cruise control
• Advanced chassis and suspension systems, including HiPer Strut front suspension, compound-crank with Watts link rear suspension and Continuous Damping Control, which adjusts damping every two milliseconds for optimal ride and handling in all conditions
• Standard premium Bose 10-channel audio system with active noise cancellation.

Cadillac ELR production will begin in the United States in late 2013 with sales starting in early 2014 in North America and expanding to global markets including China and Europe.

Backed by its many new vehicles debuting in 2013, GM is predicting global industry growth this year.  GM is launching more vehicles worldwide this year than ever before and many of the most important new vehicles are targeting the U.S. and China, the two largest markets in the world.  By the end of 2013, GM plans to revamp 70 percent of its global products.

The vehicles that are launching this year include the Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickup, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and Cadillac CTS in North America; the Chevrolet Trax in Europe, the Chevrolet Onix and Spin in South America; and the Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Sail

in China.

Dan Ammann, GM senior vice president and chief financial officer, noted that 2012 was a year in which the company improved competitiveness, putting it in a good position for sustained, positive growth.

• GM South America results – returned region to profitability
• GM Europe action – outlined plan to break even by mid-decade
• Pension risk lowered – reduced by $29 billion
• Financial flexibility increased – obtained an investment grade $11 billion revolver
• Continued strong liquidity – total liquidity of $37.5 billion (Q3, 2012)
• Capital expenditures increased – total of approximately $8 billion for 2012
• Ownership by U.S. Treasury – overhang addressed and capital returned
• GM Financial expanded – acquisition of Ally international operations to help close financing gap with coverage in 80 percent of markets where GM competes

“We’ve developed a fortress balance sheet, our brands are getting stronger, and we’ve been disciplined in running our business,” Ammann said.  “We’re now positioned to take a buy generic cialis online ‘straight-line’ investment approach to vehicle development so that we can sustain profitability throughout the business cycle.

“Our new portfolio of new, world-class vehicles puts us on a strong footing to grow profitably,” Ammann added.

GM told analysts at a Deutsche Bank industry conference in Detroit recently that its pretax profit margin in North America should rise from 8 to 10 percent in the next three or four years.  Profit margin is a measure of how much the company earned after costs of doing business.

Through the first three quarters of 2012, GM posted nearly $4 billion in net income with nearly $1.5 billion in the third quarter.  Analysts polled by FactSet expect GM to report $5.35 billion in net income, or $3.24 per share, when it posts 2012 earnings in a few weeks. Pretax income is expected to be $6.58 billion.