Latest Entries
BATTLE OF THE BRANDS Car Show – Event Recap
16 November '11 by HondaExperience, under Dealership News, Events.
Thanks to everyone that came out to our BATTLE OF THE BRANDS Car Show, benefiting SADD on Sunday. We feel all of you made the event a great success! Lots of amazing Honda vehicles, food, and fun had by everyone.
More photos on Facebook, CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE
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SanTan Honda Report: Honda Civic & Fit Named “2011 Best Cars for the Money”
14 November '11 by HondaExperience, under Honda Civic, Honda Fit.
Photo: Honda Fit at SanTan Honda named "Best Car for the Money."
As Arizona car dealers begin pushing out their 2011 models to make room for the 2012 models, this is a great time of year to find a smoking deal on a brand new car. But with so many Arizona car deals to choose from, how do you know which one offers the best car for the money?
Now that people are hanging on to their cars longer, a new car should do more than beat the competition in price – it should also add value to your life from the day you drive it off the dealer’s lot to the day you trade it in.
To make your car-buying decision easy, the car experts at U.S. News & World Report ranked the 2011 Best Cars for the Money. The results highlight cars that not only delight car reviewers, but also provide lower-than-average ownership costs across five years.
The result? Two SanTan Honda models topped the 2011 Best Cars for the Money list: the Honda Civic for “Best Compact Car for the Money” and the Honda Fit for “Best Hatchback for the Money.”
You can check out both award-winning models at SanTan Honda in Chandler, where you can find amazing finance specials like 0.9% APR for 24-36 months on a brand new Honda Civic. (See all of SanTan Honda’s new car specials.)
Stop by our Chandler Honda dealership today!
SanTan Honda
1150 S. Gilbert Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85286
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SanTan Honda Exclusive Video – Honda Fit
10 November '11 by HondaExperience, under Honda Fit, Videos.
The 2012 Honda Fit packs a lot of punch into a compact body size. The Sport edition provides upgrades and details that give an appealing look and convenient interior features. This compact car is at the top of its class for quality and safety. Drivers enjoy the Fit’s easy handling and adjustable cargo space.
To take a test drive or for more information, contact us at (877) 297-1484 or visit us at http://www.santanhonda.com.
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IIHS Ranks the Best Booster Car Seats for Kids
08 November '11 by HondaExperience, under Honda safety.
Looking for a good child booster seat? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released its list of the best child booster car seats in terms of which ones provide the best seat belt fit, and which ones don’t — a key factor in protecting your child from harm.
IIHS is best known for its coveted Top Safety Pick vehicle awards, but it also rates the safety of child booster car seats, giving top scorers BEST BET status. IIHS is the only organization that tells parents which booster seats correctly position a vehicle safety belt for good lap and shoulder belt fit.
Booster seats are an important but often overlooked step for children who have outgrown a forward-facing child-safety seat because they elevate a child who is still too small to be correctly fitted by the adult-sized seat belt. A booster seat helps route the seat belt across the child’s chest and lap to give them the best protection in a crash.
“A record 31 seats have been designated BEST BETS, meaning they correctly position a vehicle safety belt on a typical 4 to 8 year-old in almost any car, minivan, or SUV,” says the IIHS. Prices for these top-rated child booster seats range from less than $15 to several hundred dollars.
Five booster seats are Good Bets for having acceptable belt fit. The IIHS does not recommend six booster seats because with them, seat belts don’t fit properly.
Among booster manufacturers, Harmony Juvenile Products continues to be a standout. All 5 seats the Canadian company currently makes, counting the Dreamtime in both modes, are BEST BETS.
Check out which booster seats made the cut below, or click here for a full list of model numbers and pictures.
Looking for a family car? Five SanTan Honda models have been named “2011 Best Cars for Families” by U.S. News, including the Honda Fit, Honda Civic, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey. Check out all these family-friendly vehicles at SanTan Honda in Chandler, Arizona.
2011 IIHS BOOSTER EVALUATION RESULTS
Best Bets
Britax Frontier 85 SICT
Britax Parkway SGL (high-back mode)
BubbleBum
Chicco KeyFit Strada (high-back mode)
Clek Oobr (high-back mode)
Cosco Pronto (high-back mode)
Cybex Solution X-Fix
Diono/Sunshine Kids Monterey (high-back mode)
Eddie Bauer Auto Booster (high-back mode)
Evenflo Big Kid Amp
Evenflo Big Kid Sport (backless mode)
Evenflo Maestro
Evenflo Symphony 65 e3
Ferrari Dreamway SP (high-back mode)
Graco Argos 70 (high-back mode)
Graco TurboBooster – Baldwin (high-back mode)
Graco TurboBooster Elite (high-back mode)
Harmony Cruz Youth Booster/Harmony Carpooler
Harmony Dreamtime (backless mode)
Harmony Dreamtime (high-back mode)
Harmony Olympian/Secure Comfort Deluxe
Harmony Youth Booster Seat
Kids Embrace Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR (high-back mode)
Recaro ProBooster
Recaro ProSport
Recaro Vivo
Safety 1st Boost Air Protect (high-back mode)
Safety 1st S1 Rümi Air
The First Years B570 Pathway
Good Bets
Britax Parkway SG (high-back mode)
Combi Kobuk Air Thru (backless mode)
Combi Kobuk Air Thru (high-back mode)
Evenflo Symphony 65
Maxi-Cosi Rodi (high-back mode)
NOT RECOMMENDED
Evenflo Chase
Evenflo Express
Evenflo Generations 65
Evenflo Sightseer
Safety 1st All-in-One
Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite
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Exlusive Video – Honda All Season Floor Mats
08 November '11 by HondaExperience, under Videos.
For busy families or an active lifestyle, custom fit Honda all-season floor mats make your vehicle much easier to maintain. They provide easy clean up and allow much less damage than carpet.
To find out more about ordering your custom floormats, contact us at 480-285-2803 or visit www.santanhonda.com
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SanTan Honda Report: 2012 Honda Ridgeline Adds New Sport Model
03 November '11 by HondaExperience, under Dealership News, Honda Ridgeline.
Photo: 2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport
SanTan Honda in Chandler is excited to announce that the 2012 Honda Ridgeline will receive numerous styling upgrades and improved highway fuel economy, along with a new Ridgeline Sport model that provides numerous high-value features.
Honda’s four-door, five-passenger pickup will receive upgrades across all 2012 models, including a refreshed grille design, aerodynamic improvements, friction reduction measures in the engine, and a new EPA fuel rating of 15/21/17 city/highway/combined – a 1 mpg increase in the highway rating.
In addition to the current Ridgeline RT, Ridgeline RTS and Ridgeline RTL models, Honda will introduce a new 2012 Ridgeline Sport model that will add the following features to the Ridgeline RT:
– Exclusive black 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels (+1 inch from RT steel wheels)
– Exclusive black honeycomb grille with black surround
– Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
– Auxiliary audio input jack
– Fog lights; rear privacy glass
– All-weather floor mats
– Black headlight and brake light housings
The 2012 Honda Ridgeline represents an exclusive and innovative approach to the half-ton pickup truck segment by not only offering a strong, functional truck that delivers a wide range of conventional pickup capabilities, but also by focusing on the capabilities that many recreational truck buyers typically need and use.
In addition to offering a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds and a half-ton payload rating, the Honda Ridgeline boasts a roomy and comfortable interior with standard features that rival a luxury sedan.
Check out the 2012 Honda Ridgeline – and the new 2012 Ridgeline Sport! – at SanTan Honda’s Chandler Honda dealership.
SanTan Honda
1150 S. Gilbert Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85286
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2011 Arizona International Auto Show Comes Nov. 24-27
31 October '11 by HondaExperience, under Events.
Photo: 2012 Hond Civic
SanTan Honda is gearing up for the 2011 Arizona International Auto Show, taking place Thanksgiving weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Hundreds of the latest 2012-model year vehicles will be on display at the Phoenix Convention Center November 24-27, including brand-new 2012 Honda models already on sale at SanTan Honda, and 2012 models yet to arrive at our Chandler Honda dealership. Honda representatives will be on-site to answer questions and provide information on these new models.
This exciting Arizona automotive event will offer an up-close look at the newest cars, crossovers, trucks, hybrid vehicles and more, as well as offer visitors the chance to get behind the wheel and test drive several hot new rides. From high-end sports cars to interactive family entertainment, the Arizona International Auto Show offers something for everyone.
2011 Arizona International Auto Show Information
When:
Thursday, November 24, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, November 25, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 26, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, November 27, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Where:
Phoenix Convention Center
100 North Third St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Tickets:
Admission to the Arizona International Auto Show is $10 for adults; $6 for seniors (62 and older), military (with ID), students (under 21 with ID) and children 7-12; and free for children 6 and younger. Discount coupons and advance E-ticket are available on the official auto show website: www.AutoShowPhoenix.com.
For more information on the 2011 Phoenix Auto Show, visit www.AutoShowPhoenix.com. If you like what you see at the Phoenix Auto Show, visit SanTan Honda to test drive a 2012 Honda model right here at our Chandler Honda dealership.
SanTan Honda
1150 S. Gilbert Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85286
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Honda vs. Subaru “Battle of the Brands” Car Show, November 13
28 October '11 by HondaExperience, under Events.
Mark your calendars for November 13th, because SanTan Honda and Subaru Superstore in Chandler will be hosting the 2011 “Battle of the Brands” car show, featuring special guest, rally car driver Dave Mirra!
Car enthusiasts of all kinds will enjoy the Battle of the Brands car show and competition, which will pit Honda, Acura and Subaru models in classes that include Vintage, Modified, Street Legal, Not Street Legal and Race against one another to see which car wins the grand prize trophy and bragging rights as the “2011 Battle of the Brand” winner.
Come see some of the hottest cars in Arizona compete head-to-head and take advantage of the one-on-one Meet and Greet with Dave Mirra while enjoying food, drinks, entertainment, raffles and vendors.
Click here to register your Honda, Acura or Subaru car now before space runs out.
Not looking to compete? Come as SanTan Honda’s special guest on Sunday, November 13th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and enjoy all the fun happening at the 2011 Battle of the Brands car show, located at Subaru Superstore off the SanTan 202 freeway and Gilbert Rd in Chandler, Arizona.
2011 Battle of the Brands Car Show
November 13, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
1050 S. Gilbert Road
Chandler, AZ 85286
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10 Tips for First-Time Car Buyers
26 October '11 by HondaExperience, under Dealership News.
Buying a car for the first time is a celebratory moment in anyone’s life, regardless of age, which is why SanTan Honda is happy to provide this list of 10 Tips for First-Time Car Buyers, compiled by the car experts at Kelley Blue Book’s www.kbb.com.
“The car-buying process is never filled with as much uncertainty as it is for the first time,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. ”With this advice in mind, Kelley Blue Book hopes to alleviate some of the stress inherent with such a large financial decision.”
From what you should buy to how you should buy it and where, here are the Top 10 Tips for First-Time Car Buyers:
10. Establish a realistic budget
This figure is generally based on what you can afford per month. Calculate your cost-of-living in all the more important areas, like shelter, food, health insurance and Happy Hour. Once you have that total, the remainder could be spent on a car payment, car insurance and, of course, gas for your new ride.
9. Know what you can spend monthly
While this may look similar to #10, your level of indebtedness is different from your monthly commitment. If you choose to finance your car, figure $25/month for every thousand dollars that you borrow for 48 months, and $20/month for 60-month financing.
8. Establish your transportation needs
Make sure to choose a car that best fits your needs. For instance, if your lifestyle or career requires a car for hauling heavy items, then invest in a larger, heavy-duty vehicle. Given the cost of fuel, insurance and – in many cities – monthly parking, don’t buy what you don’t need.
7. Identify and prioritize your wants
The first-time purchase doesn’t need to be your be-all/end-all acquisition, but you should still pay attention to your ‘want’ list. Better to stretch a bit for those features that will bring more satisfaction in your purchase and prevent buyer’s remorse.
6. Do your research (it’s never been easier)
There is an incredible amount of information and perspective on new cars and their late-model alternatives. There are listings devoted to cars for teenagers, cars for students and first-time buyers. Check out Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com expert reviews, owner reviews and consumer guides for more information on your future ride.
5. Locate a convenient dealer
Don’t feel intimidated, as the dealership salesman is closer to a normal person than you think. When deciding between different car models, compare dealer locations and showroom environments. We tend to stay away from dealerships where two-thirds of the sales staff is sitting or standing at the front of the entrance.
4. Take a test drive
With all of the online sources available for your basic research, we believe the importance of the test drive has been marginalized. Virtually nothing is more important in your decision process than how you feel behind the wheel. And so many variables come into play — seat height, wheel adjustment, steering feel, throttle tip-in, outward visibility, control layout, etc. — that you simply must spend a reasonable amount of time driving the car. And that time should be more than five minutes on someone’s idea of a stop-and-go test route. Take at least half an hour, while trying stop-and-go, freeway merging and freeway speeds. And if your sales rep — you know, the normal guy trying to make a living — doesn’t have the 30 minutes, find a time when he or she does, or take the time to find another dealership.
3. Determine the proper purchase price
Once you’ve decided what you like — and have already established what you can afford — it’s time to arrive at a purchase price. This, too, has been made easier by online sites such as this one. KBB.com has its Fair Purchase Price, which gives you an accurate idea of what people have paid in your area for the car you have an interest in. A credit union should also be able to provide you with perspective, and may have a contact on the showroom floor. An important note regarding referrals: Get the referral before taking another salesman’s time for a walkaround and demo. Most of these people work on commission, and commissions are notoriously small. If you plan on working with a referral, start with a referral. Finally, when discussing what you want to pay, don’t reveal a “per month” number; that’s the oldest trick in the book. If you’re thinking you can budget $20K — and you’re looking at a $25K car — tell ‘em $20K. You can always work up…while it’s much harder to back up.
2. Secure financing, or know your options
Financing issues are somewhat like the purchase price; there has been an exponential growth in the number of resources. That, however, is mitigated by your lack of credit history or, in an increasing number of instances, marginal credit history. The last thing you want, however, is to be in a room with an F&I (Finance and Insurance) rep, and he or she is holding all the cards; the deck — if you will — is stacked against you. Better to talk with your credit union, bank or insurance provider (many have the capability and desire to finance your purchase), and line up your financing in advance. You can always go with the dealer option if it’s competitive — but never approach it as if the dealer is the only money game in town.
1. Enjoy the process
We know, the above advice makes buying a car seem like an ordeal, but even those with no interest or passion in a car or truck can — if the process is given half a chance — be stimulated by the sheer variety of options available, and the genuine creativity that goes in to today’s automotive menu. With financing rates low, the American industry on firm financial footing, Japanese plants up and running and the Koreans going like gangbusters, your options have never been better (especially in the “entry-level” category) — and car ownership never more rewarding. Take your time in the process, and you’ll be delighted with the outcome for at least the first 48 (or 60) monthly payments.
Now that you’re armed with the information you need to buy your first car, head to a dealership that’s known for being extremely helpful without being pushy: SanTan Honda. Our Chandler Honda dealership features the largest selection of new and used Hondas – and the friendliest sales staff – in Arizona.
SanTan Honda
1150 S. Gilbert Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85286
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Marco Simoncelli Dies After Crashing Honda at Malaysian Grand Prix
24 October '11 by HondaExperience, under Dealership News.
Photo: Raymond Ho/Associated Press
Motorsports fans are reeling after learning that Marco Simoncelli, a rising presence on the MotoGP race tour, died after crashing his Honda during the Malaysian Grand Prix yesterday. News of Simoncelli’s death comes less than 24 hours after the funeral for Dan Wheldon, the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner who died in a crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 16.
According to reports, Simoncelli lost control of his Honda on turn No. 11 just four minutes into the race. He regained partial traction, but veered across the course into the path of Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards. Rossi returned unharmed to the pits, while Edwards suffered a dislocated shoulder from the fall.
Race officials said Simoncelli was in cardiac arrest when emergency personnel responded and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Simoncelli was only 24 when he died.
Unlike Wheldon’s death at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which has been criticized by drivers and race analysts for years for being too dangerous, a safety representative for MotoGP riders says Simoncelli’s fatal result from the accident was unpreventable.
It was the same track on which Simoncelli won the 2008 world championship in the 250cc class.
SanTan Honda offers our deepest sympathies to Simoncelli’s family and fans during this difficult time.
[Photo Courtesy: NY Times Blog Wheels Blog]
