Tips for Buying a Classic Car
King Volkswagen knows you love our wide selection of new and certified pre-owned vehicles, but with Volkswagen’s rich history, it’s possible you may be considering purchasing a classic car. In fact, you might want to. Since 2005, classic car collecting has beat real estate and stock market in valuation, making it one of the best ways to invest your money. Bodie Stroud, star of American Restoration and classic car designer for celebrities like Johnny Depp, gives us his best ten tips for buying a classic car.
- Be Patient: “That’s why I always say to just try and be patient, really look for everything and don’t be afraid to pass on a car. Don’t feel like you have to buy the first one you see. Because that’s what I used to do: ‘Oh my god, I want that car!’ You can’t believe the price. But then, after you see what you get, you can believe the price.”
- Find Out What’s Hot: “Buying classic cars is kind of like real estate. You’ve got a certain range of car years that will go up in value, and the next [model] year they’re completely down. So if you have the money, you want to buy them when they’re down. Find the best deal— the best model you can find in the best shape you can find, whether it’s a matching numbers car or not.”
- American or European: Stroud says that the basic rule is that European cars are generally worth more, but they also cost more and are harder to replace parts. American cars are still worth investing in, however their valuation may take longer.
- Is Matching Important?: “People aren’t caring as much about matching numbers [where the stamped serial numbers of the engine, frame and gearbox all match the last six digits of the car’s VIN]. It’s still going to be important in some cases, but it’s more important to get a car that’s in good shape than a car with matching numbers that’s rotted out.”
- Be Thorough: It’s important to take the time to ask questions and be thorough in the car buying process. Don’t rely on pictures. Make sure to ask lots of questions such as how many owners the car has had, what happened to the original motors, how many miles it has on it, etc.
- Pictures are Important: Always try to see the car in person before you buy it, but if you absolutely can’t, make sure you get plenty of visual proof and high quality pictures.
- Pay Attention to the Gaps: Good gaps are representative of a good car, and will cost you less money in the end. Watch out for even panel gaps through the entire car including interior, hood, and trunk lines.
- Drive It: This one is obvious. Pay attention to how the car sounds.
- Look Out for Body Rot: Choose a car with the least amount of body rot, especially under the bottom of the car, where rust is most prevalent.
- Where Should You Buy?: “Arizona, Bakersfield, California, Las Vegas: Any desert car is what I look for. If it’s a native car from one of those areas, you’re much less likely to have excessive body rot.”
“All The Classic Car Buying Tips You Need To Make Your Investment Count.” AskMen. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2016. <http://www.askmen.com/cars/car_tips/rules-for-buying-a-classic-car/>.
2017 Golf Alltrack Debuts in U.S.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. unveiled the U.S. version of the All-Wheel-Drive Golf Alltrack, which is based on the Golf Sportwagen. This car has experienced widespread success due to its ability to appeal to people who want the luxury of an SUV but the sportiness of a car.
The Golf Alltrack shares the Golf SportWagen’s 1.8-L Four-Cylinder TSI® Engine and Six-Speed DSG® Automatic Transmission. But what really sets it apart is the 4MOTION® All-Wheel-Drive system. It’s also received additional upgrades such as unique bumpers, wheel wells and side sills which offer off-road protection and a front fascia that includes foglights and a honeycomb grille, all of which add to the Golf Alltrack’s overall more rugged appearance. Additional features include new leatherette seating surfaces, rearview camera, and VW Car-Net® App-Connect. It also offers a “Off-Road Mode” selection that optimizes traction and control during off-road adventures.
“We heard from dealers and customers that they wanted to see a Golf SportWagen with the all-terrain capability that comes from an all-wheel drive system,” said Joerg Sommer, Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy of Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We are excited to introduce the Golf Alltrack to meet the active lifestyle needs of our customers.”
The 2017 Golf Alltrack will go on sale during the Fall as a 2017 model.
“VOLKSWAGEN DEBUTS U.S. PRODUCTION VERSION OF THE 2017 GOLF ALLTRACK : Volkswagen Media Centre.” Volkswagen Media Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://media.vw.com/release/1165/>.
Volkswagen has announced its dedication to the industry-wide effort to make Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) a standard feature on all new automobiles by September 1st of 2022. This new effort was started through a collaboration between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and it has now received the support of more than 20 automakers including Volkswagen. As a result, this new standard will be put into effect at least three years earlier than it would have without such a wide amount of support.
“It’s an exciting time for vehicle safety. By proactively making emergency braking systems standard equipment on their vehicles, these 20 automakers will help prevent thousands of crashes and save lives,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “It’s a win for safety and a win for consumers.”
It is estimated that the time saved through this mass-collaboration effort will prevent an estimated 28,000 crashes and 12,000 injuries thanks to the technology of AEB. This system works to help prevent crashes before they happen by using cameras, lasers, and radar to monitor the activity around the vehicle and detect when a crash is about to happen. The system then has the ability to automatically apply the brakes to prevent the crash if the driver does not react in time to prevent it themselves.
Along with Volkswagen, the other automakers that have joined in this effort include Audi, BMW, FCA US LLC, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Tesla Motors Inc., Toyota, and Volvo Car USA.
“U.S. DOT and IIHS Announce Historic Commitment of 20 Automakers to Make Automatic Emergency Braking Standard on New Vehicles.”NHTSA. N.p., 17 Mar. 2016. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhtsa.gov%2FAbout%2BNHTSA%2FPress%2BReleases%2Fnhtsa-iihs-commitment-on-aeb-03172016>.
2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Page Coming Soon
If you’re torn between a car and an SUV, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen is the best of both worlds. We invite you down to King Volkswagen to take a test drive and discover it for yourself. However, if you need more convincing, we will be releasing an entire page on our website dedicated to this awesome vehicle! Here you’ll be able to learn about the SportWagen’s standard convenience and safety features, engine and transmission information, EPA estimated MPG, plus the starting MSRP. We’ll be releasing this page in the upcoming days, so check back here for an announcement on our blog!
Volkswagen Announces New President and CEO
Effective immediately, president and CEO, Michael Horn will be leaving Volkswagen Group of America to pursue other opportunities. Horn assumed the role in January 2014 after 25 years of experience with the Volkswagen Group, including Global Head of After Sales. Hinrich J. Woebcken, who currently serves as Head of the North American Region and Chairman of Volkswagen Group of America, will assume Horn’s role for the interim.
“I want personally to say ‘thank you’ to Michael Horn for the great work he has done for the brand and with the dealers in the United States,” said Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen brand. “During his time in the U.S., Michael Horn built up a strong relationship with our national dealer body and showed exemplary leadership during difficult times for the brand,” he added.
“VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CHANGE : Volkswagen Media Centre.” Volkswagen Media Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2016. <http://media.vw.com/release/1159/>.
New Customer Racing Golf Gets GTI Seal
The acronym GTI, Gran Turismo Injection, has been synonymous with quality, power, and performance for 40 years, since the launch of the first Golf GTI in 1976. The newest Golf GTI, a customer racing vehicle which was unveiled in July 2015 has already had widespread popularity among racetracks all over the world. By January, all available models had been snatched up by teams and will be handed over to them this week on March 11th. The cars will race in up to 16 national and international TCR touring car championships this year.
Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director, explains, “The Golf GTI TCR allows customer racing teams to partake in reasonably-priced motorsport with a Volkswagen. Furthermore, the teams can expand their motorsport commitments in numerous TCR championships, both at national and international level. We are providing them with a car that is ideally suited and prepared for this purpose: the Golf has not only made an outstanding impression at tests, but also shown its great potential in competition. We are delighted by the high demand for the car among customer racing teams, which confirms that we are doing a good job.”
There are a lot of factors that go into make the GTI name so infamous. Each Golf has a wider chassis, 18-inch racing rims, an aerodynamic front splitter and carbon rear wing. It has a 2-liter turbo engine with direct fuel injection and generates 330 horsepower and 303 lb-ft of torque. This car is based on the seventh generation of Golf, which is also celebrating its 40th birthday this year. To celebrate, Volkswagen is launching the Golf GTI Clubsport that they revealed at the International Motor Show in September. This vehicle will be powered by a 2-liter TFSI engine that generates 265 horsepower.
“VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI TCR – 330-HP GOLF FOR CUSTOMER RACING RECEIVES GTI SEAL OF QUALITY : Volkswagen Media Centre.” Volkswagen Media Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016. <http://media.vw.com/release/1158/>.
Limited Edition Golf SportWagen Introduced
The release of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Limited Edition was announced last week by Volkswagen of America. Unlike many other brand’s limited edition models, the Golf SportWagen Limited Edition will be placed in the middle of the Golf SportWagen lineup, between the S and SE, to make this car more affordable for customers.
The Golf SportWagen Limited Edition comes standard with a variety of Volkswagen’s innovative driver assistance features such as Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking. Convenience features include panoramic sunroof, SUV-sized cargo space, heated leatherette seating surfaces, and keyless access with a push-button start.
This all-new model also includes several technology features like Volkswagen’s new MIB II infotainment system. Under the hood of this model is the turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which can produce 170 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. It’s pair with a six-speed automatic engine and has an EPA estimate of 35 mpg.
The 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Limited Edition is due to hit dealerships next month at a starting MSRP of $24,995*. We are very excited for it’s release so keep checking back to find out when it will be available here at King Volkswagen where we serve customers from Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, and Germantown, MD!
*All prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and exclude transportation, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges.
“VOLKSWAGEN INTRODUCES GOLF SPORTWAGEN LIMITED EDITION AS VALUE MODEL IN LINEUP : Volkswagen Media Centre.” Volkswagen Media Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2016. <http://media.vw.com/release/1154/>.
Volkswagen Releases February Sales Reports
Volkswagen of America, Inc. released their February 2016 sales results yesterday which totaled 22,321 units. At the forefront of this success was the Tiguan, which had its best February ever with a 78.4 percent increase of 3,245 units. The e-Golf also had its best February ever with 198 units, marking a 52.3 percent increase compared to February 2015.
“We were pleased to see increased retail sales at our dealerships in February, supported by vehicles like the Tiguan,” said Mark McNabb, chief operating officer, Volkswagen of America. “Even though overall sales were down due to seasonal fleet business, we are encouraged by showroom activity this month.”
If you are interested in test driving the Tiguan or the e-Golf, stop by King Volkswagen today!
“VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REPORTS FEBRUARY 2016 SALES RESULTS : Volkswagen Media Centre.” Volkswagen Media Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2016. <http://media.vw.com/release/1152/>.
Volkswagen engineer Alexander Faupel has been presented with the 2016 Chattanooga Area E-Week Young Engineer of the Year award by the Chattanooga Engineers Society. Faupel graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee in 2015 with a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering. He started out working at the North American Engineering and Planning Center (EPC) last summer as an Engineering Associate. Afterwards he spend three months working on the Midsize SUV project with Volkswagen in Germany.
“Congratulations to Alex. We are very proud and happy to have him on the EPC team,” says Dr. Matthias Erb, Executive Vice President of Engineering and Planning. “Volkswagen keeps attracting young talents who help us in our ongoing effort to develop vehicles specifically for the US market.”
King Volkswagen knows that it can be difficult to remember when to schedule service for your vehicle. Therefore, we have provided our customers with our Online Maintenance Menu to help keep you on track. When you visit this menu all you have to do is select the year and make of your vehicle and you will then be directed to a page that will ask you to fill in some additional information including trim level, current mileage and the average miles per month that you put on your vehicle.
Once all of that information is selected just click the “Show Me the Details” button and you will be directed to a page that offers you a full schedule of the proper timeframe for maintenance and what areas of your vehicle should be checked at different intervals.
We encourage you to check out this menu and if you have any additional questions about the proper maintenance for your vehicle then be sure to ask any of our service technicians here at King Volkswagen.
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