We've Received a Positive Review on Google+ Local!

Here's a recent customer review on Honda of Gainesville: 

"We have always serviced the car here, and they have always been super-courteous, organized, careful and I think the prices are reasonable. It might be a bit cheaper at a Tires Plus etc but I feel that it's well worth the fact that they know the vehicle inside and out and have a reputation that they will stand by. Anyway, Honda's don't require a lot of maintenance; I had to junk my 8-year old Chevy Venture with a perfectly good motor and body because the maintenance costs were unbearable. [Remove the motor to change the spark plugs, replace the door to fix the power window.] The waiting room is nice and they will give you a courtesy-shuttle."

Thanks for the feedback!

The 2013 Honda Accord: Perfect for busy bloggers, or the rest of us

Keep your child safe during Child Passenger Safety Month

September is Child Safety Passenger Month, and child safety in the car is always a top priority. Here's a quick, simple checklist to make sure that your child passenger is safe during your next errand:

1. Right Seat

Check the label on your car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height.

2. Right Place

Keep all children in the back seat until they are 13.

3. Right Direction

Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, usually until around age 2.

4. Inch Test

A properly installed seat will not move more than an inch.

5. Pinch Test

Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and you are unable to pinch any excess webbing.

Honda introduces the all new 2013 Civic Type R

For most consumers, the Honda Civic is a vehicle that will do its job as a compact car; it can provide good mileage and a solid driving experience, but it’s not the first car you'll look at for sportiness.  This might change soon, as Honda will soon be launching the Type R, a new twist on the Civic that will debut initially in Europe.  According to Takanobu Ito, president of Honda, offering customers “something sporty” is very important for the Japanese manufacturer.  The Type R is a higher-performance Civic hatchback that should eventually be sold domestically.   Another vehicle, a yet-unnamed compact SUV, should also hit European retailers soon, according to Honda.

Honda has been developing Type R vehicles for close to two decades now and their experience is definitely trust worthy.The Civic Type R like all its other siblings sport the red Type R badge on its back and this makes the vehicle look even better than the original.

As a sportier hatchback, Honda should be joining manufacturers such as Ford, Hyundai and Volkswagen in adding excitement to a car class many consider unexciting.  The compact SUV, on the other hand, will be based on Honda’s existing Fit/Jazz subcompact cars.  Still, Honda hasn’t revealed any specifics on the Type R or the compact SUV, except for the fact they will be first launched on European soil.

-Courtesy of Auto-Types.com and Tell Me News

We've Received a 5-star Review on DealerRater!

Here's a recent customer reviews on Honda of Gainesville:

"This is our sixth Honda Accord, and from time of arrival to leaving in new car was less than two hours. We really appreciate that Olumide was straightforward and well informed, and the sales managers were friendly and not too pushy. The car we wanted was parked right out front, like it was waiting for us. We like the new features of the 2013 Accord, and it is parked right next to our 2009. (We traded a 2003).

We had test drove the Toyota Camry Hybrid in late August, and were ready to buy. Our experience at the Gainesville Toyota dealership had us running into the pouring rain (they held the keys to our trade until it was storming.) They played every one of those dumb games about financing, value of trades, hanging on to keys, special deals. Argggh. We were paying cash, and we just wanted to buy a car.

Thanks for not doing all those things."

Thanks for the feedback! We appreciate our customers!

Test drive the Honda #Civic at Honda of Gainesville

The Honda Civic offers safety, fuel economy, and the reliability that only comes from a Honda. See our selection the the 2012 Civic and visit us for more information: http://bit.ly/MTpkO3

The all-new 2013 Honda Accord; built with you in mind

We've Received a Positive Review on Google+ Local!

Here's the latest customer review on Honda of Gainesville:

" Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 I find it hard to believe I am writing a favorable review of a car dealership but I can honestly say that my last/first visit to the newly renovated and restructured Honda of Gainesville’s service department was excellent. Maybe it's because I entered the property from 39th street on the north side of the building, but I did have a hard time finding the service entrance. However, once located, the service staff greeted me immediately and introduced me to my service rep for the day, who already knew what I was there for because we had discussed what services my car needed and made the appointment online. Even though I had requested a specific technician, who was recommended by a friend, there was not a long delay before Phil was working on my car and the oil was changed and my new key was cut & programmed. While I waited I couldn't help but notice the roomy and comfortable TV room with the large flat screen TV and lounge chairs, the dining area - yes the dining area where you can order and eat lunch or get your free cookie or muffin, and the computer area. My favorite part of the visit was being able to access the dealership's Wi-Fi system with no trouble at all on my Macbook Pro laptop and work while I waited. The only snafu I encountered was that my service rep had offered me a $5 discount, since the coupon I had didn't apply (my car requires synthetic oil), but he had left for lunch before my car was ready and didn't leave a note for the next person handling my job. Consequently, the discount was not applied so the bill had to be reprinted. In the scheme of all the things that can happen when you take your car in for service, I'd say that was a 1 out of 10 with 10 being the worst thing that could happen; especially since the guy that had to reprint the invoice was very apologetic and nice about it. Overall, I am pleased with Honda of Gainesville's service department and I will go back the next time my 2011 CRV EX-L requires service."

Thanks for the customer feedback! We appreciate it!

We've Received a 5-star Review on Yelp!

Here's the latest customer review on Honda of Gainesville:

"I had been looking at Hondas for the past year over the internet.  After talking with a couple of friends regarding their Honda, I decided I would just test drive one. I have never owned a Honda before.  I emailed the dealership a couple of times, they suggested that I come in and look around and maybe test drive one. After arriving at Honda of Gainesville, the sale person, (Sheryl) met with me; she was very knowledgeable about the car, and very professional with a great sense of humor.  I was sold, I bought the 2012 Honda.  I am really enjoying my new classy Honda!"

Thanks for the review! We appreciate our customer feedback!

Honda CR-V Takes Top Spot In New Compact Crossover SUV Comparison

The Honda CR-V is the winner of Kelley Blue Book's all-new 2012/2013 Compact Crossover SUV Comparison!

Concerns about fuel prices may have tempered America's love affair with sport-utility vehicles, but it has by no means brought it to an end. Instead, many Americans seem to be aligning their vehicle shopping based on a realistic assessment of their needs and economic situation. As a consequence, compact SUVs have become one of the hottest vehicle categories in a slowly reviving U.S. auto market.

Today, small crossovers outsell mid-size SUVs nearly 5-to-1.

The expert editors of Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com compared five of the top contenders in the affordable compact SUV class. Three are newly redesigned vehicles: the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. Meanwhile, the current design of the Chevy Equinox has been available to shoppers since the 2010 model year, and the Toyota RAV4 is the group's veteran, with its current design dating back to 2006.

KBB.com's editors put these popular vehicles through their paces for a head-to-head car comparison test. They poked, prodded, slammed doors, checked connectivity, cargo holds, front seats, back seats, fit, finish and window stickers. Then they collectively debated details, argued merits, and ultimately came to a consensus.

"In KBB.com's recent comparison test of new compact crossover SUVs, the Honda CR-V emerged as the clear winner and demonstrated why it has become one of the best-selling vehicles in America in recent years," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "Car shoppers continue to embrace the growing compact crossover SUV class, finding that their perfect balance of utility and economy delivers just what consumers both need and want in their next new vehicle. The Honda CR-V takes first place for its blend of smooth ride and power, competitive fuel economy, outstanding assembly quality, first-rate materials, quiet operation, exceptional comfort and excellent value story."

Monday Maintenance Tip: Roadside Emergency Kit

Even if you are a faithful follower of regular maintenance, some breakdowns are unavoidable. Do yourself a favor and save some room in your trunk for the following items. They could turn a potential trip-wrecker into nothing more than an unexpected pit stop:

• Screwdrivers and wrenches of various sizes
• Jumper cables
• A jack and tire iron
• A can of "Fix-a-Flat" for temporarily sealing and inflating a flat tire
• Water for both the radiator and yourself
• Emergency flares and reflectors
• Gloves
• Blanket and towel
• Flashlight

-Courtesy of How Stuff Works

We've Received a Two Positive Reviews on Google+ Local!

Here are some recent customer reviews on Honda of Gainesville:

"We owned a Honda Accord when we moved to Gainesville in 2005 and had it serviced at Honda of Gainesville. The representatives were as helpful and considerate as if we'd purchased it here. Pricing is fair, always accompanied by as much explanation as is required to be certain that we understand what is to be done and why it's necessary. It seemed only natural to return to Honda of Gainesville when we were ready to buy our Honda CRV."

"The service department was the best! They all have smiles and are very helpful. They make you very welcome. I do find the younger staff in sales somewhat rude. They know you are not there to buy. If you have a question they don't want to be bothered! They do need to remember that I will be back tobuy another Honda. I have bought two and my daughters have bought one each.Maybe they should watch the staff in the service department to see how its done."

 

Thanks for the reviews! Customer service is our top priority!

We've Received a Positive Review on Yelp!

Here's a recent customer review on Honda of Gainesville:

"I've been doing business with this dealership for years.........they keep getting bigger and bigger.......but they are still able to supply good customer service....which we all know is a dying art!  Everyone that works there seems to be on the same page......make the customer happy and treat them well. The waiting room area is great and the little food bar is a really good idea. I came in for a specific problem/service and that's what I got......no one tried to sell me anything I didn't want or need. I was in and out in a reasonable amount of time. I have no complaints.  I feel good knowing I own a dependable vehicle that is cared for by people who know the meaning of good business."

Thanks for the continued feedback! Our customers are very important to us!

Honda prepares to launch new hybrid technology

Plenty of people think Honda Motor Co is not the kind of daring, risk-taking company it once was. One of them is Takanobu Ito, who just happens to be the Japanese automaker's chief executive.

His solution? A simple, gasoline-electric hybrid technology which he believes will set a new standard for fuel efficiency and recapture the success of the CVCC engine 40 years ago, which helped transform Honda from a small company into a global leader.

Carmakers, battling to stand out in an industry hammered by over-capacity and weak demand, are looking for an optimum balance of gasoline and electricity to propel cars after Toyota Motor Corp's triumph with the Prius hybrid.

Initially tentative in embracing the technology, Honda believes it has found the right formula with a revamped version of its "one motor" hybrid system.

"We believe we have reached a point with hybrid technology ... where we can provide game-changing technology and products," Ito told Reuters on Wednesday.

"We believe that rivals will definitely follow us."

Honda's new hybrid system will power the next generation of its cars and could be introduced in the remodelled Fit subcompact car by late 2013 in Japan, according to people close to the company.

Honda introduced its "one motor" hybrid system in 1999. It is currently used in models including the CR-Z compact sports car and the Fit subcompact, also known as the Jazz.

RECAPTURING FORMER GLORIES

Since becoming chief executive in 2009, the 59-year-old Ito has pushed Honda to come up with its own hybrid technology and repeat the successes of its hard-driving founder.

Soichiro Honda championed advances such as fuel-efficient CVCC engines with cleaner tailpipe emissions in the 1970s, and saw them adopted by carmakers including Toyota, Ford and Chrysler.

Honda needs that kind of a booster again.

It is now counting on the new Accord mid-sized car, its core model for the U.S. market which was launched there this month. Ito said the car's engine, transmission and platform have all undergone improvements.

Ito also sees the next Fit series as key to improving the company's performance. For the North American market, the Fit will be built in Mexico and will go on sale in the spring of 2014, sources close to the firm said.

Developing new technologies is costly and Honda, which spends about 500 billion yen ($6.4 billion) in R&D annually, does not rule out alliances.

"We absolutely won't reject an alliance if we can work together with another company in a way that leads to our customers being more impressed with Honda's products," Ito said.

"But if we are just going to put onto our product an advanced technology that another company has developed, then Honda engineers will be deprived of the joy of involvement, so that is not the way to go."

-Courtesy of NY Daily News

Be a TailGator at Honda of Gainesville!

We know that the Gator Nation wants to be at Florida Field every Saturday or at an NFL stadium each Sunday...but if you can't be at the game, then come by Honda of Gainesville and tailgate party with us!

Every Saturday and Sunday during the fall, Honda of Gainesville is going all-out to tailgate like a superstar. That means free refreshments for our
neighbors, friends and customers, three big-screen TV's set up for
the games and more! So come on down to Honda of Gainesville every
weekend during football season and root your favorite team to victory!
Honda of Gainesville. Your dealer. Your town.

Here's the 2012 Florida Gators' Football Schedule

9/1 vs. Bowling Green
9/8 @ Texas A&M
9/15 @ Tennessee
9/22 vs. Kentucky
10/6 vs. LSU
10/13 @ Vanderbilt
10/20 vs. South Carolina
10/27 vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)
11/3 vs. Missouri
11/10 vs. UL-Lafayette (Homecoming)
11/17 vs. Jacksonville State
11/24 @ Florida State

Be a TailGator at Honda of Gainesville!

We know that the Gator Nation wants to be at Florida Field every Saturday or at an NFL stadium each Sunday...but if you can't be at the game, then come by Honda of Gainesville and tailgate party with us!

Every Saturday and Sunday during the fall, Honda of Gainesville is going all-out to tailgate like a superstar. That means free refreshments for our
neighbors, friends and customers, three big-screen TV's set up for
the games and more! So come on down to Honda of Gainesville every
weekend during football season and root your favorite team to victory!
Honda of Gainesville. Your dealer. Your town.

Here's the 2012 Florida Gators' Football Schedule

9/1 vs. Bowling Green
9/8 @ Texas A&M
9/15 @ Tennessee
9/22 vs. Kentucky
10/6 vs. LSU
10/13 @ Vanderbilt
10/20 vs. South Carolina
10/27 vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)
11/3 vs. Missouri
11/10 vs. UL-Lafayette (Homecoming)
11/17 vs. Jacksonville State
11/24 @ Florida State

Honda Accord plug-in hybrid review: Like the Chevy Volt, only normal

Think of the new Honda Accord PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) as a Chevrolet Volt in disguise, one that recharges in just an hour. The Volt shouts “different” to the neighbors while the Accord plug-in whispers its differences compared to conventional Volts and Toyota Priuses. If you want your PHEV to announce itself, Honda isn’t playing the self-gratification game. That’s a challenge in a country where most people don’t drop a dollar in the barista’s tip jar until she’s watching. For what may be sound engineering and cost reasons, the Accord runs 10-15 miles on battery power while the Volt goes 30-35. All this adds up to a roomy, comfortable car for 4-5 that will be in need of practical-minded buyers. The Accord PHEV looks the same as the 350,000 other new Accords likely to be bought in the US in 2013. As public recharging stations take hold, the Accord PHEV’s quick charge time may turn into a significant advantage. It will probably cost around $35,000 when it goes on sale in early 2013.

A test drive of the Accord PHEV is a non-event. It’s quiet, quick, roomy in back, expends energy going uphill and gets a lot of it back heading downhill. When the gasoline Earth Dreams four-cylinder gasoline engine kicks in, it’s unobtrusive and isn’t buzzy or raspy. On one test loop at a Honda media event, the EV battery was almost depleted. Plug in the industry-standard J1772 charge connector and in less than 10 minutes on 220-volt charge the battery was almost half full. In urban driving, my loop of eight miles should have exhausted the partially charged battery but I finished with three miles of battery juice showing.

Unlike a full-electric car such as the Ford Focus Electric, Nissan Leaf or Tesla S, there’s no range anxiety because of the Accord PHEV’s gasoline engine. Once that kicks in, you can go another 500 miles, Honda estimates, on a tank of fuel. Honda believes it will get more than 100 mpge while the 2013 Volt has eked up to 98 mpge (and 37 mpg under gasoline power). The mpge rating (miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent) equates driving using utility-company-supplied energy vs. driving the same vehicle with a combustion engine. Electricity is at least twice as efficient as gasoline, thus a car rated at 30-40 mpg will get an mpge around 90-100.

-Courtesy of ExtremeTech

2013 Honda Accord Sport

When Honda announced the arrival of the 2013 Accord, we approached the reveal with measured skepticism. Like a dog suffering under the feigned throw-the-ball trick, we had no interest in going down the path of excitement and disappointment. Honda was going to have to prove it still knew how to build a competitive car.

Competitiveness starts with stylishness. Fortunately, the 2013 Accord is a remarkably good looking vehicle. Designers have managed to revitalize the exterior without making the sedan unrecognizable, which is important for a model that's sold 11 million units in the U.S. alone since Honda began manufacturing the Accord here some 30 years ago. Engineers shortened the new generation by 3.6 inches, which has done much to take the heft out of the design. With abbreviated overhangs front and rear, the new Accord doesn't look as portly as its predecessor, and that's a huge step in the right direction.

Up front, the 2013 model can't help but look attractively aggressive thanks to its swept headlamp arrays and inset fog lamps. Of course, the chicken-wire mesh lower grille of our Sport trim tester helps in that department, too. All in all, the front clip seems to have cribbed from the Acura design playbook of 2004, which is by no means meant as a slight. We dig it.

That Sport trim is one of two new lines in the Accord stable. Higher up the chain, buyers will now find Touring models available on the order sheet. Snugged between the LX and nicer EX, the Sport trim delivers a range of aesthetic adjustments outside that include 18-inch wheels as well as a deck lid spoiler and a whopping four-horsepower nudge in grunt from the direct-injection four-cylinder engine under the hood. Be still our beating hearts. The interior also gets a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle-shifters on CVT-equipped models. Honda says the new trim line is an effort to lower the age of the average Accord buyer.

Viewed broadside, it's easier to get a glimpse of the sedan's massive passenger cell and expansive greenhouse. Honda managed to maintain the Accord's cavernous cabin and actually expand trunk volume while clipping the vehicle's overall length thanks to some packaging cleverness, and the result is a bit of a bubble roof. Surprisingly enough, the 2013 Accord has managed to maintain its slim A and C pillars even in the face of harder-to-ace roof-crush safety tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Given how readily engineers have come to embrace chunky arches, the thin lines are a welcome sight.

I'll admit, I actually sighed with relief when I plopped myself into the driver's seat. I was prepared for all manner of cabin travesties inside the 2013 Accord. Instead, I was met with a mature and attractive instrument panel without an overabundance of buttons. Snappy faux brushed-metal accents separate control clusters for the climate controls and stereo, though higher trims get a new touch-screen interface for the media system. All models get a huge eight-inch LCD display to handle video from the standard rear-view camera, as well as a new optional blind spot camera system.

LaneWatch is a new piece of safety tech that uses a small camera in the passenger-side mirror to keep an eye on the vehicle's blind spot. Hit the right turn signal when changing lanes and the eight-inch display immediately switches to the side-view feed, complete with helpful distance markers to let you know if it's clear to get over. You can also leave the feed on all the time or turn it off completely if you find it too distracting. Make no mistake, this tech is going to show up on every car on the market very soon.

-Courtesy of Auto Blog

The first Honda ever made for the U.S

A ‘Can Do’ Gearhead Turned This $100 1981 Honda Accord Into A Gem

We see a lot of awesome rebuilt classics. People take old European sports cars, American muscle, and supercars and breathe new life into them. But this Washington State gearhead showed what can be accomplished with a $100 beater and a few good ideas.

He started with a 2-door 1981 Honda Accord hatchback with a blown head gasket. Aside from the engine trouble, it was in decent enough shape, but this guy got down to details, pressure washing the carpets, rebuilding the engine, even installing a new electronic ignition system from a '90s Ford. Then he got some pedals and a new transmission, and now has a 5-speed manual. Bravo!

This is the kind of trial and error non-factory spec experimentation we like to see. It doesn't cost too much money, and the result can be something better than what came out of the factory. Sure, he farmed out some of the work to a machinist, but he has a great Japanese hatch that would have ended up in the crusher looking and running good.

Courtesy of Car Buzz