Initial cost is not the only thing that makes a car an economical purchase. It's actually the long-term investment aspect that plays the biggest role. A cheaper vehicle up-front may, in actuality, cost more to maintain over its lifespan.
“Car shoppers should take the time to compare vehicles on their consideration lists to fully understand the financial implications involved with cost of ownership,” says Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book. “While a vehicle might be less expensive up front, the cost of fuel for that model, insurance and other expenditures could make it the less appealing choice for their wallet in the long run.”
Forbes recommends doing thorough research before making a purchase. They consulted Kelley Blue Book, which recently announced its inaugural Total Cost of Ownership Awards. The kbb.com website focuses on these variables of cost, among others:
1) Depreciation Value: How will the car hold up over time? kbb.com bases its predictions on historical data (how the model has performed in the past) and economic factors.
2) Fuel Economy: Gas is expected to rise going into the summer months. Significant amounts of money can be saved by buying a more fuel efficient vehicle; estimates put savings due to fuel costs at close to $900/year. That's close to $4500 of savings over the standard 5-yr span.
3) Auto Insurance: Insurance is mostly based on the driver's past experience, age, credit rating, address, etc., but it is also based on the model of the car. Luxury brands and sports cars tend to have higher insurance costs to start, while family minivans and SUVs will have a lower starting insurance cost.
According to kbb.com, the Best Brand for 2012 in their Total Cost of Ownership Awards is none other than Kia. Kia is sweeping the Unites States car scene off its feet with its stellar fuel economy and resale value. The Kia Soul heads KBB's Compact Car category because "its lowest-in-category fair purchase price matched with outstanding fuel and insurance cost figures combined to give it nearly a $1,300 advantage over the Hyundai Elantra."
In the Mid-Sized car category Kia and its sister company Hyundai switched places; the Hyundai Sonata beat out Kia's Optima to win the top spot. Similarly, the Hyundai Santa Fe outpaced the Kia Sorento in the Crossover category "based on its combination of lowest fair purchase price and lowest long-term depreciation coupled with lower maintenance and insurance costs."
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Best In Show: Kia Optima
2012 has been a very good year already for the North Korean
automaker Kia. Kia cars have been
garnering awards and accolades for their newest models left and right. The latest of these honors is the Kia Optima's title of "2012 Car of the Year" by Canada's Motoring TV, a weekly national half hour magazine style television program. The Optima also scored Motoring TV's
"Best New Family Car" and the Kia Rio won "Best Small Car Under
$21,000" category. Kia's win marks
the first time in the 22-year history of giving out these distinctions that Motoring
TV has awarded the same company "Car of the Year" back-to-back. The Kia Sportage earned the designation last
year.
"The
Kia Optima can be all things to all potential customers," said Brad Diamond of Motoring
TV. "You have the regular sedan, the go faster model with its 274 turbo
charged horsepower, and hybrid for those looking to do their bit for the
planet."
"The 2012 Optima is a world-class vehicle
encompassing a dynamic modern design, a driver-oriented award-winning interior,
technology and top safety elements that have all contributed to make it a "Car
of the Year" winner," said William Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kia Canada Inc.
"Having some of the top automotive journalists in Canada from Motoring TV validate the Optima
and Rio further supports our flourishing brand value."
A big reason for the win was the Optima's new five-star
safety rating under the recently revamped crash safety testing system conducted by
the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHSTA). Only 12 other car models have earned the
NHSTA five-star rating. The new system includes
tougher crash tests, and, for the first time, provides consumers with a single
overall safety score per vehicle. Standard safety features on the Optima
include:
- Six airbags (dual advanced front and front-seat mounted side as well as full-length side curtain)
- Anti-whiplash front active headrests
- Side-impact door beams
- Height-adjustable front seatbelts with pre-tensioners
- Three-point seatbelts for all seating positions
- Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
- Four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Vehicle Stability Management system (VSM),
- Brake Assist System (BAS)
- Hill Assist Control (HAC)
Available in several trim variations - LX, EX, SX
and Hybrid - the Optima is sure to offer a vehicle that suits your needs. Each variation maintains impressive mileage; the
2012 Kia Optima delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of up to 24 mpg city and 35
mpg highway, among the highest in the class and on par with some smaller cars. For maximum economy, the Optima Hybrid
delivers 36 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The Optima combines the amazing fuel economy
with an elegant design, everyday comfort, and an exciting array of technological
features like Bluetooth wireless
technology with steering wheel-mounted controls, USB and auxiliary input jacks,
and Sirius XM satellite radio capabilities.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
So You Think You Know Jack?
Is
your child or pet a big fan of Gary Rome Auto Group? Catch them on video reacting to a Gary Rome
Auto Group commercial and one lucky winner could be the new star of the next
Gary Rome Auto Group commercial!
OFFICIAL RULES:
Go to http://www.gotogary.com/video/ to submit your entry.
1. Contest Dates:
The “So You Think You Know Jack?”
contest begins February 1, 2012, and ends March 31, 2012.
VIDEO SUBMISSION PERIOD: February 1,
2012 - March 31, 2012
SELECTION OF BEST VIDEOS: April 1, 2012
- April 13, 2012
NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS: April 16,
2012 - April 20, 2012
2. Eligibility:
Submitting a video in this contest is
open to persons who on the date of entry are legal residents of one
(1) of the fifty (50) United States or
the District of Columbia, at least eighteen (18) years of age (or age of majority if greater than 18), and
who are registered users of http://www.youtube.com or
http://vimeo.com. Employees, officers,
directors and their immediate family members of the contest
entities and each of their respective
parents, affiliated and subsidiary companies, advertising and
promotion agencies, legal and
financial advisors, and any and all other companies associated with this contest are not eligible to enter. For
purposes of this contest, "immediate family members" means
parents, spouses, children, siblings,
in-laws, grandmothers, or grandfathers.
3. Video Submission Requirements:
- Running Time: Five (5) minute maximum, including any credits. If entry is longer than five (5) minutes, the entry may be disqualified in the Administrator’s sole discretion.
- Language: English
- Video: The video should feature your pet or your child's reaction to watching a Gary Rome Auto Group commercial.
- Age: Any child recorded in the video must be ten (10) years of age or younger.
4. Judging to Determine the Potential
Winners:
All eligible video submissions
received during the video submission period will be watched and
judged. The judges will score each eligible entrant’s
video based on the following judging criteria,
each given equal weight:
- Does the video feature either a pet and/or a child (under the age of ten (10))?
- How original/creative/entertaining, to all age groups, is the video submission?
- How favorable is the Video Submission to Gary Rome Auto Group?
- For helpful examples, check out the following links:
Based on the above judging criteria,
the winning videos will be chosen.
5. Additional Terms:
All entrants of the “So You Think You Know Jack?” contest
must agree to the following terms and
conditions. DO NOT enter this contest
if you do not agree with these terms and conditions. Your video submissions may be used for
a Gary Rome Auto Group commercial but may not be copied, sold or distributed to other persons.
We reserve the rights to change the
rules and prizes without any written notice.
6. Disclaimer of Warranties and
Liabilities:
The undersigned (the participant or
the legal guardian, if the former is less than 18 years of age) for and in consideration of the granting of
permission to Gary Rome Auto Group, agrees to refrain from suing and discharges Gary Rome Auto Group
and its officers, agents and employees from all liability arising out of the participation of the
contestant in the “So You Think You Know Jack?” contest. The
undersigned agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Gary Rome Auto Group for any loss or damage that the contestant may incur due to
the acts or the omissions of the contestant while participating in the aforementioned
event. The undersigned having read and understood agrees to comply with the
rules and the safety provisions established for the contest.
7. Consent of Release:
By submitting your video you give Gary
Rome Auto Group the rights to use your video in any/or all
promotional spots. As a guardian, you
will be required to fill out a consent form for any contestant under the age of eighteen
(18). Proof of guardianship will be required.
8. Who Won:
The winning entrants will be notified
on or by April 20, 2012.
Grand prize: The lucky winner will be
featured in an upcoming Gary Rome Auto Group commercial
& receive a choice of a $250
American Express gift card or a $250 Dave's Soda & Pet City gift card.
Transportation to the filming studio,
in West Springfield, MA, is the responsibility of the winner.
Every valid submission will receive a
stuffed Jack doll.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Kudos To Kia
Kia Motors has continued its rise to brand stardom in recent months, racking up awards and accolades for various achievements. Design, safety, eco-friendly -- Kia has it all.
In November, the Kia Picanto won the International Forum (iF) Design award. The three-door Picanto, only available in Europe, won the award for its "pure design quality, workmanship, innovation and eco-friendliness." The Picanto boasts a sporty exterior, Bluetooth voice activation, and other nifty features, as well as a low CO2 emissions rate of 95 g/km. Along with its 7-year/100,000 mile warranty, and low price, it's no wonder the Kia Picanto won the fourth Kia iF Design Award in three years.
Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer said: "Receiving the iF product design award for the new Kia Picanto is a great success for our design team and it is welcome recognition of our brand's design-oriented strategy."
A month later, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named their Top Safety Picks for 2012. A record 115 models all made the cut for various vehicle segments. The IIHS rating tests include:
• 40 mph frontal offset crash tests
• 31 mph side-impact tests
• A roof test requiring the vehicle to withstand a force of four times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. (The IIHS roof test is more severe than the government's, though a tougher federal rule takes effect for 2013 models.)
• A 20 mph rear crash that also tests the head restraint protection
The Kia Soul and Forte sedan both won Top Safety Pick awards for the small-car classification. The Optima won for midsize moderately priced cars, the Sportage for small SUVs, and the Sorento for midsize SUVs.
Vroomgirls.com came out with their first ever Cars of the Year Awards for 2011. Who did they choose for Best Hatchback? The Kia Rio SX! In their words the Rio is "fantastically roomy, agile on the road, zippy and low priced. Honestly, what more could any driver want?" We couldn't put it better ourselves. The Rio also gets great gas mileage at 30 mpg-city/40 mpg-highway.
Two weeks ago Kia scooped the What Car? Ultra Low Carbon Award for its environmentally efficient range of cars, in particular the Rio and Pecanto models. The Rio, with CO2 emissions as low as 85 g/km, making it the cleanest non-electric car in the world. What Car? Magazine honored the Picanto last summer at their Green Awards ceremony.
Paul Philpott, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, received the Ultra Low Carbon Award saying, ”Kia has been striving over recent years not only to deliver exciting, attractive, high-quality cars - but also to deliver real benefits to customers in the form of cleaner technologies that don’t carry a price premium. We are delighted that What Car? – one of Europe’s leading consumer magazines – has recognized our efforts.”
To learn more about buying your own amazing Kia contact Gary Rome Auto Group today!
Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer said: "Receiving the iF product design award for the new Kia Picanto is a great success for our design team and it is welcome recognition of our brand's design-oriented strategy."
A month later, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named their Top Safety Picks for 2012. A record 115 models all made the cut for various vehicle segments. The IIHS rating tests include:
• 40 mph frontal offset crash tests
• 31 mph side-impact tests
• A roof test requiring the vehicle to withstand a force of four times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. (The IIHS roof test is more severe than the government's, though a tougher federal rule takes effect for 2013 models.)
• A 20 mph rear crash that also tests the head restraint protection
The Kia Soul and Forte sedan both won Top Safety Pick awards for the small-car classification. The Optima won for midsize moderately priced cars, the Sportage for small SUVs, and the Sorento for midsize SUVs.
Two weeks ago Kia scooped the What Car? Ultra Low Carbon Award for its environmentally efficient range of cars, in particular the Rio and Pecanto models. The Rio, with CO2 emissions as low as 85 g/km, making it the cleanest non-electric car in the world. What Car? Magazine honored the Picanto last summer at their Green Awards ceremony.
Paul Philpott, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, received the Ultra Low Carbon Award saying, ”Kia has been striving over recent years not only to deliver exciting, attractive, high-quality cars - but also to deliver real benefits to customers in the form of cleaner technologies that don’t carry a price premium. We are delighted that What Car? – one of Europe’s leading consumer magazines – has recognized our efforts.”
To learn more about buying your own amazing Kia contact Gary Rome Auto Group today!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
KIA RACING CAPTURES SECOND GRAND-AM VICTORY AT ROAD AMERICA AND MOVES TO THE TOP OF THE TEAM AND DRIVER STANDINGS
Michael Galati and Nic Jönsson Pilot the No. 10 Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup to Victory Lane for Their Second GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Win
- Victory moves the No. 10 Forte Koup to the top of the Street Tuner (ST) Team standings; Jönsson climbs to the number one ranking in the Driver standings
- Both Kia Forte Koups finished in the top six at the Road America 200
Following up their historic first win for Kia Motors America (KMA) in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC) in April, Michael Galati and Nic Jönsson again co-drove the No. 10 Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup to the checkered flag at Friday's Road America 200 in Elkhart Lake, Wis. Galati and Jönsson battled a field of more than 25 competitors in the 2.5 hour race, and the pair used the Forte Koup's braking and handling advantages on the fourteen-turn circuit to overtake several more powerful turbocharged cars and reach victory lane. With three races remaining in the 2011 season, the victory propelled KMA's second-year motorsports program and racing partner Kinetic Motorsports to the top of the Team and Driver standings in the ST class.
Michael Galati (left) and Nic Jönsson drove their No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup to Kia Motors America's second-ever victory in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge on Friday night at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. - Photo Credit: Melissa K. Smith Photography
"It's unheard of for a second-year racing program to stand on top of the podium, but to do it twice in a single year is even more remarkable and underscores the tremendous effort both Kia Motors and Kinetic Motorsports have put into the program," said Jönsson. "The team went to extraordinary lengths to overcome the challenges posed by the Road America course and that makes this win even sweeter."
In addition to the victory, the driving pair of Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood had their best outing of the season at Road America with a sixth place finish in the No. 12 Forte Koup. After starting seventh on the grid, Hopwood took the ST lead for three laps before handing the No. 12 car over to Burrows. Team "BurHop" recorded their third top ten-finish of the year, and the race marked the second time this season both Forte Koups finished in the top ten in the same event.
After qualifying in the third position, Galati fended off a series of relentless attacks from several more powerful cars and kept the No. 10 Forte Koup in the top five during the race's first 90 minutes. With just over an hour remaining, Jönsson took the wheel and moved up the grid and into a fierce three-car battle for first place before ultimately overtaking the leader with 30 minutes remaining in the race.
Jönsson successfully held off repeated challenges from the second- and third-place cars for nine laps before a severe accident and full course caution ended the race under yellow and sealed Kia Racing's second victory of the season.
"We went to Road America knowing the course's long straights and elevation changes provided a significant challenge, especially against some of our turbocharged competitors, but the Kinetic Motorsports team did an amazing job preparing both Forte Koups and the team's strategy allowed Nic and Michael to use the braking and cornering portions of the track to their advantage and bring home Kia's second GRAND-AM victory," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "We entered the 2011 season with increased expectations, and the team's hard work and dedication to continuous improvement has paid off with three podium appearances in seven races."
Racing fans can watch Kia's victory when SPEED broadcasts the Road America 200 on Sunday, July 3 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koups will race for the first time in KMA's home state of California when they return for round eight of the CTSCC on July 9 at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Fans can follow Kia Racing's progress and receive live updates from the track at facebook.com/kiaracing.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 730 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." In 2010, KMA recorded its best-ever U.S. sales and 16th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technologies.
- Victory moves the No. 10 Forte Koup to the top of the Street Tuner (ST) Team standings; Jönsson climbs to the number one ranking in the Driver standings
- Both Kia Forte Koups finished in the top six at the Road America 200
Following up their historic first win for Kia Motors America (KMA) in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC) in April, Michael Galati and Nic Jönsson again co-drove the No. 10 Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup to the checkered flag at Friday's Road America 200 in Elkhart Lake, Wis. Galati and Jönsson battled a field of more than 25 competitors in the 2.5 hour race, and the pair used the Forte Koup's braking and handling advantages on the fourteen-turn circuit to overtake several more powerful turbocharged cars and reach victory lane. With three races remaining in the 2011 season, the victory propelled KMA's second-year motorsports program and racing partner Kinetic Motorsports to the top of the Team and Driver standings in the ST class.
Michael Galati (left) and Nic Jönsson drove their No. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup to Kia Motors America's second-ever victory in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge on Friday night at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. - Photo Credit: Melissa K. Smith Photography
"It's unheard of for a second-year racing program to stand on top of the podium, but to do it twice in a single year is even more remarkable and underscores the tremendous effort both Kia Motors and Kinetic Motorsports have put into the program," said Jönsson. "The team went to extraordinary lengths to overcome the challenges posed by the Road America course and that makes this win even sweeter."
In addition to the victory, the driving pair of Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood had their best outing of the season at Road America with a sixth place finish in the No. 12 Forte Koup. After starting seventh on the grid, Hopwood took the ST lead for three laps before handing the No. 12 car over to Burrows. Team "BurHop" recorded their third top ten-finish of the year, and the race marked the second time this season both Forte Koups finished in the top ten in the same event.
After qualifying in the third position, Galati fended off a series of relentless attacks from several more powerful cars and kept the No. 10 Forte Koup in the top five during the race's first 90 minutes. With just over an hour remaining, Jönsson took the wheel and moved up the grid and into a fierce three-car battle for first place before ultimately overtaking the leader with 30 minutes remaining in the race.
Jönsson successfully held off repeated challenges from the second- and third-place cars for nine laps before a severe accident and full course caution ended the race under yellow and sealed Kia Racing's second victory of the season.
"We went to Road America knowing the course's long straights and elevation changes provided a significant challenge, especially against some of our turbocharged competitors, but the Kinetic Motorsports team did an amazing job preparing both Forte Koups and the team's strategy allowed Nic and Michael to use the braking and cornering portions of the track to their advantage and bring home Kia's second GRAND-AM victory," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "We entered the 2011 season with increased expectations, and the team's hard work and dedication to continuous improvement has paid off with three podium appearances in seven races."
Racing fans can watch Kia's victory when SPEED broadcasts the Road America 200 on Sunday, July 3 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koups will race for the first time in KMA's home state of California when they return for round eight of the CTSCC on July 9 at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Fans can follow Kia Racing's progress and receive live updates from the track at facebook.com/kiaracing.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 730 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." In 2010, KMA recorded its best-ever U.S. sales and 16th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technologies.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Gary Rome Kia sets to give away a brand new Kia Soul to a deserving Enfield High School Senior
BIG NEWS AT ENFIELD HIGH SHOOL!!
Friday, June 10, 2011, 185 of the seniors in the graduating class '11 will gather at the picnic grounds behind the Weymouth firehouse to enjoy the 4th annual senior outing. The day includes traditional "family style" games and friendly competitions – tugs of war, three legged races, water balloons, softball, ring toss championships , to name a few of the fun events.
A very special opportunity for this graduating class is in place this year. Gary Rrome Kia has provided a prize Kia Soul for a senior who has completed a minimun of 40 hours of community service, and has at least a "b" (85) academic average with no unexcused absences from, or late arrivals to school. Also, no disciplinary referrals were permitted to be elegible for the Kia Soul. Gary Rome Kia has emphasized the service, integrity and comittment of students and we are grateful for this opportunity to reward and recognize our seniors for their accomplishments. There were 16 finalists for the chance to draw for a key.
At 9:30 A.M. on Friday, June 10, 2011, Gary Rome of Gary Rome Kia will bring the Kia to the firehouse grounds: there will be 11 seniors who will receive a key to attempt to unlock the door of the Soul. ONly one key will unlock /start the vehicle and that lucky enfield high school senior will have a vehicle! The students are anxious, nervous and excited about this opportunity... Enfield High School is grateful to Mr. Gary Rome and Gary Rome Kia for this program.
A very special opportunity for this graduating class is in place this year. Gary Rrome Kia has provided a prize Kia Soul for a senior who has completed a minimun of 40 hours of community service, and has at least a "b" (85) academic average with no unexcused absences from, or late arrivals to school. Also, no disciplinary referrals were permitted to be elegible for the Kia Soul. Gary Rome Kia has emphasized the service, integrity and comittment of students and we are grateful for this opportunity to reward and recognize our seniors for their accomplishments. There were 16 finalists for the chance to draw for a key.
At 9:30 A.M. on Friday, June 10, 2011, Gary Rome of Gary Rome Kia will bring the Kia to the firehouse grounds: there will be 11 seniors who will receive a key to attempt to unlock the door of the Soul. ONly one key will unlock /start the vehicle and that lucky enfield high school senior will have a vehicle! The students are anxious, nervous and excited about this opportunity... Enfield High School is grateful to Mr. Gary Rome and Gary Rome Kia for this program.
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