Acura of Pleasanton Blog: Compact vs. SUV

Acura of Pleasanton Blog: Compact vs. SUV: It’s hard to go a day without reading or hearing about the cost of living, rents being raised and the concept of “quality of life”.  Most...

Compact vs. SUV

It’s hard to go a day without reading or hearing about the cost of living, rents being raised and the concept of “quality of life”.  Most of us wake up every day with a list of bills and responsibilities that we need to honor and uphold, spending all of our time battling the growing debt we acquire through living beyond our means. 

Personal experiences have placed me on both ends of the spectrum.   I’ve been able to have a lot of money at my disposal, but I’ve also experienced poverty and the reality of living pay check to pay check.  What I learned by being in both situations is this.  You don’t have to over extend yourself and your finances to live a rich and fulfilling life. 

I will admit whole-heartedly that I love nice things. I love expensive, quality pieces that last a lifetime and bring beauty into my environment.  That doesn’t mean that I need to rack up a handful of credit card debt and take out that second or third on my house or condo.  It simply means that I need to budget for the items I know will cost me the most, and find creative alternatives for the “would be nice to have, but I really don’t need” items. 

For me, driving a luxurious car with all the bells and whistles is one of my “MUST HAVE” items.  My job requires me to travel quite a bit, all while lugging around bulky production equipment.  Being in a vehicle that has good gas mileage, full surround sound, navigation and plenty of storage room are my requirements. 

I’ve found that for my in-town events, The Acura ILX is my car of choice.  A zippy compact with a 8-speed dual-clutch transmission giving me quick but incredibly smooth transitions which make for a fun drive over the bridges and onto the city streets.  The sleek, stylish design keeps me looking sharp as I cruise down the Embarcadero.  But it’s the A-Spec appearance that that really sells me.  Knowing I get the sporty look without compromising the power and speed I’m so addicted to makes this a millennials dream car.

When I need to go on longer road trip, the all-new Acura RDX is my SUV of choice.  As I’ve mentioned before, my road trips require Tetris level packing skills with all the luggage and equipment I need for my job.   I found that the RDX offered me AcuraLink for real time traffic updates, parking assist and remote engine start, perfect for my on-the-go days.   While I love a compact car, the RDX gave me the ample room to load even the bulkiest of tri-pods and lighting equipment.

Both cars offer me the hybrid experience, the price for each is just low enough for me to justify the spend and still have money left to take myself out for dinner when my work is done.  Living the big city dream only works when you have the right tools, and for me, the car I drive is a huge part of that. 

To learn more about the ILX or the RDX, click on the link below!

http://www.acuraofpleasanton.com/new-inventory/index.htm

Top Five Cheap to Free Things To Do This Weekend!

Summer has arrived! What are a few thoughts that come to mind when you think of summer?   If you are single and childless it means beaches, bonfires, and road trips with your best friends. If you happen to have children, summer becomes an endless effort to keep the little ones busy and entertained. 

School has let out, and what once was a quiet and clean home and car,  are now filled with beach toys, travel bags and friends and family coming in and out of town. 

With visitors and kids to entertain, we have compiled the best CHEAP TO FREE things to do here in the bay area.   We know that just because everyone else is on vacation, doesn’t mean you are, and we are here to help!  

This weekend in The Presidio, The Presidio Kite Expo is happening from 12 Noon until 5 pm.  This is a FREE FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT with option for a free Kite Building Class (RSVP to reserve your free Kite making kit!). 

If you are kid free this weekend, there is the Women’s World Cup: Outdoor Watch Party and Soccer Festival happening Friday June 12, starting at 4 pm. Watch the best women soccer players from around the globe battle it out to see who’s the best during the Women’s World Cup. Cheer along with a big crowd in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza as the games are simulcast live from Canada. 

There is also the 2015 International Parkour Jam: AKA the Urban Ninja Festival.  Yes, it is as cool as it sounds.  Watch a bunch of Jackie Chan wannabes performing amazing ninja stunts and tricks. 

If these sound like fun, or if you want to check out some of the other amazing cheap to free things to do in the city this weekend, check out the link below!

http://sf.funcheap.com/city-guide/

Weekend Warriors, Start Your Engines!

As the weather becomes warmer, the need to be outdoors gets higher on the priority list.  If you are looking for things to do this weekend, We can help!

Here in the Tri-Valley, we are fortunate to have the best of both worlds.  For the wanderlusts of the world we have oceans and mountains to get lost in.  For the city-folk, we have bay-side restaurants serving champagne and oysters, tech-apps walking you through bridge architecture and car shows introducing you to the future while reminding you of the past.

If you haven't had a chance to experience a car show, prepare yourself.  They come in different shapes and sizes, from a local show featuring under fifty cars to national levels such as the ones you'd find at The Grand Prix or Sonoma Races featuring hundreds of concept cars, race cars and featured models being launched that following year.

Growing up in Southern California, I was raised on The Toyota Grand Prix.   Every April the grumbling of the speeding cars would call to us.  We knew it was coming because the streets off Ocean Blvd. would start getting blocked off and the road mediums began to appear in track formation.  Just as a fun tradition, we would watch a bit of Days of Thunder's opening sequences right before we piled into the car.  With pit-passes strapped around our necks, we bee-lined it into the Long Beach Convention Center where cars and lifestyle would open up before our eyes.

  

Car shows offer the visitor an incredible opportunity to touch, feel and play with all the newest features the automobile industry has to offer.  Bringing together vendors,  dealers and enthusiasts all in one location, car shows are the most direct way to explore everything that makes your car so special.

If this sounds like fun to you, come on out and experience the car shows for yourself!  The Good Guys hosts some of the largest car shows in Northern California and they have one this weekend! To get more information about this or other upcoming car shows click the link below!

https://www.good-guys.com/

For The Weekend Wanderlusts of the World

Weekend Wanderlust Warriors

If you are like me, my head begins to think of the weekend right about Wednesday afternoon.  As soon as the mid-day meal begins to sink deep into the belly, my mind will begin to drift to where I would much rather be at that moment.   That usually involves me, my car and the open road.

Being a mom of a six year old, the ability to just “get up and go” has become a thing of the past, but what I have been able to do is create “adventure days” and have become an avid Weekend Warrior. 

What does that mean?  Very simply, I have learned to tap into my inner gypsy and utilize my weekends for exploration and travel.  

Being able to travel by car allows for me to bring my daughter along, as well as every favorite toy she swears she’ll need while away for those two days.  The added convenience of ample storage space, a wicked stereo system and full blue-tooth connection for my phone allows me to stay connected and prepared for life's emergencies, while enjoying the much needed disconnection I strive for. 

You don’t have to travel by plane to experience luxury while enjoying stunning views that would wow even the most avid of Instagram users.  To satisfy my need for extravagance, I have found a few locations that have been able to entice the likes of even the Teslas' of the world to “unplug” for a weekend.   If it’s good enough for Mr. Tesla, it’s good enough for me.

First on the list, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.  From sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean to the dramatic cliffs that the resort is housed upon, to the hotel resident golf course and exclusive in-house culinary adventure at the hotel restaurants you can’t help but feel a bit posh just by walking through the hotels entryway. 

If you are more of a foodie than a golfer, The Epiphany Hotel hosts lofty ceilings with full-height sliding glass doors and spacious verandas.  For you night life, they provide two signature restaurants that provide atmosphere and indulgence to wow all five of the senses.  A must try for all city slickers.

These are just a couple of locations that I've been able to experience, but there are so many more to choose from, and all within driving distance from the heart of San Francisco.   To see photos or to make reservations at these or one of the many remarkable locations available to you, click on the below link:

http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Staycations-of-the-tech-elite-6266118.php

Why Choose The Pleasanton Automall?

When deciding to work for the Pleasanton Automall, you are not only entering into the reputable Hendrick Automotive Group, but you are also becoming a part of an incredibly rare team-oriented environment.   Here at the Pleasanton Automall, the rule of thumb is PEOPLE FIRST.  

This not only includes our clients, but our team mates as well.  Here at the dealership we value hard work just as much as we value quality of life, and the support and dedication to balance them is apparent in everything we do.  We had an opportunity to speak with one of our team mates, Rosemarie Destura about the hiring process and what it’s like in the product enthusiast role.

What was the deciding factor for becoming an employee at The Pleasanton Automall?

Rosemarie states, “Being able to work for a company that promotes such a team atmosphere allows for each of our employees to know and feel how important their roll is here at the dealership.”

Following an inverted management structure, our management team is able to maximize their support to our key players out on the showroom floors allowing for them to create nurturing relationships within our community.

What process is used by a Product Enthusiast when working with clients?

Rose: Well first I listen.  The clients may not always know exactly what they want, but I’ll be that much closer to helping them if I stop and let them talk.  I try to offer options whenever possible and I want my client to feel comfortable and trust in my abilities so I ensure that am transparent with all client interactions.  Finally, I use patience.  I know the goal is about the relationship with our client.  

Our product enthusiasts go through college style vehicle training courses culminating in a test of knowledge prior to then moving onto the showroom floor.  Upon moving into the showroom, our product enthusiast gets hands on training while shadowing current enthusiasts and sales associates. 

What challenges do you face in this role?

Rosemarie D: “Gaining trust of a guest when you have such limited time with them.  You only have one chance to make a lasting first impression that may lead to a long lasting relationship.  I will always try to find an alternative instead of just saying no, while constantly including management to ensure our clients concerns are expressed. “

What can you expect from working with a Product Enthusiast?

Being able to have any questions about a particular vehicle answered, not being placed in a high pressure environment, and at the same time accomplishing any goals and getting to know the sales staff and dealership are just a few of the benefits of working with a Product Enthusiast. 

The ultimate goal of our dealership is to create relationships with our guests.  Determining their needs and enabling that they leave here feeling like their needs and concerns matter and were being addressed whether we sell a car or not. 

25 years ago the Acura that left its mark on the auto industry

The 2014 Chicago auto show may be devoid of sports car debuts and introductions, but that wasn’t the case twenty-five years ago. The 1989 show saw both the introduction of the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the first public showing of the Acura NSX. Both cars couldn’t have been any more different: one was a simple, affordable, front-engine roadster; the other a high-end, aluminum-intensive, mid-engine sports car designed to wrestle with blue-blood exotics.
 
Despite those differences, the MX-5 and NSX have something in common: both cars shocked the global automotive industry. The dawn of the 1990s marked what now seems to be a golden age of Japanese automobiles. Japan’s automakers were gunning for their foreign rivals in a way they had never done before. Engineers were encouraged to explore new technologies, while product planners sought to carve new niches in the market. Bolstered by a short-lived economic bubble back home, these automakers freely innovated in ways we’ve rarely seen since, and spurred the rest of the industry to re-evaluate both its product portfolios and its future plans.

Although quite a few cars exemplify this Japanese automotive renaissance, we can’t help but notice that five of the strongest examples—including the aforementioned Mazda and Honda—debuted in the States in 1989, exactly a quarter-century ago. Here are the five Japanese cars that shook the automotive industry 25 years ago.
 
 

 

Acura NSX

When the Acura NSX arrived in 1990 following its debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, it seemed almost too good to be true. Honda channeled all of its engineering expertise into a trailblazing supercar that sought to achieve a level of refinement and driver-focused simplicity absent in European supercars. The result was a lightweight two-seat mid-engine coupe producing 270 hp from a 3.0-liter naturally-aspirated V-6 mated to a five-speed manual gearbox — a memorable formula that is revered for being much more than the sum of its parts. Unflinchingly, we called the NSX “the most cooperative and best-handling mid-engined car we have ever driven.”

Although the 1991 Acura NSX clocked in an impressive 0-60 mph sprint of about 5.5 seconds and could hit 155 mph (thanks in part to Honda's variable valve timing technology), the real success of the NSX was that it offered then top-shelf performance with almost none of the compromising drawbacks thought to be inherent to a purpose-built supercar.
 
“Probably the most striking single impression the NS-X prototype made on us was how few concessions it demands in return for the racy layout and the thrusting performance,” editor Kevin Smith noted in September 1989. “How many times have we resigned ourselves to the odd, skewed, cramped driving position of the 308/328-series Ferraris? And the athletic entry and exit, the scattered minor controls, the nonexistent rear-quarter visibility? Didn’t we actually revel in those eccentricities, cherishing the quirkiness, because that was the price of character?...Hey, it’s not for everyone. Hey, it’s something special. Hey, it’s a Ferrari. Well, hey, forget it.”
The Acura NSX had a comfortable, livable cockpit with reasonable trunk space; a simple, gimmick-free design; smooth, predictable power delivery from the V-6 and five-speed manual transmission; and an innovative aluminum monocoque chassis that kept weight down to only 2860 pounds. It was a supercar you could actually drive and afford, starting at just $62,000 when it hit U.S. showrooms in 1990.
Selected as our 1991 Automobile of the Year, the Acura NSX has remained one of the most celebrated enthusiast's cars because of its rare combination of performance, livability, and affordability. “The best thing about the NSX is that it exists at all,” we wrote in May 1989, “and that big, respectable Honda is going to produce it for sale to the public.” The NSX ended production in 2005 with more than 18,000 units sold worldwide, but its explosive arrival on the automotive landscape will long be remembered as a watershed moment for Japanese engineering that helped set the bar for the next generation of supercars.
-Eric Weiner


Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/features/1402-five-japanese-cars-that-shocked-the-auto-industry-25-years-ago/#ixzz2t93qYD9L