Thursday, October 18, 2012

Great Reviews for Beck & Masten Buick GMC

Dealer-rater-logo
I called the dealship from my cell phone and Enrique quickly answered the phone and invited me to stop by the dealer once I had finshed working for the day to test drive a new truck. When I arrived, I was impressed with the beautiful new showroom and such a large selction of vehicles to choose from. Enrique listened to me while I told him the search criteria I had. He then allowed me to test drive a GMC Terrain. I was very impressed with the quailty of construction and durability of this model. The new technology was overwhelming, but Enrique took time to explain all of the features and benefits. The dealship was scheduled to close at 9 PM, But they stayed until 9:45 to complete the paper work, as I could not leave without purchasing my new truck. They did not have the exact color that I preferred, so Enrique drove to the other side of Houston to pick up the vehicle on my behalf. Now I'm ready for a road trip! If you are thinking about getting a new vehicle, you should see Enrique. I almost forgot to mention 0% interest! Jay Floyd Real Estate Broker

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Buick and GMC Future Products through 2015: What to Expect

000000000000broke_down_car
In the next 12 months, GM says we’ll see four new trucks for GMC—and presumably Chevy, too—and two new sedans for Buick. Later, GMC will get a new Canyon mid-size pickup truck, based on the all-new Chevy Colorado. Here’s what you can expect of the new models.  

2014 Buick LaCrosse (spy photo)

Buick LaCrosse

For the 2014 model year, the LaCrosse will get a major reskin and updated technology, including the latest touch-screen iteration of the Intellilink infotainment setup. It’ll be mechanically similar to the new Cadillac XTS and introduced-but-not-on-sale-yet Chevy Impala, offering a hybrid four and a 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 and either front- or all-wheel drive. Once fairly suave, the current LaCrosse’s interior hasn’t aged well; for 2014 it’ll be all new, and judging from the XTS and Impala, modern and high-quality.

2014 Buick Regal GS (spy photo)

Buick Regal

Unlike the LaCrosse, which will be heavily reworked, the Regal just gets a face lift next year. Figure on some shuffling of the powertrain lineup, which is now out of sync with the rest of GM’s fleet. The Regal eAssist with a 2.4-liter four and small hybrid system probably will remain the base car, but don’t be shocked if a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four shows up beneath it.

The real changes could happen in turbo territory. Where the current Regal Turbo is rated at 220 hp, a newer version of that car’s engine—different turbocharger, altered intake and exhaust—delivers 259 ponies in the Malibu Turbo and 250 in the Verano Turbo. Sure, Buick has a 270-hp Regal GS, but why set up the middle child of this premium brand get trounced at stoplights by Mom’s Chevy?

If the Regal Turbo does hop to 250-ish hp, the GS still could carry over its powerplant. The horsepower advantage would be small, but beyond that the Regal GS is supposed to be a full-on performance car, with a sportier suspension and extroverted styling compared to the Regal Turbo. In fantasyland, the 2014 Regal GS would get all-wheel drive and a 400-hp twin-turbo V-6 currently slated for an uplevel version of the Cadillac XTS and—in a different state of tune—the forthcoming ATS-V.

2014 GMC Yukon (spy photo)

GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Canyon

GMC still is the money factory for GM, selling similar cars to Chevy at higher—or in the case of Denali models, much higher—prices. But the new Sierra and Yukon won’t just be pricier clones of their bow-tied brethren.

Last January, GM’s North America president Mark Reuss promised that the next big trucks and SUVs will be more cosmetically distinct from each other. The Yukon may have some significant interior upgrades, not just in aesthetic and materials but in functionality, too, Reuss told us, which we’ve read to mean better packaging for folding seats and improved passenger space.

2014 GMC Sierra (spy photo)

GM also quietly, suddenly confirmed that, yes, GMC will get a new Canyon mid-size pickup spun off of the all-new global Chevy Colorado that’s also coming to the U.S. Both mid-size trucks will target both fuel-conscious truck buyers and also the Toyota Tacoma’s substantial audience for lifestyle sport trucks. Figure on V-6 engines for the Canyon and Colorado, but there’s a strong chance that the Opel diesel four being prepped for our Cruze also could be slotted into the trucks.



The mid-size-truck news is significant unto itself but also for the rest of the brand’s lineup. Mr. Reuss has said it’s far easier to design a mid-size truck to be efficient from the start than to try to “lightweight” a Silverado or Sierra. GM doesn’t want to risk durability for its big trucks by bringing in expensive, lightweight materials or using lighter components. Instead, the General will look to boost fuel economy via improved aerodynamics and the adoption of electric steering, as well as direct injection and the expansion of cylinder-deactivation tech across the latest-generation V-6 and V-8 engines.

Naturally, every new GMC will be available in fully loaded Denali trim, from the Sierra HD to the 4×8-sheet-of-plywood-hauling Yukon XL.

Monday, October 15, 2012

5 Money Saving Car Tips!

0000000000000000935img00001
As cars have become more advanced over time, it has been increasingly difficult for enterprising owners to perform basic maintenance and repairs. While some jobs do require professional expertise and pricey tools, there are still many things that a handy owner can do to keep a car running in top shape and save money in the process.

Below are a few tips from our automotive experts.

1) Treating hazy headlight lenses. Modern headlight assemblies usually have clear plastic covers that can grow hazy over the years from exposure to the elements. To save the expense of changing the whole headlight reflector assembly, you can use a restoration kit, usually consisting of abrasive cloths and a special finishing liquid. Some kits are applied with elbow grease, while others call for an electric drill.

2) Windshield wipers. You can extend the life of wiper blades by keeping them clean. Wipe off the rubber edge with a paper towel moistened with glass cleaner, or water and a little dish soap. Wiper blades don't last long. In our tests we've found that six months is about the best you can expect a set of wiper blades to stay in top form.

3) Wash and wax your car. Giving your car a good cleaning helps preserve the paint by removing road grime and residues that can eat through the finish. The time spent hand washing a car gives you a close-up view of every body panel, so you can spot scratches, chips, and dings you may not have otherwise noticed. To maintain a quality shine, periodically apply car wax. A spray wax is best suited to weekly or special-occasion applications. Other waxes can be used less frequently, every 2-3 months.

4) Light bulbs. Changing a light bulb isn't difficult—most these days have a twist-and-pull bayonet base or they simply pull out and push in. Bulb specifications are usually found in the owner's manual. However, accessing a bulb (usually called a lamp in industry parlance) can be a real chore. Consult a service manual or look online if access to the bulb isn't obvious. Auto-parts stores and your franchised dealer carry good selections of replacement bulbs. If you're replacing a halogen headlight bulb take care not to touch the glass with your bare fingers. Skin oils on the quartz glass are said to shorten its life.

5) Touch-up paint. Touching up paint flaws early can save a heap of money down the road. You can touch up small scratches and chips with touch-up paint, available for a few dollars at your car dealership and at some auto-parts stores. Make sure you get an exact color match. Touch-up paint usually comes in a small bottle with an applicator brush in the lid. Otherwise, use a small, pointed artist's brush and cover the scratch by going over it in tiny dabs. Let this paint dry for at least a day or two before polishing the car.

Copyright © 2006-2012 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Great Reviews for Beck & Masten Buick GMC

Dealer-rater-logo

I have a Saturn Sky, when something goes wrong with it I always take it to Beck and Masten. Steve Sherman is such a wonderful person. He is very helpful and great with getting me and out. Beck and Masten is the only place I will ever go to when I need service. If they had had what I was looking for in a Sky I would have bought my vechile from them. If I ever need another vechile in the future I will deal with them and them only, good people I can trust.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

2013 GMC Acadia Denali impresses On and Off the Beaten Path

Img_0844-620x465
The 2013 GMC Acadia Denali feels just as at home on the off-road Rocky Mountain trail as it does on Rodeo Drive.  The Rocky Mountain Automotive Press association has just completed its inaugural 2012 4xFall Off-Road Experience and the 2013 GMC Acadia Denali was one of the participating vehicles.  This event is meant to give automotive journalists a chance to sample a selection of AWD crossovers, SUVs, and 4WD vehicles in the challenging but beautiful high altitude environment of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

I spent limited time behind the wheel of the2013 GMC Acadia Denali and in the passenger seat, both on and off pavement; it was immediately clear that this luxurious cruiser is not afraid to get down and dirty.  I was lucky enough to direct the Acadia Denali on an intermediate off-road trail near Caribou, CO, followed by a drive down a graded dirt and gravel road, as well as navigating around the small town of Nederland.  We were not using this car to crawl over large boulders, but it handled the rock littered and sometimes muddy trail without a problem.  This was even more impressive, considering that this Denali was wearing 20 inch aluminum wheels and street tires.

The 2013 GMC Acadia Denali gets its name from a rugged and wild region in the heart of Alaska, so it seems fitting to test a vehicle with the Denali badge in this off-road environment.  However, the capable AWD system and the adequate ground clearance are not the only bold attributes of this 2013 model.  The 2013 GMC Acadia Denali receives a mid-cycle refresh that brings with it a more aggressive and serious front end design.  2013 GMC Acadia Denali The headlights get the very distinctive LED daytime running lights and there was no end to the compliments and comments that these LEDs received during our test.  There are also the more pronounced fender flares and the all LED tail lamps.  The 2013 GMC Acadia Denali also boasts the industry first front center air bag to prevent the driver and the front passenger from hitting each other in the event of an accident.

 

Our tester was a fully loaded model that included dual sunroofs, rear video entertainment system, GMC IntelliLink media and navigation system, cooled and heated front seats, and other luxury goodies.  The sticker price for all this goodness stood at $51,840.  We will have a more thorough review of the 2013 Acadia Denali when we get a chance to spend more time with it.