2008 RED DOT SALE!
With savings up to $10,000, all of our remaining 2008 model year vehicles are ready to go. We have 2009’s rolling in daily that we need to make room for. Save thousands by taking a look at our remaining 2008 inventory. They are all NEW; cars, trucks, SUVs and vans with substantial savings that we are giving you. Hall Automotive has over 300 new 2008 vehicles that have been discounted! These vehicles are clearly marked on our lots with RED Dots. Click here for more details on all the New 2008 cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. There has never been a better time to SAVE $ thousands and own a new vehicle.
2009 Buick Enclave
The Enclave is Buick's latest crossover offering, replacing the aging Rainier, Rendezvous, and Terraza. It is the most expensive vehicle built on GM's Lambda platform, which also underpins the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia. Three rows of seating provide room for seven occupants.
"Enclave is the new face of Buick and everything we want in future Buicks," said General Manager Steve Shannon. "It's an absolutely stunning, high-quality crossover SUV that delivers all the product attributes that define the new Buick - a confident ride, relevant technologies, more luxury features, elegant design and a quiet, comfortable and well-crafted interior. These are the hallmark traits of future Buicks."
Enclave will be available in CX and CXL trim levels, with eight exterior and three interior colors, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, a new 275-horsepower V6 powertrain featuring variable valve timing (VVT) and mated to Buick's first six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6 liter V6 VVT is a sophisticated dual-overhead camshaft engine based on GM's global V6 architecture.
Riding on a 119-inch wheelbase, the production Enclave appears virtually identical to the concept car shown at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. Like the concept, the crossover sports signature Buick cues include a waterfall grille -- with "tri-shield" emblem -- and portholes. The portholes, which are similar in design to the new Lucerne sedan, are mounted on the trailing edges of the hood, which forms a distinct "V" shape.
Inside, the interior retains many of the design elements of the concept, with a slightly more practical implementation. GM insists the craftsmanship that made Enclave concept popular is carried over to the production model.
Click here to find a Buick for you.
2009 Pontiac Vibe
General Motors launched a redesigned Pontiac Vibe for the 2009 model year. Not surprisingly, the Vibe shares many of its mechanicals with its sister car - the new Toyota Matrix - although the exterior is unique to the Pontiac brand. Like the Matrix, the Vibe will offer optional all-wheel drive.
The Vibe's engine choices mirror that of the Matrix; customers can choose from either a 1.8L four-cylinder rated at 132 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque or a 2.4L four rated at 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The 2.4L will be standard on all-wheel drive models and GT models and will be optional on the base model.
Depending on the model and powertrain options, customers will be able to choose from several transmissions. Base model cars with the 1.8L engine will come standard with a five-speed manual transmission, with a four-speed auto optional. AWD models will only be available with a four-speed automatic. GT models and cars equipped with the 2.4L engine will come with a five-speed manual, with a five-speed automatic optional.
Fuel economy for the 1.8L engines ranges between 25-26 city and 31-31 highway, depending on transmission is selected. The 2.4L ranges between 21 city and 28-29 highway. As expected, the AWD option decreases mileage to 20/26 city/highway.
All models will feature a MacPherson-strut front suspension design, with the base model using a solid beam rear axle and GT and AWD models using a fully independent rear suspension. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS will be standard throughout the model range, as well as electronic stability control and traction control.
The exterior of the Vibe is "clean and purposeful," and GM claims it exemplifies the future of Pontiac's design. Like with the Matrix, each trim level will have its own unique styling cues, with AWD models receiving a roof rack and GT models wearing a new front fascia. The interior is also all-new and has a driver-focused cockpit design. The 2009 Vibe has 49.4 cubic feet of cargo space with its rear seats folded down.
Click here to find a Pontiac for you.
2009 GMC Sierra 3500HD
The most capable heavy-duty truck in General Motors' line-up, the 3500HD is available with dual rear wheels for serious towing and hauling capabilities. For 2008, the Crew Cab Silverado 3500HDs receive new standard 17-inch wheels.
Five body / drivetrain styles exist: a Regular Cab 4WD, Extended Cab 2WD or 4WD, Crew Cab with 2WD or 4WD. All could be had with single rear wheels or double. All sport the Long, 97.8-inch box. All body styles are available with one of two engines: a gasoline-fueled Vortec 6.0 liter that makes 353 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 373 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm thanks to variable valve timing, and a 6.6 liter Duramax diesel developed by Isuzu that puts down 365 horsepower at 3,200 rpm and 660 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm. The diesel is compatible with B5 bio-diesel fuel. Interestingly, Sierra 3500s with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of over 10,000 lbs (the dual rear wheel versions) get a 312 hp at 4,400 rpm version of the Vortec 6.0 liter. The torque number remains the same, however.
Transmissions are six-speed automatics, with the diesel engine receiving its own, the Allison 1000.
Anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, OnStar, a tire-pressure monitoring system, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with four speakers and a 3-month trial subscription to XM Radio are all standard features on all 3500HDs, and are included on the first of four trim levels.
Rear parking assist is a noteworthy standalone option, as is heated windshield washer fluid.
The maximum payload capacity belongs to the Regular Cab 3500 with 2WD and single rear wheels at 4,608 lbs. Opt for the 4WD 'skinny' model and the Extended Cab takes that distinction with a 3,880 lb bed capacity. The strongest dually, is the Regular Cab 4x4 with a bed capacity of 5,307 lbs. The 2WD dually maxes out at 5,127 lbs.
As for towing, ball-hitch maximums are 13,000lbs when the diesel is doing the pulling no matter the body style and drive wheel combination, or 12,600 with a 4.10 axle on the Regular cab 2WD model with the Vortec V8 under the hood.
Equip the 3500 with a fifth-wheel hitch to tow a gooseneck trailer, (only with the 4.10 axle on gas models) and the numbers don't change for the gas-powered truck, but the diesels is capable of a maximum of 16,500 lbs when in regular cab, 4WD, dual rear wheel guise. Towing capacities for the other models jump by at least 1,600 lbs.
The End of Manual Labor?
By Rob Einaudi
On Monday David wrote about how much he liked Mitsubishi's Twin Clutch-Sportronic Shift Transmission. And MSN recently published an article called "The End of Manual Labor?" Obviously, automatic transmissions are getting more sophisticated. And the manual tranny is definitely slipping in popularity. From the MSN article:
Back in 1980, more than 35 percent of all cars were sold with a stick. Because they cost less and boosted fuel mileage, manuals were more popular when gas prices went up or the economy went down, according to Mike Omotoso, powertrain analyst for J.D. Power and Associates. Then the SUV appeared, which often came automatic-only. By 2005 only 6 percent of all buyers bothered with a stick. Skyrocketing fuel prices and more choices in small cars brought a mild uptick to 7.7 percent last year, but the trend is clear.
These days, automatic transmissions can post faster acceleration times, and they often get better mileage and have lower emissions. But here's the thing: manual trannies are still cheaper, more durable, and more fun.
First of all, price. Automatics can add several thousand dollars to the MSRP of a new vehicle. But if it's an enthusiast car, a manual tranny may actually improve the resale value of the vehicle when it comes time to sell.
Regarding durability, many of these newer, overly-complex automatic transmissions have proven to be quite fragile, and they tend to be incredibly expensive to repair. The 727 automatic in my Mopar is bomb proof. It's spent over forty years behind a big block V8 and it's literally never been cracked open. Same goes for the Borg-Warner automatic in my Volvo—they are known to be virtually indestructible. But I don't really trust the automatic in my 2002 Subaru. And when it goes, I have a feeling the whole car will go—to the crusher.
And finally, the new "sportshift" trannies just aren't all that exciting to drive in my opinion. I drove the Aston Martin V8 Vantage with the paddle shifters and didn't like it much (don't get me wrong, I LOVED the car—I'd just rather have one with a 6 speed manual). Same goes for tranny in the Jag XF. I got bored of the paddle shifters after a while and just left it in automatic. But I loved the 5 speed in the Bullitt. It felt great, complimented the car perfectly, and was a total blast to drive.
Oh, here's one more advantage of manual transmissions that you might not know about—they make it less likely that your car will get stolen. Turns out lots of car thieves don't even know how to drive stick!
So what do you think? Is the manual transmission really on its way out?
How to Use Proper Text Message Etiquette
By Kelly185
The text message is a widely popular communications method of our generation. Anyone with a cell phone can participate in text messaging and many mobile carriers include texts in their wireless plans. Not only are texts convenient, they are downright fun! However, to avoid annoying friends, coworkers, or family members, it's wise to heed proper text messaging etiquette.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
One of the most important rules in text messaging etiquette is keeping your phone on vibrate when at work or in a quiet public place such as a movie theater. Nothing is more annoying than the perpetual texter who doesn't silence there phone. No one wants to hear your text beep every five minutes.
Step2
Text messaging can be a great means to keep in touch with importants in your life while at work or school, but keep it to a minimum. Your boss, professor, or teacher don't appreciate you punching out digital messages when you have other duties to fulfill.
Step3
Keep them short and sweet. If you need to write someone an in-depth message, send an email. Otherwise, give them a ring or see them in person. Long texts can be confusing or tough to respond to.
Step4
Text messages can be a viable means of communication. If you know a friend is at work or in a meeting, being courteous and sending a text such as "Can you call me when you get the chance?" is a great alternative to calling their phone directly.
Step5
Use fun graphics, but don't be a "smiley freak." There is nothing quite like getting a wink or kiss from a partner or spouse via text message, as this encourages flirtation and fun. But, reserve smiley's for a few text messages to keep your messages special.
1 one (Use Some1, instead of Someone)
2 to/too/two (Use ME2, instead of Me Too)
4 for/four (Use B4, instead of Before)
8 eight (Use GR8, instead of Great)
Some Text Lingo is easily interpreted, others you just have to know:
AFAIK - As Far As I Know
ASAP - As Soon As Possible
B4 - Before
BBL - Be Back Later
BRB - Be Right Back
CYA - See You
FYI - For Your Information
GR8 - Great!
ILU - I Love You
IMO - In My Opinion
LOL - Laughing out loud
L8R - Later
NOOB - Newbie
NP - No Problem
OXOXO - Hugs and Kisses
RUOK - Are You Okay?
ASL - Age, Sex and Location
THNQ -Thank You
THX - Thanks
TTYL - Talk To You Later
W8 - Wait
2NITE - Tonight
See answer under Car Doctor.
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How to Remove Ice from Your Windshield
Winter is upon us and one thing that is a hardship that all drivers face is ice on the windshield. We spend a long time trying to get the ice removed before we drive our car. This is a cold chore that everyone dreads; however it has to be done to assure a safe trip. I will explain how to remove ice from your windshield without spending a long time scraping the wind shield out in the freezing cold.
There are a few methods you can use to do this besides scraping. One way is to turn on the car. Put the cars defroster on the hottest setting and then turn on the air conditioner. Then set the defroster setting to low. Next brush snow off the windshield and spray de-icing solution on the windshield. Turn your wipers on and go inside you warm home for a few minutes waiting for the ice to come off.
You can also use lukewarm water to get the ice off your windshield. Do not use hot water as this can crack your windshield. Make sure the water is lukewarm and you can comfortable stick your hand in the water before poring on the windshield. Start your car turn on the wipers and slowly pour the lukewarm water over the windshield. The wipers will get the water off the windshield quickly.
If you do not have any de-ice on hand this can easily be made with water and vinegar or water and rubbing alcohol. Mix the solution half and half and pour into a spray bottle.
You can also prevent ice forming in the first place n your windshield. When you know it is going to be cold enough to ice up your windshield or you know snow is coming and you do want to have to clean it off the windshield, simply put a blanket or a tarp over your windshield and you back glass. This will keep the ice and/or snow off the windshield. Then when you go to leave just pull the blanket or tarp off and you are ready to go.
Make sure that your automobile is up to date on its service schedule.
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