Happy Birthday Accord - 40 Years of Reputation

1976. The bicentennial birthday of America, NASA lands the Viking rover on mars, Fidel Castro settles in as the president of Cuba, and two guys named Steve (Jobs and Wozniak) made a new computer company you might have heard about. Meanwhile, Honda was hard at work to spit out their newest fun, fuel-efficient, 3-door hatchback - The Accord.

The 1976 Debut Accord 

Over 40 years, Accord has consistently set the benchmark for the U.S. auto industry, earning the trust of more American car buyers than any other car during that period. A record 30 times Accord was named to the Car and Driver 10 Best list during its tenure*. It’s also been restyled quite a bit since it's inception.

The 2017 Debut Accord

Accord has earned a reputation of class-leading reliability and durability, outstanding fuel efficiency, low emissions, and top-class safety performance through continuous improvement and innovation.

According to IHS Automotive data, Accord has been the top retail-selling car in America for the past three years**. It sounds like the most appropriate way to celebrate this “big 40” birthday is to stop in and drive one. How else can it earn your trust? Pick one you like from our inventory and contact a sales rep to schedule a test drive!

Happy Birthday Accord!

* Car & Driver, November 2015
** Based on IHS Automotive, Polk CYTD December 2015 non-luxury traditional mid-size segment new retail registrations in the US.

New Civic Coupe Goes Back to It's Roots

 

The re-designed 2016 Honda Civic sedan has received most of the attention- and tons of awards- but the new Civic coupe shouldn't be overlooked.  While it has been written over the past several years that the two-door version of the Civic had gotten a bit stale, Honda has made a decided effort to put more fun back into the coupe, and the effort has paid off. 

 

 

 

 

First off, Honda has given the Civic coupe a style of it's own, rather than just making it look like the sedan minus two doors.  It sits a bit lower, the fenders are flared just a bit, comes with standard aluminum wheels, and overall has a sportier look than the sedan- as it should. 

 

The interior is just as impressive.  It is surprisingly spacious and comfortable.  Road and Track describes the cabin like this:  "The same sorcery that makes the subcompact Fit capable of hauling the entire contents of your apartment yields a coupe that feels as airy and spacious as most sedans. Despite the higher beltline, it's easy to see out of. Grownups won't mind riding in the backseat and enjoy slightly more headroom than in the last coupe."

The 2016 Honda Civic coupe has brought back the driving fun that should excite lovers of the gone-but-not-forgotten Honda Prelude.  You can see our inventory of new Civic coupes here, or our entire inventory at www.lujackhonda.com. 

The Honda S660 is Way More Fun Than it Should Be

3 cylinders and 63 horsepower doesn't exactly sound like most people's idea of a sportscar or roadster, but Honda seems to have struck the right tone with the S660.  Road and Track took a spin in the little 2-seater and came away notably impressed.  "Thankfully, the S660 is an exemplary sports car, more than any three-cylinder economy car has any right to be. The easy comparison to make is that this is Honda's answer to the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Then, you realize that the S660 is endowed with just 63 horsepower."

For a company like Honda, which produces many of the world's most popular models, like the Civic and the Accord, producing an ultra-niche vehicle like the S660 is an ambitious venture.  It's also very possible that we will never make it to the states, at least in it's current configuration.

No one will ever confuse the S660 with anything resembling practical.  There is essentially no storage, so this isn't going to be a long road-trip type car, but then again, it was never meant to be.  But what it lacks in practicality in makes up for in driving enjoyment.

The S660 comes standard with a newly-developed 6-speed manual transmission.  Although there is an available continuously-variable transmission, for a pure driving experience, the manual would seem to be the way to go for most people.  The turbo-charged inline 3-cylinder may not wow you with it's pure numbers, but it sounds and drives like something much more powerful.

We don't know if Honda will ever move the steering wheel to the other side and bring it to the U.S., but we would certainly welcome the opportunity to give it a drive.  



Honda Grauate Program

You've put in the work, you spent the time and, heaven knows, the money, to get through school.  Congratulations are certainly in order, and Lujack Honda would like to extend ours.  As you prepare to embark on the next phase of your life, wouldn't a new car be a great reward for all of your hard work?  And if you are going to buy or lease a new car, would it not make sense to buy one of the best and most reliable, vehicles on the road?

Honda has a fantastic program for recent and soon-to-be college graduates.  If you have graduated in the past two years, or if you will graduate within the next six months, with either a bachelors, masters, or associates degree (and meet necessary credit criteria) you can take advantage of the Honda College Grad Program and save an additional $500 (money down assistance or cap cost reduction) on any 2015 or newer Honda vehicle.  

Honda has so many great choices.  From the ultra-efficient and fun to drive Civic (the 2016 North American Car of the Year [1] and the Kelley Blue Book Overall Best Buy for 2016[2]), the 2016 HR-V (the 2016 Green Car of the Year[3], according to Green Car Journal).  

Stop by Lujack Honda to find out more about the Honda Graduate Program

 [1] For more information, visit AutoGuide.com. AutoGuide.com is a registered trademark of Verticalscope Inc.

[2] For more information, visit Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc

 [3] For more information, visit greencargroup.com.  Green Car Journal is a registered trademark of  RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc.

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

 

Zero Emissions. Infinite Possibilities.

 

  The driving force behind the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is a combination of elements we use everyday. By using hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity, the only by-product is water, therefore making this Honda more than just efficient, it's changing the game.  A compact fuel cell makes the refueling time short, just 3-5 minutes.  The interior is larger than the already roomy Accord and Honda Sensing comes standard. In fact, the Honda Clarity is the only fuel-cell vehicle to support Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto.

  The Honda Clarity is engineered for efficiency. The Clarity fuel cell has a targeted driving range of over 300+ miles, thanks to a number of things, including its compact fuel cell, energy efficient LED headlights and lightweight 18-inch aluminum wheels.**

 

 

  While you wait for the Honda Clarity to hit stores, you can shop our current inventory at www.lujackhonda.com or visit our store located at 3707 N. Harrison St. Davenport, IA. 52806 where you can speak with a member of our Honda Certified Sales Team. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

 

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[1] Anticipated range determined by Honda; production vehicle range rating to be determined.

[2] Apple CarPlay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

[3] Android and Android Auto are trademarks of Google Inc.

2016 Honda Fit

  The 2016 Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback, the smallest Honda you can buy, and one of the best fuel-efficient cars on the road today. The Fit simply does what Honda has always done well, and it does many things better even than the last-generation car.

2016 Honda Fit at the Chicago Auto Show

 

 

   Pragmatic but attractive, the Fit isn't styled so much like a scaled-down minivan anymore. It's grown more toward the current state of the art in hatchbacks, with deep side creases, a shoulder line that accentuates the wedge in its shape, and a leaner, tauter stance. The stubby, short hood and long roofline draw out the longer body, and the glass areas are in better balance—as are the Fit's bigger wheels and tires.

  It's hardly the hush of a luxury car, but among small and affordable hatchbacks, the new Fit is noticeably more refined than its predecessor was. The Fit rides with a little more maturity than it has in the past, and keeps its responsive steering and handling, but the cost is that the driving experience isn't quite as tied to the driver's seat.

 

 

 

  One of the keys to the Fit's simply unparalleled interior flexibility is its so-called "Magic Seat" rear-seat setup. The setup brings a split folding rear seat that can not only flip forward but flip back and upward, allowing four different modes that cater to specific kinds of large cargo—including a unique Tall mode and a futon-like Refresh mode. Back seats are happy places for tall, lanky folks, too—more so than in many swoopy-roofline cars a size or two larger. In front, the Fit is more ordinary for its class.

 

 

 

 Shop our current inventory for your next Honda Fit at www.lujackhonda.com or visit our showroom located at 3707 N. Harrison St. Davenport, IA. 52806 where you can speak with a member of our Honda Certified Sales Team. We look forward to hearing from you.

Preparing your car for Spring/Summer

 

 

  With winter FINALLY behind us, it's time to start thinking about summer roads trips. But first, you need to make sure your car is ready for summer road trips. Check out these tips below to make sure you won't get stranded on your first of many road trips.

1. Get rid of salt on the undercarriage.  Road salt can damage the undercarriage of your vehicle by eating away at it, so use a garden hose with as much water as you can to loosen grime and salt.

2. Check the tires.  Tire pressure changes about 1 pound per square inch for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in outside temperature, so it's important to check tire pressure after weather changes. You should never exceed the recommended tire pressure for your car.

3. Check the wiper blades.  Your wipers are worked hard all winter removing dirt and debris, including salt and spray from your windshield. Six months to a year is the usually life expectancy of wipers. Also, make sure you refill your wiper fluid.

4. Rotate the tires.  This is something that is relatively simple, but really important. Rotating your tires can extend the tread life and should be done roughly every 5,000-10,000 miles, but check your manual for the exact intervals. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires at every oil change.

5. Change the oil and oil filter.  Some manufacturers recommend using a heavyweight oil to help the engine perform more efficiently in hotter weather. However, you should always consult your owners manual for the best recommendation for your car. Make sure you also change the oil filter, since a dirty filter won't keep new oil clean.

6. Change the air filter. The air filter prevents dust and other debris from getting into the combustion chambers of the cylinders, resulting in wasted gas and weaker engine performance. A good rule of thumb is to change the air filters every six months.

7. Flush and fill your cooling system.  This is cheap insurance against engine failure. It's recommended that you flush your systems every two years or 24,000 miles. Again, consult your owners manual. Simply draining your radiator is not enough, it doesn't get rid of the grease, rust and sediments built up in there.

8. Check the radiator and gas caps.  Radiator caps don't last forever, so replace yours whenever you flush the cooling system. Pressure recommendations vary, so get the right cap for your vehicle model. Nearly 20 percent of vehicles have gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing altogether, wasting some 147 million gallons of gas every year. 

9. Check the battery and spark plugs.  Make sure all battery posts and connections are secure and free of corrosion. Dirty spark plugs cause misfiring, which wastes fuel. If you're planning a long trip, consider replacing the battery a spark plugs if they are more than two years old.

10. Clean the cabin.  It may seem like common sense, but appearances are important no matter the season. Get rid of all the debris that's been hanging out in your car all winter and then grab the vacuum! Remove all the mats to vacuum and wash outside. Don't forget about the trunk. Take out the spare tire and vacuum in there as well, but before you put it back check the pressure on the spare. Any grime, road dust or fingerprints have no appeal anytime of the year, so grab some vinyl cleaner and make sure you wipe down the dashboard, steering wheel and door panels.

  Whew! Now you're ready to wash and wax. Ordinary dish washing liquid and a clean, soft sponge will do nicely Make sure you use a different sponge though for the body and the wheels, you don't want to scratch your car. Or, there are plenty of reputable car washes around that will make your car sparkle and shine without you lifting a finger. Now, hit the road, you've earned it!