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Archive for the ‘Used Cars’ Category

Honda to mass recycle rare earth metals

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

Rare Earth Metals in Hybrid Technology | Illustration from: Sufiy

Apparently the clean tech industry has been mourning for a while the impending shortage of the minerals called “rare earth metals” which are used to make things like electric vehicle batteries and solar panels.

I must admit I don’t really know too much about these rare earth metals, so I had to dig a little bit and go back to my 10^th grade Chemistry class to find out. The rare earth metals are 17 chemical elements from the periodic table. Although dispersed throughout the Earth’s crust, they’re not often found in concentrated and extractable deposits; hence the use of the word “rare” and the shortage warning.

Therefore, Honda has joined forces with Japan Metals & Chemicals to start mass-recycling rare earth metals found on the batteries of used Honda hybrid vehicles collected from Honda dealers worldwide. These rare earth metals will be used again on Honda batteries and Honda auto parts.

Since 1999, Honda has sold over 800,000 hybrids worldwide, but this mass-production process at a recycling plant is the first of its kind.

Tags: honda auto parts austin, honda batteries austin tx, honda dealers austin, honda parts austin
Posted in Honda in the News, Honda Technology, Sustainability, Used Cars | No Comments »

The brands we drive

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

I just came accross this pretty cool infographic about the automaker brands that we drive here in the United States. Which brand do you drive? (We secretly hope it’s a Honda!)

Source: AYTM

Tags: car infographic, honda austin, honda infographic
Posted in Honda in the News, Uncategorized, Used Cars | No Comments »

How sixteen 2012 Honda Accords ended up in a dealer’s used car lot

Friday, March 30th, 2012

They were sunny days down in Palm Beach, Florida those first days of March. Spectators and news cameras from all over the world gathered at the PGA National Resort & Spa to watch some of the greatest golf players battle it out at The Honda Classic.

Anyone who’s anyone in the world of golf was there; from Darren Clarke to Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy, they made the journey from their home country to play this famous golf tournament.

During the four days of The Honda Classic (March 1^st through the 4^th), brand new 2012 Hondas were used as courtesy cars to transport the likes of Tiger Woods, Kenny G (who performed a benefit concert and was also the host of the event), and a myriad of golfing royalty.

Now, what happened to all of these new Honda cars once the golf tournament was over? Did they drive off into the sunset never to be seen again? Did they get eaten by the famous alligators of Florida? None of the above my dear friend.

Over a dozen of these courtesy cars made the trek all the way down to Austin, Texas. As if they were part of a high school marching band, sixteen 2012 Honda Accords marched (or drove) into the Howdy Honda used car parking lot and found their temporary home.

Now these practically brand new 2012 Honda Accords are waiting for a family to take them home and love them. They have all been Honda Certified and posses under 500 miles, and quite a few of them have less than 100 miles on them. Practically new.

Not everyone in Austin knows that we are also a used Honda dealership, but we are (and a good one!). So if you want to give one of these 2012 Honda Accord your love, give us a call at 512-443-4300, email us at howdy@howdyhonda.com or drop by.

Oh yeah, and check out this infographic that tells the story of these sixteen 2012 Accords and their journey:

Certified Used 2012 Honda Accord for Sale Austin TX

Tags: 2012 honda accord austin, Honda Accord Austin, honda accord for sale austin, used honda dealer austin, used honda dealership austin
Posted in Honda Accord, Honda in the News, Honda Models, Honda Vehicles, Honda’s Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program, Used Cars | No Comments »

What is a transmission flush and why does my car need one?

Monday, March 12th, 2012

: What is a transmission flush and why does my car need one?

The other day I was talking with Jesse, one of Service advisor; Eric, one of our awesome technicians; and a customer that had come in for some maintenance work on his Honda. While we were all talking, the subject of transmission flush came up: what it did and why it was needed. Thankfully, Jesse and Eric are great at explaining mechanical work and were able to give us some insight into this maintenance item.

So let’s start with the easy stuff; what is a transmission flush? A transmission flush is simply the removal of the transmission fluid via a drain plug and then adding new transmission fluid. This process gives the transmission a sort of “cleanse” that helps reduce the strain on the components within the transmission and prolong its life.

Why does your car need a transmission flush? A transmission flush is essential due to the fact that by removing the old transmission fluid, any buildup that has occurred in the transmission will be removed also. The old residue inside of your transmission can potentially contaminate your fluid over time and put unnecessary stress on the transmission, thus increasing your chances of having to replace the transmission all together.

Recap: A simple transmission flush not only will make your transmission run better, but will also prolong the life of the transmission. In other words, you will be saving serious money by maintaining the transmission as transmission repair/replacement averages as one of the highest costs related to automobiles.

If you’re unsure when the right time to do a transmission flush is, check out your vehicle’s owners’ manual, Honda maintenance schedule or contact one of the service advisors at our Honda Service Center. The service advisors and certified technicians here at Howdy Honda know pretty much everything about your Honda (not in a creepy way, of course) and they’ll be able to quickly determine when a transmission flush is due on your car.

Tags: Honda maintenance, honda repair austin, honda service austin, honda transmission flush
Posted in Howdy Honda Service, Service Department, Used Cars, Vehicle Maintenance | No Comments »

5 Features That Will Help You Lower Your Car Insurance

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

Buying a vehicle isn’t cheap. Neither are the costs associated with owning a car; things like filling the gas tank and paying insurance can stack up against your monthly budget fast. So we’ve decided to lay out 5 features that can help you lower your car insurance premium and keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket.

1. Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS)

Insurance companies love knowing that you have a lesser risk of losing control of your vehicle thanks to the ABS in your car.

2. What’s in a Car’s Age?

Generally, the older the car, the higher the risk of mechanical failure. Newer cars (five years old or less) tend to pay lower insurance premiums thanks to updated safety features. Now, obviously a brand new luxury car will be more expensive to insure than a 1990 Honda Accord; but in an equal world, the younger the car, the lower the insurance cost.

3. Lots of Airbags

It’s all about safety! Vehicles with additional airbags, like side-curtains airbags, that protect all passengers are like rainbows on a sunny day for insurance companies and you will be the one getting the pot of gold at the end.

4. Crash Test Ratings

Did you know that the performance of a car in a crash test affects the amount it costs to insure it? Interesting, I know. So do your homework before purchasing a car and research its safety rating. (Psst. Did you also know that nine 2012 Honda models are Top Safety Picks? Food for thought)

5. Alarm Systems

Insurance companies not only take into consideration the safety of passengers while driving, but also the actual safety of the vehicle while parked. Systems that reduce the risk of theft make insurance companies very happy and lower the cost on your end.

What have we learned? Safety features are key to lowering insurance costs. However, there are other variables like your driving history that play a role in the total cost of insurance; you can read about some of them here.

Nonetheless, looking for a car with great safety features will help you get that lower payment. Like I said, nine 2012 Honda models are Top Safety Picks (hint, hint). But we have many used cars in Austin that are less than five years old and possess these safety attributes, too. So give us a call if you’re in the market!

Tags: 2012 honda austin, Honda safety, lower insurance premiums, top safe vehicles, used cars austin
Posted in Tips and Tricks, Used Cars | No Comments »

Consumer Reports: Honda Fit & Honda CR-V Among Best Used Cars

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

Consumer Reports Give Positive Reinforcement for Honda Owners and Buyers

Every March automakers get the jitters due to Consumer Reports annual auto issue, which hits the newsstands at some point in April.

Historically, Consumer Reports’ April issue breaks down each vehicle by first impressions and how things are in the early going. This can prove to be a helpful resource for many drivers, but at the same time counter-productive for others. While Consumer Reports gives great in-depth analysis of each-vehicle, their annual report lacks long-term analysis that car buyers would prefer to first impressions. Until now.

In this year’s annual April automotive Consumer Reports issue, the magazine lists several 2007 models that held-up well and those that went bad over a five-year period. CR had their readers record how many problems their vehicle had during its’ first year as well as in its’ fifth year, and averaged how many problems rose for each vehicle, per every 100 vehicles.

When all the smoke settled and the data was all laid out, two 2007 Honda vehicles were left standing; the Honda Fit and Honda CR-V. This may not seem like a big deal, but when a car manufacturer has 40% of the top 5, that’s something to brag about! And Honda didn’t have any vehicles in the bottom 5 either.

Now imagine yourself driving around Austin in a car that barely gives you any problems if you keep it well-maintained. Ahhhh…the worry-free kind of life. We have many of the best used cars in Austin, including Honda Fit & Honda CR-V (but they get picked up quickly). Give us a quick call at 512-443-4300 or shoot us an email at howdy@howdyhonda.com to let us know you’re interested in a used Honda Fit or used Honda CR-V and we’ll quickly help you get in a great used car.

Tags: honda cr-v for sale austin, honda fit for sale austin, used cars in austin, used honda cr-v austin, used honda fit austin
Posted in Awards & Accolades, Honda CR-V, Honda Fit, Honda in the News, Honda Models, Honda’s Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program, Used Cars | No Comments »

Honda’s Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Buying a new car is a great feeling. Knowing that you are the only person to really drive a vehicle offers peace of mind and that’s something that can’t be bought. But there is a lot to be said about buying used cars, especially Certified Pre-Owned Hondas at Howdy Honda, the leading used Honda dealership in Austin, Texas.

If you’re unfamiliar with Honda’s Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program here is a crash course on it. In order for any Honda vehicle to qualify it must be 6 years old or newer and the engine must have fewer than 80,000 miles on it.

Once a Honda model qualifies for this great vehicle program it undergoes a vigorous 150-point mechanical/aesthetic inspection from a Honda Certified Technician, making sure that the vehicle at hand meets all requirements necessary to be in the program. Everything is looked at; from the alternator to the wheels, nothing goes unturned.

Once a Honda is certified, the driver will be given a 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty based off the vehicle’s original in-service date. Drivers also receive a 12 month/12,000-mile non-powertrain warranty from the original warranty’s expiration date. If that has already expired, Honda offers the same warranty from the Honda Certified Used Car purchase date, making it convenient for drivers.

Additional bonuses that come with the Honda Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program include; $0 dollar deductible, free CARFAX report, Roadside Assistance and the warranty is transferable as well.

With all the peace of mind that comes from buying a Certified Pre-Owned Honda, what do you really have to lose? Even more, the best part about purchasing a certified used Honda from Howdy Honda is that it comes with Howdy Honda’s exceptional Service Department. This Honda Service Center is top-notch and will make sure your used car is always running like new.

Tags: Certified Pre-Owned Honda, Certified Pre-Owned Honda austin, Certified Used Honda, used cars austin, used honda dealership austin tx
Posted in Honda’s Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program, Service Department, Used Cars | No Comments »

Top 10 Reasons to shop at Howdy Honda

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Photo source: bumpshack

Top 10 reasons to shop at Howdy Honda – an Austin Honda Dealer.

1. You won’t find emotion-less employees here because our staff is composed of family. In every department you will find people that have worked at Howdy Honda for over 10 or 20 years, so we’ve grown to become a big Honda-lovin’ family. You’ll see what we mean when you walk in here and talk to a few of us – you’ll feel like the long-lost sibling we’ve never met! These great folk also work very hard for our guests, no matter what the weather conditions are like – sweeping wind storms, torrential thunderstorms, scorching heat, even the devastatingly rare 1-inch snow fall.

2. What does Howdy Honda have in common with Denzel Washington, Titanic (the movie), President Obama, Arcade Fire, BBC News, and Jersey Boys? We’re all award winners! Sure, we might not have won a Nobel Prize, but we’ve won the Honda President’s Award eight times! That’s like an Oscar in the Honda world. And, not only that, but we’ve also won the Council of Excellence Award three times – that might be like a Grammy for Honda dealerships as it recognizes the finance managers and processes at the dealer. So, think about it: award-winning dealership or no award-winning dealership?

3. Disney movies – do I need to say more? Okay I will. We have Disney movies running 24/7 in our children’s area near the waiting room. So while you wait for your car, your kid can be at peace with herself watching child-proof TV. No children? We have two huge TV’s with local news and sports (but you are welcome to watch the kid’s movie, if you prefer).

4. Your soul will be kept warm and full while at Howdy Honda. We have 7 different gourmet coffee flavors that you can try, which only mean that you will have to try them all. What if you don’t fancy fancy coffee? To your heart’s content, we have bottled water and different kinds of juices and sodas.

5. Howdy Honda is the perfect place for you to do some official business. Besides having free WiFi (seriously, who doesn’t now days?), we have a business sanctuary we like to call the “Business Center.” It’s a closed (and quiet) room with individual desks and electrical plugs where you can make the future happen while you wait on your Honda repairs to get done. I’ve heard that life-changing inventions and theory-changing thesis’ have been produced in this room, but those might just be rumors.

6. \Treading the streets of Austin is like driving on the moon. Therefore, we have an awesome and very efficient staff handling the Express Service area. They’ll treat your Honda right and give it the best oil change and tire rotation in Austin to get it back to pre-moon-treading glory.

7. Did I forget to mention the free car wash? Yes, sir you read right: Free Car Wash. All of our service guests get a complimentary car wash whith their repair or maintenance. Recap: you get fast service + free car wash = JACKPOT!

8. Free shuttle service to the airport. Things just keeps getting better! When your Honda is short of falling apart and needs major repair work, guess what? Now you can schedule your car’s mechanical malfunctions with your vacation time. You can drop off your car for surgery and we’ll give you a ride to and from the airport. Just make sure to set an appointment first.

9. We have the used cars in Austin with the most character. In fact, we don’t even like calling them “used;” we prefer pre-loved, if you will. Cars that were once taken care of, cleaned, maintained, spoken to, maybe even sung to; cars that built character with its previous owner. Cars that are waiting for your love.

10. If you hadn’t come to this conclusion already – we’re cool. Period. How do we demonstrate our coolness? You’ll just have to go to our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, G+ or Tumblr to find out. But trust me; you’ll want to buy a car from the coolest car dealer in Austin.

By now you must be thinking, “this couldn’t possibly be true, I must go and see for myself.” And indeed you must! We’re not making any of this up – these are real, hard, true facts. After reading this, hop in your ride and see how this Honda dealership rocks.

The picture above is solely for entertainment purposes and does not signify an endorsement from Conan O’Brien.

Tags: austin honda dealer, car dealer austin, honda dealership austin, tire rotation austin, used cars in austin
Posted in Finance Department, Howdy Honda News, Howdy Honda Service, New Honda Cars, Service Department, Used Cars | No Comments »

Budget-friendly car shopping: Pro Tips for purchasing used cars

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Tips for Buying A Used Car in Austin Courtesy of Howdy Honda

Buying an used car can be stressful and quite the hassle. Which model year do I buy? What is an acceptable gas mileage on a used car? What about the Carfax? The list of questions can literally go on forever. However don’t panic, being in the used car business we can help you in the process so you can feel confident in your search for a great used car in Austin.

First, props to you for buying used (it’s like adopting a pet! Well, sort of but not exactly). It’s a smart move since you can get almost a brand new car for a significantly cheaper price. Now, figuring out the perfect car for you is trickier; look for a vehicle that is practical for your needs and fits the budget you have allocated for a monthly payment. The key here is: research, research, research! Pro Tip #1: List your needs, budget, preferences and limits; it’ll make your life easier. Also remember to carry the list with you when you go test drive the used cars, that way you won’t forget.

So while we are on the budget subject, financing is another thing that you can’t overlook. Many car dealerships will finance the vehicle but it will generally come with a higher interest rate than say a bank or credit union. Pro Tip #2: Although some car dealers offer legit financing deals, make sure to look over it thoroughly. Don’t forget either, the more that you put down the less your monthly payment will be! Pro Tip #3: Just because a used car dealership in Austin is running a deal for $0 down at signing doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put $0 down (spoiler alert: monthly payments will go up).

Once you have narrowed your search and found a couple of vehicles that fit your criteria: TEST DRIVE! We can not emphasize it enough, but we’ll try – TEST DRIVE! Pro Tip #4: Mirror your usual driving patters (highway, slopes, braking, acceleration, etc) and check for engine noises or rattles and squeaks. Pro Tip #5: Also, run a history report on the car’s VIN, it’ll uncover the past life of the car and let you know where it’s been before you came into the picture.

If you need a great place to start looking for a used car in Austin, you know where to look (hint: you are on their page). We employ an award-winning financial team (no funny business here) and have a wide selection of used vehicles. On a tight-tight budget? Check out our cars for sale under $10k. Looking for the crème of the crop? Check out our Certified Pre-Owned Hondas.

Tags: cars for sale austin, certified used honda austin, used car dealer austin, used car dealership austin, used cars austin
Posted in Finance Department, Tips and Tricks, Used Cars | No Comments »

Five Honda models win 2012 “Best Resale Value Awards” by KBB

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

Kelley Blue Book, one of the leading online resources for car shoppers, announced the winners of their 2012 Best Resale Value Awards. The annual award recognizes current and upcoming vehicles that are expected to maintain a big portion of their original value after five years of ownership. And 2012 Honda owners earned some serious bragging rights because five Honda models received this great honor.

The distinction comes as no surprise to us; everyone knows the high resale value Honda’s retain due to their quality and reliability. But it’s good to be recognized and acknowledged by an independent third-party reviewer whose mission is to help consumers make an informed decision.

Many new car shoppers fail to realize the importance of a vehicle’s resale value during the purchase decision. A vehicle’s depreciation is a car owner’s primary expense during ownership, so KBB and we recommend shoppers to take into consideration the future retained value of a vehicle before making a commitment.

As KBB has let you know, Honda’s hold their resale value much better than other cars in the market. For this upcoming 2012 model year, KBB honored the following models with a Best Resale Value Award:

Honda Fit (Subcompact Car Category)

Honda Civic (Compact Car Category)

Honda Odyssey (Van Category)

Honda Civic Hybrid (Hybrid Car Category)

Honda CR-V (Top 10 Best Resale Value Cars)

Owning an award-winning car is not out of your reach – on the contrary! Just browse around our site and look at the inventory available, give us a call at 512-443-4300, shoot us an email at howdy@howdyhonda.com or swing by the store. One of our professional consultants will answer the questions you may have and get you in that award-winning Honda. If you already own a Honda, trade-it in! Your used Honda is worth much more than most other vehicles on the road, and you should take advantage of that equity.

Tags: 2012 honda austin, austin car dealership, honda austin, used cars austin, used honda austin
Posted in Honda CR-V, Honda in the News, Honda Models, Honda Odyssey, New Honda Cars, Used Cars | No Comments »

Howdy Honda Blog

Archive for the ‘Used Cars’ Category

Honda to mass recycle rare earth metals

The brands we drive

How sixteen 2012 Honda Accords ended up in a dealer’s used car lot

What is a transmission flush and why does my car need one?

5 Features That Will Help You Lower Your Car Insurance

Consumer Reports: Honda Fit & Honda CR-V Among Best Used Cars

Honda’s Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program

Top 10 Reasons to shop at Howdy Honda

Budget-friendly car shopping: Pro Tips for purchasing used cars

Five Honda models win 2012 “Best Resale Value Awards” by KBB

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