auto OTIVES
Your local automotive buyer’s guide Presented by The Laker/Lutz News • FEBRUARY 2019
ENJOY FULL-SIZE PICKUP CAPABILITIES IN MID-SIZE COLORADO By NITISH S. RELE
COLORADO Z71
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nrele@lakerlutznews.com
ver since its return in 2015 after a 7-year hiatus, the Chevy Colorado has taken on some tough competition. But, it carries on. For 2019, this mid-size pickup continues to break new ground, drawing in a loyal following, as well as several new owners. Available in at least three varying power trains (4-cylinder 2.5 and 2.8), our four-wheel drive Z71 trim was equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine putting out 308 horsepower. Step on the gas and the Colorado may surprise you as it takes off the line. Power reaches all the wheels via a crisp-shifting 8-speed auto gear box. An independent coil-over-shock front and solid axle rear suspension soaks hurdles with skill, sure-footedness and confidence. The electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering is direct and precise. Sound-damping materials hold wind and road noise to a minimum, guaranteeing silence and poise at highway speeds. And, if you need to haul a sailboat or another car, tow capacity is an astounding 7,000 pounds. Our crew cab version was equipped with a 5’ 2” short bed that had 13 tie-downs. Step inside the lap of luxury to be impressed by aluminum trim on the large and eligible instrument cluster
TIRES: P255/65R17 WHEELBASE: 128.3 inches LENGTH: 212.7 inches WIDTH: 74.3 inches HEIGHT: 70.7 inches WEIGHT: 4,481 pounds FUEL CAPACITY: 21 gallons CITY: 17 mpg HIGHWAY: 24 mpg BASE PRICE: $36,900 PRICE AS TESTED: $41,565
of speedometer and tachometer. The tilt/telescopic steering column will be welcomed by drivers of all statures. The 8-inch color touchscreen for audio, navigation and Intellilink readings is easy and clear
to read. Underneath, climate control buttons are logically placed and straightforward to use. The interior is quite spacious with six-way power driver and four-way frontpassenger heated seats. In fact, there is plenty of space for children, and even 6foot adults, for a long journey in the folding second-row bench. Storage spaces are abundant with a good-size center console, cellphone tray, door pockets and the usual cup holders. The innovative lift-and-lower locking tailgate in the Colorado using an internal torsion
bar (effortless to raise and even better, lowers slowly) is most likely to be incorporated into other pickups. This being an off-road prowess truck, a rotary dial offers the option of 2WD, Auto, 4WD Hi and 4WD Lo modes. Of course, dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, stability and traction control, rearview camera, remote keyless entry and vehicle start, driver selectable, rear-park assist, hill descent control, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system come at no cost. So, why should you buy the Colorado? Well, you will be hardpressed to find a full-size pickup that delivers notable cargo and towing capability, and creditable fuel efficiency. At the same time, you enjoy a decent and sophisticated ride.
Test drive the Colorado at Maus Family Chevrolet, 16414 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, call (813) 448-3949, or visit www.mausfamilychevrolet.com.
A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
auto | MOTIVES • FEBRUARY 2019
ALL-NEW LEXUS UX PURPOSE-BUILT FOR THE URBAN BUYER By NITISH S. RELE
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motoringtampabay@gmail.com
ooking to buy a small but affordable crossover designed for the modern urban explorer? The all-new 2019 Lexus UX could be just the vehicle
for you. This urban-centric ride in the fastest-growing compact SUV segment is available in two trims: the front-wheel drive UX200 with a 2.0liter 4-cylinder engine putting out 169 horsepower; or the all-wheel drive UX250h gas/electric hybrid with a 2.0-liter developing a total of 181 hp. The former is mated to a 10speed direct-shift auto gear box, and the latter gets a continuous variable transmission. A 34.2-foot turning circle means maneuvering sharp curves or making a U-turn is a breeze. The UX250h employs a fourcylinder gas engine, two electric motors and a 216-volt nickel-metal hydride battery. At higher speeds, power comes primarily from the gasoline engine. During deceleration and braking, the vehicle uses regenerative braking to apply much of the wasted energy toward recharging the hybrid battery. Standard bi-LED headlights and daytime running lights flank a massive three-dimensional mesh spindle grille to give the UX a muscular stance. Attention to detail is apparent in the cabin with its robust three-spoke steering wheel, which turns effortlessly. The driver and front-row passenger get eightway power seats, while the rear 60/40 seat folds for storage if needed. As summer approaches, the dual auto a/c will keep the frontrow occupants cool. Tech-driven aficionados will appreciate the six speakers, four USB ports, wireless phone charger, and Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay integration. A mouse-like Remote Touch enables the driver to toggle navigation, climate, audio and phone controls, which are displayed on a 7-inch or the optional 10.3-inch screen, next to the familiar analog clock. Passenger volume is at 90.4 and trunk space at 21.7 cubic feet, which is laudable for a compact SUV. Add $2,000 if you would like the sporty F Sport trim, which includes a sport-tuned suspension, perforated leather shifter and heated steering wheel, F Sport grille, front/rear bumpers, 8-inch display screen, and more. Apart from the standard airbag/stability control features, the Lexus Safety Sense + 2.0 fetches you a pre-collision system that detects pedestrians, lane departure alert and lane tracing assist, dynamic cruise control and intelligent high beams at no cost. Starting at $32,000 for the UX200 and $34,000 for the UX250h, this Urban + X-over (crossover) is a purposeful vehicle with no compromises. Taking into consideration its Lexus label, it truly is great value for the money. This immensely pleasant and rewarding UX is a welcome addition to the lineup of the luxury division.
Test drive the Lexus UX models at Lexus of Wesley Chapel, 5350 Eagleston Blvd., Wesley Chapel. For more information, call the dealership at (813) 907-5350.
LEXUS UX200
TIRES: 225/50RF18 WHEELBASE: 103.9 inches LENGTH: 177 inches WEIGHT: 3,307 pounds SUSPENSION: MacPherson strut front, trailing arm multilink rear STEERING: electric power FUEL CAPACITY: 12.4 gallons CITY: 29 mpg HIGHWAY: 37 mpg WEB SITE: LexusOfWesleyChapel.com A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
FEBRUARY 2019 • auto | MOTIVES
A CLEAN CAR IS MONEY IN THE BANK
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urchasing a new car is a major financial investment. Keeping it clean can be an easy and inexpensive way to protect its resale and trade-in value. “Many motorists procrastinate when it comes to cleaning their vehicles,” said Rich White, executive director of the nonprofit Car Care Council. “Whether you do it yourself or have it cleaned professionally, proactively keeping your car clean on the outside and tidy on the inside will pay big dividends when it comes to maintaining your vehicle’s value over time.” The Car Care Council suggests five simple steps to keep a vehicle clean, helping protect it from the elements and preserve its value. • DECLUTTER—Start the cleaning process by removing excess clutter from inside the vehicle, as it can be distracting and hazardous, especially when debris finds its way near the gas and brake pedals. Don’t forget to clear out items that have accumulated in the trunk, as they can add extra
weight and reduce fuel efficiency. • CLEAN THE INTERIOR—The next step is to thoroughly clean the interior, wash the windows and clean and install floor mats. Be sure to vacuum on a regular basis. A clean and orderly interior lets you spot issues in
DECODING YOUR VIN
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hen cars are sold, recalled, stolen or involved in accidents, you may hear references to the VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number. Many data registries use the VIN to record details of the vehicle’s history, so before you buy a used car, do a VIN lookup to get a vehicle history report and records of previous owners, accidents and repairs. You can also find out from the VIN if the manufacturer has ever issued a recall, and whether those repairs were made. THE VIN CODE The VIN is a unique code that is assigned to every motor vehicle when it’s manufactured. It consists of a 17-character string of letters and numbers without intervening spaces. Letters Q (q), I (i) and O (o); are omitted to avoid confusion with the numerals 0 and 1. Each section of the VIN provides a specific piece of information about the vehicle, including the year, country and factory of manufacture; the make and
model; and the serial number. VINs are usually printed in a single line. HOW TO FIND THE VIN NUMBER On most passenger cars, you can find the VIN number on the front of the dashboard on the driver’s side. The best way to see it is to look through the windshield from outside the car. You can also find the VIN number on the driver’s side door pillar. Open the door and look around the area where the door latches to the car. A motorcycle’s VIN is usually on the steering neck below the handlebars, although sometimes it’s on the motor or on the frame near the motor. A semitrailer’s VIN is located on the front part of the semitrailer on the left side. If you can’t find the VIN number on the vehicle, you should be able to find it on your vehicle’s title or liability insurance documents.
the cabin so you can get them repaired before they get worse. • WASH THE EXTERIOR—Give your car a good wash from top to bottom using products specifically made for automobiles. Always clean the tires and wheels before washing
the body, and don’t use the same washing mitt or cloth for both. • WAX TWICE A YEAR—Waxing not only protects a vehicle’s finish, it makes subsequent washing easier. Before proceeding, make sure there are no foreign particles on the paint. It’s important to note that waxing should be done in the shade, not direct sunlight. • FIX CHIPS—If you find minor paint damage, cover the paint chips as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. For a quick fix until you can get paint touch-up supplies, dab a little clear nail polish on the scratch. The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. To order a free copy of the popular “Car Care Guide,” visit the council’s consumer education website, www.carcare.org. Courtesy of NAPSI
Keep your car looking great. Basic Wash • Wash & Wax • Full Detail • Home Pressure Washing Also Available
MOBILE DETAILING
$55.00
$65.00
WASH & WAX
HEADLIGHT RESTORATION
$75 Value
up to $100 Value
Call Curtis for Appointment
813.347.0502
To decode your vehicle’s VIN number, the VIN Decoder at visit https://driving-tests.org/vin-decoder/. Courtesy of NAPSI
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LARGEST INDEPEND DENT PRE OW WNED AUTO DEALLERSHIP! NEV VER A DEAL LER FEE! ON NLY T TA AX, TAG, & TITL LE
SV 2013 Cadillac Escalade ES 115,014 mi / $20,995
2017 Dodge Grand Caraavan SXT 51,909 mi / $16,4 495
2015 Dodge Dart D SXT 42,986 mi / $12,495 $
2014 Ford F--250 Super Duty 80,757 mi m / $44,995
2015 Hyundai H Accent GS 34,7 720 mi / $11,495
S 2014 Kia Soul 63,413 mi / $9,495
2011 Maazda CX-7 SV 80,517 mi m / $8,995
2011 Nissan N Titan Pro-4X 92,4 450 mi / $19,495
4542 GA ALL BOULEV VARD • ZEP PHYRHILLS S • 813-780 0-1132 W W W. T H O M A S A N D S O N I N C . C O M A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
auto | MOTIVES • FEBRUARY 2019
PARKS FORD UNVEILS NEW DEALERSHIP BUILDING
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here’s been a lot of speculation about what is going on at Parks Ford in Wesley Chapel, with its main building behind a curtain of construction since last summer, and large modular buildings put in place next door. “We’ve gutted our old building and are completely rebuilding all major customer touch points, so that we can better accommodate our customers and employees,” said Ron Parks at his dealership on State Road 54, located just east of I-75. When Parks Ford unveils its new building later this spring, it will feature a larger showroom to display its broad line of vehicles, an expanded and fully covered customer delivery center, and much larger service write-up and customer waiting areas. “The design of our new building is very progressive, and will enhance the comfort and convenience of our customers and staff,” said Parks. To limit the inconvenience created by such a major project, Parks Ford put in place modular buildings before construction began last July. “We had the modular buildings ready to go before we started to make sure our customers and staff would not be inconvenienced by the construction,” said Parks. This major expansion is just one example of Parks’ commitment to the Wesley Chapel community, his customers and staff. His dealership employs over 100 people, most of whom are long-time employees that live locally and are involved in area schools, youth groups, churches and service groups. “The culture here is very employeefocused. We know that happy employees provide the best customer service, and I’m very proud that many of our people have worked here for many years,” said Parks. Heading up the operations team at Parks Ford is Vice President Terry Mullane, who has worked with the Parks family for 25 years and is a partner in the business. “Terry is the driving force behind
our culture at Parks Ford — the person who leads our ship and keeps us on track,” said Parks. Mullane oversees employee development programs to educate and grow his people so they can flourish in their jobs. This includes employee outreach programs, and hosting team building events, such as bowling parties and family picnics. “Our employees are the focal point of our operation and paramount to our success,” said Parks. “We empower our people to make decisions, so they can do what’s necessary to accommodate our customers.”
COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY Parks takes ‘community’ very seriously, and has a full-time employee whose primary responsibility is community relations. Jennifer Cofini has served in this role for the past eight years, and heads up Parks Ford’s involvement in community organizations and events. Cofini is the past chairperson of North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, and has been on the chamber’s board for the last six years. She also is involved in Rotary International. “We are very proud of our partnership with Wesley Chapel High School’s Automotive Academy, which train students for well-paying technical jobs,” said Cofini. “Ellis Adams, our service manager, is on the school’s advisory council, and we’ve hired several academy graduates.” Parks Ford hosts several Drive 4 UR Community events for area schools and service groups, including Sunlake,
Wiregrass and Wesley Chapel high schools, and Double Branch Elementary. Other organizations the dealership supports are March of Dimes, Helping Hands Food Pantry, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, OneBlood, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. “We give back to the local community because our customers are primarily from Pasco and north Hillsborough counties,” said Parks. “We give back because the community supports us!”
DEALERSHIP HISTORY Ron Parks’ father, Jack Parks, spent his entire career in the automotive industry. He opened his first dealership in 1975 in Tampa — a Lincoln Mercury dealership on Florida Avenue, which the family still owns today. In 1978, Ron joined his father in the family business after careers in banking and real estate. In 1984, they opened their first dealership in Pasco County — Heritage Ford in Zephyrhills, which was seven miles east on State Road 54. In 1999, the Parks moved Heritage Ford to their 15acre site in Wesley Chapel, and renamed the business Parks Ford. The Parks wanted to be closer to I75 so their location would be more convenient for customers. Plus, they believed that central Pasco area was about to explode with new homes and businesses. “We were the first automobile dealership to recognize the potential in Wesley Chapel and central Pasco,” said
(888) 742-4177 28739 State Road 54 Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
Parks. “We are proud to have been the very first dealership in the community, and proud to still be here today under the same family ownership.” In 2013, Parks expanded again in Wesley Chapel when he opened a Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealership next door to his Ford operation. In addition to Parks Ford, the Parks family owns Parks Lincoln of Tampa at 10505 N. Florida Ave., and Stadium Toyota at 5088 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Tampa. “We have a courteous and committed sales staff, as well as professional, expert service technicians, all with many years of experience satisfying our customers' needs,” said Parks. “They are the reason we give the best service possible to every customer. Please stop by and find out how we can help you with your automotive needs!”
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
At Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel, you receive exclusive features and benefits to both enhance and protect your vehicle.
• ENGINE PROTECTION • PROTECTIVE COATINS • ID THEFT PROTECTION • LOYALTY REWARDS APP AND MORE... 28739 State Road 54 • Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 • (813) 907-7800
FordOfWesleyChapel.com See dealer for full details.
A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM