Darrell Waltrip Acquires Subaru Dealership

Franklin, TN – March 4, 2009 -- Darrell Waltrip Automotive today announced the addition of Subaru to its portfolio of premier automotive brands of Honda and Volvo. The new dealership, Darrell Waltrip Volvo Subaru is now an authorized point for Subaru parts, sales, and customer service for the people of middle Tennessee.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to better service the Subaru community and truly compliment our current offering with a line-up of vehicles that perfectly matches the active lifestyles of people living in our area," said CEO Darrell Waltrip. "While other automotive manufacturer sales are declining across the U.S., Subaru is gaining market share and increasing sales, due in large part to the 100 percent All-Wheel Drive line-up including the 2009 Forester - Motor Trend's 'Sport/Utility of the Year' "

“Subaru's commitment to quality and appealing line-up of AWD vehicles, coupled with our experience in middle Tennessee, makes this opportunity a smart choice. We're looking forward to introducing our new friends to the type of service and commitment that has made Darrell Waltrip a successful part of the community for over 25 years” explained Waltrip.

About Darrell Waltrip Automotive

Darrell Waltrip Automotive started in 1984 as Darrell Waltrip Honda and opened Darrell Waltrip Volvo in 1994. Both Darrell Waltrip Honda and Darrell Waltrip Volvo are #1 in sales volume in middle Tennessee’s for the past 10 years.

Darrell Waltrip’s convenient location just off exit 65 on I-65 in Franklin, has always been an easy destination for vehicle maintenance over the years and Darrell Waltrip’s commitment to quality new and used vehicles has fostered a relationship with its customers that leads to continued loyalty. Darrell Waltrip knows that one of your friends and family is driving a vehicle from Darrell Waltrip Automotive and takes the responsibility of their happiness as its first order of business.

2009 Honda Accord Sedan: Style, Technology…And Just Everything Inside

Your own Honda dealership, Darrell Waltrip Honda has the 2009 Honda Accord in stock. This elegantly designed luxury sedan is a carryover of the feature-packed 2008 model. This premium midsize sedan is available in LX, LX-P, EX, EX-L, EX V6, and EX-L V6 trim levels. Apart from an exquisite design, the Accord Sedan offers better performance and greater comfort. It comes packed with plenty of advanced technologies designed for more power, greater efficiency, and enhanced safety of occupants.

The 2009 Honda Accord Sedan can be equipped with three engine types: a 177-horsepower 2.4-liter Inline 4-cylinder engine, a 190-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, and a 271-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. These engines are paired with a quick-shifting standard 5-speed manual transmission. However, a 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control system is also available optional.

With an extensive front-end, exclusively designed 6-sided grille, more aggressively arched fenders, distinctive upper and lower style lines along the body sides, and a sweeping roofline with chrome window trimmings, the 2009 Accord grabs all attention on the road. Drive home the all-new Accord from Darrell Waltrip Honda located at 1430 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin, TN 37067.

Greg Gibbs Great Help In

Buying Honda CR-V

Hi, I just received your e-mail regarding my new vehicle purchase from Darrell Waltrip. We bought our first Honda, a Civic Hatchback, back in 1994 after dropping our Volvo off for service. We had just come back from 5 years in Europe and were new to the area. We loved the service we received at Waltrip Volvo and decided to buy a little commuter car for me. I owned that car for 12 years and 210000 miles and was sold on Honda. We then bought a Civic 4-door in 2001 and I again enjoyed my new Honda. After 2 grandkids came along we traded the Civic in 2005 for an Accord . The luxurious and dependable ride of this car was wonderful. I loved the bigger interior and the XM radio. Putting 113000 miles on it in 3 years did'nt do anything to the car. It drove as good as new. However, I cut down on my commute and we thought of getting an 08 model Accord at this time since I don't drive so much anymore. So that's what happened about 10days ago. I took the car home for one night and brought it back the next day for installation of the LOJack system and to check on the tire light that came on. Since this was a Saturday they did not finish with it and I was given a "loaner" , a new CRV and had it until Tuesday. Then after picking up the Accord on Tuesday the light came on again and I was told to bring it back for another inspection by the mechanics. At this point I was given a Pilot as a loaner. I was very impressed by how I was never inconvenienced for a minute because of the loaners. Those cars were great.Then finally on Wednesday after work my car was ready and I picked it up that evening. I was excited until I was halfway to Clarksville. Then my back began to ache and by the time I got home I was in pain. No matter what I tried , I couldn't get the seat to be comfortable to my back. I have disc disease and the way the seat in the new Accord is shaped and firmed up put me in agony. I did not notice this as much the first day I took the car home, just thought I was somewhat stiff, but there was no way missing it the second time. The car drove beautifully but was a terrible fit for me. You can not imagine my horror at the thought of the consequences, having just purchased a new vehicle I couldn't sit in for more than 15 minutes comfortably and trading in a perfectly comfortable car I couldn't get back. Needless to say I spent a horrible night hurting and stressing wondering what to do. When my husband called from Iraq in the morning I was so upset, he told me to call Darrell Waltrip and ask my salesperson , Greg Gibbs, if there was something they could do for me. I was so embarrassed about my situation and felt very hopeless at that time but Greg couldn't have been nicer. He was so understanding and made me feel that this was not an impossible situation. He told me he'd call right back after talking to his manager and when he did, he asked me what vehicle I would feel good in . His manager had agreed to take back the Accord and they'd work with me to get me into another vehicle that day! You can't imagine how relieved and grateful I felt. Since I really felt comfortable in the loaner CRV I decided to go with one. Greg made sure I got what I wanted, that I was comfortable and worked out such a good deal as far as the financial side was concerned. I was so glad that I was able to drive off with a car that suited me and that didn't kill my back. Greg checked on me again by phone on Saturday to see if I was still doing ok with the CRV. I so appreciate everything he did for me in my crazy situation. I love the CRV and both myself and my husband are very grateful. Despite the bad start for me this car buying experience was great. Please know that Greg did go out of his way to help me and since my husband is in Iraq and couldn't be there with me it felt good to have a salesperson who actually cared and stayed with me for 3 hours until this mess I got myself into was taken care of.Please accept our thanks and recommendation for Greg. Darrell Waltrip Honda will continue to get our business and we will recommend you to our friends. Sincerely,Paul and Ulie

New Civic Buyer Pleased With Buying Process

Receive your email and I would like to thank Rich Rippel and everyone there at Darrell Waltrip Honda for all the help and kindness I received. I was very comfortable from the moment I walked in and I absolutely love the new Civic. Again thanks for everything.

Bonnie

Internet Car Shopping

In today’s competitive automobile market it is definitely a buyer’s market.
This gives the consumer an advantage for the smart shopper who has done their homework. There in lies the challenge.

Automobile buyers have an unprecedented amount of information at their finger tips from the media, manufacturers and the Internet. Buyer beware all of this information may not be accurate. Different areas of the nation have different market conditions. i.e. The book value of a convertible in Florida for the month of September will not hold true in Montana and vise-versa a 4wd truck in Wyoming in January is not the same market value in Southern California.

The raw data such as wheel base, horse power and MPG are reliable and statistically accurate numbers. The “subjective” information such as interest rates, trade in values and new vehicle price quotes are not necessarily reliable. This is where the consumer must do their homework.

The Internet has been a wonderful tool for the consumer to find out what the current market prices expected to pay for a new vehicle with little effort needed. Simply submitting a request for a specific Make and Model can get you started. Be aware that just submitting a price quote many different events will occur.

You will most likely receive an automated email reply stating the dealership(s) have received your requests and you can expect them to be calling you or emailing you a price quote once they have verified the information they have received is accurate.

At this point you will receive your price quotes and you are armed and ready to go to the dealer to buy your new vehicle for the lowest quoted price. STOP ! Before leaving your computer you must do some more home work to avoid the frustration and wasted time trying to get a local dealer to honor a price quote from another dealer. Follow these rules:

Confirm with the selling dealer your price quote includes, freight, any dealer installed accessories and the stock number of the specific vehicle the price quote is for.
Ask the dealer to calculate all sales tax (if applicable), license fees and dealer documentation fees.
Make sure the price quote is good for a minimum of 10 days.
Make sure the price quote includes all factory incentives.

By doing this little bit of extra homework you can now go to your local dealer with the information to make an intelligent decision without having to get frustrated. This information will save you time and money.

If a dealer on line doesn’t provide you this detailed information, ASK FOR IT. If they do not disclose all charges without having to come to the dealership in person, simply move on to the next dealership.

Be aware that a price quote from a dealership more than 2 hours away from you is “Risky Business.” This simply means the dealer has a very low percentage chance of you actually putting your foot in their dealership due to the logistics. Some dealers would rather quote you a “Low Ball” price knowing that you will take this number into a local dealership as leverage to make your purchase. In the event you do come to their dealership you may find the quoted vehicle is already sold or that the price didn’t include one of the above mentioned items. After you have made the long drive to find out this information you “settle” for another vehicle because you don’t want to drive back home without a vehicle and have to go back to your local dealer and face them.

This shopping experience is happening all across the country. Be smart.

“If it sounds too good to be true…….it probably is.”

Think of the entire transaction when buying a vehicle. What is my time worth? What is a fair price, not necessarily the lowest price. Am I being treated with respect and fairness. What relationship will I have after I make the purchase with this selling dealer?

If you focus on these important factors and not the “Gimmicks” like life time oil changes or limited lifetime warranties to get you to come to the dealerships and not jus the price you can truly enjoy your new vehicle.


An Old Wise Car Buyer