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Remote Start 2

Delaware and Maryland Auto Body Shop Announce Remote Starts for Cold Winter Days

Remote starts are excellent for cold winter days when a customer wants to get into a warm car. There are many benefits to using or installing remote starts in vehicles. The first benefit is for comfort.  It is comforting to have a car that is warm or cool before the customer gets into the vehicle.  By leaving the heater or the air conditioning on a driver can activate the remote starter then wait several minutes for the car to warm up.  Since the vehicle is running most remote starters include controls for locking the doors to secure the car as well. There is also a safety benefit to having a remote starter.  By allowing an icy car to warm up before driving it is easier to scrape or defrost the windows which results in greater visibility for the driver and passengers.  Warming the vehicle also melts snow and ice that can obstruct the headlights or the brake lights making the vehicle more visible to other drivers especially in snowy or icy conditions. Engine care is also a benefit to having a remote start.  Warming the vehicle before driving is beneficial for the engine.  For the heating system to start producing warm air the engine must first warm up as it runs.  Since the vehicle idles for several minutes before being driven the engine oil provides better lubrication once the driver is ready to go.  This period where the vehicle is warming up is especially beneficial for cars or truck that run off diesel however gas engines also benefit from having a remote start. When the customer buys a vehicle with a remote start or gets one installed it will increase the resale value.  If the customer lives in an area with rough climate conditions then the remote start will have a greater resale value.  It will be an extremely useful selling point when looking for a new vehicle. Remote Starts work by the push of a button.  From outside the vehicle press a button or two depending which kind of remote start and your ignition will start.  The vehicle will remain locked until the driver unlocks the vehicle.  The remote starter can also turn off the ignition as the customer wishes.  The brake pedal can also act as a way to turn the engine off.  Remote Starts can include a complete security system with alarm, two way alarm notification, a different frequency each time the remote is used,  and the ability to transmit up to a mile and through concrete walls. Preston Auto Body installs remote starts in all makes and models.  They can also install leather seats, back up cameras, radios, Bluetooth, and many more items to customize the vehicle the way the customer would like it. By: April Green

2014 Mazda6

10 Best Sedans Under 25,000

Kelley Blue Book has put together a list for 2014 of the 10 Best Sedans under $25,000. Of the 10 vehicles on this, Preston Automotive Group offers four. The first vehicle to make the list that is available at Preston Mazda is the Mazda6. The Mazda6 came in at number seven on Kelley Blue Book’s list. The engine is a 2.5L inline four cylinder with the fuel economy at 25/37 city/highway. It is front wheel drive with a 6 speed manual transmission. The Mazda6 has a smooth and responsive powertrain with quick acceleration and impressive fuel economy. It is a five passenger sedan offered in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. Standard features on the base manual transmission Sport include 17 inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, a 3.5 inch multi information display, a four speaker sound system and many more great features! Standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags and full length side curtain airbags. The Mazda 6 also has plenty of room for its rear passengers. They will feel as though they are seating in a first class cabin rather than coach. There is also generous headroom even for those who are taller. The interior of the Mazda6 is clean and functional. Polished aluminum trim accent the cabin, while the Grand Touring’s leather upholstery features contrasting stitching. The materials and quality are among the best in its class. The 2014 Mazda3 comes standard with a six speed manual transmission and a four cylinder engine that reviewers have said provides enough power around town. If desired, a more powerful four-cylinder engine is also available. The EPA reports that the 2014 Mazda3 gets up to 30/41 mpg city/highway which is excellent. No matter which engine is chosen terrific handling and crisp steering make the Mazda3 one of the most fun to drive model in its class. The Mazda3 offers two different engine and drivetrain choices. The first is a 155 horsepower Skyactiv 2.0L 4 cylinder engine with a choice of Skyactiv-MT 6 speed manual or Skyactiv Drive 6 speed automatic transmission. The second engine available is a 184 horsepower Skyactiv 2.5L 4 cylinder engine with Skyactiv drive 6 speed automatic transmission with sport model. There are excellent available features for the Mazda3 that add to the luxury of the vehicle. Moonroof with one touch open is one of them; this is great if the buyer wants fresh air on a nice spring afternoon. Another luxury available is 6-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar adjustment as well as heated front seats. For the customer’s convenience they can get the Mazda keyless entry and start system. This means they do not need to have their key out in order to get into the vehicle, in order to start the Mazda3 all the customer has to do is place their foot on the break and then push the start button. This makes it much easier to get somewhere quicker. Mazda Connect infotainment system is yet another great feature that Mazda offers for the Mazda3. With the infotainment system the customer gets the 7 inch full color touch screen display, multi-function commander control, navigation system, Bose 9 speaker surround sound system, SiriusXM satellite radio with a 4 month trial subscription and SMS text message auto deliver and voice reply! The Altima driving experience is where innovation pays off. The Altima has a fluid, powerful acceleration, refined handling and a class leading 38 mpg. Passing the pump in an Altima is as easy as passing the truck in front of you! The technology in the Nissan Altima is unbelievable; the driver focused technologies in the Altima aren’t just there for show they have purpose. The instrumentation is designed to keep you informed while helping minimize distraction on the road. The Nissan Altima is equipped with moving object detection that can help alert you to things you might have otherwise missed. The tires can let you know when they need air as well as when they have enough air. The Nissan Altima is not only innovative but is also an extremely safe vehicle. NASA research determined that the posture of astronauts naturally take in the weightlessness of space. Nissan Engineering used this research to develop front seats that optimize comfort and reduce fatigue! It earned a 5 star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program! It has also been named one of the best ten sedans under $25,000 by Kelley Blue Book. The Altima has a class-leading highway fuel economy and powerful acceleration. The engine body and chassis are lighter than ever and the aerodynamics has been slimmed downed! The Altima is one of the select group of Nissan vehicles to wear the Puredrive badge, Puredrive is a key part of Nissan’s commitment to achieve lower levels of CO2 emissions. The final vehicle that made the list is the 2014 Ford Fusion which is now in stock at Preston Ford. The Ford Fusions are big on fuel efficiency. The lineup of Fusion models include the Hybrid and the Energi Plug-In which are each powered by a combination electric motor and gas sipping 2.0L gasoline engine. The Fusion has a sleek silhouette and conveys a sense of agility. The Fusion has a very distinctive look with its bold, hexagonal frill and low profile laser cut projector headlamps. When you open the door you will notice available ambient lighting with seven color choices that will help establish the mood. The available leather trimmed seats and heated front seats convey luxury while also keeping you comfortable. The available technology features on the 2014 Ford Fusion will do everything to make your drive more convenient and also help protect you and your passengers in the event of an accident. The voice activated Sync with MyFord Touch allows the driver to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times. A great feature available on the Fusion is the adaptive cruise control function. The sensors detect traffic slowing ahead and make your vehicle also slow down, when traffic has cleared the vehicle resumes at the set speed. The Fusions can also have active park assist. By: April Green

Hyundai Santa Fe

Best SUV’s under 25,000

Kelly Blue Book has compiled a list of the 10 Best SUV’s of 2014 that are under $25,000.  Preston Automotive group has four of those 10 available for purchase today. With the largest inventory on the Eastern Shore you are bound to find the perfect SUV that fits your needs. Number six on KBB’s list is the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe.  The 2014 Santa Fe comes standard with 18 inch wheels and 290 horsepower.  The Santa Fe has seating for up to seven passengers.  It offers more standard V6 horsepower than the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Mazda CX-9.  The Santa Fe is also extra roomy, it has more total interior volume than many other crossovers.  It has seats for up to 7 which includes available second row captain’s chars.  The seats can be stowed to make the most of its total interior volume which is 160.0 cubic feet!  The 2014 Santa Fe has an abundance of great features that keep the customer at ease and help make driving comfortable.  For customers with families, the interior features seats that help fight stains.  The seats also have an antibacterial feature which helps to control odors.  Blue Link is standard on the Santa Fe and has an array of features to make the customers life easier.  Connect to Blue Link through a smartphone, web application, or an in car system to start the vehicle remotely, locate a gas station, find a shortcut, or learn about mechanical issues. Next on KBB’s list is the 2014 Ford Escape at number four. The aerodynamic design and eco-friendly side of the Escape make it a must see.  Not only does the Escape look great but it also is shaped in order to reduce drag on the vehicle body that wind resistance produces.  The Active Grille Shutters also help cheat the wind.  When the shutters are closed they reduce aerodynamic drag caused by air traveling through the radiator.  The Escape features an interior that is modern yet sophisticated.  It aims to maximize seating comfort and ergonomic convenience.  Available interior color choices include Charcoal Black on Charcoal Black or Charcoal Black on Medium Light Stone.  Escapes come equipped with a class exclusive foot activated liftgate.  With the intelligent key in the owners pocket or purse all they need to do is swipe their foot under the bumper and the power liftgate automatically opens.  This makes it easier when the customer is lugging groceries and doesn’t have a free hand.  Also available on the 2013 Ford Escape is Sync with MyFord Touch, this helps the driver keep their eyes on the road and stay connected to the world.  Hands free calling means the driver never has to miss a call and they can make a call with the touch of a button.  The driver can say “bluetooth audio” and listen wirelessly to whatever is on their phone or to Pandora internet radio.  Another great hands-free feature is the driver can have incoming texts read to them so that their hands stay on the wheel the whole time they are driving.  Preston Ford has an abundance of new 2014 Ford Escapes, they have over 40. Coming in at number three on the list is the 2014 Nissan Rogue.  The Nissan Rogue is redesigned for 2014 from a striking new front end to the muscular arches along the flowing new character lines the Rogue is top of the line!  A brand new exclusive feature is the daytime running lights and the class exclusive headlights!  The interior also has brand new redesigned features which include stunning chrome accents.  There isn’t an ambience like the one in the Rogue anywhere else!  The 2014 Rogue also now has not only two rows of seating but three rows of seating!  The third row turns this compact crossover into a serious people-mover!  Getting into the back of the Rogue doesn’t require you to climb over the 2 nd row with the EZ Flex second row.  This redesigned vehicle has everything to offer and then some! The new power panoramic moonroof is an excellent feature available on the 2014 Nissan Rogue.  Every seat in this vehicle has a window seat.   When purchasing the new Rogue the customer will also be connected to more than just the road.  NissanConnect with Navigation uses hands-free technology, a smartphone, and Nissan’s display screen to help the owner stay in touch with the outside world from their driver’s seat!  There are plenty of apps to play music, keep tabs on social networks and help to navigate any city like a local. The last vehicle that made the list is the 2014 Mazda CX-5.  The 2014 CX-5 inherits its fluent, flowing lines and bold curves from Mazda’s signature KODO design philosophy.  The CX-5 is a striking stance and illusion of constant motion which is sure to turn heads even when it is sitting still.  The stylish sculpting is also highly functional.  The CX-5 has uncompromised performance with Mazda’s SKYACTIV 2.0L gasoline engine.  It produces 155 horsepower and an impressive 150 lb-ft torque all on 15% less fuel than Mazda’s previous engine.  The interior of the Mazda CX-5 is very luxurious.  The CX-5 has many sophisticated details, like available double stitched premium leather trimmed seats and a power moonroof, and ample passenger and cargo volume to create a stylish all purpose cabin.  Available for the CX-5 is advanced keyless entry and start system.  Mazda has also partnered with TomTom, the industry leader in navigation system, to give the CX-5 state of the art navigation.  The fully integrated dash system has a 5.8 inch color touch screen display which features intuitive voice recognition so the driver can keep their eye on the road at all times. By: April Green

Mazda Shinari 1

Mazda’s Concept Car, the Mazda Shinari

The Mazda Shinari concept gives us a clear idea as to what the next Mazda6 might look like.  The Shinari concept is stunning, it is a four seat coupe that looks like the combination of a Maserati GranTurismo and a Jaguar XF.  The swoopy lines and giant 21-inch wheels give the impression that Mazda might be going for a new look. Chief designer Ikuo Maeda said his intentions behind this concept car were to “build the car I want to buy and drive,” he is moving away from the flowing, nature inspired Nagare design theme.  Maeda was the chief designer of the RX-8 and the  Mazda2 and he has been with the company for nearly 30 years. The Shinari is based on a new architecture that can be front, rear, or all wheel drive.  Further proof of the Shinari’s 6-ness comes in the confirmation that the concepts architecture will underpin the next generation of Mazda C and D segment vehicles.  Underneath the hood of this concept vehicle is a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine, likely with Mazda’s new Sky powerplants. While the exterior is certainly different than previous Mazda designs, the interior is perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Shinari.  The interior is possibly the most attractive and stylish interior seen in a Mazda vehicle.  It features authentic aluminum tim, leather covered surfaces and double stitching at nearly every turn.  In the back of the vehicle there is rear bucket seats.  The gauges are modeled after popular watch designs which up the class of the Shinari quite a bit.  The glass roof helps make the interior feel open and airy. The Shinari features quite a bit of technology that looks forward to the new applications of driver automobile interactions.  The Human Machine Interface is split into three modes; Business, Pleasure and Sport.  Potential uses range from looking up bios of a business contact before a meeting to a rally style co-pilot feature that could alert the drive of characteristics of upcoming turns. For updates about the Mazda Shinari Concept car please visit Preston Mazda's Facebook page. By: April Green

Car Seat Safety and Laws

Safety Facts about Child Passengers: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children older than the age of 2 A total of 1,210 children younger than age 15 died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2010 The number of child passenger deaths has declined by half since 1975 Proper restraint use can help reduce deaths even more.  The proportion of fatally injured children who were restrained rose from 15% in 1985 to 59% in 2010. Starting in 2014 there are going to be some changes to the car seat laws for toddlers and babies.  The new recommendation states that the Latch system should no longer be used when the child and car seat combined weight is over 65 lbs.  This is an amendment to the law which in 2001 recommended that all children up to 65lbs remain in a car seat or a booster seat.  This did not take into account the weight of the car seats.  Car manufacturers can’t guarantee the strength of the anchors when adding the weight of the child as well.  Therefore, there is a need to modify the law.  If you’re child and the car seat are over 65lbs combined then start using the seat belt restraint versus the latch system.  In order to check the combined weight first weigh the car seat, next weigh your child once you have done both add the two numbers together and if it is greater than 65 lbs you should begin using the seatbelt restraint. Maryland’s current state law requires that children under 8 ride in an appropriate child restraint unless the child is 4’9” or taller.  Child restraints include car seats and booster seats and other federally approved devices.  Every child who from 8 to 16 years old who is not in a child restraint must be secured in the vehicle’s seat Maryland’s child passenger safety laws do not prohibit children from riding in the front seat.  The exception is placing a rear-facing child in the front seat with an active air bag.  If a driver can’t turn off the air bag then it is a violation of the law as well as extremely dangerous for the baby, to place a rear facing child in the front seat. Currently taxis are exempt from the law.  They are not required to transport children using a car restraint. The driver and the front seat passenger must wear seat belts at all times.  This is now a primary law which means an officer can pull you over and ticket you for not wearing your seat belt.  It is strongly recommended that all passengers no matter what they age wear a seatbelt restraint. Maryland State Police have introduced the Click It Or Ticket program.  Every year, law enforcement conducts mobilizations at various times of the year across the State to ensure that everyone is buckled up!  With that being said don’t rick a ticket or even your life by not buckling up!  Make sure you buckle up every time you get into a vehicle. Also always remember that cell phones are no longer aloud to be used while driving!  If you are talking on your phone and driving or texting while driving then a cop can pull you over and give you a ticket.   By: April Green

Certified Pre-Owned Mazda Tribute

Mazda Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

Preston Mazda has many Certified Pre-Owned Mazdas that are ready to be driven home today!  The benefits of purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle are endless!  You get great warranties, roadside assistance, and transfer benefits.  If you are a buyer looking for true value and great benefits then a Mazda Certified Pre-Owned vehicle is the vehicle for you! Certified Pre-Owned Mazda Tribute Mazda Certified Pre-Owned vehicles don’t get the once over. They get a thorough quality check.  Everyt hing under and above the hood is analyzed for maximum performance.  If a vehicle doesn’t meet Mazda’s high standards it undergoes a thorough reconditioning using Mazda Genuine Parts until it does meet the standards. Under the hood the belts are checked for cracks, wear and proper tension, this is 1 of 28 checkpoints, the engine is checked for smooth acceleration which is 1 of 7 checkpoints, the exterior must be free of cracks, large chips and improper repairs.  The transmission is checked for shift quality and shift points.  The a/c and heating is pressure tested to check and correct leaks.  The seats and headrests must work properly in all positions. The Certified Pre-Owned Mazdas are full of confidence that goes the distance.  Starting with the 12-month/12,000 mile limited warranty which starts when the factory warranty ends.  There is also a 7-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty.  In the rare even that a covered part needs to be repaired or replaced your total out of pocket cost will be zero at Preston Mazda!  Along with the 7-year/100,000 comes 24 hour emergency roadside assistance.  The autocheck vehicle history report with a 3-year buyback gives the owner piece of mind. Also available with Mazda Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles is an extended coverage.  If and when the time comes that your say goodbye to your Mazda there are transfer benefits.  Your car will be even more attractive to potential buyers since the Mazda Certified Pre-Owned Limited Vehicle and Limited Powertrain Warranties are transferable to future owners at no cost. CPO Mazda CX-7 Come see our inventory of Mazda Ceritified Pre-Owned vehicles, we have the best inventory on the Eastern Shore! To view our inventory of Mazda Certified Pre-Owned vehicles please visit

Name

Do you Name your Car?

More and more people have started the tradition of naming their vehicles.  It gives the vehicle a personal touch just like you name your dogs and cats, naming your car is now being seen as normal!  Considering how much time we spend with our cars it’s no wonder that we bond with them and care about them.  By personalizing them this makes the car feel like a trusted old friend so it makes sense to name them. According to a survey taken women are more likely to name their car than men and women also usually drive with greater care and consideration.  It has also been proven that people who are emotionally attached to their cars tend to look after them better than those who are not attached.  Many people also seem to feel that by naming their cars they can communicate with them and even negotiate or please with them to keep going if they are getting ready to break down.  According to another survey people tend to give their cars a name of the opposite sex, 81% of men give their car a female name and 91% of women refer to their car as masculine. Nationwide Insurance has named October 2 it’s “National Name your Car Day”.  This holiday gave Nationwide an excuse to poll more than 1,000 U.S. car owners.  This poll found that close to 25 percent of the respondents have a name for their car.  Car owners between the age of 18-34 were more likely to name their cars! The most popular car names are Beast, Bullet, Bat Mobile, and Big Red.  Also don’t forget that many cars that are featured in movies have also been named!  The movie Dukes of Hazzard has the General Lee, Kitt from Knight Rider, Batmobile from Batman, Bumblebee from Transformers, Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters and of course Herbie from The Love Bug!  The Batmobile in Batman was originally a Lincoln Futura concept car that was later made into the Batmobile! What have you named your car??

Drive for Good

Mazda Drive For Good Charitable Giving Campaign

Mazda has partnered with four national charities to help provide for those in need this holiday season.  These include,  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Red Cross, American Heart Association and Mazda Foundation for its charitable giving campaign.  For every new Mazda sold during the Mazda Drive for Good campaign, Mazda will donate $100 to one of those four national charities as selected by the new Mazda owner.  Also for every Mazda vehicle that is test driven the Mazda Drive For Good campaign will donate one hour of charitable service from its employees and dealers across the nation which will begin in the 2014 calendar year. The campaign will run through January 2, 2014.  In addition to the four national charities The Mazda Dealer Marketing Groups around the nation also have the opportunity to select a fifth local charity that enables the new Mazda owners to select a charity option closer to home! St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and many other deadly diseases.  St. Jude has the world’s best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers!  Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since they first opened over 50 years ago!  This is incredible!  St Jude is currently working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade! America Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters, supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood, teaches skills to save lives, provides international humanitarian aid and supports military members and their families.  The Red Cross is a non-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its missions. The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke.  Heart disease and stroke are America’s number one and number four killers.  They pair with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these two diseases. The Mazda Foundation is the corporate foundation of Mazda North America Operations, it has awarded over $8 million to worthwhile causes across the United States since its initial grants in 1992. At Preston Mazda we have a large inventory of all Mazda vehicles!  We have the 2014 Mazda3 which was just awarded the car of the year award from AutoGuide! We have over 20 of the 2014 Mazda3 vehicles in stock!  We also have a number of Certified Pre-Owned Mazda’s which are great vehicles for first time buyers!  Come test drive your new Mazda at Preston Mazda and help donate to local charities! To date Mazda has an estimated $162,900 to be donated and 12,723 service hours to be pledged!  Come test drive, buy or lease a new vehicle today to help donate! By: April Green

Best Cars for First Time Drivers!

Forbes has put out a list of the best car for first time drivers!  Many of the vehicles on this list are available at the Preston Autoplex! If you have a young first time driver now is the time to come get your new or pre-owned vehicle.  Right now we have Mission Possible: Preston Ford’s Top 100 Sales Drive and the prices you can get are unbelievable! The first car on the list is the Ford Taurus.  The Ford Taurus is a sedan which can seat up to five passengers and gets around 18/28 mpg city/highway!  The Taurus is available in four different models; SE, SEL, Limited and SHO.  The Taurus has good lucks from every angle and has sharp performance.  The Taurus also has great technology such as the SYNC with MyFord or MyFord Touch.  Also available is the navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.  Intelligent access with push button start is also a great feature which is available! The next on the list is a compact SUV which is the Hyundai Santa Fe.  At Preston Hyundai we have plenty of new and pre-owned Santa Fe vehicles in stock!  The Santa Fe Sport is a five passenger vehicle and the Santa Fe has available third row seating that can fit up to seven passengers!  The Santa Fe gets 17/24 mpg city/highway.  This SUV will look stunning in any driveway! Every Santa Fe Sport engine is mated to Hyundai’s 6-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic.  The control is in your hands! The Mazda3 also made Forbes list with a base price of $13,895.  The base engine is a 148 horsepower 2.0 liter four-cylinder.  The Mazda3 gets around 24/32 mpg city/highway.  The body structure is very safe which makes it perfect for a first time driver!  Standard safety features include advanced front air bags, front side impact air bags, side impact air curtains, dynamic stability control with Traction Control System and many more!  There are also many great features that are available in the Mazda3 vehicles!  Some are the moonroof with one touch open, heated front seats, Mazda Connect infotainment system with 7” full color touchscreen display, Bose 9 speaker surround system, and many more that are not listed! Also on the list is the Nissan Altima!  The Nissan Altima is a very stylish yet still very safe car.  Many first time drivers are high school students and they want to be driving stylish new vehicles.  The Altima is a perfect choice!  The Nissan Altima is an affordable, high mileage sedan!  The Altima has phenomenal technology in it!  The advanced technologies aren’t for show they are for purpose!  The moving object detection can help alert you to things you might miss.  Even the tires can let you know when they need air! Come to the Preston Autoplex and get the deal of a lifetime!  We are putting together some crazy deals due to our Mission Possible, Top 100 Sales Drive, you don’t want to miss this! By: April Green

Good Questions To Ask When Buying a Vehicle

Buying a vehicle is one of the most important decisions you make.  While in the process you should ask many questions so that you are clear on what exactly you are getting.  Here are some questions we suggest you ask in order to get the best knowledge about your potential car. Has the car ever been damaged?  - When buying a new or used car this is always an important question.  Even new cars go through a lot to get to the dealership.  Used cars can also have histories of being in accidents which you might not be able to see from looking at the vehicle.  You have the right to know about the history of the vehicle so be sure to ask this question! Can I have a test drive? – Always test drive a car before you purchase!  You wouldn’t want to buy a vehicle that you then discover you don’t enjoy driving.  You also might drive a vehicle you weren’t originally considering buying and end up loving it when you drive it! Where is the nearest dealer/ authorized repair center to my house? – Always a good idea to ask this just in case you get in an accident and need a repair or even if you need your vehicle serviced!  Luckily, at Preston Automotive Group we have three different Autobody’s which can do any repairs you need done.  They are located in Cambridge, Maryland, Snow Hill, Maryland and Preston, Maryland.  We also have service centers at all of our locations! Has the car been used as a demo? – A car can still be sold as new if it has been used as a demo.  Often these vehicles have very low miles and are still in new condition! How many owners has the vehicle have? – This pertains to used vehicles, it is always good to know how many owners a vehicle has had.  Having only one owner is often really appealing because the vehicles might have lest wear! Does the vehicle have any special features? – Some vehicles come equipped with features you might not even know about that are very beneficial!  There also might be times where a vehicle has features you don’t think you need, this could save you money.  Be aware of what the vehicle has in it! How many miles are on the odometer? – A vehicles mileage helps determine its value.  Always ask how many miles are on the vehicle! How can I contact you? – When working with a sales person, you always want to have all their information.  If anything goes wrong or you have any questions you would want to be able to reach them right away!  When you look for a vehicle with Preston Automotive Group all of our sales people hand out their cell phone numbers, this way they can get back to you as soon as possible!

Yahoo Autos now rates the 2014 Mazda3 as the best compact car in the U.S.

The all-new 2014 Mazda3 with Skyactiv Technology was listed as the “best compact car” by Yahoo Autos. Yahoo also said that the Mazda3 has plenty peppiness and handles brilliantly for a front wheel drive hatchback and sports an engaging, well executed manual transmission. In Yahoo Auto’s “Car of the Year” competition the Mazda 3 even ranked higher than the Porsche, Jag and the BMW!  Yahoo Auto’s also said “had it not been for the Corvette’s rebirth the Mazda’s elegant Mazda3 would have taken the top spot, impressing our team with its Miata-inspired ‘zoom zoom’ zest”. 2014 Mazda3 The Mazda3 offers two different engine and drivetrain choices.  The first is a 155 horsepower Skyactiv 2.0L 4 cylinder engine with a choice of Skyactiv-MT 6 speed manual or Skyactiv Drive 6 speed automatic transmission.  The second engine available is a 184 horsepower Skyactiv 2.5L 4 cylinder engine with Skyactiv drive 6 speed automatic transmission with sport model!  The Mazda3 has an EPA-Estimated Fuel Efficiency of 30/41 mpg! There are excellent available features for the Mazda3 that add to the luxury of the vehicle.  Moonroof with one touch open is one of them, this is great if you want fresh air on a nice spring afternoon!  Another luxury available is 6-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar adjustment as well as heated front seats!  For your convenience you can get the Mazda keyless entry and start system.  This means you do not need to have your key out in order to get into your vehicle, in order to start your vehicle all you have to do is place your foot on the break and then push the start button.  This makes it much easier for you to get where you need to go!  Mazda Connect infotainment system is yet another great feature that Mazda offers for the Mazda3!  When you get the infotainment system you get the 7 inch full color touch screen display, multi function commander control, navigation system, bose 9 speaker surround sound system, SiriusXM satellite radio with a 4 month trial subsricption and SMS text message auto deliver and voice reply! There are great safety features that are standard on all the trim levels of the Mazda3.  All Mazda3’s are equipped with advanced dual front air bags with crash zone and passenger weight sensors, front side impact air bags and side impact air curtains.  They also all have 3-point seat belts for all seating positions and headrests which are adjustable for all seating positions as well.  In the case of an accident all Mazda3’s also have whiplash reducing front headrests!  This is a great feature.  Some other features that are optional are blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, smart city brake support, and lane departure warning system. At Preston Mazda we have a great selection of the all-new 2014 Mazda3’s!  Be sure to stop by today and do a test drive or check out all the other Mazda’s on our lot! At Preston Mazda we serve an array of customers incuding customers from Annapolis, Maryland, Dover Delaware and Easton, Maryland! By: April Green

Mazda is releasing the Mazda6 Diesel in Spring 2014

Mazda is releasing its new Mazda6 with diesel engine in the spring of 2014.  The original release date was supposed to be at the end of this year in December.  The release date has been pushed back to accommodate for final emissions testing and certification.  The Mazda6 Diesel will feature a 2.2 liter Sky-D engine which boosts fuel economy by 20 percent over the current 2.2 liter diesel.  The Mazda6 diesel also meets the Euro 6 and U.S. Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards without using any NOx after treatment! 2014 Mazda6 Mazda decreased the compression ratio on the Diesel engine from 16.3:1 to 14:1.  The compression ratio is the ratio of the maximum and minimum volume in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine.  This value is the lowest in the world among diesel engines according to Mazda.  By decreasing the compression ratio this reduces cylinder pressures and therefore temperatures which reduces NOx production and also allows the fuel to mix better avoiding locally rich areas that produce soot.  Mazda has claimed that the lessened friction from the reduced cylinder pressure alone is worth about a five percent gain in fuel economy. There is a downside to lowering the compression ratio in a diesel, during warm-up the engine temperature can be too low to support proper combustion.  The result to this could be the engine misfiring.  Mazda needed to solve this issue so they added a two-stage valve lift system on the exhaust side in order to be able to create additional valve overlap.  This will cause the hot exhaust gases to be drawn back into the next cylinder to warm it up. The fuel economy on the diesel engine is excellent! The Mazda6 Diesel will get an impressive 31 to 33 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway.  The engine runs quietly in the mid-revs, there is still the characteristic low-frequency rumble but if you play the stereo or even turn the a/c fan beyond halfway up you will hardly even notice it!  An unusual feature on the diesel is that it will run to 2500 rpm which will be helped by a two stage turbo system. Mazda Diesel Engine The new automatic transmission which much like the diesel engine is a part of Mazda’s fuel saving Skyactiv program!  The Mazda6 also has a big capacitor that stores energy from the alternator during deceleration.  It can suck up the charge faster than a battery.  Mazda claims that this keeps enough energy stored to run all electrical systems nearly all the time.  Therefore, the alternator is seldom driven by actual diesel power.  It is driven by mostly wasted momentum! The rest of the car has a rigid body, agile handling, good grip, resistance to understeer, nice styling, chic interior and strong ergonomics. At Preston Mazda in Hurlock, Maryland we have a large inventory of the 2014 Mazda6 and would love to get you into yours today! We welcome customers from all across Maryland, including Annapolis, Maryland, Easton, Maryland, Pocomoke, Maryland and Salisbury, Maryland! Continue to check our Facebook page for updates on when you might see the Mazda6 Diesel on our lot!

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