Throwback Thursday: Let's Make a Deal Edition!

In honor of Throwback Thursday, we've uncovered a video that compiles some of the classic Buicks that appeared on the game show classic "Lets Make a Deal" in the early '70s. Let us know which one of them is your favorite! - http://bit.ly/13r59EY.

Updated 2014 Buick LaCrosse and Regal to debut in New York

Very little is known about the 2014 model year Buick LaCrosse or Regal, but we can expect improvements throughout the interior along with a significant change to the exterior design of both sedans. According to Autoblog, the Regal will receive a facelift that will allow it to fit more closely in terms of styling with the new Buick Encore and Enclave while the 2014 LaCrosse will take on a more upscale design.

Even though the Buick Regal is only a few years old, sales of the midsized sedan have flattened after the new Regal stormed out of the gate so a refresh – even a modest one – could be what the midsized sedan needs to jump start sales. The Regal is still one of the Buick brand’s stronger sells each month but with sales gradually sloping, the 2014 Regal should have a handful of exterior changes along with vast interior refinement to allow the Regal to keep up with the competition. On the other hand, the LaCrosse in its current form is the oldest model in the Buick lineup so it is past due for a refresh. Even though the LaCrosse is one of the brand’s bestselling vehicles, interest in the range topping sedan has slumped and that is something that will almost certainly be cured by an extensive exterior refresh and a renewed luxury level interior. The current LaCrosse is an incredible car for the price and I would very much expect that the next LaCrosse will blow us away with the level of luxury and the amount of high tech gadgetry.

Once the refreshed Buick LaCrosse and Regal hit for the 2014 model year, the entire Buick brand showroom will be within their first few years with the Verano (which is actually still very new) being the oldest model in the lineup. Buick has been headed in a good direction with the changes made to the lineup over the past 10 years and a revised version of the popular LaCrosse could be exactly what they need to produce a spike not just in traffic – but also in dealership foot traffic. Having a new range topping model draws in more prospective buyers and in the event that they shy away from the price of the LaCrosse, the refreshed Regal or compact Verano offer many of the same interior amenities with a lower price. Even if a brand new vehicle doesn’t sell well right away, they have a great way of attracting new people to dealerships to see that vehicle; giving the sales staff the chance to put those tire kickers in a new car or sport utility vehicle.

The 2013 New York International Auto Show opens at Jacob Javits Center in late March. In addition to the debut of the refreshed Buick Regal and LaCrosse, we can also expect that the 2013 NYIAS will bring about the formal American auto show introduction of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible. The new Stingray droptop is set to debut next week at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and with New York opening a couple of weeks after Geneva shuts down – the logical American debut would be the Big Apple.

Keeping Your Tires in Tip Top Shape

These winter months can really wreak havoc on your car, especially when it comes to your tires. Thankfully Buick has this video to give you some tips to make sure your tires stay in tip top shape.

Check out the 2013 Buick Regal at McCarthy Auto World

The beautiful 2013 Buick Regal is here! Stop in today and enjoy a test-drive. This vehicle is outstanding. Click here to learn more about the Regal. 

GM Puts AT&T 4G Service in All its Models Starting in 2014

Welcome to the future, where we care as much about how fast a new car can download data as we do about how fast it can go. This turning point comes courtesy of General Motors, which announced today that late next year most of the cars and trucks it sells in the United States will come with AT&T 4G cellular service built in — which could be used for anything from mobile WiFi to streaming video. AT&T's chief says cars will soon be "just a big smartphone on wheels," which should set off a few alarms among distracted driving crusaders.

GM has long had cellular service built into its vehicles via OnStar, but that setup used Verizon's older 2G system — which didn't allow for voice and data calls simultaneously, and couldn't provide as much data as a typical driver's cell phone. Luxury automakers — Audi, BMW and Tesla — have already been selling models with cellular data connections for dashboard apps; Audi and Chrysler have planned mobile WiFi rollouts, allowing up to 8 passengers to surf and ride.

But those efforts pale to the scale of the shift GM described today, saying that most 2015 models sold by Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC in the United States and Canada would come with a 4G LTE AT&T receiver, which should provide about 10 times faster data than a 3G receiver. "Should" being a key term, because as anyone who's ever had a cellphone knows, data service remains hit-or-miss in many areas, from rural roads to cities where the airwaves grow overloaded for several hours a day. (AT&T vowed it would be ready for the extra business.)

Aside from pitching gadgets like mobile WiFi or video, the step also lets GM save costs by handling vehiclular software updates over the air rather than requiring owners to drop into dealerships. But the move will also raise questions among safety advocates who claim data distractions are causing a greater share of accidents; the National Transportation Safety Board has even called for an all-out ban on cellphones and data use while driving.

GM emphasized the potential safety benefits of more connected vehicles, and automakers contend having the car act as the data center for navigation, phone and messages is far safer than drivers steering with one hand while thumb-typing on their iPhones in another. But with the advent of WiFi hotspots on wheels in mainstream vehicles, the question may turn out to be not whether gadgets distract us too much from driving, but how driving distracts us from staying online, all the time.

(Courtesy of Yahoo! Autos)

Buick Verano Technology

The Buick Verano features technology that's tailored to keep you warm and comfy on these cold February days. "+1" if you wish you were driving a Buick Verano this weekend!

Throwback Thursday!

It's time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today we've uncovered this old Buick Skyhawk commercial from 1987!

Excellent Review on Google+ Local!

Check out this excellent review we just received on Google+ Local!:

"This dealership is fair in their dealings with me. They recently helped me resolve a very difficult auto issue, and it turned out well. I'm now the proud owner of a Buick Verano! This car is terrific! Loaded with tech, but techies and non-techies alike will be able to enjoy these, because they are so user friendly. John, Sally, Rick and Mark were easy to work with. They have even called me to follow up with me, to see if I am enjoying the car, and also to tell me that anytime I have questions about the tech or anything else, to call. Business recommended."

Read the full review at http://bit.ly/11VxyTJ

Pin To Win a Pure Michigan Romantic Getaway!

Need to getaway? Then enter the "Pure Michigan Romantic Getaway" contest for your chance to win a trip for two to beautiful Mackinac Island, complete with transportation provided by Buick! - http://bit.ly/155S1Db.

Positive Review on Dealer Rater!

Take a look at the rave review we recently received on Dealer Rater!

"Friendly, personable, knowledgeable and fair.  I am now the proud owner of a new 2013 Buick Verano. This is a fantastic car!! Loads of upgrades. Techies and non-techies will enjoy the features. The techy stuff is very user-friendly. As for the staff, they are all a terrific resource. John and Sally have actually called me to ascertain if I still like the car. They also said to contact them, if I have any issues or questions. WOW!"

Read the full review at http://bit.ly/VtJMOm.

Buick Adopts Youthful Style

Buick's grand plan is in full swing and it appears to be actually working.

Just what is the plan, you ask? Well, it involves downsizing the line and injecting it with more style and less mass. And baptizing all models in a fountain of youth.

They also run on smaller, fuel-frugal engines that offer as much or greater performance than previous models. The plan includes enhancing the luxury-car experience to match or exceed the premium import brands.

The Lacrosse and Regal already fall into this strategy, as does the Verano, which was new for 2012. However for the 2013 model year the smallest Buick sedan is literally stepping up the pace with an optional - and significantly more powerful - turbocharged model.

The sense here is that Buick needed to add some premium power for the Verano to be considered in the same sport-sedan league as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, and not be viewed as an afterthought brand. With its more mature customer base shrinking during the years, reinvention and rejuvenation has become a matter of survival.

Originally, the Chevrolet-Cruze-based Verano appeared to fill the bill with its standard 180-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. That was a significant increase from the Cruze's pair of 138-horsepower four-cylinder engines, but it isn't quite enough to interest and enthrall younger, more performance-minded buyers. And it isn't enough for easy freeway passing, or charging into faster traffic from an on-ramp.

Enter the Verano Turbo that puts out 250 horsepower from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder. More importantly, the engine makes 260 pound-feet of torque, with 90 percent of it available from between 1,750 and 5,500 revs per minute. That's only 20 horses and 10 pound-feet shy of the larger (and heavier) Buick Regal GS. It's also less expensive than the $35,500 GS by about $5,500, which places the Verano Turbo in the no-brainer department as far as pound-per-dollar sporting output is concerned.

A six-speed automatic transmission is attached to the Turbo's engine, while a six-speed manual, considered de rigeur for models in this segment, is offered as an option at no extra discount. There is a gated shifter with the automatic, but there are no steering-column mounted paddle shifters, which implies that the Turbo is a more powerful model, but not necessarily a sporty model.

Still, Buick claims the Turbo will accelerate to 60 mph from rest in slightly more than six seconds, which is right in line with comparable premium brands from Audi and BMW that Buick holds up as performance benchmarks. It's also half a second quicker than the 270-horsepower Regal GS.

Fuel economy with the manual gearbox is claimed to be 20 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway (21/30 for the automatic), numbers that differ only slightly from the base Verano's 22/31 rating.

To adequately handle the power, the Turbo receives a unique steering calibration and a suspension that's 20 percent firmer. That shouldn't be enough to upset the Verano's generally softer (Buick-like) ride or allow nasty road noises to enter the ultraquiet confines of the cabin.

Outwardly, the Turbo varies only slightly from the regular-strength Verano with dual exhaust outlets, subtle rear spoiler and trunk lid badge. Elegant is better, here, for sure.

The Turbo is fitted with considerably more gear than the reasonably loaded base Verano, including leather-covered seats, dual-zone climate control, rear-vision camera, backup warning assist, nine-speaker, 250-watt Bose-brand audio and 18-inch wheels.

Standard safety features include blind-spot warning (signals you when traffic is travelling in your blind spot) and cross-traffic alert that lets you know when vehicles are crossing from behind while you're backing up.

The fact that the only significant Turbo options are a navigation system and a power sunroof underscores how well the car lines up with other luxury-leaning compacts vying for your dollars.

The overall attractiveness of the Verano, coupled with the rapid-fire authority of its high-output turbo, makes it worthy of its Euro-based peers and for less money in most cases.

You have to love it when a plan comes together.

(courtesy of the Las Vegas Review Journal)

President's Day Trivia!

In honor of President's Day, here's some presidential trivia: can you name the oldest AND youngest presidents at the time of their inauguration? Also, "+1" if you get to enjoy a three day weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us here at McCarthy Auto World!!

The Right Air Pressure for Your Tires

Tire pressure is a measure of the amount of air in a vehicle's tires, in pounds per square inch. The required service involves checking the tires' pressure with a pressure gauge, at least monthly, if not more frequently.

Having the proper tire pressure is a crucial safety issue. Next to the brakes, the tires are the most important safety devices on your car. Incorrect tire pressure will compromise cornering, braking and stability. And in the worst-case scenario, improper tire pressure can lead to tire failure — and a serious accident. Incorrect tire pressure also will affect your comfort, fuel economy and tire life.

If tire pressure is too high, then less of the tire touches the ground. As a consequence, your car will bounce around on the road. And when your tires are bouncing instead of firmly planted on the road, traction suffers and so do your stopping distances. You'll also feel a decrease in ride comfort. (Hint: If you notice that every tie you own has coffee on it, check your tire pressure. It may be too high.)

If tire pressure is too low, then too much of the tire's surface area touches the ground, which increases friction between the road and the tire. As a result, not only will your tires wear prematurely, but they also could overheat. Overheating can lead to tread separation — and a nasty accident. One sign of low tire pressure is if your tires squeal when cornering.

And you need to check your tire pressure even if your tires aren't leaking. Why? Because tire pressure also changes with the temperature outside. Tire pressure decreases by about 1 pound per square inch for every 10-degree drop in outside air temperature. So if you last had your tire pressure checked in July, when it was 80 degrees outside, and it's now January — and the temperature is minus 20 — your tires may be under-inflated by 10 pounds, which is dangerous.

A lot of people check the pressure listed on the tires themselves, but that's actually the wrong place to look. The number on the tire is the maximum allowable air pressure — not the recommended pressure for that tire when used on your vehicle.

The recommended tire pressure is almost always lower than the maximum tire pressure. Check your owner's manual to find out where to look on your vehicle to find the recommended measurement. This number usually is indicated either on the driver's door pillar, the glove compartment door or sometimes on the gas filler door.

Once you know the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure, then you need an accurate tire gauge to check the tire pressure. Some tire gauges, such as the popular pencil-style gauge, are notoriously inaccurate. Analog, dial-type gauges or digital gauges tend to be fairly accurate.

And when should you check the tire pressure? You should check it when the tire is cold. That doesn't mean you need to move to International Falls, Minn., to check your tire pressure. Cold, in this sense, simply means that your tires are at air temperature. You can check tire pressure any time of the day, as long as the tires have been sitting for a few hours or haven't been driven for more than a few miles. In other words, you can drive to the gas station a few blocks away and ask them to check the pressure, but don't expect to pull off the highway after driving for an hour and expect to get an accurate reading.

When you do check your tire pressure, remember to check all four tires. Just because three of your tires are at 30 pounds doesn't mean that the fourth tire isn't nearly flat. Finally, check the spare tire at least once in a while — it would be an unpleasant surprise to find it flat when you need it. If you have a small, space-saver spare, then the pressure for that tire is probably not the same pressure as your regular tires. The correct tire pressure should be printed right on this particular type of spare.

If you have no known problems with your tires, check your vehicle's tire pressure seasonally or before you head off on a road trip. When you bring your car in for service, ask them to check the tire pressure; most garages will do this at no additional cost. Plus, they'll usually have an accurate gauge — which will also give you an idea of whether your gauge is correct.

(courtesy of Car Talk)

"The Buick-Berle Show" Commercial!

For Throwback Tuesday, we've found a vintage 1953 commercial from when Buick was the sponsor of The Berle Show!

Win a 32" Flat Screen TV at McCarthy Auto World!

Thinking about getting a new Buick? Well right now, we're giving away 32" HD flat screen TVs with the purchase of any new Buick or GMC until the end of the month!! We have a limited supply, so hurry now while supplies last!

Keep Calm and Drive a Buick

The work week and the stress and pressure that it can bring is enough to fill anyone with anxiety. But Friday is here, and the weekend is the perfect time to relax, calm yourself and drive your Buick to somewhere calm and peaceful. "+1" if you plan on enjoying your weekend to the fullest...and share if you know someone else who could use a break.

Throwback Thursday!

It's time for a brand new edition of Throwback Thursday! For today's installment, we've dug up this vintage Buick Skyhawk commercial from 1985 that really makes us wish we were at the beach!

Buick Verano Wins a Kelly Blue Book Award!

This just in! The Buick Verano just won a Kelly Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Award! Come in today and see why they call the Verano "breaks the mold with its tidy size, stylish design and overall value." - http://bit.ly/11qrTES

Movie Car Trivia Tuesday!

This 1966 Buick Riviera is featured in a 1971 Academy Award winning classic that features what is considered by many to be one of the greatest car chase scenes in all of film. Can you name the movie?

Encore Arrives in Showrooms as Buick Gains Sales!

DETROIT – Buick’s January retail sales were the highest in nine years and were up 30 percent year over year. Total sales, including those sold to executive fleets and other commercial customers, were up 32 percent, ending the month at a level unmatched since 2006.

January also saw the first deliveries of Buick’s new luxury small crossover, the Encore. Kelleigh Sheehy, a bank underwriter from Marietta, Ga., was among the first owners to drive one home. After building her ideal Encore on Buick.com, she went to Carl Black Buick in Kennesaw, Ga., and learned that an exact match would be the first vehicle delivered.

“It was meant to be,” Sheehy said. “But that only came after a lot of research and test drives. Every other vehicle had some compromise, but the Encore had everything on my wish list. I traded in a Volkswagen Jetta and the luxury, quietness and amenities of the Encore are beyond comparison.”

It’s been Encore’s quietness that’s made the biggest impression on Sheehy. “The one thing I tell my friends about most is how quiet my car is. It’s uncanny.”

Autotrader.com recently named Encore to its list of “Top 10 Must Test Drive Vehicles for 2013,” calling it a “nimble crossover SUV with an exceptionally quiet ride, a high-tech interior and estimated highway fuel economy of 33 mpg.” Encore is also on the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s list of “Greener Choices 2013.”

The brand’s second crossover and fifth model in the lineup arrives as Buick crossover sales are surging. Enclave sales had their best January ever, in terms of both retail and total sales. Year-over-year growth for the month was 57 percent retail and 57 percent total.

The new 2013 Enclave luxury crossover, which went on sale in November with updated styling, new technology, and industry-exclusive safety features, is in high demand. According to JD Power PIN data, the typical Enclave is spending about 20 days on a dealer’s lot, less than half of the industry average “days to turn” for midsize crossovers.

“With two luxurious crossovers and three beautiful sedans, Buick’s model lineup has never been stronger,” said Brian Sweeney, vice president of Buick Sales and Service. “January sales show that customers are responding to the brand’s new models.”

Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new 2013 Encore crossover. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick or at www.facebook.com/buick.

(courtesy of Buick official website)

Super Bowl Sunday is Almost Here!

Super Bowl weekend is finally here! And one couldn't really ask for a better match-up than the battle of the Harbaugh brothers. "Like" if you think Jim will take home the Lombardi trophy, or comment if you think it's John's year (or share if you're just in it for the commercials)