Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year to you and your family from all of us at Reinhardt Lexus! 

Are you making any resolutions this year? Whether your goal is to become more healthy or to save up to purchase your dream car, you might find it difficult to keep as the year progresses.  Here are some great tips to keep you on the straight and narrow path all year long:

1. Create a Plan
Setting a goal without formulating a plan is merely wishful thinking. In order for your resolution to have resolve, (as the word "resolution" implies), it must translate into clear steps that can be put into action. A good plan will tell you A) What to do next and B) What are all of the steps required to complete the goal.

2. Create Your Plan IMMEDIATELY
If you're like most people, then you'll have a limited window of opportunity during the first few days of January to harness your motivation. After that, most people forget their resolutions completely.

3. Write Down Your Resolution and Plan
… commit your resolution and plan to writing someplace, such as a notebook or journal.

4. Think "Year Round," Not Just New Year's
Nothing big gets accomplished in one day. Resolutions are set in one day, but accomplished with a hundred tiny steps that happen throughout the year. New Year's resolutions should be nothing more than a starting point. You must develop a ritual or habit for revisiting your plan.

Check out the full article with even more tips here: http://www.mygoals.com/about/NewYearsTips.html

A Tantalizing Teaser for Lexus’ New Concept Vehicle

 

Lexus us is teasing it’s new concept vehicle now!  This concept car will be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in 2012.  Check it out:

Its decade-long sales crown in the United States being stolen (and resoundingly so), Lexus has recognized it needs a change in its product lineup. For years Lexus has held an allure being the reliable luxury manufacturer – you know, the relentless pursuit of perfection. But recalls and bad press have tattered that image somewhat, along with a generally lackluster product line. For Lexus the shining star of the lineup has been the rear-wheel drive IS.

The first efforts of a new era for the company (so they say) were said to be the new GS sedan. It debuted a bit more bold design, with a spindle grille, and more importantly what Lexus is billing as an engaging driving experience. We’ll have to drive it to see for ourselves, but the indications are that it is a big improvement over its predecessor in that regard. The GS, we thought, was the future of Lexus styling.

Read the full article here for a sneak peak:

Decorating Your Vehicle for the Holidays

 

Will you be decorating your vehicle this holiday season?  Here are some ideas on how to celebrate from hood to trunk.  (And as always, we recommend a big red bow!)

When it comes to holiday decorations, the line between trendy and tacky is as thin as a string of tinsel. It’s difficult to keep from overdoing your decorations or doing something really corny. You’ve seen all of the hideous Christmas decorations out there, but are there any you can use in your car that are actually cute? We have a list of 9 awesome, tasteful takes on how to decorate without being tacky.

Rudolph Costume

The charming, well known story about a reindeer that stood out from the rest has created one of the most important Christmas mascots we have. People will do all kinds of creative things to incorporate Rudolph into their daily lives.

Many drivers dress up their vehicles to look like the famous red-nosed reindeer, and we can’t help but think it’s cute. Most costume packages come with the nose that attaches to the front of the car and antlers on either side of the top of the car.

Steering Wheel Wreaths

We love how simple and decorative these DIY crafts can be, and they’d even make great gifts to give to your friends. Add a little bow to the cute candy cane pattern, and the cover is complete.

Not only is this item decorative, but it’s also useful. Have you ever grabbed your steering wheel after a cold winter’s night? This allows you to have a soft steering wheel cover that adds a ton of holiday spirit to the inside of your vehicle.

Christmas Light Magnets

All right, we admit it. These magnets have the potential to be tacky. It’s all about how you use them. First of all, if they’re all over a car, pointing in every direction, that’s going to look terrible. However, if you arrange these magnets to actually resemble a string of colorful lights, these magnets can be a cheap and easy way to decorate your vehicle.

 

Check out the full list of ideas here: http://drivesteady.com/6-tackiest-christmas-car-decorations-you-want

Top 10 Auto Myths Revealed

 

The editors of MSN Autos have created a list of the Top 10 most popular auto myths. In the following article they address them.

Myth 1: Red cars get more speeding tickets. 

Debunked: While they're radiant and retina-shocking, red cars are not more likely to get a speeding ticket, according to the Insurance Information Institute and Insurance Trade Association. This myth is based on an optical illusion: a red car looks as if it is going faster than it is because red is an aggressive color. But a radar gun is color-blind. The only way to avoid a speeding ticket is not to speed. If you have no self-control (we don't either), here are a couple of nifty tips to avoid being nailed by Smokey on your next trip: (1) Travel in a pack of cars to avoid being singled out — let a rabbit speed ahead of you and get the ticket instead; (2) Stay in the right lane whenever possible, because many officers look to the fast lane for speeders.

Myth 2: Driving with the windows open to stay cool saves gas.

Debunked: According to Ford's Driving Skills for Life Web site, the power-robbing effect of air-conditioning compressors is less hurtful than the aerodynamic drag created by speeding down the road with the windows open, especially at highway speeds. Running the air conditioner will sacrifice a few ponies, but the turbulence caused by open windows will require more horsepower, and thus cause the vehicle to consume more fuel to maintain a steady speed. Ford's Web site recommends using the recirculation feature because it is more efficient to cool already cool air from the cabin than outside air. Another nifty tip is to run the vent/fan setting once the cabin cools down.

Myth 3: Letting an engine idle saves fuel.

Debunked: This one may have rung true when carburetors ruled the roost, but not now that fuel injection is the norm. Start-up in most modern vehicles is lean and efficient, and the longer the interval between shutdown and start-up, the greater the fuel savings. Engine-off strategies are prevalent in hybrids for a reason: they improve mileage. Even the all-gasoline 2012 Maserati Quattroporte will be using start-stop technology to improve its fuel efficiency.

Myth 4: Hybrid batteries won’t last.

Debunked: Doubters were quick to question the longevity of hybrid battery cells and cite their substantial replacement cost to scare people away from these green machines. Check the warranty card. Manufacturers are offering warranties that start at 80,000 miles and go up from there. Furthermore, the federal government tested battery packs up to 160,000 miles and experienced no issues. Hybrid taxicabs have reported 200,000-plus miles without the need for a battery replacement.

Read the full list of myths at: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/listarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=1155168