Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Roanoke, Louisiana

Caron, I will keep you updated. It's due to go into Berglund Chevrolet in Roanoke, Va on May 2nd.

Yes, Breakaway's price was OTD. They did not break it down, but as a SC Resident it would have gone something like this: Vehicle (including destination): $28,936 SC Taxes (they're capped at $300) $300 Tags: $39 I'd suspect that the vehicle price is actually slightly lower, and they charge a doc fee, but the OTD is the same. If you're in NC, your taxes and tags will be higher, of course (sorry!). Here are the NC Dealer quotes I received. All are OTD, based on South Carolina taxes/tags (Taxes in SC = $300, tags = $39). Adjust as needed for NC. Auto Park Honda - Cary $29,558 High Country Honda - Boone $29,664 Vann York Honda - High Point $30,000 Asheboro Honda - Asheboro $30,273 Crown Honda Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill $30,599 Bob Barbour Honda - Greenville $30,754 Alan Vester Honda - Roanoke Rapids $32,508 The following NC dealers did not response with a quote (make of it what you will): Burlington Honda - Burlington Coastal Carolina Honda - New Bern Courtesy Honda - Goldsboro Davenport Honda - Rocky Mount Hope that helps!

I e-mailed 27 (yes, 27) dealers in North and South Carolina over the weekend, looking for a specific model/color/options (EX-L in Baltic Blue with DVD/RES). I requested a "best price" quote, broken down by car price, taxes, tags, doc fee, and summed up with and OUT THE DOOR price. 18 responded with e-mail quotes (amazingly, 9 did not respond at all). Of the 18, many did not follow my instructions exactly, but at least gave me an OTD price. The lowest price was from Breakaway Honda in Greenville ($29,295). The highest was from Alan Vester Honda in Roanoke Rapids ($32,508). The rest of the quotes were sprinkled in the 29-31K range. Hendrick Honda in Charlotte gave me a quote of $27,739, but reneged when I drove up there (could not find the car, and then determined a mistake had been made). I ended up buying from Honda Cars of Columbia (local dealer), as I was reluctant to drive up to Greenville and risk getting the "Hendrick" treatment again. Nothing against Breakaway (other than the fact that they've are very very aggressive with their e-mail once you've contacted them - use a throwaway account), I was just in a bad mood after the drive to Charlotte. Honda of Columbia matched the Breakaway price. Clearly, there's a wide variety of what you can pay for this car - I'd certainly suggest spending a few hours to save 1-2K!

While waiting for the Z-28 money to be finalized, I stopped by the Ford store. Just passing by mind you (it's 70 miles away). I read in Car and Driver that the 2011 V-6 Mustang had 300 HP and I just had to check it out. I was NOT asked for a deposit or a signature, just my license copy. Salesman saw my comps and said "if we can match this will you buy" to which I replied, "probably". Not much hoopla in Roanoke, Va about a simple test drive. He put on mag-tag and handed me the keys. Said, Please park in front so I can see when you're back. No problem. Fuel gauge said 40 miles to empty so how far could I go anyway. I was definitely impressed. The 2011's all have the new 6 speed A/T which worked nicely. Not as edgy at takeoff as previous years, but lots more power mid range. And the stereo, ahhh. Finally a sound system I can hear!!! Yesss. (unlike the Avalon where volume 30 and I can almost tell what song it is). And that was the no frills base stereo. Wow. More to come...

I wish more people would take a look at this SUV. This is a great, economical, fun to drive Jeep, with great looks from the old Cherokee. The ride is smooth and quiet, unlike what review from Edmunds said, which we don't understand. We have a 2008 Toyota Highlander, and this Patriot is just about as quiet! Our Patriot has the Latitude Package which includes alot of cool stuff. Awesome stereo with the premium 9 speakers , and is loaded with options that other SUV's can't touch. I hope Jeep will decide to keep this model, I have read they are dropping it. That is sad at a time when gas mpg is so important. Go drive one, you will be impressed ! Since we have bought ours, we have had several folks get one from seeing how great it looks. The Stone White is one of the best colors for it ...very sharp !