On The Road

Courtesy of Kia
The Kia Cadenza Limited, above, sells for approximately $45,000,

Judging from the vehicles seen throughout Los Altos, we don’t deviate much from national trends that favor crossovers and SUVs – yet there are still many reasons why people might buy a sedan.

Last month a customer brought in her 2006 Audi A4 because the check-engine light was on and the car was cutting out while driving and hesitating on acceleration.

Gary anderson/Special to the Town Crier
The Volkswagen 2017 Beetle Convertible 1.8T Dune comes with a turbocharged 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 184-pound feet of torque.

Once in a while we get a car to drive that makes no sense at all. It can’t haul the family, wouldn’t be practical for a long vacation and isn’t suited to make Costco runs for party provisions.

Courtesy of Ford
The Ford Escape is easy to maneuver, thanks to its small wheelbase, driver height and large windows. It’s also easy to load and unload with the ample cargo space accessible through the rear hatch.

With moist soil beckoning the gardener in the family, the 2017 Ford Escape – a compact cross-over in sensible SE trim and front-wheel that we drove recently – was perfect for multiple trips to the nursery for new plants to spark up the courtyard outside our offices.

I have written several articles on the importance of scheduled maintenance, such as making sure to stay up to date with fluid intervals and filters. Failure to perform these basic services and have them performed by a qualified shop can only cost you money and headaches in the long run.

Last week we had a new customer come in with his 2007 Lexus IS 250. The customer said he had just purchased the car and after driving it only 50 miles, the check engine light came on. What he did not realize is that the previous owner did not have quality maintenance performed.

Photo by Gary Anderson/Special to the Town Crier; Bottom Right Photo courtesy of Chrysler
The Andersons recently drove the new Chrysler 300S to Danville’s Blackhawk Museum, where they saw “The Spirit of the Old West” exhibition.

When you have a press car as rooted in automotive history as the Chrysler 300S – it’s a direct descendant of the original Chrysler 300, known as the “world’s fastest stock car” in 1955 – it’s only appropriate to take a trip back in time.