Mazda now has a higher residual value than any major brand!

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This article is from Automotive News…..

Top mainstream residual? Mazda

Arlena Sawyers
Automotive News — June 7, 2010 – 12:01 am ET
Mazda has quietly risen to the top of the residual-value heap among mainstream brands, edging out Subaru and Honda.

Automotive Lease Guide projects that 2010 Mazda cars and trucks will retain an average of 54.1 percent of their sticker price after 36 months, up 10 percentage points from the 2005 projection.

Subaru’s residual projection is 54.0 percent after 36 months, up 7.8 percentage points over 2005; Honda’s is 53.7 percent, up 2.3 points in the same period.

Niche brand Mini, which sells only subcompact cars, is projected to have a residual value of 60.8 percent after 36 months, the highest of any brand. Mini’s projection is 1.5 percentage points above its 2005 projection.

Matt Traylen, chief economist at Automotive Lease Guide, credits the new 2010 Mazda3 and 2010 Mazda6, which was redesigned for 2009, with elevating the company’s residual projections.

The Mazda3 small car has an average residual of about 59 percent at the end of 36 months and the Mazda6 mid-sized sedan about 55 percent.

Eric Johnston, vice president of sales and field operations at Mazda North American Operations, says the key to strong residual values is creating good-looking, high-quality vehicles and then resisting pressure to oversupply the market.

Mazda also shuns customer cash incentives and plans to sell no more than 6 percent of its vehicles to fleets this year.

“The used market tends to follow” the new-vehicle market, Johnston says. “A car that’s not desirable new won’t be desirable used, either. When people want your cars, they are willing to pay more for them.”

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100607/RETAIL04/306079993#ixzz0qNquFZ1V

Don’t Forget the Maintenance!

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Even in this tough economy it is important to keep up on your car care. These low cost or free checks can save you big in the long run.

Tip 1…. Check your Tire Pressure! This will make sure you get the best possible fuel economy and longest life from your tires. PLUS, it doesn’t cost a thing!

Tip 2… Check your air filter every 6 months or 7,500 miles. A clogged air filter reduces engine performance and increases exhaust emissions.

Tip 3… Check the battery cables and terminals. Corroded or loose parts can reduce your car’s power and leave you stranded. Do a quick check with every oil change.

Tip 4… Make sure your washer fluid is full. A dirty windshield can be unsafe.

Tip 5… Windshield wipers are easy to forget about during 1/2 the year and then when you really need them they don’t work right. They should clean the glass with one swipe!

Tip 6… Oil changes keep your internal parts from wearing to fast and help prevent the motor from seizing up. Change your oil and filter at the manufacturers suggested intervals.

Tip 7… Have your coolant level checked, preferebly with every oil change, and have the whole system flushed and refilled according to the manufacturers suggested interval.

Tip 8… Make sure your brake fluid level is correct because no fluid equals no brakes!

Tip 9… Drive belt condition can be checked at every oil change to keep your car from losing power if a belt breaks while on the road.

Tip 10… Take a look at your tire tread. No tread means no traction and a potentially dangerous situation if you can’t stop or steer to avoid an accident.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips. Most of them you can do at home or have your local service department do for you.

Service Special

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Need brakes? A/C not blowing as cold as you’d like? When was the last time you had your fluids checked, changed, or flushed? How does 10% off sound to get your repairs done? Thats right! Our service department has a spring promotion of 10% off ANY repairs of $99 or more. So call or come in today and get your car ready for summer.