Sussman Auto's Blog

2012 – Looking Forward

autodealership — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:00:15 +0000

The Sussman family of dealerships is proud to announce the official opening of our newest expansion site, Sussman Hyundai, located at 1645 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA. The new, state-of-the-art dealership will feature over three times as many new Hyundais as previously available, as well as a dedicated sales staff with knowledge specifically surrounding the Hyundai fleet and performance.

Adjoining the showroom, the new Sussman Hyundai location also includes a modern service department with more technicians and service bays, so we can better serve our Hyundai customers.

For more photos of the Sussman Hyundai construction site in progress throughout 2011, become a fan of our Facebook page!

2011 was an incredible year for the Hyundai, which was voted by the Kelley Blue Book as the brand with #1 consumer loyalty. Many individual Hyundai models were also acknowledged with various international design, performance, and satisfaction awards, including:
•   Hyundai Veloster: 2011 GOOD Design Awards Transportation Category
•   Hyundai Genesis: 2011 IntelliChoice and AutoPacific Motorist’s Choice Awards
•   Hyundai Elantra: 2011 IntelliChoice and AutoPacific Motorist’s Choice Awards
•   Hyundai Sonata:

o IIHS Top Safety Pick
o Five Star by NHTSA

In addition to a robust inventory of pre-owned models from prior years, Sussman Hyundai also features a comprehensive list of 2012 models, including IIHS top safety pics, Genesis, Sonata Hybrid, and Santa Fe. Whether you’re looking for performance, luxury, or economy, our helpful sales associates can help you find the Hyundai model that fits your needs, and desires.

Sussman Automotive’s 10th Annual Bikes for Tykes

autodealership — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:00:11 +0000

Normally, we’re used to seeing happy customers drive away from Sussman dealerships with four wheels and a smile on their faces. But every November and December for the past 10 years, Sussman has welcomed many smiling faces arriving at our dealerships towing a set of slightly used two wheels.

2011 marked the 10th annual Bikes for Tykes event benefitting children at Philadelphia-area family shelters. Every year The Sussman family of Acura, Kia, Hyundai, Honda and Mazda dealerships invite friends and neighbors to drop off gently used bicycles collecting dust in garages and basements.

Sussman executive Lauri Sussman Siegel says, “Over the past ten years it has been a great pleasure to know that our efforts support organizations whose sole intent is to bring smiles to children during the holiday season.”

We are happy to celebrate our 10th year working with the Women’s Christian Alliance and our 9th with the Southwest Community Center. Additional bikes will also be distributed at the Visiting Nurses Association of Abington and the Delta Community Center of Glenside.

Thanks to the generosity of our friends and neighbors, Sussman dealerships collected approximately 104 bikes for distribution in 2011, bringing our total bikes in ten years to over 1,800. We’re happy to help make holidays brighter, and look forward to another great year in 2012.

For more photos from our Bikes for Tykes team fix-it night, please visit the Sussman Auto Facebook Page.

Thanksgiving Traditions

autodealership — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:27:23 +0000

We can’t believe we’re into Thanksgiving month already! For most of us, once the calendar turns to November, we’re making plans about who will host, where to travel, and who’s responsible for cooking what.

From gathering at Grandma’s to post-meal game night, family traditions are what make these occasions so special. Of course, family make-ups change from year to year, with new faces at the table, so it’s also exciting to shake things up and start new traditions. Instead of flag football, how about looking for a local Turkey Trot or creating your own.

Here are a few fun traditions we like, chime in with yours in the comments!

Family fun for kids:

During one of your grocery runs (we know you’ll be there at least once!) pick up a couple mini gourds. Hand the kids some pens and let them create fun and personalized seating cards!

Dress up:
Another great activity for the kids. Get a pile of construction paper, and let the kids make hats signifying the pilgrims or the Indians. This creative activity also gives you the opportunity to talk about why we’re all sharing a big, festive meal.

Storytime:
Why do we gather on the last Thursday of every November? To give thanks. So why not give everyone at the table, from the littlest to the oldest, the opportunity to share a story, about a time someone (seated at the table, or not) did something nice to or for them over the past year.

Share a meal:
With those in need. For many, hosting a holiday meal for a large group of guests gets so overwhelming that the joy and celebration is forgotten. This year, give back by giving your time and your energy to serving families in need at your local church or soup kitchen. If you’re already committed to a family event, consider dropping off a donation of food or canned goods to help stock the community kitchen.

From the entire Sussman family to yours, have a very happy Thanksgiving! And as always, a safe one – please drive carefully!

If you’d like to share, we’d love to hear your family’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition!

BOO! Don’t get spooked by last-minute Halloween costume options

autodealership — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:14:56 +0000

The store shelves have been stocked with fun-sized candies for a few weeks now, and the calendar officially says October. If you haven’t started thinking about costumes for the kids (or listening to them tell you), this is as good a time as any.

While devils, ghosts and goblins will never go away, many kids take advantage of the opportunity to try on their superheroes magic power or favorite princess’s sparkling gown. At the very least, Halloween is a fun excuse to let your kids express their creativity. We’ve scoured the internet and collected a few of our favorite DIY costumes so you can turn the holiday into a fun, family-friendly activity.

For an out of this world costume, how about Saturn!

Got two, 2-liter bottles? Dive deep into this fun SCUBA diver costume!

Feeling raw? Check out this adorable sushi roll.

Dressing as everyone’s favorite plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi is always 1 Up!

For the techy tot, this robot costume is 0101110 cool!

Whether you go DIY or store bought, one tenet remains as true as Halloween Candy: secure assets early or risk getting stuck with the leftovers.

Do you have a favorite Halloween costume for kids? We’d love to hear!

Tender Loving Car

autodealership — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 02:52:49 +0000

We all have different goals when it comes to our auto purchases, but the one thing we all expect is for the car to work when we turn the key! All car manufacturers include a regular maintenance checklist, and your Sussman auto representative can help answer any additional questions you may have about servicing your car to keep it running in peak performance. However, there are a few small but important items that you should be aware of to ensure your car runs well between appointments.

Appropriate tire pressure

Keep your tires properly inflated for safe driving and to extend the number of miles you can get before replacement. Check your tires regularly – preferably while the tires are “cold” or before they’ve been driven for any length of time – and refill at the nearest gas station’s air pump. Because weight and size affect proper pressure, check your car’s appropriate psi, usually posted on the inside of the driver’s side door or in the driver’s manual. Another benefit, properly inflated tires also help improve gas mileage!

Regular oil changes

Whether you change your own, bring the car into Sussman or your local shop, regular oil changes are one of the most important check-ups for your car. Again, check with your Sussman rep or car manual for the recommended number of miles before each oil changes. And if your oil light comes on, go to the nearest shop as soon as possible. Clean, appropriate oil is crucial for keeping your car driving for as many miles as possible. Ignoring oil changes can lead to more expensive repairs down the road.

Replacing windshield wipers

Road conditions become very dangerous when weather conditions deteriorate. Windshield wipers that streak or leave grime behind on the glass can impair your vision and should be replaced as soon as possible. And the best part? They’re easy to replace! Pick up a new set of wipers at your Sussman dealership.

These are just a few simple ways you can give some Tender Loving Car between service appointments. Leave the big jobs to the experts; we know your car takes care of you, and we’re here to help you do the same!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: 2012 model season at Sussman Automotive

autodealership — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 01:35:03 +0000

It’s been an incredible year for the Sussman family of dealerships. Yes, we know there are still a few months left in 2011, but we’ve got 2012 on the brain. Specifically 2012 models!

2011 was a great year for reviews from the car industry AND from the customers of models we’re lucky enough to showcase at Sussman Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Mazda, and we’re excited to share some of the updates to our favorite models.

We’ll start with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra. Thanks to great pricing, an unparalleled warranty and improved styling and performance, Hyundai has quickly become a favorite for new-car shoppers and owners. And we have to agree – we love taking the Hyundai’s out for tests. Autoguide loves the way the 2012 model rides. Oh and the 40 mpg? We’re Google-mapping a 40-mile circle around the Sussman Hyundai dealership.

We’re also excited for the 2012 Mazda 3, the lucky recipient of the new SKYACTIV 4-cylinder engine. We know the body of the sporty little 3 is getting a slight makeover, so the combination of new styling and more power is a total win that we can’t wait to check out.

2011 was a big year for the Kia Sorento, and we’re seeing lots of great interior upgrades that make the 2012 a more comfortable ride. Cooled seats and a heated steering wheel? Yes, please!

Now that we’ve given a preview of some of our favorite models, we’d love to hear what 2012 cars you have an eye on in 2012? Can’t wait to check out the 2012 Honda Civic redesign? Or a new Acura? Share your thoughts here or visit us at SussmanAuto.com to look at our available new and used cars.

Make the most of your summer with kid-friendly outdoor games

autodealership — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:08:45 +0000

July is here, and whether the kids are playing in the front yard or you’re packing up for family vacation, there are plenty of great outdoor activities and games to keep them occupied. We’re listing a few of our favorite gamily go-to games for outside fun; at the end of the list we’d love to hear your own suggestions.

Geocaching

A great way to get kids interested in exploring the outdoors, geocaching uses technology to create real-life treasure hunting. Armed with a smart phone or a GPS device, participants use latitude and longitude coordinates to find these hidden containers, or “geocaches,” that range in size from your fingernail to as big as a gallon. With more than 1 million geocaches placed around the world, you’re probably not too far from one right now! For more information, visit www.geocaching.com.

Hit the Farms!

There’s nothing like a ripe piece of fruit on a hot summer day; lucky for us, many of our summer fruits come from farms not too far away. This summer, try taking the kids to a local Pennsylvania or Jersey farm that offers pick-your-own strawberries, peaches and other fruits. Feeling really adventurous? Let the kids help you turn their harvest into a delicious homemade sorbet with an ice cream maker when you get home!

The Pool Noodle Gets an Upgrade

One of the hottest pool toys we’re seeing this summer is the water gun pool noodle that shoots over 30 feet! If you’re into squirting and splashing this water gun upgrade is a relatively inexpensive fun addition and is available at most major toy retailers.

Feelin’ Beachy

Paddleball, Frisbee and football are simple, fun beach classics when you want a break from reading in the sand or playing in the surf. This summer, upgrade your game with “Ladder Golf” (may be known by other names depending on the region), a great game for all ages. Aim for the ladder rungs and try to hook the roped balls on 1 of the rungs. Like all the best games, this one looks easy enough – but is challenging to master!

These are just a few of our favorite suggestions for summer fun with the kids. Any you’d like to add?

Managing the stops and starts with your teenage driver

autodealership — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:26:02 +0000

Handing over the keys marks an important milestone in every parent and teenager’s relationship. Pennsylvania law allows teenagers to obtain an official Learner’s Permit at the age of 16; with the right training, maturity and knowledge of road safety and responsibility your teen can be road-ready with less emotional stress than you may think!

When you determine that your teen is ready to get behind the wheel, try to find an empty parking lot (school or mall lots during closed-hours can be convenient locations) to start practicing. An empty lot is a great place to begin with the fundamentals, like getting used to the gas and brake. These may seem simple to an experienced driver, but teens may not yet comprehend the full power of a moving vehicle.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re setting a good example with your own driving habits! Buckle your seatbelt before moving, come to a complete stop at all signs and traffic lights, obey posted speed limits and local cell phone/texting laws. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. If your teen already owns a cellphone, chances are it’s a permanent accessory. Do take the time to emphasize the importance of giving 100% focus to the road, and not to making phone calls or texting.

In addition to actual driving skills, it is important for your teen to understand that driving isn’t about the safety of the driver, vehicle and passengers, but everyone (and everything!) outside the vehicle as well. From the PA Department of Transportation website, some basic tips for teenagers:

Always wear your seat belt.
Obey the speed limit. Going too fast gives you less time to react.
Use your turn signals so other drivers know what you are doing.
Don’t drink and drive. Drinking under the age of 21 is illegal.
Focus on the driving task—the road and the conditions around you.
Don’t use your cell phone while driving. This is a distraction that will take your attention away from driving.
Don’t eat or drink while driving. These are also distractions.
Plan ahead. Know where you are going and get directions.
Leave early. Give yourself plenty of time to get there.

Drivers of ALL ages have more distractions than ever. By establishing a strong sense of responsibility and consequence in your teenager, you can help your young driver avoid forming dangerous habits and learn to be aware at all times.

Mother’s Day – Celebrate an experience with Mom

autodealership — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:02:06 +0000

Mother’s Day is just a week away ¬– have you started thinking about how to honor the special lady in your life? A beautiful bouquet, heartfelt card and brunch are usually a safe bet, but why not think about sharing a special activity with Mom this year. By doing something together, you get to share an experience and create a special memory that you’ll both treasure forever.

Since every Mom (and every Mom and kid relationship) is different, we couldn’t possibly come up with a list of Mother’s Day outings to suit everyone, but here are a few that we know might definitely delight some Moms. If you have another tradition you don’t see listed here, share – we’d love to hear!

Pack a picnic and head outdoors
Mother’s Day falls in that delightful window of beautiful weather when spring is in full bloom. We’re lucky to live in such a great area where a nice green space is never too far away. So pack up a few of Mom’s favorite snacks (crackers and cheese, fruit, beverages, and a dessert make a great menu – no need to get fancy) and head out for a day of shoes-off relaxation.

Head to the baseball park!
Does Mom remember the days when the Phillies didn’t give her much to cheer about? Does Mom a good hot dog with all the fixin’s? Citizens Bank Park is one of the most family-friendly stadiums: perfect for when the little ones start getting antsy in the seats. Put on a cap, her favorite jersey and go see the Phillies play some ball! (Don’t miss the end of this post for some more GREAT NEWS about Phillies tickets)

Spa Day
Ok, so maybe this one doesn’t have to be a shared experience, but it’s still a great gift for letting Mom create a memory she’ll look back on fondly. Most spas in our area offer flexible gift certificates, which allow Mom to choose how she’d like to relax for a few hours: with a massage, facial or whatever indulgent treatment she enjoys!

Back to “school” Mom
For the non-spa moms, look into getting a multi-class pass at a local Yoga, or signing her up for that gardening, cooking, language class she’s always wanted to take.

We hope you like our suggestions for making Mom feel extra special this year. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8th – how are you planning on honoring the ladies in your life?

As a special thank-you for being a “Fan” of the Sussman Automotive dealership family, we’re giving one lucky Fan two tickets to see the Phillies play at Citizens Bank Park! Visit Sussman Auto on Facebook for details on how to enter and win!

Spring Breakout the Keys!

autodealership — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:16:02 +0000

Warmer temperatures and longer spring and summer days are great excuses to get in the car and drive somewhere new or back to the family’s favorite getaway spot. Whether you’re headed toward the beach, mountains or somewhere between, we’ve compiled a list of three travel essentials you’ll want to make sure are packed before your clothes are.

Safety First

If life is about the journey and not the destination, the AAA 70 Piece Explorer Road Assistance Kit can help plan for surprises on your journey. The Kit comes with emergency essentials for your car, and for your passengers.

Find Your Way

Are you still using paper maps to find your destination? Go digital and take the guesswork (and distraction!) out of paper navigation. A range of GPS units are available, with some options available for as little as $100. Not ready for another gadget? Many web-based geo-location services allow you to text directions to your phone; or check for an app for your smartphone.

Keep Kids Happy

What’s your go-to for keeping the kids occupied as the miles fly by? The Rand McNally Backseat Books series is filled with entertaining crossword and puzzle games for your backseat passengers. Get one or all three so the kids can trade:

Are We There Yet?

Best Travel Activity Book Ever

Kids’ Road Atlas

Also topping our list of Road-trip essentials: great music, snacks and drinks, but we could never recommend specifics – that’s up to you!

How did we do with our list? What items have been integral to your best road trips?