Honda Odyssey Review by Edmunds.com

Review by Edmunds.com

For most of its lifespan, the Honda Odyssey has been a favored pick for many savvy minivan consumers. Although the vehicle had a rather humble debut, it quickly hit its stride once Honda came out with the second-generation model, which featured a spacious cabin and an innovative fold-into-the-floor third-row seat. Now in its third generation, the Odyssey is one of the top minivans currently available.

Invariably, whenever we've had a minivan comparison test, the Honda Odyssey has made a strong showing, usually earning top honors. ... the Honda's combination of [performance and family-friendly] features, along with a roomy, comfortable cabin, sporty driving dynamics and a long-standing impressive record of reliability, have made the Odyssey a favorite among our road-test staffers with kiddies.

The Honda Odyssey is a seven-passenger minivan available in LX, EX, EX-L and Touring trim levels. The well-equipped LX features full power accessories, cruise control, side curtain airbags, stability control and a CD player. The EX adds alloy wheels, eight-passenger seating, power-sliding doors, power driver seat, a six-disc CD changer, in-floor storage with a "lazy Susan" and second-row sunshades.

There's also the EX-L version that provides leather seating, heated seats, a power tailgate and a sunroof. The Touring adds triple-zone climate control, driver memory seat, AC power outlet, power-adjustable pedals, foglights, parking sensors, a second-row removable center console, run-flat tires and a tire-pressure monitoring system. A rear entertainment system and navigation system are optional on the EX-L and Touring.

For power, the Honda Odyssey relies on a 255-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The EX-L and Touring trim levels feature Variable Cylinder Management, or VCM, which improves the Odyssey's fuel efficiency by "shutting off" three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising and deceleration. When power is needed for acceleration, the engine seamlessly switches back to all six cylinders.

On the road, the Odyssey impresses thanks to its powerful engine and stable handling. Cornering is flat, the steering is direct and acceleration and braking are linear and sure. All of these qualities have made this Honda van a favorite of Edmunds editors, and it won the Edmunds.com Editors' Most Wanted minivan award more times than any other minivan on the market.

source: Edmunds.com

Toys for Tots 2009

The United States Marine Corps has officially begun its annual Toys for Tots campaign for the 2009 holiday season. This campaign has reached out and assisted needy and deserving children all around the capital region for over 42 years. Without this wonderful program, children in our communities would not have the opportunity to celebrate the holidays the way they deserve to. Last year’s campaign reached out to over 106,000 deserving children, making their holiday’s memorable ones. This year, the Marine Corps goal is to increase that number to over 120,000. With the trying times and the recession looming over this holiday season, we are in an even bigger need of support from our capital region community.

Join the United States Marine Corps and Keeler Motor Car Company in bringing happiness and hope to area children this holiday season. Your gift will help disadvantaged children in the Capital Region have a memorable holiday experience this year.

Drop off your unwrapped new toy to any of our stores; smart Center Latham, Keeler Quality Pre-Owned Center, The Mercedes-Benz Center, Keeler BMW, Keeler Land Rover, Keeler Jaguar, Keeler MINI and Keeler Honda; now through December 11, 2009.

Keeler Motor Car All-Wheel Drive Event

No Payments Until 2010 when you purchase any in-stock All-Wheel Drive vehicle at Keeler Motor Car Company.*

Keeler Motor Car Company has one of the most diverse and unique inventory selections of All-Wheel Drive vehicles.

Whether you crave Utility, Performance, Efficiency or Safety, Keeler has the right vehicle for you.

From now until November 30, 2009, buy any new or pre-owned, in-stock All-Wheel Drive vehicle from Keeler and we'll make the first finance payment up to $500. Please hurry in, this offer is limited to the first 100 purchases.

Make your very best deal, including all manufacturer's incentives and programs and Keeler will make your first month finance payment,* so that you won't have any payments until 2010.

Keeler Motor Car Company All-Wheel Drive Special Event
*No payments until 2010
*Keeler will make your first month payment
*Utility
*Performance
*Efficiency
*Safety
*Selection

*Must be credit approved through one of our primary lenders. Must take delivery by November 30, 2009. Previous orders excluded. Offer applies only to retail finance contracts (Leases excluded).

New York State hiding tax increase behind throwback license plates?

The great state of New York has just unveiled a new license plate design. They're calling it "Empire Gold," unlike the current drab white and blue plates that New Yorkers have been affixin' to their rides since 2001. However, 57,000 people have already filed a petition at a website called nonewplates.com. Already? While the new NY plates aren't the best looking we've ever seen (black on yellow California plates from the 1950s FTW), they aren't that bad. What gives?

You, the taxpayer, that's what. New Yorkers are required to get the new plates. And they cost $25. Want to keep your same license plate number so you don't have to call and fuss with your insurance company? Or let's say you want to hang onto an existing vanity plate? That's going to cost you an extra $20. So if you have three vehicles and are happy with your numbers, these new plates will set you back $135. Out here in the Golden State, we've tossed people from office (hello Gray Davis!) for similar antics. Just sayin'. All in all, the new plate is expected to rake in $129 million for the state of NY and they drop in April, just in time for tax season.

Source: Autoblog.com

The Annual Customer Appreciation Event at Keeler Mercedes-Benz

It goes without saying how important our customers are to the livelihood of our business. Cars don't drive themselves! Since I've been employed at Keeler Motor Car - 8 years in January - we have held an annual customer appreciation party at our Mercedes-Benz store. We have had many themes such as, "Hollywood", "Men In Black" and my personal favorite, Vegas! This year our theme was "Cruise." And it was a cruise ship unlike any other!

Our fabulous showroom was transformed by Fine Affairs Decorating into a cruise ship with all the amenities one would fine on a luxury oceanliner. We had the Mercedes-Benz Lounge featuring The Michael Panza Band, a casino, a buffet,catered by Panza's Restaurant, fit for a king and of course the cars!! This year we highlighted the all new 4-Matic E Class. Click here if you are interested in finding out more about this magnificent car!

Below are pictures from our event. Enjoy! And thank you to all our customers for making this a night to remember!

Fun in our "ship's" casino

Eating at our port of call in the Riviera

Crowd gathered around the 4-Matic E Class. We had over 500 attendees!

Rumormill: Mercedes considering more affordable "baby" SLS AMG gullwing?

The folks over at Mercedes appear to be pretty excited about their newest supercar. For starters, the SLS AMG gullwing is the first ever home-grown AMG supercar, and it replaces the ho-hum McLaren SLR. And of course, the nearly $200,000 German hot rod comes equipped with retro-tastic gullwing doors and a 6.2-liter V8 capable of 563 horsepower and 0-60 mph times of 3.8 seconds – both of which we certainly like. But will the SLS AMG be the one-and-only purpose-built vehicle to come from Mercedes' performance group? We kinda doubt it, and so do the scribes over at PistonHeads.

While attending the SLS drive event in Monterey, California, the PistonHeads crew spoke off-the-cuff with company execs who said that an additional AMG model could be in the works. We already know that a convertible version of the SLS is in the works, and a Black Series and dedicated racing version have also been mooted. However, the rumored second AMG Pistonheads is speaking about could be a Porsche 911 hunter based off of the same platform of the SLS AMG, with a front engine layout and smaller overall proportions. Further speculation is that the smaller, presumably less expensive SLS sibling would also carry a V8 engine between 5.8 and 6.2 liters with direct injection and cylinder shutoff tech.

If a smaller, lighter AMG model sounds good to you and you can afford the presumably high price tag, we hope you have some patience. The same executive who spilled bean on the possible smaller AMG also stated that such a car isn't likely to see the light of day for another five years.

Source: Autoblog.com

Keeler Motor Car AWD Event

The Keeler Motor Car Company All-Wheel Drive Event is back again for 2009. No payments until 2010 on all in-stock All-Wheel Drive vehicles - up to $500. Call us at 518-785-4197 and ask to speak to sales consultant for more details.*

* Purchases only - exludes all leases. Must be credit qualified

South Korean Woman Finally Passes Driver's Test After 950 Tries

Yep, you read that right. According to Sky News, Cha Sa-Soon of South Korea has been taking and failing driver's tests daily since 2005.
It has cost her nearly $4,000 over the years, but she never gave up, finally passing with a reassuring 60%.
Oh, and this was just the written part. She still has to take the actual driving test before getting a license.

2011 BMW 5 Series: Most Esoteric Teaser Ever?

BMW released this "teaser shot" of the 2011 BMW 5 Series, which is getting a full redesign. To create this, uh, true to life silhouette, BMW designers made use of the kinetic sculpture exhibit at the BMW Museum in Munich. You can watch a short video of the "construction" phase after the jump.
Needless to say, earlier spy shots of the next-gen 5 Series give you a much better idea of how it will look -- pretty much like a scaled down BMW 7 Series. And the next M5 was spotted even before that.
BMW will officially unveil the 2011 5 Series on November 23 at 8 p.m. Central European time -- in other words, 2 p.m. if you're on the east coast, 11 a.m. if you're in California.