Are There Too Many Options?

America was founded on the premise that her citizens should have options, and not only options but, the freedom to choose among them. The founding fathers were primarily concerned with religion and politics but, the idea pretty much sums up the free market system, as well.

Which is exactly the problem. Sometimes there’s just too much to choose from.

While grocery shopping the other day I spent 20 minutes in the toothpaste aisle. It’s not that there are too many brands to choose from, it’s that each brand has an entire array of products.

There’s toothpaste to whiten, freshen, and protect; to ward off sensitivity, plaque and gingivitis; to battle germs, prevent bacteria and strengthen enamel. There’s regular, there’s gel, there’s some swirly combination of both. And then there are the flavors: Cinnamon, mint, citrus breeze, root beer, licorice, and, for those rare diehard carnivores, pork. There’s even one the brains at MIT allege can forecast the weather (I kid you not: http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/mit-media-labs-build-weather-forecasting-toothpaste%E2%80%94with-flavors-5-1-2010/). Is it any wonder my brain short circuits if I even consider moving past “Regular Tooth Paste”?

But the real question is, why do I find it so annoying to wade through the broad selection of toothpaste but on the other spectrum, excessively liberating to have just as many, if not more, choices when buying a car?

The view from my office in the Butler Acura showroom includes any number of Fords, Acuras, Hyundais and Kias, one super clean Mini-Cooper, a Dodge Ram and a handful of Ford F-150s (to see what I see visit: www.butlerman.com.) They are new and previously loved, sedans and hatchbacks, trucks, crossovers and SUVs. They represent a host of options, colors, and possibilities. I love having the ability to see each and every one of them and, unless they’ve been sold by the time I get around to them, I plan to test drive them all. I’m looking forward to it.

So far, my “research” has put me behind the wheel of an Acura MDX, Acura RDX, Ford F-150 King Ranch, and a sweet 2011 Ford Mustang. This weekend, I drove one of Butler’s new powerful 2011 F-150 Lariats, you know, just to get a feel for the latest class of Ford trucks. In seeing my temporary ride, and knowing me the way she does, my mom smiled and nodded. “You have a good job,” she said.

So, I guess it comes down to passion. Obviously, someone (at Crest, Colgate and, apparently, MIT) is in love with toothpaste. For that person, the more toothpaste options, the better… even if he’s still driving the same car he’s had since high school. I, on the other hand will revel in every new car and truck that rolls onto our lot, while continuing to stick to Regular Crest. In doing so, both us are confirming our right to choose, upholding our freedom of choice. Being American.

Best, Worst, and Weirdest Car Names Ever

 

The infamous Chevy Nova

Remember the story about Chevy and the Nova? The auto maker’s efforts to market the car in Latin America failed spectacularly . Turns out “no va” in Spanish means “it doesn’t go”, and nobody wants a car that doesn’t go!

The story is usually cited to illustrate the difficulties in translation when it comes to naming vehicles. But I’m not concerned with what American model names may mean in other languages so much as in what they mean – or don’t mean – in America.

Here’s a pretty comprehensive list of the best, worst and weirdest car names: http://www.forbes.com/2004/07/12/cx_dl_0712feat.html. But there must be others out there… can you think of any?

The Kia Of 5 Years Ago Is Not The Kia Of Today!

Cars.com Names 2011 Kia Optima

KIA OPTIMA

Five years ago the idea that Kia could win out over other more reputable brands in the eyes of industry experts would have seemed laughable.

But then, the Kia of five years ago is not the Kia of today. Just ask Cars.com which last month named the 2011 Kia Optima as Cars.com Best of 2011! The reasons included a sleek new design (Cars.com calls it “smashingly handsome”), an upgrade in interior luxury, and impressive fuel economy. The experts were so wowed by the 2011 Optima they predicted it will be Kia’s biggest success… ever.

We’ll have to wait a few months to see whether that prediction comes true but, in the meantime, it’s enough to know the reputable brands Kia trumped included the BMW 5 Series. Who’s laughing now?

At Butler Kia we will be honored to give you a personal walk around of this award winning vehicle!

Things Aren’t Always as They Seem

Everybody has a love story about the one that got away. Mine just happens to be about a truck.

It was a 1976 Datsun Pick-up, its tall camper shell complete with moon roof. Gleaming white with dark grey interior. Bench seat, cassette deck.

But the feature I appreciated most was the smell; every time the heater ran the cab filled with the comforting aroma of warm maple syrup.

Those of you in the know are cringing here…

We spent the better part of a year together, my truck and I, racking up the typical high school memories of hauling friends to the lake, to the mall, to nowhere in particular. My pick-up was my escape, my independence, my world.

Until it fell undeniably, expensively ill.

Turns out, that savory scent I loved so much wasn’t, in fact, a blessing from the automotive gods. Instead it was a signal that the truck was burning coolant… a silent killer that, having gone (relatively) undetected, culminated in a cracked engine block, a staggering repair bill, and a crushed teenager who couldn’t (and still can’t) believe the red flag had been there since the beginning. I couldn’t afford to fix the truck so, sadly, we parted ways.

Don’t let this happen to you. Regular maintenance can help you and your wheels stay together. Let Butler help: www.butlerman.com/service-and-parts.htm

Fuel Filter as Important as Fuel

You don’t even think about the fact that you have to put fuel in your car or truck to keep it running. But did you know you should also be checking your fuel filter on a regular basis?
A dirty filter can allow impurities to infiltrate the engine, making the fuel less effective (think arteries and the affect cholesterol can have on *your* system). Less effective fuels means you get fewer miles for your dollar.
But regular maintenance can boost your fuel economy. And it’s as easy as scheduling on-line. Check us out at: http://www.butlerman.com/service-and-parts.htm.

Are You Right-Brained or Left-Brained?

A friend of mine recently bought a sports car. He knew he wanted a used car, and he knew he wanted luxury and performance. But that’s all he knew when he went into the process; he had no brand loyalty or, even brand preference. He researched. He test drove. He compared numbers, and not just the ones having to do with price.

Ultimately, the car he ended up buying was the one he’d originally dismissed for fear it would be too expensive. While he’s over the moon with his purchase he’ll also tell you his choice made sense. It was driven by reason.

What impressed me about his process was that it was so methodical, so logical, so left-brained. I have never gone about buying a car like that. In my world, a certain budget must be adhered to and… that’s about it. For me, the decision is all emotional. I either love it or I don’t and the rest is not up for discussion.

That attitude is shifting in that the desire to be more environmentally friendly is coming into play, as are considerations like fuel economy and seating capacity. Daisy Dog and I don’t take up too much space or cover a tremendous number of miles so, the latter two are still flexible. But even if they weren’t, I just can’t see myself, unless it were absolutely necessary, buying a vehicle that didn’t bring me joy. I need to love the feeling of driving it. I need to appreciate its lines. I need to adore, yes, even the color (See “Silver” blog: http://butlerautogroup.wordpress.com/2010/12/23/9/). It’s not completely irrational… but it’s close. My process is driven by the right-side of my brain.

Which side governs yours?

Why “LIKE” Us?

“Something that haunts most social media panels is a failure to explain the relevance of social media.  Why should the average person get involved, or read?”
                                                                      —http://www.brandstorming.com

 Maybe that’s an odd way to kick off the inaugural blog of The Butler Automotive Group.  But, seriously, why should you read anything we have to say?  Butler’s a group of car dealerships.  You already know dealerships sell cars.  You visit their websites when you need one, or maybe when you want one.  Otherwise, you don’t visit their websites.

But at Butler… or more accurately, I, Shannon Young, former longtime local TV news anchor-turned-Butler spokeswoman… disagree, and I’ll tell you why. 

First, the sites I visit on a regular basis include those for NPR, People Magazine, CNN, anything related to kayaking, and, of course, Facebook.  I’m drawn to websites that enhance my life, whether with information, a break from reality, pretty pictures that remind me of my time on the water, or interaction with people who share similar interests, similar friends, similar anything.

Second, I love cars.  I mean, I LOVE cars.  I can work one of those dealership options kiosks like some kids play Halo.  I love the variety of styles, the niche markets, the sheer multitude of possibilities.  I love how each manufacturer has its followers, how we can outfit our cars to match our personality, how some people are so nuts for their ride they name it, like it’s part of the family.

So… I visit sites that enhance my life… and cars enhance my life.

I know I’m not alone.  I know there’s a truckload of as-yet-outed auto junkies out there.  I also know a good portion of you engage in some sort of ritual every day, whether it’s stopping by a coffee shop, a bagel store, or a website, not just to caffeinate, indulge in baked goods, or see who’s “liked” the latest Harry Potter flick but, to see who’s there, to talk about the weather, to connect… with someone, somewhere who shares something in common.  

Guess what.  Your vehicle connects you, literally in that it gets you places but, also figuratively.  You have something in common with every other human being who’s ever owned a car.  Yeah.  Whoa.

 So what better place to start building a relationship than right here?

Butler and I, we’re not just writing a blog, we’re starting a conversation.  And with you in the mix, we might just enhance each other’s life.

Guess that brings us to the beginning: Hi, I’m Shannon.  You already know what lights my fire.  Now, tell us what lights yours…