Waldorf Ford's Blog

Car buying the way YOU want! www.waldorfford.com

It’s fast, it’s beautiful AND it’s STREET LEGAL.

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Administrator

There is a lot of talk recently about the 2013 Shelby GT500. This car puts out a ridiculous 650 horsepower and 631 foot pounds of torque. It’s fast, it’s beautiful AND it’s STREET LEGAL.

Fast. The force behind the speed is the 5.8L V8 Supercharged engine built here in North America. In fact, it is the most powerful engine ever built in North America. Almost every part of the power train has been tweaked to help maximize horsepower and to convert that horsepower to speed. Built with an all aluminum block, a new supercharger, upgraded cooling system, redesigned connecting rods, higher cooling fan capacity and much more… To help the driver harness all of this power and translate it to sheer speed, Ford developed Launch Control. Launch control combines brake and engine management to help keep the tires from slipping. The unique part of Ford’s system is that the driver can adjust engine speed settings to suit their driving style. Plus they are in control of other settings to help further define their preferences. All of these things (and more) packaged in the restyled exterior help Shelby GT500 achieve speeds in excess of 200 MPH.

Beautiful. Now don’t think for one second that just because the car is fast that you need to drive around town with a paper bag over your head so people don’t recognize you, because the car is ugly. This car is GORGEOUS! 7 different colors, three stripe options, window louvers, side scoops, two wheel choices and more that you can add or take off to suit your taste.

The Recaro seats are a must, in our opinion, if you are going to add the Track package. 2013 brings some modern touches to the Mustang look. HID headlamps with LED lighting are book ends for the updated billet grille which looks great above the thinner, neater lower air dams. The rear deck is updated with LED lamps that have a dark, almost tinted look to them. I swear, the Mustang looks meaner and tougher than it ever has!

Street legal. The question is can something this mean looking and fast really be street legal? YOU BET IT CAN – and it is! This car will turn heads with its looks and its roar. It is proof positive that Mustang’s do lead the pack of muscle cars. In the 1970’s many drag racers were looking for a car like this, something that could run a ¼ mile in 10 – 12 seconds. Now you can get it right off the showroom floor and take it to MIR and post those times…or quicker!

There will be a limited supply of the Shelby GT500 here at Waldorf Ford, in Southern Maryland and nationally. Don’t let that stop you from coming in to see what we have. If we don’t have one available, we might just have another Mustang that will fill that need for speed for you.

Shopping for a new vehicle

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Administrator

There comes a point in most everyone’s life that they need to replace their current vehicle. I don’t know about you, but looking for a replacement normally isn’t something I get too excited about. Narrowing down the choices, finding what I want, are just two of the decisions that need to be made. Then it’s – who do I buy it from, negotiating a price, do I want a extended warranty or accessories are more choices. Then its on to financing, do I use my own bank or the dealer, 60 months or 72 months – ARGHH! My head is spinning just thinking about it all.

Our previous blog post “Things to consider when car shopping” had some good pointers on choosing the vehicle, but then comes the question, how do you find it? Some of the obvious places to look are the major auto classified websites like AutoTrader, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book. These sites not only list vehicles for sale for lots of dealers in your areas, they also have vehicle and dealer reviews. They can be a big help in locating what you are looking for. You should also look at your local dealers website. You can use Google to find them or if you saw a vehicle they had listed on one of the classified sites, you can access them through there. You can also check your local newspaper and see if they have their website advertised there (I know at Waldorf Ford we have it listed on every page of the advertising catalog we do every other week that goes in the mail and newspaper).

Catalog banner

Once you have located the vehicle, just submit a quote to continue your journey to a new car purchase. Stay tuned for future articles to help you through the actual purchase of your next vehicle. As always, when you are ready to buy your new car, we hope that Waldorf Ford will be on your short list of places to shop. We are located on Route 301 north in Waldorf MD, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Waldorf Ford Preowned and Ford Certified Preowned vehicles

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Administrator

Did you know that we are a Ford Certified Preowned dealer? Well, we are! We became a FCPO (Ford Certified Pre Owned) dealer because of the great benefits it has for our customers. It allows you to drive home in a late model Ford with peace of mind. Here are some of the benefits of the program:

Every FCPO vehicle goes through a rigorous and thorough 172 point inspection. We check the VIN, make sure all service recalls are performed, run a vehicle history report and perform any necessary scheduled maintenance. While its in the shop, the engine is tested and 35 items under the hood are checked and if necessary brought into spec. Then we take it for a Road test to make sure it runs and drives properly. The exterior and interior are both gone over with a fine toothed comb and any necessary repairs are performed. We check the frame, exhaust, tires, brakes and lots more! When we are done the vehicle is practically new!

The benefits of FCPO don’t end with the 172 point inspection. Every FCPO vehicle comes with peace-of-mind warranty coverage. The comprehensive limited warranty covers more than 500 components for 12 months/12,000 miles (whichever comes first) and the fully transferable powertrain limited warranty covers you for 7 years /100,000 miles. You can also choose to extend the warranty when you purchase your vehicle for extra assurance.

Wait, it doesn’t stop there either. FCPO vehicles also come with 24-hour roadside assistance. Complimentary roadside assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Available services include:

* Towing assistance of up to $100 for warranty and non-warranty problems, including accidents (excludes impound and repossession)
* Travel expense reimbursement of up to $500, for up to 3 days lodging, meals and rental vehicle for travel expenses accrued when the breakdown occurs more than 100 miles from home
* Destination expense assistance of up to $75 for emergency transportation to the immediate destination
* Rental car reimbursement of up to $30 per day for up to 5 days
* Fuel delivery if the vehicle runs out of fuel — up to 2 gallons at no charge
* Flat-tire changes on site
* Jump starts for dead batteries
* Lockout assistance of up to $50 to unlock vehicle doors
* Service throughout the 50 United States and Canada

Not every vehicle has what it takes to become Ford Certified. Each Ford must be less than 6 years old and have less than 80,000 miles on the odometer. Additionally, the vehicle must pass the check of the vehicle history report.

Finally, when you purchase a FCPO you may be eligible for a special interest rate, which can be as low as 1.9% APR.

If you have any questions about the Ford Certified Preowned Program, check us out online at waldorfford.com or stop by and see us. Waldorf Ford is located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Waldorf Ford Conversion Van Fun!

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http://www.waldorfford.com Did you know Waldorf Ford is a Conversion Van Dealer? Summer road trips are coming fast. Why not travel in a bit of luxury? Take a quick tour with Sam. Stop by and check them out or give us a call at 800-883-1487

How many ways can I customize a Mustang?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Administrator

“Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black.” Henry Ford.

The thinking at Ford Motor Company has changed a lot since 1906 when Henry Ford made the above quote. Imagine today telling a potential Mustang owner (or any other Ford model) that they can only get their car in black?

If the amount of customization is any indication, This year promises to be a spectacular year for the classic car. For the V6 model ONLY there are 9 color choices, 8 body kits, 5 different decklids, 8 grilles, 4 hoods, 4 louvers, 8 roof choices, you can get it with or without side scoops, 3 side skirts, 8 different spoilers, and 22 different wheels – YES, 22 WHEELS! That isn’t it either, there are choices for door handles, door trim, fuel doors, headlights, hoodpins, side mirrors and 23 choices for stripes and decals. What is even more amazing is that this is JUST THE EXTERIOR! Finally the icing on the cake is that you still have 3 other trim levels to choose from and customizations for all of those!

So, when you are ready to take the plunge and start shopping for a 2013 Mustang, and you start feeling a little overwhelmed by the choices, stop in and see us at Waldorf Ford. We will be happy to sit down and go through it all with you and help you make your PERFECT Mustang. Waldorf Ford is located on Route 301 North in Waldorf, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC. Call 800-883-1487.

P.S. This is MY Perfect Mustang

My Perfect Mustang

The future is closer than you think

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Administrator

Remember when you were a kid watching the Jetsons (ok well maybe some of you don’t) and their flying cars that just took them wherever – or Knight Rider when Kitt took over and just drove around itself? It all seemed so far out there, like it was too far out there to ever be a reality. Well, seems like self-driving cars isn’t that far out there afterall. We might just see the future sooner than we thought.

This all comes up in a presentation by Bill Ford Jr. the great-grandson of car pioneer Henry Ford. His points were made to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. He said that we could be putting our vehicles on auto pilot within the next 10 years. TEN YEARS! I don’t know whether to be excited or scared!

He believes that it will happen in three stages.

Near-term – In the next five years, he said vehicles will be equipped with car-to-car warning systems and will be able to drive themselves in slow traffic and even park themselves.

Mid-term – Between 2017 and 2025, Ford believes cars will have the technology to reduce the role of the driver markedly, and that many automobiles will be at least semi-autonomous. He also talked of “vehicle platooning” whereby vehicles proceed pretty much bumper to bumper through the use of car-mounted sensors. This will improve safety and save space on roads which will by that time be busier than ever.

Long-term – At some point from 2025, Ford said he expected that many vehicles will be fully autonomous.

Now there is no telling when these will actually roll out in Waldorf, or when they will be available in Ford vehicles. But if the push for technology by Bill Ford Jr and Alan Mulally is any indication of the future, Ford will be on the cutting edge and one of the first to put these into production.

Sources: Dailymail and Digital Trends

Things to consider when car shopping

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Administrator

We came across a great article on The Auto Channel and thought they had some pretty great points.

1 – Determine your PRACTICAL NEEDS for a new vehicle;

How will you be using your new car? How many passengers will you be carrying? What type of topography will you be driving on? How far will you be driving each week? Will your new car be too tall to fit into your garage? Will your 6’5” son be able to sit in the back seat? Do you need to haul lots of luggage or recreational gear? Will you be in a car pool? ETC.

2 – Determine your BUDGET and STICK TO IT

Remember the cost of the vehicle is just one of your monthly costs. Fuel, Maintenance, Depreciation, End Value, Insurance, Repairs are just a few of the additional costs of operating a car.

3 – Determine your EMOTIONAL NEEDS, which car or truck really makes you happy when you drive it.

Today’s cars and trucks are made really well and with the proper care will remain serviceable almost forever, the average age a consumer owns their car has risen to over 8 years…so if you hate it you will have a lot of disagreeable moments over the next decade…so you better make sure you are really happy with your choice.

4 – Test Drive, Test Drive, Test Drive, Test Drive

Buying your next vehicle should not just be a couple of hour task but should take place only after careful considerations and research. And after investing your time to do steps 1,2 and 3, and then coming up with your short list of potentials, DON’T BLOW IT! Spend your next two weekends driving each car or truck on your short list.

4A. Do not test drive with your spouse or partner

Do it alone. Then compare notes about each car, by being alone no matter what you are offered or pressured to do, you have a built in excuse not to buy until you talk to your significant other, make sure you are absolutely 100% sure you can have a long term relationship with this vehicle!

TEST DRIVE WITHOUT A TIME LIMIT

Take your Test Drives not for 10 minutes but for hours, take your potential purchases to the same places you will be driving each day, see how it parks in your regular parking lot… see how it handles a trip to the supermarket, see how it handles the bumpy roads on your shortcuts, see how it does in the rain (or snow and ice), see how it does in stop and go traffic, because the decision you make will either make you happy or miserable forever, and aren’t you worth the time to find out?

The team here at Waldorf Ford agrees with all of these points, with the exception of maybe one. We will say, we would rather have you test drive with your significant other, simply because if you do decide to purchase while you are here, the process will be easier. We will not pressure you or hassle you into buying if you are not ready. However if you feel more comfortable without your other half, then we are happy to help you by answering any and all questions and by taking you on a test drive. We want satisfied customers before, during and after the sale.

When you are ready to buy your new car, we hope that Waldorf Ford will be on your short list of places to shop. We are located on Route 301 north in Waldorf MD, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Black Friday Car Deals in Waldorf!

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Administrator

Yes, we know. Black Friday isn’t traditionally a “car sales” day. Waldorf Ford, Waldorf Dodge and Waldorf Ford Preowned Center have set out to change that! Now we haven’t taken it as far as Walmart, Target, HH Gregg etc by opening at midnight, but we will open earlier than usual – 7:30am – and we will have some AWESOME car deals as well as some great giveaways with each purchase.

We are so excited about it that we made a video!

So when you are out and about in Waldorf, Maryland on Black Friday, stop in and see us at Waldorf Ford, Waldorf Dodge and Waldorf Ford Preowned Center. We are located on Route 301 North, just 15 minutes south of Washington DC.

Fun at the Southern Maryland Food Bank

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Administrator

Wow, where did the time go. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and not far behind is Christmas and the end of 2011. We at Waldorf Ford and Waldorf Dodge, try very hard to give back to our communities by not only donating money, but by also donating our time and resources. We regularly go to the Humane Society of Charles County to highlight animals in need of new homes. This time we decided to head to the Southern Maryland Food Bank to talk to them about what they do and to see what we, as a community, could do to help them to help others. Check out the video of our visit.

Can you believe the amount of food that they distribute out of such a small space?! We were amazed. As you can see they need more help. So, if you would like to donate food or money, you can contact them at Southern Maryland Food Bank. We are grateful to have them serving our community.