Here at Checkered Flag, we like to be the first to tell you about new vehicles.  So, as a BMW driver (I love my 128i convertible), I am EXTREMELY pleased to unveil for you the leaked pics of the upcoming Sport Activity Vehicle, the BMW X1.  According to Car and Driver, this car has technically already been unveiled since it was shown last year at the Paris auto show under the name Concept X1.  Oh well, this is the first I have heard of it, how about you?  The official launch of the new X1 is expected later this Summer.  You know we will keep you posted on all the details including availability.  If you would like us to contact you when the X1 models arrive here at Checkered Flag BMW, send us an email and we will send you a personal invitation to come in for a test drive!

The Cash for Clunkers legislation is very close to potentially passing.  If you are completely unfamiliar with the program, or have some questions about it, we are here to help!

Checkered Flag is a participating dealership in the Cash for Clunkers program, and we are making it very easy for you to buy your new car from us.  Details are not set in stone at the time of this posting, but what we have deciphered from the many sources can be found on our Cash for Clunkers in Virginia page.

Checkered Flag has plenty of fuel efficient vehicles for you to choose from if you want to take advantage of this program - we also have plenty to choose from even if you just want to get a better MPG rating.

We come across some crazy stuff on the Internet, and sometimes find it good enough to post here.  VDubs always have a lot of fun going on around them, but did you ever think making them safe could be fun too?

Check out this video:

When your relatives are Lamborghini, Bugatti, Porsche, and Audi you're destined to be awesome!  That is right, Volkswagen is a lot more than just VDub - there is a lot of prestige in those genes.

The Jetta is no exception.  Few times is a sedan really not thought of as simply a sedan - when I mention Jetta, is sedan your first thought?  Styling, safety, fun, connected are just a few things I think of.

I used to own one.  I had a 1999.5 (VW makes significant changes in the half year) GLS Jetta with the VR6 motor in blue.  That car got me into tuning.  I just did some simple stuff like a cold air intake, changing the shifter for shorter throws, and some other things that did not get my warranty too messy.  That car was my "entry drug" into cars, but that is me.  Owning a Jetta means a lot more than modifying it to your tastes.  Of course, I bought mine at Checkered Flag VW.

Christine can tell you more...

See over 500 quality used cars on Virginia Beach Blvd this weekend at our first ever Garage Sale!  You can view our used cars on Checkered Flag.com, then take advantage of the Garage Sale pricing in the stores as you cruise down the Blvd.

All cars are backed by one of three warranties:

    * Original Warranty from when the car was new
    * Certified Pre-Owned Warranty
    * Best Test Warranty

Did we mention pricing is as low as $499?  And because it is Checkered Flag, you know we really have cars that low.

>> We brought in special vehicles for this event, and some will not be on our website.  Feel free to call, chat, or email us ahead of time.

Watch the Garage Sale TV Commercial.  The whole thing ends on May 24th, 2009.

What do you do here at Checkered Flag?
I help people get What the People Want!

Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in? 
Virginia Beach

Do you have any children? Any pets?
No children or pets

What?s your favorite TV show? Why?
Chuck ! because he is awesome!

What was the last movie you saw?  What is your favorite movie?
Taken!   Anything from the 80s (Fletch, Spies Like Us, The Great Outdoors, One Crazy Summer, Better Off Dead) it is hard to pick just one!

What are your hobbies?
Golf, spending money, having a good time, and watching the Red Sox beat the Yankees!!

What kind of car do you drive? Why?
I have a 2008 VW Passat and a Toyota Tacoma.  The Passat is because I love VWs and the Tacoma because you should always have a truck.

What is your Dream Car?  Why?
Morgan Aero 8.  Because its a classic design with modern technology.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where?
Bali

If you wrote an autobiography about your life, what would the title be?
WOW! That Was Crazy!

What is a date on your calendar you are looking forward to? Why?
May 28th, because I go on my yearly camping trip with my brother and friends of 20+ years

What's the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
I?m a great Chef !

What's the best thing about working for Checkered Flag?
The cars and the people I work with!

Thom (pronounced Tom) is one of our best VW sales agents.  I received this email from him yesterday:

For under 25k I get heated seats, just about power everything, and a killer stereo (on that part, my iPod is indispensable). The handling is the best I've ever seen for a FWD car, and the turbo is the workhorse for VW. But DSG (direct shift gearbox) is absolutely the finest transmission ever, period, end of story. I would find it hard to ever leave VW just for DSG.

Anyway, that is my car, and I am sticking to it!"

A note about Thom Coyle:

Thom and I sold cars together many years ago.  He was one of my favorite people to work with, and his customers think so too - read what they are saying about Thom on DealerRater.  Buying a car is not always the easiest thing we do in life, but finding the right person to buy from can make a world of difference.  Thom is one who cares and will make sure your experience is the best!  You can get started on finding your next Volkswagen at Checkered Flag VW in Virginia Beach and our Internet Team will make sure you work with Thom if you request him.

NEW YORK -- The Volkswagen Golf was honored as the 2009 World Car of the Year. A jury comprised of fifty-nine international automotive journalists from twenty-five countries around the world chose this year's World Car of the Year, which was announced this morning at a news conference during the New York International Auto Show.

"It is a tremendous honor for Volkswagen to have its global best selling model, the Golf, nominated as a finalist for World Car of the Year," said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "This is a great way to kick-off the new Golf here in America. We're excited for the arrival of the sixth generation Golf, which will be in Volkswagen showrooms later this year. Simply put, we believe this is the best Golf ever."

The Golf, a perennial favorite in the Volkswagen line-up, has sold more than 26 million units in 120 countries, making it one of the top selling vehicles of all-time. The new sixth generation Golf first debuted at the Paris Motor show last fall, and will make its U.S. debut at this year's New York International Auto Show. The Golf has been designed to be quieter, sportier, fuel efficient, present a clean, distinctive appearance, and - staying true to Volkswagen - fun-to-drive.

The new Golf embodies Volkswagen's product strategy aimed to sharpen the brand design in all classes and apply greater global consistency among model names, steps intended to leverage the offerings of the world's third largest automaker as it looks to increase sales and market share. The 2010 Golf will be available in dealer showrooms across the U.S. this fall in gasoline and TDI versions.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg 2 and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

"DSG" is a registered trademark of Volkswagen AG.

[Article from VW]