Declare your independence from over-priced Toyotas this weekend at Checkered Flag Toyota with a special Fourth of July weekend offer, just for you, on the incomparable Toyota Camry and the best selling Toyota Corolla. 

For two days only you can purchase a new 2009 Toyota Camry for only $17,388. Thats a savings of $3726 off the sticker price!! 

Or, if you prefer the Camry LE trim level, you can take one home for just $1,000 more!  

And if the award winning Toyota Corolla, is the car you are after, you can take one home with you, this weekend only, for the super low price of just $14,990. 

That?s a savings of $2260 off sticker price!  Hurry in and pick out your new Camry or Corolla right now.

And did you know the Camry is the most American-built car!  What is more American than buying the most American-built car on the 4th of July!

Hurry because these deals end this weekend.

You want to be patriotic and do your part to help our economy by purchasing an American made car.  So you start shopping at Ford, and maybe Chevy dealerships.  Unfortunately you are not really thrilled with any of your choices.  Moral dilemma right?  What you really want is a well built, safe, reliable, dependable sedan for your family.   What to do? 
 
BUY A CAMRY!

Sorry for yelling, but news flash- Camry is an American made car!  In fact Cars.com posted an independent ranking of the Most American Made Cars on their site, and guess who took the number one spot.. the Toyota Camry!  Shocking, isn?t it?  Well, not really.  The Cars.com American-Made Index ranks vehicles built and bought in the U.S.  Factors include sales, where the cars parts are made and whether the car is assembled in the U.S.  The Toyota Camry is assembled in Georgetown KY, and Lafayette Ind.   It doesnt really get any more American than Kentucky, does it?
So, you can buy a great, reliable car, at a great price, and still feel very patriotic!    And if a sedan is not what you need you will be glad to know that also making the ranks of Most American Made are the Toyota Sienna, Toyota Tundra, and the new Toyota Venza.  Visit Checkered Flag Toyota today and see how great it can be to drive an American made car!

[Source: http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0709]

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!

What do you do here at Checkered Flag?
Toyota and Scion Sales

Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in? 
Susan, Me, and Matt live in Virginia Beach.

Do you have any children? Any pets?
Three children. Vanessa, 31, and Amanda, 28, are back in NYC.  Matthew is still here with us.  And then there?s Odie, our ten year old Sheltie, the best present anyone ever gave me.

What?s your favorite TV show? Why?
I would have to pick three, and they are all numbers shows:
24, for the exquisite suspense, 30 Rock, for the cleverness of Fey and Baldwin, and 60 minutes, for old people like me.

What was the last movie you saw?  What is your favorite movie?
Last- P.S. I love you. 
Favorite- Vertigo, although the Hitchcock classics are hard to choose from.  I can watch them endlessly, they are so expertly crafted.

What are your hobbies?
Reading, mostly non-fiction, my vinyl record Jazz collection, whipping Jim Bowman (another Checkered Flag Toyota Sales Consultant) on ANY course, ANY tee-time, home projects with my sweet Susan, and Sudoku.. hey, is THAT the source of the TV show numbers thing???

What kind of car do you drive? Why?
2003 Maxima GLE.  I love the older body style with the side flare lights, and round tail lights.

What is your Dream Car?  Why?
Lexus SC430, it is gorgeous.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where?
When I hit the lottery I am going to explore Europe until I am sick of it.  Why? The history!

If you wrote an autobiography about your life, what would the title be?
Count Your Blessings
 If you have a loving spouse, and your children are healthy, you have enormous wealth.

What is a date on your calendar you are looking forward to? Why?
August 28th. Our 33rd Anniversary.

What's the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
I have only been in this business five years, worked for three other dealerships.

What's the best thing about working for Checkered Flag?
There really is no one thing, there is truly a different culture and ethic here.  I tell EVERYONE, clients, co-workers, family, this simple phrase:  If you have worked only at this dealership, and no others, you have no idea how lucky you are!

What do you do here at Checkered Flag?
I am one of the receptionists at Checkered Flag Toyota. I also help finance by making customers tags and receipting in payments. I also try to help stock in new vehicles and certify used vehicles. Basically, I try my best to help out with anything that needs to be done.

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

Do you have any children? Any pets?
I have no children or pets. In the future, far future (haha), I plan on having kids and pets. I am going to travel the world first!

What?s your favorite TV show? Why?
My favorite TV show would have to be George Lopez.  He cracks me up!  I also love the food channel and HGTV!  Mmmm I love, love, love to eat and try to cook. I also like the architectural design and interior design of homes from all over the world.

What was the last movie you saw?  What is your favorite movie?
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.  I know, corny.. hey, I watched it with my Mommy, thank you very much. *smile* But hmm, I dont know if I have a favorite movie.  I guess it would be Taken, very, very good movie. You should go watch it!

What are your hobbies?
I like to do a lot of things, mainly outdoor things.  I like to LAUGH, surf, play tennis and volleyball.  Im pretty much down to do anything.  Oh, I like to make scrapbooks, sing and play guitar when time permits. Lastly, I like just hanging out with my family and friends, just having a good time.

What kind of car do you drive? Why?
I drive a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta.  Originally, it was suppose to be for my brother, but he joined the Marines.  Soo basically, I didnt have a choice but to take it as my own. I am just thankful I have a car that drives! Thank you parents!

What is your Dream Car?  Why?
I have always wanted a deep blue metallic R32. I dont know why.. hmm, maybe because its sweeeet and it catches my eye! *hint hint to all you car salesmen and managers!

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where?
Australia! I wanna see koalas and kangaroos. The beach and waves are awesome and beautiful there too.

If you wrote an autobiography about your life, what would the title be?
HaveFaith

What is a date on your calendar you are looking forward to? Why?
June 13th and 14th.  Quick trip to New York with my favorite people.

What's the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
Hmm. Thats a tough one. Ugh,  I think people are surprised to know how old I am? maybe? I am 21 years old, turning 22 this October.  Customers constantly ask me if I am old enough to work here.  Oh and Ed, our new car manager, he thought I was still in high school!  Haha, sorry, if thats not a surprising fact.

What's the best thing about working for Checkered Flag?
The best thing about working for Checkered Flag is the constant growth of friendships.  I am surrounded by upbeat and good people, funny ones too. They take care of you too, whatever you need help with, they try their best to help you out. Thank you very much everyone!

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.

Checkered Flag Toyota has seen a huge increase in pick-up truck interest since all the news of Chrysler (maker of Dodge trucks) and GM (maker of Chevrolet) have had to ask the US Government for assistance.  It seems people are either upset with the way things have turned out or are fearful a domestic-bought pick-up truck will not hold the same value it once did. 

The two main alternatives to domestic pick-ups are the Toyota Tundra and the Tacoma.  Within these two models there is a flavor for everyone.  Add the many different configurations to Toyota's reliability and great resale value it is little wonder why this increased interest is moving Toyota's way.

According to traffic stats from Checkeredflag.com, for April and May, the Tacoma was the most searched new vehicle and in the top 5 for used vehicle searches.  This is the first time Checkered Flag has ever seen the Toyota Camry dethroned for top search king.

If you would like to know more about the Tacoma, here's Christine to give you a hand:

What do you do here at Checkered Flag?  
I sell cars and get on the managers nerves.     
 
Which Hampton Roads city or county do you live in?  
Great Neck in Virginia Beach, where all the big wigs live... wait why am I there??
 
Do you have any children? Any pets?
I have a son, Nicolas.  He is eight years old.  And we have a gecko, like the Gieco one, but he is not saving me any money on my car insurance,  what gives??
 
What?s your favorite TV show? Why?
I love anything on the History Channel.  We cant know where we are going until we know where we have been.  A great man said that, and no, it wasnt me.
 
What was the last movie you saw?  What is your favorite movie?
Taken.  It was great.  My all time favorite movie is Patton.  He was a great man.
 
What are your hobbies?
I love to cook and play basketball.
 
What kind of car do you drive? Why?
An old minivan.  I also have an 07 Ford SUV.  I just keep that gas guzzler at home!!
 
What is your Dream Car?  Why?
I would love to have a BMW 740i.  Why?  Are you kidding ???  It is a work of art.
 
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where?
Japan, because I think the culture and country  is full of beauty.
 
If you wrote an autobiography about your life, what would the title be?
Its Been a Long Struggle But Im Almost There
 
What is a date on your calendar you are looking forward to? Why?
July 19.  Its my sons birthday and I want to take him somewhere special.. maybe Disney World.
 
What's the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
I worked in law enforcement and I do have a serious side.. I kid around alot!!
 
What's the best thing about working for Checkered Flag?
To be honest, the managers have really looked out for me, and put up with alot of my mistakes. I have never worked in the car business before, and I just took off running.  But now I have learned so much and I love the Toyota brand.  It is awesome!  I think this is a great job for me because I love talking to, and meeting people. And I sell the greatest car in the world!!  Also, thanks to some of the seasoned guys for showing me the way.  There are some truly great people here.  And thanks to Checkered Flag for giving me a chance when a few other dealerships wouldnt, so thank you!!