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Small Car, Big Success | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie

April 11, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Many of us in the U.S. are not familiar with sub-compact cars, mainly because for years, car manufacturers sold these vehicles strictly outside of the country. Today, almost every brand offers a sub-compact in their lineup and they seem to be gaining traction again. Sub-compacts have evolved from underpowered, cramped and unsafe vehicles to real and viable options for everyday car drivers. Technology today has made it possible to use smaller engines without sacrificing power or efficiency, while better safety devices have become standard in all cars.

Following the 1973 oil crisis, U.S. car manufacturers increased their small car/small engine production and in 1976, The Ford Motor Company introduced the Ford Fiesta, a 3 door hatchback equipped with a 4 cylinder engine. The Fiesta has sold over 16 million units worldwide since its inception, most of them outside the U.S. The Ford Fiesta was absent from the American market for 30 years after being discontinued in 1980. However, 2010 saw a renewed interest in small cars and the Fiesta came back home. For 2014, Ford took the world by surprise and the new Fiesta ST is raking up awards all over the place.

So what makes the 2014 Fiesta ST such a winner? For starters, is one of the only cars in this segment to sport a turbo-charged engine, which makes it extremely fun to drive. In the past, automakers have taken a local or regional approach when developing cars, effectively tailoring cars to specific markets. This time, however, Ford has taken a global approach in the design and marketing of the Fiesta ST and the efforts have paid off. In addition to its powerful engine, the ST offers racing inspired seats and interior, only available in pricier vehicles.

New to this generation’s Fiesta is Ford’s new design language, which is present in other models such as the Taurus, Focus, Fusion and C-Max. The new design is “meaner” looking, with dropped down headlamps and lowered hood for better air intake, along with a redesign grille that adds a sporty look across the brand. The best part about the Fiesta ST is the price, as it is still considered an economy car.

Don’t forget to stop by Lamarque Ford in Kenner to look at Ford’s new design across all models, including the 2014 Fiesta ST.

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

Tips On Buying Your First Car | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie

April 9, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Buying your first car shouldn’t be a time consuming and frustrating experience. Given all the resources and comparison tools available today, the process should be exciting and rewarding. However, more often than not, first time car buyers find themselves lost and without guidance. Lamarque Ford has put together a short list of tips to point you in the right direction.

Budget
Budget will dictate the basics of your car purchase. At this point, you should be looking at your overall cost of living including housing, bills, groceries, health insurance, savings, etc. Always remember to include an estimate for car insurance and emergency money to the long term cost of a car. Once you’ve set your budget, it will be easier to decide whether to get a new or used car. Whichever route you choose, you’ll also have the option to pay cash or to finance your investment.

Needs
Now that you have a price range in mind, you’ll need to asses your needs. Be sure to take your lifestyle and daily habits into account, as this will give you a better idea of what kind of car you need. The best way to do it is to ask yourself a few basic questions:

How would you be driving your car?
Will you commute long distances to work?
Will you be driving in the city?
How many people do you usually take with you?
Is fuel efficiency a priority?

Do The Research
At this point it should be really clear the type of vehicle you can afford based on your needs. Start looking online at different brands and contact the sellers directly to inquire about offers. Most car dealerships offer incentives for new car buyers, recent grads and military, so make sure this is part of your decision process. Keep in mind that there is more than one car dealership for each brand, so never settle for the first option.

Get The Feel Of The Wheel
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. All the grunt work and countless hours of research are about to pay off. Start visiting dealerships to see the cars for yourself and talk to the salespeople personally. Once you’re ready to test drive a car, take into account the following:

Is there enough space to sit comfortably? Is it too cramped?
Are the seats and head rests comfortable?
Are the controls and switches easily accessible?
How is the visibility?
Is the engine loud or quiet?
Does the car accelerate smoothly?
Are the breaks too sensitive?

Although this is just a short list of questions to keep in mind, you should look at as many details as possible. Also remember that during the test drive the salesperson might try to single out other features that you’re not interested in, so stay focused.

In the end, your decision might come down to one thing: gut feeling. That’s right, that visceral emotion driving you crazy every time you see a red Mustang might kick in at the wrong time, so keep things in perspective. Remember to stay rational and never take on a loan that exceeds your original budget. Your intuition might determine the trim or color of your car, but it should never precede your research.

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Rear View Cameras Required In New Cars By 2018 | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, LA

April 3, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

On Monday March 31st, The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a final rule that requires new visibility technology in new cars by May 2018. The technology refers to rear-view cameras, and gives drivers a wider viewing angle when backing up. The NHTSA says it implemented this new rule because of the injuries and fatalities associated with backing-up incidents. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said children under five and adults over seventy years old account for 57% of back-over deaths.

The rule will apply to all new vehicles over 10,000 pounds including vans and pick up trucks, so manufacturers will need to expand this technology across their lineups by 2018. The good news is many of today’s new cars are already using this new visibility enhancement. According to Edmunds.com, almost half of all new cars in 2012 were equipped with this technology and consumer demand seems to be on the rise. Ford already offers rear-view cameras in most of its models and so do other manufacturers.

Although the new requirement is aimed at protecting children and the elderly, some people are concerned this is yet another government intrusion. However, the Federal Government already regulates the automotive industry to make sure manufacturers adhere to high quality, safety and efficiency standards. Other government mandated safety features include seat belts, airbags and tire pressure monitors; all aimed at protecting consumers.

A quick visit to your local car dealership will give you a better idea of the latest safety features, like cross-traffic alerts, forward collision warning, lane-keeping system, and many more.

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F-150 Brings LED Tech to Trucks| Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner

March 21, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Headlights were first introduced in vehicles in the late 1880’s. The first generation of headlamps were acetylene or oil based, and they came as a response to the high number of accidents that occurred at night. In 1898, the first wave of electric lamps debuted, but proved to be a failure due to the short life of the filaments and lack of power to keep them on. However, in 1912, Cadillac introduced the first good enough electric lighting system, which served as the cornerstone of modern day headlights.

Today, all vehicles that operate in public roads are required to have headlights. Modern lamps generate light from different sources like tungsten, tungsten-halogen, HID (high intensity discharge) and LED (light emitting diode). Although LED technology has been around for some time (christmas lights, anyone?), it wasn’t until 2007 that their performance was on par with other technologies. The first production vehicle with factory installed LED headlamps was the 2007 Lexus LS 600h, one of Lexus flagship cars.

Seven years later, however, LED technology is still not widely adopted in the automotive industry. LED lights have proven to be brighter and more energy efficient than other lamps, but they are still cost prohibitive for non-luxury cars. That’s why in 2015, Ford is taking a leap forward and bringing that very technology to their 6,000 lb workhorse, the new 2015 Ford F-150. Let’s take a look at the reasons behind this decision.

While redesigning the F-150, Ford engineers realized traditional headlights have to be replaced very often, so it was a natural choice to go with the long lasting LED option. LED lights also offer superior light quality and range, which translates into better visibility. Ford is the first manufacturer to bring LED lights to a truck, leaving competitors (and halogen lamps) in the dust.

Remember that along with airbags and seat belts, headlights play an important role in your vehicle’s safety. Statistically, most auto accidents happen at night, and better headlamps can significantly improve your chances of avoiding one. Stop by your local dealership so you can see the difference for yourself, as other high end vehicles are already using LED technology.

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Upcoming Movies for Ford Car Fans | New Orleans

February 28, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

With the Golden Globes behind us and the Oscars coming up in March, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new and upcoming movie releases. While many of the year’s best films covered topics as varied as space travel, artificial intelligence, and practically anything and everything in between, there is more than enough in the world of cinema for driving fans to enjoy.

Need For Speed

There’s plenty to get excited about with Need For Speed, the upcoming film adaptation of the iconic video game franchise. Set to be released on March 14 of this year, the film stars Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul as a blue collar worker who sets out in a high speed chase across the country in the wake of being framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Equally as exciting, though, is the film’s inclusion of the new 2015 Ford Mustang. While Paul’s character will be featured primarily driving a heavily modified 2014 Ford Mustang, the 2015 version of the car will make an appearance as well. The car, which recently made its car show debut in Detroit back in January, features Ford’s Ecoboost technology and preliminary specs of up to 420hp.

Go Like Hell

Another adaptation, Go Like Hell is based on the AJ Baime book about the 1960s showdown between Ford and Ferrari at Le Mans. The rivalry reached its climax in 1966 while the two car makers battled it out at the 24 hour endurance race at Le Mans with Ford striving to be the first American car maker to win the race. Tom Cruise is set to play American car designer Carroll Shelby with Oblivion director Joseph Kosinski at the helm. Brad Pitt’s name has also reportedly been attached to the project as well, although it is not yet known which role he will play. While it is also yet unknown which Ford cars will be featured in the film, we can be sure that they will star in many high speed racing sequences.

Fast & Furious 7

The latest installment in a series that needs no introduction for racing fans, Fast and Furious 7 was thrust into the spotlight most recently in the wake of Paul Walker’s tragic driving accident. A direct sequel to Fast & Furious 6, Fast & Furious 7 features a host of big name Hollywood stars such as Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Kurt Russell, and Michelle Rodriguez. While the list of cars to be featured in the movie is not yet known, FF6 showed high performance vehicles such as the BMW M5, Dodge Charger, and even a 1970s Ford Escort- so there’s no doubt that the latest installment will not disappoint in its car offerings.

Rush

While Rush has come and gone from theaters, it has recently been released on home media so anybody who missed Ron Howard’s driving spectacle can still enjoy it, albeit on a smaller screen. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Rush focuses primarily on the intense rivalry between two Formula One drivers. While you may not see any familiar cars by well-known makers such as Ford or Lincoln, be prepared to be blown away by authentic high performance machines made by the likes of Ferrari and McLaren. Released to critical acclaim, Rush is a relatively low-profile film that is not to be missed.

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A Look at the Different Ford F150 Models | New Orleans

February 27, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

With February and March being Ford Truck Month, it’s as good a time as any to know about the many different types of F-150 trucks available. While we all wait excitedly for the new 2015 Ford F-150 to arrive, there are many great options for the 2014 F-150 that can meet the needs of any truck enthusiasts. But if you’ve ever set foot on a Ford car dealership, you know that with all the different types of F-150s available it can be difficult to know which one is for you. While the 2014 F-150 comes in 10 different model types, here’s a look at some of the more popular types of F-150 trucks available.

F-150 XL

The XL is the base model, and is also the most affordable. It comes with options for regular cab, super cab, or supercrew; 5.5in, 6.5in, or 8in box; and V6, V8, or Ford Ecoboost V6 engine. While it doesn’t come with many of the nice interior or exterior features that some of the more expensive models have, it has many optional add-ons such as a rear view camera or steering mounted controls. It’s simply a more stripped down, no-frills version of the F-150.

F-150 XLT

Similar to the F-150 XL, the XLT has all of the same options for cabs and boxes, but also has the additional option of the more powerful 6.2L V8 engine. The XLT also comes with its own optional convenience package or plus package, and comes standard with Ford’s Power Equipment Group. It also comes standard with SecuriCode keypad on the driver’s side, electronic 6-speed transmission with tow/haul mode, Ford SYNC, and chrome grille and chrome surround.

F-150 King Ranch

The King Ranch is a significant step up from the XL and XLT. While it is more expensive, it offers many additional features not found in more inexpensive models. The King Ranch comes only with the supercrew cab, and is available with the Ford Ecoboost engine or 5.0L V8. It also comes standard with the Trailer Tow package, leather bucket seats, and Dual Zone Electronic Automated Temperature Control. The 18”, all-season tires that come equipped on the King Ranch make it well suited for those who need a powerful truck for working hard.

F-150 SVT Raptor

The Raptor is among the more powerful F-150 trucks available. Equipped standard with a 6.2L V8 engine, the SVT features a smaller size truck with a 5.5in box and either the super cab or supercrew. The SVT Raptor highlights high performance with tow/haul mode, hill descent/off-road mode, and Fox Racing Shox. It also has the optional 801A Entertainment package which includes the Raptor luxury package and Navigation System, including Sirius XM radio and Travel Link.

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Mardi Gras New Orleans Guide 2014: Part 2

February 26, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

In our previous post, Mardi Gras New Orleans Guide 2014: Part 1, we talked about some of the more popular krewes during New Orleans Mardi Gras, but with so much to do and see, here’s a few more to make sure you don’t miss. With some krewes favoring a more traditional, old-fashioned approach, others like to take a more modern approach with more emphasis on newer technology and celebrities. While certainly different, both are immensely entertaining experiences not to be missed. While we’ve already seen some of the oldest and most cherished krewes of the Carnival season, there are plenty others that, while they haven’t been around as long, are finding new and unique ways to celebrate the season.

Krewe of Tucks

About as far removed from a “traditional” krewe as you could get, Tucks was founded by a small group of Loyola University students and named after a popular uptown bar. Characteristics of Tucks includes low-brow humor and a taste for irreverence, including a procession of pick-up trucks, a giant toilet which serves as the King’s throne and branded toilet paper as a coveted parade throw. Tucks’ parade culminates on Canal Street with the Tucks Extravaganza, a paid admission event open to the public which typically features well-known local music acts.

March 1 at 12:00pm; Uptown

Krewe of Endymion

Another of the superkrewes, Endymion is perhaps the biggest and most extravagant of the Mardi Gras parades. If you plan on getting a good spot to view this parade, you may need to camp out a day or two early, as many long-time fans do. Endymion is also credited with popularizing the practice of throwing huge amounts of beads to onlookers, with their motto “Throw Until it Hurts.” Like Bacchus, Endymion also has a tradition of including famous celebrities, including Chuck Norris, Alice Cooper, Emeril Lagasse, and Jerry Springer.

March 1 at 4:15; Mid-City

Krewe of Muses

Muses is another well-known all-female krewe that enjoys its reputation of celebrating a light-hearted good time. Among the newer Mardi Gras krewes, Muses has only been around since 2000 and rode its first parade in 2001. One of the unique features of Muses is their choice of items thrown. Eschewing more commonplace items like beads and cups, Muses throws include such ‘girlie’ items as shoes, necklaces, and bracelets. Muses combines well known marching bands and dance groups with local celebrities and a good natured sense of humor to create a parade that is as entertaining as it is unique.

February 27 at 6:30; Uptown

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Mardi Gras New Orleans Guide 2014: Part 1 | New Orleans, LA

February 21, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

If there’s any time of the year that sums up New Orleans culture best, it’s Mardi Gras. Although frequently misunderstood by tourists, Mardi Gras encapsulates the best that New Orleans has to offer with food and drinks, unique culture, rich tradition, and most of all, having fun. Although the observation of Mardi Gras in the United States dates back as early as the 17^th century, it has evolved over the years to reflect changes in culture. But with so much to see and do during the entire Carnival season, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to begin. While it would be nearly impossible to see everything the Mardi Gras season has to offer, you can at least experience some of the more well-known krewes.

Krewe of Rex

One of the oldest krewes in New Orleans, Rex has held more parades than any other organization in New Orleans. While they may not use as much cutting-edge technology as other parade krewes, it is without a doubt one of the most culturally rich krewes in the city. Rex’s floats are typically entirely hand built and use the same techniques that have been handed down over generations. Because of its rich tradition and ornate designs, many people consider Rex’s parade to be the highlight of the Mardi Gras season.

March 4 (Mardi Gras day) at 10:00am; Uptown

Krewe of Bacchus

Bacchus, among the most well-known of the so-called “superkrewes” due to their spectacular size and production, is certainly a spectacle. As opposed to Rex, which favors a more traditional approach, Bacchus relies much more heavily on modern approaches and technology to create bigger, more elaborate floats. Bacchus is also well known for its celebrity appearances. The first krewe to feature celebrities as kings of the parade, Bacchus celebrity kings have included Drew Brees, William Shatner, Elijah Wood, Will Ferrell, and many others.

March 2 at 5:15pm; Uptown

Krewe of Iris

While perhaps not as well-known as some of the bigger krewes in New Orleans, Iris is notable for being both the oldest and the largest all-female krewe in New Orleans. Like Bacchus, Iris also adheres more closely to the traditional Mardi Gras customs, wearing white gloves and full-face carnival masks. Iris parade throws include unique items such as cups, dolls, medallion beads, and doubloons, as well as the Krewe Captains own special doubloon which is a coveted item each year.

March 1 at 11:00am; Uptown

Although most festivities take place in New Orleans, you can also find Mardi Gras parades in Metairie and surrounding areas. If you feel a little adventurous or you’ve got extra time in your hands here’s the full Mardi Gras parade schedule.

What are the Different Types of Gasoline | New Orleans, LA

February 19, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever filled your car up at a gas station, you probably at some point have wondered what’s with the different types of gas available. Some are more expensive than others, due to variations in refining and state taxes; some are rated with different numbers; but they all seemingly work with your car. You’ve probably assumed that the more expensive ones are better in some regard, but you may have no idea as to how or why they are better. So what’s the deal?

The most basic difference between gas types is their octane ratings. This is indicated by the number you see next to the different levels of gas, and it is also the primary factor in the different prices of gasoline. The octane level is a measure of performance in gasoline that indicates how much compression the fuel can withstand before igniting. The higher the number, the more compression it can withstand. Diesel engines, which compress air rather than fuel, usually are fine with lower octane ratings. However, petrol engines, which are far more common in consumer vehicles, often times require fuel with a higher octane rating. Regular gasoline usually has an octane rating of 87, mid-grade at 89, and premium usually somewhere from 91-93.

It may be tempting to think that premium gas is simply “better,” and while this is true to an extent, it’s not quite as simple as it seems. The best way to know what gas to use in your car is to check your owner’s manual. Most engines will recommend regular gasoline, but some high performance engines will utilize higher compression and therefore require gasoline with higher octane levels. Whether you’re driving a brand new Ford for a used car that’s seen better days, it’s always a good idea to adhere strictly to the engine’s octane recommendation.

It’s important to note that you typically won’t get much added benefit by using a higher octane rating than recommended, but you can run into problems if you use a lower rating than recommended. If you lose the incorrect grade of gasoline, you may experience engine knocking, during which the air/fuel combination doesn’t combust at the optimum point in the cycle. This is a sure indication that you need to get a higher octane fuel.

Although understanding octane ratings is important, making sure you get the best car service is crucial to keep your engine running great.