by L Baures | Aug 30, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Staff Spotlight: Adam Hartenstein
What is your job title?
I am the Fleet & Commercial Manager for Fremont Chevrolet Buick GMC in Riverton.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in York, PA and raised in New Freedom, PA (a small town in South Central Pennsylvania along the Mason-Dixon Line)
How long have you worked in the Auto Industry?
I’ve worked in the Auto Industry for about six years now. All with Fremont.
How would you describe your day job to a child?
My kids call them “Daddy Trucks”…so I would tell a child that I sell “Daddy Trucks” to people that need them for their work. And I do lots of paperwork!
What is your favorite part of the job?
I think developing a partnership with the customers is the most rewarding part. Being in Fleet Sales, most customers purchase based on needs, and not wants. Most vehicles are tools for them, and they need those tools to generate profits for their business. I like that I work closely with them to supply these tools and help their business operate more smoothly. It’s all about finding the right tool for the job at hand.
Biggest achievement?
I’m going to say my wife and I moving to Wyoming basically on a whim. We didn’t know anyone. We didn’t have a place to live. I didn’t have a job lined up. Heck, I’d never even been to Lander before. But, we made it here and through hard work mixed with a lot of luck…we made it work. It’s taken us a while to get to this point, but I’d say we’ve thrived here. We’ve raised a family and put down solid roots here all on our own. We both have good careers. We’ve met lots of wonderful people. I think a lot of people are too afraid to take a chance like we did. It’s something that I’ll look back on with pride later in life.
Growing up as a child, what did you want your career to be?
Growing up, I always thought I would become a pilot or join the military. Turns out, neither of those career paths were in the cards for me. I am ok with not becoming a pilot, but I do regret not serving in the military.
When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
Most of my time away from work is spent with my wife chasing our two kids around. That’s where the bulk of my free time goes. We like to take the kids camping in the Winds whenever we have a free weekend. I’m big into the outdoors. How can you live in a place like Wyoming and not be into the outdoors? So, hunting, fishing, shooting sports, ATV riding are high up on my list of free-time activities. Just to name a few. I also enjoy collecting vintage military firearms, mainly service rifles.
What kind of music do you like?
Man, I am all over the board with music. I’m kind of an “Old Head” when it comes to music. Growing up, I listened to a lot of classic rock and modern rock and roll for that time. Then, I got into older Outlaw Country. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of classic Hip-Hop from the late 80’s and 90’s. Just for something new and different to listen to.
What is your favorite food?
Elk backstrap cooked to rare on the grill or a campfire is tough to beat.
What is your favorite Color?
My wife would say Sitka Open Country camo! Aside from camo, I’d have to say blue…looking through my closet there are a lot of blue shirts and ties.
Favorite movie line?
Oh man, I’m not much on reciting movies, but I’d have to say “You sure are cocky, for a starvin’ pilgrim” from Jeremiah Johnson. I use it often with my hunting and fishing buddies.
Given the chance, who would you like to be for a day?
I never had the chance to meet my paternal grandfather. He passed away long before I was born. Family members and others who knew him always spoke very highly of him. I suppose I’d like to be him for a day, simply for the reason that I’d like to get to know him a little.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
My wife and I were hiking the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania before we moved to Wyoming. While on the rim trail, I lost my footing and fell about 300 feet down into the canyon. My wife called 911 and Search and Rescue responded to the scene. They repelled down to me and got me out of there. Once safely on top of the rim again, one of the First Responders said to me that they thought for sure they were responding to a recovery, not a rescue. Meaning, they didn’t think I could have survived. I’m not sure who or what was looking over me that day, but I walked away with only bumps and bruises and a large gash on my forehead from falling through a tree on the way down
What was your first car?
Haha! My first car was a 1987 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight station wagon handed down by my parents. Brown with wood paneling on the sides. My buddies and I called it the “Wu-Train”. We could fit 9 of us plus a keg of beer comfortably in that thing!
If money was no object, what vehicle would you own?
Tough to say here, as there are several. Definitely a street rod or an old muscle car. I have to say a steel body Willys Coupe or a ’67 Chevelle SS. Maybe a ’63 split-window Vette. I’ve always had a thing for those cars.
Want to chat with Adam Hartenstein or find out about a Chevrolet or GMC Fleet Truck(s) give him a call at the office on 307-857-9533, Cell 307-203-7494 or email [email protected]
Trading in a Vehicle, What Do I Need to Bring to the Dealership?
Could You be a Chevy Truck Legend?
by L Baures | Aug 28, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros, Vehicle Reviews
Ford Mustang Bullitt Edition
Update 3/28/2019: The Rocky Mountain Automotive Press announces the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt as 2019 Car of the Year.
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by L Baures | Aug 27, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Trading vehicles is exciting
There is a lot to absorb when trading vehicles or purchasing a new one. It can be exciting thinking about getting a new car. You could drive up in your old car and in a matter of hours ,drive away in a new one. It can also be stressful if there are missing documents or information regarding your trade.
Make the process easier and smoother
Another trip home to fetch the items could put a damper on the excitement of a new vehicle. You can make the process go smoother, easier and faster by remembering the items you need to bring to the dealership.
What you need to bring to the dealership;
- Vehicle registration. Most people tend to keep their vehicle registration in the glove box. Just in case you took it out for taxes or another reason, check your glovebox to make sure it’s in there.
- Drivers License. You will need this to test drive a new vehicle and/or the bank will need a copy for the loan paperwork.
- Insurance Card. As with your driving license, you’ll need proof of insurance to be able to test drive a vehicle and the bank will also require a copy too. Check the date on your insurance policy to make sure you have the most recent one to hand that is valid and not expired.
- Vehicle Title. If you own your trade free and clear (ie. you’re not making payments anymore) then you will need to bring the title. If it’s financed no need to bring it.
- All sets of keys.
- Maintenance records. Do bring in any maintenance records or receipts associated with your vehicle if you have them.
- Headphone sets. If your vehicle is equipped with DVD players or rear entertainment, make sure headsets and remotes are in the car.
- Locking wheel nut socket. If your vehicle has locking wheel nuts. Again, most of the time these are kept in the vehicle as you would need it if you had to change a wheel anyway.
- Owners manual. Not a deal breaker but definitely more useful if you have it.
Don’t forget all sets of keys!
Other considerations when trading a vehicle
Here are a few more things you might need to bring to the dealership. It is handy to know what your loan payoff is. This can be done at the dealership, but obviously, it’s faster if you happen to know it. Call the financial institution or bank that the vehicle is financed with and ask them for a ‘same-day’ or a 10-day payoff. A 10-day payoff means this number is valid for 10 days. What you owe will change daily based on the interest rate of your loan.
All persons who are on your vehicle title must be present to sign off the title or power of attorney. A notary public has to be present when signing these documents. Most dealership Business Managers or Finance Managers are notaries. A divorce decree may also be needed.
If you have accumulated a lot of ‘stuff’ in your car or truck, you can either clean it out beforehand. Don’t forget all the nooks and crannies like under the seats, under floor storage boxes and tool boxes. If you don’t have time, you can bring some bags or boxes with you to the dealership making the transition faster and easier.
What Is My Trade Worth?
GAP, What is it? Do I Really Need It?
by L Baures | Aug 27, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
2018 Wrangler JL Rubicon
2018 saw the last year for production for the JK generation Wranglers. The all-new Wrangler JL Rubicon keeps most of what makes a Wrangler a Wrangler, but with some added improvements. Here are the quick specs on the top on the line Rubicon.
- There are two engine choices, a 3.6L V6 gas and new for this year is the added 2.0 L Turbo eTorque. Coming for 2019 will be a 3.0L EcoDiesel option but not sure at this point of it’ll be available on the Rubicon.
- Transmissions available are a 6-speed manual or the new 8-speed automatic. (The 2.0L engine requires the auto transmission).
- Choice of 3 tops; the ‘Sunrider’ canvas soft top, the ‘Freedom’ hardtop available in black or color matched. Also new is the ‘Sky One-Touch Power Top’ which is a power canvas roof.
- Improved crawl ratio (84.2:1, and 77.2:1 with new eight-speed automatic transmission).
- Tru-Lock electric front- and rear-axle lockers for off-road.
- Rock-Trac 4×4 system with Dana 44 axles.
- Electronic sway bar disconnect.
- Trac-Lok limited-slip differential and 33-inch off-road tires.
- Slightly longer and wider than the JK.
How to tell the difference between the JK and JL easily just by looking
The biggest difference you’ll see by looking at a quick glance is the distinctive 7 bar grille. On the new JL Wrangler, the two bars on either end are curved around the headlamps.
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL grille
Driving the new JL Wrangler
Despite the 17″ off-road tires wrapped in 33″ wheels, the most noticeable difference for me was the smoother ride. During a vehicle testing day in Denver, Colorado, I got to experience driving the Wrangler on the highway. Not exactly where you think would be the best place to show off the skills of the off-road Rubicon, but we still have to get from the house to the mountains. For some, that might mean interstates, highways, urban areas and traffic. So how did the Wrangler JL do? Compared to earlier generations, it felt more car-like than small truck-like. It was smoother and didn’t jolt me around like I was anticipating.
The 3.5L V6 engine is very responsive. Weaving in and out of traffic and merging onto an undivided highway is effortless, followed by the exhaust note. Having the ‘Sunrider Soft Top’ means the exhaust can definitely be heard when accelerating hard. It’s not ridiculously loud. The exhaust note is somewhere between a lion cub roar and a fully grown lion, maybe a teenager?
Steering is also responsive without much of a delay, which also made driving in heavy traffic effortless. Having not driven this one off-road, I can only imagine this would help enormously with accuracy in placing the tires.
Punk’n Orange
This color really stands out and on the Rubicon with the black canvas roof looks great. With the sun shining, and the roof down in a bright orange Jeep, you can’t help but smile. You also can’t but help laugh or smile just reading the names of some of the Wrangler JL colors. I was also told by a spokesperson from Fiat Chrysler that there will be a new color for 2019 called, ‘Bikini’.
- Black Clear-Coat
- Granite Crystal Metallic
- Sting-Gray Clear-Coat
- Billet Silver Metallic
- Ocean Blue Metallic
- Firecracker Red Clear-Coat
- Punk’n Orange Clear-Coat
- Hellayella Clear-Coat
- Mojito! Clear-Coat
- Bright White Clear-Coat
Interior technology
The Wrangler JL Rubicon has a 7.0″ or 8.4″ touchscreen is available with the latest fourth-generation Uconnect. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard for smartphone integration. This allows the ability to connect contact, music, and maps all through your smartphone. Pages are faster at loading, good use of colors, simple icons, and the layout make it easy and intuitive use. There are even integrated off-road pages in this Rubicon.
Open-air
This one had the ‘Sunrider’ soft top. A heavy duty layered canvas I’m told will withstand a Wyoming snow storm. Having the soft top makes it a whole lot easier to have that open-air experience without having to remove panels. It does, however, come with a nifty little toolkit should you also want to remove the doors/wipers and drop the windshield. Windshield drops are a lot easier than previous models. Another all-new soft top available is the ‘Sky One-Touch Power Top’ that with a press of button can be a deployed even at 60 mph! Just be prepared for a little wind noise.
Hopefully, the Wrangler JL Rubicon is as impressive off-road as it is on-road! Want to take a guess at what the ‘Bikini’ color might be? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!
Custom Jeep Wranglers
Find out more, take a test drive or find Wrangler JL Rubicons for sale at Fremont Motors.
307 Jeep Lifestyle Adventure in Wyoming
Design a Jeep
by L Baures | Aug 20, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
What is GAP?
GAP pretty much does what it says. It covers the gap. The gap between what? You might be thinking. It covers the difference between the amount owed on your vehicle and the actual cash value if the vehicle were totaled.
Why would there be a difference between what I owe and what it’s worth?
Well, cars are mostly depreciating assets, which means, they lose value, every day. Even if they are not being used or driven.
What is My Trade Worth?
Most vehicles these days are purchased with financing through a bank or financial institution. With all the new technology, vehicles are becoming more and more expensive. Banks are offering terms as long as 84 months (7 years). In some cases when you spread the payment term out that long, the payments may not be enough to cover the depreciation.
For example, say you bought a car for $30,000 and over 84 months the payments are $440/mo. The vehicle may be depreciating at a rate of $500/mo. This could potentially mean your vehicle is going into negative equity.
Insurance only pays market value, not what you owe.
If your vehicle ends up stolen or totaled, auto insurance will likely only pay for what the cars current value is. The value is ‘fair market value’ or ‘actual cash value’. This means if you are already in negative equity, you could still be paying on a vehicle that you no longer have. Say you bought a car for $30,000, it gets totaled and your insurance says its worth $23,000, but you owe $28,000. You are responsible for the $5,000 difference. Unless you have GAP, which will cover that $5,000 difference. In some cases, it may also cover your deductible.
Do you really need it?
It is all about risk. Whether you really need GAP or not depends on whether you willing to take that risk or not. How ‘upsides down’ are you on your vehicle?
Do I need GAP?
Consider the coverage when;
- You are spreading the loan term of your vehicle for more than 60 months,
- The interest rate on your loan is high,
- A large down payment is not made during purchase,
- You are carrying over negative equity from a previous trade,
- Your vehicle depreciates more than average.
When GAP won’t benefit you
If you own your vehicle outright or are paying all cash for it, then you would not need the coverage. Putting down more than 20% cash towards your vehicle at the time of purchase in most cases should avoid the need for GAP. Some auto insurance companies have policies available that will cover the difference, in this case, you would not need GAP either.
Where can you buy GAP?
You can buy the coverage from the business or finance manager when you purchase your vehicle at a dealership. Banks, credit unions, financial institutions may also offer the coverage. Pricing is anywhere between $400-1000 and this covers you for the entire term of your loan on the vehicle. The cost of it can be added to your finance agreement which will add a couple bucks to your premium (depending on the term). GAP can only be purchased at the time of initiating a new loan.
What is My Trade Worth?
Student Discounts on Cars, Trucks and SUV’s
by L Baures | Aug 17, 2018 | Trusted Auto Pros
Student discounts on cars.
Definitely, a big perk of being a student is all the associated discounts. This even rolls out into new cars. Did you know that some (not all) manufacturers offer special rebates for eligible students? These are available on new cars and may help offset the cost of the some of those crazy expensive books you’ll never read again.
Here are some of the manufacturers that have discount programs in place for students and educators. Of course, contact your local dealer to confirm the terms an eligibility.
Chevrolet educator program.
Special pricing from Chevrolet is available for current employees of schools. The schools can be public, private, a college or university. Discounts can be used on new 2017 or 2018 model year purchases and leases. Click here to find out more about the program or contact your preferred Chevrolet dealership.
Chevrolet student discounts
This program is for students, recent graduates (with the last 2 years), nursing school students and graduates This can be either at a 2-year school or 4-year school. Base model trims are excluded. Sign up with Chevy for a discount code or contact your Chevy dealer for more info.
2019 Cruze Hatch RS, Photo: Chevrolet
Ford student discounts
Available for current students at college, trade school, junior college, community college, or university. The discount can be up to $750. This Ford program is also open to high school seniors with a letter of intent for a university. Also included are medical school residents (with some restrictions). You will need proof of eligibility. Check out more information and requirements at www.forddrivesu.com or contact your preferred Ford dealership.
2018 Ford Fiesta, Photo: Ford
Toyota student discounts
The discount program available from Toyota also offers a $750 rebate on selected Toyota models. Students must be enrolled in a 2 or 4-year college or university to qualify. Graduation must have been within the last two years. You can also apply within 6 months of graduating. Included institutions are; vocational Schools, junior college’s, technical colleges and nursing degree programs. Vehicles in the program are the; Camry, Corolla, Corolla iM, Prius, Prius c, Prius v, RAV4, Tacoma, Yaris, Yaris iA and 86. Plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles are excluded. For more information contact your Toyota dealership or check out www.buyatoyota.com.
2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, Photo: Toyota
Volkswagen student discounts
This program is open to students who have graduated within the last 2 years. the college graduate program from Volkswagon doesn’t require a credit history, however, If there is history it should be good. You can submit an application based on existing employment or with a written commitment from a future employer. Contact your preferred Volkswagen dealer for more info or check out www.vw.com/special-offers/
2019 Volkswagen Jetta, Photo: VW
2019 AWD Golf R Will be Available in 40 Different Colors!
My wife and I were hiking the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania before we moved to Wyoming. While on the rim trail, I lost my footing and fell about 300 feet down into the canyon. My wife called 911 and Search and Rescue responded to the scene. They repelled down to me and got me out of there. Once safely on top of the rim again, one of the First Responders said to me that they thought for sure they were responding to a recovery, not a rescue. Meaning, they didn’t think I could have survived. I’m not sure who or what was looking over me that day, but I walked away with only bumps and bruises and a large gash on my forehead from falling through a tree on the way down
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