We drove up through Greenville, SC to get to the Georgia border. I have always loved the climate in this neck of the woods. It is always cooler, and the humidity is rare to be found. The Beetle did magnificent on the highway, getting an average of 35-36 mpg. But, the fun didn’t really begin until we got into the mountains of Georgia. The winding turns were no trouble for the low riding suspension that the Beetle has. With the top down, the mountain air was as fresh as you could possibly ask for on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. And when the night came on and the temperature started to drop, the heated seats kept us warm as we continued to twist and turn through the mountainside with the top down.

That old saying, “it’s the journey and not the destination,” really held true on this adventure. There is something about the drive in a convertible that makes the ride more fun. It’s as close to nature, as you are going to get in a car. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the way this Beetle performed, and I am sure that you will agree, once you take a test drive in this exciting car. If this short blog inspired you to wonder what life in a convertible is like, then don’t waste any time thinking about it. Come down to Midlands Volkswagen and try a convertible Beetle today. You won’t be disappointed.

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Around my house, there is a term that has become ritual. It is called, “Daddy Daughter Day.” Daddy Daughter Day is that time where it is just my 5 year old daughter and myself. We go on trips, we go shopping and most of all, we have fun. We like to get out on the road in my own Volkswagen Beetle, also known as “Jerry the Super Beetle.” But, on this particular Daddy Daughter Day, we took this awesome VW Beetle Classic Convertible out to the Soda City Comic Con in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.

This was an awesome day because we got to put the top down on the open road. She had her Crystal Blue Volkswagen Sunglasses on, and her favorite stuffed animal beside her and we set out to see the people that had dressed up as their favorite comic book heroes. When we were there, we immediately saw things that caught her eye. Things like stuffed animals, toys and comic books. As I tried to get her to through the crowds, we finally found something that really made her heart stop. It was an opportunity to get an airbrushed tattoo of  a horse on her forearm. She loves tattoos, but even more, she loves horses. She loves them so much that she re-named herself, “Rainbow Dash” about a year and a half ago. If you don’t know, that is one of the characters on the show, “My Little Pony.”

The rest of the day, she walked around the Convention Center with her sleeve up like a boss. Being that I am a photographer, that was too good of an opportunity to pass up. So, I took her around the rest of the day and took pictures of her with this Beetle. She had so much fun, but the funny thing came at the end of the day. My daughter has developed a personal relationship with my 2013 Beetle Turbo. When we got home, she asked me if Jerry, my Beetle Turbo, was mad at the fact that we drove another Beetle.

Kids make life something beautiful. That is the reason we do everything to protect our families. I have two Volkswagens at home that my wife and I drive everyday because we wanted our children to be safe when we go on trips. If safety matters to you and your family, come and take a test drive in any one of the 5 Star Safety Rated Volkswagens that we have on the lot today at Midlands VW. You won’t be disappointed, and who knows. Maybe you will start a Daddy Daughter tradition of your own.

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Last Sunday, I took this Volkswagen GTI Sport edition out for a drive down to Augusta, Georgia. It wasn’t for any special reason other than I wanted to see how this iconic VW performed out on the open road. The Sport edition is truly a remarkable car, that is built specifically for the driving enthusiast. What I mean by that is, this car is designed for the driver that wants all of the performance of the Volkswagen GTI, but doesn’t care for all of the bells and whistles that the Autobahn edition has to offer. Things like a sunroof and premium Fender audio system are not important. But, more horsepower and a better suspension are what this driver is searching for in his car.

I really found the Tartan cloth seats to extremely comfortable for the entire ride. The back and side supports seemed to “cup” me in as I hit I-20 towards my goal of Augusta. Even though I love a manual transmission, I took the DSG automatic transmission out on this drive because I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about. Talk about smooth transitions from gear to gear. This little hatchback handled everything that I through at it. The paddle shifters on the steering wheel really made the difference, when it came to control of the car. It was like having a built in passing gear whenever I needed it. I would like to say that I stayed under the speed limit. And, that is all I have to say about that.

When I arrived in Augusta, GA, I was not fatigued from the ride at all. In fact, I felt alive and ready to get back on the road. We picked up a quick meal at Whole Foods, and then shot over to the river front to take a few pictures before we got back on the Interstate. I can’t tell you how many double takes and compliments that I received while driving this car because I lost count. If this is the kind of car that you have been searching for, don’t wait. Come down to Midlands Volkswagen and take a test drive with me. I am sure that you will be incredibly happy that you did.

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This post is all about love. It is all about the love that I have for my 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo. But, in order for me to explain why I have this love, I need to take you back to 1989. 1989 was the year that I had my first obsession with VW. My childhood was based in Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies. Let’s face it, who wasn’t? When it came to my mother, she was a little bit different. She was not into those things. She just supported my obsession. But, whenever we were driving around our fair city of Columbia, she would always point out the “Bugs” on the road.

She would yell out the color and I would do my best to see over the door sill and see it. Maybe it was because you got to call a car a bug, or maybe it was because they were so different from all other cars. Whatever the reason, it was one of my favorite games to play with her. It made me grow up loving the VW Bug. And, as I got older, that fascination grew. When I was able to start driving, I started wanting my own. Around 1989, I was getting ready to graduate high school. I was thinking about all of the money that I was going to get for graduation and it was the perfect time to finally get the car I had always wanted. I think I paid less than $1500 for it. It was a white 1972 Super Beetle, and it was mine. Pushing a monster 60 horsepower engine, this bug would scream. Not really. But, the day I took the stock engine off of it and put a stinger exhaust without a baffle in it, I learned what a noise violation ticket was. I was running premium gas in it, and blue flames were shooting out of it. It was amazing. I felt like a character in Grease.

That was the only car that I had ever wanted, and it is the only car that I wish I had back. So, I decided that I wanted to capture some of that magic again by getting another Beetle. That day came when my 2013 Beetle came on the lot. The first time I saw it, I did my best to avoid it. I had just bought a car and I didn’t want to kick myself for not waiting. But then, something fantastic happened. My wife decided that she wanted my Tiguan. I could give my car to her and use her car to get the car of my childhood, once again. Buying this Beetle has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I no longer get bummed sitting in traffic. I never get tired of looking at my car in the driveway. And, I get so many compliments on it that it is hard to go anywhere without someone stopping me to say, “hey, nice car.”

With that being said, don’t you think that it is time that you got yourself into the car of your dreams? What are you waiting for? Life is too short to not be happy in your car. If you have any indication getting into the VW of your dreams, then come see us at Midlands Volkswagen. Let us put the comfort and trust back into your car buying process.

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Safety For Your Family Comes First

The question posed at the beginning of this blog, is whether or not the Volkswagen GTI Autobahn is safe for your family. The obvious answer to this is a resounding yes. Everyone, by now, knows that Volkswagen makes some of the highest safety rated vehicles on the road today. But what is it about VW, that makes their vehicles so safe?

Technology has come a long way. Especially, in the world of automobiles. Everything from integrating your phone into your car through Bluetooth, to the computer chip that controls how much air and fuel get to the engine, is part of how technology has made our means of travel better. But, technology and how we use it, does not stop there. Eventually, cars will drive themselves, but until then, the advancements that have come are amazing.

The GTI Autobahn has incredible features like Blind Spot monitors and Autonomous Front Braking. But, did you know about the Intelligent Crash Response system, or what is commonly known as the ICR? In the event of an emergency, 4 things will automatically happen. The fuel pump will shut off, the brakes will go on, the door locks will unlock and the hazard lights will come on. These safety features prevent you from the overly abused, Hollywood dramatization of being trapped in a burning car. To me, this is one of the biggest reasons that I have chosen, not one, but two Volkswagen vehicles for my family to ride in. You can tell by the video that is above this write up, that my children are important to me, and I want them to not only enjoy the ride, but also feel safe.

If this is how you feel about your family, shouldn’t you take a second look at the new Volkswagen vehicles that are available? Join me in putting your family first, and take a test drive today. See what German engineering can do for your family at Midlands Volkswagen in Columbia, SC. You won’t be disappointed.

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I have to admit. Today, I am feeling a little bit used. Not by my family or friends, mind you.  No, today I am feeling the used cars on our lot.  And the great thing about the used cars on our lot is, that they are always changing. We are always changing our inventory, and more cars arrive daily.

Things like Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans for the ones out there looking for the reputation of a Japanese car. We also have Volkswagen vehicles, Mercedes-Benz and BMW’s for those of you that want the driving experience that the German engineering has to offer.  And yes, we also have used Chevrolet and Fords on the lot for those of you that prefer the domestic brands.

Our used lot is always evolving and we are always bringing in “new to you” additions to our inventory. We also offer Certified Pre Owned Volkswagen vehicles for those of you that like a warranty with your purchase. So come on in today, and let me show you some of the cool cars that we have. Like the Mini Coopers that you see in this video, we have a great selection of vehicles for your needs.

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Preventative maintenance is one of the most important things that you can do to keep your Volkswagen car running great as long as possible. But, it also one of those things that few of us do on a regular basis. Sure, life is tough and we all don’t have time to work on our cars. However, there are a few things that you can do to keep your costs down when others have to do the work for you.

Checking the fluids is one of the things that we all can take 10 minutes out of the week to do. It is easy. Open up the hood of your VW and look inside. You should see a number pull handles that have dipsticks attached to them. The oil is the main one. Think of oil as the equal to the blood in the human body. If it goes bad, so do you. That is why it is important to always make sure that you are always keeping it level and replacing the dirty oil on a regular basis. If you don’t know what you are doing, you might also want to think about getting a professional to check your transmission fluid. Next to the engine, your transmission is probably the most expensive thing to get fixed. Preventative maintenance on these will keep them from going bad and breaking down on you. Power steering fluid and antifreeze are also important to check because they keep the car running smooth and cool. It is best to check all of these when the engine is cold, as to prevent injury. This is an article that I found that lists all of the things that you should think about when it comes to preventative maintenance. Click Here.

What about the fuel you use? Did you think that using the right fuel could be considered preventative maintenance? Most of the research on the internet will tell you that it really makes no difference what grade fuel you use, until you consider high compression engines like the Turbo engine found in most Volkswagen vehicles. When you use premium in a turbo, you will definitely get the mpg and horse power that is advertised at the dealer. But, I will go one step further and ask, “where are you buying your fuel?” Most manufacturers agree that the retailers that use premium detergents in their fuels help the engine perform better. These detergents help clean engine parts like valves and lifters. It keeps the engine from having carbon build up on these moving parts, preventing poor performance.

But, did you know that one of the simplest and most enjoyable forms of preventative maintenance on a Volkswagen is washing it? Wait?! What?! Yes. Washing your car helps prevent the outside of the car from rusting and fading. When a car sits dirty for a while, the sun can beat down on it furiously. All of the dirt that is on that car can be affected by the sun’s UV radiation. These contaminants can attack the finish on your car’s paint, causing it to fade and later allow rust to occur. Plus, washing your car can be fun. It is a way of getting the whole family outside and spending time together.

You spent over $20000 for your new vehicle. Don’t you think that you should protect your investment? For more information on your car, check inside the glove box and read up on the owner’s manual inside. It will tell you all of things that you need to know to keep your engine strong. And, if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to call me at the dealership and I can point you in the right direction. There is an old saying that I am making up as I write this. “If you take care of your Volkswagen, it will take care of you.”

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2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

Two days ago, I traded my wife’s Subaru Outback in for what I consider the epitome of Volkswagen.  I bought a Certified Pre-Owned 2013 Beetle Turbo.  I cannot begin to explain how excited I am about this purchase.  For one, it is a CPO Volkswagen.  That means that it passed a 112 point inspection for safety and warranty.  With that, they are giving me an extended warranty of 24,000 miles or 2 years.  That is coupled with the existing 60,000 mile 5 year powertrain warranty.  That is piece of mind for sure.

The second reason is, it is a 2013 Beetle Turbo.  This is the Beetle that had the 2.0L Turbo engine in it.  It pushes 210 HP and 207 lbs. of torque.  That means that it is ready to go.  It also has the dual exhaust to improve the performance of the engine and an independent sport suspension for hugging the turns.  The 18″ Mag wheels really add to the smooth ride.  This is like having the performance of a GTI in a Beetle body.  This was an awesome find and I am so happy that it came in to our dealership because it makes my 4 year old smile.

This proves, that if you are a Volkswagen enthusiast like myself, you should always be looking at our used inventory because you never know when something special is going to come in.  For example, there is a 2016 Jetta Sport on the lot right now with less than 6000 miles on it.  That means that it has 31,000 miles on the original bumper to bumper warranty as well as the CPO warranty of an additional 24,000 miles.  That is 55,000 miles of bumper to bumper warranty. You can’t find that anywhere!! Don’t miss this opportunity to take this baby home. Come visit Midlands Volkswagen today, and let us put you in the car that fits your needs.

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Have you been in a Volkswagen dealership and heard the term, “R-Line?” Don’t be alarmed, it is not what you think. It is actually a trim level that Volkswagen offers on some of it’s vehicles. The R-Line trim has premium features and sport styling, and some models even offer better performance. Depending on the VW vehicle in question, the T-Line trim package can be at the top of the trim levels or somewhere in between, which offers value. There are four VW’s that offer the R-Line trim package. The Beetle, Tiguan, CC and the Passat.

This is the first year that VW has offered the R-Line trim level in the Passat, and they set this trim package off with a bang. As in, the best bang for your buck. This Passat is designed for the driving experience. It has 19″ wheels for a smoother ride, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel for more control over your driving experience. The R-Line also has the App-Connect feature that really makes driving a pleasure. With an available lighting package and comfort package the new Passat delivers on driving excitement. The thing that sets the look apart from the other Passat models that are available are the bumpers and exterior trim. This car is designed for fun.

If this is the type of car that you are looking for in your driving experience, come to Midlands Volkswagen today and see if this is the car that fits your needs. But, do it soon because these cars are price to move.

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It’s January, and it is finally cold here in the Midlands of South Carolina.  And let’s face it, it has been cold in the upstate around Greenville and Spartanburg for a while now.  This is the two months out of the year where you need to put as much on as you can to stay warm.  Well, for at least 3 days out of the week.  Usually, at some point, the temperature will get up to 70 degrees, but then the night comes and you don’t know what you are going to get.  The saying goes, if you don’t like the weather in South Carolina, wait a minute.

That is why it is nice to have heated seats.  Heated seats are the best on these cold days because nothing says comfort like a warm bottom end.  Volkswagen has so many models out this year that have heated seats in them.  That means that there is a VW that is right for you.  So come down to Midlands Volkswagen and test drive one today.

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