Love IS Actually All Around

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
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Quote sound familiar?  It's from one of the all-time greatest Christmas movies - Love Actually.

Here's the thing about the car business.  We hear people toss around the word "love" all of the time.  "I LOVE this Ford F-150."  "I LOVE the service at Monaco Ford in Glastonbury."  And so on and so forth.

Don't get me wrong - it makes us feel incredible to hear these expressions of love.  In some cases they are tied in with a product.  In others, with people and experiences.
 
But over the course of the past year (and surely countless times over the past 92 years that our family has been in business), we've been blessed to see the true meaning of love take so many different forms.

We've seen the families come in to make donations at our Toys for Tots drives.  

We've seen the active and retired members of our service - including our own brother - make countless sacrifices for our country and for people to be able to fall asleep soundly on Christmas eve and every night - knowing they are safe.

We've seen people "pay it forward" with anonymous donations.

We've witnessed people cry tears of joy at seeing the GOOD happening in the world around them.

It's one of the many, many reasons why Monaco Ford is PROUD to be so incredibly involved in our community and in non-profits throughout the area.

We don't do it to sell cars.  We don't do it to get kudos.  We do it because it's the right thing to do.  We do it because it makes you feel like a little kid on Christmas morning when you know you've done something to help someone else.

But all of the wonderful things we've been able to be a part of in the community wouldn't be possible without your help and support.  Not just your loyalty and dedication to Monaco Ford...but your involvement in the events we support.

Love actually IS all around.

Merry Christmas from our family at Monaco Ford to yours...wherever you are.

Saving Starfish and Toys for Tots

Ever hear the story of the guy and the starfish?

A man was walking along the beach one day, bending down and tossing starfish back into the ocean.  

Another man passing by saw him and asked what he was doing.

"All of these starfish washed up when the tide went out," said the man.  "If I don't throw these starfish back into the ocean, they'll all die."

"There must be millions of starfish washed up along beaches all over the world," said the second man.  "How can you POSSIBLY make a difference?"

The first man bent down and picked up another one.  Tossing it into the ocean he replied, "made a difference to THAT one."

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This past Monday, our family at Monaco Ford in Glastonbury held a toy drive.  Countless people came out to support Toys for Tots, bringing toys that the US Marine Corps will pass along to kids who might not have otherwise received any for Christmas.

Brad Davis from WDRC was there broadcasting live...sharing messages of hope that we can all use throughout the year - not just during the holiday season.

We will never have the opportunity to see the joy on the faces of the kids that receive the toys.  But events like this prove that sometimes it's even better to give than to receive.  

There wasn't a single person who brought in toys that wasn't smiling.  There wasn't a single volunteer that didn't have a big smile on their face when another donation came in.  And we believe there won't be a single child that receives these toys that doesn't also have a smile on his or her face.

This event, like so many others, wasn't about selling new or used vehicles or service at Monaco Ford in Glastonbury.  This wasn't about making money - this was about bringing together a community to support a great cause.  

We can't even count the amount of toys that were donated thanks to your generosity.  On Christmas morning, will there be toys given to EVERY child in need?  No.  But for each child that does receive one...we like to think: "Made a difference to THAT one."

Click here to watch a video of the Toys for Tots Drive at Monaco Ford in Glastonbury.

Helping Kids and Finding the Holiday Spirit

Our team at Monaco Ford was particularly excited to see the brand new Mustang that will hit showrooms next year.  There are a million reasons why…but we think one of the biggest reasons is something rather Freudian. 

At Monaco Ford in Glastonbury, we believe that deep inside each of us…there’s still a little kid.  And that little kid just started jumping up and down when seeing that new Mustang.

It’s that same little kid inside each and every one of us that we feel brings out some of the excitement during the holiday season.  No matter your age, it seems there’s still a little magic that December brings.

But for some…there’s more magic than for others.  Sadly, the economy has taken a toll on many local families – and Santa himself.  Many young boys and girls across the country aren’t as fortunate as others.

That’s why Toys for Tots was born.

Started by the U.S. Marine Corps, the program collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to kids in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  The idea isn’t just to deliver toys…it’s to deliver a message of hope.

On Monday, December 16, you can also help deliver that message of hope.  Monaco Ford will be collecting Toys for Tots in our showroom at 767 New London Turnpike in Glastonbury during a special event from 6am-10am.  If you can’t make it to the event, you’re more than welcome to swing by over the weekend and drop off a donation.

Help us make the holidays magical for boys and girls throughout the area.  Come support Toys for Tots at Monaco Ford in Glastonbury.

And by the way - don't forget to follow Monaco Ford on Facebook by clicking here.  We're not on there to sell cars...we are on there to have some fun - and you should be, too!

Holman Moody Mustang

About a month back my dad got invited to take one of our Mustang GT's off the lot and head up to Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT and without even pausing he said yes. Luckily he asked me to join him for a fun day at the race track. The reason he got the call was because the nice guys that work for Holman Moody (Bob D'Amato & Mark Besso) needed a mustang that you can get straight off the lot("stock") to compare it to their stellar performing Holman Moody edition mustang.

                                     I got to ride along for a few fast laps around the track :)

                                        The beautiful Holman Moody edition Ford Mustang

                                           Dave Monaco after a few laps around the track!

2014 Ford Mustang GT

 



For those of you not familiar with the Holman Moody brand here is the website www.holmanmoody.com. There you can find the history of the brand, images, and how to upgrade your mustang to be a one and only Holman moody edition mustang. Here are some details about the upgrades that would be key selling points to any car enthusiast out there.

• Fully adjustable dampers at all four corners, fully adjustable sway bars front and rear. This allows the driver to tailor the settings to the type of driving such as rally, autocross or street course, and of course daily driving. Our unique 3 piece splined sway bars also allows the driver to corner weight the car and achieve 50/50 balance which will compensate for load, passengers or driver weight.

• Full stainless exhaust and special Ford Racing mufflers including a center X pipe which keeps the car quiet around town but gives it a nice growl when playing

• Special Ford Racing PCM tune which adds about 30hp and about 60lb/ft of torque, along with bringing the torque curve down to a more usable range.

• A year membership to SVToA is included

• All this adjustablity and incredible handling right from any dealer-(50 state legal and full Ford warranty)

• Optional Holman Moody branded seats made especially for us by Recaro-(Retains factory airbags in the seats).

• Special lightweight wheels giving the car a substantially wider track while keeping it within the fenders

• Dress up items such as the reflective gold striping, Holman moody floor mats, anniversary shift knob, fender badges etc.

Something I personally noticed while being a passenger in the Holman moody mustang is how it handles. I started out in the GT and although I think that's a phenomenal car as well you could 100% feel the difference in the upgrade when riding in the Holman Moody afterwards. More power and definitely a better handle on the road. Such a fun day on the track and I learned a lot myself thanks to Bob & Mark!

 

If anyone would like to see more pictures of the Holman Moody mustang on the track or wants more information please contact me - Chrissym@monacofordinc.com and I'll be sure to connect you with the right person.

 

Thanks!

Chrissy

 

 

"DIY"...I don't think so

So I realize some people are more handy than others but this whole Do It Yourself trend is just really not my thing.  I've joined Pinterest and all that great stuff and I've gotten a ton of interesting ideas of things to put in my home that I would ultimately need to hire someone to do. The reason for this will be clearly explained in the story I'm about to tell you...

A week ago I decided to keep going with my painting project at my condo when things went terribly, terribly wrong.  My younger brother (bless him) decided to help me with this and I obviously took his offer up and had him help me.  We got the walls all prepped and laid down the painting blankets and all the boring stuff before the painting begins. Next, onto the fun stuff which is the actual painting...I was going around the hallway minding my own business on a ladder painting the edges while nick used the roller when i fell off the ladder INTO the gallon of PURPLE paint. It would be completely fine if I just stepped into the can then whatever I would just clean it off but that is not what happened next. The can of paint tipped over and a half gallon of let me repeat PURPLE paint fell onto my tan carpet. At this point I didn't scream or really do anything but try to as calmly as possible ask Nick why the paint can was behind the ladder (with a few choice words added into that sentence)!? He swore he just had it there for one second which I replied when in our life have you ever seen me not clumsy even for ONE second!? I walked away and started hysterically crying. I then called my dad's assistant Jean to get the phone number of the people who clean Monaco's carpets to see maybe just maybe they could salvage this mess first thing the next morning she informed me that wouldn't be good enough and something needed to be done. I was crying and laughing at this point because my hallway carpet looked like barney had been murdered on it. Nick laughed at this and I told him to shut up SHUT UP (add choice words into that sentence for what really happened). Jean (dad's assistant) told me to keep the paint wet..so I started dumping water on it and realized at this moment that I have a shop vac in my basement. It seems insane but when I moved in my dad left me a shop vac to have and swore to me that I would need it at some point even know I told him I wouldn't and it could just stay in my basement. Well dad, you're right, once again. The shop vac saved my life (my carpet & bank account really). Nick kept just telling me how much paint was coming out and how good it looked so I would stopping complaining and crying. Everything was going phenomenal until the shop vac was full and it started spraying purple water out the back onto the freshly painted walls. At this point I was wondering why god hated me so much in this moment. 4 hrs later the project was completed and about 95% of the paint was out of my carpet (I'll take 95%).

The point of this story is that in this blog I try to give a lot of tips to maintain your vehicle to keep it running at it's highest ability. This is not saying that you need to do everything yourself because if you're anything like me a routine oil change would turning into blowing up your vehicle. So I'd say take the term "DIY" lightly and go to the professionals before you hurt something or yourself.

Chrissy

Are you taking care of your vehicle?

In case you didn't know we are in the middle of winter and I'm sure there has to be more snow, ice, slush, you name it on its way in the next couple of months. What have you done to take care of your vehicle since the winter came along? Well, if you're anything like me you need to be told what to do and when to do it when it comes to vehicle care.

I know its always raining or snowing but all the dirt and salt from the ground from the previous storm can be damaging to the paint on your car and the undercarriage. Make sure you clean your vehicle the same amount that you do in the other months. I know it seems pointless because it never seems to stay clean with how messy the roads can be but its important. When cleaning the car make sure you get all the hard to reach areas like the bumpers and wheel wells. That is where rust is most likely to form and that will cost you in the future.

Every once and a while check your heat and defrosters to make sure they are working to their best ability. When the vehicle is running if you turn your heat on it should become warm quickly.

Make sure you purchase dependable brand car batteries. A main reason why vehicles don't start is because people buy cheap or poor quality batteries and that's not going to get you very far. No one wants to deal with their vehicles not starting, especially in the wintertime.

Make sure your the oil and antifreeze are at the recommended levels. Many vehicles have a 50/50 antifreeze to water ratio but you may adjust your antifreeze level to a bit higher if your vehicle is enduring colder temperatures in the winter months ahead.

I went over some other things in a previous blog to prepare your vehicle for winter. That article plus these tips should keep your vehicle; sally, pearl, or whatever you call "her" in tip top shape!

Now onto one of the most important topics-safe driving in the winter! If you want safe tips for winter driving you should probably google them because I really don't change my driving much. I have a lot of places to be and let me tell you there is absolutely no time for Sunday driving.

Here's my advice, if its icy try to chill out a little and don't speed as much. Don't ride people too close. Oh that brings up another good point...regular maintenance is VERY important especially during winter months to make sure your breaks are on point. If it's snowing just stay home with a bottle of wine and cancel your plans so you don't have to deal with all the idiots on the road without AWD drive or 4WD vehicles. Like I said before, I'm probably not the girl to ask about this winter driving-I can just advice you how to keep the best care of your vehicle.

On a serious note if you do feel your vehicle seems different or not right do not hesitate to call your dealership and just double check with the technicians and service writers. It can never hurt to be cautious.

Safe travels everyone!!

Chrissy