Memorial Day is one of the biggest “sales” days of the year for car dealerships. So why was Monaco Ford in Glastonbury closed?
Because our cars had a greater purpose to serve.
Every year, we bring the crew from Monaco – along with the vehicles – to the Memorial Day Parade in Glastonbury. In the vehicles are the men and women who served our country. They may not be able to walk the entire route, but with the help of Monaco Ford, they can still be a part of the parade.
Our family has a lot of military history. My grandfather and all his brothers served, including his brother Peter who was killed in Korea. Peter was in the United States Marine Corps., as was one of the other brothers.
My grandfather and the two oldest brothers were in the Army. One of the brothers was Dwight Eisenhower’s driver in WWII, and the other was a Prisoner of War during WWII.
More recently, my brother, Mike, served in the United States Marine Corps.
We don’t close the dealership to go to the beach or grill. We do it to honor those who gave everything so we can be free. We do it to honor those who continue to serve and protect.
Let us not forget the sacrifices they make. Memorial Day isn’t about us. It’s about them.
Want to see more from the parade? Check our Facebook page to see a video and photos.
Summer is almost here and with it comes the annual complaint of “I’m bored.”
This year, beat the boredom by hitting the road for some awesome day trips. Load the family into your2014 Ford Explorer and hit the road! The Explorer is roomy enough to comfortably fit a large family, a dog or two, and all the gear.
The first stop could be the J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum. Located in thenew and expanded UConn Alumni Center in the heart of theUniversity of Connecticut’s main campus in Storrs, the Husky Heritage Sports Museum is the ultimate library documenting the wide-ranging successes of Connecticut's athletic programs. The museum is free of charge and is open during the regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) of the UConn Alumni Center.
You could also head to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield. The Aldrich is one of the few independent, non-collecting contemporary art museums in the United States, and the only museum in Connecticut devoted to contemporary art. It is one of only 20 museums in Connecticut and only 318 art museums in the country to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Admission is free for everyone on Tuesdays. The rest of the time, it is free for members, K-12 teachers, children (under 18), and active-service military families.
Ready for a trip to the beach? Head to Silver Sands State Park in Milford. You can swim, fish, and bird watch. Parking and a beach are both free. The park is open from 8 a.m. until dusk.
How about a trip the United States Navy’s Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton. The museum maintains the world's finest collection of submarine artifacts. It is the only submarine museum operated by the United States Navy, and as such, is the primary repository for artifacts, documents, and photographs relating to U.S. Submarine Force history. The museum is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Admission and parking are both free.
Want to spend some time outdoors but don’t feel like hitting the beach? Check out Hubbard Park’s Castle Craig Tower, which is a stone observation tower atop East Peak in Meriden. It stands on East Peak with an elevation of 976 feet. The tower is 32 feet in height and 58 feet in circumference. An interior stairway provides access to the observation deck. On a clear day, an observer may see the Sleeping Giant Mountain Range to the south, and catch a glimpse of New Haven, the glistening water of Long Island Sound, and even the dim profile of Long Island. To the north, the foot hills of the Berkshires in Southern Massachusetts, vicinity of Mt. Tom, are discernible. There are hiking trails to the tower, as well as a road which is open from May 1 through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Sound like fun? These are just a few of great things to do in Connecticut this summer. Want to know what’s even better? You can get to any of them on one tank of gas!
Want to see the Ford Explorer and what else Monaco Ford has to offer? Head over to www.monacoford.com to check out our new cars in Connecticut – as well as our pre-owned and certified pre-owned Fords.
Trying to compare the 2014 Ford Escape and the 2014 Honda CR-V? We can help you out.
Both seat five people, have 4-cylinder engines, and offer optional all-wheel drive.
The 2014 Ford Escape offers one of three engines, each paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Escape S model comes with a 168-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. The Escape SE and Titanium models are equipped with a 178-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine from Ford’s EcoBoost family of powerplants.
The EcoBoost engine also makes additional torque (at lower rpm) compared to the Escape S model’s engine, and can be optioned with all-wheel drive. Another option for the Escape SE and Titanium models is a 240-hp 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine.
Compare the Ford’s powertrain variety to what Honda offers in the2014 CR-V. The only engine offered for the Honda is a 185-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine matched to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.
In the engine and performance category, US News notes that the Escape has locking rear differential, front wheel drive, a 4-cylinder engine, is supercharged, and is turbocharged. The only categories that get a check for Honda are the front wheel drive and the 4-cylinder engine.
When it comes to safety, Ford offers more safety-related technology to keep you out of trouble in the first place and installs features that can help speed rescue following a collision.
Ford is the big winner when it comes to value. The 2014 Ford Escape is priced lower than the Honda. Plus, since the Escape’s ALG depreciation rating is a respectable four stars, it’s not as though the Honda offers a significant benefit in retaining value over time.
Also consider that the Escape has a better warranty and includesfree roadside assistance. These factors, combined with better deals when buying instead of leasing, give Ford the win on value.
Another area where Ford displays strength is with technology. Bothcrossover SUVs include standard Bluetooth connectivity and a reversing camera. While the Honda also includes Pandora Internet radio and a USB port, the Ford is ultimately offered with greater depth in standard technology by virtue of its Torque Vectoring Control system, SOS Post Crash Alert system, MyKey programmable vehicle safety features, and a 911 Assist service that works whenever a smartphone is paired to the Escape’s Sync technology.
The company’s optional MyFord Touch infotainment is more sophisticated than the optional navigation system that Honda offers for the top-of-the-line CRV EX-L model. Both SUVs are available with dual-zone automatic climate control, a premium audio system, and satellite radio.
Also, the 2014 Ford Escape can be fitted with rain-sensing wipers, Intelligent Access keyless passive entry with push-button starting, a 110-volt power outlet, a SecuriCode keyless entry system, and front and rear parking sensors. Buyers can also opt for a Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, a power tailgate that can be opened by waving a foot underneath the rear bumper and an Active Park Assist system that steers the Escape into a parallel parking space while the driver operates the pedals.
The only unique option offered for the Honda is a DVD rear entertainment system, something that Ford dealers can install inside of an Escape as an accessory. Clearly, the technological advantage goes to Ford.
The Ford delivers better value and greater technological sophistication, far more power from its optional EcoBoost engine, and more variety in mixing and matching equipment.
Monaco Ford is family owned and operated since 1922, currently employing its 4th generation of ownership. The dealership currently has over 80 employees. It has received Ford’s prestigious President’s Award an outstanding 8 times in the past two decades by surpassing all requirements, proving itself as one of Connecticut’s elite dealers. Visit www.monacoford.com for more about the dealership and the inventory. Our cars and our company are reliable and trustworthy. What more could you ask for?
Every Memorial Day, there is a parade held in Glastonbury, and we are always happy to be part of it.
Since the early 1950s, Monaco Ford has been supplying vehicles and drivers to drive veterans who cannot walk in the parade. Through the years, we have had the pleasure of driving many WWII and Korean veterans from Glastonbury and the surrounding area.
As a military family, we have taken a lot of pride in what we do. From my grandfather and great uncles – on both sides of the family – down to my older brother, we have had many family members serve. My great uncle, Peter P. Monaco, Jr., was killed in Korea and the Marine Corps League Detachment in town is named after him.
Memorial Day really gives us a chance to think about all the service men and women who have given their time and maybe possibly even the ultimate sacrifice. It makes us feel extremely thankful for the lives that we have because of them.
We’re just so honored to have these people do what they do so we can go on and live our normal life. We don’t even understand sometimes that some people have lost a family member and they have to deal with that and we’re just here acting like nothing happened.
This Memorial Day, we just really want to thank all service men and women and their families – from one military family to another.
Want to see what Monaco Ford has to offer? Head over to www.monacoford.com to check out our new cars in Connecticut – as well as our pre-owned and certified pre-owned Fords.
You’ve been car shopping and you’re wondering what makes Fords different from other brands.
Ford Motor Company entered the business world on June 16, 1903, when Henry Ford and 11 business associates signed the company’s articles of incorporation. Today, the company has about 300,000 employees and 108 plants worldwide.
The F series of trucks has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for decades. The F-series trucks remain the most respected commercial truck available. The Ford modular engines will easily go 300,000 miles if maintained, and the transmissions and axles are very reliable.
The product line is respected by industry experts and is qualitatively seen to be a step above many of its competitors. In addition, Ford is known for great customer satisfaction.
Ford has recognized the importance of small, fuel efficient vehicles and is actively transitioning into this market. Of particular interest is Ford’s ‘EcoBoost’ technology, which will result in 20 percent greater fuel efficiency and 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions.
The three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has won the International Engine of the Year award for 2012 and 2013.
Ford is also perceived to be the most stable American car manufacturer because it has not been forced to take bailout money.
Basically, our cars and our company are reliable and trustworthy. What more could you ask for?
Interested in driving the best? Head over to www.monacoford.com to check out our new cars in Connecticut – as well as our pre-owned and certified pre-owned Fords.
Pretty soon, we’ll all be heading out on summer vacations. Before you head out, you’ll want to ensure that your vehicle is running in tip-top shape.
The first thing you’ll want to do is check your tires. Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure not only improves fuel economy, but it also ensures that your car will handle optimally in any emergency maneuvers.
If you notice any damage or excessive wear, bring the car in for a professional opinion as to your best options.
You’ll also want to check your cooling and air conditioner systems. The number one cause of breakdowns is related to coolant problems and engines overheating, and many common cooling system problems result from poor air flow around the radiator. So, before the summer driving season starts, clean out any leaves, pine needles or other debris that might have accumulated in the fins of the radiator and the air conditioning condenser.
Checking your vehicle’s radiator cap at the start of the summer driving season is also a good idea. Given the temperatures to which the radiator cap is continually exposed, its internal rubber gasket can end up cracked, deformed, damaged or simply hardened, and the cap’s metal spring also weakens over time.
While the hood is up, check the coolant/antifreeze mixture inside your vehicle’s radiator.
Changing the oil on schedule and keeping it full is also key. Engine oil must be replaced at recommended intervals using the weight/viscosity of oil required by your vehicle's owner manual. Between changes, be sure to check the oil level on a monthly basis, adding fresh oil whenever necessary.
You’ll also want to check your gas cap. The gas cap is a critical component of your car’s emission control system, and if it isn’t airtight it will trigger "check engine" or "emissions service" lights on your dashboard. Also, check the gasket around the gas cap to ensure that it has no cracks or other damage.
Before you head out, check your lighting and visibility. Check your headlights to make sure they all work and that there are no hidden wiring problems.
Check to make sure that there is no corrosion on the terminals of the car’s battery. Many electrical-system issues can be avoided by keeping the battery terminals and connections clean and tight.
Clean your windows, replace worn wipers with a fresh set, and check to make sure that the washer-fluid reservoir in the car is full.
Give the rest of your car a once-over. Inspect the belts and hoses and check the battery. Extreme heat and cold put additional strain on an automobile battery, particularly older ones.
Finally, use a pro for long trips by having your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic.
Ready to head out? Give our professional service department a call at 860-652-3000 and we’ll make sure you’ll have a safe trip.
Not sure your car is going to make it for your family vacation? Check out our new cars in Connecticut – as well as our pre-owned and certified pre-owned Fords.
