Posted on 3/29/2016
Everyone loves remote control (RC) cars! These fast, zippy little machines make us feel like little kids again and allow us to race and go off road when we personally can’t. They are truly vehicles for our imaginations—there’s nothing like spending some time jumping them off ramps, doing donuts, and trying tricks with these miniature beasts. They’re also great for trying out mods and swapping parts to make them perform better. RC cars go by many names, including radio control cars, remote controlled cars and other names. The hobby has also expanded to include RC airplanes, hovercrafts, helicopters, boats, drones, and more. At Convoy Auto Repair, we love all things cars and car-related. Check out some of the best RC shops and hobby shops in San Diego. Hobby People 4344 Convoy Street This favorite local RC shop is right down the street from us on Convoy Street. They have a nice selection of RC cars and airplanes, model trains, and other hobby-related items and s ... read more
Posted on 3/15/2016
Many people spend a lot of time at car dealers haggling over prices for the car with the best features and built-in gadgets. However, nearly any car can be made much better with the right types of add-on accessories. Most accessories are relatively inexpensive, and can make your drives more enjoyable (and in some instances, much safer). Some of these you can also make on your own. Here’s a list of the top 5 car accessories for your vehicle. 1. Trunk Organizer Very few drivers understand how revolutionary it can be to use a trunk organizer. Do you hear thuds or bumps every time you turn or brake? It's time to tie up the loose items rolling around in your trunk. You can prevent damage to your belongings and do away with those driving distractions with a portable trunk organizer. Also, trunk organizers are very easy to make your own. Some ... read more
Posted on 2/9/2016
Many people don’t realize just how expansive the automobile industry is. It encompasses a very wide range of professions and jobs, and overlaps with so many other industries. Landing a job in the automotive industry can be extremely fun and rewarding, and requires a combination of different skills and talents. Here’s a list of 7 super fun automotive jobs to consider. 1) Classic Car Restoration This is a niche field, but thanks to all the TV car restoration shows, more people are getting involved. It can be fun and rewarding to take a junky car and transform it. What does this job require? An “eye” for spotting the promising cars that might make a good restoration. If you hone in on that ability, the entire process makes for a satisfying and entertaining career. 2) Car Designer Designing a car requires an ability to combine beauty and functional physics. It’s one thing to design a stationary building; it’s another thing to design a working, movin ... read more
Posted on 12/15/2015
2015 is winding down to a close—it’s an ideal time to take a look at the road behind us and evaluate where we’ve been. At the beginning of the year we made a few car predictions for 2015. For one, as predicted, iPhone/Android integration has certainly been a big hit this year, as well as electric and hybrid cars. Small trucks didn’t make the top 10 list here, but trucks have certainly been popular this year! This week, we’ll be looking at the most successful cars and vehicles in terms of sales. Here’s a list of the top selling cars of 2015, based on information provided by Kelley Blue Book: 10) 2015 Ford Fusion 22/34 MPG (City/Highway), 175 Horsepower This midsize sedan offers all-wheel drive, and hybrid plug-in technology options. The Fusion is also a feature car on the show American Idol. Estim ... read more
Posted on 9/1/2015
For the first time ever, there are more women than men with driving licenses across all age groups. This isn’t just a fun fact, but points to a more important trend in car buying. Gone are the clueless, helpless stereotypes--it's time to acknowledge the fact that females are shaking up the automotive industry. It’s time to take a look at what makes this new generation of female car buyers so different and so important. They’re Informed and Know What They Want Today, more than ever, you can’t assume that the new generation of female car buyers knows less about cars than their male counterparts. Not only are more women interested in cars in general, when it comes to car buying, women do their homework. Studies have shown that females are increasingly likely to go online, email the dealership, or call around to get all the information they can before even setting foot in a dealership. By the time they are ready to pull the trigger on a car purchase, they&rsquo ... read more
Posted on 8/18/2015
Everybody knows the name. Ford is one of the original car manufacturers with a storied history integral to the industrial revolution, and have remained one of the most popular car makers since the beginning. Just look around next time you drive and you’ll notice so many Fords on the road! But why should you go out and buy a Ford yourself? Here are the 10 reasons why your next car should be a Ford. 1) It’s Supporting an American Business While buying a Ford isn’t exactly the same as shopping at a mom-and-pop establishment in your neighborhood, buying a Ford is still supporting an American business. So if you want to buy a car as patriotic as you are, you can’t do any better than buying a Ford. 2) Fuel Efficiency Gains With the introduction of their new Ford EcoBoost engines, Ford has made big strides towards greater fuel economy in all of their cars and trucks. Ecoboost engines use a turbocharged direct injection system to get the most horsepower it can with a s ... read more
Posted on 7/7/2015
If you happen to be looking to buy or sell a car in the San Diego area, you are in luck as there are many professional and reputable dealerships in the city. Here are some of the best places to buy and sell cars in San Diego. And if you’re on the lookout for a good mechanic in Kearny Mesa to take care of your new vehicle, get in touch with Convoy Auto Repair! Pacific Honda Pacific Honda is located on Convoy Street in San Diego, right down the street from Convoy Auto Repair. This dealership is well known for their excellent customer service and favorable trade-in values. They are one of the most highly rated dealerships in the city based on their Google Reviews, with over 300 reviews averaging 4.5/5 stars. They offer a wide selection of vehicles: not only Honda cars but also pre-owned models by BMW, Acura, Cadillac, Dodge, Chrysler, Chevy and more ... read more
Posted on 6/2/2015
Well, it’s finally over. The best four-ish years of your young college graduate’s life are over and they have a piece of paper proving how educated and employable they are now. And whether your graduate plans to continue their education or they’ve already started the job hunt, reliable transportation is critical. But why settle for just any old car? A used car is the smart choice for college grads saddled with obscene amounts of debt, and it can also speak to their personalities. Let it also speak to their major! We selected five cars that match 9 popular majors, all of which are excellent picks new and used (though it makes more sense to buy used), and all of which we’ve been testing since 2009. Major: Geology or ArcheologyCar: Subaru Legacy The Legacy is the four door sedan version of the Subaru Outback wagon, and for some reason gets much less attention that its high utility, all-wheel drive sibling. Sure, the sedan exterio ... read more
Posted on 5/1/2015
Although you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at our roads in a sprinkle of rain, the winters in San Diego are usually not very cold or unpredictable – especially compared to the winter weather in most of the rest of the country. But that doesn’t mean come spring and summer we aren’t itching to bask in the extra few degrees of warmth or hop in the car to go for a drive like we used to when gas wasn’t hovering around $3.50 a gallon. We’re predisposed to take a road trip in spring or summer because that’s when the kids have breaks from school, but it’s also nice that the rest of the country is a little more aligned with our weather, making driving easier on us and our cars. The Great American Road Trip is an experience everyone should have at least once, and whether you’re taking the kids, the in-laws, your significant other, a group of friends, or are looking for solo time, here are our favorite cars for the open road. Just remem ... read more
Posted on 4/27/2015
The test drive is arguably the most important aspect of buying a new car, and skipping it is one of the biggest mistakes car buyers make. Even if you know the exact model you want – options and all – it’s crucial to get behind the wheel before signing any papers. This is especially true when buying a used car. But there’s more to the test drive than just finding out whether or not you fit comfortably in the driver’s seat. How you handle yourself at the dealership let the salesman know if you are desperate for that particular car or if you are a wise shopper taking the time to find the smartest deal. Our best advice is to always test drive three different vehicles that fit your needs. Then ask the sales person for their card and let them know you will return if you decide that’s the car you want. If they pressure you or make you uncomfortable in an attempt to keep you from leaving, don’t go bac ... read more