Win Me 5K

Posted on July 1, 2015 by admin

If you are one of the millions of people who don’t think the words “Fun” and “Run” should appear so close to each other in any sentence, please continue reading. On August 1^st at the Enumclaw Expo Center thousands of people, of varying age and fitness level, will be participating in the “Win ME 5K”. What makes this 5K different than any other race? Color! As your race through the beautiful route be prepared to be doused with color along the way. Start the race wearing white and end in a rainbow of colors.

Giving away prizes is one of many perks that come along with being one of the participants. Each runner will be entered for a chance at thousands of dollars in prizes, the opportunity to give back to multiple charities, and the experience of a lifetime. Gamblin Motors is excited to be the title sponsor, as well as sending one lucky winner home in a Brand New Chevrolet Spark. The Spark is a nimble and compact commuter car that is capable of 39 MPG but is truly one of the world’s only big, small cars.

A new car, thousands in gifts and prizes aside, the Win ME 5K is about promoting a healthy and active lifestyle while supporting local charities like Seattle Children’s Hospital, Strong Against Cancer, and the Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation.

This isn’t the Boston Marathon, Win ME 5K is an experience designed to strengthen the heart and soul of its participants through running, jogging, even a brisk a walk, but most importantly a heavy dusting of paint and the opportunity to give back to so many deserving charities.

Don’t miss this event. Register today www.winme5k.com

Five Cars + One Truck = Six Million Dollars (part 3)

Posted on July 1, 2015 by admin

By: Alan Gamblin

It’s not every day you get to drive a million dollar car; let alone six of them. That was my experience yesterday in the desert of Nevada. Chevrolet invited their dealers to a race track in Spring Mountain, Nevada to drive prototypes of the redesigned 2016 Camaro, Malibu, Spark and Colorado Duramax Diesel. Earlier I had the opportunity to drive the new 2016 Volt at a facility in Las Vegas. As these vehicles are pre-production cars, each car cost one million dollars or more to build. I can only say it was six million dollars of awesome. Let me share some thoughts on each vehicle.

2016 Chevrolet Volt

The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended range, showcasing a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration.

The all-new 2016 Volt has been refined and reengineered, based on customer input. Volt owners are the most satisfied in the industry and are very loyal, 90% say they would own another one. Current Volt owner feedback drove the changes in the new Volt. Many of you know that I love the Volt. Not only have I owned one, but I have leased Volt to family members as well. Driving the new Volt confirmed that Chevy listened to us.

Let me start out by highlighting the nuts and bolts changes before I talk about styling. The new Volt has more electric range. Now 50 EV miles, up from 38 miles with an estimated 102 MPGe (Combined). MPGe is the energy equivalent to a gallon of gas. While in gas mode the car will deliver more than 41 MPG’s. Chevy achieved this with a two-motor drive which increases acceleration and increased efficiency. Something else that is new is the ability to set your charging preferences for home and the car’s GPS will adjust to home settings automatically. You will save at the pump as Volt now runs on regular unleaded when your charge runs out. All new is Regen on Demand, which enables the driver to initiate regenerative braking using a steering wheel button. The vehicle’s kinetic energy is captured and sent back to the battery, while the vehicle is slowing down.

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended range is unveiled Monday, January 12, 2015 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The next-generation Volt has a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration. (Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)

Inside are where some fantastic improvements have been made. Volt has greater rear leg room and is now capable of carrying five people. I need to qualify that as the Volt propulsion system still limits the size of the new fifth seat. My favorite change is the better intuitive instrument panel controls. I drive a lot of different vehicles and remembering how to turn on my heater in a Volt was aggravating. Now the controls are easy to see and operate. New Smartphone technology connects to MyLink and displays on Volt’s color screen through the Apple CarPlay feature.

Outside the new 2016 Volt offers a muscular and sleeker design. If I could use only one word to describe the new outside appearance it would be ‘athletic’.

Chevy asked Volt owners for opinions, we responded and Chevy listened. The new Volt certainly exceeded my expectations. I shouldn’t be surprised because we Volt owners redesigned this new generation.

Five Cars + One Truck = Six Million Dollars (part 2)

Posted on July 1, 2015 by admin

By: Alan Gamblin

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is nearly 300 pounds lighter and has wheelbase that’s been stretched nearly 4 inches, making it more fuel efficient, more functional and more agile.

The 2016 Malibu is anything but boring. I believe the new Malibu is most beautiful car in the mid-size market. The beauty is not just skin deep. What impressed me most about this car besides its looks is the fact it is a little larger, rides better and has ‘sick’ technology. That is what my young friends call something fantastic…sick.

Three of us drove both the base four cylinder engine and also the turbo charged engine. Both engines had plenty of power and the turbo charged version really moves. The car handles extremely well even in sharp turns. The back seat has more room and provides plenty of leg room even for my large driving buddy. This car has a ton of safety features available like pedestrian warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot and rear cross-traffic alerts and adaptive cruise control. But my favorite is the teen driver system. Where was this when my kids were teenagers? Enter a pin code and the system allows parents to monitor their teen’s driving habits. You can preset maximum speed, set the maximum audio system volume and even mute it until all the occupants are buckled up. Malibu can track distance driven and when the parents wish, pull up a report card when they hand you back the keys. Kids will hate this but as a parent I love the peace of mind. But teens will love the wireless phone charging pad.

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is nearly 300 pounds lighter and has wheelbase that’s been stretched nearly 4 inches, making it more fuel efficient, more functional and more agile.

Five Cars + One Truck = Six Million Dollars (Part 1)

Posted on July 1, 2015 by admin

By: Alan Gamblin

2016 Chevrolet Camaro

Every year my new year’s resolution is to shed some pounds and become more athletic. While I never seem to accomplish this

goal, the engineers for the new Camaro did just that. The car is lighter, quicker and more agile. I drove a 455 horsepower Camaro SS while following a race instructor around a road track. The beauty of a track is you can do things with a car you would never do at home. I admit I didn’t exactly follow the rules as I let the instructor get way ahead of me. This allowed me to open up the car full throttle so I could catch up. However, playing catch up didn’t prepare me for the hairpin turn at the end of the straight away. Yes, I scared myself and the Chevy employee next to me. I really thought I was going to be the only guy to spin out and go off roading in the desert with a million dollar car. To my amazement the SS stayed glued to the track. As I steered out of the turn I was saying to myself, “thank you God”; but it felt like the Camaro was calling me a whimp. I attest this car not only goes fast but handles amazing. Even by shedding almost 300 pounds, the new Camaro is stronger or stiffer meaning it hugs the road better. I didn’t feel any body roll in any of the turns.

From pictures the Camaro seems not to have changed much in design. In person you see the distinct Camaro look but also realize this is a completely different car. In fact only two parts were kept from the 2015 model; the Chevy logo on the back of the car and the SS badge. Everything else is brand new including the interior which is amazing. Lighter and more athletic will be my goal next year. Maybe I’ll achieve it by driving a 2016 Camaro.

2015 Enumclaw High School Photo Contest Winner

Posted on July 1, 2015 by admin

Over the past few years, Gamblin Motors has sponsored a photo contest for Enumclaw High School students. The students are given a month to send us their very best photos. These photos are uploaded to our Facebook page. Our Facebook followers are asked to vote for the favorite photo. Students encourage their friends and family to vote for their photo. At the end of the contest, the photo with the most likes wins. The winner receives $250.

As the photos started rolling in, we were blown away by the quality of photo entries we received. All of these entries were truly amazing. This year we received more than eighty two photos from over twenty four Enumclaw High School students. Julia Vassallo, a tenth grader, won the photo contest this year. She received 1,426 votes from our Facebook friends.

Thank you to all the students who participated, and thank you to all our friends for voting for these amazing photos. We look forward to hosting another photo contest again next year. Be on the look out for our contest in May.

All-New 2016 Volt

Posted on June 23, 2015 by admin

Chevrolet unveiled the all-new 2016 Volt electric car with extended range at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, showcasing a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration for drivers.

The Volt’s new, efficient propulsion system will offer a General Motors’-estimated total driving range of more than 400 miles and with regular charging, owners are expected to travel more than 1,000 miles on average between gas fill-ups.

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt’s technology and range advancements are complemented by a design that blends sculpted, muscular proportions with aerodynamic efficiency, and an all-new interior with seating for five and improved functionality.

“Since its release, the Volt has symbolized Chevrolet’s environmental and technological capabilities, and the next-generation Volt raises the bar even higher,” said Alan Gamblin.

The 2016 Volt has an all-new, muscular design that incorporates Chevrolet performance vehicle DNA inspired cues refined in the wind tunnel. Volt’s flowing, dynamic shape is inspired by the toned physiques of athletes and even the natural shapes of wind-swept sands, with carved body sides and fenders that blend into the hood. The front-end appearance retains the iconic Volt identity, with bright upper and lower grille pads.

Greater attention to detail in the design cues, materials and colors also lends a more premium, contemporary aura to its appearance. It also retains the distinctive Volt signature on the upper front doors, carrying over one of the first-generation model’s identifiers.

Inside, the new Volt includes seating for five. Fresh colors exude an inviting upscale aura – complemented by blue ambient lighting – while the controls are more intuitively placed and simpler to operate.

The Volt retains its signature dual digital color displays with an eight-inch-diagonal reconfigurable screen in the instrument cluster to relay driver information. An additional eight-inch-diagonal touch screen in the center of the instrument panel controls the Chevrolet MyLink system.

The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended range, showcasing a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration.

New Voltec propulsion system

An all-new, second-generation Voltec extended range electric vehicle (EREV) propulsion system is the power behind the 2016 Volt’s increased all-electric driving range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration. It was engineered based on the driving behaviors of first-gen Volt owners.

The Voltec system includes the battery, drive unit, range-extending engine and power electronics. GM’s industry-leading battery technology has been reengineered for the next-generation Volt.

The 2016 Volt will use an 18.4 kWh battery system featuring revised cell chemistry developed in conjunction with LG Chem. While overall system storage capacity has increased, the number of cells have decreased from 288 to 192 as the result of a revised chemistry. The cells are positioned lower in the pack for an improved (lower) center of gravity and the overall mass of the pack is 21 pounds (9.8 kg) lighter.

Like the battery system, the next-generation Volt’s two-motor drive unit delivers increased efficiency and performance along with reduced noise and vibration. The drive unit operates up to 12 percent more efficiently and weighs 100 pounds (45 kg) less than the current system.

Both motors operate together in more driving scenarios, in both EV and extended-range operation. The ability to use both motors helps deliver a 19 percent improvement in electric acceleration from zero to 30 mph (2.6 seconds) and a 7 percent improvement from zero to 60 mph (8.4 seconds). GM engineers designed the Voltec electric motors to use significantly less rare earth materials. One motor uses no rare earth-type magnets.

The 2016 Volt goes on sale in the second half of 2015.

Save Some Money and Hug a Tree

Posted on June 8, 2015 by admin

Starting in the early 1980’s, O2 sensors or Oxygen Sensors have been standard equipment on cars and light duty trucks. Since 1995-1996 the number of sensors per car has doubled to improve efficiency. They are a vital part to the emission and fuel systems, and as they wear they can affect your vehicles performance. If your vehicle is experiencing any of the following symptoms than a faulty O2 sensor may be part of the problem and should be changed to avoid further and more costly repairs:

– Check Engine Light

– Poor/Reduced Fuel Economy

– Failed Emissions Test

– Hesitation/Surging Engine Revs

Bosch recommends that cars 1990 and newer replace their O2 sensors every 100,000 miles. By doing so, you can expect to see an increase in Fuel Economy of 10-15% (roughly $100 savings/yr) and a decrease in emissions, which will help reduce your carbon footprint.

New Owner’s Clinic

Posted on June 8, 2015 by admin

Once a month we offer a New Owner’s Clinic to our customers who’ve purchased a new Chevy or Buick from us. This is a great opportunity to discover our dealership, enroll in our Oil Changes on Us Program, learn some easy great maintenance tips on maintaining your car, and eat a great breakfast.

For those that have not been able to attend, here is a little glimpse into the VIP treatment we give to each of our new vehicle customers.

Free Breakfast, provided by ‘The Kettle’, for your entire party (no size limit)
Opportunity to Enroll in our Oil Changes On Us Program
‘Tech Talk’ – Interact with our Service/Part/Body Shop Managers as well as Dave Cooper, GM World Class Technician about your New GM vehicle
‘Meet & Greet’ – Chance to meet/socialize with our owner Alan Gamblin and his wife Jeri.
Free Drawings for numerous prizes/coupons/discounts

If you have missed the most recent clinic, there will be another in a few weeks. We sincerely hope you will join us for an hour or so of food, information and prizes.

Thank you again for your business!

Let Them Eat Cake

Posted on June 8, 2015 by admin

If you have ever tried to bake a cake but are missing one crucial ingredient, the outcome is usually far from what you desired. The same is true when it comes to financing a vehicle. You can do all your research, go on countless test drives, negotiate the price and apply for the loan. But if you aren’t sure of what is on your credit report, you are missing a vital ingredient and it can cost you hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars in interest.

Follow these simple steps prior to any vehicle purchase and you will ensure you have a recipe for success:

Visit annualcreditreport.com (free website)
Verify that 3 bureaus are reporting the same information
If an error or inconsistency is discovered, contact that bureau to report the problem

EHS Football Carwash

Posted on June 4, 2015 by admin

With the recent success of the Seattle Seahawks it seems that everyone is a football fan these days in the Puget Sound area. Here at Art Gamblin Motors we have been loyal Enumclaw High School Football fans. It goes all the way back to the early 1970’s with Alan Gamblin playing for the Hornets. Decades later the two Gamblin boys (Tyson and Andrew) wore the maroon and gold for the mighty Hornets. We love our Football here in Enumclaw. The tradition continues with our strong support of Enumclaw Athletics and the football program.

This past May marked the 9^th Annual Enumclaw High School Football Car Wash. This is the 8^th year that Art Gamblin Motors has hosted the car wash at its Truck Center location. This is a great spring time event in Enumclaw and most residents can’t wait to get their car washed from eager football players. This is not your normal car wash. Within an 8 hour period the football players will wash around 400 vehicles. Art Gamblin Motors loves clearing out their front row at the Truck Center to allow three lanes of rinsing, washing and drying. The football player’s pre sell car wash tickets and what they earn goes directly into their summer camp fund. This year the Enumclaw Football team will be traveling east of the mountains to Central Washington University football camp.

After the cars are washed drivers are asked by Enumclaw High School cheerleaders to take a test drive. For every test drive Art Gamblin Motors donated $20 per test drive. Art Gamblin Motors was excited to donate $1000 to the Enumclaw High School cheerleaders.

If you missed the car wash this year keep your eye on the Gamblin Motors Facebook page to find out the date of next May’s car wash.