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L.T. J.L. Huffines with his Jeep in Belgium, February 1945. Huffines has been depending on Jeep reliability since 1941.

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LT. J.L. Huffines with his Jeep in Germany, June 1945. Huffines has been depending on Jeep reliability since 1941.

2017 KIA Optima

So much more than a pretty face as the new Kia Optima is just fun to drive.  Great props are given to the Optima's refined chassis, upscale interior and the choice of four power plants for anyone's taste. 

One is waiting for you in your favorite color and style with the friendly folks at Huffines KIA McKinney and get ready for a drive.  When you slide into those comfortable sturdy seats, you will see that this Optima has lots of tech to satisfy you and your needs in communication, entertainment and safety. 

All yours for the asking is an available touch screen infotainment setup with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control and the very important autonomous emergency braking.  Other features that are uncommon at this level, are available quilted leather upholstery, panoramic sun-roof and even a 360-degree parking camera. 

This new Optima is a little taller and longer which is good for head and leg room.  The Kia Optima in its wide and assertive stance is still a car that is fun to drive around town or the long trip to grandmas.  The ride will be quiet and smooth. The Optima is still a great blend of performance, value, style and right in the mix with today's elite mid-sized family sedans.  On that test drive all of this will come into focus. 

What may be pushing you down the road is the peppy 2.4-liter four banger with 185 horses.  You can also try out the aggressive 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 245 lively horses that are also connected to a 6-speed automatic with 195 lb-ft of asphalt grabbing torque.  New for your test drive choices is the Eco model that comes with its own drive train and a 1.6-liter turbo four with over 175 horses and excellent fuel economy.  Want even better MPG, then check out the plug-in hybrid that is rated up to 99 miles per gallon.  Not a misprint!  Just wave to those gas pumps as you cruise by.  

Everything just comes together with a new Kia Optima with a slew of modern features, sharp styling, value, roomy interior and great driving dynamics that make this Optima as fun to drive as it is to be seen in.  So, what are you waiting for?  Can't be the price.  Go ahead and take that short drive to Huffines KIA McKinney or visit them online at http://www.huffineskiamckinney.com and do your own due diligence.  The bet is on that you and yours will leave with a smile, not only because you brought back the “fun factor” in the drive-times, but for the great deal you received.

KIA FORTE

If you want to get an owner of a Kia Forte just a bit upset, then call the Forte a compact car.  It is and but it isn’t!  The Kia Forte's comfy cabin is anything but small as you will discover visiting the friendly folks at Huffines KIA McKinney and opening one of its wide doors for an enjoyable test drive.  

There is lots of space in the front seats to find a relaxed driving position and you don't have to crush the people in the rear seats; they are comfortable as well and that is unheard of in many compacts on the road, where your guests have their knees in their chests.  Not with the Forte from Kia as your taller friends have that needed space for an enjoyable riding experience.

 You will also discover that the Forte has interior materials that are soft to the touch and designs similar to those high ticket autos.  It gets better as just because Kia made the cabin roomier, they didn't short you on needed cargo space.  The trunk area in the sedan matches very well against its competition.  Owners of the hatchback find out that the Forte gives them 23 cubic feet with the rear seat up.  That is probably enough room for your foursome's golf clubs and bags of groceries with your kids on board. 

On top of that, the Forte's cabin is stylish, well-appointed and loaded with high quality and tech superior systems that relate to your entertainment and communication needs.  Like any Kia, the Forte is packed with the popular technologies that are easy to learn and reach; Bluetooth connectivity and satellite radio come standard.  You can easily opt for a touch-screen audio display and Kit's UVO infotainment setup.  This popular UVO connects to your smart phone to stream music, sync navigation instructions and even alert 911 in the event of an accident.  Of course, Apple CarPlay and Android are there for your asking.  Owners of the Forte love the large buttons and the well positioned bright seven inch screen makes it a lot easier to get where you are going. 

Talking about going, what drivers of the Kia Forte appreciate and what you will quickly find out on the test drive is the choice of three different four-cylinder peppy engines.  The base 1.8-liter is standard with the sedan model for the 2016 Forte and has been retired for the new 2017 cars.  The Forte's aggressive siblings stand out for its class with a 2.0-liter that is quick off the line with 164 horses.  If you want some more zip in your trip, then Kia offers a potent 1.6-liter turbo-charged four banger behind its tiger nosed grill in the Forte5.  That lively engine lets out 200 thoroughbreds and 195 lb-ft of asphalt grabbing torque. 

An optional seven-speed dual clutch automatic can be had along with the smooth six-speed automatic.  For those manual lovers, Kia's six-speed is standard in both body styles.  With those gear boxes and engines fuel economy is impressive and ranges from 34 to 38mpg. 

So check out this stylish so called compact at Huffines KIA McKinney or online at http://www.huffineskiamckinney.com

2016 KIA CADENZA

Those trustworthy folks from Consumer Reports recently said, “There's a lot here for the money, including a luxurious and quiet interior, a roomy backseat, responsive handling and a comfortable ride.”  Nope, they were not talking about one of those fancy European luxury sedans; it was about the new Kia Cadenza that you can see up close and personal at Huffines KIA McKinney located at 1201 N. Central Expressway in McKinney, Texas.  One is waiting with your favorite color and a test drive or by calling 469.525.4400

The CR organization also give the Cadenza one of their coveted “Check Marks” for a Recommended Vehicle.  A car has to excel in customer satisfaction, reliability and safety to earn that distinction.  Let's be real, you sit behind the wheel over 90% of your drive time; why not be treated with all the comforts of home.  You will have that happen and it starts with comfortable leather seats that are even ventilated.  The tools for everyday communication and entertainment are also at your fingertips in Cadenza's very modern, versatile and innovative interior that is just bursting with premium features.  When you settle down in the Cadenza's comfy driver's seat, it quickly feels like a trusted good friend.  This fine car just wraps around you in a warm and yet strong way. 

It gets even better when you easily turn on your favorite music with a voice command through the many Infinity speakers.  All the necessary goodies are there such as Bluetooth, rear view camera, voice activated UVO infotainment system with navigation and much more.  Owners love the crisp graphics that are very easy systems to use.  No teenager help here!  All the dash controls are smartly arranged and are within reach.  The list of available features are also long which includes a panoramic sunroof that brings you fresh air and a slew of safety systems. 

Under the Cadenza's sleek hood lives for your enjoyment a strong 293 horse-powered 3.3-liter V6 that is mated with a silky smooth six-speed automatic. With this combo you can easily keep ahead of traffic in a quiet and confident way. This Kia easily seats five adults with abundant head and leg room and has nearly 16 cubic feet in the trunk that's suitable for your foursome's golf clubs or someone's flea market finds.  All in all this Kia Cadenza for 2016 just delivers more and costs much less than you would expect to pay for a roomy, luxurious, comfortable, attractive and performing road cruiser.  Don't you think it is time to put the “fun factor” back in your drive time?  

Maintenance Myths--UNMASKED!

All right, all right. There are a lot of ideas about car care out there, but which ones do you follow? We’re here to bust through some maintenance myths and possibly save you a buck or two on your next service appointment.

MYTH: Oil has to be changed every 3,000 miles. It doesn’t hurt. But it is probably a waste of money. Familiarize yourself with your owner’s manual – seriously. Your maintenance schedule is probably not as strict as you think, and you might even be able to go twice this “recommended distance” without getting an oil change.

MYTH: Treating your car with premium gas after running regular for a while is beneficial. Just stick with your recommended octane level and you’ll be all right – the system will stay clean regardless. Some premium grade gas might have extra detergents in it, but a lot of the time that’s just a marketing gimmick. It’s up to you if you want to experiment to see what helps your car have the best performance.

MYTH: Wipe down your dash and tires with protectant compounds to keep them shiny. A lot of these “protecting” wipes on the market actually strip tires of their original protectants, and it’s possible that they actually cause drying and cracking on the dashboard. Stick with warm soap and water instead.

How to keep your dog happy on road trips!

1.) You should bring your own water from home.  Dogs have sensitive stomachs and water from unfamiliar places can easily cause an upset tummy for your pup.

2.) Plan ahead for any medication your pooch might need while you’re traveling.  If you are able to pack extras, do so.

3.) It’s always smart to bring a blanket that smells like home– people aren’t the only ones who get homesick!

4.) Get your dog used to being on the road by taking him on a few short drives in the days approaching the big trip.

5.) Make sure he’s micro-chipped.  Hit the road with the peace of mind that if the worst does happen, you won’t be caught unprepared.

You already know this, but we must remind you: NEVER leave your dog in your car unattended.  It gets hot in there!