Ricart Automotive Group

If you still want an SUV but don’t want to spend a lot of money and time at the gas pump, look at the 2008 KIA Sportage LX. Edmunds.com named the Sportage one of this country’s Top 10 most fuel efficient SUVs and Pickups. With a city mpg of 19 and a highway rating of 25 mpg, the Sportage, along with a sticker price under $20,000 for most models, the Sportage will go easy on your wallet in more ways than one.

The roomy Sportage LX has a maximum cargo volume of 66.6 cubic feet and a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle also offers a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs.

Safety is a high priority at KIA, so the Sportage LX comes equipped with dual front advanced airbags, front-seat mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, side impact door beams, front and rear crumple zones, Electronic Stability Control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, a traction control system, heated side-view mirrors, an energy-absorbing steering column and 3-point restraints in all seating positions. The Sportage LX also earned a five-star crash safety rating, the highest awarded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Besides being safe and fuel efficient, the Sportage is also fun to drive! With an AM/FM/CD stereo radio with six speakers, standard power windows and locks, standard cruise control, rear under-floor cargo storage, cloth seats, an 8-way adjustable driver seat, adjustable head rests and remote keyless entry with a panic alarm, the KIA Sportage offers great value for the money. While most SUVs offer split fold down rear seats for extra cargo space, the Sportage also provides a flat folding front passenger seat, so you can have even more cargo space than larger SUVs.

Ricart KIA has several Sportage models on the lot, in a variety of colors, with different trim and option packages. Don’t wait! Come into Ricart KIA today and see if the Sportage LX doesn’t change your mind about driving an SUV!

Fred Ricart wants to make sure you get the best fuel economy, no matter what you’re driving. One common assumption is that since using a vehicle’s air conditioner lowers its overall fuel economy, driving with the windows down and the A/C off will save fuel. In practice, there’s no measurable difference between driving with the A/C on and the windows closed, and driving with the A/C off and the windows open. When you open the windows, especially at higher speeds, you introduce drag, which slows the car down, makes the engine work harder and lowers your gas mileage. No matter what you do with your A/C and windows in the summer, your mileage is likely to suffer. One note: when driving in the summer with the sunroof open, you will decrease your fuel efficiency because you’re changing the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

One question that drivers ask a lot: do I get better gas mileage from using a better grade of gasoline? The short answer here is no. If your manufacturer recommends 87-octane gasoline (that’s regular unleaded), use regular unleaded. You won’t get much (other than a higher bill at the pump) from using higher-octane gasoline. Some automobiles require mid-grade or premium gasoline. In the case of those vehicles, use whatever your manufacturer recommends.

The same is true for engine oil. Unless you operate your vehicle in some specialized driving conditions, use what the manufacturer recommends! Engine technology has changed a lot in the past decade. Newer engines can safely use 5W30 or even 5W20 weight oil under most driving and environmental conditions. Additionally, many new engines require oil changes after 5,000 miles instead of the rule-of-thumb 3,000 miles. Oil change shops will tell you that you need to change your oil every 3,000 miles. If the manufacturer advises otherwise, changing your oil early is just wasting money.

If you have questions about the care and maintenance of your vehicle, schedule an appointment for service at the Ricart Service Center. Our technicians will be happy to answer your questions about maintaining your vehicle. We can also help you keep track of scheduled maintenance for your car.

If you need more room than a regular sedan can offer, consider this 2007 Subaru Legacy Wagon. This vehicle features a 60/40 split fold-down rear bench seat with headrests on all seating positions; a rear lift-gate with a remote unlock feature; dual-stage front airbags; generous cargo space; automatic-off 4-beam halogen headlights and more! The vehicle also offers 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, so it’s comfortable in any setting! The Legacy Wagon also features Subaru’s all-wheel drive, so it handles well in any weather.

The 2007 Subaru Legacy Wagon is just one of hundreds of models you’ll find at the Ricart Used Car Factory. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it on our lot! If you need a car that’s great on mileage, one that offers enough room for your busy family, cargo space, a towing or hauling vehicle, a quick replacement car, something to send Junior off to college in, or something just to get you from Point A to Point B and back, we have it.

You can test drive as many vehicles as you like. Search our inventory online, and when you find one you like save it to create your personalized list of vehicles you want to inspect. Each of our cars comes with a complimentary CarFax report, and you’re always covered by our 6-month, 6,000-mile guarantee. If you’re not 100-percent satisfied with your vehicle, simply bring it back! Come in today for the best selection and prices on the best used cars in Columbus! Visit the Ricart Used Car Factory today!

Fred Ricart says that one key element to getting good gas mileage is to reduce the vehicle weight as much as possible. Don’t store materials in your car if it’s not necessary to do so. Extra weight can reduce a car’s mileage significantly. Carry only what you need when you need it. In the winter, remove accumulated snow and ice around your vehicle’s wheel wells. Those snowballs can add up to 100 pounds of weight to your vehicle, and can reduce your gas mileage by 1%-2%!

Keep your tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires not only wear unevenly and pose a genuine safety hazard, they also drain the gas right out of your tank. Put a tire gauge in your glove box and measure the air pressure in your tires at least once per month. Know your tire’s pressure ratings and stick with them.

More than one-quarter of all passenger cars on the road have at least one dangerously under-inflated tire and three percent of all passenger cars have four duds on the pavement! If you have to add air consistently to one or more tires, consider having it re-mounted or replaced, especially if the tire is worn. The Ricart Automotive Group offers regular maintenance assistance, including help with your tires.

Don’t spend a lot of time idling, especially if you drive a larger car. Car engines are built to tolerate cold starts, so you don’t really need to warm up your engine and fluids. Idling in the driveway or garage just wastes gasoline. If you want to “warm up” your car’s interior, the best way to do that is to turn the heater and fan on until the cabin comes to proper temperature. Initially, the system will circulate cold air, but the passenger compartment will warm up 25% faster if you turn the heater and fan on right away, rather than waiting until the system circulates noticeably warm air.

Ricart has plenty of new and used cars that are great on mileage. If you’re looking to trade in, trade up or trade down, come into the Ricart Automotive Group today!

If you want the room and comfort of an SUV with the agility and handling of a car, try the 2008 Ford Edge. The Edge features five-passenger seating, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, 32.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the second seat in use, and 69 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The Edge, with its 3.5L Duratec V6 engine, automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive, also offers a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs – more than enough to tow the boat, camper or trailer out of town for the weekend!

Inside, you’ll find Ford’s SYNC technology that offers hands-free interaction with all of your favorite electronics, a SIRIUS satellite radio, DVD navigation system, a panoramic roof and more. Come in to Ricart Ford and test drive the Ford Edge today! We have several models to choose from, but all are fun to drive and a great value for the money. In addition, right now you can get up to $4,000 back on a 2008 Ford Edge depending upon your current vehicle. You may also get 0.9 financing for 36 months on the Edge. The $3,000/$4,000 cash back offer ends September 2. The 0.9 financing option is available until 9/30/08 with approved credit. Come on into Ricart Ford today and get all of the details!

Fred Ricart has been around new and used cars his entire life, and he knows that right now, more than ever, families are looking for ways to conserve fuel. One of the easiest ways to save gas is to slow down!

Most people want to make good time on their highway travels, but for every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph, you’re wasting gas and putting a big dent in your fuel economy. In fact, you’re effectively tacking on an extra $0.30 per gallon when you drive above 60 mph. To regulate your speed on the highway, use your cruise control as much as possible. Set it for 60 mph and leave it there! By traveling at a lower rate of speed, you can improve your fuel economy by as much as 23%.

When you’re driving in the city, avoid fast accelerations from a stoplight, and time your driving whenever possible to avoid stopping. Stop-and-go driving is just as hard on your fuel economy as driving fast is.

Another tip: when you’re not moving on the highway – in construction zones or if you’re stuck behind an accident – turn off your engine. Hybrid cars are outfitted with start-stop technology – which switches off the engine when it’s idling (even at red lights!) – and automakers are considering adding the technology to conventional vehicles as well. This approach can save another 7%-8% in fuel economy, but it isn’t recommended for current vehicles because it promotes excessive wear on the starter. Cars equipped with this technology have heavy-duty starters that can tolerate 20-30 starts per day.

Come into one of the dealerships in the Ricart Automotive Group and learn more about fuel saving technologies that are making their way to today’s new vehicles! If you’re thinking about trading in your old car for something that’s better on fuel economy, Fred Ricart is the man to talk to! Come on in because we’re dealin!

Don’t miss out on this 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix sedan. It’s loaded with the features you expect at the price you want! Rated for 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway and equipped with a 3.8L V6 200-hp engine, this car is built for driving!

The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix is long on features, including a 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, 3-point restraints for all passengers, daytime running lamps, a six-way power driver seat, 60/40 split fold-down rear seats, tilt-wheel steering, a tire pressure monitor system, an integrated radio antenna in the rear window, GM’s award-winning OnStar assistance system, stainless steel exhaust, tinted glass and a 3-position detent on doors to allow for easier entry and exit. It’s also still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, and Ricart has affordable extended service plans that will help keep your car running smoothly.

This is just one of the great deals you’ll find at the Ricart Used Car Factory! Come in and test drive this 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix, or one of hundreds of other great cars on our lots. Don’t wait because someone is going to get a great deal on this car! Shouldn’t it be you?

Need the room of an SUV without having to stop at the pump twice each week? Then look at the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander ES, a great SUV that’s got it all: all of the features you want, good fuel economy and a great price tag to go along for the ride!

The 2.4L 4-cylinder 168-hp is up to whatever task you have in mind! You can get an optional 6-cylinder 3.0L engine, too. You’ll enjoy the luxury ride and feel of the Outlander because it’s all about comfort! With rear heat floor ducts, reclining first and second row seats, front and rear seat cupholders, dual illuminated locking glove boxes, an extra power outlet in the front, under-floor storage, 60/40split fold-down/tumble rear seats for extra space when you need it, a built-in CD/MP3 player and a sound system that’s ready for a SIRIUS satellite radio, you can’t go wrong. The Outlander hasn’t forgotten about safety, either. Dual-stage front airbags, side-impact curtain airbags for first and second row passengers, front seat chest airbags, anti-lock brakes, active stability control, daytime running lights and three-point restraints and active headrests for all occupants will keep you safe inside!

The 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander is available now at Ricart Mitsubishi. With a fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, you’ll spend more time on the road and less time (and money!) at the gas station! Come into Ricart Mitsubishi and test drive an Outlander today!

Get ready for fun with the 2008 Kia Spectra sedan. With packages starting at just $13,850, you’ll get more car for your money with the Spectra than any other vehicle in its class.

The Spectra is powered by a 2.0L, 138-hp engine, and offers 97.0 cu-ft of passenger space inside, front-wheel drive, power assisted steering, 4-wheel antilock brakes, and more. The Kia Spectra is at the head of its class with 32-mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city, with its 4-speed automatic transmission. The Spectra also offers a six-airbag passenger safety system, active headrests, controlled braking, a tire pressure monitoring system, and seatbelt pre-tensioners . Not surprisingly, the Spectra earned a 5-star frontal crash rating.

Ricart Kia has several Spectra on the lot, just waiting for you. Come see why the Car Book calls the Kia Spectra a “best buy” and Cars.com says it delivers “the best bang for the buck.” It also comes with Kia’s 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Test drive the 2008 Kia Spectra at Ricart today. Depending upon what you drive right now, you may also be eligible for a $500 Competitive Bonus on the purchase of a new Spectra!

Fred Ricart knows a lot about cars. He’s been around them his whole life. The Ricart Automotive Group is a family-owned business, and although it has expanded from the original Ford dealership, Fred knows what’s most important to families! In today’s economy, saving fuel is a high priority. No matter what you’re driving, the cost of gasoline hurts, so improving your fuel economy by even 5%-10% can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

You can’t control the price you pay at the pump, but you can control how much gasoline you buy. If you’re truly interested in improving your fuel economy, start by observing your driving habits. Aggressive acceleration and rapid braking will diminish your fuel economy substantially. Steady accelerations and controlled braking will help conserve energy, both in the city and on the highway.

Give your car a tune up, or bring it into the service professionals at Ricart Automotive Group. We can perform regularly scheduled maintenance and tune-ups for your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s schedule. Regular oil changes following the schedule and using the oil recommended by your manufacturer mean that your engine will work more efficiently. Check the oil levels in your vehicle regularly and add oil when necessary. Combine fresh oil with clean filters and you can perk up your fuel economy in no time. Especially on older cars, check the spark plugs to make sure they’re properly gapped and in good condition. A marginal plug can cause poor starts, a rough ride and bad fuel efficiency. Visit the Ricart Web site for more tips on keeping your car running smoothly!