3 Common Online Car Sale Scams
Cars are expensive and buying a vehicle online can be tricky. Unfortunately, online scams are becoming more common, and sellers are becoming craftier at conning buyers. According to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker, there were more than 900 auto-related scams reported in the United States and Canada in 2016. Car sale scams can cost you thousands of dollars, so you should be wary when doing business online. Here are three common online car sale scams to look out for.
Escrow Scam
In this scam, sellers use an unknown escrow service to finish the transaction. The seller sends the buyer a link to wire money to an escrow agent. In return, the escrow agent holds the money until the buyer receives the vehicle. The website may seem secure, but it doesn’t belong to a professional affiliation. It belongs to a third party that the seller set up. Once the buyer pays the money, the seller stops communicating with the buyer and never delivers the vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
If you’ve been itching to visit the rock hills of West Texas’ famous Hueco Tanks, you’re not alone. In years past, Hueco Tanks has drawn visitors to its water pools within the rock basins, or “huecos” (pronounced whey-coe). Today, Hueco Tanks State Historic Site draws thousands of visitors each year, primarily between November and March and on weekends and holidays. Follow these tips when you plan a day trip to Hueco Tanks State Historic Site.
Plan Ahead
We can’t emphasize this enough: You must plan ahead when visiting Hueco Tanks. Only 70 people are permitted in the self-guided area at once to preserve the land’s fragile environment. You may reserve your visit up to 90 days prior, and you’re required to call ahead if you’re coming with a group. If you don’t plan ahead, you may spend much of your Hueco Tanks visit in the car waiting for visitors to leave so you can enter. Read the rest of this entry »
Meet the 2018 Acura TLX Sedan
Introduced as an all-new model in 2015, the Acura TLX sedan replaced the TL and TSX. Since its debut, the TLX has become one of the automaker’s top-selling models. This midsize luxury sedan has undergone a stylish update to its 2018 model. Here’s a look at what you should expect from the 2018 Acura TLX sedan.
A New Trim
Acura introduced a new trim for the 2018 TLX: the A-Spec. This trim focuses on performance, offering larger wheels, a retuned steering wheel, and bolstered seats. It also comes with a 290-horsepower V-6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and you can choose between the front- or all-wheel drive option. It includes a blacked-out grille and lower fascia, a black rear spoiler, and round LED fog lights as well. Acura still offers other trims, including the TLX and TLX V6. Read the rest of this entry »
Where to Smell the Spring Flowers in El Paso
Spring’s arrival ushers in a time of beauty, with brightly colored flowers adorning the landscape everywhere you look. Not only do these seasonal plants offer a visionary delight, but they also tickle your nose with a heavenly fragrance. Enjoy all aspects of floral beauty with our list of where to smell the spring flowers in El Paso.
Chihuahuan Desert Gardens
Located on the grounds of El Paso’s Centennial Museum, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens features more than 800 species of plants. The gardens kick off spring each April with FloraFEST, which is a time when you’re welcome to purchase native plants and take a bit of the gardens to your home. Chihuahuan Desert Gardens doubles as an educational facility where you can learn about methods to conserve water and responsibly landscape your own property.
El Paso Desert Botanical Garden
A visit to the popular Keystone Heritage Park wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through the El Paso Desert Botanical Garden. This garden shows El Paso residents and visitors that despite the hot, dry climate, the Chihuahuan Desert is home to a remarkable array of vegetation. A fountain, Koi pond, kids’ maze, viewing area, and amphitheater enrich your time seeing these gardens. Read the rest of this entry »
Where to Grab the Best Cup of Coffee in El Paso
If you are looking for coffee in El Paso, there are lots of places to try. Here are four shops that serve delicious coffee and a unique experience when you go looking for some caffeine. Read the rest of this entry »
What You Need to Know About the 2018 Acura ILX
The 2018 Acura ILX is here and it is as impressive and powerful as expected. These are some of the most exciting features of the most recent edition of the ILX. Read the rest of this entry »
5 Romantic Date Nights in El Paso
El Paso, Texas, has plenty of food and entertainment attractions, making it the perfect destination for date night. Any of these activities are perfect for your next romantic date night in El Paso. Read the rest of this entry »
5 Exciting Features of the 2018 Acura MDX Sport
The 2018 Acura MDX is finally here. This powerfully enhanced SUV is holding up to its outstanding reputation. These are some of the most exciting features you can expect from the 2018 Acura MDX. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Best Destinations for Wine Lovers in El Paso
When you think of wine destinations, your mind probably jumps to Napa and regions of France. But you may not realize that there are quite a few places to sample and enjoy wine right here in El Paso, Texas. Throughout the area, you’ll find a number of wineries making delicious wines infused with local flavors.
La Viña Winery
At La Viña Winery, the 40-year history is apparent when you sample your first glass of wine. It’s the oldest winery in the state, boasting award-winning wines bottled locally on the premises. Tours and tastings are available from noon to 5 p.m. every day but Wednesday. You can reserve your spot on a tour by calling ahead. The cost is $5 per person and includes samplings of several top wines.
The winery also hosts annual events throughout the year, including the spring and harvest festivals. You can take a few bottles home, including top options like Semillon (a dry white wine), black muscat (a sweet red wine), or rosé (a semi-dry variety).
Zin Valle Vineyards
Another fun place to check out in the El Paso area is Zin Valle Vineyards, located just outside the city in Canutillo. In the 1800s, El Paso was one of the premier wine locations in the country. Local history buff and wine connoisseur Victor Poulos was inspired by the decreasing quality of wine in the area in 2000, so he bought 10 acres of land to start growing local grapes.
The location also offers a wine club, which is free to join and comes with a number of benefits that appeal to wine lovers. Members get a 15 percent discount on wines, a free set of stemware with the winery’s logo on the first anniversary of membership, and other free wine-themed goodies throughout the year. When members visit the winery, they also receive a free glass of wine for themselves and one guest.
Sombra Antigua Winery
When you visit Sombra Antigua Winery, you’ll immediately notice the comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The winery advertises its location as a place to enjoy wine, music, and fun. Built near an ancient trail and nestled in the vines of the oldest commercial vineyard in the state, this winery offers a variety of appealing wines in a beautiful setting. Tastings are available for $5, which includes small samplings of five different wines.
Some of the favorite wine options include Riesling, with its crisp apple notes, desert rain, which draws inspiration from the fresh smell of the first rainfall, and Theresa’s Blend, which combines a semi-dark cherry flavor with softer tannins for a lighter flavor. Beer lovers also enjoy visiting Sombra Antigua, as they make their own craft beers as well. Try the Monks’ ale, wit ale, dark ale, dubbel ale, or tripel ale, which are the house specialties. Draft local beers are also available for sampling.
Enjoy a wine tour with your girlfriends or special someone in the El Paso area. You won’t be disappointed with the flavors and inviting atmospheres at these local wineries.
Image via Flickr by timcorradino licensed via CC BY 2.0
Luxurious Touches in the 2018 Acura RDX
The 2018 Acura RDX has luxury features consumers will love, without the staggering price tag. This mid-range crossover is smaller and less expensive than the MDX, but retains the same unique style, advanced safety features, and technology. It gets 30 MPG on the highway.
Comfort
The RDX seats five comfortably, offering ample leg room in the back and no annoying hump in the middle of the floor. There is a set of rear, adjustable heating and cooling vents. Two of the back seats fold down for a maximum of 76.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and the armrest folds down into two built-in cup holders. Users can warm up their RDX’s and defrost the windshield before getting in them with the remote engine start when they upgrade to the Advance Package. The Jewel Eye LED headlights are standard on all RDX models, providing a brighter, longer-lasting, more energy efficient beam that does not blind oncoming drivers.
Safety
Advanced driver-assistance safety technologies are available in the 2018 Acura RDX such as daytime running lights, vehicle stability assist with traction control and motion-adaptive steering. A multi-view rear camera can be upgraded to include a blind spot information system and rear cross traffic monitor. The Collision Mitigation Braking System uses cameras in the front of the vehicle to detect oncoming vehicles and automatically brake.
Technology Package
The Lane Keeping Assist System helps you stay in the center of the lane by watching the lines and gently nudging the car away from the edges. The Adaptive Cruise Control allows you to set a following distance and sit back as the car slows and speeds up with traffic. These features are available from the start with the Technology Package.
Speakers and Screen
The Acura RDX’s baseline trim comes with advanced technologies such as a five- or eight-inch LED display screen that will show you multiple rates as well as narrate them to you. The package also includes a premium seven-speaker audio system, as well as SiriusXM and Bluetooth streaming audio.
Keyless Access
Are your keys ever out of your reach? The 2018 RDX comes with a keyless access system that allows the user to unlock the car with a combination of a remote and touch of the handle. At this touch, the seats and mirror will adjust to your preferred positions. Included are Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and SMS text message function. Upgrades include Siri Eyes Free, voice-recognition controls, and an On-Demand Multi-use display. These features are compatible with Android and Apple phones and have been rearranged on the dashboard in a sleeker and simpler display for a more modern aesthetic.
Tailgate
With a press of a button on the key fob, dashboard, or trunk door, the trunk will lift or close. It will sense obstructions and stop before hitting anything. A camera in the back will sense if you are backing up into an object and beep to warn you.
Image from Acura.com licensed via CC BY 2.0
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