Combining Military Strength Aluminum Alloy and High Strength Steel is the winning formula behind Ford’s New Ford F-150. The bold new approach to truck production promises to be stronger than previous F-150 models resulting in a truck that produces efficiency without compromise. So where’s all the aluminum located in the truck you might ask? According to ford, the body panels and cab walls, one unstressed cross-member in the frame and various internal parts. The rest of the frame is steel, mostly high-strength steel.   Ford is currently offering 3 engine variations:   New 3.5L V6 Ti-VCT FFV Delivers 283 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque for a max payload of 1,910 lbs. and max towing capacity of 7,600.  The “Ti-VCT” is short for Twin independent variable camshaft timing. This feature automatically adjusts intake [...]

Runde Chevrolet got a blast from the past when Bob Kinsella pulled into the lot in his 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS with a 396. The vehicle, with its frost green exterior and dark green vinyl top and interior, was purchased from Paul Runde at Runde Chevrolet back in 1968. The cost for the special order at the time was just $4,165.90. Its original receipt itemizes features the vehicle included, like a clock for $15, the vinyl top for $89, the rear window defroster for $22 and bucket seats for $121. The 375 horsepower 396 engine, which still [...]

Domination – noun meaning “supremacy or preeminence over another”. Sounds about right when it comes to the best car and truck on the market. When you have a manufacturer that is voted to not only have the best car, but also the best truck awards, with a market flooded with different vehicles, you know they are doing something (everything) right. The champs of the Detroit Auto Show annual announcement of the Car & Truck of the Year awards are none other than the 2014 Chevy Silverado and the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. The Corvette last reached this achievement in 1998 and is now in it’s 7th generation, the Silverado was last picked as Truck of the Year in 2007. “Chevrolet is in the [...]

By Aaron Young 11-15-13:   Well it’s here, the all new Jeep Cherokee. Honestly when I saw the first photo of one I threw up a little in my mouth. I cringed at reading it will have IFS all the way around, a 4 cylinder comes standard and a host of technological goodies. I seriously wanted to go drive to Jeep headquarters and kick some butt for this. You see I’m biased, VERY biased because the New Jeep Cherokee used to be this boxy, simple, full solid axle, BASIC rig. Not only that but I built a business manufacturing off-road products for the Cherokee for over 15 years. Biased? Oh you betcha! NOW THIS IS A CHEROKEE! Ok so fast forward to the present, when the first ones came in and I had a [...]

All-New for the 2015 lineup is the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban and Yukon and they have all gotten a different look and some tweaking done under the hood.  These three exciting vehicles were announced last week by GM.  First, meet your champions of the road for 2015: As you can see, the Tahoe and Suburban as well as the Yukon are fairly different in appearance than their previous generational counterparts. They all feature more of a boxy look and have reconstructed their faces entirely from their smile to their eyes. Leave it to personal preference to determine which brand you like better, but all of these vehicles promise to come packed with several upgraded and new features, including: Fold-flat second and third-row seats that enhance cargo convenience – including an available [...]

It’s with a bitter-sweet attitude that I share that Jay Leno has recently driven the Camaro Z28.  Oh, what it would be like to be Jay Leno. No more worrying about vehicles breaking down or not having a ride if something happens to our daily driver as he has plenty of VERY nice “daily drivers”.  He is the very first (excuse my gritting teeth) person to drive the Camaro Z28 outside of the GM wonderland. It’s a pretty special occasion as 2002 was the last year of the Z/28 until now. He speaks with Al Oppenheiser, the chief Engineer of the Camaro who explains how they made this perfect track and street car. They reduced mass by 100lbs over the Camaro SS v8, upped the power by putting in [...]

Today’s results from the JD Power and Associates 2013 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) show just how much GM has improved in long-term reliability and durability. The Vehicle Dependability Study focuses on problems customers experienced in the past 12 months with three-year old vehicles. This year’s study was based on feedback from 37,000 owners of 2010 model year vehicles.  J.D. Power measures overall dependability by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles. The lower the PPH score, the higher the dependability. Highlights of the 2013 VDS include: Four segment award winners: Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra HD and Buick Lucerne Seven additional GM vehicles scored in the top three in their segments GM had the lowest rate of component replacement (e.g., batteries, switches, etc.) From an owner loyalty perspective, J.D. Power found that 54 percent of customers who experienced no vehicle problems stayed loyal to the brand. This number drops to 41 [...]

The 2013 Traverse has landed at Runde’s! If you haven’t read up on what’s different, here’s the scoop: The Traverse is offered in three different trims: LS, LT and LTZ. All trims have the option to be front-, or all-wheel drive. On the exterior, the Traverse has substantially changed from 2012. It features a new center grille, hood, bumper, fog lights, fenders, tail lamps and bumper. Another thing to note is that ALL Traverse trims now come standard with a backup camera. Inside is a new center console design along with a new 6.5-inch touch-screen features Chevy’s new MyLink multimedia system. All trims come with a new front-center airbag.  The LT and LTZ trims have wood accents which previous model year Traverse’s didn’t offer. Under the hood you’ll find a 288-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 [...]

Needless to say that this new design for the new Ford Fusion has been very well received at the Chicago Auto Show this week and people’s comments have been very favorable toward it.  The video below was shot by Runde Auto Group  — The noise in the background of the vid was coming from the new Shelby Mustang presentation across the room and we’ll post the video of that soon.  People were definitely all a-buzz about the Shelby, but this new Fusion is definitely gorgeous. The new Ford Fusion design is only about 1 inch longer and 1/2 inch wider than the previous Fusion, but it looks a lot longer than its predecessor mainly due to an extended wheelbase that’s almost 5 inches longer than the 2012 version.  A new inline 4-cylinder 1.6 Liter EcoBoost engine will be available on the all-new Fusion.  And this optional turbo engine will produce 179 horsepower and 172 lb-ft [...]

Where are you from and how long have you been there? I’m from Quasqueton, IA and I’ve been there for 10 years.   Are you married? Yes, my husband is Chad and we have a son, Connor and our dog, Bailey. What kind of hobbies do you like to do? I enjoy running, biking, reading, playing pool and spending time with family and friends. What vehicle did you end up going with? A new Ford F-150. Where was the first place you took your new truck? I drove it to work! Do you think your truck is a male or female? My husband says that you can’t put a gender on cars, it’s wrong! I would say male though, since it’s a truck! Will you give the truck a name? Haven’t yet, and probably won’t. What’s the best thing about your new ride? It gets much better [...]

If you’ve ever wondered how many miles per gallon the Chevy Cruze Eco gets, well then you’re in the right place as we’re attempting to try to answer that question today.  Over the past few years, the EPA has made changes to the way they test the fuel efficiency of vehicles.  They’ve tried to make their testing more accurate by putting the cars and trucks on “real world” road ways instead of the traditional track testing that they used to do.  Here at Runde’s, our sales associates field questions daily from customers who want to know what type of mileage all types of vehicles get … not just the Cruze Eco.   To be completely honest, it always comes down to what type of driving the customer does, where they live, and [...]

The new Chevy Camaro is sweet. From looks to performance it’s apparent that Chevy put a lot of careful thought and consideration into the Camaro to make it as Bad*** as it is today. How do you make something sweet even sweeter? Pour more sugar on it, baby. Chevy is grabbing the sugar bags and pouring on the already awesome Camaro to make the new 2012 ZL1 Camaro even sweeter that you could ever imagine.  I know everyone at Runde Chevrolet is excited for this new muscle car to roar onto dealer lots. Making it’s debut appearance at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, the ZL1 flexed it’s muscles for all to stare at. And while the numbers aren’t set in stone as of yet, it is expected that the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine in the Camaro will get 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque… nice! “official estimates of the car’s capabilities will be released [...]

The king of late-night, Jay Leno, is adding yet another vehicle to his QUITE expansive car collection. You guessed it … it’s the Chevrolet Volt. Jay  is so impressed by the Volt that he is putting aside his 55 Buick Roadmaster to make the Volt his daily driver. Jay Comments on how he thinks the Volt is part of the future and that the Toyota Prius, while having had a head start (in the fuel economy race) is old technology. Another thing he mentions, which I believe is the biggest benefit of the Volt over the competition is that it uses gasoline when the electric juice runs out. So you picked up a Nissan Leaf, an all-electric car which the EPA just announced will last [...]

Here’s a walkaround video of the Chevy Volt that demonstrates how the car operates. It also shows some good up-close views of the car. Folks here in the viscinity of Runde Chevy are eagerly anticipating the arrival of this electric Chevy car.  But how does the Chevy Volt stack up against the all-electric Nissan Leaf or a traditional hybrid like the Toyota Prius? I think the following video does a good job of explaining that the Volt is a unique car right now and there is nothing out there that is exactly like it. Of course, each and every car buyer will choose the vehicle that best meets their needs (or wants). The Chevy Volt may not be the ideal car for everyone, but it is a very nice option — an option that buyers never had before now. As to which car is better or the best, I think it all depends [...]

If you haven’t been in the know, then you’d be excited to know that Motor Trend has placed its highest honor to none other than the Chevy Volt Sedan. Winning the Motor Trend Car of the Year (COTY) is no easy task. With 21 vehicles to compete with and a week of intensive testing on various roads and conditions the Volt proved, time and again, that it was the leader of the group. The following video shows the testing they put these vehicles through and what they look for in their pick for Car of the Year .     With most COTY winners Motor [...]

Misty Rosebrock and her fiance, Serafin Gonzalez came all the way from Ohio to pick up the Dodge Magnum they would later drive home in and they almost took a detour to Luigi’s Pizza in Dubuque to satisfy their hunger pangs. This young couple was happy to be at Runde PreDriven after such a long trip and was even more pleased about the service they received and the vehicle they picked out. They were nice enough to share their experience at Runde’s and a bit about their lives to me before they took the long road home in their new vehicle. Serafin, that’s a unique name, what’s it from? It’s a Spanish name. I was named after the Angel Seraphim.   [...]

Jim and Denise Kruser, from Dubuque, IA came in the other day to purchase a new vehicle. Denise had purchased from Runde’s in the past and had such a great experience that she decided to come back. Jim and Denise were kind enough to sit down with me for a few minutes and tell me a little about themselves and about their experience at Runde’s. What led you to Runde’s today? Denise: I’ve bought from here before and we were looking for a reliable winter vehicle so we decided to buy it from here again. We wound up with the ’05 Jeep Liberty. What made you come to Runde’s in the first place Denise? Denise: I was told that it was a good place to come so [...]

This is a brief interview with Karen Schilling who is the secretary at the Dubuque County Trailblazers horse and pony camp.  There will always be situations where you absolutely need a pickup truck. The sports fan in you is screaming “get the turbo coupe!”, the calm in you is telling you to “get the luxury vehicle!” Then there’s the practical side of you telling you to “get the truck, you’ll need it.” And if you are a farmer, construction worker or have a horse and kids that want to go to horse camp, you are absolutely correct in thinking you’ll need that pickup truck. No one knows that more than the parents of the kids attending the Tri-State’s annual horse camp.          Karen Schilling, secretary of the Dubuque County [...]

The Volt is just about here and Earth is anxiously waiting for its eco-friendly arrival. Why not help out the environment while experiencing one of the most high-tech rides of all-time.  And at the same time, you can save some green in gas $$$ for driving green? It all seems like a win-win to me. You know what else, though? The fact that if you buy the Volt you could be going home to a professionally installed 240-volt charge station. The Volt runs in one of three ways. 1. All electric – up to 40 miles on a single charge. 2. Extended range capability (gas/electric mixed) – designed to drive up to 350 miles without stopping to recharge or refuel. 3. Gasoline – will last another 300 miles. Needless to say, the [...]

Laura Rannals from Area Residential Care dropped in the other day to drop off the Runde’s Community Support Truck. Area Residential Care is a non-profit agency that serves people with mental or other developmental disabilities. They have grown to serve about 300 differently-abled adults and about 300 staff members in Dubuque (the headquarters), Dyersville, and Manchester. They will soon be moving into the old Econofoods building off of JFK Rd. in DBQ. The Community Support Truck was used to help move items and goods to and from A.Y. McDonald Park in Dubuque where they held the 2010 Corporate & Community Games. Laura explains that the Corporate Community game event is the annual fundraiser for A.R.C. The event takes place on the second Wednesday of every [...]

If the toppings are free, the more the merrier, right?  Maybe the same can be said of the Ford SYNC feature.  I’d like to think so, especially with Ford’s already impressive “topping” list of features such as Turn by Turn Directions, Traffic Alerts, Hands Free Calling, Voice Activated Music, and 911 Assist, just to name a few. However now there’s even more to look FORwarD to as the SYNC will be capable of pulling up Movie Listings, Stock Quotes, Airline and Rentals and even your Horoscope! In a tech world, Ford keeps our appetites in check with all of these great features that keep getting packed on top of their already great SYNC technology.  Check out the video below for more information and demonstrations of the new features.   [...]

I’m going to go out on a limb and say the Buick LaCrosse is an extremely attractive vehicle.  Some cars you see and think “that looks nice” to be unpleasantly surprised by how dreadfully dull the interior is or how you think you got a better drive in the ’88 Olds Regency Elite you had when you were 16. Sometimes a car doesn’t seem worth its sticker price. But, on occasion, a car comes out and after you take it for a spin you think (regardless of any research) “I “HAVE TO HAVE” this”. This is that car folks, the 2010 LaCrosse. I was there, watching its birth though my monitor; though it’s unveiling, production, and various demonstration videos. Speculating its performance and awesomeness from afar.  And finally it was time to [...]

Who doesn’t like the new 2010 Camaro?  It’s got everything you need in a car: power, class and, without mention, STYLE. They took this baby to a whole new level in 2010 and the critics definitely took notice. Announced at the New York Auto Show, the Camaro earned its honors as the 2010 World Car Design of the Year over fellow finalists Citroen C3 Picasso and the Kia Soul. “In recreating this modern sports car, we have proven that people are just as passionate about Chevy as ever,” shared Michael Simcoe, Chevrolet design director. “We have been delighted about the strong reaction to the 2010 Camaro — even in markets that are [...]

Why not make your neighbors and friends go head over heels when they see you in the all-new 2011 Buick Regal!  This car is a sure winner with its avant-garde styling and unique interior design. Check out the footage below we got from the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.  Will you be ready for a new ride when the 2011 rolls out???   Granted, this may not be the greenest car on the block, but we’re guessing that it will turn all of your neighbors green — with envy — when you come home with a 2011 Regal as your brand new coach.    

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and go on record saying the 2010 Chicago Auto Show is the auto lovers’ candy store.  The autos are eye candy for kids of all ages. “Bake me up a fresh batch of those Chevy’s, Candyman!!!”  Walking in the entrance to the show floor, it becomes overwhelming to think which direction to go first. Shortly after glancing over the offerings, it becomes apparent that your hours are turning into minutes and that the closing time of 10pm is far from fair. For those of you who couldn’t make the show, have no fear! Runde’s has you covered! Over the next week or so look forward to a review of the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, starting today with a few vehicles that were on display from Chevy. Check out the video’s below to see footage of the Cruze, Aveo RS and Volt!       [...]