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Sledding hills Racine The holidays have dwindled down. It’s time to put the decorations away, toss the tree (or box it up carefully for next year if you do the artificial thing; we won’t judge), and relax a little. Whew! It’ll feel good for a little while, but then we get to the part where winter feels like it’s dragging on forever and without all the dazzling lights and home-baked cookies to sweeten the deal, it can get a bit depressing. But don’t succumb to it! You can beat the winter blues right here in Racine, and we’ve got some great suggestions on how to keep moving and keep that chin up! more How about some winter soccer? The Racine Area Soccer Association offers league play in three sessions, including one starting in February that there’s still time to sign up for! It’ll be a great way to get out there, make new friends, and keep yourself in shape as part of a fun, competitive team. There are programs for adults and children so the whole family can get in on it. Speaking of fitness, have you joined the Racine Family YMCA yet? In addition to having a place to go to work on your health through individual exercise, there are loads of group classes, sports programs, informal classes like cooking, scrapbooking, and quilting, and tons of great activities for kids to get involved and make new friends outside of school. Don’t let winter hold you and your family back!   Oh, and let’s not forget good old-fashioned sledding! Who doesn’t love sliding down a freezing cold hill at rapid speeds? It doesn’t sound that fun on paper, does it? But you know it is! Lockwood Park has a great hill, and of course there’s the water tower hill at Devor Park. Or find your own place to sled (without trespassing, though!) - just remember to wear lots of layers for warmth and padding! Whatever you do, do something! And if you need a winter-ready vehicle to help get you around and out of the house, you know who to call!

The 2014 Dodge Dart Are you thinking about an affordable new sedan for 2014? How about the new Dodge Dart? We love this stylish little car for its great features and reliability for an outstanding price. But how does it compare to other economical cars on today’s market? Today we’ve decided to run it alongside another very popular affordable sedan, the 2014 Chevy Cruze. See for yourself why we choose the Dodge Dart, hands down! more 18-inch aluminum wheels The first thing you’ll notice is a significant difference in MSRP. So are we messing with the trim levels to create a more favorable view of the Dart? Nope! Both cars are compared here at their lowest trim level. For the Dart, that’s the SE, and the Cruze is at its LS model. Okay, so what kind of performance are we talking about for that higher price tag? That would be less horsepower, less torque, and a slower 0-60mph time. Ouch. Gas mileage, then? The Cruze has got to come out swinging on that key area, right? Actually, they’re the same. So here’s what you get for much less money on the 2014 Dodge Dart: More speed, better performance, and the exact same MPG rating as the 2014 Chevy Cruze. Alright, what’s the trick, then? Something not listed on the table. Here, have some more categories! You can see in category after category, the 2014 Dodge Dart has the same or better for less. Are you interested in test driving the 2014 Dodge Dart or learning more about it? Please contact our friendly and helpful sales team here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine! We'll be happy to get you started on your search for a great and affordable new car!

Santa Claus Racine WI 2013 And to all a good night! If you’ve got a big Christmas wish list and need to get your face time with Santa in this season, we’ve got your times and dates right here. The time for big family fun is upon us in full swing, so don’t get so caught up in the holiday hustle and bustle that you miss these great events. Find out about where to see Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and the a dazzling Christmas light display the whole family will love and remember! more Wisconsin Christmas Carnival of Lights. This annual event takes place at Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Caledonia. It’s an incredible display of over a million lights throughout the park, sure to give you and your family that warm, magical holiday feeling! The cost is $15 per vehicle of eight or fewer, and what you get is a delightful, winding journey through a spectacular, one-of-a-kind Christmas village from the comfort of your car. And guess who will be there? Santa, of course! Give him a letter or get your photo taken with him (photos offered on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays before Christmas Eve)! The Carnival of Lights begins on Friday, November 29th 2013 and runs through Tuesday, December 31st.. The hours are 5pm-10pm on Friday and Saturday and 5pm to 9pm Sunday-Thursday. Santa's sleigh has more features than it used to! Of course, you can always see Santa at his other favorite holiday hangout –  the mall! He’ll be at Regency Mall, near Boston Store through 6pm on Tuesday, December 24th. The hours are 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, and 6pm-9pm Monday through Friday, 11am-2pm on Saturdays, and 3pm-6pm on Sundays. There will also be three special days for pet photos: December 4th, 11th, and 18th from 6pm-9pm. You can bring in your dog, cat, or rabbit –  please use a leash or carrier and come in through the southeast entrance. Finally, you can also spend some quality time with the Mrs! Starting November 30th and running every Saturday through December 21st, Santa’s better half will be at Borzynski’s Farm and Floral Market in Mt. Pleasant from 1pm-4pm for crafts, storytelling, cookie decorating, and more! The event is free for kids ages 1-12, so bring your camera and enjoy! We hope you all get a chance to participate in these fun family events this season! And if you should need an upgrade or service on your own sleigh, you know where to reach us!

Christmas Trees Racine WI Pre-cut or you-cut! We know there are plenty of realistic-looking fake Christmas trees out there for those of you can’t stand a mess. But for those of you who just can’t do Christmas without the real thing, we’ve put together this list of places to go get your tree, and all are within an hour’s drive of our location here in Racine. more We’ve divided them into two groups - those that let you cut your own tree, and those that have a selection of pre-cut trees for you to choose from. Be sure to call ahead to the location of your choice to confirm hours and availability. A fun family activity. You Cut: Bentz Road Farm - 6109 85th Street, Pleasant Prairie, WI. Phone: 262-620-4636.Saws provided. Hay rides and gift shop. Open for trees day after Thanksgiving. T.P. Pines Christmas Tree Farm - Holy Hill Rd, Twin Lakes WI. Phone: 262-877-2797. Also offers pre-cut. Saws provided. Buffalo Bill’s Christmas Trees - 9612 W. Oakwood Rd. Franklin WI. Phone: 414-427-5155 Pre-cut trees available. Bagging, shaking, and baling available. Saws provided. Noffke Tree Farms - 10341 N Granville Road, Mequon, WI. Phone: 262-242-5157 or 920-787-2812. Shaking, baling, refreshments, saws, and kneeling pads provided. There's always the easy way! Pre-Cut: Borzynski’s Farm & Floral Market - 11600 Washington Avenue, Mt. Pleasant, WI. Phone: 262-886-2235. Gift shop, petting zoo, wreaths and boughs. Apple Holler - 5006 S. Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, WI. Phone: 800-238-3629. Sleigh rides, restaurant, gift shop. Meadowbrook Farm - 2970 Mile View Rd., West Bend, WI. Phone: 262-338-3649. Pre-cut or you can choose one and let them cut it for you. Christmas park and petting zoo. Garden Gate Nursery - N48 W30756 Hill Street, Hartland, WI. Phone: 262-367-6464. Wreaths, boughs, decorations available. Of course, there are plenty more great choices in and around our area, but hopefully this list will get you started! And if you happen to need a great vehicle to strap that tree to the roof of, you know where to find us!

2014 Dodge Durango and Ron Burgundy There are a lot of awesome standard features on the new 2014 Dodge Durango. But one that never got a lot of mention is the glove box…until now. The partnership of the 2014 Dodge Durango and Ron Burgundy has brought this feature to the forefront. As it turns out, the 2014 Durango can fit up to 70 packs of gum in the glove box. That’s a lot of gum! We won’t spoil the rest for you. If you haven’t checked it out yet, watch the video we’ve attached. more Some other features that were mentioned in the video series with the 2014 Dodge Durango and Ron Burgundy include the 360 horsepower and 25 mpg highway fuel efficiency. Some pretty outstanding numbers on their own, but hearing Ron Burgundy speak of them adds a certain flair. The Durango is more than just the glove box inside. So the “Anchorman 2” star has managed to hype us up about some of the performance and efficiency figures. But what else is there to love about the new 2014 Durango? Well, the UConnect Touchscreen system might be enough to impress more than a few people. The 8.4-inch screen is big enough to make things clear, and the added navigation will keep you from taking a wrong turn. In addition, it provides full connectivity to keep you up on things and make sure your music is only a touch or two away. If you are a carrying a family in the new 2014 Durango, this next piece will be very important as well. Safety – the Durango has the components to keep you and your family safe. Features such as Forward Collision Warning and Back Up Assistance have been added. And it all starts with the passenger protection with high-grade steel construction. Active head restraints crumple zones and seven advanced airbags make sure that passengers are as protected as possible. So there you have it. The 2014 Dodge Durango is the choice of Ron Burgundy. But it should also be the choice for you…that is, if you want an SUV that is powerful, efficient and safe.

**Update: For 2014 Hours, go HERE! It’s that time of year again. For one day out of the year, little ghosts and goblins patrol the streets of Racine, while being rewarded with candy for their ghoulish deeds. But while it is sure to happen every year, the time and date is always in questions. Well, we can tell you that the Racine Trick-or-Treat hours for 2013 are from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. more Being on a Sunday is convenient for children and parents alike. And, it can be mostly done during lighted hours, which takes some of the stress off for parents worried about their kids traveling the streets at night. And while it may still be safer during daylight hours, we can’t stress enough that there still are potential dangers. Below we’ve listed some safety tips for parents and kids to assure they can stay safe on Halloween. 1. With so many lit jack-o-lanterns and candles around, make sure the costumes you buy are flame resistant. 2. Affix reflective tape to your child’s costume so they can be seen by cars in the dusk and early night hours. 3. Make sure that the kiddos go out in groups if no adults are walking with them. 4. Always remember to walk, not run while Trick-or-Treating. 5. Keep foot travel limited to the sidewalks whenever possible. If you need to cross the street, do so in the crosswalk. 6. Parents should inspect all candy before the kids eat it – and only wrapped candy should be consumed. 7. NEVER accept a ride from someone that you don’t know. The biggest factor to enjoying Halloween Trick-or-Treating is to be smart about what you do. By following a few simple rules, everyone can enjoy their Halloween! Traveling in groups is always a good idea on Halloween.

The Jeep Wrangler Polar is a good looking ride. 2014 Jeep Wrangler Polar Here’s one that should fit right in here in Wisconsin – the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Polar. The Wrangler Polar is the most recent special edition Wrangler showed off by the Jeep brand. It will be added to the Jeep lineup that includes a large number of special edition vehicles. Jeep says the vehicle will celebrate the winter driving 4x4 capability of the Wrangler. Sounds like a Wisconsin edition vehicle to us! more Although every version of the new Jeep Wrangler can handle the winter driving conditions in Wisconsin, the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Polar is something special. It starts with the standout paint job. The vehicle is available in Hydro Blue, Billit Silver Metallic and Bright White – all standout colors that give it an icy feel. This is offset by black accents and white interior finishes that make the Jeep really stand out. As for under the hood, the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Polar will feature either a 2.8-liter turbo diesel or 3.6-liter V6 engine. While these engines might be pretty standard, that’s because they have been proven to get the job done in a variety of conditions. It will also come in both standard and Unlimited formats – offering up everything that Jeep consumers want to know. In the past, Jeep special edition models have been known to sell out quickly. We have no reason to believe that the Jeep Wrangler Polar will be any different. But, we also don’t know the complete availability of the vehicle as of yet. For your best bet, keep in touch with us here at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Racine for the latest info on this Jeep special edition. You can also check out the other Jeep models in person that are currently available on the lot. We are here for you at Palmen – so feel free to contact us about anything you want to know!

Town and Country 30th Anniversary Edition - looking good! When did the minivan come to be? Nowadays, you might just take the minivan segment for granted. And we can’t blame you, as minivans have been around for quite some time. But when did the minivan come to be? You might not even realize that Chrysler was actually the brand that started it all in the minvan world - 30 years ago. more Before Chrysler actually made the move to offer the first minivan, the choices were pretty limited for families. Full-size vans could be extremely inefficient and just plain bulky. The birth of the minivan truly was a special time in the automotive industry. Recognizing this, Chrysler has actually committed to make an anniversary version of the Town & Country and the Grand Caravan - the two flagships from the brand. The result will be versions of both vans that are a little more than “the usual” in the segment. The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country 30th Anniversary Edition will come have such luxuries as 17-inch wheels, Granite Crystal Pearl paint, unique badging and all the “special” amenities available in the model. Similarly, the 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan 30th Anniversary Edition will include the same extra features and rims, as well as standout silver interior stitching and a knockout black paint job. If you are wondering about some of the extras on this anniversary edition vehicle, these include heated first and second row seating, heated steering wheels, adjustable pedals and more. Curious to learn more about the 30th Anniversary Town & Country and Grand Caravan? Contact us at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Racine and we’ll fill you in! Also, make sure to check out our current inventory of minivans in WI.

2014 Jeep Patriot vs 2014 Subaru Forester 2014 Jeep Patriot Here at Palmen of Racine, we have seen a large amount of 2014 vehicles hit the lot recently. But one that seems to fly under the radar is the 2014 Jeep Patriot. We could just sit here and tell you how good the vehicle is, but it would be more helpful for everyone if we provided a useful vehicle comparison. So, here we present the 2014 Jeep Patriot vs 2014 Subaru Forester comparison. more The two vehicles are actually very similar in several areas. For instance, the fuel mileage numbers are close. The Patriot gets a slight edge here in highway MPG by hitting the 30 mark. The Forester doesn’t get beyond the 20s here. And while they are actually close figures, every MPG matters when taking the family on a road trip. 2014 Subaru Forester Another similarity is the actual engines offered. Both models feature the availability of two four-cylinder engines. The Subaru does have a turbo engine available, but the extra horsepower will cost you some fuel efficiency. But, being a Jeep, the Patriot offers some outstanding off-road capability for a small crossover. This is true when all passengers are in place as well, as the two front and three rear passengers will all be able to get where they are going. For actual luggage capacity, the Patriot does offer slightly more space at 35.5 cubic ft of cargo space. In appearance, we think the new Jeep Patriot is a slam dunk when compared to the Forester. Plus, the rugged, yet capably ride offered in the Patriot makes it a great choice. The improved acceleration on the 2014 version of the Patriot is enough to seal the deal. When it comes to the 2014 Jeep Patriot vs 2014 Subaru Forester, the final decision is always yours. But to help it, Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Racine is offering up test drives of the new Jeep. Try it out in person and see what you think!

The safety of the Dodge Dart begins with the outer construction. Dodge Dart Safety Features A vehicle can never be too safe. This is the philosophy of the folks at Dodge, who have obviously put some real strong effort into the 2013 Dodge Dart. And all that hard work paid off recently as the car was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The new Top Safety Pick+ rating is the highest rating possible – proving the impressive performance of the Dodge Dart safety features. more The Top Safety Pick+ rating follows the 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, making the Dart one of the few vehicles on the roadway to score the highest on both tests. The Dart scored very well in the rollover, rear, side and moderate-overlap frontal impact tests. What it all means is that for a small car, the Dodge Dart safety features do the work that they need to do for you. We hate to see a Dart smashed, but a crash test is a good cause. The Dodge Dart safety features all start with the body construction, with high-strength steel forming the outer shell of the car. Then, a trip inside reveals more of the safety features that are in place – not that you’ll notice any of them. The dart is equipped with 10 standard air bags, front head restraints and cool new technology like Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection. All of this makes the Dart a model of safety in the small vehicle class. Even the dash of the Dart shows off the outstanding safety features. The Electronic Vehicle Information Center, as it’s called, is able to alert you when a tire goes down or is just low. Little features like this make sure that you don’t have to constantly worry about issues like this. With all the safety features the Dodge Dart offers, drivers and all occupants can feel comfortable taking it anywhere. Try it out and see what it has to offer in person at Palmen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Racine.

2013 Chrysler 300 vs 2013 Toyota Avalon How does the Chrysler 300 stack up? The full-size segment is getting some quality entries in it as of late. And the added competition means that the options are going to get even better. For the sake of our customers, we thought we would provide a detailed comparison pitting one of our models against its top competitor. We will be looking at the 2013 Chrysler 300 vs 2013 Toyota Avalon. The two vehicles seem to be popular with consumers, so the competition is a heated one. Let’s see how they stack up. more The first item of note would be the physical appearance of the vehicles. The 2013 Chrysler 300 is slightly larger than the Avalon in physical size. And that transfers to additional room for back seat passengers. The 300 has 40.1 inches of rear leg room compared to 39.2 inches on the Avalon. The rear shoulder room is also marginally larger on the 300. While it may only be a few inches, when you are riding in the back seat of a vehicle, every inch counts. Even the cargo capacity is slightly better on the 300. The Avalon can't quite stack up to the Chrysler 300. As for fuel mileage on the 2013 Chrysler 300 vs 2013 Toyota Avalon, the models are equal at 31 MPG highway fuel economy. But, the larger fuel tank on the 300 allows it to have an extended range of 592 miles compared to just 527 on the Avalon. Again, the little things go a long way when comparing the two models. If you need one more comparison point between the 2013 Chrysler 300 and 2013 Toyota Avalon, consider that the 300 also has a more powerful engine. The 3.6-liter six-cylinder on the 300 provides output of 292 horsepower while the 3.5 on the Avalon has output of 268 horsepower. So there you have it. When all factors are considered, it would seem that the 300 is a better option for many reasons. But, the decision is up to you in the end. Want to know more? Contact Palmen of Racine and get the info you want!

Most American? It's Jeep according to one study. Most American Vehicle Brand When you think of what represents America, there are probably a lot of brands that come to mind. Here at Palmen of Racine, we were happy to see that in one recent study, one of our own was found to be ‘most American’ out of all brands. That brand was Jeep, which was named most American in research done by the firm Brand Keys recently. So when it comes to most American vehicle brand – at least in this study – the winner is Jeep. more While we sure are proud of our American vehicle brand, we’d have to say that we were pleasantly surprised that it came out at #1 overall. Our surprise is even more obvious when you consider that the brands it was competing against include Coca Cola, Hershey’s and other serious name brands. But when you think of someone rolling through the rough terrain in a Jeep Wrangler with the top down, it strikes us as indeed very American. Since we mentioned the Jeep Wrangler in Kenosha, let’s take a look at what it offers. Capability has to be at the top of the list, as the Wrangler is well known for being able to tackle some tough situations. When those situations include some very rough terrain, the Electronic Sway Bar Disconnect comes into play. This allows the sway bar to disengage in 4LO mode, meaning the wheels can actually drop and compress up to 22%. But what it really means is that you can get up and over the obstacles with the Wrangler. Add to that the Command-Trac 4WD that comes into play in slick conditions, and the Wrangler is the ultimate off-road vehicle. And yes, it’s also very American. See it in person at Palmen of Racine and experience the capability for yourself. Of course, you may not be able to take it over any large rocks – but you’ll get the idea.