Quiz: What Kind of Driver Are You?

Cars have a way of transforming the human personality, especially when a person slips behind the wheel. Nice, normal, relaxed people can transform into monsters that threaten the fabric of society. Wondering how driving changes you? Take this quiz from us at Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicvsille to find out. An answer key at the end will help you interpret your answers.

1. You’re on a two-lane road (one lane in each direction) with a double-yellow line in the center. You are behind a driver that is moving at about 20 mph (the speed limit is 45). What do you do?
1. Ride up to the car’s bumper while leaning on your horn, flashing your lights, and waving vulgar sign language out your window.
2. Pass the car illegally on the left or right to get in front of it and then slow down to about 10 mph to teach that driver a lesson.
3. No one says any one person must go the speed limit.
4. Establish a safe following distance and set your cruise control to match the speed of the car in front of you and enjoy the scenery.
2. You are driving on an interstate highway where the speed limit is 55. How fast are you driving?

1. The capabilities of my car and the appearance of flashing blue lights are the only speed limits I know.
2. I go 8 mph over the speed limit at all times. If I’m feeling lucky, I’ll jack that up to 15 or 20.
3. I will go 55, but I see the speed limit is changing up ahead, so in a few seconds I can lawfully jack up my speed to 65.
4. I’m afraid my speedometer reads too fast, so I’ll go about 10 mph slower than the speed limit just to be safe.
2. You’re approaching an intersection that has a light that just turned yellow. You’ve stopped for 15 red lights already, so you don’t think you should have to stop again. What do you do?

1. Put the pedal to the metal and run it. You must break the cycle to get better luck.
2. Use your illegal traffic light changer to give yourself a green light.
3. Stop, but complain about how the government is making you late.
4. Calmly stop, knowing that you have planned enough travel time so you won’t be late.

4. What part of your car do you appreciate the most?
1. The gas pedal.
2. The nitrous oxide power boost system.
3. The all-around airbags.
4. The fuel economy rating.

5. According to your belief system, who or what makes the roads you travel most dangerous?
1. Police.
2. Traffic lights.
3. People who don’t wear their seatbelt.
4. Poorly maintained roads.

6. Why did you get your last ticket?
1. The cop saw my “Life is Good” bumper sticker and wanted to prove it wrong.
2. I was the slowest speeder out there.
3. OMG. I had a burnt-out taillight and didn’t even know it! Thank you officer!
4. Failure to drive the minimum speed.

If you answered A or B to all six questions, you are an aggressive and irresponsible driver. You should check into a counseling program immediately. If you answered A or B to three or more questions, you are an annoying driver who could lose control at any moment. If you answered A or B to zero to two questions, you are very relaxed and responsible, but you might become a victim of road rage.

5 Nutritional Facts that Might Surprise You

Calling all health nuts: check out these nutrition facts from Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville to stay in-the-know about what’s in your fridge.

1. The scoop about sugar

Everyone knows that sugar, in all of its forms, is dense in calories and has the ability to sabotage diets. Below are a couple of other nutritional facts about sugar that might surprise you:

• Sugar doesn’t cause diabetes: Just because diabetes causes elevated blood sugar levels, that doesn’t mean that people with diets high in sugar will develop the disease. Research has shown that more important triggers for the disease can be found in genetics and lifestyle factors like obesity and lack of exercise.
• Sugar is addictive: You can add sugar to your list of addictive substances right along with tobacco and caffeine. Scientists at Princeton University have reported that when digested, sugar releases the chemicals opioids and dopamine, affecting your brain’s pleasure sensors just like other addictive substances.

2. “Fat” isn’t a dirty word

Dietary fats are also dense in calories, but not all fats are created equal. Without the proper balance of healthy fat in your diet, you might suffer from vitamin and hormone deficiencies. When you include healthy fats found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados, you also reap the following nutritional benefits that might surprise you:

• Fat improves your skin: Skin continues to renew itself by sloughing off dead skin cells and regenerating new ones. Without healthy fat in your diet, and the important vitamins found in them, your skin would be unattractively dry, itchy and scaly.
• Sex and fat: Your reproductive organs need fat to function properly. Sufficient fat levels produce hormones to regulate reproduction.

3. The truth about “low fat”

Most dieters gravitate toward low-fat diets without understanding that eating low-fat doesn’t necessarily translate into healthy food choices. High-fat content foods do have more calories. When compared with a low-fat or no-fat product without any fiber or nutritional content, though, you’d be better off reaching for a handful of walnuts or a piece of whole-grain bread with more calories but much higher nutritional value.

4. Misconceptions about buying “fresh”

By all means, if you live where farmers’ markets are available, buying fresh produce is always the way to go. The bigger question is, are you really better off buying fresh products during winter? The answer is, not necessarily. Keep in mind that the nutrients in fresh produce fade quickly. If you don’t know exactly when that bunch of broccoli was actually picked, or how far it had to travel to reach your market, you may be better off buying frozen because that produce is picked and processed quickly.

5. Be smart about organic foods

As your market shelves expand with organic products, don’t be fooled by phony claims. Food labeled “organic” doesn’t mean that it is nutritionally superior. What the label does mean is that the food is supposed to be absent of any synthetic fertilizers, added hormones, pesticides, or any genetically-modified ingredients. That expensive box of “organic” cookies or candy you just bought for your kids probably contains the same amount of sugar and fats as similar products and should not be considered a healthy choice just because the word “organic” is on the label.

Staying on top of important nutritional facts is the best way to be sure that you're eating a diet rich in many different types of food. When your nutrition levels are normal, your body will perform at its best every day.

Drive Nissan’s Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo in July

Well, drive it virtually at least. Nissan has unveiled photos of its latest concept, a virtual construction for the upcoming PlayStation® Gran Turismo 6® game called the Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo.

For drivers craving a real-life driving experience of the stunning concept, there’s hope. Nissan claims the virtual model also acts as a traditional concept car that hints at the design of a future GT-R. The concept’s roofline and slash headlights already scream “GT-R,” but Nissan hasn't yet mentioned any engine details.

Could we be seeing a real 2020 Vision Gran Turismo inspired Nissan GT-R on the road in the future? At Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville, we certainly hope so. We’ll be sure to keep you up to date on the latest Nissan news and design. Until then, look for the Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo this July on the Gran Turismo 6® virtual streets.

"PlayStation" and "Gran Turismo" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Image: Nissan

Top 10 Tips for First-Time Car Buyers

Buying a car for the very first time can seem like a daunting, overwhelming task. Luckily, with the right information and research, you can break down the process into a few straightforward steps. At Sheehy Nissan Mechanicsville, we have created a list of simple tricks and tips on what car to buy, how to buy it, and where to buy it.

10. Establish a realistic budget

This budget is based on what you can afford per month. The ideal is to pay with cash, but finance options and loans are more frequently used. Firstly, examine your cost of living in major areas, such as housing, food, health insurance, etc. Once you have calculated those costs, your remaining budget can be spent on a car payment, fuel, car insurance, and mechanical maintenance.

9. Know what you can spend monthly

A general guideline is that your monthly car payment should not be more than 20% of your take-home pay. Make sure to note that your level of financial debt is different from your monthly commitment. Your other costs-of-living should always be taken into consideration when making your final car budget, be it long-term or monthly payments. It is also very important to know your credit history before beginning this process. Having a personal copy of your credit report can be extremely helpful, and you can buy single reports or package deals from large national credit bureaus, such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

8. Establish your transportation needs

Given the cost of fuel, insurance and — in many cities — monthly parking, don't buy what you don't need. Do you have a large family or lead a carpool? A minivan, wagon, or SUV may be the right choice for you. Is good gas mileage or four-wheel drive a necessity in your daily life? Focus on what will be useful in the long run. You also should decide if you want to buy a new car or look into used automobile options. Both options have benefits and drawbacks, so it comes down to your transportation needs and your budget.

7. Identify and prioritize your wants

Spend some time considering what your priorities are for your new car. For example, do you want to focus on easy maintenance, advanced safety features, excellent gas mileage, or a good price? Your first automobile purchase doesn’t need to be your be-all/end-all dream car, but it should be a choice that you will be happy with in the future.

6. Do your research

Take advantage of the numerous online resources available to you before buying your new car. If possible, try to find out what the dealer price is and negotiate up from that figure. It is much better to do it that way as opposed to starting with the sticker price and working down. You should read car reviews in magazines and online to gain a better understanding of the car that you are interested in purchasing.

5. Locate a convenient dealership

Once you have done your research, compare dealer locations, prices, and showroom environments. Try to stay away from dealerships where two-thirds of the sales staff are sitting or standing at the front entrance. Rely on your own research and don’t fall for advertising. Remember that competition will get you the best price. Know what other dealers are charging for the same car ahead of time and use that knowledge to your advantage.

4. Ask to see service records and vehicle history reports

This is incredibly important if you are planning to buy a used car. You can access vehicle history reports by the vehicle identification number (VIN) and even by the license plate. These reports can reveal whether it has a salvage title, which means it has been declared a total loss by the insurance company, or if the odometer has been rolled back. Before you buy a used car, have it inspected by a trusted mechanic or request a mobile inspection.

3. Take a test drive

Nothing is more important in your decision process than how you feel behind the wheel. Test-driving a car not only tells you if this is the right car for you but also if this particular car is in good condition, especially when taking used cars into consideration. Take at least half an hour, and try stop-and-go routes, freeway merging, and interstate speeds. Simulate the conditions of your normal driving patterns and pay attention to how well the car meets your daily driving requirements.

2. Know your finances before buying a car

Have your own financing and loan approvals ready before you go into a dealership to purchase a new car. Talk with your credit union, bank or insurance provider (many have the capability and desire to finance your car purchase), and line up your financing in advance. Know your credit history and remember that it is illegal for anyone to run a credit check on you without your permission. 

1. Negotiate and secure the deal

Make a low opening offer that is close to the dealer price and work your way up from there. Decide ahead of time how high you will negotiate, and leave when you have reached your limit. Choose a dealer that doesn't try to tack on unnecessary additional fees. For example, a car that needs to be ordered from the factory should not cost more than the cars in the lot. Leave the dealership if you get hungry or tired. You can always come back another day, and it is important that you are thinking clearly and rationally while negotiating and purchasing a car. Lastly, close the deal and enjoy your first car!

At Sheehy Nissan Mechanicsville, we take pride in delivering an exceptional car-buying experience whether you're purchasing your first or fifth vehicle. Contact us to learn more about how easy car-buying can be.

2015 Nissan Frontier Truck Officially Revealed

Sheehy Nissan Mechanicsville has a look at Nissan’s Instagram ‘announcement’

Good things come to those who wait. That’s the motto we’re standing by here at Sheehy Nissan Mechanicsville ever since Nissan posted a teaser on Instagram earlier this month. The image is of a thinly veiled new model that seems to be a redesigned pickup. However, the all-new 2015 Nissan Frontier has officially been unveiled.