Posted by: rundeautoconnection on: July 10, 2009
In for service recently was Jane Wardenburg, from Williamsburg, IA. Sitting outside with her dog attracted pretty much everyone towards her. Kids in the showroom were asking her if they could ride her horse. The two of them were nice enough to chat with me for a little bit while she get her vehicle repaired.
Hello Jane, what is being serviced on your vehicle?
The drivers door lock was acting up. So they are replacing that for me.
What kind of vehicle do you have?
We have a ‘08 Suburban. We got it here in September.
What service person is helping you?
I believe his name is Ron McGinnis. He has been really great. Everyone here is very good. The guy we bought the Suburban from, Rob Sheehan, was great as well.
How would you rate your experience here on a scale of 1-10?
I’d give it a 10. They were very good about getting the car in and making it work for me. The sale was painless and great. Really nothing to complain about.
What do you have planned for the rest of the day?
We are heading down to get stitches out of my dogs leg from when she had surgery.
What was wrong with her?
She blew her knee out. They had to make a kind of ligament to replace it with.
What kind of dog is she?
A Great Dane. Her name is Elly, she’s two. We got her as a puppy.
And now… she’s not so much a puppy… sh
e’s huge!
Yea, she grew really fast.
Are you married?
Yes, for 24 years now.
Do you have any kids?
I have two boys, one in the marines and one graduating from high school.
Do you go on family vacations?
Yes we do. After we got the Suburban we could all sit comfortably and watch T.V. and so much more, it really makes for a great trip. We were recently in San-Diageo for my son’s graduation from the marines, the trip was very fun thanks to the Suburban you sold us.
Is Elly a Chevy girl?
Oh yes, she loves the suburban.
Thank you for taking some time out to talk to me, Hope Elly gets used to her surgery, she sure is a joy to have around!
Posted by: rundeautoconnection on: June 30, 2009
Ever wish someone would walk up to you and hand you the keys to a new vehicle? The closest I’ve ever come to hearing about something like this, I previously mentioned when I wrote the annecdote about Doug in our Field of Dreams blog post last year. There’s also that scene from Pay it Forward, where some guy hands Jay Mohr the keys to his new Jaguar S-Type car in an effort to … you guessed it … pay it forward. I was looking at GM’s Project Driveway a little today and I checked it out to see if I might qualify to drive a new state-of-the-art Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle.
Project Driveway is the first large-scale market test of fuel cell vehicles with real drivers in the real world. Because hydrogen fuel cells use zero gasoline and produce zero emissions other than water vapor, they’re definitely much better for our environment in the long run. And GM is betting big bucks that they will be an important part of our future.
The Equinox Fuel Cell SUV has an electric motor traction system that provides the vehicle with smooth acceleration with the ability to reach a top speed of 100 mph. So a lack of power will not be an issue when driving a fuel cell vehicle, but how do you put fuel in it??? I know that I’m not interested in lugging around big hydrogen tanks! The video below shows what’s involved with refueling the vehicle.
Check out the next vid to see where GM plans to go to get to the next level of making fuel cell vehicles.
It’s exciting to see what’s on the horizon in terms of technology and possibilities. I know that the auto makers have put a lot of time and money into making these fuel cell vehicles safe for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. And please don’t post any comments related to the Hindenburg. My dad will be 70 years old in August and the Hindenburg event took place 2 years before he was born. A lot has happened in the seventy-two years since then just in case you blinked. I wouldn’t hesitate to try out a fuel cell vehicle. And if someone out there wants to hand me the keys to one to let me drive it for free for a couple months … let’s just say I’m open to that possibility.
I’ll leave you with this link to Kip’s “Technology” wedding serenade to Lafawnduh from Napoleon Dynamite. Either you loved this movie or you hated it — whatever the case, this scene still cracks me up everytime I see it.
Posted by: rundeautoconnection on: June 26, 2009


What do you do here at Runde’s?
I take pictures and videos of cars.
How long have you been here?
It’s been just a couple of weeks now.
Are you originally from the area?
Yep. I’m from Menominee Il.
Where did you go to school?
I went to East Dubuque high school.
What kind of past-times and hobbies do you partake in?
I play volleyball, basketball and softball I also like to swim and boat.
What is your favorite hang-out spot in the Tri-State area?
Menominee Ball Diving.
You have other jobs?
Yep. At Subway and Carlos O’ Kelly’s.
Do you have any pets?
I have a cat named Socks… I have no idea what kind of cat he is.
What kind of car do you drive?
A red 2000 Sunfire, it’s my first car.
What kind of vehicles does your family own?
We have a Chevy Venture van and … a truck… I don’t know what it’s called.
Out of the Sunfire, the Venture and the truck what is your favorite to drive?
Mine (the Sunfire).
Do you have little air-fresheners and stuff like that in your car?
No…
Have any siblings?
Two younger brothers, Jason and Justin. Jason is 15 and Justin is 11.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Olive Garden.
For the love of taste buds… what do you like to get from there?
The fettuccine alfredo.
You makin’ me hungry. What’s your most memorable experience in a car or truck?
I got a speeding ticket for going 21 over.
I hope you’ll keep your speed down when driving around our lot. But I’ll be sure to stay out or your way just in case … What’s your favorite movie?
What Happens In Vegas.
What CD do you have in your car right now?
It’s a mix of country, rap… everything.
Is the glass half full or half empty?
Half full.
Who is your favorite actor/actress?
Probably Matthew McConaughey.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Go shopping. I might go traveling maybe to Hawaii.
What would you do in Hawaii?
Go snorkeling. Maybe scuba dive.
What’s one invention you can’t live without?
Cell phone.
What would you do if you could be president for a day?
Eliminate taxes.
Thanks Jenna. You have my vote!! Welcome to the team!
Posted by: rundeautoconnection on: June 24, 2009
Posted by: rundeautoconnection on: June 24, 2009
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Posted by: rundeautoconnection on: June 8, 2009
You’re rolling down the road jammin’ out to the new Black Eyed Peas album until you feel a little jolt. Slowly, but surely, your car starts to not feel quite right. You nervously pull over and get out to inspect your vehicle. To your pleasant surprise, you find a rather large nail in your tire that is leaking air out. What do you do now?
You don’t know quite how to change that tire, you say? Well, that’s what we are here for! We created the following video to help everyone who might not quite know how to change that flat into tire-changin’ pros. A lot of times people are too embarrassed to admit that they don’t know how to change a tire, or have never been put into a situation where they needed to do it. Say no more, here you are – how to change a flat tire.
Posted by: rundeautoconnection on: May 21, 2009
We recently had a chance to interview the Miller Family of Manchester, Iowa after they bought the van they had their eye on. Enjoy getting to know this great family, we know we did! 
What kind of vehicle did you buy?
We bought a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country Touring Edition with seating for seven.
Where is the first place you’ll take your new vehicle?
Probably home.
Do you think it’s a male or female? And will you give the car a name?
Definitely a female. And no, I don’t think we plan on giving it a name.
How often do you usually trade in your cars?
When it’s time for them to go!
What’s the best thing about your new ride?
The color, it’s smooth ride, the low mileage, and the kids absolutely love the DVD player.
How was your salesperson, Sara Dellabella?
She was Fantastic!! 
Do you have a favorite hang-out spot?
Pin Oak Park in Manchester. We walk into the forest and go hiking there.
What is one thing you really can’t wait to do once the summer weather and summer temperatures arrive?
Go camping and swimming.
Where is your favorite place to go for a scenic drive in the area?
Yellow River in Northeast Iowa.
Favorite restaurant? Los Floras for Mexican, Chuong Garden for Chinese. Both of these places are in Manchester. We also like Village Inn when we get out of Manchester.
Favorite movie? The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, it’s the “family favorite.”
Favorite Actor and Actress? Alicia: Tom Selleck. Lance: John Wayne.
What is one invention you couldn’t live without? DVD player… no, actually cell phone.
SPEED ROUND!
Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks? Alicia: Neither. Lance: Cruise.
Oreos or Chips Ahoy? It’s a tie.
Hawkeyes or Cyclones? Hawkeyes.
Gordon or Junior? Junior.
Target or Walmart: Target. 
If you were a vehicle, what vehicle would you want to be and why? Alicia: A Studebaker because of the cool headlights. Lance: ZR2 Blazer because it’s loud and bouncy.
Will your kids be allowed to eat or drink in your new vehicle? Only on REALLY LONG DRIVES and only if they’re good.
How would you rate your car buying experience with Runde Auto Group? Excellent, Good, or So-So? Excellent! Sara was very helpful and her eye shadow matches the new van!
Enjoy your new van!